Stogie Reviews: Diplomáticos No. 2 (Cuban)

14 May 2009

The Diplomáticos No. 2 is a classic Cuban cigar with classic proportions. In fact, the smoke has the same proportions (6.125 x 52) as the iconic Montecristo No. 2. (All five Diplomáticos currently in production have the same proportions as the Montecristo of the same name.)

Diplomatico No 2

Diplomáticos was the first new line of Cuban cigars to be publicly launched after the beginning of the Castro regime but, ironically, given its name, it wasn’t the Diplomáticos but the Cohiba line (which was not for sale to the general public at the time) that was given exclusively to visiting dignitaries and diplomats. Instead, Diplomáticos ended up mainly as a brand to be exported to France, where its milder profile was preferred.

In 1966, Diplomáticos was originally created as a less expensive and milder version of the Montecristo, and that reputation remains today. All of which makes it a prime candidate for a “value” Cuban cigar, particularly in the popular and often expensive Pyramide shape.

While not necessarily a value by non-Cuban standards, the Diplomáticos No. 2 sells for around $11 individually and around $9 per cigar by the box. That’s nearly $5 less than the Montecristo No. 2. (I payed around 10 Euros each, including 3 Euros each in French taxes for the two sticks I sampled for this review. Both were purchased at a shop in Paris’ Odeon area that was recommended to me by Denis of the Cigar Inspector website.)

The Diplomáticos No. 2 features an attractive wrapper with small veins, and my samples even had the beginnings of some plume, showing that the cigars had some age. While it had a sweet, creamy aroma pre-light, it was noticeably soft to the touch, often a precursor to draw and ash problems.

Once lit, I found a combination of creamy peanut butter and grass. There was some significant bitterness that went in and out, and the pyramide had a long grassy finish.

The construction was similarly a mixed bag. While the burn was relatively even, the draw was at times extremely difficult. The ash held for at least a half an inch, after which it would sometimes unexpectedly fall off.

For a similar Cuban smoke at a true value price ($3 or less per stick) I’d prefer the Por Larrañaga Panatella. It has a similar flavor, costs less, than a third of the price, and sports better construction. On the other hand, for significantly better construction and more complexity in the pyramide size, I’d say you’re better off spending a few dollars more and smoking the Montecristo No. 2.

This is a mild- to medium-bodied cigar with lots of potential and some pleasant flavors, but it ultimately disappoints due to the bitterness and construction issues. Because there are better options at both higher and lower prices, the Diplomáticos No. 2 earns a rating of two and a half stogies out of five.