SC La Punta - TOS MAR 17 (SSTRW)

[slowsmoke]

Fired up a La Punta last night after the circus had gone to bed.  A wonderful way to end the day with some Japanese whiskey that is my new booze crush.

This is one of the first boxes I ever got from FOH, ordered immediately after trying my first La Punta in a sampler.  I was hooked from the start, and fortunately this box has continued to deliver.

They are not the prettiest, wrappers are a bit dull and bumpy.  Most have glue smeared around the band area.  But construction, burn, draw have all been pretty good, and this one was exemplary.  Light draw, excellent smoke production, I could get as much or as little as I wanted, never threatened to canoe or tunnel or go out on me.  Never got hot.  Just plain perfect.  Something I don’t often get with Habanos.

First puffs are that signature molasses, just like a Principe.  But it is quickly followed by the light, bready pancake that defines La Punta for me.  Not sweet, just a plain white/yellow cake/biscuit/cookie flavor.  Goes so well with the molasses, which also isn’t sweet, more like a burnt toffee flavor.  By the end of the first third, I am thinking of the burnt crust on top of a creme brulee.  Or the burnt bottom of a cookie.

Around halfway, I start getting an awesome flavor like a ginger snap cookie, but without the sharp ginger.  It lingers all over my mouth on the finish, puff after puff.  I am struggling to better define it, at times it almost comes across like nutmeg or a baking spice.

Near the end, I start getting something like anise, and it sparks memories of mulled wine with brandy.  I even think I’m getting some bourbon flavors on the finish.  Don't recall getting that before with a La Punta.  It’s probably the whiskey talking…

Speaking of whiskey, I am a complete noob with Japanese whiskey, but Matsui Tottori is absolutely rocking my world.  I don’t think I’ve had a whiskey with such a variety of vivid flavors.  Highly recommended.

Overall, this box continues to produce 90+ cigars for me.  I can see how La Punta may not be for everyone, and it’s not something I would smoke daily, but I will always have a box in my stash.  They do pair excellent with champagne or other bubbles as Pres recommends.