Punch Small Club (France Regional Edition)

Origin : Cuba
Format : Petit Robusto
Size : 102 x 20 mm (4 x 50)
Ring : 50
Release : 2009
Hand-Made
Price : ~$12 each
More info about purchasing Punch cigars...

As a complete marketing victim, I just can't refrain myself from buying a Cuban cigar with a second band, regardless of its color. This time it was a red one. Whereas some of the regional editions I tried were rather disappointing because of the lack of personality, others turned out to be outstanding. Bottom line - I don't mind trying my luck with REs. This is why I bought a couple of Punch Small Club when I was in Paris in April.

Appearance :
At 4 x 50, this is a small robusto. For obvious reasons, I immediately thought about the Bolivar Petit Libertador that I sampled last year. I was secretly hoping that the stout cigar I was turning in my hands would have a different flavor profile, because I wasn't in the mood for a pepper bomb. After all, this is a Punch, so it shouldn't punch you in the face, right? I found the cigar attractive and surprisingly elegant for this size. The wrapper had no evident defects and the bands looked concordant.

Construction :
Punch Small Club is as good as it can get in the construction department. No complaints whatsoever about the draw and, even more surprising for a Cuban cigar, the burn was razor sharp. I've been watching it closely and it never wandered out of its way. The ash was firm and held for 2 inches before I tapped it off.

Flavor :
The cigar starts out with a moderate pepper blast, which quickly gives way to cedary flavors. Punch Small Club appears as a solid medium-bodied smoke. Very soon, I have a deja vu feeling and I recall the Punch Punch - the first third shares the same flavors with this corona gorda. However, things change rapidly and I detect some original flavors such as butter or gingerbread. Furthermore, the smoke is definitely more complex than an average Punch. The second third is amazing, full-flavored, with a long finish. There is a noticeable increase in power near the end as I am prompted to slow down. Reluctantly I let the cigar die when it starts burning my fingers. Lovely smoke.

Value :
If these cigars are consistent, I'm going for a box. At $12 a pop, these are not a budget smoke, but in this case the quality commands a premium.

Overall Rating :
I'll try to get a fiver soon. If they will turn out to be as good as the first two were, then I'll definitely get a box of those since their flavor profile is exactly what I'm looking for in a good cigar. I also like the size, especially in my current situation where I can't afford spending 2 hours with a churchill. If there are some people from France reading this blog, can you tell me how you found this cigar if you tried it? I sure hope I didn't just get lucky.