Juan Lopez Selección #2 (2017) 12DCRC

[leepers]

JL #2 has had some real fans on here (including the Presidente) and I've also heard chatter from folks who dislike it. I lit it knowing it had the requisite lie down in the humidor to even be worth trying and I gave it some room. This cigar, for those unfamiliar, is on the rustic end of Cubans. This isn't your Trinidads, Cohibas. This is a rougher and punchier experience. While other marks are the Mercedes, the Lexuses and the Maybachs, this is a Camaro. A rebuilt Dodge with the bench seat. It has tons of flavor and a lot of good smoke, nice aromas and strength. But none of that is tuned; it's like Clemenza says of the gun he hands Michael in The Godfather: I left it loud to scare any pain-in-the-ass innocent bystanders. This is that cigar. It's deep and dark as bass in that dance club. the aromas are leather and graphite, wood and some fruit but not a ton. Roasted Nuts and a savory flavor which I attribute to the cigar still being young and having all its elements still overlapping and powerful. The first third is strong and it's pushing you to taste it all. It mellows (as one's palate gets a bit used to it) in the second third, still gets deeper in some ways and the element of Creaminess (which to me is a slight lactic acid note, sweetness and a full smoke mouthfeel) takes over. It's a pleasure to smoke but it's not a refined cigar for those who can't take the boxer in this stick, they will be put off. The last third gains power and flavor starts to go. The last notes were coffee and a smokey, pleasant finish. 

I drank a Manhattan derivative. Sweetness and round flavors in its balance aided me in tasting the second third as the cigar got creamy. 

[leafdream54]

Thanks for the review - a lot of great similies to describe the experience!  I wonder how these evolve as they age?

[99call]

Nice review, cheers mate.

[Chucko8]

Nice review. Love the descriptions!

[MoeFOH]

3 hours ago, leepers said:

this is a Camaro. A rebuilt Dodge with the bench seat. It has tons of flavor and a lot of good smoke, nice aromas and strength. But none of that is tuned; it's like Clemenza says of the gun he hands Michael in The Godfather: I left it loud to scare any pain-in-the-ass innocent bystanders.

Gold.