San Cristobal La Punta RAT ABR 20 (XNYRW5)

[ChangBang]

Good day today, was on call for a shift and was given notice early that I wasn't call in and also won the FOH FF Championship!  

Smoked a cigar that I've never had - SCDLH La Punta that I got in a trade from @Nekhyludov  Was looking forward to this cigar as I'm interested in getting a box of the La Fuerzas, but wanted to try the La Punta before I committed to a box.  The la fuerza and this la punta are only a month apart in date with the same factory code.  This cigar gave me clarity.

1 - Getting a dark wood note with a spicy stinging retro.  Trying to get more out of this cigar as it progresses and maybe get a sprinkle of unsweetened cocoa?  Only towards the end do I get that la fuerza syrup sweetness, and that's really only for a puff or two.

2 - Sweetness is gone and I'm searching for flavors.  I really am just getting a dark tobacco note.

3 - No real change, just generic tobacco notes.

Overall - 4.5/10.  Mediocre cigar that was very average if not a little below average.  But it has cemented me in that the la fuerza is the cigar in this marca that I think is the best!  Not sure if it's worth the coin yet, but I'll smoke the remaining 3 I have and make a decision. 

[NSXCIGAR]

I love the La Fuerza, El Principe and even the Prado. The La Punta has always been the outlier for me. Always been underwhelmed by them from day one. 

[ChangBang]

25 minutes ago, NSXCIGAR said:

I love the La Fuerza, El Principe and even the Prado. The La Punta has always been the outlier for me. Always been underwhelmed by them from day one. 

Really wanted to like the El Principe but I haven't been impressed with the 1/4 box I got from here.  Hm haven't had the Prado but they seem like a terrible deal and not something I'd want to keep in stock haha

[NSXCIGAR]

36 minutes ago, ChangBang said:

Really wanted to like the El Principe but I haven't been impressed with the 1/4 box I got from here.  Hm haven't had the Prado but they seem like a terrible deal and not something I'd want to keep in stock haha

El Principe has been one of my favorite cigars for 15+ years. Don't give up on it. Try another 6er. You may have just got a bad run which is pretty unusual for it. 

As far as the Prado, I agree--the price isn't great and I generally don't buy them unless I get them in Cuba. But they are good. Same with the Torreon. I've never had one and the price also isn't good but I have always heard very high praise for it. 

[RDB]

Don’t judge a cigar by a single sample or even a single box though. There’s a ton of variation. And in some cases a long rest might change everything… 

[gormag38]

I've had the pleasure to have a Prado and was honestly very impressed. I've been wanting to grab a box but unfortunately can't find any for a somewhat decent price. Thanks for the quick review as I was thinking of buying a box of these, but will now probably wait until I hear more. 

[asmazda]

I don’t care for Punta, but Principe and Fuerza are great.