H Upmann No. 2 EPO ABR 22 (FFSAug24)

[Capn_Jackson]

Good draw on this stick, after a Dickemann cut. Coffee and dried berries, a little barnyard, on the cold. Opening light gives some raisin, roasted marshmallow, and a little oak BBQ smoke. The finish has some citrus, lemongrass I think. Going on, roasted marshmallows, less raisin, still some post oak. Medium roast coffee. Pancakes with blueberry syrup. Some pepper in the nose, but not overwhelming. 

Quite a complex beginning, but angular. Lots of jagged edges, quick abrupt changes. I know these need more time, but still… Seems reluctant to stay lit, but after a quick touch up things smoothed out. Heading toward the second third, things finally settle down and I’m getting flavors of oatmeal cookie and nutmeg.

To start the second act, the flavor turns less woody and more vegetal.  Also, unfortunately, burnt molasses.  A bit distracting, but doesn’t last long.  After it diminishes, things turn to heavy praline.  Around the halfway point, lemon sun tea works its way in.  Yeah, like I said, this stick is all over the place. Soon, though, the ammonia starts showing, confirming that I’m burning this sucker prematurely.

To start the third act, some cocoa biscuit appears, and praline is still there, but unfortunately so is ammonia.  Hard to get past that, for the rest of the cigar. A little nice molasses at the end, but it’s muted.  

I think this is the first time I’ve put down an Upmann 2 before the nub. An hour and a half on this smoke, and it might be a year and a half at least before I touch this box again.

78 for this one. So many touch-ups and relights needed. An ammonia blanket dousing flavors for the last third especially. I’ve had others from this box, and although young, I have enjoyed them.  My score accounts some for the youth of this stick, but this has been the least pleasant from the box so far.  I generally love the Upmann 2 on the whole, but this particular one today was not in standing with others I’ve had.