Punch Vintage Jar Punch Punch (2016 release)

[encephalization]

After resting for about a month, I cracked open the Punch Vintage jar. This review is based on the two I've smoked over the past week.

Format: Corona Gorda (143 mm x 46 rg)

Vintage/year rolled: ??? The information in the box the jar comes with says a minimum of 5 years of age. The cigars wear an old Punch band (discontinued in 2009 if memory serves me correct), which could indicate that these have a couple more years on them. I’ve heard somewhere that these are just taken from cabs in HSAs aging rooms. Both cigars I’ve smoked (and a few that I’ve gifted) have had very loose Punch bands with the second (much tighter) band reading ‘Coleccion Vintage’.

Jar comes with 19 cigars, 2000 jars were released for the Spanish market last year.

Pre-light: Beautiful near-flawless wrapper, cap the same. Feels quite firm, at cut it is looking almost overfilled. A lot of tobacco here. I do not get much of flavor in the pre-light draw but some deep earthy notes when smelling the foot.

First third: Starting off with sweetness and cedar, quite full flavors but mild in strength. A weak pepper on the retrohale. The sweetness soon falls into the background and the pepper does not stay for long. Earth on the back.

Second third: Leather. Cedar is relegated to the background and leather is the main flavor here. Leather and earth lingers on the palate in harmony. Definitely hints of sweetness still present. The cigar builds in strength slowly, with two attempts at more stepwise changes coupled with some pepper on the retro but doesn’t stay for long.

Final third: Third attempt at a significant increase in strength and this one sticks. I would put it at a medium here, with the combination of a slow build up and a more drastic step up. A very nice sweetness comes back, paired and married very well with the leather and earthiness that has persisted. A few puffs of something else, possibly herbs. Total smoke time of 80-85 minutes.

Construction: The draw was impeccable despite my worries about the large amount of tobacco crammed in. The burn made a small incision on one side at light up but it self-corrected to an almost razor sharp line quickly and stayed so until getting nubbed. I always love when you can follow the small veins through the leaf into the ash like below:

General thoughts: I don’t think I’ve had a Punch Punch this old and I was very pleasantly surprised. The flavors have melted together extremely well and although it is fairly mild to begin with, I found it to be a fantastic smoke that is worth paying attention to. I enjoyed the build up towards the end, this cigar definitely still has substance to it and it may very well be close to its peak age-wise.

I think this is a nice way to get some really solid, classic Punches with some age on them. I am not that well-versed on the aged market but I am sure the wait would come at a price. If this, indeed, are rolled pre-2009 then I don't think the price is all that bad. Plus, I will have a nice looking ceramic jar for my kitchen/office. Overall, I really enjoyed this cigar and hope the 14 that are left will taste just as good!

[strikethebox7]

Awesome review!! Been waiting to hear some thoughts on these, sounds like a great smoke, thanks!


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[Guest Nekhyludov]

Great review, @encephalization! Very nicely done.

[archosaur]

Thanks for the review, well done!  Recently picked up the similar Spanish market Serie Sevilla jar but have not sampled the cigars yet.  I have been interested in these Talavera style jars as well.  Nice memento, with some history behind it, and production of the jars appears to support local craftsmen.

I believe Spain has had trouble moving stock in recent years, and for good reason.  While these jar releases are probably just a way to create interest in cigars that have not been selling, it's nice to hear you had a good experience.  Smoke through them and put it on display!

[Optic101]

Nice review, thanks for sharing !

[javonazul]

3 hours ago, archosaur said:

Thanks for the review, well done!  Recently picked up the similar Spanish market Serie Sevilla jar but have not sampled the cigars yet.  I have been interested in these Talavera style jars as well.  Nice memento, with some history behind it, and production of the jars appears to support local craftsmen.

I believe Spain has had trouble moving stock in recent years, and for good reason.  While these jar releases are probably just a way to create interest in cigars that have not been selling, it's nice to hear you had a good experience.  Smoke through them and put it on display!

According to my undestanding, this is exactly what happens. Jar are made mostly of slowmoving boxes in the markets, specially in Spain. I have found the Spain Vintage Jars to be particularly good