Beneath the Band: Juan Lopez Seleccion Number 1

[El Presidente]

This series seeks 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 

Today: Juan Lopez Seleccion Number 1

I love this Corona Gorda young, I love this Corona Gorda aged. One of those cigars that ages beautifully. For me, 5-8 years of age is perferct and this is the type of aged box I would look for on sites such as Bond Roberts. They can represent excellent value. 

Outside of the poll, which do you prefer and why? Let us know in this thread 

 

[Chibearsv]

I agree with Rob that these are good young and with a few years down. It’s a tough cigar to describe for me. Portobello with a hint of prune maybe. A cool balance of dark umami and slight tangy sweetness. I try to always have them on hand.  

[griller]

Love this smoke! Agreed, tough to articulate the flavors but I always get "twang" and an odd sweetness. I've got about a dozen left from a box resting (believe it's a 2019) & love that this does still have a "value" position in the Habanos catalog (for now, LOL).

[smashed]

JL2 gets all the hype for some reason, but JL1 also stands on its own. Not sure whatsoever why it's seemingly a bit overlooked. Great stick.

[rcarlson]

One of my favorites. Beats the JL2 by a country mile. Love that they're so overlooked.  

[Ford2112]

Great size and flavors. Overlooked. Aged ones have that funk.

[Allroz]

Always kept my eye on these but haven’t pulled the trigger - starting to rethink based on comments.

[riderpride]

I like 'em, but I'll take the JL2 despite liking this vitola more. JL flavours, but too many tent pegs. I can't comment on construction after 2019 though.

Cheers!

[JohnS]

I would hypothesise that the lack of support for the Juan Lopez Seleccion No.1 is simply a cause of the Juan Lopez Seleccion No.2 being much more readily available in the market over a number of years. Thus, the Juan Lopez Seleccion No.2 has much more 'familiarity' amongst cigar enthusiasts. One could make a similar case when comparing the Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No.1 and Epicure No.2.

[Li Bai]

3 hours ago, rcarlson said:

One of my favorites. Beats the JL2 by a country mile. Love that they're so overlooked.  

Very well put, agreed 100% 👍

[Redgoldband]

I had one in May of 2024 that was phenomenal: spoon bread, citrus, toasted fine tobacco. Been chasing that profile with the 1s ever since and haven’t come close. Have a few in my long age humi that I’ll try and forget about. I’ll take the JL2 over this one, though.


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[pohlmad]

JL1s are one of the best Cubans out there and in my experience great cigars to hand out as gifts!  Never given one to someone who didn’t love them!  

[Lucas Buck]

JL has long been one of my least favorite marcas. Went through a Robustos phase back in the early 2000’s and the JL2 though decent was easily my least favorite. However, in the last couple years I’ve been revisiting them and have come to find out I love them with long age. Now I wish I would have bought a box or two of JL1 back in the day. Though I have never smoked one that I can recall, I’m sure they would be a favorite with 20+ years age. The 20-25 year old JL2 I’ve been smoking are next level. Possibly my second favorite Robustos after the Cohiba. 

[westg]

Absolutely love them. Always to find them while travelling. So consistent.  For the love of Christ, a Double Robusto with this blend would be amazing. 

[abcd1234]

Hands down my favorite cigar,  always have a box of No. 1 and No. 2 in the humidor.

[cybermadhatter]

I love Juan Lopez, the marca not the man, lol

Since I went 100% Cuban in 2003, they have been in my top 3 favorite brands, (along with Ramon Allones, but alas no more 8-9-8’s or Coronas or petit Coronas.) 

50 cab JL2s in the early 2000’s were amazing. Foresty, with maple pine cedar oak, and sweet leather.  A great autumn cigar. (As opposed to the ERdM Choix Supreme which is a spring cigar, imho).  
I always have 2’s and 1’s in my humidors. 
The JL1 was always funkier; still foresty but with more baking spice and hazel nuts as flavors.  Young ones could be lemon zesty, which to me is too astringent.  
Facebook memories recently showed me that I had a 2002 box that I smoked in 2017. All gone. I had a few from the 90’s, over the years, that were very dark and were more earthy and fungal. Yummo !

cheers

[BrightonCorgi]

I'll buy one box of No.1 for every ten boxes of No.2's. Fine enough cigar, but I like No.2 more.

[GVan]

Only 5 boxes of the JL1's left! Trying not to touch them and let them get to 7 to 10 years before I try another one. Love the JL2s and I think they smoke better at about 4 to 5 years, but the JL1 needs more time to turn stellar! JL1s are one of my favorites out of the humidor.

[FOHgetaboutit]

Love both the Juan Lopez Seleccion No.1 and No.2. I'm still waiting on them to get some proper legs however.