Today’s reviews cover the Warlock Robusto and the Punch Grand Cru No. 2 Maduro, highly rated cigars from well-respected manufacturers.

Warlock Robusto

The Warlock is a line from tobacco giant Altadis U.S.A. Master cigar maker Omar Ortez oversees the Warlock’s production, and the cigar is described as being powerful and full of flavor. Will this highly rated stogie live up to the hype? Let’s light one up and find out.

The Warlock Robusto measures 4 3/4 x 54. It also comes in the following sizes: the 4 ½ x 60 Short Belicoso, 5 x 60 Magnum, 5 ½ x 44 Corona, 6 x 54 Belicoso, 6 x 54 Toro, and 7 x 54 Churchill. The cigar's filler is composed of a blend of Dominican and Nicaraguan tobaccos. The binder is Nicaraguan, and an Ecuadorian Cubano wrapper tops things off. The Warlock is said to be full-bodied in strength.

Right off the bat, my eyes are attracted to the Warlock Robusto's silver and black decorative band. It displays the cigar's moniker in Gothic font that gives the cigar an aged appearance. The wrapper has a nice dark brown color with a heavy sheen of oil. A few medium veins are present, but no major imperfections. The cigar seems to be tightly packed with tobacco and has zero soft spots. There's a pre-light earthy aroma, while the cold taste is sweet.

Once the Warlock is in action, it burns like a charm. The draw is bit tight at the outset, but it does loosen up to a more satisfactory level. There’s plenty of smoke produced throughout the entire experience. The light-colored ash is solid. Zero touch-ups or re-lights are needed, so there are no complaints here in that respect.