The Punch Deluxe Corona - one man's treasure
Written: Aug 03 '00 (Updated Aug 03 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Strong, assertive spiciness grabs your attention.
Cons: Too strong for some people and occasions.
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| counsel's Full Review: Punch Deluxe Corona (double maduro) |
Cigar smoking does not come naturally. For that reason, many people would say that it should not be done, that it's a forced affectation, something the body shouldn't be enduring.
On the other hand, it seems to treat the smoker less harshly overall than, say, a pack of cigarettes. One costs about as much as another (premium cigars cost more, of course) and of the two, it is certain that a cigar provides a more enjoyable and contemplative experience. It is not something that simply occupies the mouth and boosts certain metabolic functions. A pack of cigarettes does not have an historic background, there is no family business whose long-time employees hand-wrapped the little buggers from scratch. Cigarettes leave a harsh, cloying, unpleasant smell - I would rather smell a dozen premium cigars in a close room than one cigarette in a gymnasium.
The truth is right here: No conspiracy theories are tied to the manufacture of a premium cigar, save the original conspiracy among many venerable cigar manufacturers to flee Cuba in the early sixties (this, of course, is pending the anti-tobacco screamers' victory over the cigarette makers, after which they intend to turn their attention to the sure horrors - and conspiratorial activities of the manufacturers, once they discover them for us - of cigar smoking).
If consumers are addicted to cigars, it is not because of chemical additives, but due to the flavor of pure Cuban-seed tobacco aged for years, held together tightly in a specially bred binder leaf and wrapped with yet another specially bred leaf to enclose the flavor. It is not unlike being addicted to chocolate, or cookies.
The Deluxe Corona by Punch is wrapped in either a regular "natural" or maduro wrapping leaf. Take your pick. The maduro wrapper leaf is not light - it's a dark greenish-brown, and its sweet, herbaceous scent drifts up to you as you pass this cigar under your nose. Inside the binder are whole, not shredded, tobacco leaves (no filler additives), carefully folded and compressed to fit inside this corona-sized package.
A maduro wrapper makes a promise to a smoker: here is something of substance, it is not a mild, casual smoke: there is strength and spiciness here. Some maduros keep their promise, some renege and offer up a harsh, hot, bitter smoke, redolent of - well, cigarettes.
This particular Punch keeps its promise. The sweet scent remains throughout the smoke. Lighting the 45 ring gauge stick is not a harsh experience - the smoke arrives in a smooth rush without much pulling, if the cigar is properly cut or punched. But then the maduro wrapper announces its presence, and you're experiencing the full texture of a substantial smoke - general spiciness, with generous dollops of nutty cocoa and hints of mint. The smoke is consistent throughout the stick and does not begin to heat up with any degree of harshness unless you smoke past the band. The spiciness is long in the mouth and the memory, and you know you have smoked a cigar of some strength and pronounced character.
Again, this cigar is not for those looking for a mild smoke. Such cigars are available, and provide a soothing balm for a person in a mood for mildness. This Punch Corona gets your attention and keeps it throughout the smoke.
Going for about $5.00 in most cigar stores, the Punch Deluxe Corona is readily available in most areas. Be warned that it's especially important to keep stronger-tasting cigars properly humidified and at temperatures under 73 degrees; when they go bad, they go very, very bad. I recommend this cigar after a meal of light food or a light snack (being a person of contrasts, I like a mild smoke after strong-tasting foods). You may wonder if a conspiracy is taking place when you enjoy this stick, as you will want another one. Eventually.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
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 - Top 1000 |
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Member: Dwight
Location: Houston
Reviews written: 117
Trusted by: 501 members
About Me:
If I smell flowers, I start looking around for a coffin.
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