Question on Punch Punch

[IanMcLean68]

I am sure it is just my luck so far, but I would like to ask some advice from more experienced people on the forum.

I have heard great things before about the Punch Punch and the Corona Gorda is my favourite size vitola. I tend to gravitate to the SLR Serie A as I simply adore this cigar.

So far I have only purchased the Punch Punch in the green tubes singularly. I have had no luck. Every one I have tried has been either plugged, or wet and dripping with tar from the head. I don't think it is my humidor, as the humidity seems spot on as do my other cigars. I have tried tubes from different stock too.

I cant give date codes, as I have not got any boxes and have only purchased singles.

Should I persist, or should I try some from a cabinet instead? I do like the flavours of this cigar and would like to give it a fair chance.

Cheers,

Ian

[CaptainQuintero]

I've never had luck with the punch punch either, apparently recent production is better though. All I've ever got previously is hot soil and burning hair

Maybe try the coronation, royal and petit coronation?

The best punch available right now imo is the sabrosos Asia pacific RE

[galtline]

I bought some samples of the Punch Punch on the last warehouse Sale. Love the cigars so much I just bought a Box. Excellent Cigar

[sactochris]

If you like a nice corona gorda give the JL1 a try sometime.

[Laxman]

I have smoke a ton of punch punch and sounds like you got some bad tubes. Though I find it a mild cigar, I have not come across any of the problems you have discussed. Just had one the other day from 08 and it was a blissful flavor stick was getting some vanilla hints in there.

[Stevieboy]

When they're good they're amazing but nearly every PP I've ever had had been plugged and unsmokeable. Shame as the flavour is fantastic. As QC says, apparently recent production is back on track. I'm loathe to try them again as I've been so disappointed with them.... They were my first ever box back in 2002 and they were on the whole bollocks

Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk

[PapaDisco]

the 2009 (don't remember the box code) was fantastic for me, with one tight draw out of a box of 10 tubos. I just cracked open another box of 10 tubos, this time LAG Sep '10 and the first cigar I tried was a super tight draw for the first inch that made it smoke cold and harsh. Usually I think that a plug is up at the head, but this was clearly at the foot since it opened up beautifully past that first inch. Go figure. Not as nice on the palate as the box of '09's, even thought cold the scent was the same. The smoke coming off the thing was much more pleasant and classic in its presentation.

I've reloaded that now empty tube with a box pressed Punch Punch (MUS Feb '10) from a box of 25 I just got from our Prez. Taking it on the road with me tomorrow and will report back.

[IanMcLean68]

I've reloaded that now empty tube with a box pressed Punch Punch (MUS Feb '10) from a box of 25 I just got from our Prez. Taking it on the road with me tomorrow and will report back.

Thanks, I would be interested in how it goes. If good I might order some from Rob. I haven't ordered from the Prez yet, usually bought my cigars from Norman and Pauline at Bogarts (lovely people). I have only just joined so thought it might be a bit rude to start requesting orders until you get to know me a bit better.

[johnhenry]

A few years back a vendor in Cypress had 97 PP in there vintage section. I ordered 1box because I wasn't sure how they would be. Rott they were amazing,of course when I went back to order more they were gone.

[BonVivant]

1997s are fantastic, IMHO

[Bolismoker]

PP is a classic Habanos that I always try to have on hand. I had some of those '97s as well as several boxes of '98s. The PP went through a very significant downturn for many years. I have some '12s and '13s which show great promise. I would jump in with both feet on recent production. As an aside I sure do miss the Punch SS 11 and 12's

[IanMcLean68]

Thanks for the responses and reassurances everyone. As I have said, I really want to give this one a fair chance. I love the aroma of these cigars cold as I find it quite unique and enticing. I just haven't had any luck smoking them yet, although a few have shown some promise.

I think I might take clint's advice and wait for a nice box of HQ or PSP to become available from Rob and then pull the trigger on them. This would go well with a box of SLR Serie A to restock my gorda's :-)

[joeypots]

Don't over look the Mag 46. Good new and one of the greats with some time.

I used to love the EPI#1

I've never been a Punch fan but '01 SS#2 are stellar.

[IanMcLean68]

If you like a nice corona gorda give the JL1 a try sometime.

I would definitely like to try this. The FOH review on the Seleccion No.1 (Sep 2010) wasn't very positive and this might have put me off, but even there the guys were disappointed because of this cigars pedigree. I think I will have to take your advice and get a few to sample. I haven't had any experience to date with Juan Lopez that I recall. Can you recommend any other gordas that are hot at the moment?

[IanMcLean68]

Don't over look the Mag 46. Good new and one of the greats with some time.

I used to love the EPI#1

I've never been a Punch fan but '01 SS#2 are stellar.

Maybe I should give the HU Mag46 another chance too. Thanks:-)

[Louich]

I bought an HQ from our lovely crew and all I have to say about the only one I smoke before winter was : why did I buy only one box?

[Lant63]

Don't over look the Mag 46. Good new and one of the greats with some time.

I used to love the EPI#1

I've never been a Punch fan but '01 SS#2 are stellar.

Agreed! One of these may have been the best cigar I have ever smoked!

[Bolismoker]

Maybe I should give the HU Mag46 another chance too. Thanks:-)

+1. Also don't overlook the Boli CE, Siglo IV, RA Superiores. To name a few

[PapaDisco]

Thanks, I would be interested in how it goes. If good I might order some from Rob. I haven't ordered from the Prez yet, usually bought my cigars from Norman and Pauline at Bogarts (lovely people). I have only just joined so thought it might be a bit rude to start requesting orders until you get to know me a bit better.

lol, o.k, I'm working my way through the MUS Feb'10 Punch Punch from the box of 25 that Rob sent me and it is spectacular. A welcome improvement from the LAG Sep '10 tubo that I got from Germany, but not quite as stellar as the box of '09's that I got a while back in Hong Kong (I went rummaging through the Duty Free stock looking for another this trip, and while they had a ton of '09 they were all dry and somewhat ratting looking, and lacked the sweet, "dipped in honey" Punch scent).

Anyway, this stick just dropped a half cigar length of ash in my lap! lol. I was so mesmerized with the perfect burn that I was trying to see how far I could stretch the ash and just as I opened up the laptop to dial into FOH the sucker dropped off into my lap. My bad, I am after all, sitting on a somewhat breezy rooftop deck in Saigon. Breezy, as in I was lucky to get the thing lit with a match in the first place!

Anyway, the cold draw was so tight (and visibly the cigar was rolled quite tight) that I gave the head a second cut, but to no avail, it was still as tight as the MUS Feb '10 tubo I'd smoked before leaving on this trip (comments above) but loosened up after the first 1/4 inch, very strange. On lighting, the stiff breeze meant that I only got the filler ignited and the first couple of puffs were bitter. A second match brought the wrapper into the game and all of a sudden it was sweet chocolate and honey, but what was really interesting was how this cigar kept changing flavors every three or so puffs. I had not experienced that in a Punch Corona Gorda before. There was actually a point where I thought I was smoking a peppery Hoyo, only to have the stick swing back to chocolate and honey and then earthy, hay and leather. It kind of made you think that they had rolled the leaves perpendicular to the normal way, or that they had stuffed it with short filler, but then the damn thing burned all the way to the halfway mark with the ash still hanging on in a breeze! Amazing! I think I'll add another box to my pending backlog of orders at El Presidente's warehouse. These are real keepers.

[IanMcLean68]

I think I'll add another box to my pending backlog of orders at El Presidente's warehouse. These are real keepers.

Thanks for the review PapaDisco! So there is hope for the 'ole Punch Punch after all.

I am not much good at describing flavours, but I relate to your description. I really like that "dipped in honey" cold scent you get from a Punch Punch - it is quite pungent on the nose with the tubos when you crack 'em open.