Punch Churchill or Double Corona?

[soltino]

I've been deliberating over this question for some time. I enjoy the Punch flavours but I have not tried the Churchills (now discontinued I believe) nor the Double Corona... no real reason why, I guess I have never really got around to it!

MRN comments that the Double Corona is more flavourful than the Churchill, but I often find that a Double Corona takes just that little bit too long to finish. I can normally find time for a Churchill once a week, but I'd be pressed to complete a Double Corona in the same time. I wouldn't want to rush either as that way you wouldn't do the cigar justice.

Thus my dilemma. Sizewise the Churchill suits, but flavourwise the DC looks more promising... so I'm offering the question up to my fellow BOTLs... from experience which would you choose?

On a side note, if anyone has experience of fresh versus aged smokes then I'd also appreciate your opinion. For longer smokes I tend to prefer something smoother which I can generally find in slightly older cigars (with more than 5 or so years on them).

Thanks for your help everyone

[mm12]

I have a a cab of 05 Punch DC's and a dress box of 07 Churchills. The DC's are decent, but I rarely get around to smoking to them because when I have the time for a DC, I definitely prefer to have a Lusi, RAG, or Hoyo. To me, the Churchills have much more flavor, the problem is half the box are tent stakes. If I had to choose to get another box of one right now though, I guess I'd take the Churchills. Especially since they'll probably be getting hard to find soon.

[Wicky]

In my small world there's only one way to find out which one is best for you. Smoke em both!

[Leopolis Semper Fidelis]

I agree with MRN, so my vote went for the Double Corona. Having said that, I prefer other DCs, especially the Lusitania or the Saint Luis Rey version. I'm not a great Punch fan, anyhow. Tastewise, I like aged smokes over fresh ones. There, that's my tuppence worth.

[sama]

for me the answer is easy, neither... i would go with the punch monarchs.

[Habanakane21]

I have a box of Punch Dbl Coronas FEB08 and I love this big boy every time I take one out.

[Leopolis Semper Fidelis]

for me the answer is easy, neither... i would go with the punch monarchs.

Yes, the Punch Monarcas are better than the other two - but they're very hard to find now, having been discontinued eight years ago.

[soltino]

Yes, the Punch Monarcas are better than the other two - but they're very hard to find now, having been discontinued eight years ago

Yep, Monarcas would be great but I don't think they're an option now

I intend to sample them both but thought I'd get some opinions first. It's always interesting to see what other people think

[MrGlass]

Wish I could offer a more valid opinion on this, but unfortunately I'm yet to try either.

Reading your original post though, it seems like the Churchill would be the better option for you. Even if the Double Corona is more flavourful, what does it matter if it's going to be that hard to find the time to enjoy it?

[anacostiakat]

This reminds me I need to resupply the DC's.

I really like these and recommend them.

[thechenman]

First of all...I am still a fan of the Punch marca, just not as big a fan after they discontinued my two favorite Punch cigars...the RS11 and RS12...that said, there are a few other Punch cigars that I enjoy. The DC is one of them. While the Churchill is also a nice cigar, I think the DC trumps it in terms of flavor and smoothness. Therefore, my vote went to the DC.

I'm not sure of your preference, but I prefer and aged Habano when possible to a fresh/younger one. I say this not only because you asked, but because it relates to what you mentioned in terms of time. If you too like an aged profile in your cigars, I think the DC should be the choice for you, even with your time constraints. A DC is a leisurely cigar, as is the Churchill, but the DC moreso. A cigar should never be rushed, it does not make time for you, you have to make time for it. With your time constraints, this would naturally allow your DCs to age longer, thereby allowing you to experience a more aged Habano.

I half to also agree with some others here that the Punch DC is not their favorite. While I still enjoy them, when it comes to DCs, I prefer the Partagas Lusitania and the Hoyo de Monterrey Double Corona. However, that does not mean that there is no room in my rotation for a Punch DC. The more the merrier I say.

[soltino]

Thank you everyone for your replies so far, your comments are much appreciated

At the moment the Churchill and DC are level pegging in the poll, but the general consensus seems to be in agreement with MRN that the DC is a better overall smoke. As thechenman says, it is me who needs to find time for the cigar, not the other way around, so if I need to find an additional 30 mins to enjoy a DC then so be it!

I do prefer the aged profile for larger smokes, but enjoy fresher smokes for lunchtime shorties, as then I'm after a flavour rush rather than a relaxing journey.

First of all...I am still a fan of the Punch marca, just not as big a fan after they discontinued my two favorite Punch cigars...the RS11 and RS12

Chenman I couldn't agree more. The RS12 and SS1 should never have been discontinued. I have several boxes/cabs of each but nowhere near enough to last me a lifetime... sigh...

[El Presidente]

It is a box to box (or cab to cab ) proposition when selecting either the Punch DC or Churchill. At their best they are stunning cigars. difficult to find at their best.

Both traditionally can use some laying down. recently however, as in many cigars, this has changed in that they are smoking very well young. the churchill has a lovely creaminess. The DC a very sophisticated cigar with personality. One of the richer of the DC's, heavy mouthfeel, dark, earth, burn't woodiness, a little cream and 5 spice.

[PigFish]

I smoke very few churchills or DC's. The fact remains however that both the Punch DC and churchill are well thought of in my mind. I have some very fond memories of late 90's vintages in both these cigars. I can't tell you anything of the newer vintages because I have not experienced them. I don't find anything classically "Punchy" about either cigar but it has been my experience that either when on will satisfy the most discriminating palate. I am not often looking for a CH or DC to smoke. But if offered in a field of others I would choose the Punch DC hands down over the others with the possible exception to a good RA.

[Onsto]

2 very different cigars, enjoy them both - the Churchill is medium bodied at most, smooth, refined and elegant with creamy overtones. The DC is much more in your face. If possible, get some of each to meet your needs - the mix and match had PE Punch DC (of which I picked up 10, if Rob was to add them again I would buy more) and the Churchill is still readily available.

[soltino]

Thanks for the comments everyone Time to get a sampler underway...

[bassman]

Had a box of 05 Punch DCs. They were quite bland & I wound up giving most away. Only PUnch Churchills I've smoked were 01s & many were plugged.

[Frinkiac7]

I had my first Punch Churchill last night, I was not terribly impressed. Poor draw for the first half, and the flavors, although good, were rather muted. The DC is on my long list to try, but I probably won't get around to it for a while unless I pick one up in a bomb at some point. So many other things to get before I buy a box of Punch DCs.

[BonVivant]

Double Corona - classic 90s anyone

[Liuk]

I would choose the DC; to me it's more complex and it has richer flavours

[El Presidente]

98 Punch Churchill cabs are some of the best cigars I have ever had.

08 Punch Double Corona cabs same.

Pick carefully. take your time to get the right box.

[shrink]

I still have some Churchills and DC's from 1998. Both are good, but the DC's are more flavorful. My favorite large format Punch remains the Monarcas.

BTW, no one says you have to smoke a cigar to the end. You can put out even a good DC at the 1/2 or 2/3 point.

[josie67]

The Punch Churchills are a BIG YAWNER for me. The DC's are clearly better of the two, but I agree with most others....If I want a DC, I would rather reach for a Lusi/RG/Don Alejandro.