Juan Lopez Seleccion No. 2 Cigar - 1 Single

Last week I sampled the new Juan Lopez Superba RE16. Today I wanted to make a nice review of the regular production Juan Lopez No 2. Juan Lopez No 2 is in my opinion one of the best Constructed Havanas. It has a lovely wrapper. (I Love them when they come with a dark wrapper) The construction in flavour is amazing. The first part of this robusto 124mm x 50 is extremely woody (The regional edition one smells like nuts, this one smells sweet and woody) the first flavours are extremely lovely wood, and very sweet brown sugar notes. The second part is very mellow on my palate, I can recognise a few small notes of almonds. The third part is getting much more full bodied. Flavours are becoming very rich in sweet notes, some smooth white pepper notes, a bit spicy on my palate but just a little. The draw is lovely. I cannot find any problems in this cigar. Wonderful smoke. I would like to recommend trying this cigar with our two Stalla Dhu whiskies, if you like to combine flavours. For the first sweet part of the cigar, try our Stalla Dhu Islay; you can combine the sweetness of the cigar and a nice peaty whisky. If you would prefer to increase the sweetness, try our Stalla Dhu speyside. For the last part I would once again recommend a nice speyside. The full body of the cigar and the sweetness of this whisky is a wonderful combination. If you want to increase the strength go for the Islay. – David, Turmeaus Liverpool.

Reviewed by Kevin Schonhaut ( October 2000) No need to describe the appearance of the cigars again here. The cigar's pre-lit aroma was very subtle, enough to allow me to detect that there was, indeed something under my nose. When first applying a flame to the foot, there was a hint of mild spice. I had in my hand a very rich and complex single malt with strong, rather than subtle hints of chocolate, butterscotch and stewed fruit. With the first puff of smoke from the Juan Lopez No. 2, it was clear that the cigar was not going to be able to hold up against the onslaught of flavor offered by the scotch. I laid the drink aside and slowly tried to get a sense of the cigars character. What can I say? Despite a perfect burn and draw, my first cigar was as bland as my brother's. It was like going to the beach and hearing the radio play on someone else's sand dune. It was like the sound of a train in the distance. It was like some neighbor down the block was burning leaves in his back yard. A couple of times, I sipped again at the scotch, just to remind myself that I still had a sense of taste and could still detect an aroma. The only appropriate beverage to accompany the first cigar would have been a glass of water. Out of sheer boredom, I left the last inch and a half unsmoked and then went inside to snatch another brand of cigar from the humidor. I rested the remaining cigars in my humidor and tried the second one five days later. It was a beautiful, sunny Wednesday morning and I had just finished breakfast and filled a second cup of coffee. Things were very different this time around. The cigar was very enjoyable, with hints of cedar, honey, coffee (maybe that was because of the accompanying beverage) and white pepper. I did find myself relighting the cigar a few times. By the time I reached the last inch and a half, the strength had picked up considerably. I smoked the cigar until I could no long hold it between the edges of my fingernails. I was left with a sweet, nutty aftertaste that was very satisfying. On the following Sunday morning, (again after breakfast with coffee) I smoked the third cigar and the experience was very much like the second one. After the first inch or so, I laid the cigar down and went inside the house and opened all the windows leading to the back yard. I turned on the stereo, put on a Beny Moré CD and cranked up the volume. Returning outside, I just smoked the cigar and savored the moment. My neighbor told me I was the picture of contentment. My wife asked me how soon I would begin to clean the house. In summation, despite having started out with what was probably a 'sick' cigar, I found the Juan Lopez No. 2 cigars to be thoroughly enjoyable mild to medium smokes with a sweet, woodsy, nutty character and a substantial kick delivered at the end. I am grateful for having had the opportunity to participate in this taste test experience.

Reviewed by Jack Schonhaut ( October 2000) The three cigars I had were all 4 7/8 x50 with a smooth firm feel, light brown EMS color, perfect cap and a foot that looked like it was cut by a laser It was a sunny Saturday afternoon when I took the first vitola outside with a dram of Springbank 25 year old single malt. The cut was clean and it lit without and problem. A puff was all it took to start a nice stream of smoke. An easy draw, a nice breeze and a fine scotch. The only thing missing was any flavor from the cigar. The taste wasn't harsh, it wasn't mild, it just wasn't. The ash grew to around two inches before it fell off. In fact the remaining ash held until I finally put the cigar down with less than an inch remaining. There still was no flavor to be found. Vitola number two went to bat the following Saturday accompanied by a dram of Bowmore 22 year old Islay malt. Another perfect cut and light. Another plume of smoke after an easy draw. Another disappointment, no taste. Victim number three was smoked the following afternoon accompanied by a cup of black coffee. Sad to say the outcome was the same as its predecessors. These were fine looking smokes that just didn't deliver.

Well I would start by echoing the description at the top of this page.Definitely not to be underestimated and some great,full flavour.Starting off with some lovely fruity biscuit type flavours which slowly give way to dark chocolate with an underlying,subtle vanilla.This a ballsy,full on cigar with just wonderful Cuban tobacco characteristics.If you'll bear with an analogy for a moment,comparing it to another full flavour Robusto,The BRC.The BRC will turn up at your dinner party in a tuxedo,be very nice and polite and always conduct itself with the best of decorum.This cigar will turn up in it's denim and leathers,sit down,speak it's mind and tell you exactly what it thinks.And you know what,you'll want to listen and listen again!! If you haven't tried one you really,really must!!

Did not enjoy this cigar. Very uneven burn and went off TWICE.Wrapper did not match filler burn.