Cigar News: Punch Launches “Knuckle Buster”

General Cigar announced a new line under their Punch brand today: “Knuckle Buster.” This is a three-cigar regular production collection that will ship in March.

The name comes from University of Virginia college basketball coach Tony Bennett, who described a rough and tumble physical game as a “Blue Collar Knuckle Buster,” as this new line is aimed at hard working people.

Ed Lahmann, senior brand manager for Punch said, “Punch is committed to staying true to what the brand has represented over the last six decades: a consistent, well-made, no-nonsense cigar at a price that’s fair and reasonable. Punch Knuckle Buster honors this commitment with a solid, enticing blend for the people who work hard to enjoy the good life.”

Punch‘s blending team at the General Cigar‘s HATSA factory in Danli, Honduras wanted to create a medium-bodied cigar that would appeal to both new and seasoned smokers. For the blend they used only Habano-seed tobaccos from Nicaragua and Honduras to balance flavor and strength with complexity. The blend uses a Nicaraguan Habano wrapper, Nicaraguan Habano binder, and filler tobacco from Nicaragua and Honduras.

Punch Knuckle Buster ships March 9 in three sizes: Robusto (4.5” x 52) $4.99 25 count boxes, Toro (6” x 50) $5.49 25 count boxes, Gordo (6.25” x 60) $5.99 20 count boxes.

Lahmann continued, “Our hope is that Punch Knuckle Buster becomes a ‘go to’ blend that cigar smokers can rely on time and time again, without having to think twice when they hit the cash register or click on their carts. We want it to be the perfect smoke for walking the dog or mowing the lawn or enjoying with cigar smoking friends. Because after all, a cigar is not about money or status or boutique cigar makers. It’s about removing those barriers and enjoying a moment of well-earned relaxation.”