Punch Punch Feb 07

[Gryphon]

Thank You for the review.

[Bigkerm]

» Thank You for the review.

Another fantastic review, it is a shame for such a legend of a cigar that it doesn't live up to it's hype. Oh well, I have a few laying around that I will have to smoke and see if they have aged better or have stayed the same?

Again great review, Mr. Prez

[El Presidente]

Punch Punch has always been an enigma to me. I have had plenty of examples over the years which rocked my world and yet have been sorerly disappointed by others. Tough lineup for the Punch Punch. Often overlooked by by Corona Gordas from other marques such as the Juan Lopez Seleccion No 1, Cohiba Siglo IV, HDM Epicure 1, Bolivar Corona Extra. Even from its own family it has to live up to the Super Seleccion No 2, Punch Royal Seleccion No 11 and the Punch Black Prince. If Habanos was a Shakespearean play then Punch Punch would the chief suspect in removing it's two more highly regarded siblings.

And yet it survives. Given to bouts of greatness and mediocrity....how does the early 2007 fare?

Good looking cigar with an aroma at cold of toasted tobacco and toffee apple. Definitive sweetness to the aroma which I have not noted before. Construction overall was good but the foot was too open for my liking and raised some questions. These were quickly answered by a clip of the cap and test draw which showcased an over easy draw. Nice sweetness on the lips....actually more floral than sweetness.

Fired up the foot to find an immediate perfumed note which again is new to me in a Punch Punch. Flowers, sweet spices with an undercurrent of anise. Struggling to find medium body and could only be described as light medium....again the loose draw claims another victim. If this was a blind taste test I would swear that it would be a Rafael Gonzalez Corona Extra.

The cigar finds a truer line before long with some quality tobacco shining through on the palate but also shortbread, cake and those lingering flowery highlights. It is a fine cigar but not a classic Punch Punch.

Continuing to enjoy the cigar for what it has to offer but disappointed in the lack of meat, lack of core and real substance. It is all dressing with no heart. This is no true Punch, no tannin, no burn't wood.

Becoming increasingly creamy past the mid point but already my mind drifts to what I will have next and I am longing for meat and potatoes as opposed to fairy floss.

The over easy draw has ripped away any vestitude of substance. It smokes much like a fine Dominican but I would be less than satisfied to take this cigar home. Time will not heal what the roller has left out.

I finished the cigar under sufference. It deserves no more than a score of 84/85 but I will seek out another over the coming week and one which the draw is as it should be.