H. Upmann No 2 Pirimide Review ROA ENE 06

[Cam]

hey rob great review mate, adding that to my order list..

[ARRV]

I live vicariously through your reviews.

Simply great reading (and photos).

I need more cigars.

Can I humbly suggest a review of any one of the Hermoso No 4 vitola

[12stones]

I was surprised to hear you say you weren't looking forward to this cigar, Rob. You're review was spot on (though I haven't experienced any of the harshness you did) and this is one of my fav pyramides. Thanks for the review.

[greenpimp]

Nice review. I (only) have a couple boxes of HUP #2's left from 04 that are some of the strongest, richest cigars I have. Made me a believer.

Good to hear there is some Upmann quality for 2006.

[shrink]

Now that is a great looking cigar. Great review, too! How come no score?

[bassman]

I've only smoked 01s & they are quite good. The Upmann #2 usually needs time to shine, but that 06 sounds wonderful.

[Quint]

As always a great review and pics...Thanks Rob

[winelover]

Thank you very much for the review El Pres. You have certainly satisfied my curiousity.

[El Presidente]

» I was surprised to hear you say you weren't looking forward to this cigar,

» Rob.

To ring my bell a cigar needs to take me on a little journey. It needs to engage me through a show of mirrors....light and layered or full bodied with a show of tricks.

Upmann 2 has always been a little too one dimensional for me. However this example had such sheer quality and distinct clean flavours that it captivated me.

[El Presidente]

I am not a huge fan of the Upmann No 2. When searching for a Pirimide I will more often than not reach for a Monte 2, Partagas P2, VR Unicos or the new Cohiba EL Pirimide 06. More often than not I have found the Upmann No 2 lacking in flavour and complexity and I have tried plenty particularly over the past 10 years. There have been exceptions but they have always been few and far between.

So I received an e-mail request this morning to review one and as I am a servant to members I hesitantly went to the humidor (I wasn't overly looking forward to it) and opened a new box. I perked up when I saw the date code...ROA ENE 06 and thought ot myself that maybe....just maybe...this Upmann No 2 would be one of those remarkable cigars which have come from January/February 2006.

I went back up the stairs onto the deck a little more excited.

It certainly looked the part. Great wrapper, barnyard smell at cold, perfect construction.

I clipped the cap the way I like my Pirimides....only a little. The draw was impeccable and their was a pure tasted tobacco taste on the lips. Now this is not uncommon, but the tobacco taste was high quality...intense.

I gently torched the Upmann and was taken aback by a sweetness I have never before encountered in this Pirimide. I focused on this sweetness for a few minutes as it was delightful but it lasted no more than a quarter inch before disappearing completely. What was left was a medium bodied cigar with a superb super clean quality tobacco taste. Soft white pepper spice through the nose, perfect balance. Well into the first third some shortbread joined the tobacco. Rich aroma, great burn....quality stuff.

The great meals to me are those with no more than 2 or three distinct flavours using quality ingredients. It is the reason I am a lover of peasant dishes. Sauteed mushrooms on toast, Bacon and eggs, Toast gently rubbed with a clove of garlic + slices of fresh home grown tomatoes and a drizzle of the finest extra virgin olive oil you can find.

The Upmann 2 delivered the same in a cigar format. Intense clean toasted quality tobacco, shortbread and sour cream. Gorgeous interplay.

Towards the end of the Upmann it became a little ragged but not agressive in any way. The core flavours were still there but also joined with a little bitterness which in some way spoilt the party.

It didn't turn me off too much because I nubbed the cigar.

I went back down to the humidor and looked at how much stock I have of ROA ENE 06. Five boxes remaining before the codes move to March. For lovers of Upmann....get one of those boxes because while smoking great now, they have the pedigree to be marvels for the long haul.

90/100 5/6 smokerings

[Bartolomeo]

H Upmann #2 USE AGO 08

Brown wrapper with some bloom/plume and veins, tightly packed

Pre draw young, sweet tobacco

Bought a box of these for a wonderful price, a little bit of an uneven burn to start but quickly corrected itself

Initial puff was earthy, sweet, tannic and leather

Flavors were Woodsy, spicy chocolate, ginger, spicy coconut and Ginger Beer

Very clean tasting, sweet aftertaste but not too much and some heat

It reminded me of a spicy, cleaner version of a Monte #2..........Tasted like a cross between the Monte #2 and Partagas Ser P #2

Power picks up in 2/3, overall a Med-Full cigar

I have not had a Dip#2 to compare it yet

Ash was Grey and barreled

Outstanding cigar that will improve with time,one of my favorite piramides

9.2/10

Bart

[Bartolomeo]

This is a follow up review to the review above from the same box to see if any thing had changed

H Upmann #2 USE AGO 08

Velvet wrapper, solid construction

Initial puff is aged leather and mocha

Flavors include wood, cocoa powder, young tobacco, ginger, tannins,

Still has that sweet but subtle spice aftertaste, like the Ginger Beer flavors, toasted nuts

Ash is grey and flaky

Medium in body for entire cigar

More consistent than the Monte #2 IMHO,

Once again I really enjoyed this cigar from my box, highly recommended for you Torpedo fans

9.2/10

Bart

[greenpimp]

Thanks Bart, I enjoy your reviews.