Cigar:            Punch Gran Cru No. 2 (Pyramid)

Size:       54 x 6-1/8"

Country:    Hon

Wrapper:    CTSH

Binder:           CTBL

Filler:           Dir/Hon/Nic

Flavor Strength:Mild-Medium

NicotineStength:Mild-Medium

Date Received:    2006-03-25

Suspected Age:    yearish

Vendor/Price:     Gift of The Makule Guy, ASC - Thanks!.  (JR's ~$6 each in box of 20)

Hype:       Made from extra-select vintage three-to-five-year tobaccos, the Punch Grand Cru is a refined version of the classic Punch blend. Wrapped in the silkiest of Connecticut River Valley leaf, this is the smoothest of Honduran cigars.

Beverage(s):      Coffee - Yigacheffe, Deschutes Black Butte Porter, Water

Smoke time:       0:35

Date:       2006-12-22

Posted to ASC:    2006-12-22

Overall score:    2.5

Overall:    The Makule Guy sent me 4 similar pyramids, this Punch, a Consuegra #84, an El Rico Habano, and an ERDM Flor de Llaneza.  I enjoyed the ERDM; the Connie and ERH still await review.  I give this Punch points for its very attractive appearance, impeccable construction, even burn, nice ash, and voluminous smoke production.  I found the flavor mostly bitter to varying degrees waxxing and waning over the smoke.  Some woodiness with a dry finish.  It was abandoned due to bitterness as the last third was approached.  Not a box purchase. 

Ambience:   Afternoon in the sunroom, or rather rainroom.  On this, the first of 5 days off, I awoke at my Mom's, slightly hungover from last night's post-office revelry, dallied about online, planned her wireless network Christmas present, then off to the wine shop, and finally home to catch a nap, awake again, and retire with cigar and WSJ to the rainroom.  Christmas shopping is done, the little woman is in the midwest, and I am left to my own devices.  Watched Sideways last night (hilarious), King Kong on the schedule for tonight, and My Name is Nobody tomorrow.  For fun I may start some drywalling later.

Appearance: Slight box press.  Lightly mottled, dry, chocolate colored wrapper.  Seems very light for the size.  Tight wrapper and firm along length with an extremely pointed head.  (You'll put someone's eye out!). 

Cut & Prelight:   Sweet floral nose.  Cut nicely, as pyramids do, yielding an open draw with a weak, grassy flavor. 

First third:      Initially, bitter green almond.  Good smoke volume.  Ashed it self at 1".  Ash compact but very light and friable.  Initial bitterness has waned, leaving not much behind.  Maybe a light nuttiness masked by the coffee.  (Switching to beer).  Once ashed it began to flake.

Second third:     Impeccable construction, voluminous smoke production, even burn, pleasant aroma, and a mild flavor.  Dry aftertaste.  At the halfway point some woodiness enters, more hardwood than aromatic.  Switching to beer made no difference.

Third third:      Bitterness is ramping up, and I have become reluctant to draw on it.  A sure sign it should be abandoned, and it was.