I recently ordered three Punch Elites - I gave one to my friend and kept the other two. We are trying to find an inexpensive everyday cigar and the punch was recommended on this site (as well as other cigar forums) as a good and not too expensive cigar. Well, today he smoked his and he told me that while he enjoyed it very much, he found the Punch a little hard to draw. When I got home from work I lit one of my Elites…I was not able to draw any smoke so I tossed it. I picked up the other one and it too was hard to draw. It was a little better than the first one but I had to work at it just to get a decent amount of smoke. The cigar was great. It had a pleasant taste, nice grey ash and it burned evenly.

What does this mean? Are all Elites like this because of their price range? I don’t think this is the case, but I want to hear your opinions. Another possibility is that it’s just a bad batch. If this assumption is correct, what causes a bad batch and how often does this occur? Are bad batches limited to the lower lines of the famous makers? Maybe the cigar store (online) that sold me these cigars did not store them properly…or the shipping had something to do with the problems my friend and I had with the cigars. I bought other cigars that were shipped with the Elites - the ones I smoked so far (a Helix and a Padron) were fine.

I’m about to order another two Elites because the little smoke I was able to draw was very tasty. Should I buy them from a different merchant?

Ahh…what bliss to be a newb.

The regular lines of punch are amongst the more reliable smokes- the other lines- corojos and such are among the least reliable- for me.

It happens. I've had a few in my day that were hard to draw. Happens to all cigars at one point or another. Sometimes cigar rollers will pack one too tight, and screeners will let one slide by them. Just happens. You did what you should of. Thrown it away and start over. Smoking a cigar should be an enjoyable experience. If you have to suck on it like a porn queen, then where is the enjoyment....(that is unless you like that sort of activity )... I don't believe in attempting to "unplug" a cigar...that's too much work. You may end up doing more damage than what it's worth. If you bought it at a reputable smoke shop they'll usually replace for you. At least in my experience the smoke shop I go to will go to great lengths to see that you are happy and continue to come back.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: jamesdrums66,

I usually let a cigar sit in my humidor for a while before I smoke it. Most cigar store humidors are set a little high and this can cause swelling of the tobacco leaves. If you leave the cigar out for a few hours or "Dry Box" it for a few days it might even out.

Always test draw a cigar before lighting it. If it is hopesly plugged you usually may return it for exchange. Once lit it is yours.

You can also try to massage out a plug or use a straightened paper clip or stiff wire to open a plug, but most people usually wind up poking a hole in the wrapper when they do this.

I agree with Doc on always doing a test draw after cutting. If they are overly tight just put them back in storage for a while and they sometimes loosen up and are smokable. Lonsdales have been for me, most problematic. Followed by Churchills and DCs.

I totally agree with Doc.

If you looking for quality inexpensive smokes try some of these also.

Padron Londres - usually found for under 50 bucks a box.

Alec Bradley Havana Sun Grown

Flor de Oliva Bundles

Flor de Oliva Gran Maduro and Gran Cameroon - one of the best bangs for the buck.

IMO these are alot better that the regular punch line.

Thanks for the replies.


Stogemester,

I tried the Flor de Olivas and the Padron Londres. So far, I like the Helix X542 the best as an everyday cigar. I only smoked one Helix so I’m going to order two more X542s and a couple of sticks of Elites before I buy a box. I will keep an eye out for the Alex Bradleys.

I to agree with doc. my post was refering to after the fact. When you've already torched it.