H. Upmann No. 2 Cigar - 1 Single

Date Added: Tuesday 26 December, 2023 by Daniel

Great. Well constructed and consistent throughout, giving an even taste. I really enjoyed this cigar. I am no aficionado and usually smoke a Cohiba Maduro 5 Secretos but loved this. I missed the burn at the end which this doesn't have (i might be uncouth but love this) but it was nice from start to finish. Great cigar, bought a second superbowl.

Date Added: Tuesday 15 August, 2023 by Andrew

I recently revisited this cigar only because on a recent trip to Italy I managed to get my hands on two boxes. These cigars have been quite hard to find in recent times, probably due to being No. 1 on CA’s Top 25 list 2022. After six weeks rest I smoked one of the cigars Ive just bought box date FEB 2022 against some I’ve been aging for a while box date MAR 2013 (I only have a handful left) unsurprisingly there quite different experiences, however the similarities are strong, up to a point! Both cigars started very well with a sweet almost meaty flavour, strangely the aged cigar had a much more oily feel and appearance to it, with the youthful one a dry appearance in comparison. As with most Cuban cigars, there’s a hint of herbaceous grassiness and mild spice, turning to woodiness in the second third, these are by no means a strong cigar, but there are enough transitions to keep you interested. Both cigars produced voluminous smoke with a very slight blue hue. The veteran cigar did burn better, the youngster did require the odd correction to keep an even burn. It was in the final third that these cigars took a completely different path, the aged cigar transitioned in to a tanned leather, coffee and cream delight, with a back note of spice. However the younger counterpart was rendered almost un-smokable the burn was quite uneven and the taste was raw, It was like a wet dung heap and almost ammonia overload. I know this is a sign of youth, but this was so overpowering I had to stop smoking it. I was really surprised how quickly this cigar went south! I am not someone that nubs cigars generally leaving an inch and half and when compared to my friends Im a slow smoker. The aged cigar was a 90 minute smoke for me, the other cigar made it to the 60 minute mark before being retired. I have been buying, smoking and to some extent aging Cuban cigars for almost 30 years (when I first started buy cigars it was not uncommon to buy cigars with three+ age on them), I’m 100% sure the 2022 smokes will in time age perfectly. Ive done this comparison smoking aged v new production many times before but this is the biggest difference Ive encountered, maybe down to the larger viola or the tapped head focusing the flavours? This would be five stars for the 2013 cigar, three for 2022.

Date Added: Monday 06 April, 2020 by David

The mildest torpedo from Cuba but one of the best constructed. Mild, sweet, leather, cedar, coffee notes and a hint of pepper at the end. David - C.Gars Ltd Cigar Ambassador

Date Added: Sunday 13 August, 2017 by dai

Wow, what a smoke. I'm new to cigars so I don't have much to benchmark against but this was the cigar that peaked my interest. It was a very smooth smoke throughout, nice woody and leathery flavours blending into light and sweet spice further down. I found the flavour profile quite complex which kept me interested throughout. Took about an hour to smoke. Will definitely have again.

Date Added: Tuesday 03 January, 2017 by Ken

One of my absolute favorites. A medium length cigar that is always consistently smooth and relaxing. For those new to the many excellent Cuban cigars this is a must have. Smoking times vary dependent upon the individual and perhaps on their respective experience of Havanas, but generally speaking 30-45 minutes is a good average. No doubt some will take longer. During the summer time or for those familiar with Cuba. A perfect accompaniment to this cigar is a good Cuban rum. Particularly a 12 year old Santiago.

Date Added: Friday 03 June, 2016 by Staff

Reviewed by Pat Hamilton (December 2000) Fast. The one word that best describes the time between my acceptance in the Taste Test and the package's arrival. If I didn't know better I'd swear my friends sent the package first and notified me later. Impressive enough but more so since this took place during the Christmas rush. The cigars themselves were in great shape. The Upmann No. 2's featured a golden reddish-brown wrapper much like those from the H-2000 wrapper. Very few veins were evident except for one of medium size on one cigar. Not a large, ugly, "varicose" if you will, this noticeable vein actually added to the overall beauty of the cigar. In fact, if this one cigar was taken from a separate box as the other two, then that's the box I'd want in my humidor. Construction on all three was great, the caps on a Pyramid from Cuba are exceptional. Only Havana's finest rollers could produce this vitola. The initial aroma out of the package was deep....rich and earthy. I had the feeling they were going to be awesome smokes. But first I laid them to rest for several weeks. Once rested up, both myself and the cigars, we were ready. The pre-light aroma is like it was on arrival, only sweeter. Like a fine steak marinating, the time in the humidor has brought out hidden treasures within. Slightly box pressed, the cigars are firm to the touch with no soft spots. The first cigar I chose was the one with "the vein". Accompanying me was a nice strong pot of fresh French Roast. A clip and a light and a few minutes later volumes of blue smoke. It's amazing the amount of tobacco packed into this cigar could still produce such a nice clean draw. The aromas of a good cigar mixing with those of a good coffee filled the air. Is there a better way to start the day? Initial flavors were strong, spicy, and earthy. This is a bold cigar not unlike a Montecristo No. 2. The spice gives way to a more complex sweet earthiness about midway through with a hint of anis. The ash is medium grey and firm. It doesn't want to let go. The burn is only slightly uneven, more than acceptable. It finishes long and well but the ultimate salute to this cigar came from my wife. She never left the room. She seemed to savor the aromas as much as I the cigar. Cigar two was very much like the first. This time the coffee was Kona and I smoked alone. The only noticeable difference was a slightly flaky ash and uneven burn which was quickly rectified by my trusty Blazer. It never detracted from my enjoyment or the taste which was once again pure Havana Heaven. The third cigar was enjoyed in the evening after a heavy meal and with some Fonseca Vintage Port. Not surprisingly, this added a bit of fruitiness to the flavors. The result was a rich and creamy treat with that long earthy finish. I would recommend this cigar. IMHO, It's equally as tasty as the famed Monte No. 2 and only slightly less full bodied. And a big thank you to C.GARS for the smokes and the challenge!