dulaney22
Banned
- Joined
- Jan 24, 2009
- Messages
- 518
Cigar: PUNCH RARE COROJO
Style/Size: Pita (6.1" x 50) - box pressed
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra-seed Dark Brown (not burgundy as advertised)
Filler: Nicaraguan, Honduran Havana seed and Dominican tobacco
I estimate the number of cigars I have smoked, to date, would total approximately 30. These would include various Montecristo, Cohibas, Romeo y Julieta, Royal Jamaican, Partagas, Arturo Fuente and others I can’t recall. I was blessed to smoke a few alleged Cubans in Jamaica a month or so ago and I really enjoyed the Ciglo VI, whatever its origins might have been.
One of my good friends recommended the line of Punch cigars and I bought several individuals at local B & M’s, pretty much enjoying each style I tried. One of my favorites has been the Punch Deluxe. On an impulse, I ordered a box of these annuals from Cigars International and received my shipment three days ago. Along with the Punch, I purchased a box of Partagas Black Label, another of my current favorites . . . a review of same to come following my next smoke.
Anyway, today is Super Bowl Sunday. Right now it’s about an hour to kickoff and, to be honest, I am eagerly anticipating the game, but couldn’t care less who wins. In most years, I would root for the Steelers, as my Dad was a big fan during the Steel Curtain days, but I like the underdog Cardinals and wouldn’t mind seeing them add a championship to their less-prestigious franchise.
The weather here in NE Mississippi today is a nice 65 degrees, with little wind and slight overcast . . . a beautiful winter day.
I have found seclusion on my back patio where I have enjoyed a great cigar with one of my favorite beers . . . Red Stripe from our fun-loving friends in the Caribbean.
At the outset, it is imperative to note my newness to the cigar world. I have refrained from a formal review until now because, quite frankly, I’m just learning how to cut, light and smoke a cigar properly. I have ruined several cigars by either smoking them too fast and too hot, or by torching them excessively.
Now, let’s focus on this particular cigar. It is a beautiful dark brown cigar in what I think is the perfect size. The wrapper contained two distinct veins, but overall very smooth and classy looking . . . not dry and not oily. The construction appears to be first-class.
Pre-light, I have delighted in the nice, rich tobacco aroma exhibited from the foot of the cigar. At this point, I am not experienced enough to pick up any subtle hints of spices or other aromas pre-light, but the richness of tobacco smell was certainly present. To a lesser extent, the nose exhibited the same characteristics pre-cut.
My cut was not good. My cheapo $2.99 cutter snagged this fine cigar and caused a little problem with the wrapper. It tore somewhat during the cut and was loose at the end of the smoke, but overall did not detract from the experience. For the most part, the mishap solidified my decision to purchase a quality cutter. At present, a Xikar Xi is the most likely successor to my dollar store original.
The draw is very nice. I would say that its about perfect, as it does not appear to require a perceived pull, but at the same time doesn’t succumb to a mere inhale.
Just this past week, I have learned to heat the foot then draw the flame for a light, with the flame never close enough to touch the foot. I used a gift box of matches sent by CI and the cigar lit very easily. The burn on this particular Pita was pretty even and the ash exhibited a mixture of black and white (certainly not the whitest ash I have witnessed).
The first third or so of the smoke was very mild in nature, exhibiting no signs of spice. I detected mostly a mild, coffee taste during this portion. It reminded my of some of the Jamaican coffee I had a few weeks ago. There was no bitter taste at all.
About a third of the way into the cigar I noticed some peppery taste, which quickly gave way to a parched nut experience. As a child, my Grandad, who longed for good teeth, would parch peanuts in one of those old, slim, counter-top toasters. After parching, he would pulse them in a blender until the remnants were powder. They were eaten by the spoonful. Surprisingly, they were quite tasty. The last half of this cigar reminded me of these childhood delights. While I wouldn’t say the cigar exhibited a parched peanut taste, there were definitely hints of parched nuts. At some pointed halfway in and beyond, I also noted hints of sweetness which left me licking my lips. Unfortunately, I am not able to discern a comparison example and am only left to note an unidentified sweetness.
The actually burn was nice, with the first fall occurring approximately 1.5” into the smoke. The remaining ash held on about an inch at the time and I ended the delight with what is shown in the last picture.
Unfortunately, my cutting error caused problems at the end with the wrapper and, as the picture depicts, I chewed the nose pretty substantially. Nevertheless, I was quite pleased with the burn and the overall experience, which lasted about an hour and a half.
I would classify this smoke as mild to medium. Overall, it was very smooth and exhibited no bitterness throughout. I also noticed that the cigar did not exude the smoke that my Partagas Blacks do . . . nor did it appear as full-bodied.
This cigar is fresh from the original packaging and I have 25 more aging as I type. I am already looking forward to future smokes and comparisons to my initial thoughts.
It is now 30 minutes to kickoff and I am headed in to enjoy the game and more Red Stripe. My wonderful wife just stuck her head out and said she had prepared some deer sausage dip, so I am off to enjoy the remainder of my evening.
Lee
Style/Size: Pita (6.1" x 50) - box pressed
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra-seed Dark Brown (not burgundy as advertised)
Filler: Nicaraguan, Honduran Havana seed and Dominican tobacco
I estimate the number of cigars I have smoked, to date, would total approximately 30. These would include various Montecristo, Cohibas, Romeo y Julieta, Royal Jamaican, Partagas, Arturo Fuente and others I can’t recall. I was blessed to smoke a few alleged Cubans in Jamaica a month or so ago and I really enjoyed the Ciglo VI, whatever its origins might have been.
One of my good friends recommended the line of Punch cigars and I bought several individuals at local B & M’s, pretty much enjoying each style I tried. One of my favorites has been the Punch Deluxe. On an impulse, I ordered a box of these annuals from Cigars International and received my shipment three days ago. Along with the Punch, I purchased a box of Partagas Black Label, another of my current favorites . . . a review of same to come following my next smoke.
Anyway, today is Super Bowl Sunday. Right now it’s about an hour to kickoff and, to be honest, I am eagerly anticipating the game, but couldn’t care less who wins. In most years, I would root for the Steelers, as my Dad was a big fan during the Steel Curtain days, but I like the underdog Cardinals and wouldn’t mind seeing them add a championship to their less-prestigious franchise.
The weather here in NE Mississippi today is a nice 65 degrees, with little wind and slight overcast . . . a beautiful winter day.
I have found seclusion on my back patio where I have enjoyed a great cigar with one of my favorite beers . . . Red Stripe from our fun-loving friends in the Caribbean.
At the outset, it is imperative to note my newness to the cigar world. I have refrained from a formal review until now because, quite frankly, I’m just learning how to cut, light and smoke a cigar properly. I have ruined several cigars by either smoking them too fast and too hot, or by torching them excessively.
Now, let’s focus on this particular cigar. It is a beautiful dark brown cigar in what I think is the perfect size. The wrapper contained two distinct veins, but overall very smooth and classy looking . . . not dry and not oily. The construction appears to be first-class.
Pre-light, I have delighted in the nice, rich tobacco aroma exhibited from the foot of the cigar. At this point, I am not experienced enough to pick up any subtle hints of spices or other aromas pre-light, but the richness of tobacco smell was certainly present. To a lesser extent, the nose exhibited the same characteristics pre-cut.
My cut was not good. My cheapo $2.99 cutter snagged this fine cigar and caused a little problem with the wrapper. It tore somewhat during the cut and was loose at the end of the smoke, but overall did not detract from the experience. For the most part, the mishap solidified my decision to purchase a quality cutter. At present, a Xikar Xi is the most likely successor to my dollar store original.
The draw is very nice. I would say that its about perfect, as it does not appear to require a perceived pull, but at the same time doesn’t succumb to a mere inhale.
Just this past week, I have learned to heat the foot then draw the flame for a light, with the flame never close enough to touch the foot. I used a gift box of matches sent by CI and the cigar lit very easily. The burn on this particular Pita was pretty even and the ash exhibited a mixture of black and white (certainly not the whitest ash I have witnessed).
The first third or so of the smoke was very mild in nature, exhibiting no signs of spice. I detected mostly a mild, coffee taste during this portion. It reminded my of some of the Jamaican coffee I had a few weeks ago. There was no bitter taste at all.
About a third of the way into the cigar I noticed some peppery taste, which quickly gave way to a parched nut experience. As a child, my Grandad, who longed for good teeth, would parch peanuts in one of those old, slim, counter-top toasters. After parching, he would pulse them in a blender until the remnants were powder. They were eaten by the spoonful. Surprisingly, they were quite tasty. The last half of this cigar reminded me of these childhood delights. While I wouldn’t say the cigar exhibited a parched peanut taste, there were definitely hints of parched nuts. At some pointed halfway in and beyond, I also noted hints of sweetness which left me licking my lips. Unfortunately, I am not able to discern a comparison example and am only left to note an unidentified sweetness.
The actually burn was nice, with the first fall occurring approximately 1.5” into the smoke. The remaining ash held on about an inch at the time and I ended the delight with what is shown in the last picture.
Unfortunately, my cutting error caused problems at the end with the wrapper and, as the picture depicts, I chewed the nose pretty substantially. Nevertheless, I was quite pleased with the burn and the overall experience, which lasted about an hour and a half.
I would classify this smoke as mild to medium. Overall, it was very smooth and exhibited no bitterness throughout. I also noticed that the cigar did not exude the smoke that my Partagas Blacks do . . . nor did it appear as full-bodied.
This cigar is fresh from the original packaging and I have 25 more aging as I type. I am already looking forward to future smokes and comparisons to my initial thoughts.
It is now 30 minutes to kickoff and I am headed in to enjoy the game and more Red Stripe. My wonderful wife just stuck her head out and said she had prepared some deer sausage dip, so I am off to enjoy the remainder of my evening.
Lee
