JL2 UTL FEB ‘18 (RotR25)

[Capn_Jackson]

Back to a favorite for the weekend. Picking this JL2 up, I notice it’s got quite a bumpy wrapper. Medium-brown, with a slightly orange-ish hue. 

Cold draw has some coffee and a little honey. The draw is nearly wide open, making me wonder if this might be underpacked. Light-up puff tells me I shouldn’t care. Coffee, wood, Hershey’s chocolate, and a twinge of citrus. Great start.

Going on, there is quite a bit of sweet hot cocoa with a splash of orange liqueur. Veers more into coffee frequently. Just what you’d expect from the marca, no surprises.

Flavors are muted for awhile, and the cigar is eating away so fast. Definitely under filled, and gets a little bitter for just a moment. Moving past that, Cointreau returns, coffee, and the caramelized edges of crème brûlée. Still, though, not very rich. Strength is holding at medium, meanwhile.

Second third is more of the same. Smoking at my leisurely pace, hard to believe how fast I get to the midpoint, and then the last third. Pretty boring middle act. Some honey/agave shows up briefly, but barely enough to note. Just looking for anything here. 

Last third has notes of tobacco, on a bed of tobacco, with whisps of tobacco floating around. Not much else. Not unpleasant, and not at all bitter. Coffee would be the only thing I can really pick out at the end. I contemplate putting it down but decide to keep enjoying probably my only smoke for a few days. Luckily the nub has some clove and a little leather, so a tiny bit of reward for my persistence at the end.

This has the be the only time I’ve ever given an 80 to a JL2. Boring, after the first third. Poorly constructed, though not a terrible burn. It’s almost as if they left out one of the leaves when they rolled it…the one with the flavor.

[Tunkat92]

I had 2020 JL2’s and 2019 JL1’s that were like that, maybe 5 out the box had a good profile. Sucks, but I guess it makes the bangers that much better.

[BlueWS]

I loved these young right up to the year mark out of everything I tried Cuban these were my favorite; then they went sour on me. This summer will be two years and I'm hoping it's back to the coffee and citrus notes. Hopefully, I get a good one to restore my faith vs a dud missing that flavor leaf!

[MagicalBikeRide]

Thanks for the review. Shame this one didn't deliver. Next time. 🤞

[Capn_Jackson]

34 minutes ago, BlueWS said:

I loved these young right up to the year mark out of everything I tried Cuban these were my favorite; then they went sour on me. This summer will be two years and I'm hoping it's back to the coffee and citrus notes. Hopefully, I get a good one to restore my faith vs a dud missing that flavor leaf!

Others from this box have been brilliant, all. This one was a dud. Next one will be at least a 90, I’m sure. This is the way of the Habanos.

[Luca]

6 hours ago, Capn_Jackson said:

Others from this box have been brilliant, all. This one was a dud. Next one will be at least a 90, I’m sure. This is the way of the Habanos.

100% haha it's the way of the Habanos. Hope the next one is great. Nice review. 

[Capn_Jackson]

7 hours ago, Luca said:

Hope the next one is great

Thanks! I’ll try and find out soon 😁