H. Upmann No. 2 MEG May 17: Weekend Review Competition

[Danimalia]

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

[Islandboy]

Nice review! The flavors of my first HU #2 yesterday were right in my wheelhouse, a lot of what you describe. And the burnt caramel off the aroma was a bonus. I definitely found it a notch above the PC for my palate.

[TheMonk]

Good one!