Juan Lopez Selección No.2 ??? (RMRRW-JLRA)

[Low]

Bought this from 24:24 as a 1/4 box so I have no memory of the factory code but I believe the month was February. Giving this batch another go after a bit of a nap since I was woefully unimpressed with the first.

Straight cut, torched, paired with ice water. Bit of a snug draw but that's not a real issue yet.

First 3rd - Dark cherries, creaminess, but deep down there's some orange. Finish is lightly chocolate. Burn is perfect, but I wish there was a higher smoke output, so I go at it with the perfecdraw and she opens up nicely. Body is medium light

 

Second 3rd - Still very much a dark cherry and chocolate party, with the orange and cream falling away, adding light oak and a little green peppercorn through the nose. Just the faintest touch of sweetness is there as well, and a bit of bitterness on the long finish. The body has gained momentum, settling firmly into medium.

Final 3rd - Cherry has gotten lighter, chocolate has gotten stronger, and the orange has come back slightly. Finish at this point is something I can't exactly get down but the closest thing is cumin, something I hardly get out of anything besides a young Boli Pc. Body never really creeps above medium

6.7/10 - I don't see these going much higher than this. They might get as high as 7.5 but not much hope for them past that. Something about this blend doesn't do much for me in this size, although I really enjoy the JL1. Orange and chocolate is a profile I've never jived with. Still an above average cigar (5 is average on my scale), but I think it's low for a Cuban that is so highly regarded on the forum. Will probably revisit in about a year

 

[GVan]

Good review.  That sounds like a pretty good JL2.  Chocolate creaminess and cherry along with a light orange is the flavor profile that you look for with this CC.   I agree with you that I too prefer the JL1 because that's the one that I normally get orange peel off of - I'm not sure that I've ever gotten that flavor off of a JL2.  Juan Lopez is one of my favorite  CC's.  I first stocked up on the JL1's because I prefer that size before I stared buying JL2's.  Wish I bought more before the price increases.  

[pohlmad]

Great review and always appreciate balanced, candid reviews. Sounds like a good cigar that just doesn’t quite fit your pallete. 

[Low]

14 hours ago, GVan said:

 I normally get orange peel off of - I'm not sure that I've ever gotten that flavor off of a JL2

I feel like the JL1 is more orange + chocolate and the JL2 is chocolate + orange if that makes sense. More orange makes the blend much more enjoyable for me 

7 hours ago, pohlmad said:

Great review and always appreciate balanced, candid reviews. Sounds like a good cigar that just doesn’t quite fit your pallete. 

Its interesting cause I had a few that were pre 2020 and like them well enough, but these 22s arent doing it for me

[SCgarman]

On 6/26/2023 at 11:06 AM, GVan said:

Good review.  That sounds like a pretty good JL2.  Chocolate creaminess and cherry along with a light orange is the flavor profile that you look for with this CC.   I agree with you that I too prefer the JL1 because that's the one that I normally get orange peel off of - I'm not sure that I've ever gotten that flavor off of a JL2.  Juan Lopez is one of my favorite  CC's.  I first stocked up on the JL1's because I prefer that size before I stared buying JL2's.  Wish I bought more before the price increases.  

Not too long ago Rob had JL1's for $180/box on 24:24. Man, if we all had a crystal ball back then........

[Jerryvonkramer]

I like the JL2 a lot it’s a classic, but the profile is basically “Jaffa cakes”, if that’s not for you the JL2 isn’t. JL1 has a different profile for me.
 

I am smoking one right now though and the smoke output is very thin and reedy like you say. For me JL2 is a 92-4 depending on how it hits but some cigars don’t click. Like I’ve never really enjoyed a single R&J, they just don’t do it for me and are the “mids” of the CCs for me. Also not a Bolivar fan.