Blind Cigar Review: Punch (Cuba) | Punch Punch

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Corona Gorda
Length: 5.6″
Ring Gauge: 46
Country of Origin: Cuba
Wrapper: Cuba
Binder: Cuba
Filler: Cuba
Factory: La Corona Factory
Blender: Habanos S.A.
Number of reviewers: 5—–Jiunn (jliu) Craig (WyldKnyght) Jeff (ExpendableYouth) Stefan (Stefan) Emmett (BMP_Emmett)
Price: $10
Age: 1 Year, 7 Months
Release Date: Pre-1960’s
Contributed by: iHavanas

Initial Impressions

Appearance: 91

“The cigar has a creamy brown wrapper, with small veins, tight wrap lines and a smooth triple cap. The cigar feels very loose to the touch and very spongey, but it is not uniformly loose, it has a few tight spots toward the top and the foot.” –Jeff (ExpendableYouth)

Aroma: 89

“Exhibits light notes of fresh wood and leather.” –Stefan (Stefan)

First Third

Flavor: 92
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“First thirds flavor profile is both balanced and nuanced. Flavors of creamy caramel, bread/yeast, cedar, baking spice, faint black pepper only truly realized on the retrohale. There is a nice mouthfeel to the body of the cigar (good tannins). Body and strength is at a solid medium.” –Jiunn (jliu)

“Starts off medium-full bodied with notes of soft wood and a hint of cocoa. It soon introduces additional notes of sweet vanilla wood together with citrus rind, none of which are overpowering. By the middle of the first third, the body of the smoke has slimmed down to a light-to-medium. The tanginess of the citrus rind notes then take over during this thirds second half.” –Stefan (Stefan)

Second Third

Flavor: 91
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“The second third exhibits a light-to-medium-bodied flavor profile marked by soft notes of wood on the palate and hints of citrus rind and white pepper on the finish; the style is similar to that of most Cuban cigars.” –Stefan (Stefan)

“This third takes an interesting turn and adds some brightness in spices and floral aroma. There is also still a background of hay and dried fruit. This third has been even better than the first with its complexity and added flavors. The burn and draw have been very good, but not perfect.” –Emmett (BMP_Emmett)

Final Third

Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“The last thirds flavor profile overall stays consistent to the second third. Still getting bread/yeast, cedar, baking spice and faint black pepper. The sweet caramel has become more of a burnt caramel or burnt brown sugar. The slight bitterness is still there but the burnt caramel/brown sugar still over powers it. A vegetal note mixes in here and there as well. Strength and body still at a medium.” –Jiunn (jliu)

“The final third still has a lot of pepper, woody notes, some light hay and a strong mineral retrohale. It has a creeping sweetness to it as well, but it comes in and out so sporadically that it can’t really be noted as a main flavor.” –Jeff (ExpendableYouth)

Overall Impressions

Draw: 94

“Draw was just a tad on the tighter end of the spectrum. But I am being incredibly picky here.” –Jiunn (jliu)

Burn: 93

“The burn started out uneven, but evened itself out by the second third.” –Craig (WyldKnyght)

Construction: 91

“Overall, construction was very good. It wasn’t perfect and required some maintenance.” –Emmett (BMP_Emmett)

Overall Strength: Medium-Strong
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
Overall Experience: 91

“Overall, this was an excellent cigar. I believe this was either a Cuban cigar or a very well executed Connecticut shade cigar. The well balanced and nuanced flavors without being a pepper bomb is right in my wheelhouse. I would purchase a fiver of these to smoke now and lay down in the hopes of the bitterness being worked out.” –Jiunn (jliu)

“This cigar was almost a story of two cigars. The look and taste were very good and the construction was not the greatest. The good thing was the most important part, the flavor was good.” –Craig (WyldKnyght)

“I wasn’t overly impressed with the cigar. It started out very promising, but by the time I got to the second third on it just got out of my flavor wheel house. I wouldn’t mind revisiting it in the future since it seemed like the cigar may have been going through a bit of a sick period.” –Jeff (ExpendableYouth)

“A (very) good, mildly medium smoke reminiscent of many entry-level Cuban stogies.” –Stefan (Stefan)

“I really enjoyed this smoke. I’m almost positive it’s a Cuban based on its appearance and flavor. I would definitely purchase a box of these and they can be smoked any time of the day as it is never harsh but offers tons of flavor and complexities. It had great transitions and kept me enthralled. Highly recommend this.” –Emmett (BMP_Emmett)
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Smoking Time (in minutes): 90

 

Reviewer	Appearance	Aroma	1/3	2/3	3/3	Draw	Burn	Constr.	Overall Experience
Jiunn	jliu)	83	88	95	92	92	97	97	97	92
Craig	WyldKnyght)	92	95	90	90	88	83	88	85	90
Jeff	ExpendableYouth)	92	90	90	88	88	90	93	85	88
Stefan	Stefan)	88	90	88	88	88	95	93	92	88
Emmett	BMP_Emmett)	97	90	95	95	97	93	95	92	95

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

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Blind Cigar Review: Punch | Punch Punch