Diplomaticos No. 2 RAT FEB 20 (XNYRW5)

[saltbox]

Another one of my first 24:24 purchases, I think maybe the third box I picked up. Slowly making my way through some of my oldest boxes now and revisiting them.

First third: opens with cedar and cream, with a touch of bell pepper or paprika on the retrohale. Over the course of the third, the creaminess picks up a bit.

Middle third: more of the same cream, bell pepper, and cedar. It really does taste like half Montecristo half Partagas. It has that Partagas paprika but the creaminess is a darker one more akin to Montecristo, though I'd hesitate to say there's any actual chocolate notes here.

Last third: not much change, just more of the same cream, bell pepper, cedar, and what's verging on chocolate but not quite.

Overall: between this and the Partagas P2 from the Xmas sampler, I'd be hard pressed to pick which one was better but I think I'd lean towards the P2. I've had a couple from this box, and it's always enjoyable, but I often prefer to reach for either a Partagas or a Montecristo as opposed to what feels like the midpoint in between. 90/100

[williamthewolf]

Thanks for this review. I have a RAT JUN 21 box I got from 24:24 before the holidays. It's resting for now. These have been on my list for over a decade and hadn't gotten my hands on them til now. Very familiar with the Monte 2 as that was my primary cigar for a period of time.  I have a box of '21 P2's as well that should be good to go when the Diplomaticos are, so I'll give them a go back to back over a weekend. 

I hear your sentiment about reaching for the the others over the choice in the middle though. I feel the same with whisky. Still excited to try these. Great write up! 

[HawkI84]

I've got a July 2020 box of these, and when I had my first from the box 3-4 months ago it tasted like nothing. As in, tasting notes from me would amount to "mild tobacco smoke", or something like that. Hoping they come around with some more age.

[Silverstix]

37 minutes ago, HawkI84 said:

I've got a July 2020 box of these, and when I had my first from the box 3-4 months ago it tasted like nothing. As in, tasting notes from me would amount to "mild tobacco smoke", or something like that. Hoping they come around with some more age.

Similar experiences here with the limited number of them that I've smoked.  Very non-descript and boring for me.  I have a 1/4 box from 2020 also and I haven't sampled them yet.  Maybe this spring when they have 2 years on them I'll give one a shot 

[jonnyfromiranny]

My desert island cigar is a Monte 2, but am I glad I have a dip 2 box on hand? Yes.

Variety is the spice of life.

[porkchop]

Have a similar box and the first stick had such an incredible buttery taste that unfortunately died a quarter way in. Giving the others some time to sit.