Punch Double Corona OER FEB 20 (C&CRW)

[hrs1]

For the first time in forever, I find myself with no obligations and no kids for an entire weekend.   My wife made plans to take the kids to visit her family.  I was scheduled to be out of the country for work, but had to change plans at the last minute.   My saint of a wife let me off the hook for weekend with the in-laws.    While she encouraged me to go spend time with friends in the city, the thought of a peaceful weekend at our place near the beach was too much to pass up.

Time for some sunshine, scotch, cigars and relaxation  

I reach for a Punch DC.   I've sampled a few cigars from this box.   One was great.   Another a disappointment.   The other in the running for my cigar of the year.   I know they will benefit for more time down, but I try my luck in search of that mind blowing experience.

 

 

It smells and tastes like hay and toffee.  It's slightly overpacked, but the draw is manageable after a quick punch.

 

 

Light it up and it's Punch to the core.    Peanuts.   Somewhat floral.   A sweetness that is like butterscotch on the retro.   The richness picks up from just under medium to medium as it progresses.  

Halfway through the first third, the ash drops.   It's becoming more peanut buttery with some dried berry at the edges.   There's a hint of chocolate.   The burn is getting a bit wonky, but no need for a touch up.

 

 

The cigar keeps chugging along into the second third.   I'm getting baking spices.   The berry notes are turning more fruity - apple with a bit of plum.  It tastes like apple pie  

The burn is getting more wobbly.   I realize that I'm smoking slower than normal.   The R&R must be working.   I give the cigar a little TLC with a torch.   The ash drops and we're back on track.

The flavor is now a dance between the peanut buttery Punch core and apple pie.   There's coffee and dark chocolate on the finish. 'Tis tasty.

 

 

Into the final third, the richness picks up a tick to medium plus.   The flavor remains the same, with coffee picking up prominence as it smokes down.

Halfway through the final third, the thinness of the wrapper starts to show itself.   Little cracks start popping up.   It's getting hot.   That's all she wrote.

Overall, a 92 point 2.5 hr smoke.  The construction, balance and richness kept it from being in the running for cigar of the year.   Nevertheless, I like this box's odds in 2023-2025 🥂 

 

 

[dangolf18]

Nice. I totally forgot they still made these 😄

[Cairo]

Great review.    I have some of these in hibernation--given today's prices and scarcity I do not want to waste any of them.

It sounds like I should try one reasonably soon.

[jhalischuk]

I have a 2018 box that's smoking great. Totally agree with the butterscotch note at the beginning. Nice review.

[hrs1]

1 hour ago, jhalischuk said:

I have a 2018 box that's smoking great. 

I thought the received wisdom was that these were long term agers, but that doesn't feel like the case for me.   Glad to hear there's likely good times ahead in the not so distant future!  

[TBird55]

Smoking from a 2012 cab. Every cigar has been at least mid 90's. I would pick an aged  Punch DC over just about any other cigar.