Punch Grand Cru Review

6/23/2014

Cigar: Punch Grand Cru Maduro
Size: Robusto, 5.25”x50
MSRP: $6.99
Strength: Mild-Medium
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Origin: Honduras

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Prelight: The maduro wrapper is dark, toothy and oily. There is a sizeable vein running pretty much the length of the cigar and there is some slight damage to the cap. The wrapper has a sweet, pungent aroma to it with just a hint of cocoa. The foot smells like a cedar spill dipped in dark chocolate. The cap nearly comes completely off when I clip it, so this may be interesting (or frustrating) – I need to invest in some pectin at some point. I am getting wood and cocoa in the cold draw which is a little on the loose side.

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1/3: On the first puff, the cap (what's left of it) catches on my lip. I do get a lot of pepper and spices in the first third. Slowly, cream starts to creep in, as well as some earthy wood. This is a really nice start to a cigar, despite that careful finger placement and will are the only things keeping the wrapper from unravelling.

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2/3: Wood is really kicking in in the second third. Not cedar, though. More of an oak, and it's delicious. There is still cream and spices rounding out a nice profile. The ash is fairly dense yet flaky and the large vein is not effecting the burn at all.

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3/3: The spices started to wane, but are now back with a vengeance. Lots of oakiness as the cream has faded allowing it to be the star. The cigar is still holding together, but it is starting to burn really hot. Afraid to lose my mustache, I decide not to completely nub it.

Overall: Great flavors, but an okay construction. Maybe the cap was my fault, but the vein - although harmless - was ugly and shouldn't have been there. The hot burn at the nub was disheartening as well, as I was prepared to take this flavorful stick to the end. This is a great cigar in the Punch line.