”Overall, this was a very enjoyable cigar and one that is one of Altadis’ best blends released under the (non Cuban) H. Upmann line.”

Wrapper: Criollo ’98 (2012 Crop)
Binder: Nicaraguan Seco (2011 Crop)
Filler: Nicaraguan Seco (2011 Crop), Nicaraguan Viso (2010 Crop), Nicaraguan Ligero (2009 Crop)
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic (Tabacalera de Garcia)
Toro: 6 x 54 (Box Press)
Price: $9.25
Review: H. Upmann Ingot TheBANKER Private Holding by Altadis USA
Appearances on Countdown (By Year/Brand): 2 (2012, 2016)

Coming in at #30 is the H. Upmann Ingot TheBANKER Private Holding by Altadis USA.  The cigar is an offshoot of the H. Upmann Banker , a line that pays homage to brand founder Herman Upmann. Upmann was a German banker who in 1844 went to Havana Cuba and invested in a cigar factory – which became the H. Upmann brand. An Ingot is a gold bar and thus extends the story of the Banker line. It returns Altadis USA to the Cigar of the Year Countdown for the first time since 2012 and it gives H. Upmann it’s first Countdown appearance.

This blend is highlighted Criollo ’98 wrapper over a Nicaraguan binder and filler. The Ingot was made in a single size – a 6 x 54 box-press Toro. The cigars were packaged in eight count boxes with at design of a gold brick. A total of 4,500 individually numbered boxes were produced.

The Ingot delivers a very different smoke than the core H.Upmann The Banker offering. This cigar is a medium strength, medium-bodied smoke that delivers notes of  cedar, natural tobacco, caramel, fruit, and pepper

Overall a really nice smoke. The Eight Count boxes make this an affordable and worthy box purchase.

For details of the 2016 Cigar of the Year Countdown, see our 2016 criteria.