Punch has been one of my preferred brands of cigars for many years. I especially enjoy their Grand Cru line, and the first Grand Cru Robusto that I ever had is one of my five most memorable smokes of all time. However, subsequent purchases of this same cigar over a period of several years did not provide me with the same cool, aromatic, and enjoyable smoke that I experienced the first time. This is still a good cigar, but no longer one of my greatest of all time. The Robusto measures 5 ¼ inches in length with a ring gauge of 50. The cigar is made in Honduras with Dominican, Nicaraguan, and Honduran filler tobacco, and uses a Connecticut shade wrapper leaf.
Flavor
My Grand Cru Robusto was medium in flavor, with nice creamy smoke and a hint of spice. It had a rich taste, and was also very mellow. A balance of moderate strength and flavor makes this cigar a very good choice for both beginners and experienced smokers, alike. The flavor was consistent throughout the cigar, and you will not want to put it down with more than two inches remaining. Note: The flavor of these cigars will improve greatly, and will become really mellow, after aging them in a humidor for at least several months.
Draw and Construction
The cigar was very well made, had an even burn, and did not require any relights. The draw was very easy, providing me with the right amount of smoke with little effort. There were not any issues with the construction of this cigar to prevent its enjoyment.
Value
A single stick can cost up to $6.50 at a local tobacconist, but these cigars are also available online in sampler packs of five for under $22 (sometimes less). The cost per stick is even cheaper when purchased by the box. Because of a most memorable smoking experience with my first Grand Cru, I have not given up trying to duplicate that same level of enjoyment, and I continue to sample an occasional Grand Cru from time to time. Cigar manufacturers make every effort to maintain the consistency of their product, but that is very difficult to accomplish, especially over a number of years. The Punch Grand Cru may not be the great value that I thought it was a few years ago, but it is still a very good cigar at a reasonable price if you can find them in a 5-pack or box for under $4 a stick. However, at $6.50 for a single, I think they are overpriced.
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