H. Upmann No.2 - GEM ENE 20 (JBWRW)

[ChangBang]

Got one of those Piramides sampler boxes about a year ago and have been working through it, today was a HUNo2!  Initially gave it a cut earlier in the week and it had a tighter draw than I like.  Ended up putting this in my dry box so it can dry out a bit.  Now draw seems better so hopefully I'll get a good opinion on this cigar.

1 - Initially...pretty bland.  Had some leather and toasty wood.

1 - still considering this the first third - but after this point, the flavors started really coming through.  Got cream and floral notes that were intertwined and dancing around each other during the remaining third.  Beautiful.

2 - 2nd third is dominated by a wood and cream.  There is a nice richness to the smoke.  Honestly I double check my notes to see if my HDM had HU characteristics as I think the bands may have been switched!  Great third.

3 - Flavors really die down, may have used all it's flavor in the end of the first third and 2nd third.  Just a woody finish to the cigar.

Overall - 5.3/10 - Better than the HDM(5) but worse than the P2(5.5).  The end of the first third and 2nd third would have this maybe up to a 6.5/7 rating, but the delayed beginning and the ending hurt this cigar.  Maybe more age will smooth everything out and have it more balanced?  Don't have anymore so oh well, maybe I'll grab a 1/4 box or something, but not in a rush to get more.

[smbauerllc]

Nice review.

Too bad you didn't enjoy it more.

Always sucks to get a disappointing smoke.

I happen to really like these though. All have been pretty tasty to me

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[ChangBang]

Oh it was still a good smoke - 5/10 is average for me, so it was slightly better than average!

[smbauerllc]

Lol, interesting rating system.
To me, 5/10 wouldn't be very good at all for the most part.



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[ChangBang]

Ahh, yea didn't like how even though it's a 100pt rating scale... only a very narrow band is used.  Saw this and liked the 10pt scale. Guess 4 should be average I suppose. 

[smbauerllc]

Ah, didn't realize people were using pre-determined scales.

Thought they were just winging it.

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[SCgarman]

Let these age for a few years. One year of age is miniscule. I have an LUB 14 box, and they are fantastic sticks.

[Meesterjojo]

I've been keen on trying these as I've recently fell for other upmanns. Shame this didn't work out, but I'd be curious about other reviews of the #2.

[gustavehenne]

Just finished an Upmann No. 2 (very first I've smoked) PSP from a 24:24 sale a month or so ago. I love very strong and full flavoured cigars and whilst this stick was definitely not an Ashton VSG, Opus X, BBF, Padron '64 etc. etc. it was absolutely delicious. I got a lot of citrus flavours through. The final third was tough to smoke as it was way too young but the first 2/3's were a delight.

Taking the advice above to throw them in the back of the humidor and return to it in a few years time but this looks like it's got huge potential.

p.s. - thanks for that ratings matrix, very useful!