Punch Punch

[Ken Gargett]

As I mentioned in the review of the Punch Super Selection No 2, I’m no great fan of this brand (the SS2 is the most enjoyable Punch I’ve had) and for me, the PP doesn’t come close to the SS2. The irony of this is that while the SS2’s have been discontinued, this cigar (both are corona gorda size) continues without a problem. For me, these didn’t have that same exciting sheen as the SS2. They were acceptable but a little too earthy and the burn needed constant attention. No finesse, complexity or subtlety. A basic commercial stick. 86.

Rob: What crap. Cabinet Punch Punch have been one of the great recoveries of 2004. Medium bodied with a core of cream, coffee and when lucky, honey. Not as creamy as the SS2 but still a Cuban legend which they are doing better today than they have for 7 years. 90

[Ken Gargett]

you can have your PP's. i'll be very happy to stick with the SS2's. at least now i know what to get you for your birthday - nothing. i assume that you have horribly over-ordered these and need a good review to move them?

[Ken Gargett]

i may, just possibly, owe rob an apology. i have been trawling through past notes on some of the cigars we smoked in Cuba to see how they stacked up (a surprising number performed at lower standards there than here - possibly because we are dealing with very young cigars). i had, unforgivably, forgotten a punch punch rob gave me (from memory, at a previous Cuba trip debriefing lunch) which i think had seven or eight years on it. it was fantastic. at the moment, i'll stick with the SS2's but if age can do that to a PP then i'm a convert (tho i think age will be even kinder to the SS2).

kbg

[froghair]

i havnt had any punch punch for quiet some time and really do need to try them again. the last box i had were from 99 and were absolutly fantastic. they were on the mild side but i like that.

[Mel]

» i'll stick with the SS2's but if age can do that

» to a PP then i'm a convert (tho i think age will be even kinder to the

» SS2). » kbg

I prefer the SS2 over the PP any day. I have some aged PP, I think about 96 year and they are nothing special. I have many younger sticks that have a lot more sparkle and flash.

If Rob comes by some more of those SS2 I want some.

[Jim]

Maybe you guys can help me out.

I had my first PP on Saturday, it tasted nothing like the descriptions I have read.

It started out very strong (Bolivar strong, nothing wrong with that ) and stayed that way, it was very soft and the draw wasn’t that great.

Is this cigar meant to be like this or did I just get the dud of the box?

I also managed to get a big head-spin by the end. :-(

[Tampa1257]

I am going to have to agree with Ken's first statement about the Punch, Punch Punch. IMHO, this vitola is extremely lackluster, lacks complexity and contains no finess what so ever. While I enjoy the Corona Gorda size, within the Punch marca, I always thought that the Black Prince was a much better tasting cigar. The PBP will be missed by many. I will not miss smoking the Punch Punch because it never provided me with anything more than a "Ho Hum" smoking experience, and there are so many other extremely good Corona Gordas available in the Market.

Now before the "Punch Punch Lovers Patrol" comes to visit me, think about it this way, without me buying and smoking them, you will have that many more for your own pleasure.

Tampa

[froghair]

your so right chuck, more for me.....

[rspdiver]

» i may, just possibly, owe rob an apology.

Just keep it quiet, or you'll never hear the end!

[Curmudgeon]

How old was the example you smoked? PPs seem to go through a rather marked flat period that ends somewhere around two years after the box date. After that, they're nice, flavorful cigars.

[Ken Gargett]

for what it is worth, the review cigar was from the havana trip, hence almost certainly a youngster. as mentioned, with age, a transformation. could not say when that occurs but no reason why that doesn't tie in with your experience. all that said, i am loving those super seleccions.

[gabebdog1]

man I just bought a box hope they get better

[El Presidente]

04 nd 05 punch have been superb.

Some of the local FOH crew (Arthur kassos main culprit) have switched from Cohiba Robusto to Punch Punch. Does nothing for my Margins

[Colt45]

No Codes

Construction: Great - felt great in the hand, very firm, but not too heavy.

Wrapper: nice light chocolate medium brown. Smooth, minimal veining, very

light sheen.

Draw: Great draw, as the construction suggested. nearly perfect burn with lots of

smoke.

Taste: light creaminess, sweet and sour spice, and wood, all rolled together in

great balance - medium body. It showed light citrus hints as well. Midway, it

became deeper and more dense, becoming more earthy.

With a bit more than a third to go, it showed it's youth, becoming

grassy and slightly bitter, but not unsmokeably so. All in all a GREAT cigar, that I

anticipate to become better with some time. I know there are some who don't

care much for the PP, but it might be worth tucking a couple away to try again in

a year or so.

[MrQ]

» No Codes

»

» Construction: Great - felt great in the hand, very firm, but not too

» heavy.

»

» Wrapper: nice light chocolate medium brown. Smooth, minimal veining, very

» light sheen.

»

» Draw: Great draw, as the construction suggested. nearly perfect burn with

» lots of

» smoke.

»

» Taste: light creaminess, sweet and sour spice, and wood, all rolled

» together in

» great balance - medium body. It showed light citrus hints as well. Midway,

» it

» became deeper and more dense, becoming more earthy.

» With a bit more than a third to go, it showed it's youth, becoming

» grassy and slightly bitter, but not unsmokeably so. All in all a GREAT

» cigar, that I

» anticipate to become better with some time. I know there are some who

» don't

» care much for the PP, but it might be worth tucking a couple away to try

» again in

» a year or so.

Nice review I had similar experience with a Punch Punch I smoked recently.

[pittesq]

» Nice review I had similar experience with a Punch Punch I smoked recently.

Yeah same for me.

[Gryphon]

Anyone have any experiance with late 06, early 07's ?

[gersonmorelli]

» 04 nd 05 punch have been superb.

»

That's good to hear... I have a couple of '04 Punch Punch in my humidor that I haven't touched for quite sometime. Maybe it's time for to pull one out and see how they're smoking.

These used to be one of my favorites back in 2002/2003...

[Vavinco]

All of the Punch Punch that I've had from 05 production on have been very enjoyable. The size is one of my favorites when I have the time and these are near the top. The Selection 11's are quite good as well. ;-)

[CigarZen]

»

» Now before the "Punch Punch Lovers Patrol" comes to visit me, think about

» it this way, without me buying and smoking them, you will have that many

» more for your own pleasure.

»

» Tampa

Punch seems like a love it or hate it brand, which I don't get. It doesn't seem that different from other marques. I do like a well aged Punch.