H. Upmann #2 USE OCT 08

[redlir]

Hey gang,

I picked these up from the Czar as my first order and I'm getting around to sampling some after a brief few days rest in the humidor. I don't have a lot of experience with HUPs but here were 'my' impressions.

The draw was perfect.. lots of smoke through the whole cigar. I'm struggling to define the smell of the wrapper and foot, but it was very light and pleasant. The sample I chose was one of the very few in the box that wasn't covered in oils. I want to be able to compare to the others later and see how much that differs the profile. ( I guess I'll do a part 2 at a later date lol)

Opening through the 1st third was a very lightly toasted bread flavor. Very clean with lightly toasted tobacco flavors. I would say it was just under medium.

Through the 2nd third, that bread flavor becomes more distinct, but with more of a sourdough flavor, a tad bitter but in a good way. A touch of cream as well. The cigar was medium at this point.

Out of the 2nd and into the 3rd it developed into more distinct flavors of that toasty bread.. but losing that sourdough in place of a creaminess. A bit of a light cake taste, with just a 'touch' of sweet. It briefly reminded me of an angel cake if that makes sense. A nice creamy flavor and sensation on the palette with a dash of pepper spice and occasionally light buttery flavors to that creaminess. The cigar was a touch over medium.

This is a new flavor profile for me... and I must say I rather enjoyed it .. so much so I smoked it right down to the nub!

I've never read an HUP #2 review, so I'm not sure if the above is a traditional taste for one, but that's what I pulled from this particular specimen today.

Red

[Dbone]

Nice review Red. I've not had the pleasure of enjoying a HU #2, but if I have the opportunity I'm definitely going to go for it. I enjoy recording tasting notes, and reading others. That's when I really feel the aficionado come out.

Thanks for the review

[Colt45]

Thanks for the great review! I hate to admit that I've never sampled the Upmann No.2 - for no real reason, just never got around to it

[MontrealRon]

Thanks for the great review! I hate to admit that I've never sampled the Upmann No.2 - for no real reason, just never got around to it

I must confess to this very sin.

Your excellent review has convinced me that I should make this right.

Thanks, Red!

[redlir]

Thanks Guys.. I'm not sure how accurate this profile is for this offering. I had another one today, and it was COMPLETELY different.. very powerful.. medium full right out of the gate.

I'll have to figure out which is the more accurate of the 2 as I smoke more of these... time will tell I guess.

[CanuckSARTech]

I've never really got around to this #2 either.

How does it compare with some other #2 standards (Monte 2, Dip 2, SPN2)???

[redlir]

I've never really got around to this #2 either.

How does it compare with some other #2 standards (Monte 2, Dip 2, SPN2)???

Honestly I have not sampled many torps.. I've had a few Monte 2's in my time, and they've always opened up with a light coco and grew in strength along the way. These seem much different with either profile I've experienced.

It'll be interesting to see which profile stands out as I progress through the box.

[redlir]

Well I can honestly say I don't get H. Upmann cigars. I've had a few 46's, 50's now and this box of #2's. Other than the 2 ugly duckling samples I pulled above, the others have been completely void of any real flavor. Ironically the ones with oily wrappers suffered from this the most. They are very smooth for sure.. but no cream, no nothing ,save for a light toasted tobacco flavor.

I guess they just aren't my bag or just need years on them to pack any sort of punch. I had read on a few sites prior to joining here that these rivaled Monte 2's for that medium full flavor. I don't see it. I think I'll just pass them on to a friend and move on.

[Laxman]

I have been a long time Monte 2 fan and I have to say the HU 2's from 08 have been on the same level and I have to say if I had a gun to my had and had to choose one of the two, I would go with the HU 2's. As of the last year it has been my favorite and most consistent smoke. I have to thank Bart for recommending them.

[redlir]

I have been a long time Monte 2 fan and I have to say the HU 2's from 08 have been on the same level and I have to say if I had a gun to my had and had to choose one of the two, I would go with the HU 2's. As of the last year it has been my favorite and most consistent smoke. I have to thank Bart for recommending them.

Weird. Maybe I have an off box. I mean they look amazing, smoke perfectly as far as draw and roll are concerned.

I could just have bad luck with HUP's but these are nothing like the Monte 2's I've had. Couldn't be further actually.

[El Presidente]

The Upmann 2 will benefit from some time down. They are one of those cigars which builds in flavour and body with some 5 years on them. Upmann's re one of those cigars which traditionally needs time. The mag 46/Winston/50's/connie 1 from 08/09 are proving to blow that theory out of the water.

great review

[Charltonc]

Belicoso's and torpedo's have never been my preference; more money per stick and for what. I don't get the hype about salomon's, perfectos, torpedo's, and belicosos. Well at least their will be more pcs, corona gordas, londsdales, lanceros, and robustos for me.

[redlir]

The Upmann 2 will benefit from some time down. They are one of those cigars which builds in flavour and body with some 5 years on them. Upmann's re one of those cigars which traditionally needs time. The mag 46/Winston/50's/connie 1 from 08/09 are proving to blow that theory out of the water.

great review

Ya, I probably just need to leave them alone for a while. For what it's worth in the context of this box and review.. I pulled one out yesterday that tasted almost exactly like a monte 2.

[CBL]

Never really been impressed with the Upmann #2 but I love your review! I'm a big fan of bread flavors that I often find in Robusto T's and Don Pepin Black Label's but sadly I've never found it in an Upmann #2. Maybe it's an age issue.

I'm a bigger fan of the other pyramids in recent production.