AshMap
Overview
There is a quiet confidence to the H. Upmann No. 2 Torpedo that announces itself before the first draw. In an era where blenders compete for the loudest first impression, this cigar arrives with the poise of a seasoned diplomat — its closed foot a promise of patience, its silky Colorado Claro wrapper a prelude to restraint. This is not a cigar that shouts; it persuades. From the moment the flame kisses that tapered head, the narrative unfolds in measured, deliberate chapters, each one building on the last without ever losing the thread of elegance that defines the Dominican tradition at its most refined.
The pre-light aroma is a study in understatement: sweet hay, faint vanilla, and the cool, clean scent of cedar shavings. The cold draw, even before the foot is fully lit, hints at the almond-paste sweetness that will define the opening. Once ignited, the first third is a masterclass in creaminess — a velvety wave of cedar and toasted almond that coats the palate like a fine Chardonnay. The retrohale introduces a gentle white pepper tingle, a subtle nod to the Nicaraguan leaf in the blend, but it never oversteps its welcome. There is a pastry-like sweetness here, reminiscent of a fresh croissant dusted with powdered sugar, and a faint whisper of hay and dried flowers that keeps the profile grounded in the earth rather than floating off into confection.
As the burn line crosses into the second third, the cigar reveals its architectural genius. The torpedo's widest girth is where the blend opens up, both literally and figuratively — the draw loosens, and with it comes a deeper complexity. Roasted coffee bean emerges, dark and slightly bitter, balanced by a mild leather that adds texture without weight. The sweetness shifts from pastry to caramel, a subtle evolution that feels less like a change and more like a deepening. On the retrohale, a fleeting citrus zest — almost lemon peel — appears and vanishes, leaving just enough intrigue to keep you leaning forward. This is the heart of the cigar, where the Dominican and Nicaraguan tobaccos engage in a quiet conversation, each yielding to the other with practiced grace.
The final third is a study in resolution. The espresso notes intensify, joined by dark walnut and a clean, dry cocoa that lingers long after each draw. The pepper, which had been a mere accent, gains modest ground — but it never turns harsh, never breaks the spell. The construction, impeccable throughout, keeps the burn temperature low, ensuring that the finish remains remarkably clean for a medium-bodied smoke. As the cigar nears its end, there is no bitterness, no collapse — only a gentle fade, like the last movement of a symphony that knows exactly when to conclude. This is a cigar that rewards attention but does not demand it; it is content to be the quiet center of an afternoon, a reminder that elegance is not a compromise but a choice.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Cuban-seed Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade — Colorado Claro |
|---|---|
| Binder | Dominican Republic (olor seco) |
| Filler | Dominican Republic long-leaf, aged Nicaraguan and Honduran tobaccos blended for balance |
| Country of Origin | Santiago, Dominican Republic (General Cigar's La Romana factory, La Romana) |
| Vitola / Shape | Torpedo (Belicoso) |
| Size | 6.13 x 52 |
| Strength | Medium |
| Price | $14–$18 per cigar |
| Tier | Premium |
| Aging | Tobaccos aged a minimum of three years prior to rolling; benefits from 6–12 months additional cellaring post-purchase |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The tapered head opens with a clean, creamy cedar note layered over toasted almond and light pastry sweetness. A mild white pepper tingle on the retrohale announces the Nicaraguan filler without overwhelming the elegance. Creaminess dominates early, with a touch of hay and dried flowers rounding the profile.
Second Third
Complexity builds as roasted coffee bean and mild leather emerge alongside the persistent cedar backbone. The sweetness transitions from pastry toward a subtle caramel quality, and the draw opens up beautifully as the torpedo burns past its widest girth. A faint citrus zest note — almost lemon peel — surfaces briefly on the retrohale.
Final Third
The finish deepens into espresso and dark walnut, with the pepper gaining modest ground without turning harsh. A clean, dry cocoa note lingers on the palate well after each draw. Construction keeps the burn temperature low enough to avoid bitterness, and the finish remains remarkably clean for a medium-bodied smoke.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction is exemplary — the torpedo's closed foot requires a precise, angled cut and rewards patience with an effortless draw and a slow, even burn. Ash is dense, light gray, and holds firm to 1.5 inches without prompting; touch-ups are rarely needed.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
Aged Dominican or Barbadian rum — Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva or Mount Gay 1703 — mirrors the cigar's sweet, woody profile without muscling it; a light Highland single malt such as Glenmorangie 18 also complements elegantly
Wine
A Burgundian Pinot Noir (Gevrey-Chambertin Villages level) or a lightly oaked Spanish Garnacha; the red fruit and earth notes harmonize with the cedar and leather without overpowering the mild body
Non-Alcoholic
A medium-roast Colombian pour-over or a lightly sweetened café con leche — the cigar's creamy almond notes are mirrored and amplified beautifully
Who Should Smoke This?
You are a smoker who has graduated from the 'more strength equals more prestige' fallacy — perhaps you've spent years chasing full-throttle Nicaraguan powerhouses and have grown weary of their one-note intensity. You're sitting on a quiet Sunday afternoon, the house finally still, with a cup of Colombian pour-over cooling beside you. You want a cigar that will not demand your full contemplative attention but will reward it when given — something that can accompany you through a novel or a long phone call with an old friend. You already appreciate the finesse of a good Connecticut Shade, but you've been burned by blends that traded complexity for approachability. This cigar will give you a 60–70 minute arc of creamy cedar, roasted coffee, and clean cocoa, with just enough pepper to remind you that it has a backbone. It is the cigar you reach for when you want to feel like a connoisseur, not a daredevil — and when you want to prove, to yourself more than anyone, that subtlety is its own kind of strength.
Bottom Line
The H. Upmann No. 2 Torpedo is a quiet masterpiece — a medium-bodied cigar that proves elegance and complexity are not mutually exclusive. It is the correct answer for anyone who has grown past the cult of strength and seeks a refined, balanced smoke that rewards patience. Buy a box, age it a year, and let it teach you the virtue of restraint.
Similar Cigars
Explore all H. Upmann cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is H. Upmann No. 2 Torpedo a strong cigar?
No, it is rated Medium (3/5) on our strength scale. Physically, you will feel a gentle warmth on the palate and a mild nicotine presence, but it never becomes overwhelming or harsh. The pepper on the retrohale is a tingle, not a burn, and the finish remains clean without any bitter or heavy sensations. It is a cigar that sits comfortably in the middle — approachable enough for a daytime smoke, yet with enough depth to satisfy a seasoned palate.
What does H. Upmann No. 2 Torpedo taste like?
The flavor progression is a study in balance. The first third opens with creamy cedar, toasted almond, and a light pastry sweetness, accented by white pepper on the retrohale and a hint of hay and dried flowers. The second third deepens into roasted coffee bean and mild leather, with the sweetness shifting to caramel and a fleeting citrus zest on the retrohale. The final third brings espresso, dark walnut, and a clean, dry cocoa that lingers on the palate. Throughout, the cedar backbone remains constant, tying the experience together.
How long does H. Upmann No. 2 Torpedo take to smoke?
Expect a 60–70 minute smoke. The Torpedo (Belicoso) vitola, at 6.13 x 52, has a tapered head that concentrates the draw and a wider body that burns slowly and evenly. The closed foot requires a precise, angled cut, but once lit, the burn is steady and cool, allowing you to savor each third without rushing. This is not a quick smoke — it is designed for a relaxed session.
What is the best pairing for H. Upmann No. 2 Torpedo?
An aged Dominican or Barbadian rum, such as Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva or Mount Gay 1703, is the ideal companion. The rum's sweet, woody profile — with notes of caramel, vanilla, and oak — mirrors the cigar's own pastry sweetness and cedar backbone without overpowering its medium body. The result is a harmonious interplay where the spirit's warmth amplifies the cigar's creamy almond notes, while the cigar's pepper tingle cuts through the rum's richness. For a non-alcoholic option, a medium-roast Colombian pour-over or a lightly sweetened café con leche works beautifully, as the coffee's nutty undertones echo the cigar's toasted almond character.
Is H. Upmann No. 2 Torpedo good for beginners?
Yes, with caveats. At Medium strength, it will not overwhelm a novice, and its creamy, approachable flavor profile — cedar, almond, pastry sweetness — is far more forgiving than a full-bodied powerhouse. However, the $14–$18 price point is a significant investment for someone still exploring their palate. If you are willing to spend for quality, this cigar offers a masterclass in balance and construction, but a beginner might be better served starting with a more budget-friendly Connecticut Shade to learn the basics before graduating to this refined blend.
Where can I buy H. Upmann No. 2 Torpedo?
This is a premium, regular-production cigar, so it is widely available at brick-and-mortar tobacconists that carry a curated selection of Dominican and Cuban-style brands. Online retailers specializing in premium cigars also stock it, often with the option to buy single sticks or boxes of 25. Given its tier, you will not find it at gas stations or discount chains — look for shops that emphasize aging and proper storage, as this cigar benefits from being purchased from a source that maintains optimal humidity.
What is the price of H. Upmann No. 2 Torpedo?
The H. Upmann No. 2 Torpedo retails for $14–$18 per cigar, placing it in the premium tier. This price reflects the use of aged tobaccos (a minimum of three years), the hand-rolled triple-cap torpedo construction with a closed foot, and the reputation of the La Romana factory in the Dominican Republic. A box of 25 will typically range from $350 to $450, depending on your local taxes and retailer markup.
Is H. Upmann No. 2 Torpedo worth aging?
Absolutely. The tobaccos are already aged a minimum of three years prior to rolling, which gives the cigar a harmonious, integrated profile from the start. However, an additional 6–12 months of cellaring post-purchase will allow the flavors to further meld and mellow. The Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper, in particular, tends to develop additional creaminess and a subtle sweetness with age, while the Nicaraguan filler's pepper will soften into a more refined tingle. If you have the patience, this cigar rewards it — but it is also enjoyable fresh, so do not feel obligated to wait.
What wrapper does H. Upmann No. 2 Torpedo use?
It uses a Cuban-seed Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper, grown in Ecuador from seeds of Cuban origin. This wrapper is known for its silky, light caramel-tan color (Colorado Claro) and a subtle satin sheen. It contributes a creamy, slightly sweet character with notes of cedar and almond, and its delicate nature requires careful handling — which is why the construction of this cigar is so impressive. The wrapper is a key reason the smoke remains elegant and never harsh, even in the final third.
Where is H. Upmann No. 2 Torpedo made?
It is hand-rolled at General Cigar's La Romana factory in Santiago, Dominican Republic. This facility is renowned for its consistency and craftsmanship, and it is where the blend — Dominican long-leaf filler, a Dominican olor seco binder, and aged Nicaraguan and Honduran tobaccos — is assembled into the triple-cap torpedo with a closed foot. The factory's expertise is evident in the cigar's exemplary burn and draw, which require minimal touch-ups and hold a firm ash.