PUNCH LA ISLA - 2020 (PDLRW)

[moy71]

This morning marks the one year anniversary since my visit to Havana.  A city I have come to LOVE LOVE LOVE even after my one and only visit.  The food, the people, the ruins !  Check out my 1min video clip at the end.

What better way to reminisce than to try  one of the cigars I bought there.  I actually bought one box and one single stick of the Punch La Isla specifically for this purpose

 

0-15mins
Abundant but soft wispy smoke which is a little dry but still very pleasing.
Gentle toasted tobacco flavours with hints of barnyard hay and nuts. 
No pepper or spice whatsoever.
Creamy finish that lingers.

 

16-40mins
Nut flavours increase. Gentle black coffee emerging. Mild toasted tobacco flavours taking over in the finish along with nuts and hints of cream.

41-50mins
Smoke output now more dense, no longer soft and wispy.
Toasted tobacco notes become more intense with black coffee and nuts.  Cream still on the finish but taking a backseat to the nutty-ness.
Retrohale is smooth and enhances the nut flavours. Touch up needed to correct the wavy burn.


51-70mins
Black coffee galore!
Nuts and cream have their  fleeting moments but its all coffee now. The finish reminds me of slightly burnt toast. Retrohale has some mild black pepper.  Strength increasing a little more to medium. Another touchup  needed to correct wavy burn.

 

71mins (last 1.5inches)
Black coffee and nuts intensify even more.
Toasted tobacco notes also increase but still balanced. I can easily nub this but  will end it here because the strength is increasing to full which is too much for me (if only I  had a heavier breakfast).

 

This cigar is also one of the few that doesn't stink up the place nor result  in a fowl smell on the breath after smoking (similar to a Nub Cameroon, H.Upmann Connie1  and RASS which all smell wonderful on the breath).

Easily one of my favourite cigars.  9/10 (lost a point for the wavy burn needing two touch-ups).