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I had a bit of a dilemna in terms of what to review for this competition. I had a handful of great cigars in June, but nothing that stood out as a clear winner. I chose the Upmann No. 2 basically because I wanted to smoke an Upmann No. 2 more than I wanted to smoke a Larranaga Picadores, Illusione Ultra No. 8, or LFD Double Ligero Oscuro Especiales. I bought this box of Upmanns from our host, and I believe it was actually my first 24:24 purchase last October. Stats: H. Upmann No. 2 Piramides 6 1/8" x 52 MEG May 17 PSP/HQ This cigar looks great. It's oily, streaky, well-tapered, and feels perfect in the hand. Aside from one fairly prominent Frankenstein stitch, the seams and veins are basically invisible. I'd call it a straight Colorado, though some in the box have been Colorado-Maduro. I use a Colibri deep V-cutter, which takes a nice wedge out of the tapered head. The cigar takes a light well, and the draw is OK, but just a bit stiffer than I like. Certainly not that bad, but I still run the Perfect Draw through a couple of times anyway. Right off the bat, the cigar is medium-full bodied. At this stage in their development, I find these cigars to be at varying degrees of fruitines. The one I had a couple of weeks ago that prompted me t review the Upmann was very forward with those dark, stone fruit flavors. So far, this one is more savory, with nuts, leather, a touch of saltiness, but it also has a bit of dried fig flavor on the finish. The burn is not great, but hasn't become an issue. Getting past the first inch, and the cigar has a nice, long finish, which adds to its richness. Boy, what a shame that Habanos has killed off the H. Upmann Petit Corona. I'd had a number of 2s before I tried my first PC, but I'd heard that the two cigars share a flavor profile and I have to agree. The PCs that I've sampled have been a tough lighter in body, but I don't believe that's always the case and that late PCs could be pretty full-bodied. Into the second third, and I'm now getting some sweeter, floral notes, which are quite nice. I haven't generally found the cigars from this box to be particularly complex, but this one has a lot going on. Just had a couple of puffs that had a meaty/wine flavor. All the cigars I've had from this box have been very well-constructed, so credit to the factory. Heading into the final third, and the cigar has picked up in strength. Getting some black pepper, and leather, and virtually no sweetness at this point. A little bit of peanut. The cigar really has a very substantive, oily mouthfeel which I like. Not much else to report, so I'm going to close this out. Overall, this was a very nice, summer evening cigar. Great example of a Cuban pyramid, and a solid value,.I didn't thunk it was quite as good as the last one, as I do prefer those sweeter, fruit flavors that really came through in that one. CA Rating: 91

I had my first Mag 56 tonight. YUM. All dark black Coffee and Slightly burnt toast. Very Rich. Unfortunately, I dont like the size, at all. Smoking a cigar of that girth is just not enjoyable for me, I could also hear that wet sucking sound coming from my wallet the entire time. So, my question is. What tastes like this, but is maybe half the size and half the price?

Finally something to write home about. The Majestic had a single soft spot and burned razor sharp throughout. It's wrapper had some girth to it, didn't feel thin, still had some sheen to it.. I was excited when I dry boxed it last night. Primero: Ceder and bread to start, rich smoke, nutty. Salt on the lips. Cocoa and coffee. Beautiful burn to start. More coffee, nuts.. White pepper on the retro. Bread. Not bread like gingerbread, bread. White bread dipped in coffee. Medium profile. Faint hint of cloves; earthy, spicy sweet. Really beautiful burn/smoke so far. Getting slightly sweeter and more pronounced on the clove note. Peanuts and coffee. Perfect construction. Nuts and cocoa. Great rhythm! Brown sugar, almond, coffee.. 16:42 29 minutes in, so effortless. Medio: Cinnamon and coffee. I had cloves earlier. Cinnamon; dustier, lighter, less earthy, drier.. Cocoa. Coffee. Very deep/powerful and clean on the palate. Sour milk & coffee. Nutty, wood, cocoa, rich cocoa, some pepper. Medium/Full profile. Faint caramel on the finish. Cinnamon. 17:00 Gingerbread and coffee. Bit more wood and pepper. 17:08 nearing end of 2nd. Profile is Medium/Full. More wood and white pepper. Cocoa - Spiced cocoa, caramel. Fin: 17:12 starting last 3rd. Cinnamon & wood. Pepper on the retro. Coffee & caramel. Gingerbread. Spiced cocoa. Wood, pepper. Cinnamon and wood. Sweet. I was afraid that around this point it would red line but I was patient and subsequently rewarded. Leather spiced cocoa. This was the shining moment for this stick. Perfect harmony for my palette. Flavor A100. Love it. Cedar is also playing so well off the cocoa. More pepper. At this point, other business arose. I decided to walk away on top. Final smoke clock: ~1 hr 25 min

H. Upmann Mag 48 EL 2009, Tuesday, 11 November 2014 Box Code OPM NOV 2009 (PSP) Time 1:15h Drink: water Dark wrapper, a bit rough, nice satin shine. Draw comfortable, not much flavor at cold. Didn't plan to do a review as the last few of them have been nice but quite light and I was in for a comfortable smoke. But it hit me right after lighting. Right from the start the flavor was medium to full with rich dark chocolate and coffee. Full heavy thick smoke. Very surprised. I had 3 out of this box before over the last 8 month or so and even they have been nice but on the light side. Positive to mention is that every one was a bit better than the last one. This one is different, a lot different. Progressing the 1st 3rd adding toasted bread to the richness of chocolate and coffee. Wow. 2nd third mellows down a bit to medium, the chocolate is getting a bit bitter but not unpleasant and some soft pepper is there. The amount of smoke is down by half. Last third is gearing up again. Changing from bitter to sweet chocolate, coffee, bread. Reminds me at one point of tiramisu. Again rich thick smoke, a lot of smoke. Closing to the nub, sweet chocolate and some nutty flavor. Burn was nearly perfect, only one relight which was my fault as I did not pay attention. Conclusion: For me an excellent example of a Mag 48. Thanks for reading.

I smoked this one today, from Rob's April HQ sampler, at least I think that's what it was. First quarter inch was heaven! Unfortunately seemed plugged after that, got creative and smoked it best I could, still enjoyed it! I've been smoking heavy on these lately and enjoyed them all, but this one stood out in the beginning. Hoping that initial flavor is typical of this cigar and normally all the way through as I'd probably try to get a box. Anyone have some experience with these? I'd appreciate your thoughts!