Herman Upman was a member of a family linked to European banks and a lover of fine cigars. It came as no surprise when, in around 1840 he volunteered to open a bank in Havana. The cigars he sent home proved so popular that in 1844 he invested in a cigar factory. The company traded successfully until 1922, when first the bank and then the cigar business failed. A British firm J. Frankau & Co saved the brand and ran the factory until being sold to the newly founded Menendez y Garcia company in 1935.

Havana Upmans are light flavoured, very smooth, subtle cigars. They are a good beginner's cigar, or one to be smoked after a light meal.