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Half Ashed Episode 146: Punch Exclusivo Asia Pacifico

July 22, 2016 By Kip Fisher

Punch Exclusive Asia Pacifico

From Craig:

2006 Punch Super Robusto RE Asia Pacifico – 6.1”x50 – As we’ve discussed numerously, the Regional Edition releases have been a successful gimmick from Habanos SA. This vitola, popularized in basic format by the Cohiba Siglo VI in 2002/03, is one of the first large ring releases in the punch line. The line benefits from the added girth by bringing brown sugar & a little citrus to the typically tangy, almost whiskey-like spicy characteristics of the basic punch line. A classic performer and a standout in the already premium RE releases. A classic in the future.

Cigar News

Since the last episode, I’m sure we all celebrated “World No-Tobacco Day.” I know I did, with a couple cigars of which I chose to rid the planet in a series of very small fires. The United Nations took advantage of the occasion to advocate for plain packaging laws around the world. For those not familiar, these are the laws we talked about long ago in Australia – which essentially eliminate characteristic packaging on tobacco products. Boxes of cigars must be presented in basic, drab colors with little or nothing besides text identifying them as such (except in some cases, graphic depictions of tumors, etc.). The established standard “entails restricting or prohibiting the use of logos, colours, brand images or any promotional information other than brand and product names displayed in a standard colour and font.” U.N. thinking asserts that this lowers the demand for the product, and supports the goal of elimination from the marketplace. An official in a un.org article claims the laws have reduced the number of smokers in Australia by 100,000 in 34 months. How these folks continue to tout the huge drops in numbers of smokers while concurrently claiming rates of smoking commencement are at all time highs is beyond me. The aforementioned article concludes with a quote from the WHO Director General: ““On this World No Tobacco Day, we are telling the world to get ready for even more comprehensive tobacco control.” Brace yourselves, fellow cigar smokers….especially those in Canada and the U.S. You’re next in line for new legislation, including plain packaging proposal.

Those of you who enjoy a good flavored cigars have dodged a nearer bullet. As outlined by the CSP Daily News, a site dedicated to convenient stores and their sales, the original proposal of the new FDA regulation would have almost immediately killed off many or most flavored cigars – with a 90 day limit on the approval/substantial equivalence process. If you enjoy these cigars, be ye forewarned: they’re in the forefront of regulatory sights. Even though the original language was stricken, there was a phrase included that declared a longer goal to “eliminate characterizing flavors in all cigars including cigarillos and little cigars.”

Yesterday, Enrique Sanchez of 1502/Global Premium Cigars filed what I believe is the first lawsuit spawned from the recent FDA regulations within the premium cigar industry. There are a number of subtleties, but two overarching allegations in the suit:
- GPC claims the FDA is infringing upon First Amendment rights with the labeling requirements. The claim is that a.) the government has not provided any evidence that these labels are protective of public health and b.) the warning labels impede First Amendment rights by hindering the manufacturer’s ability “to communicate with the public through packaging, advertising, and intellectual property.”
- Secondly, the suit claims violation of Fifth Amendment rights. A clause in the amendment forbids the government from seizing property without just compensation. The claim is that the space to be occupied by labeling requirements on boxes and advertising materials has been unjustly seized without compensation. Additionally in this section, a claim is made that the February 15, 2007 grandfather date is arbitrary.
- It is also claimed that the provided pathway to approval is flawed and unlawful – in essence that no cigar maker would pursue the approval process for post-Feb 2007 products if they can’t show substantial equivalence due to the cost. Substantial equivalence procedure, according to FDA estimates, would run in tens of thousands of dollars…while the alternative to introducing a product will likely be hundreds of thousands.

As I mentioned, there are quite a few other intricacies with the suit. I will try to post a link to the info on our forum this week. During an FDA webinar last week, some guidance on the intent for the samples ban was provided. For now, at least informally, promos with purchase are safe. The simple giving of a sample is what will be prohibited. Making purchase to gain additional cigars would seemingly be allowed. No more samples from reps to shop customers, etc. though.

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig

Partagas Serie du Connoisseur #1 – Much of this box has been a letdown. This cigar was not. Full, rich, spicy, everything a partagas should be. It’s always interesting to me when nearly every cigar from a box is average, then at #23 or 24 you finally get a gem. Did it just need 10 years of box time? Was it the only one with high quality tobacco in it? The world may never know…
Punch Lunch Club – These are an old Dogwatch favorite. While noticeably youthful, the flavors are there. This just goes to show that the big boys do have some mighty tasty tobacco…

Pretty run of the mill past couple weeks for me. Actually not much stuck out aside from a Ramon Allones (robusto?) and its uncharacteristic flavors…peat. Peat-fired malted barley. Weird…

Punch Rare Corojo Returns for 2016

February 17, 2016 By Kip Fisher

2016 Punch Rare Corojo with New Frontmark

General Cigar has announced that the annual return of the Punch Rare Corojo has begun. A new limited frontmark will be added to the lineup, while one of the former sizes is being retired.

This year, an addition comes to the line in the form of the Regalias Perfecto, a 7.25” x 54 perfecto, exclusively available as part of a trade offer. The Regalias Perfecto will come in 10-count wooden boxes and carries a suggested retail price of $7.99 per cigar.

The existing 6.75″ x 48 Double Corona will be retired after this year’s production allotment has been exhausted.

The Rare Corojo line is rolled in Honduras and features an Ecuadoran Sumatra wrapper. This wrapper leaf is grown in limited quantity, and are attributed with giving the Punch Rare Corojo its uniquely smooth taste. The binder is Connecticut Broadleaf, and the filler blend features Nicaraguan, Honduran and Dominican tobacco.

Ed McKenna, senior brand manager for General Cigar’s Punch brand said, “The trend of seasonal cigars started with Punch Rare Corojo, and each year, cigar lovers eagerly anticipate the return of this exceptional blend. Given the range of frontmarks and the addition of Regalias Perfecto to this year’s lineup, we are confident that the limited supply of Punch Rare Corojo will be depleted quickly.”

From General Cigar:

Reintroduced in 2001 after a shortage of wrapper leaves caused the product to disappear at retail for several years, Punch Rare Corojo sold out as quickly as it returned that year. Since then, General Cigar has been able to secure a sufficient amount of the rare Ecuadoran Sumatra wrapper for a limited annual release of Punch Rare Corojo. This year’s allotment is available in nine sizes, ranging in SRP from $4.19 to $8.29 per cigar.

Half Ashed Episode 131: Bolivar Colosales ER Alemania

December 18, 2015 By Kip Fisher

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Bolivar Colosales ER Alemania

The Bolivar Colosales ER Alemania is a moderately large cigar coming in by direct measurement of 52x 6”. We were intending to review the Libertador from France this week but after each of us smoked them and discovered that they were in a bit of a funk, we punted, and changed over to the other RE we have for this mini vertical review. The Colosales is a regional release from 2006 and a highly anticipated cigar at the time. Both the Colosales and the Libertador were large ring Boli’s but the German variant was a slightly deeper, stronger cigar 9 years ago. Bolivar is known for earthy, tobacco centric flavors and this cigar is akin to that, though more citrusy & sweeter than typical.

The Regional Editions began after the success of two specially commissioned cigars in 2004. The reintroduction of the famous Bolivar Gold Medal and a VR called the Jubelium were released in Germany to critical and market success. Habanos capitalized on this success with three REs in 2005 and exponentially more in the years following.

Cigar News

PDR joins Pro Cigar –

Congrats to Liana Fuente, who is getting married tomorrow.

Proposal by HUD to ban smoking throughout all public housing – citing concern for health dangers from secondhand smoke…would help improve the health of ”more than 760,000 children and help public housing agencies save $153 million every year in healthcare, repairs and preventable fires.” (Washington Post)

The C.Gars Ltd Auction, which we spoke about a bit a couple weeks ago, is scheduled and features a FULL 250-count (!) pre-embargo of RyJ Invencibles (5.5”x33). The auction will take place on Nov. 30th.

Christian Eiroa is celebrating 20 years, kinda. It’s been 20 years since he first began working in the industry, although he did have an almost 4-year hiatus after selling his former company (Caribe Imported Cigars, which included Camacho) in 2008. The “First 20 Years” line will made at his El Aladino factory in Honduras, and come in 4 sizes – a 6”x46, 5”x50 robusto, 6”x54, and 6”x60. It will also be a Honduran puro with all-Jamastran tobacco. Christian’s father Julio reportedly grew the binder & filler from a seed varietal that hasn’t been grown in 50 years and presented the tobacco to Christian for the celebration of his 20 years. MSRP will run $12-14 per stick.

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig

Chogui – Opus Angel Share, anyone?

Partagas Maduro No.1 – Surprisingly good but in no way a formal endorsement. Dark & sweet, thought not overpoweringly so.

Padron Damaso – These really do line up for my take on what a Connie should be.

Diplomatico #4 (1997) – Damn good Montecristo…

J.Fuego Corojo Oscuro – Yum! Great sweet bready flavors & spectacular construction. Thank you!

Kip

Punch Signature Gordo…yes, a 60 ring! And I liked it! I enjoyed the Robusto in this line several months ago when it was introduced. A kind listener sent me one of the Gordo 6×60, and while I don’t typically smoke big ring cigars I gave this one a try. I have to say it did not suck at all. In fact, the 89 score on the robusto would probably have been a point or two higher had I smoked the Gordo. It had the sweet, peppery spice like the robusto – but with more emphasis on the “sweet.” It also had lots of nutty accompaniment throughout its length and occasional flashes of chili-chocolate (also like the robusto). Although it still featured a good bit of strength, I found it more manageable than the robusto even. Loved it, and knowing it can be found for a very reasonable $4.35/stick it’d be hard to beat.

Ashton’s LAdC Mi Amor Reserva…Without smoking them side-by-side, I have difficulty nailing down differences between the Reserva and standard blend in this line. Lots of cocoa, backed up by a healthy but approachable dose of Nicaraguan spice. Very good.

The other Bolivar Colosales ER Alemania….

Miscellaneous

Tonight we have a special topic to kick around for a big part of the show….Fermentation! Craig and I kick around a few thoughts on fermentation, aging, and how the two differ…

Next Episode

In the next episode (132), we will be smoking the Asylum “99 Problems”. So come by Friday night and hang out with us in the chatroom during the show. If you would like to contact us in the meantime, you can reach us via the Contact Page or the following emails:[email protected] or [email protected]. Please feel free to drop us a line if you have any questions you’d like answered, comments to make…or even compliments and complaints. We love to get your emails! Also, remember you can always go back and listen to previous episodes, which can be found in the Half Ashed Archive. You can download this week’s audio directly below (right-click “Download” and save), find us on iTunes, or subscribe with any podcast app at our RSS Feed. Video, as always, will be available at the Half Ashed YouTube Channel.

Half Ashed Episode 126: Punch Margaritas

October 28, 2015 By Kip Fisher

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Punch Margaritas

Boxcode: NISV – December of 1993 these little cigars were boxed and headed out of the factory. They’re a “Carolinas” vitola, coming in at an odd 26×4-¾”. This box has been open for a couple of years but the unique “Punch” flavors have morphed more into a basic “Vintage” tobacco flavor. The nuance is gone but the suave character is certainly there in spades. We’ll be smoking a new(er) punch coming up in near future and it’ll be interesting to see if Kip can spot any of the hallmark flavors in that which he detects in this more mature stick. I went through a phase where small sticks were what I always reached for first. They fit the bill whether short on time or looking for variety. It’s not too uncommon to be able to finish 2 of these in an hour.

Cigar News

Fresh on the heels of our smoking the Crowned Heads’ Jericho Hill OBS last week, we now know that they will be releasing a lancero in the line. The “12 Honest Men” will be a 7.5” x 38 with similar blend to the remainder of the line (Mexican San Andres over Nicaraguan binder & filler). It is, at least initially, limited to 3,500 boxes of 12 (42k total production) and will retail for about $10. It should begin shipping within the next few weeks.

Continuing with the Crowned Heads theme, they have released some information about one of next year’s new introductions: Las Mareas (the tides). It will be available in four vitolas (6 1/8 x 46, 4 1/2 x 48, 5 1/2 x 52 and 6 x 54). The company is shipping one box of each size to seven selected retailers this week, but regular production will not be available until next Summer.

Freyja, Jose Blanco’s wife Emma Viktorrson’s creation, has begun shipping. It has been available in parts of Europe for several weeks, but is just now reaching U.S. shores. Emma has been forthright in saying that this is entirely her project with no blending input from neither Jose nor Jochy Blanco. It has a Dominican Criollo ‘98 wrapper over Mexican San Andres binder and fillers of DR Criollo ‘98, Dominican Piloto Cubano, and Estelian tobacco. It is being produced in four sizes (5.75” x 42, 5.5” x 50, 6”x54, and a 6.5”x 52 figurado), and retailer from $7-10. The theme is built around Emma’s native Swedish heritage and mythology – notably, the goddess Freyja, queen of the Valkyries.

Halfwheel is reporting some legislative news from El Cerrito, CA that should catch all our attention. The city has passed some stringent new tobacco regulations, which ranges from designating where tobacco sellers can operate (within certain distances from schools and other retailers). It bans outright the sale of flavored tobacco products, and the sale of single cigars under the $5 mark. No new licenses will be granted to establishments that receive more than 50% of revenues, nor those that allot more than 20% of retail space, to tobacco products. The new license will also cost retailers more than $400 per year to retain.

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig

SLR Serie A – 2003

Illusione Fume d’amour Robusto

Kip

AJ Fernandez New World

CAIN Daytona

Next Episode

In the next episode (127), we will be smoking one of Kip’s selections, the L’Atelier Cote d’Or. So come by Friday night and hang out with us in the chatroom during the show. If you would like to contact us in the meantime, you can reach us via the Contact Page or the following emails: [email protected] or [email protected]. Please feel free to drop us a line if you have any questions you’d like answered, comments to make…or even compliments and complaints. We love to get your emails! Also, remember you can always go back and listen to previous episodes, which can be found in the Half Ashed Archive. You can download this week’s audio directly below (right-click “Download” and save), find us on iTunes, or subscribe with any podcast app at our RSS Feed. Video, as always, will be available at the Half Ashed YouTube Channel.

Half Ashed Episode 109: 2011 EP Carrillo Dark Rituals

April 5, 2015 By Kip Fisher

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2011 EP Carrillo Dark Rituals

Welcome everyone to Episode 109, featuring the original release (2011) EP Carrillo Dark Rituals. I will be posting a written review of this cigar as well, so check back for that in our review archive. This limited edition run is one of Craig’s CotW selections, and he describes it thusly:

The Ernesto Perez Carillo Edicion Limitada 2011 Dark Rituals is a black beauty that makes even Ram Jam proud. A large cigar for either Kip or me, it checks in at 6-½” x 56 by direct measurement. The wrapper is labeled as an Oscuro Maduro with no country of origin, while the binder is an ecuadorian grown Sumatran leaf. The filler is only labeled as “Nicaraguan”. The box has been in my humidor for over three years and all samples seem to have at one point been absolutely saturated with oils. The wrapper on tonight’s sample even has a few spots where it looks water damaged after the natural changes the leaf has gone through. It is nearly striking how saturated it looks to have been. The two of these cigars I’ve smoked in the past both seemed incredibly full bodied (perhaps due to an overwhelming smoke production) but without major complexity. Deep and sweet flavors accompanied by some tartness were basic descriptions of how the flavor presented itself. We’ll look forward to seeing how tonight’s samples compare.

News

We began the show with a then-breaking story on an announcement from Michael Huff that effective immediately he was leaving Dante Cigars. Per his announcement, “It’s with a heavy heart that I inform you that as of 8:30pm today EST I am no longer partnered with Mohammad Fakhro and M Tobacos INC. Any questions about Dante Cigars, accounts, orders, and special appearances please call Mr. Fakhro at [….]. Thank you all for the great ride with Dante, but no worries I’ll be back to the industry soon with crazier creations” This was an unexpected turn of events, especially in light of the fact that we had recently on bringing Michael onto the show to talk about Dante’s upcoming Purple Mofo cigar. No news as of yet on the future of that cigar.

Fred Rewey of Nomad has been trickling out details about his new Nomad Esteli Lot 8613 for a few weeks now. It is finally nearing released and should be shipping this Monday. He hasn’t given blend specifics, although it is another production out of AJ Fernandez’ operation. It will come in five vitolas (Robusto (5 x 50, $8.50), Coronita (5 1/2 x 46, $8.50), Toro (6 x 50, $8.75), Grand Toro (6 x 58, $8.95) and Churchill (7 x 48, $8.95), and in boxes of 21.

I know we have a number of Canadian listeners, so I thought I’d pass along that Alec Bradley is putting out a Canadian exclusive size in the Black Market line – called the Chunk. Presumably it carries the same blend as the rest of the line (Nicaragua over Sumatran around Honduran/Panamanian) but in a stubby little 4.25” x 60 vitola.

Another week, another limited cigar from Crowned Heads. THIS TWEET related a few details about a new event-only cigar from the company called Snake Oil. It will be a 5.5” x 48 “Super Corona.” Halfwheel has reported a few more details – namely that it’s another My Father-produced stick and that it will carry an Ecuadoran Habano wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and filler. Initial run is 6,000 cigars, but the line will be ongoing (but event-only).

Per a press release sent out this past week, Asylum is adding the 8”x80 & Super 11/18 (8” x 60/70/60) to the existing Asylum 13, 13 Corojo and Ogre lines. The former two lines will carry the sizes at $8 per 11/18 and $10 for the 8×80…while the Ogre line will be $1 more each respectively. They are now availalbe in trays, and boxes will be forthcoming in May.

Cigar Hustler (in Deltona, FL – between Orlando & Daytona) has an upcoming line to be manufactured by the Nica Sueño factory (of RoMa Craft fame). The Powstanie (Po-stahn-Ya) will be available at their shop, and will also be brought to market at a limited number of other retailers around the nation. Several pictures have made their way out this week, mostly via Instagram for the shop and Skip Martin. The line will feature two blends, one for each of the co-owner brothers (Mike & Greg Sczcepankiewicz). The two worked with RoMa Craft to develop some samples and had their customer base smoke them and help in selecting the final blend (a la Cuenca 5). Mike’s blend – the Powstanie Habano – will be out in May, and features Ecuadoran Habano wrapper over Indonesian binder and Nicaraguan/Dominican fillers. Greg’s, the Maduro, will be shipping in August, and will carry broadleaf maduro wrapper over Indonesian binder and Nicaraguan fillers. Initially, a 5.25” x 54 belicoso and 6×52 toro will be the only vitolas, with possibility for more in time. Pricing is expected to be between $9-11 per stick in boxes of 21.

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig

Punch Super Robusto E.R. Asia Pacifico 2008 – Wonderful soft “Punch” flavors with a terrific burn. Smoking time for this Canonazo was quick, at about 90 minutes, but the flavors were all there. This cigar seems to be at its peak (only 7 years old!). If I had to guess, it seemed almost hollow; as if there wasn’t anything behind what was being tasted. Remember me talking about cigars that allude to so much more flavor that isn’t being released yet? Well, this cigar was just the opposite. I swear it was nearly like a victory lap from a retiring legend.

TL Johnson Legend Reserve 63 – A beautiful robusto-ish sized cigar with the trademarked Luis Sanchez extreme box press. This cigar is not one to be trifled with. It is strong and flavorful, full and lasting. I find it to be at the edge of my (albeit wimpy) wheelhouse, forcing me to expand my horizons. I can dig it.

Kip

JDH SIngle Action and the Ashton VSG Tres Mystique – tune in for my thoughts here!

Next Episode

Next episode (110) we will be featuring Unbanded 022, furnished by Stephen D. So come by Half Ashed Friday night at 9:30pm EST and hang out with us in the chatroom during the show. If you would like to contact us in the meantime, you can reach us via the Contact Page or the following emails: [email protected] or [email protected]. Please feel free to drop us a line if you have any questions you’d like answered, comments to make…or even compliments and complaints. We love to get your emails! Also, remember you can always go back and listen to previous episodes, which can be found in the Half Ashed Archive. You can download this week’s audio directly below (right-click “Download” and save), find us on iTunes, or subscribe with any podcast app at our RSS Feed. Video, as always, will be available at the Half Ashed YouTube Channel.

P.S. – If you have unbanded suggestions or contributions, you can get those to us by sending an email to [email protected]. This email address goes directly to my wife, so you can simply suggest an unbanded cigar for her to source, or send me an email to [email protected] if you have something you’d like to send in. I will provide an address to send them. Thanks!

News: General Debuts Punch Signature

March 5, 2015 By Kip Fisher

Punch Signature added as full time production line

A few weeks ago, General Cigar began teasing details about a new blend – Punch Signature. The Honduran-produced line was released this week and will continue as a full time regular production item.

Master Blender Agustin Garcia said the blend “was inspired by the original Punch,” and that it “mixes tradition with modern tastes.” He went on to say the team had “spent three years developing the blend.”

Packaging

The original artwork developed for the first Punch cigars in the 19^th century has been re-created for the current release. On the reverse, the band features Mr. Punch and his dog Toby – harkening back to the original Mr. Punch character.

The Punch Signature box features both traditional and new attributes. It is adorned with blocked coloration and an acrylic window that showcases the band, even when closed. The lid carries the same script typeface as was originally used over a century ago. Each cabinet-style box holds 18 cigars.

The Cigar

Subsequent to the packaging details, General revealed blend components. Blender Agustin Garcia and team attempted to stay true to the original Punch blend by using tobaccos from the same countries of origin. Garcia said, “Punch Signature is inspired by Punch original blend. Think of it as a brother who has a lot of fire in him, but also respects tradition and the family name.”

Wrapper

In 2012, the team found a small amount of Ecuadoran tobacco that they wanted to use. However, this batch was in short supply to produce a full time addition to the Punch lineup. They worked with a grower to cultivate a special Ecuadoran Corojo wrapper for the Signature. This wrapper is related to the original Cuban Corojo seed, and has been processed and aged during the intervening time. It reportedly has a great deal of natural oil, which gives it an elastic, silky texture and hints of cocoa with an earthy spice.

Binder and Filler Mix

The binder is a proprietary Connecticut Habano leaf. No further details were available. The filler blend is made up of both Dominican and Nicaraguan tobacco. They are of the same variety as the original Punch blend, with one key difference: Some of the components are quite aged, while others less so. Leaves with more age are intended to bring flavor and balance, while the younger tobacco is meant to bring more strength. This carries with the Punch Signature theme of delivering a mix of tradition and modern taste.

Availability

As mentioned above, the Punch Signature has already begun shipping. The line is available in four vitolas:

Robusto (5” x 54, $6.79)

Gigante (6” x 60, $7.39)

Rothschild (4.5” x 50, $5.39)

Torpedo (5.75” x 52, $6.99)