Punch Golden Era Robusto – Blind Cigar Review

Cigar Info

Last April, General Cigar announced a new regular production line to the Punch brand. Punch Golden Era was designed to celebrate corojo tobacco that had a starring role in the “golden age” of cigars. Corojo had been used as the wrapper of choice on many cigars until tobacco diseases and mold brought the tobacco to the brink of extinction.

The Cuban seed Corojo used in the Punch Golden Era was grown on a 650-acre farm in Honduras by the Eiroa family. The blend uses Honduran-grown, Cuban seed Corojo wrapper and binder, and its filler is comprised of Honduran-grown Habano and Cuban-seed Corojo tobacco.

The blend is described as mild-to-medium-bodied and is rolled at Fabrica de Puros Aladino SA in Honduras. This factory is home to the JRE (Aladino) brand. The cigars will come packaged in boxes of 20 and are going to ship to retailers on May 1. The line will launch with three sizes: Robusto 5 x 50 MSRP per cigar $9.99, Toro 6 x 52 MSRP per cigar $10.49, and Churchill 7 x 48 MSRP per cigar $10.99.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Robusto
Length: 5″
Ring Gauge: 50
Country of Origin: Honduras
Wrapper: Honduran Corojo
Binder: Honduran Corojo
Filler: Honduran Habano
Factory: Fábrica de Puros Aladino at Las Lomas Jamastran
Blender: John Hakim, Justo Eiroa
Number of reviewers: 4 – Bradlee W. (Brad W.) Mickey T. (irratebass) Fred L. (Fred L.) Doug S. (Unpossible_1)
Price: $9.99
Age: 11 Months
Release Date: May 2023
Contributed by: General Cigar Co.

Initial Impressions – Punch Golden Era Robusto

Appearance: 90

“A very neat and trim-looking robusto, this cigar features a delicate wrapper that is wholly handsome and toothy.” –Fred L. (Fred L.)

Aroma: 90

“The aroma offers a little different experience than the appearance with some characteristics such as leather, raisins, and licorice. Some nice complexity that I haven't come across in some time.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)

First Third

Flavor: 90
Strength: Mild-Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“The pre-light features a blend of cool earth, leather, and minerals. Initially, there's a big blast of caramel sweetness followed by subtle notes of nuts, honey, and leather. Over time a baking spice flavor takes shape as the smoke becomes creamier.” –Fred L. (Fred L.)

“This is going to be a quick cigar I can tell. So I am getting nice rich coffee notes mixed with salted peanuts and white pepper. The white pepper is really heavy on the retro. The strength is a mild to medium, but more mild.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

Second Third

Flavor: 91
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“On to the second third, a light brown sugar note takes over. The puffs are sweet but not dessert-like. It's layered in with those grassy, hay notes which makes for a nice mellow mouth conversation.” –Bradlee W. (Brad W.)

“Cinnamon and bread notes still dominate everything about the cigar with the exception of the retrohale. That, on the other hand, is a good blast of red pepper to excite the senses.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)

Final Third

Flavor: 93
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“Consistency is the key here. It is pleasant and easily enjoyable, but definitely not much complexity there for me. And when I say not much, I mean none. Just like that, the cigar makes me a liar, as I notice a whipped cream-like consistency to the profile. It's a very light and airy creaminess to bring in a subtle sweet boost to an otherwise straightforward smoke.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)

“Caramel and floral notes are bursting with a dash of cinnamon and earth with a very pleasant barnyard aftertaste. Finally, the sweetness merges into a truly unique butterscotch-like flavor.” –Fred L. (Fred L.)

Overall Impressions – Punch Golden Era Robusto

Draw: 95

” Great draw on a smaller stick. No resistance or extra puffs needed to stay ignited.” –Bradlee W. (Brad W.)

Burn: 99

“Razor sharp burn with this cigar, it was almost perfect, no touchups or relights were needed.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

Construction: 96

“Flawless construction, this cigar was expertly rolled.” –Fred L. (Fred L.)

Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Experience Overall: 95

“Overall, this is a great light to medium body cigar. Flavors certainly aren't breaking any barriers here but sometimes you need that in a cigar. Less is more is a great mantra for this cigar. I'd give this one to a new smoker or beginner who isn't accustomed to ligero heavy, full bodied cigars.” –Bradlee W. (Brad W.)

“This was an excellent cigar! It started off with your run of the mill flavors of coffee and nut flavors, but then there was this white pepper note that would just not leave and overpowered the cigar in a good way. As the cigar progressed the white pepper took a back seat and black pepper was the in the forefront, but the white wasn't finished and white and black had themselves a pepper war so to speak while still leaving room for hints of coffee and nuts. My only gripe was this cigar smoked really fast. I would have liked to have had a slower burn to enjoy more of those flavors. Would absolutely smoke again.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

“Leaning toward the medium side, this cigar boasts a very sweet and spicy experience. While not overly complex, it's a fun little cigar that can make for an intriguing smoke.” –Fred L. (Fred L.)

“Cigars like this are easy to enjoy and require little effort which speaks to the torcedor. A simple thing like craftsmanship goes a long way for any cigar aficionado. Nothing more distracting than a cigar that requires a full-time job to smoke. Not the case here. Add that to the simple but delicious profile reminiscent of sweet and savory cinnamon bread complete with a heady aroma, and I found myself able to just unwind.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 50

To view the complete scores and notes, click here

Punch Golden Era Robusto – Blind Cigar Review