#NowSmoking: Punch Golden Era
#NowSmoking: Punch Golden Era Cigar Review
Blend Details:
Factory: Fabrica de Puros Aladino S.A. – Danlí, Honduras
Size: 5”x50
Strength: Medium
Wrapper: Authentic Cuban-seed Corojo (Honduras)
Binder: Authentic Cuban-seed Corojo (Honduras)
Filler: Habano, Authentic Cuban-seed Corojo (Honduras)
Presented in boxes of 20
The Punch Golden Era Cigars Back Story
Offered in three shapes, Punch Golden Era was blended to offer what the company calls, “a true Corojo experience” that echoes the taste of the cigars made during the “golden age” of cigars when Corojo was king. Like the Punch Gran Puro selection, Golden Era is a Honduran puro. Where it differs is, the wrapper, fillers, and binder are Authentic Cuban-seed Corojo. This is the leaf that was first cultivated in 1997 by Julio R. Eiroa. Smokers who have had Corojo cigars by Camacho, C.L.E., and Aladino have already experienced some excellent examples of it. It’s considered to be the closest Corojo tobacco in taste and character to the original Cuban varietal enjoyed during the pre-revolution “golden age” of cigars.
“The Eiroa family has perfected Corojo tobacco and we are excited to bring it to life with Punch Golden Era,” said Punch brand manager John Hakim. “We’re especially pleased to make a true Corojo experience for cigar lovers to enjoy any time the occasion calls for a rich and rewarding smoke.”
Cigar Basics
The Punch Golden Era Robusto has an attractive appearance and features double, gold colored bands. Both of my samples were seamlessly rolled and had a good firmness to them. The triple seam caps were neatly applied and cut cleanly. The draw was firm but provided a healthy airflow. Notes of sweet tobacco and nuts were mostly present in the prelight draw.
Punch Golden Era Robusto Cigar Review
The smoke was mellow and creamy with a well-rounded nutty flavor out of the gate. The body and strength transitioned from mellow to medium during the early inches. A creamy mix of nuts and oak was well-balanced including a curious tartness, which I liked but I was never certain as to exactly what it was. The burn got off to an even start revealing very firm light grey and black marbled ashes.
By the midpoint, nuts and oak remained as the base flavors along with some naturally sweet accents. Nutmeg also entered at that point and the finish adopted a light, white pepper flavor. I still wasn’t certain about that tart flavor. I guessed cardamom; I even checked the flavor wheel, but was never sure. Body and strength held-up at medium. Retrohales were mostly smooth and nutty in flavor.
Interestingly enough, within the last couple of inches all of the flavors combined into one sweet, sour, woody, and nutty mix. The burn was still amazing, too. Body and strength remained at medium. Down into nub territory (one inch or less for me), there was still plenty of flavor. Below that, the cigar just too hot to continue and that’s all she wrote.
Are Punch Golden Era Cigars Worth Buying?
Yes, because if you haven’t had a taste of Authentic Cuban-seed Corojo you’re missing a very unique tobacco. I have a thing for Honduran cigars, so maybe I came in a bit biased for the Punch Golden Era Robusto. (I smoked the Toro I bought about a month ago.) That aside, both samples performed well on practically every point. If it was just a bit sweeter. As for getting that vintage Havana flavor, Punch Golden Era is more about the Corojo experience than whether it tastes like a pre-1962 Punch. My Robustos were creamy, well-balanced, and flavorful all the way through with a perfect burn. The post-embargo Punches are known for their use of Honduran leaf, but most blends are multinational. Yet, as a puro made with Authentic Corojo tobaccos, Golden Era goes the extra mile at a higher but justifiable price. I would definitely smoke it again.