Beneath the Band: Juan Lopez Seleccion Number 2

[El Presidente]

This series to explore whether a particular cigar is humidor worthy. Cost these days is an issue for many so let's see if we can highlight some absolute standouts. This should particularly assist those new to the cigar world.  

To be fair, most of the cigars we have featured to date have scored exceptionally well. Surprisingly well! 

Scoring is: 1-3 (Poor)   4-6 (Average to good)   7-10  (very good to excellent)  Use the Poll. 

You are more than free to comment away 

Juan Lopez Seleccion Number 2.   I think it is the best value for money Cuban Robusto today. Found in the $400's/sub $20 USD a stick, it is worth its price tag in a world where many are not. 

There is some inconsistency. I have smoked 89 pointers and 96 pointers. Average for me would be 91-93. They age brilliantly. 

Today: Juan Lopez Seleccion Number 2.   Do you enjoy them? Fresh or aged? If aged....how long before they generally hit their stride.

Let's kick off the discussion 

 

[Lucas Buck]

Agree 100% these age brilliantly. They become completely different cigars. I don’t care for them at all young but 15-20 years or more of age they are one of my favorite Robustos. Smoked a 25 year old recently that blew my mind. Absolutely one of the best Robustos I’ve smoked in years up there with my beloved CoRo. They have been somewhat inconsistent for me as well. 

[griller]

Agree with El Prez & @Lucas Buck 100%. LOVE this cigar and the unique flavor profile. I'll differ a bit in that I've yet to experience the aged bliss of a 10+ yr old JL2, my palate loves the blend aged under 5 yrs. The sample I received for the Blind Tasting was brilliant and pretty confident it didn't come from a pre-2024 box. 

I do have about 10 of these remaining from a 2018 box & I'll try to forget about them until 2028 but not sure that will happen... 

[Yigal]

It does not disappoint.

[RSG]

One of my go to smokes (and the No. 1 as well).

[Chibearsv]

Small sample for me. I’ve only smoked through most of 1 box over 6 years. Maybe I’ll hold the last 6 for another 10 years because so far, meh. I enjoy the no. 1 so much more, I’ve been through many boxes.  

[BG318]

Three boxes is about as deep as I have gone with my collection and I have boxes from 2014, 2020 and 2023. I would have to agree with everyone who said that they age well. The 2014's are fantastic, as are the ones from 2020. I like how the citrus note mellows but is still present in the five year old version. It's a little much with the 2023, and in the background with the 2014. Never had a really old one but I'm guessing that the sweet spot for me with this cigar is 5-9 years old. I like them enough that I would try to keep a stash of JL2 in that age range, and let a few of them go longer just to see what happens. 

[Ford2112]

Great Robusto! One of the few I would stock up on.

[Li Bai]

Although I like this cigar (with a little age on it), I feel I'm falling out of love with robustos in general. I'll almost always grab a N°1 over this N°2.

[JohnS]

I've struggled to connect with this cigar for many years. I'm still striving to...

[BrightonCorgi]

Over the last 20 years the flavor profile has changed. I think it really noticed it a few years after then started adding bands. Took on more an orange flavor.  They've always been a value leader in the Habanos portfolio. I think the marca is really for the dedicated Habanos consumer. The person who buys 1-5 Habanos a year wouldn't have Juan Lopez on their list.  

Before the bands I would get the Upmann Connoisseur and Juan Lopez mixed up in my desktop humidor. 

[HuffnPuffff]

I like them. I have countless boxes that range from very light fawn to burnt turd black. They are often surprisingly strong. Had a 2008 the other day that was way stronger than I expected. One paired one with a Belgian beer with an orange twang to it - excellent!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[cnov]

It was the cigar that made the term 'full bodied' really click for me. 

I've not been able to age anything past 5 years as of yet as I reach for them a lot more than some of the other boxes in my small collection that I'm unlikely to replace at current prices. 

 

[Redgoldband]

This is on the Mount Rushmore of Habanos for me. Love this cigar. I’ve had some draw issues with it before, but they haven’t been a detriment to me working through them to get the best of what this cigar has to offer. My humidor desperately needs more of these. Hoping for the discipline to go the distance with aging a few.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[PuroDiario]

One of those things for me as well, like @JohnS I have given it more tries than any other cigar, mainly due to the praise in the forum. Have not been able to connect yet, but will keep trying as current stock ages further...

[qs210]

JL2 is a mainstay in my rotation.