Punch Super Robustos Regional Edition 2006

[moki]

I smoked a Punch Super Robustos Regional Edition 2006 this evening as my first cigar of the night while playing poker. When Habanos SA came out with Asia-Pacific REs, I remember reading reviews of this cigar, as well as the Ramon Allones Estupendo.

Since I'm a fan of the RA taste profile, I was interested in the Estupendos... but the rave reviews of the Punch Super Robustos made me give one a shot tonight.

Frankly, I thought it sucked. It wasn't awful... it was just mind numbingly boring as a cigar. Heresy, I know, given the reverence some have for the potential of this cigar. All I can say is that for me, any potential in this cigar is entirely latent.

I've had this cigar before, and my opinion of it each time I've smoked it is about the same: meh.

Glad I didn't buy a box... especially at the silly prices these went for.

 

[Wurm]

Do you like any of the punch cigars Andrew?

I love the punch punch and usually always smoke one when I make the trip to the Casa del Puro. But not everyone likes them.

 

[lordlister]

I've heard similar reviews regarding this 06 Punch RE and also the 07' Punch SR's. Perhaps I'd try my luck if these were a little cheaper.

 

[jeht2000]

I've heard similar reviews regarding this 06 Punch RE and also the 07' Punch SR's. Perhaps I'd try my luck if these were a little cheaper.

Same here. Really sad considering how good the PC is

 

[atuck]

I have had one or two of these before. I have about the same opinion as Moki. But guess who bought a whole box! :laugh: Maybe I'll try another in a couple of years.

 

[rob300c]

Andrew,

Do you know the box code on these?

I smoked a few fresh and enjoyed them a lot.
Then I smoked some with a year of age on them and they were just OK.

-Rob

 

[stepthirteen]

Do you like any of the punch cigars Andrew?

I love the punch punch and usually always smoke one when I make the trip to the Casa del Puro. But not everyone likes them.

I agree with this I have always liked the Punch Punch and smoke them often, but the profile on the Asian RE is boring IMHO as well. I have given this cigar several chances and it just does not do it for me. I do like the Punch Punch :love:. Thanks for the review Andrew.

Jim

 

[khari]

You're all in luck! For the good of CP, I'm willing to sacrifice both my time and tastebuds. You may send your Punch Super Robusto REs to me. AiP

:laugh:

 

[moki]

I've heard similar reviews regarding this 06 Punch RE and also the 07' Punch SR's. Perhaps I'd try my luck if these were a little cheaper.

It's funny, because when these first came out, the reviews on several "friendly" boards was that they were the second coming of Fidel himself. I find that doesn't reconcile with my experience with them.

The LE releases were one thing; I understand, good marketing and all. The RE release to me are just taking this to the silly extreme... but it must be effective in terms of selling the cigars at a higher markup.

 

[lordlister]

I've heard similar reviews regarding this 06 Punch RE and also the 07' Punch SR's. Perhaps I'd try my luck if these were a little cheaper.

It's funny, because when these first came out, the reviews on several "friendly" boards was that they were the second coming of Fidel himself. I find that doesn't reconcile with my experience with them.

The LE releases were one thing; I understand, good marketing and all. The RE release to me are just taking this to the silly extreme... but it must be effective in terms of selling the cigars at a higher markup.

I think you've come across quite a poignant realization here. When the Cubans come out with their yearly release of 20 odd RE's, 3 LE's, and several "limited release" humidors and books, initial praise of the offerings is pretty much universal. Over time, however, people begin to notice that a few or more of the limited releases dissapoints. Compare this to the past several years of Fuente/Newman limited releases. It seems that people are all to eager to complain about the price and quality of the yearly limited offerings. Over time, however, the collective prospective of the cigars improves considerable.

Most interestingly, I'm shocked that the Cubans actually made a bad cigar in 2006. Accordingly, the cigars you smoked, Andrew, must have been fake :whistling:

 

[moki]

Most interestingly, I'm shocked that the Cubans actually made a bad cigar in 2006. Accordingly, the cigars you smoked, Andrew, must have been fake :whistling:

Must be so... I did get them from a guy who has a friend who works in a cigar factory in Cuba. hmmm.

 

[Mike33]

I've had a handful of them, the last being about two months ago. Decent cigars, not worth the price though. I didn't get much of the woodiness that is characteristic of the Punch profile, so who knows how they will turn out down the road.

 

[moki]

I've had a handful of them, the last being about two months ago. Decent cigars, not worth the price though. I didn't get much of the woodiness that is characteristic of the Punch profile, so who knows how they will turn out down the road.

See, I agree that you may be right... but I think this is the biggest scam in the cigar industry. It is more heavily tolerated/perpetrated (depending on your perspective) by Habanos SA, but others do it as well.

If you're going to spend $20 on a cigar, it should smoke well the second you purchase it. You shouldn't be suckered into buying a cigar that after 5-6 years of aging "may or may not" taste good.

I realize it plays well into the collecting/aging mentality, but if you're going to sell a cigar that's not ready to smoke, don't ream me for the privilege of aging it for you. Or better yet, age the cigar yourself as other manufacturers are doing, until you think it's ready to smoke.

 

[Mike33]

I've had a handful of them, the last being about two months ago. Decent cigars, not worth the price though. I didn't get much of the woodiness that is characteristic of the Punch profile, so who knows how they will turn out down the road.

See, I agree that you may be right... but I think this is the biggest scam in the cigar industry. It is more heavily tolerated/perpetrated (depending on your perspective) by Habanos SA, but others do it as well.

If you're going to spend $20 on a cigar, it should smoke well the second you purchase it. You shouldn't be suckered into buying a cigar that after 5-6 years of aging "may or may not" taste good.

I realize it plays well into the collecting/aging mentality, but if you're going to sell a cigar that's not ready to smoke, don't ream me for the privilege of aging it for you. Or better yet, age the cigar yourself as other manufacturers are doing, until you think it's ready to smoke.

I think you are right. When the regionals first starting coming out, I wanted all of them that I could afford. I just kept thinking, "what if they aren't available again?" That was before the whole re-release bullshit that has been occurring. Once I started tasting them, I was disappointed. The only ones that I have had that was worth the price, when smoked fresh, were the RA Estupendos and PL Magnifico. The worst of the bunch were the PL Robustos...they were still very wet 6 months after release and I'm still not convinced on them. Some of the RE, 2 years removed have become very good (i.e. PL Lonsdales and Boli Colasales), but it's just a waste to smoke them young.

The curious thing is that most, if not all, the regular production stuff that I have tasted fresh these past two years has been very good. I can't recall any that I thought were not ready, although most will get better with age.

As far as the collecting bit, I can't afford to do that, nor can most cigar smokers I assume. But, the regionals shouldn't be meant for collectors imo. That should be left for the special humidors and book releases. I have pretty much stopped buying regionals and the only exceptions are cigars that I know I will like. I don't rely on reviews anymore because, for whatever reason, they just don't seem accurate to my tastebuds. I don't think there is any regional I will buy this year, and only three that I have pegged for next year.

I was talking with my brother the other day and he asked why are people paying $300+ for this new stuff when there is perfectly good (and sometimes great) aged stock available for much, much less. I didn't have an answer, but I guess it's the idea of wanting to get the new, hot product. Lord knows I have stopped drinking that particular kool-aid

 

[tsmckenney]

I was talking with my brother the other day and he asked why are people paying $300+ for this new stuff when there is perfectly good (and sometimes great) aged stock available for much, much less. I didn't have an answer, but I guess it's the idea of wanting to get the new, hot product. Lord knows I have stopped drinking that particular kool-aid

Is there anything better than a Party Short with a few years on it? Really?

 

[Mike33]

I was talking with my brother the other day and he asked why are people paying $300+ for this new stuff when there is perfectly good (and sometimes great) aged stock available for much, much less. I didn't have an answer, but I guess it's the idea of wanting to get the new, hot product. Lord knows I have stopped drinking that particular kool-aid

Is there anything better than a Party Short with a few years on it? Really?

No, not really :laugh:

 

[moki]

As far as the collecting bit, I can't afford to do that, nor can most cigar smokers I assume. But, the regionals shouldn't be meant for collectors imo. That should be left for the special humidors and book releases. I have pretty much stopped buying regionals and the only exceptions are cigars that I know I will like. I don't rely on reviews anymore because, for whatever reason, they just don't seem accurate to my tastebuds. I don't think there is any regional I will buy this year, and only three that I have pegged for next year.

I was talking with my brother the other day and he asked why are people paying $300+ for this new stuff when there is perfectly good (and sometimes great) aged stock available for much, much less. I didn't have an answer, but I guess it's the idea of wanting to get the new, hot product. Lord knows I have stopped drinking that particular kool-aid

Here's the things, though. Clearly it works. Habanos SA has expanded their EL / RE / book / humidor releases to epic proportions... they have announced that MORE are coming in this form, not less.

Clearly their profit margins are higher on these cigars, and also clearly (if they are expanded these releases), people are buying into them big-time. I wonder for how long, though? I think savvy smokers will steer away from a ridiculous number of RE/LE/whatever releases... but it's reasonable to think that the masses will not, and will keep buying them.

 

[Mike33]

As far as the collecting bit, I can't afford to do that, nor can most cigar smokers I assume. But, the regionals shouldn't be meant for collectors imo. That should be left for the special humidors and book releases. I have pretty much stopped buying regionals and the only exceptions are cigars that I know I will like. I don't rely on reviews anymore because, for whatever reason, they just don't seem accurate to my tastebuds. I don't think there is any regional I will buy this year, and only three that I have pegged for next year.

I was talking with my brother the other day and he asked why are people paying $300+ for this new stuff when there is perfectly good (and sometimes great) aged stock available for much, much less. I didn't have an answer, but I guess it's the idea of wanting to get the new, hot product. Lord knows I have stopped drinking that particular kool-aid

Here's the things, though. Clearly it works. Habanos SA has expanded their EL / RE / book / humidor releases to epic proportions... they have announced that MORE are coming in this form, not less.

Clearly their profit margins are higher on these cigars, and also clearly (if they are expanded these releases), people are buying into them big-time. I wonder for how long, though? I think savvy smokers will steer away from a ridiculous number of RE/LE/whatever releases... but it's reasonable to think that the masses will not, and will keep buying them.

Well I think the Humidor/books are working, specifically because they are more limited and directed at collectors. I wouldn't be so sure about the REs and ELs, however. Although they are expanding the RE lineup every year, you can still readily find just about every RE if you look hard enough. I think this and next year's releases will be telling seeing how bad the world economy is. Initial sales are always strong on new releases, but the follow ups are really important and I think you will see heavy discounting on the RE/ELs this year and next.

As for the ELs, the '07s are still readily available, and at heavy discounts as well. You can also still find many of the past years as well if you look hard enough. While HSA continues to expand the RE lineup, I find it hard to believe that they can continue mass producing the REs, and to a certain extent the ELs, in the coming years. Time will tell...