H.Upmann Connoisseur No.1 vs No.2: Which Cuban Robusto Should You Choose?

There is a particular kind of hesitation that happens at the H.Upmann shelf. Two boxes, same marque, both called “Connoisseur,” both robusto-shaped — and no obvious way to tell, from the box alone, which one actually suits you. It's a smaller decision than choosing between two entirely different Cuban houses, but it's a real one, and it deserves a real answer.

This guide compares the H.Upmann Connoisseur No.1 and No.2 directly: origin, construction, size, flavour, and the kind of smoker each one rewards — so that whichever box you choose, you're choosing it on purpose.

A Brief Introduction to H.Upmann

Founded in Havana in 1844, H.Upmann is the oldest continuously operating marque in the Habanos portfolio — older than Cohiba, older than Montecristo, older than the modern Cuban cigar industry itself. The house built its reputation on a lighter, more refined style within the Cuban canon: where some Havana marques lean into raw power, H.Upmann has always favoured elegance and consistency, which is a large part of why the Connoisseur line, in particular, has such a loyal following among smokers who want Cuban character without maximum intensity.

The full current H.Upmann range — Connoisseur, Magnum, Sir Winston, Half Corona, Majestics, and the LCDH-exclusive Connoisseur A and B releases — is available in the H.Upmann collection, which currently holds 30 SKUs spanning entry-accessible boxes through rare LCDH and vintage releases. For readers comparing marques across the wider Havana portfolio, our full Cuban collection sits alongside it.

Connoisseur No.1 vs No.2: Side-by-Side Comparison

The dimensions are close enough that construction, not size, is the real deciding factor. Both are true robustos in the 45-minute range — an ideal length for an afternoon break or a post-dinner smoke that doesn't demand the two-hour commitment of a Churchill.

Flavour and Smoking Experience

Neither cigar is aggressive. Both sit in H.Upmann's mild-to-medium house range, which is precisely why the marque has built such a strong reputation as a gateway into serious Cuban smoking without the intensity of a full-bodied Partagás or a peak-strength Cohiba Behike.

Construction and Authenticity

Both Connoisseur lines are rolled Totalmente a Mano — entirely by hand, in the traditional Cuban method, with a single torcedor responsible for the full construction of each cigar from bunch to finished cap. That matters for consistency: a well-rolled Cuban robusto should draw evenly for its full length, and both Connoisseur releases are built to that standard.

As with every Cuban cigar we carry, both Connoisseur No.1 and No.2 arrive as factory-sealed boxes with the Habanos S.A. holographic seal and a verifiable box code, sourced through authorized channels — never grey-market or parallel-imported stock. If you're new to verifying a Cuban box, our guide on choosing the right cigar size and ring gauge also covers the basics of vitola construction that apply to both of these robustos.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Assuming “No.2” means “lesser.” In Habanos naming conventions, the number doesn't rank quality — it simply distinguishes two releases within the same line. The No.2 here is a vintage-dated release, not a downgrade.
• Judging by ring gauge alone. A 3-point ring gauge difference (48 vs 51) is real but subtle at the smoking-experience level; the vintage rest on the No.2 has more influence on the final flavour than the size difference does.
• Buying without checking current stock. Both releases carry limited box counts — as of this review, 4 boxes of the No.1 and 3 boxes of the No.2 remain in Hong Kong. Confirm availability before building a purchase plan around one specific release.
• Skipping the LCDH releases. If you're building out a full H.Upmann vertical, the Connoisseur A and B LCDH releases are worth a look — La Casa del Habano-exclusive editions with their own distinct character.

Which One Should You Buy?

If you're choosing your first H.Upmann and want the most direct expression of the house style, start with the Connoisseur No.1. If you're already familiar with the marque and want to explore how bench-aging shapes a Cuban blend, the Connoisseur No.2 Vintage 2020 is the more interesting comparison — and a natural next step for anyone who has already worked through our guide to Cuba's best-known marques for beginners.

Serious collectors building a complete H.Upmann shelf will want both, alongside the Half Corona for a shorter format and the Magnum 50 for a slightly bolder double robusto.

Buying and Storing in Hong Kong

Both Connoisseur releases are sold as authorized, tax-paid Hong Kong stock, which matters more than it might seem: Cuban cigars bought through unverified channels are one of the most commonly counterfeited luxury goods in the region, and a box without a checkable Habanos code is a box you can't fully trust.

Once your boxes arrive, store them the way any premium Cuban cigar deserves — a humidity-controlled humidor at roughly 65–72% relative humidity will keep both the No.1 and No.2 in proper condition, and will let the No.2 in particular continue developing the way vintage-dated Habanos are meant to.