JUAN LOPEZ
When they say the apple doesn't fall
far from the tree this cigar fits that
exact statement. The Juan Lopez Co.
started producing cigars in Havana
in 1876 and this cigar has the pedigree
of all those years of perfecting the
cigar. The #2 is as close to a Havana
masterpiece as you can get and the
cigar is pure Nicaraguan. This is easily
the best Juan Lopez that i have smoked.
The construction of this cigar was nice, not perfect but close. The first glance you notice the deep brown wrapper with a small amount of veins and a few bumps, The cap was perfect and the end was a little loose. The feel of the cigar was great no hard spots and was super fresh. The band is a nice traditional Red & Gold.
The cap cut smoothly and the first light brought a very strong cedar and earth tone aroma. The first taste was a smoked oak and walnut flavor.
The smoke was a light gray.
The first 1/3 was similar to the light but it added a earthy chocolate flavor and a rich smoked cedar aroma that was nice. The tobacco is almost moist and burns great. The end stayed warm and the ash was a medium gray in color.
The one thing I noticed was that unlike other Juan Lopez sticks this one was a little smoother in taste without the strong pepper flavor that can over power a cigar at times. The cigar may have aged which did wonders of this is the case!
The 1/2 way mark was consistent with the first third. It is actually nice to maintain the flavors. There was a hint more of nutmeg and the smoke was a thick medium gray at this point. The Nicaraguan tobacco flavor is a nice medium to strong and the aroma is still a strong smoked cedar. I believe this cigar is upholding the original Juan Lopez production from the Havana days.
The #2 is comprised from a Nicaraguan Habano Wrapper and Binder and a select Nicaraguan Filler making it 100% Nicaraguan.
As the smoke came to the last third as nice earthy and smoked walnut flavor filled the palet and the aroma was that of a wet cedar wood on a smokey fire pit. I had paired this cigar with a hot Vanilla Nut Coffee. I do believe this cigar would pair easily with a nice Rum or Cognac as well. It is easy to see why this cigar was rated so high by numerous publications.
The burn was a little hot at the end but the cigar didn't require a second light and the ash remained firm. What is amazing about this stick is the complexity you get for the price.
The Rating:
Construction: 90 Aroma: 93
Flavor: 93 Overall: 92
I highly recommend this cigar if you haven't had the smoke. I was not a huge fan of the brand earlier just because the strong pepper tones masked the flavor of other sticks. This one was smoked to the nub and was enjoyable!
The size was a 6 x 54
