Diplomaticos #2 TOS DIC 16 (HBFCRW)

[Thirds]

Diplomaticos #2 TOS DIC 16 

No frills, what you see is what you get kinda smoke.  Wood with a salty finish and a wonderful but subtle blend of spice that weaves in and out.  My favorite flavor is the hint of sweetness that appears when the spice seems most pronounced.  It’s not a flavor journey type cigar but the flavors it offers I find very satisfying.   In the final third, the spice on the retrohale was more robust in the nasal passage, but this is welcomed as I’m a fan of a cigar letting me know it has some backbone. The middle third offered the most variation in flavor profile while the first and final ended very much where it began.  In this case, I like where it started so I’m content ending there.  The D2 has satisfied each time I’ve tried it and that earns it an invitation to be smoked again. I’ll see how this box progresses.  I smoked a younger single from the store a week or so ago and I may be a fan of a younger D2 but that’s TBD.  This box has 3 years on it and I’ll examine how it continues to develop, comparing it to younger equivalents along the way.  The burn wasn’t perfect and required a few touch ups as one side wanted to burn a little faster.  

 

A great way to spend an afternoon. Smoke time 70 minutes.  For me, it’s a 90 point cigar even with the burn issues.  The D2 saves a little something special towards the end leaving a great impression that solicits another go; don’t mind if I do....

[MigsG]

Great review, man! Sounds like a different cigar from a young '18 Diplo 2 I had the other day. Mine was juicy, with a crisp bell pepper/sweet vegetable flavor.  Looks like age does wonders to this cigar.

I like the ashtray too!

[Thirds]

It was definitely different from the young D2.  Definitely mellowed and blended.  Now that you mention it, that spice I referenced could’ve had a little bell pepper in it but I’m not savvy enough to pick that out.  At this stage in the journey, I should just stick with “would smoke again” or “wouldn’t smoke again”.  

I should’ve taken better notes on the younger D2.  I recall it being more complex. 

[Sandman]

I liked them fresh, not liking them very much with a few years on the them. Seem to be too one dimensional now. 

[Thirds]

33 minutes ago, Sandman said:

I liked them fresh, not liking them very much with a few years on the them. Seem to be too one dimensional now. 

That’s my experience as well.  You nailed it. 

[Samysam]

I have the same box. Will break into it soon

 

[Thirds]

7 hours ago, Samysam said:

I have the same box. Will break into it soon

 

Be sure to post a review when you do.  I’m going to smoke a few more of these And compare to younger D2s to determine which I prefer.  I love the D2 either way but trying to determine which I like more, young or older. 

 

 

[Chucko8]

Looks like it was a cracking day. Nice review and pictures. thanks

[Sandman]

On 7/28/2019 at 1:59 PM, Thirds said:

That’s my experience as well.  You nailed it. 

Yes, when they were fresh I smoked half the box pretty much right away then saved the other half to age.  I was surprised to say the least. This reminds me that the La Fuerza from the same year were similar. Fresh they were great, 2 years on them, I honestly thought they sucked. And I wouldn’t say they were sick, they tasted dead. Based on my experience with cigars, they had nowhere to go but down. I could be wrong though, just my gut feeling  

 

[Thirds]

I better get to smoking the older D2s.  Read something about a dead period on cigars?  Is that a thing?  No clue if they come back to life with more time. 

1 hour ago, Sandman said:

Yes, when they were fresh I smoked half the box pretty much right away then saved the other half to age.  I was surprised to say the least. This reminds me that the La Fuerza from the same year were similar. Fresh they were great, 2 years on them, I honestly thought they sucked. And I wouldn’t say they were sick, they tasted dead. Based on my experience with cigars, they had nowhere to go but down. I could be wrong though, just my gut feeling  

 

 

[Sandman]

39 minutes ago, Thirds said:

I better get to smoking the older D2s.  Read something about a dead period on cigars?  Is that a thing?  No clue if they come back to life with more time. 

 

I wouldn’t say there is a dead period. If it’s dead it’s dead. Thing is though, this is so subjective. One persons dead cigar, may be another’s favorite at that stage. Myself, I like big, bold, rich flavors. These flavors often are found more often in fresher cigars, but of course old cigars too. I smoked an 01 Upmann corona last week that still has lots of strength, very rich, complex, but also very smooth. I haven’t the slightest clue what will happen with the D2’s in 10 years from now, but my gut says not good. I don’t taste the richness anymore, or the classic D2 blend. Just one dimensional, almost dry tasting, while still retaining strength. They were the opposite when fresh. They were great  

I’ve smoked D2’s from the mid 90’s, early 2000’s, through 2015. The D2 has a very distinct flavor, and it carries through with age. I don’t taste that in the 2015’s. 

In the case of the D2 from that time period, could a sick period, but only time will tell. If you are not loving them right now, I would say either sell them, or bury them and try in a few more years. 

[jackupster]

If I had only bought a bunch of those TOS Dip 2s. Still have half a box I’m holding and got another LGR (same Factory I think) box but they are a notch lower in taste IMO. Nice review! 

[Thirds]

1 hour ago, Sandman said:

I wouldn’t say there is a dead period. If it’s dead it’s dead. Thing is though, this is so subjective. One persons dead cigar, may be another’s favorite at that stage. Myself, I like big, bold, rich flavors. These flavors often are found more often in fresher cigars, but of course old cigars too. I smoked an 01 Upmann corona last week that still has lots of strength, very rich, complex, but also very smooth. I haven’t the slightest clue what will happen with the D2’s in 10 years from now, but my gut says not good. I don’t taste the richness anymore, or the classic D2 blend. Just one dimensional, almost dry tasting, while still retaining strength. They were the opposite when fresh. They were great  

I’ve smoked D2’s from the mid 90’s, early 2000’s, through 2015. The D2 has a very distinct flavor, and it carries through with age. I don’t taste that in the 2015’s. 

In the case of the D2 from that time period, could a sick period, but only time will tell. If you are not loving them right now, I would say either sell them, or bury them and try in a few more years. 

I agree on the big bold rich flavors being a preference.  I experienced that with the younger D2 but didn’t get that with the older D2.  I still enjoyed the older D2 and it wasn’t a bad cigar I just took notice that the boldness that was enjoyed on the young D2 weren’t present.  And 2016 isn’t an old cigar by aging standards but it definitely calmed down quite a bit from the 2018. 

Thanks for the great reply. Much appreciated.