H. Upmann No. 2 Review: The Elegant Cuban Torpedo

The H. Upmann No. 2 is the most refined torpedo in Cuba’s portfolio, a 6 1/8″ by 52 ring gauge Piramides that delivers shortbread, cream, honey, and cedar across a luxurious 60-minute smoking experience. At $580.80 for a box of 25, it offers remarkable value for a cigar that prioritizes sophistication over brute force. If every other Cuban torpedo you have tried felt like it was trying too hard, the H. Upmann No. 2 is the antidote: quiet confidence in tobacco form.

H. Upmann: Cuba’s Oldest Premium Cigar Brand

H. Upmann holds a distinction that no other Cuban cigar brand can claim: it has been in continuous production since 1843, making it the oldest premium cigar brand in Cuba. Founded by German banker Hermann Dietrich Upmann, who originally began shipping cigars packed inside cedar-lined banker’s boxes to his colleagues in Europe, the brand has survived colonial rule, revolution, nationalization, and nearly two centuries of shifting tastes to remain one of the most respected names in Havana tobacco.

The H. Upmann factory itself is one of the most important cigar-making facilities in Cuba. It produces not only the H. Upmann range but also serves as the manufacturing home for Montecristo and several other marcas. The factory’s rollers are among the most experienced in the country, and their expertise is particularly evident in the figurado shapes like the No. 2, where the tapered head requires additional skill and precision.

Within the H. Upmann range, the brand is known for a house style that emphasizes elegance and finesse over power. Where Bolivar and Partagas chase intensity, H. Upmann pursues grace. The No. 2 is the fullest expression of this philosophy: a cigar that proves a mild-medium to medium body can carry just as much complexity and interest as any powerhouse blend.

Construction and Presentation

The H. Upmann No. 2 arrives in a standard Habanos slide-lid box of 25 cigars arranged in two rows. The presentation is classic rather than flashy, with the distinctive H. Upmann gold-and-white band lending a certain old-world dignity to each cigar.

The wrapper on a well-stored No. 2 is a sight to appreciate. It typically presents in a light to medium Colorado Claro shade, smoother and more delicate than what you find on darker, bolder brands. The leaf has a satin sheen rather than the heavy oil of a Cohiba or Bolivar, and the veining is fine and minimal. This is a wrapper that speaks to the lighter side of Vuelta Abajo tobacco, and it sets the aesthetic tone for the smoking experience to come.

As a torpedo, the No. 2 requires the same careful cutting approach as any figurado. I favor cutting 4 to 5 millimeters from the pointed tip, which opens the draw without sacrificing the flavor concentration that the torpedo shape provides. A slightly more generous cut works well here since the H. Upmann No. 2 is a cigar that benefits from volume; you want full, airy clouds of smoke that let the delicate flavors express themselves.

The cold draw on a properly rested No. 2 is immediately distinctive. Where most Cuban cigars offer some combination of cedar and cocoa on the cold draw, the H. Upmann delivers something closer to a bakery: butter, flour, a touch of vanilla, and light wood. It is an inviting preview that promises a very different kind of Cuban cigar experience.

Flavor Profile by Thirds

First Third: Butter and Biscuits

The H. Upmann No. 2 opens with what I can only describe as an edible quality. The first several draws deliver a rich shortbread character that is unique in Cuban cigars. Butter, cream, and a lightly toasted grain note combine to create a flavor that is immediately comforting and deeply satisfying. Cedar is present but restrained, acting as a structural element rather than a dominant flavor.

There is a sweetness here that appears almost immediately. Not the dark, molasses-like sweetness of a Cohiba or the dried fruit of an aged Partagas, but something lighter and more delicate. Honey is the closest comparison, a wildflower honey quality that coats the palate and lingers between draws. It is gentle, refined, and utterly distinctive.

The smoke through the tapered head is cool and voluminous. The H. Upmann No. 2 produces surprisingly generous clouds for a cigar with this much finesse. The aroma is correspondingly pleasant: clean, sweet, and woody, the kind of cigar smoke that draws compliments rather than complaints from people nearby.

Strength is genuinely mild to medium. There is no nicotine presence to speak of, no pepper, no heat. This is a cigar that invites long, contemplative draws and rewards a relaxed pace. For smokers accustomed to starting their sessions with medium-full Cubans, the first third of the No. 2 can feel almost startlingly gentle. Give it time. The complexity reveals itself through subtlety rather than force.

Second Third: Where Elegance Meets Complexity

The middle section of the H. Upmann No. 2 is where the cigar truly earns its reputation. The shortbread note from the opening evolves, taking on a toasted quality that adds depth without adding weight. The cedar moves forward and develops a sweet, almost resinous character. And a new note emerges that defines the heart of this cigar: almond.

The almond appears first as a subtle background flavor, easy to miss if you are not paying attention. But as the second third progresses, it becomes a defining presence, a marzipan-like quality that weaves through the cream and honey to create something genuinely luxurious. This is not a common flavor in Cuban cigars, and its appearance here is one of the things that makes the H. Upmann No. 2 irreplaceable.

A light floral note surfaces on the retrohale. Pushing smoke gently through the nose reveals jasmine or perhaps white tea, a delicate aromatic quality that adds a third dimension to the flavor profile. Combined with the almond and honey on the palate and the cedar on the exhale, the second third becomes a multi-layered experience that is as intellectually engaging as any full-bodied cigar, despite operating at a fraction of the strength.

The body has moved into solid medium territory by this point. There is a slight increase in richness that gives the cigar more presence on the palate without changing its fundamental character. The cream takes on a slightly toasted quality, like creme brulee, and the overall experience feels more substantial without becoming heavy.

Final Third: Grace Under Pressure

Where many mild to medium cigars lose their way in the final third, either fading into blandness or turning bitter, the H. Upmann No. 2 maintains its poise. The last two inches see the cedar become more assertive, adding a woody backbone that gives the cigar structure as the heat naturally builds. The cream and honey remain, though they are now balanced by a light mineral note, almost chalky, that adds dryness and complexity.

A whisper of white pepper appears in the final inches, the closest this cigar comes to spice. It is not aggressive. It sits in the background like a gentle reminder that this is, after all, Cuban tobacco, and there is strength in the soil even when the blend chooses not to flaunt it.

The almond note from the second third evolves into something closer to toasted walnut, nuttier and slightly more bitter, which provides a satisfying depth to the closing draws. The floral quality fades, replaced by a clean woodiness that leaves a pleasant, dry finish on the palate.

I find the H. Upmann No. 2 is one of the few Cuban cigars I can smoke comfortably to within a half inch of the cap. The construction holds, the flavors stay clean, and the temperature remains manageable throughout. It is a cigar that respects your time from first light to final draw.

Comparisons: Placing the No. 2 in Context

H. Upmann No. 2 vs. Montecristo No. 2

This is the great torpedo debate of Cuban cigars. The Montecristo No. 2 is the more famous cigar, and it takes a bolder, richer approach to the same Piramides format. Where the H. Upmann leads with cream and honey, the Montecristo leads with cocoa and coffee. The Montecristo is a medium to medium-full cigar; the H. Upmann sits at mild-medium to medium. They share the same factory but deliver fundamentally different experiences. The Montecristo is the crowd-pleaser; the H. Upmann is the connoisseur’s choice. Both deserve a place in any serious humidor, and choosing between them on any given evening is a pleasant dilemma.

H. Upmann No. 2 vs. Cohiba Piramides Extra

The Cohiba Piramides Extra is a more complex, more intense torpedo that operates at a higher price point, typically around twice the cost per cigar. It delivers Cohiba’s signature depth and the multi-layered progression that the brand is known for. The H. Upmann No. 2 cannot match the Cohiba’s complexity, but it offers something the Cohiba does not: an effortless lightness that makes it the superior choice for daytime smoking, warm weather, or any occasion where you want refinement without gravity. At half the price, the value argument also tilts decisively toward the H. Upmann.

The Reserva Cosecha 2010

For those who fall in love with the standard No. 2, the H. Upmann No. 2 Reserva Cosecha 2010 represents the ultimate evolution of this vitola. Made from tobacco harvested exclusively in 2010 and given extended aging, the Reserva takes the No. 2’s elegant character and amplifies it with additional depth, richness, and a silky texture that the regular production cannot quite match. It is a luxury item, but one that offers tangible improvement over an already outstanding cigar.

Aging Potential

The H. Upmann No. 2 is one of the finest aging candidates in the Cuban portfolio, and it is not unusual to encounter aficionados who consider the aged version a different cigar entirely from the fresh release.

With two to three years of rest at 65% humidity, the cigar smooths out considerably. The honey sweetness deepens, the cedar integrates more fully, and the almond note becomes more pronounced. This is the minimum aging I would recommend for anyone who wants to experience the No. 2 at its best.

At five to seven years, the cigar enters its golden period. The shortbread quality transforms into something richer, closer to toasted brioche or pound cake. A dried fruit sweetness appears, reminiscent of golden raisins, that adds a new dimension entirely absent in younger cigars. The floral quality becomes more defined, shifting from vague jasmine to something closer to chamomile. The overall texture becomes silky, almost liquid on the palate.

At ten years and beyond, the No. 2 develops a depth that places it among the great aged Cubans. The flavors merge into a unified whole where individual notes become difficult to separate, replaced by a rich, harmonious tapestry that changes subtly with every draw. If you have the patience and the storage conditions to support it, a decade-old H. Upmann No. 2 is a revelation.

Pairing Suggestions

The H. Upmann No. 2’s delicate nature requires equally thoughtful pairing. Overpowering drinks will steamroll its subtlety. Here are the combinations I return to most often:

• Champagne or dry sparkling wine: This is the No. 2’s natural partner. The acidity and effervescence of a good Brut cut through the cigar’s creaminess and cleanse the palate between draws, while the yeasty quality of the wine echoes the shortbread notes in the cigar. A Sunday afternoon with the No. 2 and a glass of Champagne is about as civilized as life gets.
• White tea or green tea: For non-alcoholic pairing, a high-quality white tea mirrors the cigar’s floral and honey notes beautifully. The lightness of the tea does not compete with the tobacco, and the gentle tannins complement the cedar.
• Cognac (VS or VSOP): A lighter Cognac, not the heavy XO bottlings, works wonderfully. The grape spirit’s fruitiness and warmth enhance the almond and honey without overwhelming them. Serve at room temperature, not warmed.
• Light-bodied single malt (Highland or Lowland): A gentle, honeyed Scotch like Glenkinchie or Dalwhinnie is a superb partner. The shared honey notes create a thread of continuity between sip and puff, and the malt’s delicacy matches the cigar’s restraint.

Who Is This Cigar For?

The H. Upmann No. 2 is for the cigar smoker who values finesse. It is for the person who has realized, after years of chasing intensity, that the most sophisticated flavors often speak in a quiet voice. It is for the morning smoker, the warm-weather smoker, the smoker who wants a full hour of pleasure without any of the heaviness that often accompanies it.

It is also an exceptional cigar for someone transitioning from premium non-Cuban brands into the Habanos world. The mild-medium strength is welcoming, but the complexity and distinctiveness of the Cuban tobacco are unmistakable. This cigar demonstrates what makes Cuban cigars special without requiring the smoker to power through strength to find the answer.

And for the experienced aficionado who already knows and appreciates the bold end of Cuba’s spectrum, the H. Upmann No. 2 is a necessary counterpoint. A humidor stocked only with Bolivars and Partagas is a humidor missing a voice, and the No. 2 is one of the most eloquent voices in the conversation.

Explore the full H. Upmann collection or browse our complete guide to Cuban cigar brands to continue your journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the H. Upmann No. 2 a mild cigar?

The H. Upmann No. 2 falls in the mild-medium to medium range, making it one of the gentler options among Cuban torpedoes. However, “mild” should not be mistaken for “simple.” The cigar delivers considerable complexity through cream, honey, cedar, almond, and floral notes that evolve across its 60-minute smoking time. It is a cigar that proves elegance and depth can coexist with restrained strength. Smokers who gravitate toward full-bodied cigars may initially find it too subtle, but many come to appreciate its refinement as their palate matures.

How does the H. Upmann No. 2 compare to the Montecristo No. 2?

Both cigars share the Piramides (torpedo) format and are produced in the same factory, but they deliver distinctly different experiences. The Montecristo No. 2 is richer and more intense, built on cocoa, coffee, and spice with a medium to medium-full body. The H. Upmann No. 2 is lighter and more refined, centered on cream, honey, and almond with a mild-medium to medium body. The Montecristo is the bolder choice for evening smoking or pairing with dark spirits; the H. Upmann excels in daytime settings or alongside lighter beverages. Most aficionados consider both essential and alternate between them based on mood and occasion.

What is the ideal aging time for an H. Upmann No. 2?

The H. Upmann No. 2 benefits enormously from aging, with the sweet spot for most smokers falling between five and seven years at 63-65% relative humidity. At this stage, the honey deepens, a dried fruit character emerges, and the overall texture becomes remarkably silky. Even two to three years of aging produces noticeable improvement over fresh cigars. The torpedo format ages particularly well because the tapered head slows oxygen exchange and promotes even maturation. A box purchased today and stored properly will reward your patience significantly at the five-year mark.

When is the best time to smoke an H. Upmann No. 2?

The mild-medium body makes the H. Upmann No. 2 one of the most versatile Cuban cigars in terms of timing. Unlike full-bodied options that demand a heavy meal beforehand, the No. 2 performs beautifully as a mid-morning cigar with coffee, an afternoon companion with tea or Champagne, or a pre-dinner smoke that will not overwhelm your palate before a meal. Its 60-minute smoking time fits comfortably into most schedules without requiring a major time commitment. Many experienced smokers consider it the ideal first cigar of the day, saving their bolder options for after dinner.