Punch Punch REG FEB 18 (PQDRW)

[Akela3rd]

First one smuggled out of the PSP box...
The wrapper is oily and brindled just like the du Prince and Cazadores I have, both of which smoke beautifully - good sign.
I paired this with St Peter's Without, an alcohol free ale strong on the hops and malt - possibly an overload of flavours but we'll see how it goes.
The smell of the cigar is cow dung and chocolate, both good things (I grew up in the countryside). On cutting the draw is tight but manageable I feel and the first flavours remind me of buttered toast and Marmite - almost a British version of sweet n sour. There's a defined cream, not the mouth feel but the taste, nice.
The draw is becoming a problem but a little massage of the nicely pliable wrapper and a dig with the Perfecdraw sorts it out. What's noticeable is the lack of dark flavours I was expecting, there's no hint of cocoa, coffee, chocolate, no dark fruit. Hmm. It's reminiscent of a Fonseca actually. It's smooth with an earthy sweetness and very slight white pepper. Maybe the strong flavour of the rather excellent beer is masking something? I'm having a hard time discerning which tastes are coming from what, but both are good.
Into the second third I'm distracted for a while by messages from[mention=30303]Luca[/mention] who's having a Cazadores (see above) I gave him when he was over here and don't take notes.
Into the final third then and the pepper ramps up, changing from light white to a heavier black. The strength finally starts to build too, shame it didn't start out like this. The character of the cigar begins to change from vegetal to meatier, like roast beef and Yorkshire pudding or even bhatura (an oily Indian flat bread). Licorice? Really? OK...The hoppy ale now does a good job of alleviating the building spice. But this soon dissipates as the band comes off and I wring out the finish of the cigar, enjoying it to the nub.
Overall, I enjoyed it but they need more time to settle. I'm all for 'the journey' and developing flavours but this really couldn't decide what it wanted to be. Like the splicing of a streetfighter BCJ and a posh effete Fonseca. But in a good way.
 
Thunder & Lightening '75-'15
 
 

[99call]

Great review, and a lovely looking cigar

[Kaptain Karl]

Great review! From the reviews it seems like these need 2 years or so to really hit their stride. 

[TheMonk]

Great job!

[FatPete]

Super review-I think it will straighten out as it ages 

[Akela3rd]

Super review-I think it will straighten out as it ages 

Have you been talking to my Mrs?

Thunder & Lightening '75-'15