Origin: Nicaragua

Shape: Toro (6.1” x 50)

Wrapper: Ecuadoran Sumatra Oscuro Wrapper

Filler: Nicaraguan and Honduran Ligero leaves

Binder: Connecticut Broadleaf

Strength: Full Bodied

MSRP: Between $7 and $8

Backstory
We all know and love Punch cigars but looking at the Punch Diablo, you get this uneasy feeling this is not your normal Punch Cigar. Released this year at IPCPR 2018, Punch delivers its boldest creation to date – Punch Diablo. Punch cigars have been produced in Honduras since their inception in 1960, but when it came time to blend a new, bolder Punch, they turned to none other than AJ Fernandez in Esteli, Nicaragua. You see the Ecuadoran Sumatra Oscuro wrapper that has been aged for 4 lovely years and is bound by a bold Connecticut Broadleaf binder that has been aged 6 years. Finally they will hit you with contributions from two more countries with Nicaraguan and Honduran leaves that have been aged 4 years.

Time To Smoke
After a long day of work, it was time for a beverage and a cigar so I poured myself two fingers of Eagle Rare, grabbed my cigar, and out to the man cave I went. So looking at this cigar, you just have a feeling its going to be a bold cigar, and right after the first few puffs, boy was I right. Right from the start, it felt like the Devil himself came up and slapped my momma so hard that I felt it, but man it came with great flavor too! Talk about a double whammy. During the first third of the cigar, notes of leather, spice, and woodsy flavors were the most prominent. The smoke was thick and the burn was spot on.

During the second-third some new flavors made their appearance. Some great notes of hay and a nice sweetness, almost citrus-like started coming through and actually helped break up the boldness of the cigar a bit. As I approached the final bit of the second-third of the cigar, a hint of pepper came into play as the woodsy flavor become the dominant player again.

The final third of the cigar was honestly my favorite part of the cigar as the strength calmed down but the flavors did not. Hints of chocolate and a coffee/espresso flavor came out, helping finish this cigar with a nice little sweetness. It was very subtle but it showed up at the perfect time. Through the entire stick, the burn was spot on with nice full, fluffy smoke.

Final Thoughts
As a fan of bolder cigars, this was right in my wheelhouse. The flavors were plentiful but seemed to come into the game at the right time. Woodsy notes, spice, and hints of leather and citrus filled this cigar smoking experience. And just like a good solid “6th Man” in basketball, finishing the smoke with those notes of chocolate and coffee/espresso was the icing on the cake for me. The cigar started off much stronger than it finished unlike many bolder cigars that seem to build with power, such as the Camacho “Triple Maduro” or the Southern Draw “Jacobs Ladder”. I have already ordered more of these beasts and can’t wait to see how they taste with a little age on them!

Final Rating
4.5 out of 5

[bannergarden id="2"]