Juan Lopez Seleccion No. 2

Description

The Sleeper Hit Nobody Talks About

I’m probably going to ruffle some feathers here, but the Juan Lopez Seleccion No. 2 deserves way more attention than it gets. While everyone’s chasing Cohibas and Montecristos, this cigar sits quietly on shelves, waiting for someone who actually knows what they’re looking for. I picked up my first box back in – what was it, 2009? Maybe 2010. Doesn’t matter. What matters is that I’ve been keeping them in my humidor ever since, and here’s why you should too.

The Juan Lopez brand has this funny reputation. It’s like the middle child of Cuban cigars – solid, dependable, but somehow always overlooked. And the Seleccion No. 2? It’s basically a torpedo-shaped masterclass in what Cuban tobacco should taste like when you’re not trying to show off. No flashy marketing. No fancy bands. Just really, really good tobacco rolled the way it’s supposed to be rolled.

What Makes Juan Lopez Special (And Why You Haven’t Heard About It)

Juan Lopez isn’t going to win any popularity contests. The brand started way back in 1876 – yeah, you read that right – and it’s maintained this almost stubborn commitment to tradition. No fancy limited editions every other month. No celebrity endorsements. Just consistent, quality cigars that taste like Cuba.

The Seleccion No. 2 specifically is a torpedo vitola, which means you’re getting that tapered head that concentrates the smoke beautifully. Thing is, most people gravitate toward the bigger ring gauges these days. They want those chunky Robustos and Gordos. But there’s something elegant about a well-made torpedo that you just can’t replicate with a straight-sided cigar. The way the flavors build as you smoke through that shaped cap? It’s like the difference between listening to music on cheap earbuds versus a decent sound system.

This cigar is made with 100% Vuelta Abajo tobacco – wrapper, binder, filler, the whole package. For those who don’t know, Vuelta Abajo is basically the Bordeaux of Cuban tobacco regions. If you’re smoking anything less, you’re settling. The wrapper on these has this beautiful reddish-brown color, smooth as leather, with just enough oil to catch the light without looking greasy.

Who should smoke this? Honestly? Anyone who’s tired of overhyped cigars that promise the world and deliver smoke. If you’re the type who appreciates subtlety over strength, craftsmanship over marketing, then yeah – this is your cigar. I’d say it’s perfect for someone who’s moved past the “bigger is better” phase and wants something that actually tastes like tobacco grown in Cuban soil.

Technical Specifications

The Smoking Experience – Third by Third

The cold draw on the Seleccion No. 2 gives you this beautiful preview of what’s coming. There’s a sweetness there – not sugar sweet, but more like dried fruit mixed with cedar. Maybe a hint of cocoa if you really focus on it. The wrapper smells earthy, with that distinctive Cuban aroma that you can’t fake. If you’ve spent any time with Cuban cigars, you know exactly what I mean. If you haven’t – well, you’re about to learn.

Light it up, and the first third comes at you with this creamy, smooth character that’s deceptively complex. You’re getting wood notes right away – cedar mostly, but there’s also this subtle leather quality underneath. The spice is there, but it’s not aggressive. It’s more like white pepper sprinkled lightly rather than dumped on. And that’s what I love about this cigar – it doesn’t scream at you. The flavors are balanced, layered, giving you something new every few puffs without overwhelming your palate.

The construction on these is generally excellent, assuming you’re not smoking them too young. The burn line stays pretty even – I rarely need to touch up a well-aged Seleccion No. 2. The ash holds for about an inch before dropping, nice and gray with that characteristic layered look that tells you the tobacco was rolled properly. Draw resistance is perfect in that sweet spot between too loose and too tight.

Second third is where things get interesting – actually, scratch that. The second third is where this cigar earns its place in your humidor. The creaminess from the first third evolves into something richer. You start picking up more earth notes, that classic Cuban tobacco taste that reminds you exactly where this cigar came from. There’s cocoa in there too, not chocolate-bar sweet, but more like raw cacao nibs. The spice kicks up just a notch, playing beautifully with the leather notes that have gotten stronger. If you retrohale – and you should – you get this amazing combination of wood and spice that doesn’t burn your sinuses but definitely makes its presence known.

Final third? This is where the strength builds to medium-full. Some people might find it gets a bit strong here, but I think it’s perfect. The flavors concentrate as you get down to the nub – more earth, more leather, with this lingering cocoa note that sticks around on your palate. The wrapper flavor really comes through in this section. That Vuelta Abajo tobacco shows its quality. I can usually smoke these down to about an inch and a half before the heat starts affecting the flavor. The complexity holds right to the end, which is rare even among good Cubans.

How It Stacks Up Against Similar Cigars

What to Pair It With

Coffee works surprisingly well with the Seleccion No. 2, especially in the morning or early afternoon. I’m talking about a good espresso or a Cuban coffee if you can get it – none of that Starbucks nonsense. The bitter notes in the coffee play nicely with the cocoa and earth flavors in the cigar without overwhelming the more subtle cedar and cream characteristics.

For spirits, I lean toward rum with this one. A good aged Cuban rum like Havana Club 7 Year is basically the perfect pairing – both products of the same island, similar flavor profiles, they just work together. If you’re more of a whiskey person, go with something smooth and not too peaty. A Highland scotch or a decent bourbon will do the job. I’ve also had great experiences pairing these with cognac, particularly VS or VSOP level – nothing too old and complex that it fights with the cigar.

As for occasions? This is your late afternoon cigar. You’ve finished work, you’ve got an hour to kill before dinner, and you want something substantial but not so full that it ruins your appetite. Weekend mornings with coffee. Poker nights with friends. Any time you want to actually taste your cigar rather than just smoke something while you’re doing something else.

Common Questions About the Seleccion No. 2

Final Thoughts From Someone Who’s Smoked Too Many Cigars

The Juan Lopez Seleccion No. 2 is what happens when quality trumps marketing. It’s not the cigar you buy to impress your friends – unless your friends actually know their stuff. It’s the cigar you buy because you want something that tastes excellent, smokes beautifully, and doesn’t require you to take out a second mortgage.

Should you pick up a box? If you appreciate classic Cuban flavors with good complexity, absolutely. If you need everyone at the lounge to recognize your cigar band, maybe look elsewhere. But if you’re past that phase – if you’re smoking for yourself rather than for show – then yeah, grab a box. Let them age for a year if you can manage the patience. And when you finally light one up on a quiet afternoon, you’ll understand exactly what I’ve been talking about.

This is the cigar that reminds you why Cuban tobacco became legendary in the first place.