Midweek Shootout Poll: Punch Double Corona vs Romeo y Julieta Churchill

[MoeFOH]

Midweek Shootout Poll - where we randomly pit two Cuban sticks against one another to see which comes out on top. 

JL 2 is currently edging out the Epi 2 in the latest poll (closing Friday) 

 

The match-up this week is the Punch Double Corona vs Romeo y Julieta Churchill   

If you've had one and not the other or have had neither, give us your answer and discussion based on your experience and/or the allure/desire/interest in these combatants. 

Read the scenario, vote in the poll, discuss below if you wish 

[westg]

I have to say. Normally Punch DC all day long. The last year my 14 and 2015 R&J Churchill are just stunning....unbelievably good. R&J gets the nod for me. Just. 

Now this is another shoot out...a proper shoot out...tough one again.

https://youtube.com/shorts/ysp6UnJz0Hk?si=7z1GpIBLuETMaqjz

[loose_axle]

RyJ Churchill for me. Love the range and the Churchill is my favourite RyJ. Punch hasn’t done it for me yet. The last DC I ahd though had 5 years on it and was beginning to show signs of what it was capable of (weren’t great at the 2 and 3 year mark) so just hoping it’s an age thing. 

[Li Bai]

The Punch DC was the first prominente I ever smoked and it moved me so much it changed everything for me. A good friend of mine says that if you consider a cigar is music then a double corona is a whole symphony and I couldn't agree more.

On the other hand one of the last RyJ Churchill I've had was plugged as h*ll, it pissed me off so much it took me 15 years to revisit, I'm not a fan of RyJ anyway, except the Cazadores which I love.

[JohnS]

It's practically impossible for me to separate these two cigars. I'm biased towards the Romeo y Julieta Churchill.

[Ford2112]

Punch DC for me by a landslide.

[Chibearsv]

Very tough one, but if both are optimal, RyJ Churchill is the winner. When on, one of my all-timers. 

[avitus]

The Punch DC is a phenomenal cigar for me. Wish I bought couple more boxes before prices skyrocketed.

[Ciscojohansson]

Punch DC, amazing cigar. I like the Churchill but for me it is not in the same league.

[CaptainQuintero]

That RyJ Churchill is probably my ultimate iconic CC, I can't not vote for it

[Lucas Buck]

Never had a Punch DC that rocked my world. They are probably my least favorite Punch and I love and smoke lots of Punch as it’s been a favorite marca for 20+ years. The RyJ Churchills on the other hand have been a bit hit and miss but the hits have been absolute mind blowers. Particularly tubos from the 90’s. Having said that I’d take a Punch Churchills over an RyJ most of the time. When those were disco’d I shed a few tears. 

[westg]

On 6/4/2025 at 9:08 PM, Ford2112 said:

Punch DC for me by a landslide.

That was the case for me until the last year. R&J Churchill are right at the very top for Cuban cigars to age for me.

[99call]

On personal preference which is what the question is, Punch DC, an easy choice for me. With DCs, it's a long smoking duration to spend with that given blend. Even if a R&J is performing, I can find that incense, rosewater, cherry chocolate thing R&J does...a little overwhelming. I readily enjoy it with a Royales or Exhibition No 4, but I'm often ready to tap out at that point. 

With a Punch DC, they could be twice as long, and I wouldn't tired of that clove, cream, juicyfruit gum profile. I just want more. 

I will say this.The R&J Churchill is a 'time served cigar'. Like it or not it's an iconic cigar and I believe it has earned a bit more pomp and ceremony. I think they deserve to be available in 50 cabs, and I think their 25 boxes should be in their old bands with a Sir Winston style lacquered box. 

[gormag38]

On 6/5/2025 at 10:17 PM, 99call said:

I will say this. The R&J Churchill is a 'time served cigar'. Like it or not it's an iconic cigar and I believe it has earned a bit more pomp and ceremony. I think they deserve to be available in 50 cabs, and I think their 25 boxes should be in their old bands with a Sir Winston style lacquered box.

Well said. They truly are an icon in the habanos game. 

As for the poll; Punch DC in a pretty easy decision honestly. For me the DCs would probably be Lusi>Punch>Hoyo>RAG. I've had some really damn good Punch DCs; RyJ Churchill I have never been impressed (however I've never had one with more than 5 or so years on it). Perhaps it's something I need to revisit once I source a RyJ with age.

[Lucas Buck]

On 6/5/2025 at 10:17 PM, 99call said:

On personal preference which is what the question is, Punch DC, an easy choice for me. With DCs, it's a long smoking duration to spend with that given blend. Even if a R&J is performing, I can find that incense, rosewater, cherry chocolate thing R&J does...a little overwhelming. I readily enjoy it with a Royales or Exhibition No 4, but I'm often ready to tap out at that point. 

With a Punch DC, they could be twice as long, and I wouldn't tired of that clove, cream, juicyfruit gum profile. I just want more. 

I will say this.The R&J Churchill is a 'time served cigar'. Like it or not it's an iconic cigar and I believe it has earned a bit more pomp and ceremony. I think they deserve to be available in 50 cabs, and I think their 25 boxes should be in their old bands with a Sir Winston style lacquered box.

Well you’ve convinced me to dig my cab out and try them again! Well done 👍 

[99call]

4 hours ago, Lucas Buck said:

Well you’ve convinced me to dig my cab out and try them again! Well done 👍 

My overall impression of Punch since the 2019 mark is that across the board the richness, cream and juicyfruit thing has hit a purple patch. That said, the Punch in my collection from around 2014-15-16 etc taste like dry pencil shavings, and little else. 

[Lucas Buck]

7 hours ago, 99call said:

My overall impression of Punch since the 2019 mark is that across the board the richness, cream and juicyfruit thing has hit a purple patch. That said, the Punch in my collection from around 2014-15-16 etc taste like dry pencil shavings, and little else. 

Guess I’ll have to hunt for some fresher stock then. Maybe that’s why they have underwhelmed me as mine are 2008 I believe. 

[BrightonCorgi]

Punch DC is one of my favorite cigars, so easy choice on that one.

[Ford2112]

Are the current Churchills performing better in tubos or just boxes? May have to hunt a few down.

[westg]

On 6/4/2025 at 6:38 PM, JohnS said:

It's practically impossible for me to separate these two cigars. I'm biased towards the Romeo y Julieta Churchill.

Feel your pain JS

[SUP8333]

Punch DC for sure...it's one of those sticks that make me giddy with delight when I think about what I'm going to have. 

[MC4]

On 6/7/2025 at 12:56 PM, Ford2112 said:

Are the current Churchills performing better in tubos or just boxes? May have to hunt a few down.

For me, RyJ Churchills is always better in Tubos. Not sure why

[BrightonCorgi]

7 hours ago, MC4 said:

For me, RyJ Churchills is always better in Tubos. Not sure why.

Agreed.

[Shakey]

I have limited experience with Punch DC, but I think the average DC is better than the average RyJ Churchill. When they are on, though, I prefer the cherry/rose water flavors of the RyJ. It’s something utterly unique that you can’t get in other brands.