APPEARANCE AND CONSTRUCTION (14/15) Gorgeous colorado wrapper with a bit of tooth and a nice amount of plume. Slightly box pressed and consistently firm. A few minor veins, and a cap that was just a bit uneven, but cut fine regardless.
FLAVOR (23/25) The prelight draw on this was tight, very sweet with very slight notes of cream and cedar. Once lit, the first draw smacked of sweetness and a little spice. The spice picked up and held consistent throughout, while the sweetness slowly faded, then came back briefly at about a halfway down. It had that classic Cuban twang, and at about a 1/4 inch cedar and cocoa were very evident, and later hardwood. Full bodied and delicious, and as would be expected from a premium cigar, smooth all the way.
SMOKING CHARACTERISTICS (22/25) The draw was tight, but produced a nice amount of smoke and forced me to keep a nice slow pace and really enjoy the experience, which took about an hour and fifteen minutes. It was good enough that I smoked it until it calloused my fingers, and at about a half it began to tingle my lips. The burn was slightly uneven, but not enough to warrant a touchup.
OVERALL IMPRESSIONS (33/35) What a great cigar. Spicy and full, complex and changing. The flavors were prominent and varied throughout, each draw seemed to be different. The only real detraction in my mind was the tight draw, but overall I enjoyed this more than the Lusitania. It was a full strength smoke, leaving me happy and light headed, and slowing my walk down just a bit.
OVERALL SCORE: 92
I would put this in my top 5, but then again, I haven't smoked enough Cubans to really know. So I guess I'll just have to wait until I have sampled a couple dozen more before I make that call. I would reccomend this to anyone who enjoys a spicy full bodied full strength smoke.
Posts: 491 | Location: Ithaca, NY | Registered: April 19, 2004
Among the first real cigars ive ever tried the NC punch punch was probably the first i ever really enjoyed immensly. I can't wait to get my hands on a CC one.
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People aren't smoking cigars to be trendy, cool or stylish. They're smoking cigars because they like them. Because they enjoy the experience. Because for about $5 they can spend an hour sampling one of life's greatest luxuries. -David Savona
Posts: 1157 | Location: Ferndale, MI | Registered: October 03, 2004
haven't had the NC version, but I can promise you that if you like em full full and have about an hour and a half to just relax, this will be a real treat. some dont like em and some love em. me? i think it's obvious
Posts: 491 | Location: Ithaca, NY | Registered: April 19, 2004
People aren't smoking cigars to be trendy, cool or stylish. They're smoking cigars because they like them. Because they enjoy the experience. Because for about $5 they can spend an hour sampling one of life's greatest luxuries. -David Savona
Posts: 1157 | Location: Ferndale, MI | Registered: October 03, 2004
Good review. I personally would have taken a few more points away for the tight draw but, to each his own. Punch cigars are usually not at the top of my list but the Punch Punch is one of my favorites of the line.
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Posts: 2499 | Location: SoCal, USA | Registered: March 06, 2004
Yes. I've found that out. I got my hands on a cuban one...and it was quite a bit better...leagues better than the nc version.
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People aren't smoking cigars to be trendy, cool or stylish. They're smoking cigars because they like them. Because they enjoy the experience. Because for about $5 they can spend an hour sampling one of life's greatest luxuries. -David Savona
Posts: 1157 | Location: Ferndale, MI | Registered: October 03, 2004