I have mentioned before that there are only two of the big name brands that I typically will smoke of my own volition.  Those brands being La Gloria Cubana and the subject of today's review - Punch.  I used to be a Punch only guy back in 2001, so getting to smoke my way through a few of these Famous Smoke Shop exclusives was an exciting treat.  So, enough babble...let's try this.

Construction: The Sucker Punch is a tad lumpy with a few minor veins

Pre-light Aroma and Draw: Lots of sweet tobacco, cream, and some grassy notes appear once the cellophane is tossed in the bin.  The draw is wide open and a cold pull gives some sweet tobacco and herbal notes.

Light and Burn: The burn is immaculate on this big cigar.  Nice crisp burn line with a pale gray ash that clings well.  No complaints at all!

Tasting: Starting off I get a nice smooth nutty character that you will find in most good Connecticut shade cigars.  This one has a slightly....punchy....undertone.  Sorry.  Couldn't help myself. It has a subtle strength underneath but it doesn't go too far out of the medium arena. There is a nice peppery undertone that plays well with the creamy nutty core.  Smoke output is copious with a nice aromatic quality.  Towards the end of the first third, I get a nice pair of fruity notes. Dried peach and faint green apple.  Now, these aren't Jolly Rancher strong - they are subtle - and mixed with the cream-nut core, it makes for a delicious profile.

The middle third adds some toasty notes, some bright herbal notes, and a touch of lemon.  The middle the King Hit is extremely smooth.  I have been smoking a lot more Connecticut shade cigar of late - more reviews on the way - and have been very impressed with what blenders have been doing with this wrapper leaf.  The dried peach note pops backup accompanied by a milk chocolate note.  Delicious cigar.

The final third opens with that nutty creamy core accompanied by a mingling of the notes from the first two thirds.  It finishes well and leaves me smiling because I know I still have a couple of them left in my humidor.

Value: At $6 and change (or less in a box), the Sucker Punch is well worth every cent.

Final Thoughts: I let these set in my humidor for a few weeks because they were shipped to me in the sub-zero ridiculousness that we call Winter in Ohio.  It was a great idea for me to do that too.  I smoked one the day after they arrived and it was harsher than the samples I puffed through more recently.  This isn't your quintessential Punch cigar, as most of their lineup is a bit more powerful....but don't let that sway you from picking up a few.  They are great with a cup of coffee first thing in the morning.

These babies are a Famous Smoke Shop exclusive, so click here to snag some!

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut
Binder: African Cameroon
Filler: Nicaraguan

Size: 6 x 54

Love the huge and highly decorative band on this one too.