A recent introduction to the Punch Signature Rothschild hit me like a lightning bolt, transporting my senses back to a time that I consider my own personal “Golden Age of pipe & cigar smoking.” While living in Continental Europe and the U.K. from the late ‘60s to early ‘80s I was fortunate to be able to enjoy many of the great classic Cuban ci
...Read MoreRead more about A recent introduction to the Punchgars of that era, and found myself eventually gravitating to the Romeo y Julieta selections more often than not. Later, when compelling career opportunities brought me back to The United States it wasn’t until my substantial supply of R&Js ran out did I have to face that some serious cigar smoking adjustments needed to be made. Never having lost my appreciation of the cedar, leather, spice and pepper combinations that I developed during those Golden Years, I’ve always managed to find some Honduran and Nicaraguan sticks to get me fairly close to those old Cubans, but for a price. In the past few years I seem to have been quite happily smoking more Punch Rare Corojos than anything else in my humidor, at least until I received a few Signatures as a part of a birthday assortment from my adult kids back in the fall. Couldn’t believe the taste and aroma, (especially at this price point!) so I ordered a box from P&C during a special offer they had that included free shipping. The cigars arrived in perfect condition in about 3 days! A long-time customer, I have always had great service from P&C.
New cigar smokers beware; these are clearly full-bodied sticks right out of the box, and might be better enjoyed after you get some experience with light and medium bodied cigars before sparking up any of these. Another minor caveat is that this cigar does require some attention throughout the smoke (I typically get 90 minutes, especially when using an impromptu pipe cleaner roach clip down at the nub) as I have had some burn unevenly. I have found that the burn line is easily correctible with touch-ups from a torch lighter and the tiny scissors on my mini-Swiss Army knife. If you happen to also be a seasoned pipe smoker this minimal “burn management activity” will likely not be an issue considering the flavor and price point rewards. However, less patient smokers might find this little bump in the road too annoying to overlook. Admittedly, though, I might have to leave this stick behind come springtime on days when I’ll have a fly rod and line in my hands. Enter the cheap corncob and Jack Knife Plug.
Additionally, I have noticed there are reviews to be found online that address detailed flavor profiles by first, second and final third as this cigar is being smoked.
Cheers & inner peace,
E Carter Read LessRead less about A recent introduction to the Punch