Punch Churchill

[kaleehb]

Greetings all! Don't be too harsh on me; this is my first review for the forum. I've been smoking N.C. for about the past 7 years and C.C. for about 1 year. Since finding the forum I've really taken a liking to the "family" aspect of everything and use this as my therapy. Anyway....

I decided to review the Punch Churchill. I picked up a couple of these last year as a sample pack from the Czar and they've been sitting in my humidor ever since. Just to note, the Punch Churchill is also on the 2010 deletions list, so let's see if that's a good thing or not.

Size: Churchill

Length: 7

Ring Gauge: 47

Wrapper: Cuba

Binder: Cuba

Filler: Cuba

Country: Cuba

Pre-light

The Punch Churchill had a great start before even lighting it up. The wrapper was a beautiful golden brown with an oily, vieny sheen. The cap was a perfect triple seam and the band lacked details being the typical red, gold, white lettering Punch band. The cigar gave way to a scent of oak and wet earth. The pre-light draw was very tight with tastes of rich tobacco and light hay.

1/3

From the first puff, the Punch Churchill had LOADS of flavor and character. The cigar showed very sweet honey notes with a touch of heat/spice coming through. This cigar produced lots of thin white smoke with a burn that was a little uneven.

The ash was a wonderful gray tower and the aroma was lush and sweet almost like a fine cologne. During the first third of the cigar I noted tastes of fresh bread/dough and near the end of the third a light hint of tea. With this being the transition to the 2/3 I couldn’t wait to see what was to come.

2/3

The 2/3 of the Punch Churchill continued to have a tight draw with a medium bodied character. The burn was just a tiny bit uneven however kept itself in tact. The taste went to a toasty woodsy stage which was a little upsetting since I had that luscious hint of tea at the end of the first third. Bad…no, just not what I was expecting.

Final 1/3

Upon the start of the final third, the cigar immediately moved from medium to full bodied. The taste became a tad bitter (not awful) with small tastes that resembled dill pickles (odd, I’ve never encountered this before). I also noted insubstantial hints of mint near the finish of the Punch Churchill.

Overall I will say the Punch Churchill kept my palate moist and always wanting more. After fully evaluating the cigar I come to the conclusion that the cigar doesn’t know what it wants to be yet. The first third and beginning of the second third of this cigar was nothing less of what I expect in a great cigar however the final third and finish still have some developing to do. I’d really like to get a box of these to set aside for a couple of years and see what the Punch Churchill really has in store for the connoisseur, better hurry though! Very much enjoyed and recommend this cigar.

9.1/10

[ksblazer]

I have smoked some 2000 Punch Churchills and they are a treat Punch Churchills are one of my favorite cigars in this size.

[ChanceSchmerr]

Nice Review!

I tried one from a Vancouver B&M after it was highly recommended by their staff. Found it lacking, really nothing too special, and from a cigar with a couple of years on it already. Probably just had a bad example.

[Cubanface]

Nice Review. What does it say when they have to delete such prestigious cigars every single year? They're going in a new direction? With the Monte Open it seems to be true.

[ironmike5]

Nice review, definitely want to give this cigar a shot... Shame that they decide to end these classic cigars.

[riderpride]

Thanks for the review kal. I totally agree with the mint; instead of dill pickles, I got a fruity flavour like blackcurrant.

[thechenman]

Nice review. Especially for a first review. Keep them coming...

[PADDYWHACK121272]

Nice debut...have been meaning to explore the Punch marca...for some reason have not had many cross my path

[TrickNick]

The '96 Churchills are AMAZING right now. I'm sad they cut this vitola.

[thechenman]

Still prefer the Punch RS 11 & 12 (which are the best of the Punch line IMHO) over the Churchill, but am in agreement...sad to see it go.

[drake2k]

I tried my first 2000 Punch Churchill recently. It was an excellent smoke, perfect draw and burn, but a little on the mild side. I enjoyed it so much I went out and bought 5 boxes. Sorry to see them discontinued.