Disappointment

I have a bunch of different smokes in the humidor, as I attempt to define what my preferences are, and what I want to buy more of. The passes I have benefited from have included a wide range of brands, sizes and strengths.

I had a NC Punch in there that I purchased a couple of months ago, for a mild to medium smoke. I was not in the mood for experimenting yesterday (foul weather, wet, humid, dank, dreary), so I grabbed the Punch. I don't even think there was a country marked on the band, was maybe 5" long, 45+/- RG, natural wrapper.

Initial light was bitter, never improved much. Only flavor that could be said was sharp and bitter. Only plus I can say is that ash was extermely strong, rowing to near 2 inches before I ashed it. Not being one to throw money away, I was hesitant to chunk away a half burned stick. Smoked it down to a couple of inched to make sure it was not going to change into a great smoke at the end. Wasted my time.

I find that I have been spoiled by the generosity of BOLT. With the likes of CAO, Edges, Perdomos, Pedrons and such. I will probably not be satisfied with a simple smoke. I find I enjoy a complex cigar that goes thru a life cycle as I smoke it. I don't mind a little bitter at the start, but it sure is nice when, after 3-4 draws, the smoke starts to change in character and hits you in the sweet spot.

[il duce]

ive always had nothin but good experiences with the punch line, especielly the rare coroju and grand puro brands. i would give them a try before you make youre decision on the punch line.

[Ninja Vanish]

I think it may have been an isolated incident...all the punchs I have had have been really nice smokes. You know that is what Joe down at The Humidor Room smokes most of the time right? I think you might benefit yourself to try another one. I will always give a cigar a second chance to improve on itself. It could have just been the fact that it was raining, and we were huddled down out in the yard behind a Cedar tree so that Mom wouldn't catch us smoking!

[Lumpold]

I think I have a Punchito in my humi from the PBS pass (Avg. review on top 25 of which might die quite soon, so I'll let you know how it goes!

Originally Posted by Ninja Vanish

It could have just been the fact that it was raining, and we were huddled down out in the yard behind a Cedar tree so that Mom wouldn't catch us smoking!

The thought of Master Ninja hiding from his mother...
Even the most mighty of warriors has his Achilles Heel!

[txmatt]

I am not a big fan of the Punch line (although the double maduro Rothschild is decent and cheap in the box of 50).

I really like Punch's Gran Puro and Gran Cru lines.

-Matt-

[Ninja Vanish]

Originally Posted by Lumpold

I think I have a Punchito in my humi from the PBS pass (Avg. review on top 25 of which might die quite soon, so I'll let you know how it goes!



The thought of Master Ninja hiding from his mother...
Even the most mighty of warriors has his Achilles Heel!

Well, I was only "hiding" for dad's protection. She knows I smoke cigars. I don't think she approves of it but you know what? I'm old enough to make decisions like that without her approval. But if she saw me smoking and dad was with me smoking ,well, then I would be corrupting her husband (which I AM guilty of but what she doesn't know wont hurt her too much right?) Also, my friend Will who smokes with us from time to time was out there with us so it was almost like the "Hiding behind the Cedar Tree Mini Herf"!

[Lumpold]

Originally Posted by Ninja Vanish

Also, my friend Will who smokes with us from time to time was out there with us so it was almost like the "Hiding behind the Cedar Tree Mini Herf"!

Sounds like either an Arthur Ransome or Malcom Saville book.
Swallows and Amazons meets Club Stogie. Wonderful.

[Danimal]

Same here. I am a fan of the Punch line and the Rothschild is my go-to for a quick, cheap smoke. Can't do too much better for the price.

[croatan]

I like the Gran Puros well enough and they can be picked up for decent prices on some of the auction sites. Their normal line doesn't do a thing for me, though.

[floydp]

I had a Grand Puro over the weekend and it was very good. I started out with Punch and have had my share of bad ones. And like you guys said the double maduro rothchildes are excellent.. So don't give up on them completely.

Originally Posted by floydp

I had a Grand Puro over the weekend and it was very good. I started out with Punch and have had my share of bad ones. And like you guys said the double maduro rothchildes are excellent.. So don't give up on them completely.

I feel sure this was a "mass-market" Punch. I know from my CAO expirences that there are many different tastes in a line. Guess I will have to be more selective in my choice for next Punch that I buy.... Better make sure Ninja is with me. he is much more versed on the various smokes within a manufactured line.

[refill]

there is good and bad in all of them but dont give up on a line simply because one bad smoke. The punch rare corojo is a fav of mine.

[carbonbased_al]

Originally Posted by refill

there is good and bad in all of them but dont give up on a line simply because one bad smoke. The punch rare corojo is a fav of mine.

Yes, the rare corojo is a very fine smoke.

[PaulHag]

Punch cigars are what got me into smoking so they have a special place in my heart. I really enjoy the rare corojo for that oh so good taste, The cru for a nice mellow, not overwhelming smoke, and the normal line is just splendid IMO. I just love that unique nutty taste they have to them.. try and find a royal coronation (aluminum tubes)... Very very very tasty.
Just my (sorry I just HAD to use the new pic thing)

[carbonbased_al]

Originally Posted by PaulHag

Punch cigars are what got me into smoking so they have a special place in my heart. I really enjoy the rare corojo for that oh so good taste, The cru for a nice mellow, not overwhelming smoke, and the normal line is just splendid IMO. I just love that unique nutty taste they have to them.. try and find a royal coronation (aluminum tubes)... Very very very tasty.
Just my (sorry I just HAD to use the new pic thing)

Threadjack. Paul is that a pic of the new slipknot drummer?

On a side note I agree with you. The cru is quite nice, and the standard punch robusto has been a cheap goto for years.