Uwiik Posted January 13 Posted January 13 I am new to cigar smoking and have had my ups and downs on my learning stage, but right now I would call myself a semi-seasoned cigar smoker/keeper and I tend to follow the consensus/trends when it comes to selecting my cigars. So far so good, from various Cohiba, Trinidad, Partagas, Bolivar, RA, RYJ, HDM, and so on. Always enjoyed every second of it, and ever since I keep my cigars at 19C 62% and adjusted my smoking room to 24C 55% I just stopped getting plugged Cubans, almost all of my collection has been smoking wonderfully and my Perfect Draw tool has been collecting dust. However, there is this one marca that I just don’t get, the notoriously famous and well loved Juan Lopez Seleccion 2. All I could taste from JLS2 are burnt tobacco and overwhelming peppery flavor. When I first got the fresh 2023 box I thought to myself that it must be because it was fresh that it tasted terrible, so I put aside the 3 x 25 boxes I already purchased for long term aging and went ahead to hunt for aged box and I managed to snag a box of 25 from 2019, rested the box in 19C 62% for quite a while until it stabilized and smoked 3 out of that box over a period of over a month, all three sticks gave me the same experience, burnt tobacco and overwhelming peppery flavor. The worst was last night, after not smoking anything for a couple of days I really wanted to enjoy last night and try again with the venerable JLS2 from my well rested 2019 box, same same. I was so repulsed I couldn’t even finish it, chucked half a stick into my rubbish bin that I had to break open a 2015 Cohiba Panatelas for a short smoke to ease my heartache. I find this weird because usually my taste palate tend to agree with you lot, and JLS2 is the marca that I practically never see a negative review and I really want to like it since I already have close to 100 sticks in my possession. Is there any special tips or trick on how to enjoy this marca? Perhaps flavor to look for? Different storage RH? Accompanying drink/food? I am at lost here. Thanks all!!
Popular Post JohnS Posted January 13 Popular Post Posted January 13 There are a few possibilities to choose from below: You have stumbled upon the one marca that you just can't connect with and possibly never will There are variations of Juan Lopez Seleccion No.2 from the recent past that have been more potent in strength than average. In your case, if you have smoked a few sticks each from your different box codes and still get the same result, then this possibility doesn't apply to you. It's not your settings within your humidor. Especially if other marcas and vitolas aren't effected. If you meet anyone who tries to convince you that they like all Habanos marcas equally, then they are charming you or they are in the cigar business. (Except our venerable host, of course!) 5
NSXCIGAR Posted January 13 Posted January 13 JL S1/S2 is absolutely not for everyone. It's a medium plus cigar with a black coffee backbone and some toasted tobacco and citrus notes. I would not call it a "crowd pleaser" type cigar. There's a reason it isn't a massive worldwide seller. I think it's well-loved here but so are cigars like PLMC and SLR Regios that don't sell a tenth of a cigar like BRC or RASS, let alone PSD4 or Monte Edmundo. If you want to get a good grasp on JL as a brand I would pick up a Seleccion Especial. Yes, it's a little pricey but the blend is a bit more balanced and the quality is a just touch higher than the S1/S2. If you don't like the SE then JL is just not your marca. 4
Uwiik Posted January 13 Author Posted January 13 2 hours ago, JohnS said: There are a few possibilities to choose from below: You have stumbled upon the one marca that you just can't connect with and possibly never will There are variations of Juan Lopez Seleccion No.2 from the recent past that have been more potent in strength than average. In your case, if you have smoked a few sticks each from your different box codes and still get the same result, then this possibility doesn't apply to you. It's not your settings within your humidor. Especially if other marcas and vitolas aren't effected. If you meet anyone who tries to convince you that they like all Habanos marcas equally, then they are charming you or they are in the cigar business. (Except our venerable host, of course!) I have tried JLS2 from 3 different boxes both fresh and aged and all gave me the same flavor (according to my palate), I think you hit it on the nail, I just don’t get it. It’s sad for me especially knowing how many BOTL/SOTL here praising the marca. I’ll still keep mine for aging, who knows in 10-15 years when I have a lot more grey beard I might develop the palate for the marca. Thanks!! 👍
BettyHumpder Posted January 13 Posted January 13 I'm with you. I like the JL1 but always found the JL2 pretty bad, tbh. 1
Uwiik Posted January 13 Author Posted January 13 2 hours ago, NSXCIGAR said: JL S1/S2 is absolutely not for everyone. It's a medium plus cigar with a black coffee backbone and some toasted tobacco and citrus notes. I would not call it a "crowd pleaser" type cigar. There's a reason it isn't a massive worldwide seller. I think it's well-loved here but so are cigars like PLMC and SLR Regios that don't sell a tenth of a cigar like BRC or RASS, let alone PSD4 or Monte Edmundo. If you want to get a good grasp on JL as a brand I would pick up a Seleccion Especial. Yes, it's a little pricey but the blend is a bit more balanced and the quality is a just touch higher than the S1/S2. If you don't like the SE then JL is just not your marca. Thanks for the suggestion, I will wait until I have the chance to buy JLS Especial by the stick to assess it beforehand, otherwise I might have to pass on the marca. 🙏 1 hour ago, BettyHumpder said: I'm with you. I like the JL1 but always found the JL2 pretty bad, tbh. Perhaps I will exchange my sealed box for a JLS1 and give it a try. Can't hurt anything, right?
Ford2112 Posted January 13 Posted January 13 You know. I'm a fan of JL2 but I can see others not digging them. I'm not sold on some other cigars that people seem to love. I'm not huge on RASS. The small clubs are right up my alley though. It's like people having different tastes in food. We are all different that way. 1 1
NSXCIGAR Posted January 13 Posted January 13 1 minute ago, Ford2112 said: You know. I'm a fan of JL2 but I can see others not digging them. I'm not sold on some other cigars that people seem to love. I'm not huge on RASS. The small clubs are right up my alley though. It's like people having different tastes in food. We are all different that way. I would agree with this myself. I would take a RASCC over a RASS 10/10 times and JL S1/S2 is a good change of pace cigar for me but I probably would never buy a box. I do like the SE and I've enjoyed several of the JL ERs, particularly the Adon. 1
Uwiik Posted January 13 Author Posted January 13 I do love my RASS, BBF even RyJ PR, I guess I have the taste palate of the masses. 😝
BoliDan Posted January 13 Posted January 13 The JL #2 has always had a high reputation here. I think @El Presidente chooses it to save money. But we choose it (still choose it) because it really is mid shelf that could pass as top shelf. The orange Chocolate is crazy in these. I think JL1s have become the best over the past 3 years. But JL2's are magic. 2
Popular Post 99call Posted January 13 Popular Post Posted January 13 9 hours ago, Uwiik said: All I could taste from JLS2 are burnt tobacco and overwhelming peppery flavor Have you tried 'sipping' your cigars?. I great way to practice is on something like a PL Montecarlo. Trying to keep the heat of the cigar to the bare minimum, by taking a very low intensity short sip on the cigar. Also try sitting your cigar down for 1 minute, between sips. I think you will notice an increased sweetness and clarity of the smoke. After trying this, try purposefully overheating the cigar, draw on it as hard and as frequently as you can. Observe the difference. The way you write, and often the subject matter (this is not criticism at all). sounds like someone who is incredibly excited and eager to smoke........which is great. but again if I had to guess, it sounds like you might be 'going after' you're cigars. i.e. wanting to get flavour out of them. I think lighting a cigar sometimes, and treating it a bit more like room pot pourri, can be an epiphany. i.e. lifting it to your face, and focusing on the foot smoke, go at the cigars pace, not your own. Enjoy the aroma of the cigar, and don't be so focused on drawing. Think about the cigar as something you are trying to coax enjoyment out of, and not something that owes you enjoyment. As John said, if none of this works.......then you just don't like JL, and there is nothing wrong with that. I strongly recommend watching this great review from @PigFish. Obviously watch it in full. but its particularly relevant to you at the 24.27 mark, as Ray becomes cognisant of the fact, his change of social setting, has also changed is rhythm/tempt of smoking, and it has a qualitative improvement on his smoking experience. I think watching the cherry on Ray smoking is instructive as well. He is somewhere between sipping, and drawing. You never see the cherry violently flashing red. 9 1
Capn_Jackson Posted January 13 Posted January 13 Amen to everything @99call said. I’m a “slow smoker.” I take my time with any cigar, and you can ask anyone who has smoked with me. They’ll finish 2 cigars to my 1. Robustos can take me 2 hours to smoke, petit coronas an hour and a half sometimes. I don’t necessarily sip, but I do puff very slowly, and take a long time in between. Sometimes this requires me to dry-box my cigars for up to 3 or 4 days, or stick them in the fridge for around 4 hours, even though I store them at 62-64%. That way they’ll smoke well without relights or touch-ups. This is partly because I get the spins easily, and overheating a cigar or smoking too fast will absolutely do me in, but its also because I’m hyper-focused on flavor, whether it’s smoke, food, or drink. I miss those flavors if smoking too fast or too hard. All that said, JL2 is my #1 favorite cigar. I have called it my “Desert Island Cigar” on many occasions. It speaks to me, but understandably not to everyone. Different smokes for different folks. 3
Ford2112 Posted January 13 Posted January 13 Age also is important. Cigar smoking isn't a race. Smoke slow. Relax. Just a suggestion. 1 1
TacoSauce Posted January 13 Posted January 13 5 minutes ago, Ford2112 said: Cigar smoking isn't a race. Not a race?? Haha, that's what I've tricked you into thinking! It actually is a race, and I've lapped you 27 times! Sweet, sweet victory will be mine thanks to this ingenious subterfuge propagated to the unaware masses through FOH! Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa 3
joeypots Posted January 13 Posted January 13 JL #2, to my taste, takes time to come around. I like the HDM Eli #2 and the PSD4 young but RASS and the JL #2 need time. 2
Chibearsv Posted January 13 Posted January 13 1 minute ago, joeypots said: JL #2, to my taste, takes time to come around. I like the HDM Eli #2 and the PSD4 young but RASS and the JL #2 need time. Agree but D4 needs time for me too. If the OP is wanting a good young JL, JLS1 is the way. 1
cigaraholic Posted January 13 Posted January 13 As others have said JL 2 needs aging, lots of aging! If someone says you can smoke them young, you can smoke them old, they’re in the cigar business 👻 For me JL 2 is one of the most age worthy/necessary cigars Cuba produces. If you don’t get a nice big mouth full of Cointreau when you puff on them they’re not ready. Forget about them for a fewwwwwww years. If your tasting black pepper it sounds like you have some monsters. When they blossom you should have some amazing cigars, until they do they’re not much fun to smoke. If you don’t like orange juice or are allergic to citrus they may not be your brand. 4
rcarlson Posted January 14 Posted January 14 Move to JL 1 and give a year or so before trying. I sense a lot of frenetic impatience -- assuming you're not buying fakes. 1
BrightonCorgi Posted January 14 Posted January 14 JL No. 2 has been a constant for me for 25 years. Never a had a bad box. Had average to good, but that been the worst. 2 month old box code or a decade; all great. Our tastes do change over time some. I would not fret it. You can always trade them with someone else. 2
Uwiik Posted January 14 Author Posted January 14 I love this forum, it’s like a family forum with plenty of friendly advices and members who look after one another, salute to you lot! I am a very enthusiastic beginner in the cigar world and a lot of times I run my mouth way faster than my brain which sometimes can translate to impatience, but my wife said I am a very patient husband and father with confirmed adult ADHD 😂. One of my cigar friends told me many times that he thinks cigars are not the right hobby for me due to my excessive enthusiasm. Of course I fully disagree. When I get good cigar in the morning my mood for the rest of the day is set to an awesome one, it’s similar to a wonderful feeling of accomplishment. Sometimes I wonder how come something this euphoric feeling can be legal. 😂 I flatly refuse to light up any cigar if I am not in the fully peaceful state of mind and can spare at least 2 hrs doing nothing. I always try to limit my cigar smoking to 1 stick per day (sometimes none at all) and 2 sticks on weekend/holiday. I do always sip/slowly inhale my cigar and let it rest for more than 1 minute between sips, love the smell of the smoke trailing from the foot of a well aged Cuban (this is not a fetish right?), that’s why anything higher than 60-62%@19C just won’t cut it for me, took me 1hr 15min to finish my first ever Montecristo No.4 from 2019 this morning. I sometimes get very critical when a friend or family visit and smoke my aged cigar like they are racing something. I get the point about pace, age and possibility of fake in my experience with JLS2 but that stage of my cigar learning curve is way in the past. Perhaps I am in the minority where JLS2 just won’t do it for me but I really can’t see myself lighting up another JLS2 in the short term when lately I have been very satisfied with my various Montecristo, Cohiba, Partagas, Bolivar, etc. I'm not sure in a few years time when my JLS2 2019 and 2023 boxes has further chance to age gracefully, only time will tell. Thanks to Ray @PigFish now I understand how to age and prepare my cigar for smoking properly. In the mean time, I will just enjoy my other collection to satisfy my needs and I am fine with that. Now after all these reinforcements, I won’t even trade my JLS2 which I dislike for something else, who knows what it can do given more age and rest so I am not fretting it, the whole point of my question was more like wondering how come my taste palate doesn’t agree with you lot because usually I get excellent results just by choosing my boxes based on “Deep Dive” section of this wonderful forum. As a conclusion, I will put my JLS2 in the banished corner of my walk-in to revisit when I have more grey in my beard. Salute to you all 🙏 PS: Did I use too many “I”, “me” and “my” on my babbles up there? I think I did… 🤣 2
SCgarman Posted January 14 Posted January 14 Juan Lopez 2 to my palate is a PSD4 on steroids. Without the nuances of paprika and cream. A very full flavored ballsy cigar. Sorry, but I failed to taste the "orange/chocolate" flavors that so many describe. But then again, I have not smoked boxes of these. If yours are heavily on the pepper side, I would be concerned if they are authentic. Cuban tobacco typically is not heavy on the "pepper" notes. 1 1
Rushman Posted January 14 Posted January 14 Welcome to this lifestyle. I would say dispose of those JL2’s quickly. Let me give you my address. All joking aside like others have said some marcas are not suited for your palate. Rejoice in the fact there are many others you love. I wouldn’t give up on them yet. Try again in the future possibly they will come to your liking.
PigFish Posted January 14 Posted January 14 On 1/13/2024 at 3:21 AM, 99call said: Have you tried 'sipping' your cigars?. I great way to practice is on something like a PL Montecarlo. Trying to keep the heat of the cigar to the bare minimum, by taking a very low intensity short sip on the cigar. Also try sitting your cigar down for 1 minute, between sips. I think you will notice an increased sweetness and clarity of the smoke. After trying this, try purposefully overheating the cigar, draw on it as hard and as frequently as you can. Observe the difference. The way you write, and often the subject matter (this is not criticism at all). sounds like someone who is incredibly excited and eager to smoke........which is great. but again if I had to guess, it sounds like you might be 'going after' you're cigars. i.e. wanting to get flavour out of them. I think lighting a cigar sometimes, and treating it a bit more like room pot pourri, can be an epiphany. i.e. lifting it to your face, and focusing on the foot smoke, go at the cigars pace, not your own. Enjoy the aroma of the cigar, and don't be so focused on drawing. Think about the cigar as something you are trying to coax enjoyment out of, and not something that owes you enjoyment. As John said, if none of this works.......then you just don't like JL, and there is nothing wrong with that. I strongly recommend watching this great review from @PigFish. Obviously watch it in full. but its particularly relevant to you at the 24.27 mark, as Ray becomes cognisant of the fact, his change of social setting, has also changed is rhythm/tempt of smoking, and it has a qualitative improvement on his smoking experience. I think watching the cherry on Ray smoking is instructive as well. He is somewhere between sipping, and drawing. You never see the cherry violently flashing red. My life is fulfilled! Someone on the internet said I did something right… or at least implied it!!!! -Lol. Let’s talk politics…. !!! 🐷😇 More credit than this old curmudgeon deserves. Thanks Steph! 2
99call Posted January 14 Posted January 14 7 minutes ago, PigFish said: Let’s talk politics…. !!! 🐷😇 No can do....I've run out of valium. Haha😂
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