Punch Churchill PAS May 2000 (SMRW3/4)

[5thStarChicago]

This was generously / drunkenly given to me by @Buck14 at the last Chicago FOH Meet Up.  Seems like forever ago under the current situation...

 

Great draw, perfect air flow / resistance for my taste.  Got the sweetness even on the dry draw.

 

Fired it up with one of my favorite lighters.  Started with a musty, tangy sweetness with leather on the retrohale.  The age was definitely obvious and it was a little gritty so I put some flame to it and gassed it.  Cleaned up the grit immediately and left a brilliant sweet flavor and mild in body. 

Throughout the first third, the body stayed mild.  Flavor was very "Punch" with tons of sweetness, some peanut and hay.  Also no spice on the retrohale, more just a smooth coffee bean taste.  Balance was superb.  The burn was a little uneven but nothing serious.  I was smoking it rather fast so I poured a whisky to slow down.

 

On the second 3rd, the sweetness stayed on top with some hay and nutty flavor as well.  Ridiculously smooth.  Pour some Signatory Caol Ila 11 year, bottled in 2000 to stay with the box code of the cigar.  Plus, it's a lighter Islay Scotch and I love peaty whisky with sweet cigars.  I slowed my smoking pace and the minor burn issue leveled off.

The final 3rd continued on the same and the 2nd and it was brilliant.  I'd give it a solid 9 out of 10, especially being a Punch fan. 

 

Thanks again, @Buck14!

Cheers,

Phil