Never Give Up on a Cigar! What is Your New Re-Discovered Gem???

[Hurltim]

So I have tried the Punch Punch several times: 2 '14's and a fresh tubo. I found the spiced cream flavor excellent but very muted...until now.

I smoked one last Saturday from the prize package that Rob sent me for winning a review competition. WOW! That spiced cream was front and center. It's not particularly complex but boy-oh-boy could this be a great every day smoke. I just picked up a '14 box and will be hunting the 50 cabs before they are all gone.

Thank you Prez!!!

What is your recent recent re-discovered gem?

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[Texwrangler]

Por Larranaga Montecarlo....my rediscovered everyday cheapie.   

[stinkhead]

I had a montecristo master tubo that was probably the worst cigar I have ever smoked. I revisited it after 5 years of age and it was great! Had my question whether I can write off any cigar.

[planetary]

I wish I could report that the Mag 50 was my "never give up" success story -- but so far that stick has been, as our host would say, bog average.  All examples have had 1 to 2 years of age.  I'm guess I'll hold onto my stock for a few more years?  If I don't like them at 5 years, there's probably ~zero chance I ever will.

[JohnInCleveland]

Punch Punch as an everyday smoke is a good evaluation.  Not condescending either, they're so good I want to smoke one everyday.  I love the size too, I'm finding myself favoring corona Gorda lately.  

 

[bman75]

I had three different Punch Punch singles from three different sources.  All were muted and I nearly gave up on the marca altogether.  The fourth single was the charm and I picked up a box last month (also smoking great).   

[JohnS]

I think @NSXCIGAR has mentioned in another thread that Punch prior to 2013 (I think) was not as comparable to Punch as a marca since 2014 (or was it 2015? No matter, he'll tell us). The last two or three Punch sticks I've had have been a nice venture into how glorious that leather, cream and spice flavour profile in Punch can be. Yes, I too have had my share of ordinary, bland ones too.

Nice topic @Hurltim! I do think it is imperative to always challenge one's biases and preferences in their cigar journey.

[NSXCIGAR]

Just now, JohnS said:

I think @NSXCIGAR has mentioned in another thread that Punch prior to 2013 (I think) was not as comparable to Punch as a marca since 2014 (or was it 2015? No matter, he'll tell us). The last two or three Punch sticks I've had have been a nice venture into how glorious that leather, cream and spice flavour profile in Punch can be. Yes, I too have had my share of ordinary, bland ones too.

Nice topic @Hurltim! I do think it is imperative to always challenge one's biases and preferences in their cigar journey.

I did; I think Punch Punch has had a linear improvement since 2013, which means latest production is the best. However, the 2013s and 2014s have some age on them now and may be actually better than current production. I should revisit some from 13 and 14 to see as I haven't had any recently. 

[Philc2001]

Great feedback all. I have to seek out some PP. I was always a fan of the brand, but always gravitated to SS2 when they were around. Your reviews are making me wish I hadn't abandoned the brand after the disappointing cuts through the last decade.


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[JohnInCleveland]

31 minutes ago, Philc2001 said:

Great feedback all. I have to seek out some PP. I was always a fan of the brand, but always gravitated to SS2 when they were around. Your reviews are making me wish I hadn't abandoned the brand after the disappointing cuts through the last decade.


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I got a 25 box from our host and right now I believe they are a top 5 cigar when accounting for quality and value.  I subsequently pulled the trigger on a box of 50.  

 

Can't hype the Marca enough.  In fact Serie D'Oro's are a gem if you can still track down a box.  They're a little pricey but they're well worth it IMO.  

[zeedubbya]

I am re-discovering the RGPC.  I am on kind of a hoarding mission at the moment.  Such a fantastic cigar which gets such little praise.  Use to love Lonsdales and RGCEs.  Now I remember why.  

[cigcars]

       * Tubos Bolivars....

[Notsocleaver]

4 hours ago, NSXCIGAR said:

I did; I think Punch Punch has had a linear improvement since 2013, which means latest production is the best. However, the 2013s and 2014s have some age on them now and may be actually better than current production. I should revisit some from 13 and 14 to see as I haven't had any recently. 

For what its worth, this post led me to dig into my cab of 2013 Punch Punch. I haven't had anything more recent, but I really feel like these 2013 PP have turned a corner from when I first got them. Still pretty feisty, but I think they have grown in complexity and in a couple of years I think these will be 93+ cigars. Top five year to date for me.

So different from the 2007 PP that I have been smoking more of that I probably couldn't have told you they were the same cigar if not for the band.

[Fuzz]

I have never gotten much enjoyment out of the Bolivar range, but I keep trying every year or so.

[dvickery]

Punch royal selection #12 from '01 ... opened a box in their youth ( perhaps 10 or 13 years ago ) good flavours but every cigar was a tight draw ( as were many '00 and '01 cigars ) ... now an '01 box of rs#12's opened in the last year are magnificent .

la corona panatelas have been out of balance for 25 years ... a recently opened box are still very strong but flavours have ( finally ) caught up ... good balance after only waiting a generation  .

several other '99 '00 and '01 cigars I have , have gone from " good but problematic " to smoking/burning fine in "just" 15 years .

lesson : patience pays off ... wish I had some of the "dreaded" lonsdales from this era to try .

derrek

[JohnInCleveland]

2 hours ago, Fuzz said:

I have never gotten much enjoyment out of the Bolivar range, but I keep trying every year or so.

My experience is similar, but I have found BRC to be an exception.  

[NSXCIGAR]

4 hours ago, Fuzz said:

I have never gotten much enjoyment out of the Bolivar range, but I keep trying every year or so.

If you don't have 15-16 BCG or Tubos No 1/2/3 in your humi right now you're really missing out. Boli has also frequently disappointed me as well over the years--particularly tough for me as it was formerly my favorite marca, hands down. BRC, BCJ and BPC can be very inconsistent, and until 15 BCG was nothing to write home about. But the Tubos have been very good for several years now and really flying under the radar. And recent BCG is really a masterpiece. A full box of those might be tough to swing, but I'd highly encourage a trade or split for some, especially as they'll be gone altogether soon. 

The safest way to go is to spring for a box of Tubos No 2 or No 3. The No 3 is a bit stronger IMO and quite small, but these are real firecrackers delivering great Boli flavors. I personally just dislike the Placeras vitola or I'd be buying massive quantities of these. The No 2 is a Mareva, but is miles ahead of recent BPC. They are really showing what the marca is capable of right now, and if you've never had any luck with Bolivar, this is your chance. 

[Fuzz]

I've had a few Boli No.1 Tubos from '16, and whilst I they have been ok, the flavour profile just never did anything for me.

[MaxG]

Boli #2 tubos are THE under-the-radar cigar IMO.  Smoking through a  box of 15s now. 

- MG 

 

[earthson]

Still waiting for Bolivar to do this trick for me.  So far, no luck.  I liked a few when I first got into Havanas, but after discovering the Elysian Fields of RA, PL, RyJ and HU, they never appealed to me again, though I still try various vitolas every few years.

Punch Punch have definitely done this, however.  Someone sent me one as an extra a few years ago (I think it was a '13) and I was simply blown away.  Very complex and the profile hit all the right notes.

You know what else creeped into my sweet spot?  Fuente.  Specifically the Don Carlos, 858 sungrown and Ashton VSG lines.  Liked them, tried CC, forgot about them, then found new love for them over the last couple of years.  They seem to be the one NC manufacturer that produces cigars that age as well as Havanas do, and the profiles can be very complex and of outstanding quality.