Punch Gran Cru Monarcas Review

[punch]

Date Tested: Various 07/05/05 – 12/16/06

Storage: Cooler, In tube, various conditions.

ConditionsTested: 12/16/06 – 51 Deg. F 53% RH

This cigar is a Curchill measuring 6.75 X 48. This cigar is made in Honduras and boasts a Connecticut wrapper and binder and filler from the Dominican Republic, Honduras and Nicaragua. The cigar comes in a cedar lined Aluminum tube.

I have tested this cigar five times in my records, and have smoked many more than this. One thing that can be said is that Punch wrote the book on consistency. This review could easily have been written for any of the Monarcas cigars that I have smoked.

The wrapper for this cigar was not the prettiest wrapper I have seen. It also contained some flaws, although these did not detract from the performance of the cigar. The cap cut cleanly with a double bladed cutter. The rest of the cap came off while smoking, but the cigar held together nicely. Like all Punch cigars, this stick was stuffed with as much tobacco as the ring gauge would allow. This makes for a very firm cigar, but in spite of this, draw was perfect.

Lighting this cigar started a smoke generator that did not stop during the entire burn. This has been a consistent trait with each of these sticks that I have tested. Flavor starts out mild and builds toward the end of the stick. Ash is firm and will easily go two inches before falling off. In fact, I needed to tap the cigar twice to get the ash to fall at two inches. Burn is relatively even, and this stick required no touchup. Smoking this cigar gave some spice feel to the tongue and back of the throat, but not such that I would consider the cigar at all harsh. There was also some mild nose spice present. This stick tasted good to just before the band, and only required a couple of purges.

Scoring was as follows:

Wrapper – 8.0 (Wrapper had flaws)
Cap – 8.0 (Cap came off, but cigar held together fine)
Fill – 10.0
Smoke – 10.0
Burn – 9.0
Ash – 10.0
Harshness – 8.5 (Slight spice and some nose harshness)
Flavor Quality – 8.5 (Starts very mild. Gets stronger toward end)
Flavor Intensity – 9.0
Satisfaction – 9.0

Total Points – 90.0

Grade – A-

I found this to be an enjoyable cigar. These cigars can be had for less than $5.00 a stick, making this a very good value. Highly Recommended.

[KyLongbeard]

High points there. I'll have to see if the B&M carries them. Thanks!