Deep Dive: Juan Lopez Seleccion Number 2

[El Presidente]

Deep Dive: Juan Lopez Seleccion Number 2 

I tear up when I think of my beloved Juan Lopez Seleccion Number 2. Tears of happiness and appreciation 

The JLS2 is my workhorse Robusto.  I rarely experience a bad one, most rate 90-92 point cigars thereabouts. However they are one of the few Robusto's capable of reaching the Cohiba Robusto  extreme levels of honeyed goodness. I regularly achieve 94-96 point Juan Lopez 2's. They age a dream but even young they deliver in a different way. 

 

Let's talk Juan Lopez Seleccion Number 2 

• Do you like the Juan Lopez Seleccion Number 2?
• Where does it stand compared to other similar cigars. 
• Have you noticed a blend/flavour/body change over the years? If so, approximately when?
• How long does it take you to smoke a Juan Lopez Seleccion Number 2 
• Discuss and do the poll!

  Juan Lopez Seleccion Number 2 

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[Boxer31]

I do love the JL2 but I can’t seem to hide them so they don’t last. Would love to see how they are past 5 yr mark.  They don’t disappoint 

[NSXCIGAR]

Since around 2012 JL S1/2 have been an in-your-face type cigar. Bold and direct. I think Rob's description is pretty good: black coffee/espresso core with some citrus notes. Punchy but not overly strong. 

It's a very simple formula that many really like. Very similar in approach to the Famosos. Personally I'm not enamored with the blend but that's just personal preference. They are a cigar I would consider to be for experienced smokers.

If they could really dial up the quality and really balance out the blend I think the brand could be a star. I've heard very good things about most of the JL ERs so perhaps we'll get something a step up from the S1/S2. The new Seleccion Especial I've heard are excellent. 

[Silverstix]

Would probably put this fourth behind the Connie 1, BRC, and VR Famoso. Can bring a real slap in the face in the first couple years. Somewhat inconsistent, consistently. They tend to range from nutty and smooth, to sometimes woodsy with a bite, and everywhere in between. I don’t really get the orange notes. I prefer lighter wrappers I tend to get more of the medium bodied nutty flavors from those. 3-8 years is good. Beyond that I don’t have much experience. I enjoy them

[JohnS]

A few years ago @El Presidente gave me a superlative 2014 Juan Lopez Seleccion No.2 to smoke. It was all jaffa milk chocolate and cream-textured. I've been trying to find a Juan Lopez Seleccion No.2 to match it ever since!

[99call]

Flavour notes are strange concept for some.  If you told a certain person 'This has got lashings of molten chocolate' they take it literally, and in-turn get a bit pissed off if it doesn't quite live up to that descriptor. 

Along with the BBF I think the JL2 is a cigar that has the best chance of winning over the 'dead palate non believers'. When Rob says the JL2 has got chocolate and orange, and even a boozy cointreau flavour, all those things are definitely there...it's not 'touches of this' or 'elements of that' or 'and underlying note'...it's in your face...and a love the JL2 for that. My preferred cigar is the JL1, as it's far more complex, but when I've been let down by a certain cigar and choose to reach for something else that I know will deliver, it's always a JL2. 

[SCgarman]

A PSD4 on steroids. That was my impression.

[Cairo]

6 hours ago, 99call said:

chocolate and orange

That is what you want--if you get it you have a winner.    Not all JL2s have it.

[foursite12]

Unique flavor profile. Perhaps a bit less on edge the last couple of years but nonetheless remains a big boy cigar in the Cuban world. 

[MrBirdman]

2 hours ago, Cairo said:

That is what you want--if you get it you have a winner.    Not all JL2s have it.

I agree. The best JL2 with some age have a lovely medley with those flavors. But some can be quite one dimensional.

[Hoepssa]

 

JL2 needs to bring the old type flavor back, like D4 after 2021.

[ElReyDel757]

My 2018 box has been all chocolate and orange. I love them, almost time to restock.

[orion2284]

My favorite young robusto by a long shot. Very reliable in my experience and I know they'll always satisfy. 

[Bill Hayes]

My fav go-to cigar and have tried quite a few but not with much age on them. I think there is a difference between dark shiny rosado PSP wrappers and lighter matt wrappers. I think the PSP show bigger flavours and more chance of the fruitiness that can come through. I'm happy to smoke them ROTT and enjoy the first half just with sparkling water then I do for a stout and coffee... or a coffee stout. I find they work well with Cherry Stouts as well. Would love to try a 3yo PSP but they don't last 6 months. Haha!

[jakebarnes]

This is the real stalwart of the cuban portfolio. Ideal twang, beautiful citrus and tobacco--matched really only by the old LGCs in the citrus and twang department.

Hoping you bury this poll after so this and the JL1 can stay moderate secrets to the rest of the world and I can continue hoarding them. 

[SCgarman]

1 hour ago, jakebarnes said:

This is the real stalwart of the cuban portfolio. Ideal twang, beautiful citrus and tobacco--matched really only by the old LGCs in the citrus and twang department.

Hoping you bury this poll after so this and the JL1 can stay moderate secrets to the rest of the world and I can continue hoarding them. 

Just think before the HSA pricing went off the rails a box of Juan L #1 were well under $200. This was less than 2 years ago

[99call]

3 hours ago, SCgarman said:

Just think before the HSA pricing went off the rails a box of Juan L #1 were well under $200. This was less than 2 years ago

We all have to remember that in the same period of time some people houses have also doubled in value.  I'm not saying any of it makes sense, I think it's all crazy.  But sometimes with the sun,  we must accept the rain

[voxpopulme]

These are great smokes, currently aging a box to see how they compare to aged JLS1. Usually about an hour for me, pair really well with brown liquor or coffee. Have only gotten better since I first snagged the box

[BrightonCorgi]

Been regularly smoking these for 25 years.  The worst box ever was still good.  A cigar to stock up on.  15 year old boxes are still great.  Usually just a casual smoke me since they had always been priced right.  You'll have to search for aficionados that don't like JL2's.  

[Tstew75]

Like that honest, hard working farmer that lives up that country road near your house

[Ford2112]

I've loved every JL2 I've had! This is my last one. 

[NSXCIGAR]

12 hours ago, Tstew75 said:

Like that honest, hard working farmer that lives up that country road near your house

Yes, it does evoke that image. Direct, simple, reliable, balanced. Nothing to complain about. 

[SCgarman]

9 hours ago, Ford2112 said:

I've loved every JL2 I've had! This is my last one.

That's a borderline maduro wrapper. Do you notice a flavor variation with different shades of wrapper?

[Ford2112]

4 hours ago, SCgarman said:

That's a borderline maduro wrapper. Do you notice a flavor variation with different shades of wrapper?

I think the camera added some darker shade. These were from 24:24 circa 2021. So I didn't even have a lot of age on them and they were right up my alley.

[greenpimp]

I really love this cigar. While they're quite good with some age, honestly I love them with just a couple years on them. Nice and punchy, with bold but delicious flavors. Not always the most complex cigar, but who cares? How complex is a grilled bone in ribeye with salt and pepper? 

The 50 cabs from 2006 were some of the very best robustos I have EVER had. I bought 3 of them and wish I had more. They blew the Coro's out of the water and smoked great forever though they're long gone...