Hello From "Punch Joe" ...and a review.

[El Presidente]

Our friend in Havana "Punch Joe" sends his best wishes to his FOH family. He reads the forum daily but is unable to post due to restrictions.

He has sent through a review to post on his behalf. If anyone here has a photo of the cigar...post away!

Diademas del Punch. Regional Release Exclusivo para Italia 2009

Rarely I found myself with enough time to smoke such a size although I´ve smoked a few in the past two years. I must add that this is a complicated size for me to enjoy since I´m not into figurados pretty much let alone this size. (Dimensions: girth 55 and 233 mm in the length)

But I packed all my stuff and got ready to embark myself in another adventure in the sea of tranquility and pleasure.

The first thing you notice about this cigar is the sleek presentation. Nothing but admiring this beautiful present that was given to me last June when visiting Italy. I decided not to smoke it there and wait for an occasion where I could luxuriate myself in peace. Well the time is now, I said, last Sunday evening.

What I didnt know is that I would spend over three hours on it. So I took some notes while enjoying.

After removing the paper gold foil, a beautiful aroma unveils notes of coffee with a strong tobacco essence. This is going to be good.

Ooops! It is a large cigar so it won´t fit in any travel humidor I know. Look at the picture here.

And it doesn´t fit my ashtray either. The appearance is nothing but stunning. Wrapper is even regarding the slightly brown chocolate color nad the construction is great. Forget about bumps or knots. This is major leagues all the way.

Cutting and Lightning. It´s a delicate operation in any Double Figurados since I don´t want the wrapper burnt out so as to avoid unpleasant flavours along the smoke. Just when the tip is evenly lit, draw gently and the work is done when blowing on the foot (pic. 6) The cut was clean and slightly 3 mm away from the tip. I used a Xikar scissor for this.

Having put the cigar close to the flame and slowly rotating it, I started to notice lovely aromas resulting in me salivating like pavlov´s dog. Couldnt help it. I tried to refrain myself in vane, so after smelling the smoke, the cigar was hold in my lips for the first impact and then the adventure began.

After blowing the foot, I realized that is was burning evenly and I have no intentions to rush anything. The cigar is dry in mouth but smooth and refined. Looks that has been aged to me. Puffing gently and had some black coffee, no sugar.

The combustion is good and the draw is correct, not tight nor loose.

Very aromatic. Strong tobacco smell.

The ash is almost white, compact. The cigar is well constructed and the draw remains the same.

Medium to full strength, cedary notes, hints of pepper and earthy flavours.

Lovely finish, not aggressive, amazingly evolving to powerful notes of pepper and leather. all flavours concentrating in the tip and playing amorously in mouth. What a great cigar.

Next morning the whole room would stink tobacco even with windows opened.

So good to have my expectations fulfilled! Punch Joe august, 2010

[Wicky]

Very good. really took me there. Sorry your friend is "restricted"

BTW what makes white ash?

[Colt45]

Thanks for the review Jose! Great to hear your voice, even if it has a funny Aussie accent

[Colt45]

BTW what makes white ash?

You often read that ash color is a result of soil composition. There is a thread or two here which point to combustion being the biggest factor.

The better the combustion, the whiter the ash. I'm sorry, but I can't find the thread(s).

[ChanceSchmerr]

I heard once that it was the lithium content in the soil that lends itself to whiteness in cigar ash. Who the hell knows if that's true or not.

Loved the Review though, thanks a lot Punch Joe! I enjoyed the Diademas I acquired in a trade with a board member - unfortunately no pictures - I smoked it while sailing my grandfather's boat from Saltspring Island to Sidney, BC - It was a massive sucker! Sure got some long looks from passing boaters....I found it to be very characteristic of a Punch cigar, lots of dried fruit notes with a healthy dose of earth. I think it could have used another year, but it was an easy 90-91 for me.

[MrGlass]

You often read that ash color is a result of soil composition. There is a thread or two here which point to combustion being the biggest factor.

The better the combustion, the whiter the ash. I'm sorry, but I can't find the thread(s).

Is this what you were looking for?

http://tinyurl.com/374uxgq

[Wicky]

Thank you guys. I always thought it was a chemical thing (ignorantly thinking nitrogen?) but never imagined the heat aspect.

Also I have noticed though, many NCs burn white.

[asmith]

He reads the forum daily but is unable to post due to restrictions.

I wish we could apply this to some of our members!

[MIKA27]

Thank you guys. I always thought it was a chemical thing (ignorantly thinking nitrogen?) but never imagined the heat aspect.

Also I have noticed though, many NCs burn white.

Firstly, thankyou for the fantastic review Punch Joe. I wonder what the occasion was for you to smoke it seeing you didn't smoke it in Italy when first aquiring it? Thats if there was any special occasion for it.

Second: Regarding white Ash 'Wicky', I too find NC's have the white ash, especially the Padrons.

[El Presidente]

Hey "Punchy" when you read this....

I miss you so much Hermano! Abrazo!

[bolivr]

Inspired review , thank you Jose ! 10/10 !!

Benjamin Menendez in an interview in CA chose Cameroon wrapper because it makes a white ash, if this helps any...

[Guest rob]

I miss your posts Jose! I hope you and the wife are all good.

[El Presidente]

Thanks for the photo's Jose!

have edited.

[Mr. Japan]

Ciao Jose', beautifull review and glad that you are ok, after hearing so many rumours on Habanos .

Maybe I'll be with your hermano "La Bestia" in London in early October.

[Jimmy2]

Nice review !!! Jose hope all is well....