General Cigar unveiled new line under their Punch brand earlier this year called “Knuckle Buster.” The name comes from University of Virginia college basketball coach Tony Bennett, who described the game as rough and tumble “Blue Collar Knuckle Buster.” This cigar from Punch is aimed at hard working, blue collar people at an affordable price.
This cigar was reviewed blind (no bands) by a panel of at least 4 reviewers. They did not know what they were smoking beforehand. The scores are an average of all the reviewers' scores with outliers removed. All of our cigars reviewed are shipped to the panelists with Boveda packs to ensure optimal smoking experience.
The blend is described as a medium-bodied cigar that will appeal to both new and seasoned smokers. Knuckle Buster is rolled at General Cigar's HATSA factory in Danli, Honduras. The blend uses only Habano-seed tobaccos from Nicaragua and Honduras including Nicaraguan Habano wrapper, Nicaraguan Habano binder, and filler tobacco from Nicaragua and Honduras. PunchKnuckle Buster comes in three sizes: Robusto (4.5” x 52) $4.99, Toro (6” x 50) $5.49, Gordo (6.25” x 60) $5.99. The robusto and toro come in boxes of 25, while the Gordo comes in boxes of 20.
“Smooth reddish brown wrapper with visible veins throughout. Well packed and no blemishes that I can see.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)
Aroma: 86
“On the nose, notes of barnyard, cinnamon, and leather display a balanced medium bodied bouquet while a cold draw reveals a firm draw with flavors of fruity bubblegum.” –John A. (Bostoneo)
Flavor: 88 Strength: Medium Body/Complexity: Light-Medium
“Very spice heavy even after a considerable warm up period. Room note is very nice, I think the profile will start doing amazing g things soon. Earth wood and pepper are the only notes but are doing a good job of finding doing a good way to cohabitate.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
“After lighting it, the first thing I notice is a very sweet honey and peanuts that just overwhelm me. There's a touch of pepper, but barely enough to even notice. I'm picking up a fair amount of saltiness too, which definitely works well with the nuts. Even the retro shares more of this sweet and saltiness. ” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)
Flavor: 88 Strength: Medium Body/Complexity: Medium
“Starts out with the sweet and salty nuttiness as before. Then something starts to happen. It transitions to a bit of citrus and get this, spice! But not just any spice, it's reminiscent of the kind of kick you get from a Moscow Mule, with the ginger and lime citrus working hand in hand. Not bad at all. I'm by no means claiming this taste just like the drink. Instead, I mean that flavors are harmonizing in the same way. Just want that to be clear for those looking at me cross-eyed right now.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)
“Round two starts off with the same intense earthy, sweet grassy notes I've come to experience from the first third. White pepper begins to incorporate itself into the mixture of earthiness with a building pencil lead note all the way to the end.” –John A. (Bostoneo)
Final Third
Flavor: 82 Strength: Medium Body/Complexity: Medium
“Intense pencil lead flavors start into this third and develop into a sour charred beef flavor, which isn't too appealing to me. This continues to build in body which leads to it being put down and out for the count.” –John A. (Bostoneo)
“Retro picks up on the spice a bit now, which is a pleasant change. We're also back on the honey roasted peanut train, albeit with a little more punch now. Cigar has cranked up a bit, making me rethink smoking it on an empty stomach. Excitement ensues. ” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 89
“Great draw, I used the straight cut since I was out in the elements and didn't want to come into any issues. Plenty of smoke out put with no issues. ” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
Burn: 89
“Kept in line most of the time.” –John A. (Bostoneo)
Construction: 92
“Great construction really, plenty of ash which hung on about 1 an inch at a time. The cigar performed with no issues really. ” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
Overall Strength: Medium Overall Body/Complexity: Medium Experience Overall: 91
“Very good cigar, didn't have as much character as I was expecting but a wonderful cigar none the less. Not quite boxable but would like to always have a few in my humidor.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
“Solid smoke with some good flavors and transitions. Builds up strength as it burns, so keeps you engaged. I enjoyed the flavor profiles I picked up and could see myself picking a couple of these up to see how they hold up consistency-wise.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)
“Man, what a disappointing cigar. If someone gave me this cigar, and I was a young smoker….(say maybe 6 months to a year)….this cigar just might have turned me off from smoking. I know i'm being harsh, but this cigar was very one dimensional for the whole 60 minutes of smoking it. I didn't pitch it….not just because I was reviewing t…and I consider myself somewhat of a professional, but the main reason I continued on with this cigar is because I was hoping that somewhere it would wake up and surprise me, but no. I would not smoke this again……I am curious to see what my peers have to say about this one.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
“Overall, it was an okay smoke, no frills for me at least. If you like earthy notes with some pepper and char, this will be right up your alley. Little gave in way of sweetness save the grassy notes in the beginning that quickly faded halfway through. Draw issues with it being too tightly rolled made smoking it at times a chore, however all in all, eh, try it… you might like it, you might not, you be the judge…” –John A. (Bostoneo)
"Overall, it was an okay smoke, no frills for me at least. If you like earthy notes with some pepper and char, this will be right up your alley. Little gave in way of sweetness save the grassy notes in the beginning that quickly faded halfway through. Draw issues with it being too tightly rolled made smoking it at times a chore, however all in all, eh, try it… you might like it, you might not, you be the judge…" -John A. (Bostoneo)
