Cigar Snap. H. Upmann Number 2.

[El Presidente]

Carrying on from our Cigar Poker thread I reverted back to a conversation I had in Hong Kong back in May at regional meetings. 

In essence the question put to me while both smoking a H. Upmann Number 2. 

"Rob, how much do these sell for online"

"$32-$35 USD Thereabouts I replied"

"So tell me one $35 USD NC Piramide cigar on this planet that is is better than the H. Upmann Number 2? Tell me a $100+ NC Piramide that is better?"

Taking emotions out of it as this was a business/market/friends catching up discussion.  However is it a fair call? 

I know how I replied, How would you reply? 

 

[Chibearsv]

I’ve never had a better NC Piramide than HU2. A couple very good ones including N2 and Opus X, but not better. 

[Chas.Alpha]

Once my accounts are settled @Chibearsv I intend to post an ISO for 6 HU#2 in the trading room. Nothing I currently have is off of the table. 🤔

[Li Bai]

Well I love the vitola and the Upmann n°2 might very well be my favourite cigar so no, I've never had a NC piramide that comes close, regardless of the price.

[gormag38]

Frankly, there isn't a better NC pyramid (regardless of price) out there. Hell there may not be a better Habanos pyramid out there (regardess of price point)....my opinions are also that of a huge Upmann fan though. 😆

[GerardMichaelTX]

Been hankering for a box

[BrightonCorgi]

The NC Upmann pyramid is actually really good.

[teamrandr]

Very subjective question.

[joeypots]

I don’t think I’ve had a better NC piramide but it would be a great blind tasting. Two Cubans and three Non Cubans including a Honduran.

[JoeyBones777]

Oliva Master Blends 3 is a very good piramide and at half the cost or even cheaper if you do a little searching online.

Is it better than an Upmann 2? Fresh, yes, aged, no. Do I want to have to sit on a $36 cigar for 3-5 years for it to be better than a $16 cigar now? Maybe 1 or 2 of them but not a whole box. Then construction is a concern at that price point, as well. Upmann 2's have been fairly consistent for me but Monte 2's, not so much. Because of that, I worry more about  construction with the price hikes. If I were to get a box and have a third of the cigars have too tight of a draw like has happened to me with Monte 2, I would be so livid! I don't have to worry about that with Oliva.

Plus, many NC brands guarantee their product. I had a number of Mi Querida from a box that had poor combustion. I emailed them and they sent replacements for the bad cigars. Try that with Habanos.🤣

[Li Bai]

6 hours ago, JoeyBones777 said:

Plus, many NC brands guarantee their product. I had a number of Mi Querida from a box that had poor combustion. I emailed them and they sent replacements for the bad cigars. Try that with Habanos.🤣

Actually I return my CCs to my b&m when they're plugged, the Coprova takes them back and replaces them.

[Chitmo]

The only stick I’d say I enjoyed as much as a Cuban Piramide would be a Davidoff Aniversario Special 'T'. I wouldn’t call them better though, just different. But I definitely consider them to be on the same level. 

[JoeyBones777]

2 hours ago, Li Bai said:

Actually i return my CCs to my b&m when they're plugged, the Coprova takes them back and replaces them.

That's good to hear. I'm in the US, though. I don't have that luxury.

[BrightonCorgi]

2 hours ago, Li Bai said:

Actually i return my CCs to my b&m when they're plugged, the Coprova takes them back and replaces them.

That is the same in the US for B&M bought cigars.

[Li Bai]

3 hours ago, JoeyBones777 said:

That's good to hear. I'm in the US, though. I don't have that luxury.

And I don't have the luxury to buy cigars online unfortunately. I was just replying because you said to try that with Habanos and Coprova is Habanos.

[El Presidente]

6 hours ago, JoeyBones777 said:

Oliva Master Blends 3 is a very good piramide and at half the cost or even cheaper if you do a little searching online.

Is it better than an Upmann 2? Fresh, yes, aged, no.

We are putting you to the test on this one. I have asked Hamlet out to pick some up for a side by side tasting. 

[rascalmonkey]

5 hours ago, Li Bai said:

Actually i return my CCs to my b&m when they're plugged, the Coprova takes them back and replaces them.

Dude, I got some good news about an invention that rivals the light bulb! https://theperfecsmoke.com/products/perfecdraw®️

[JoeyBones777]

15 hours ago, El Presidente said:

We are putting you to the test on this one. I have asked Hamlet out to pick some up for a side by side tasting. 

Great! This will be interesting. Why do I feel like I should have qualified my answer more?🤣

[JoeyBones777]

1 hour ago, rascalmonkey said:

Dude, I got some good news about an invention that rivals the light bulb! https://theperfecsmoke.com/products/perfecdraw®️

Great tool! It doesn't work everytime, unfortunately. Though, I have saved enough cigars to cover its cost 10 times over.

[Boxer31]

Have only had a couple H2s but no comparison to my aged P2s. I had one couple weeks ago, best of the yr so far (even maybe last yr). For NC - would add DC Eye of the Shark (got those in the $20 range) and just ordered the Nudie N2 so will have to see. Sin Compromiso is another good NC in that format. 

[Chris P. Bacon]

The only NC I can think of that comes close is the Padron 1964 Anniversary Piramide Maduro.

[bmac]

11 hours ago, JoeyBones777 said:

Great! This will be interesting. Why do I feel like I should have qualified my answer more?🤣

They will be sampling a PSP with perfect construction, no doubt.

[Li Bai]

12 hours ago, rascalmonkey said:

Dude, I got some good news about an invention that rivals the light bulb! https://theperfecsmoke.com/products/perfecdraw®️

I'm not a big fan of the PD. I agree that it's the best solution when you can't return the stick but it's never as good as it should have been in the first place.

[JoeyBones777]

On 6/27/2024 at 12:15 PM, El Presidente said:

We are putting you to the test on this one. I have asked Hamlet out to pick some up for a side by side tasting. 

When you guys do this, let us know your thoughts. I'm interested in hearing what you think given Hamlet and your palates are clearly proven!

[loose_axle]

AF Don Carlos No 2. But then whilst I like the Upmann No 2 its near the bottom of the list of CC's I like and that's just a taste thing.