Punch Superfinos Regional Release Italy 2005

[n2advnture]

MAN, I had the opportunity to snag a mess of these but let them slip through my fingers.

Many I have talked to believe that these are on of (if not the) best RE....kicking myself for not staying on top of getting them.

Thanks for the review Rob

~Mark

[shrink]

While medium bodied it is rich on the palate coating the tongue in a serene sense of class. This is to the cigar world as Sofia Loren is to cinema.

I'm not so sure about the comparison. I would consider Sophia Loren "Full-bodied".

[jdbrown]

Not too shabby!

[Guest rob]

DAMN!

I love Italian women.

If you get to Milan, in the Galleria, (near il Duomo) there is a fantastic cigar shop that sells all sorts of goodies.

Sit back and enjoy the finest Cubans while admiring the finest Italians...

[El Presidente]

Great pic Shrink ;-)

[shortsqueeze]

I agree with you Rob. While I only smoked one (8 months ago), I remember the flavors like I smoked it yesterday. Sweet spice, yes like clove, very uncharacteristic of Punch yet quite enjoyable. I think the flavor profile suits the size, or vice versa. You say you want more when it's nearly done, but if you were to get it I'm not sure you wouldn't end up regretful. Therefore, I find the choice in blend/size quite successful and agree with whoever said it's one of the best (if not unique) regionals. If one were to judge a regional even in part to represent its marca, I'm afraid this cigar would receive an "F" however.

[El Presidente]

This was a generous gift from Gino who gave it to Lise to bring back for me. Much appreciated mate

My camera is playing up so there is only one photo. Enough to say that this Minuto felt great in the hand with good construction and a simple sweet tobacco aroma at cold. The wrapper had some good oil but was not especially remarkable.

Made myself a nice brew of freshly roasted black coffee, fired up the laptop and settled down to a myriad of e-mails. Clipped the cap of the punch and the draw was a dream. Flavours at cold were muted. Just clean tobacco.

Lit the foot with my Vector tripple and tried hard not to overheat the foot. The Punch combusted immediately....super smooth. medium bodied and with a rather unique flavour profile that confused me and lasted right to the end. I don't really know how to descibe it....cloves, great tobacco, no pepper to speak of, yet the slightest hint of sweet edge.

The Minuto format is so small that as a rule it needs to capture ones attention very quickly. This Superfinos captured my attention by doing the very opposite. It started out and continued as if it were a larger format cigar with time on its hands to evolve and develop. At first I was disappointed that no definitive statement was being made but the longer I worked into the cigar the more I marvelled at its sheer smoothness and presence. It is without doubt a high quality cigar....the flavours of clove and pure Vuelta Abajo tobacco are testament to its class. While medium bodied it is rich on the palate coating the tongue in a serene sense of class. This is to the cigar world as Sofia Loren is to cinema.

Into the last third and there is no increase past medium body but the cigar holds its profile and poise perfectly.

Excellent short format cigar and I wonder as to how they will develop. I would love to read other members reviews as to how they classify/think of this cigar as it both confused and tantalised me.

91/100

[thschrminm]

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» i have seen some with the exclusivo italia, and some without italia on the

» band.. any reason for the differences?

The 2005s I have seen just say "edicion regional" while the 2007s say "exclusivo italia".....

first time I saw the country name on them was for the German Boli Colosales and Por larranaga Lonsdales..........

[justinphilly]

»

i have seen some with the exclusivo italia, and some without italia on the band.. any reason for the differences?