Question on the Punch Super Seleccion Number 1 Cabs 1998-2000

[El Presidente]

I received the below question overnight. 

Would love members thoughts/input  

If it were your hard earned coin.....what would you do?

 

 I have a question that I thought you may be able to help with. 

I have the opportunity ot buy a 50 cab of Punch Super Seleccion Number 1 from 1999 (February but can't remember the code offhand SSL?). the price is $1300 US.  The seller is in Europe and not much known about him. he is not a FOH member and correspondence is stilted as he doesn't speak much english. 

There is an old post from you back in 2013 where you put these cabs from this period as some of the most risky. 

Is it worth taking the chance? Would you take the chance in my position?

[MrBirdman]

Not clear whether the prospective buyer has seen a picture of box and code - if not it’s a firm “Heck No” from me. 

Aside from the poor reputation that period has, provenance is crucial for something that old - you aren’t just buying the box, you’re buying the seller. Unless he is a vendor of repute or can offer a reference/record of provenance, I’d pass even absent concerns over authenticity. 

The one factor which only this individual can account for is their personal financial situation. You have to go in prepared for a $1,300 goose-egg - and only you know how easy that will be to swallow. 

[El Presidente]

I don't think provenance is an issue. I can't ever recall seeing a fake cab of SS1. 

The biggest issue I have with those cabs is that the construction failure rate in some can be 50% +.  When you get a good cab they are sublime. 

[NSXCIGAR]

My experience with Punch SS of that era is not good, not to mention the construction concerns. I have had some pretty lousy Punch, Party Lonsdales, Boli Lonsdales right in there. Price is very good for that cigar though. I might buy to flip...

[Habana Mike]

8 minutes ago, NSXCIGAR said:

My experience with Punch SS of that era is not good, not to mention the construction concerns. I have had some pretty lousy Punch, Party Lonsdales, Boli Lonsdales right in there. Price is very good for that cigar though. I might buy to flip...

Sure thing. If you don't like the "taste" you can always offer it up on aftermarket sites or auctions.

I've had some great SS#1 from around this era though my 2003 cab rocked the socks off of any before it.

[Tdm_86]

Based on the circumstances described, I would pass. 
 

[Chucko8]

4 hours ago, El Presidente said:

I don't think provenance is an issue. I can't ever recall seeing a fake cab of SS1. 

The biggest issue I have with those cabs is that the construction failure rate in some can be 50% +.  When you get a good cab they are sublime. 

50/50 I like those odds. I'm all in 

[joeypots]

I'd pass. 

11 hours ago, El Presidente said:

The seller is in Europe and not much known about him. he is not a FOH member and correspondence is stilted as he doesn't speak much english. 

 

I would need to have a good relationship with the seller. Not much is know about him? If I can't communicate with them easily I'm out.

 

[griller]

I'm a "pass" based on production year inconsistency. I remember getting a '99 box of Bolivar Immensas (lonsdale size), opening them up, and literally being blown away at the amazing dark, oily wrappers. The aroma was straight up earth, tobacco, and hints of manure. I thought I hit the lotto. From there, it was a shitshow of me trying to draw cigar after cigar. Plugged beyond belief, like sucking a golf ball thru a garden hose. Back then, the Perfect Draw didn't exist but there was basically a glorified ice pick with a plastic cigar holder that claimed to remedy this problem. Plugs were so bad that you'd ruin the cigar from trying to penetrate the plugs...

Out of that entire box, maybe 5 were smokable. Those five were fantastic (and STRONG) but that experience cured me from pretty much anything from 1999.

[anacostiakat]

Got to pass on that year. 

[MPS]

$1300 cab of 99 Punch SS1 + $30 PerfectDraw = Delight!

PerfecDraw Patented Precision Cigar Draw Enhancer Tool & Nubber https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071DNRC63/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_ZRZGFB2T63RXR79QM62M


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[BrightonCorgi]

I had a late 90's box that was fantastic.  Bought in person at Portmann's.  Not sure the box code because a sticker covered the code (or was too faint), but was hand picked by us out of 5-6 different cabs.  Cannot recall a plugged cigar. 

[Coloniales]

I had a beautiful 50 Cab of SS1's from 2000 many years ago. Half were sublime, really good, half were unsmokeable and tossed in the fireplace. At least with SS2's you have a chance.

 

Keith.