H. Upmann Connoisseur B: El Habano que JFK Eligió la Noche Antes del Embargo

The H. Upmann Connoisseur B is the cigar that John F. Kennedy chose over Cohiba, Montecristo, and Romeo y Julieta the night before signing the embargo against Cuba in 1962. In this third-by-third analysis, I explain why this Cuban brand from 1843—and no other—was the one a president ordered to be stockpiled by the hundreds. I'm Fernando Guerra, Master Cigar Sommelier and Master Habano Sommelier, and in this video, I unravel what the band doesn't tell you. We begin with the true story of H. Upmann: its founding in Havana in 1843, how it survived the bankruptcy of its banking house, nationalization after the Revolution, and why its name is still engraved on boxes almost two centuries later. From there, we move on to the anecdote that defines its legend: the early morning of February 7, 1962, when Pierre Salinger was tasked with acquiring 1,200 H. Upmann cigars before the embargo closed the door forever. Next, a complete sensory analysis, third by third: creaminess, sweetness, acidity, bitterness, and spiciness, with their intensity measured point by point, so you can understand the true character of this Connoisseur B and not just its myth. We conclude with the recommended pairing and who this cigar is intended for—and who it isn't. If you want to develop your palate and understand premium tobacco from a technical perspective, you'll find more on the channel every week: education for beginners on Mondays and technical analyses on Thursdays. Episodes 00:00 The Night Before the Embargo: JFK and the 1,200 Cigars 02:03 What is the H. Upmann Connoisseur B? 02:22 H. Upmann Since 1843: The Brand's History 04:39 First Third: Creaminess and Start 05:11 Bankruptcy, the Revolution, and Nationalization 05:51 Second Third: Body and Evolution 06:35 H. Upmann and Connoisseur 08:52 Third Third: The Cuban Character and the Finish 09:37 Who This Cigar Is For (and Who It Isn't For) 11:37 Recommended Pairing 13:02 Master Cigar Sommelier's Technical Verdict 👉 Subscribe and turn on notifications. #HUpmann #HabanosCuba #CigarSommelier