Diplomáticos No. 2
Size: 6-1/8 x 52
Vitola: Pirámides
Wrapper: Cuba
Binder: Cuba
Filler: Cuba
Production Date: March 2008
About:
The Diplomáticos brand started production in1966 as a lower cost alternative to the Montecristo brand for the French market. In the original release, Diplomáticos were released in five sizes, called No.1, No.2, No.3, No. 4, and No. 5. These sizes corresponded to the Montecristo Numbers 1-5 sizes. In 1976 there was a No. 6 and No. 7 were released that were the same as the Montecristo Especial No. 1 and No. 2.
I double checked my information on cubancigarwebsite.com. and with the recent 2010 deletions to the Habanos SA catalog, the Diplomáticos No. 2 is the only size still in current production.
According to the Illustrated Encyclopedia of Post-Revolution Havana Cigars, the Diplomáticos No. 2 tastes like a milder version of a Montecristo No. 2, and refers to Diplomáticos version as arguably the mildest Torpedo in production (p. 121)
Pre-light:
The wrapper was very light, almost to the point of having the appearance of a Connecticut Shade Wrapper. The wrapper was slightly rough in appearance, and there were a few small bumps underneath the surface of the wrapper. The cigar had a slight box press from being packed in a dress box since 2008.
AROMA: There was a very pleasant dry-wood aroma that was made up of both cedar and hardwood notes in the mix. The foot exhibited a slightly more concentrated woody aroma with the addition of spice and manure as well.
TASTE: The prelight taste was mainly refreshing straight tobacco flavors along with some clove-like spice hints in the background.
1/3:
The cigar started off with a relatively mild profile with some very creamy notes. There were some strong hay flavors in the background, along with what I would best describe as a slight astringent quality at the very front of my palate. The draw was absolutely perfect, and the cigar produced nice, thick volumes of smoke. The ash was light to medium gray, and very solid.
2/3:
The hay flavors I found in the first third evolved into a grassiness. There was a slight spiciness at the forefront of the profile, but it was very subtle. I also managed to detect what I would best describe as hints of well done (though not burned) toast. As the second third progressed I got some peppercorn flavors in the retrohale. I am not talking about the spiciness of black pepper, but rather the actual peppercorn aroma and taste.
3/3:
A spicy component began to emerge in the final third and intensified. This moved the grassy flavors into the background, along with most of other flavors. This spicy characteristic was not overpowering in any way, it seemed like a natural direction for the flavor profile of the cigar to progress.
The cigar did soften a little bit as the final third progresses, but it did not have an ill effect on the smokeability or the construction of the cigar at all.
Overall:
Overall, I would say that the Diplomáticos No. 2 was an enjoyable cigar. Personally, I found it distinct enough from the Montecristo No. 2 that I would hesitate to refer to it as an alternative or derivation of the Montecristo brand, especially with the current production sample that I smoked.
It had a solid medium-bodied profile with a pleasant evolution of flavors as the cigar progressed from the initial light to burning my fingers finishing the final third.
Link to the Podcast Episode
Size: 6-1/8 x 52
Vitola: Pirámides
Wrapper: Cuba
Binder: Cuba
Filler: Cuba
Production Date: March 2008
About:
The Diplomáticos brand started production in1966 as a lower cost alternative to the Montecristo brand for the French market. In the original release, Diplomáticos were released in five sizes, called No.1, No.2, No.3, No. 4, and No. 5. These sizes corresponded to the Montecristo Numbers 1-5 sizes. In 1976 there was a No. 6 and No. 7 were released that were the same as the Montecristo Especial No. 1 and No. 2.
I double checked my information on cubancigarwebsite.com. and with the recent 2010 deletions to the Habanos SA catalog, the Diplomáticos No. 2 is the only size still in current production.
According to the Illustrated Encyclopedia of Post-Revolution Havana Cigars, the Diplomáticos No. 2 tastes like a milder version of a Montecristo No. 2, and refers to Diplomáticos version as arguably the mildest Torpedo in production (p. 121)
Pre-light:
The wrapper was very light, almost to the point of having the appearance of a Connecticut Shade Wrapper. The wrapper was slightly rough in appearance, and there were a few small bumps underneath the surface of the wrapper. The cigar had a slight box press from being packed in a dress box since 2008.
AROMA: There was a very pleasant dry-wood aroma that was made up of both cedar and hardwood notes in the mix. The foot exhibited a slightly more concentrated woody aroma with the addition of spice and manure as well.
TASTE: The prelight taste was mainly refreshing straight tobacco flavors along with some clove-like spice hints in the background.
1/3:
The cigar started off with a relatively mild profile with some very creamy notes. There were some strong hay flavors in the background, along with what I would best describe as a slight astringent quality at the very front of my palate. The draw was absolutely perfect, and the cigar produced nice, thick volumes of smoke. The ash was light to medium gray, and very solid.
2/3:
The hay flavors I found in the first third evolved into a grassiness. There was a slight spiciness at the forefront of the profile, but it was very subtle. I also managed to detect what I would best describe as hints of well done (though not burned) toast. As the second third progressed I got some peppercorn flavors in the retrohale. I am not talking about the spiciness of black pepper, but rather the actual peppercorn aroma and taste.
3/3:
A spicy component began to emerge in the final third and intensified. This moved the grassy flavors into the background, along with most of other flavors. This spicy characteristic was not overpowering in any way, it seemed like a natural direction for the flavor profile of the cigar to progress.
The cigar did soften a little bit as the final third progresses, but it did not have an ill effect on the smokeability or the construction of the cigar at all.
Overall:
Overall, I would say that the Diplomáticos No. 2 was an enjoyable cigar. Personally, I found it distinct enough from the Montecristo No. 2 that I would hesitate to refer to it as an alternative or derivation of the Montecristo brand, especially with the current production sample that I smoked.
It had a solid medium-bodied profile with a pleasant evolution of flavors as the cigar progressed from the initial light to burning my fingers finishing the final third.
Link to the Podcast Episode
