Cigar review: But first , a tribute to Joe Coulombe and Trader Joes.
Right before I headed to the Lone Wolf Cigar Lounge to write this review of the Punch Knuckle Buster, I stopped in Trader Joe’s to buy several items. As many of you might know, Joe Coulombe just recently died and was the founder of the chain.
You must realize how one man’s vision of starting a grocery store serving ” overeducated and underpaid” people created an entire lifestyle of shopping for millions of people.
Trader Joe’s was to me at first a store to buy great , cheap snacks and would end with bags of chips, cookies or other food that I did not want to eat but needed to have.
My first visit to a Trader Joe’s in Cambridge, Ma. left me in delighted shock on how many types of snacks I could find. At that time there was no fresh food to purchase but packaged and frozen products that were filled to the top in each cramped corner of the store.
When my friends found about Trader Joe’s we made it a point to brag what we found and how inexpensive it was. It was not a matter of hunger but of desire to just eat whatever we found.
Trader Joe’s was heaven for many of us who had little cash but always felt we found bargains that satisfied our food lust.
For cigar lovers, think about all the beer, alcohol and food we purchased there and consume with our smokes. It’s almost as if Joe founded the chain with cigar smokers in mind.
So, hats off to Joe Columbe for what he accomplished and gave to millions of folks who just like to eat.
Brand/Name of Cigar: Punch/ Knuckle Buster
Country of Origin: Honduras
Size: 6 x 50
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan/Honduran
Shape: Toro
Date Purchased; Received gratis from General Cigar for review, MSRP, Toro, $5.49
Where and When Smoked: Los Angeles, Lone Wolf Cigar Lounge, 3/7/2020
Appearance/Construction: Not a beauty but a decent enough looking stick with dark brown, oily sheen wrapper. Good looking band, solid construction with no obvous faults.
Flavor/Taste and Aroma: First Third: Nutty, with an oaky earthy sweet spot. Creamy without any roughness. For a newcomer to cigars, it’s not an anxious smoke but one you can feel comfortable with.
Second Third: A hit of black pepper adds to the body of the smoke. It’s not a steamroller type of cigar but gets the job done.
Final Third: The cigar delivers a positive blend of overall mildish spice, nuts and cinnamon. The flavor is enough to keep the conversation going, not boring but not overwhelming. You might expect more yet the experience is calm and reassuring.
Smoking Characteristics: Burn was steady, straight forward, with no relights. Light gray ash and cool.
Conclusion/Overall Impression: We have a good blend for a good price. I think that tells the story.
Final Thoughts and the Numbers: As story lines go, a five pack is a sure deal, a box for those who value a smoke that gives you a good cigar for a reasonable price point. Punch cigars have crafted a blend that has enough appeal for all.
Appearance/Construction: 3.5 out 5
Flavor/Taste and Aroma; 3.7 out of 5
Smoking Characteristics: 3.5 out of 5
Conclusion/Overall Impression: 3.6 out of 5
Keep Smoking