Cigar Review: Punch Signature

Cigar: Punch Signature
Size: 5.8 x 52 (Torpedo)
Wrapper: Corojo
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Dominican, Nicaraguan,
Price: $8.65 at my local B&M; $22.00 per five pack at Cigars International

In my last post, I discussed finding new cigars at my most recent visit to my closest B&M. The other cigar found on my trip was the one being reviewed today: the Punch Signature. Punch as a brand makes nice cigars (I am a fan of the Punch Champion ) but like many of the big players in the industry, their cigars, for me, get lost in the mix. Let us see how it stacks up.

No construction issues were found with the cigar. Aromatic notes of holiday spices and straw were noticed before lighting. After the cut and light, I found the draw to be very open with notes of spice in the front of the palette and burnt coffee around the middle of the palette. This cigar from the start is full bodied and does not back down at anytime. While the initial hits of spice settle down a few minutes into smoking, they return stronger at the halfway point of the cigar, coupled with more burnt coffee notes and maybe something akin to cocoa. The final inch to inch and a half the intensity of the flavors grows more, almost to the point of bitterness (still enjoyable to me). Total smoking time on the Punch Signature was 1:18.

Besides a minor burn correction, I had no construction issues during the smoking of the cigar. The only issue I have with this cigar is the price, at least when it comes to buying it at my local B&M. David reviewed the Punch Signature and stated the MSRP was $6.79; the online price for these at Cigars International is around $4.40 per stick buying a five pack. Maybe there is a sale going on there, I don’t know. What I do know is that this is one that I would strictly buy online.

By-The-Numbers
Prelight: 2/2
Construction: 2/2
Flavor: 3.5/5
Value: 0.5/1
Total: 8/10

To recap the Punch Signature:

• This isn’t going to be for everyone. While the flavor profile is nice, it is one dimensional and lacks variety on the palette. The strength is really only at one level too – strong.
• I won’t be buying this in my local B&M again. If I can find a deal similar to what CI is offering right now and I am in the need for full bodied cigars, I would consider buying them again.

As mentioned in my last post, if you haven’t signed up for the contest I am running, please do so (chance at free cigars). Please leave your selected date in the comment section. And as always, thank you very much for reading and I look forward to the next time I can share my thoughts with you.