Punch DC

[Ken Gargett]

Punch DC

As part of ‘DC’ month here on the forum, had a look at this. From a box from July 03 so a bit of age (box could be AIS or AIJ?). DC is a size I love so have a soft spot for them which may lead to some bias. I find that, as they need the best part of two hours, they are usually a great experience as one is forced to settle down, enjoy the thing, and put aside the problems of the world. I just don’t think these work if you are doing other stuff at the same time. Of course, if you get a dud, the two hours make it seem even worse.

The colour here was a brown grey which was not hugely appealing but there was a slight oily sheen which raised the anticipation. The thing had good weight, felt hefty in the hand. The smell cold was enticing. Often with cabernets, scribes describe them with having a cigar box character and as bizarre as it might seem, that cabernet ‘cigar box character’ was exactly what this reminded me of. When lit, it was a treat. Lovely spicy cedary notes and really attractive complexity. There is deceptive power. Then there was some stuff that I scribbled down in all the excitement that I can’t read but which I think was good (nothing like a bit of technical precision with these reviews). The burn was excellent, a good cone and very consistent throughout. Only hiccup was that it did go a bit ragged towards the end. I am sure that the two years in the humidor helped with the burn and that another two years would do even more. The aftertaste was surprisingly mild. Like these a lot. The draw was nigh on perfect: not too tight but didn’t roll over too easily either. Wish I had a cab of these. Would have scored it even higher without that raggedness towards the end but for me, easily a 92.

[dragon]

Thanks for yet another very fine review Ken.

I have tried a few of the Punch DC's in the past, and I thought they were good, but not nearly as good as the Ramon Allones Gigantes or Don Alejandros......which reminds me I need to order some more of those from Rob :-)

[Ken Gargett]

hi dragon, i'm a big fan of the RA Gigs but have not looked at one for almost a year (i remember it well - whizzing down the beach on the way back from fraser. things don't get much better. might be time to pull out another). these caught me a little by surprise but just shows that every time you turn around, up pops another cigar you need to smoke.

» Thanks for yet another very fine review Ken.

»

» I have tried a few of the Punch DC's in the past, and I thought they were

» good, but not nearly as good as the Ramon Allones Gigantes or Don

» Alejandros......which reminds me I need to order some more of those from

» Rob :-)

[Colt45]

Tried my first today. Great construction, with a beautiful medium caramel

colored wrapper. Draw was just on the tight side, but really a non consideration.

Very good burn, with a couple of very minor touch ups over the course of two

hours.

It started out with a smooth buttery flavor / sensation, evolving into more of an

anise like profile. There were some dry fruity overtones as well. Everything was

well balanced and integrated. Overall, it was medium - medium full in body,

becoming a bit more earthy near the end. It showed just the slightest hints of

youth, and though there wasn't alot of nuance / complexity, it wasn't lacking

depth of flavor.

Two hours of total enjoyment.

[shrink]

Thanks for the review, Ken. I agree that these are a great smoke. I haven't had the '03 but '02's are tremendous right now. Just don't smoke as many DC's because of the time. Have to break one out, maybe tonight...

[Tave1225]

Nice review Ken

[Elric]

They are the best regular production DC out there IMO. I don't consider the SLR to be regular production BTW.

[cigardawg]

Rarely smoke DCs anymore. No necessarily because of time...just too much cigar for me. Anyway, have a handfull of Punch DCs sitting in the cabinet. Look fantastic. I believe they are from a box of 02s...would have to check my records to make sure. The last one I had about a year ago was bland. Smoked very well, but there was just not much flavor to the smoke. When these were fresh, I thought they were great.

After this review...maybe it is time to revisit the Punch DC. Great review, Ken.

[skip43]

» Rarely smoke DCs anymore. No necessarily because of time...just too much

» cigar for me. Anyway, have a handfull of Punch DCs sitting in the

» cabinet. Look fantastic. I believe they are from a box of 02s...would

» have to check my records to make sure. The last one I had about a year

» ago was bland. Smoked very well, but there was just not much flavor to

» the smoke. When these were fresh, I thought they were great.

»

» After this review...maybe it is time to revisit the Punch DC. Great

» review, Ken.:ok:One of the best cigars I ever smoked was a Punch DC from 2001. When they are on they are hard to beat, very complex.