Vitola: Torpedo- 6.5” x 54 ring gauge
- MSRP $9.99
- Purchased from Small Batch Cigar
Background
And now we come to the last of our series of Punch Store Press cigars, the Habano. I’m not going to repeat certain things that were said about the background of this series…please feel free to check out the first two parts of this series (Broadleaf and Mata Fina) to get the whole scoop.
The Store Press Habano Edition uses fillers from Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Nicaragua, binds them with a Honduran leaf, and wraps them all up in a Nicaraguan Habano wrapper. I’ll be honest, part of the reason I saved this for last is that it’s in a vitola I never would choose on my own. I have a habit of avoiding torpedo-tipped cigars whenever possible because of the dual threats of a tight draw (if you don’t snip off enough) and unraveling wrapper (when you snip off too much). This blend only comes in the one size, though, so…here we are.
I got information for the blend from halfwheel’s news story on the release. I purchased my cigars for these reviews from Small Batch Cigar, a Leaf Enthusiast sponsor. This review is based on the 3rd time I smoked this blend.
Prelight
This is another area where reading the previous reviews would be an advantage…the boxes and bands are pretty much the same throughout the series. The secondary band here is blue with “Habano” written in gold foil on it.
The wrapper leaf was a medium brown color, smooth with a touch of oiliness to it, and an aroma of cedar and light earthiness. The aroma from the foot was earthy with some hay and coffee notes.
I am happy to report that after clipping, the draw was excellent…and the wrapper didn’t threaten to let loose. Actually all the samples I had of this had a very good prelight draw. I got notes of wood and hay mostly, with the faintest peppery burn on my lips.
Flavor
After lighting, I got a rather complex mixture of flavors that included the obligatory-by-this-time cedar and earth, but also tea and hay and bell peppers, along with a white pepper heat. There was more pepper on the nose, with it taking on more of a mild red pepper character. As I puffed along I got some citrus sweetness in the mix as well.
Getting into the second third, the SP Habano got more woody, without it being specifically cedar flavor. There was some vegetal note to it still with tea and white pepper underneath.
The last third had more hay and wood, with slight earth and tea underneath. The sweetness had pretty much disappeared, which was a little disappointing.
Construction
Really an excellent draw, one of the best I’ve experienced on a torpedo in quite some time. I had a very even burn line and solid ash.
Value
This was a good cigar and a reasonable price point, so good value.
Conclusions
The Punch Store Press Habano was a good cigar, but for me it was the least appealing of the three…and surprise!…it had nothing to do with the torpedo shape. The flavor profile was fairly complex and good on my palate, but just not really in my wheelhouse so much, so it left me wishing for something more. At a straight-up medium body, I can recommend this one, though, for folks who like that body level and a more subdued flavor profile instead of a bolder one.
By-The-Numbers
Prelight: 2/2
Construction: 2/2
Flavor: 3.5/5
Value: 1/1
Total: 8.5/10
