Diplomáticos No. 2 – Blind Cigar Review

Cigar Info

The Diplomáticos No. 2 is a classic Cuban torpedo that sometimes flies under the radar compared to it’s more-well known siblings like the Montecristo No. 2 and H. Upmann No. 2. The Diplomáticos brand has been around since 1966 and is currently classified by Habanos S.A. as one of their “other” brands, as opposed to their “global” and “value” and “volume” brands, and has a fairly small market share. Diplomáticos are rolled with tobacco from the Vuelta Abajo region.

The original sizes in 1966 included the No. 1 through No. 5 with two additional sizes being added in 1976. The No. 2 is the only current regular production size left. Diplomáticos originally came in Semi Boite Nature (SBN) boxes with Standard dress boxes being introduced in 1975. It was originally supposed to be a more affordable version of the popular Montecristo brand, mainly targeting the French market, but eventually caught it’s own popularity.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Torpedo
Length: 6.14″
Ring Gauge: 52
Country of Origin: Cuba
Wrapper: Cuba
Binder: Cuba
Filler: Cuba
Factory: Undisclosed
Blender: Habanos S.A.
Number of reviewers: 4 – Sean F. (fullermaine) Kevin A. (Kevin A.) Matt Cade (CadeTNCC) Vance T. (Vance)
Price: $13.00
Age: 1 Year
Release Date: 1966
Contributed by: Blind Man’s Puff

Initial Impressions – Diplomáticos No. 2

Appearance: 93

“This is an attractive belicoso, the wrapper features some nice reddish hues with just a few minor lumps and some minor prominent veins. There’s just the slightest amount of give when squeezed gently between two fingers.” –Matt Cade (CadeTNCC)

Aroma: 93

“Sweet hickory aroma on the cold draw. Nice hint of oak upon lighting.” –Sean F. (fullermaine)

First Third

Flavor: 91
Strength: Mild-Medium
Body/Complexity: Light-Medium

“Right off the light, I get a really pleasant note of toasted pecan and burnt caramel. The draw is a little tight so we’ll see if it loosens up at all as we go. As the first third progresses not a lot of changes. There’s very little to no spice and the draw remains tight. The first ash lasts just over an inch.” –Vance T. (Vance)

“The cold draw seems super tight so I take an extra clip with my guillotine cutter and hope for the best (no flavors are detected on the cold draw as a result). As I suspected, the draw is still far too tight upon torching the foot so I clip the cap for the third time and that seems to help. First impressions are of crisp pepper spice and mineral through the nose and a draw that brings in a faint woodsy cedar. The draw is still tight, it’s like trying to drink a super thick milkshake through a super-thin straw. So I grab my sharp nub tool and stab the head of the cigar several times with its sharp two-pronged spikes, and that seems to help immensely. Don’t stop believing kids, never give up! The overall smooth flavor profile remains the same throughout the first third.” –Matt Cade (CadeTNCC)

Second Third

Flavor: 92
Strength: Mild-Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“Reaching the middle part of the cigar, the flavors start to be more prominent, with the salted caramel moving right to the front. The draw has opened up to close to perfect at this point, easily allowing for a mouthful of smoke and a solid retrohale. Getting a little farther in, baker’s spices appear, with cinnamon and vanilla on the tongue, and white pepper, walnut, and cardamom on the retrohale. The vanilla gives the entire profile a sweet creaminess that balances everything out. Strength is still mild at this point, with the. body stepping all the way up to medium. Burn is slightly wavy, but solid, with very firm ash and medium smoke output.” –Kevin A. (Kevin A.)

“As I head into the midway point I finally get some spice on the retrohale in the form of a warm cayenne. It plays nicely with nutty, sweet caramel note that has been here from the beginning, and I feel the draw loosen up ever so slightly. The added complexity in the profile is making a big impact here as the first third, while tasty, was growing very one dimensional. ” –Vance T. (Vance)

Final Third

Flavor: 90
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“With each puff, different notes come through. Notes of black pepper, oak, bitter cocoa, and peanut. Well balanced stick.” –Sean F. (fullermaine)

“More of the same in the final third with a mineral heavy retrohale and a barely present cedar/leather combination via the draw. Construction has been very good ever since I stabbed the shit out of the head with my nub tool, the draw has been smooth and the burn line has been relatively straight throughout the smoking experience.” –Matt Cade (CadeTNCC)

Overall Impressions – Diplomáticos No. 2

Draw: 81

“The cigar started off pretty tight making me think I had maybe I hadn’t cut it enough, but opened up nicely at about the 1″ mark and continued to perform well the rest of the way through” –Kevin A. (Kevin A.)

Burn: 89

“Nice even burn from beginning to end. Beautiful dark grey ash that holds on for an inch or two.” –Sean F. (fullermaine)

Construction: 92

“A supremely lackluster draw that left a ton to be desired was helped dramatically by a straight burn line and otherwise very good construction.” –Matt Cade (CadeTNCC) 

Overall Strength: Mild-Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Experience Overall: 93

“Enjoyment from beginning to end. A lot of different notes with each puff. Notes of nuttiness, spice, earth, and cocoa make this a go-to stick. A cigar I’d want in my humidor. Pairs well with a Coke.” –Sean F. (fullermaine)

“I liked this one. I was concerned at the beginning with the tight draw but was very happy once it opened up and the flavors were there. It is very mild-mannered, with the strength and body staying on the mild range, dipping into medium right at the end. This is. a cigar that should be enjoyed earlier in the day on a fresh palate, as after a few cigars, a strong beverage, or a heavy meal, the flavors will be very hard to detect and the cigar might disappoint. I am looking forward to finding out what this cigar is and adding it into my early morning rotation, as I feel this is where this cigar would be best suited for most but the newest smokers to the hobby. Grab one and enjoy!” –Kevin A. (Kevin A.)

“This is an overall very mild cigar featuring an initially spicy retrohale that downshifts quickly (too quickly) into a strictly mineral profile and the draw never delivers any flavors other than cedar and a very mild leather. I disliked the battle with the tight draw but once I, heroically some might say, conquered that obstacle the cigar performed “just fine” and delivered “just fine” faint flavors from start to finish. Would I smoke it again? Probably not on purpose but perhaps I just got a dud and, if I come across it again at a low price point, I’d almost certainly give it a second chance. Don’t we all deserve a second chance to make a first impression? I know I do and, I’ll admit it, fairly often…” –Matt Cade (CadeTNCC)

“I knocked it down slightly due to the draw issues but would definitely try this cigar again. The flavors were right in my wheelhouse, with notes of toasted pecan, caramel, cayenne, cinnamon and shortbread as I transitioned through.” –Vance T. (Vance)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 75

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

Diplomáticos No. 2 – Blind Cigar Review