There is certainly a correlation between the warmer weather and my cigar consumption. No longer constrained by the cold temperatures to the basement, I am finding every excuse in the book to light up a good smoke. As of late, I have been on a Punch kick working my way through a box of Punch London Club Maduros, a couple of Punch Gran Puros, as well as the new Punch Gran Puro Nicaragua, which is up for review today!

At the start of 2017, General Cigar Co. announced the release of the Punch Gran Puro Nicaragua. The cigars are produced in Danli, Honduras at the HATSA factory in four sizes: 4 7/8 by 48, 5 1/2 by 54, 6 by 54, and 7 1/2 by 54. Ranging in price from $5.29 to $6.99, the latest addittion to the Punch Gran Puro line features a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper over Nicaraguan internals.

You can purchase the Punch Gran Puro Nicaragua from our site sponsor Famous Smoke Shop. Make sure to use coupon code “CASASAVINGS” for $15 off orders over $100.

THE FACTS

Price: $6.49
Vitola: Toro
Size: 6 by 54
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Smoke Time: 1 Hour and 35 Minutes

PRE-LIGHT

The Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper on the Punch Gran Puro Nicaragua is dark brown with a deep red hue. There are lots of color variations, veins, and bumps that are easily noticeable on the leaf that is full of oils. As I roll the cigar between my fingers from head to foot, I do not find any soft spots on the cigar.

Notes of barnyard and chocolate come across on the wrapper, while graham cracker, chocolate, and dried red fruit are found on the foot of the Gran Puro Nicaragua. With the double cap cut, the cold draw brings forth a whole lot of sweetness, which is a combination of honey and chocolate. I am picking up just a little spice in terms of flavor, but a decent amount in heat left in the mouth.

FIRST THIRD

Out of the gate, the Punch Gran Puro Nicaragua delivers medium flavors that are on the darker end of the spectrum with flavors of pencil shavings, black pepper, and earth. As I make my way to about a half inch in, the flavors lighten up and round out as a natural sweetness makes it way into the profile. The finish is of bitter black coffee that sits on the palate for quite some time. A solid, pleasant looking ash is forming as the cigar burns evenly

MIDDLE THIRD

There has been a steady progression from darker to lighter in the overall profile as the sweetness continues to develop and a new chocolate and yeast flavor joins in. For the most part, the darker flavors still remain, but are being complimented by the sweeter notes. The smoke is thick and creamy in the mouth. Before I can make my way out of the second third, the profile switches back to its darker roots as earth and cocoa characterize the flavors. The pepper is accentuated as the smoke is retrohaled and it tickles my sinuses enough to cause a sneeze to come on.

FINAL THIRD

Transitioning into the last third of the Punch Gran Puro Nicaragua, the black coffee that I noted on the finish moves into the profile, now paired up with the earth and chocolate. The mouth-fill is no longer thick and creamy, but almost fizzy feeling. The burn has stayed in-line and, while the ash is not as pretty as earlier, it is still holding well.

WRAP-UP

I was super excited going into the Punch Gran Puro Nicaragua as I have always found Punch, for the most part, to be both solid smokes. And this new addition to the Punch brand is another excellent stick in the line-up. The cigar performed very well from start to finish with a generous amount of smoke production and even burn. The flavors were constantly evolving as darker and sweeter flavors played well with one another. The strength gradually gained ground as the cigar progressed, moving from medium to borderline full by the end of the cigar. As I consider the price tag under $7 for this cigar, the Punch Gran Puro Nicaragua is a cigar I would love to keep stocked in the humidor and in my weekly rotation.