I know there have been a couple of reviews for this cigar already but I wanted to do my take on it. I will talk mostly about the flavors because I'm not that big on construction and burn of a cigar. My thanks go out to jlaker and CrazyPoet who were generous in giving me a stick of this each.
Prelight - The construction was solid, I clipped the cap off, took a prelight draw got some nuts and spices off it. The draw was a little tight but manageable.
The first few puffs were filled with spices and earth, with a little coffee undertone to it. It was a little harsh probably because I should have let it rest a few more weeks in the humidor. After about half an inch into it the harshness completely disapeared and the taste was so smooth I was quite impressed on how much it changed from the first few puffs. From what I remembered flavors really kicked in after an inch. The cigar was very creamy, with notes of vanilla, wood, nuts, and cocoa/coffee undertone. The spice toned down but appeared again after about 2 inches in. It was creamy throughout with vanilla notes that was pretty abundant. There were hints of sweetness that was quite delicious after 2 inches that stayed for the rest of the time. The draw was okay, but it did produce an impressive amount of smoke. I smoked pretty slow but the burn was pretty even all the way through. The finish was good, I picked up a flavor that I could not distinguish but I'm going to say it tasted like chocolate, though it was a little different. The spices almost completely disapeared for the last inch but rich cream/vanilla, coffee, and chcolate kicked in. All in all this was a great cigar that I look forward to have again.

Thanks for the review, very nice. It's a very good cigar.
I too have experienced a little tightness of the draw, but really nothing problematic - just slightly less draw then I like. I should say I've been having almost no burn problems.
Also, you are describing a lot of flavors, while I haven't felt that many. For me it's certainly a rich flavorful stogie with spice, wood, nice touch of vanilla at times, and nutty finish, but can't tell anything about all the others you felt. Well, I guess palates differ.

This is an absolutely fabulous cigar. It doesnt get much talk, but nevertheless is a classic. I can always go back to this one, its one of my all time favorites. Some of these will have a little of a tight draw, but it will loosen up after an inch or so. Im glad you enjoyed it dstokely.

quote:

Originally posted by ccsigloIII:
This is an absolutely fabulous cigar. It doesnt get much talk, but nevertheless is a classic. I can always go back to this one, its one of my all time favorites. Some of these will have a little of a tight draw, but it will loosen up after an inch or so. Im glad you enjoyed it dstokely.

I can attest to that as well, CC. I thought about buying a cab recently, but don't really have the room in my humi.

quote:

Originally posted by V.O.:
Thanks for the review, very nice. It's a very good cigar.
I too have experienced a little tightness of the draw, but really nothing problematic - just slightly less draw then I like. I should say I've been having almost no burn problems.
Also, you are describing a lot of flavors, while I haven't felt that many. For me it's certainly a rich flavorful stogie with spice, wood, nice touch of vanilla at times, and nutty finish, but can't tell anything about all the others you felt. Well, I guess palates differ.

Yea the other tastes were very subtle to me and they were the flavors that were came and went and then came back. I could be just under the impression of tasting other things though. I did brush my teeth thorougly 20 minutes before smoking and drank nothing while smoking to see if I could pick up all the flavors.

ccsiglo, I just emailed you about this cigar among other things. And here you are giving it your recommendation! I look forward to my next Punch Punch - it has been a while - dstokely thanks for the great review.