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Christmas Corona Gordas, Day 13: 1971 Punch Nectares No.2

After a long journey through a dozen of corona gordas, I have finally reached the last day of this series of reviews. Despite the few disappointments, I have had some fantastic cigars and I am happy with the choice of size for this year. After a magical Siglo IV yesterday, it is time to smoke the vintage cigar of the series; the legendary Punch Nectares No.2.

The Punch Nectares No.2 is one of the seven cigars in the Nectares range, which was rolled exclusively for JJ Fox until the 80’s. The No.2 was one of the most popular cigars in the 70’s and 80’s in Ireland, according to David McGrane, the Managing Director of James Fox of Dublin. David was kind enough to share one of his treasured Nectares No.2, which even today is still his favourite cigar. The cigar I will be reviewing today arrived in Dublin in 1971 and has been resting for four decades in the basement of James Fox. So let’s light it up and see how a vintage cigar sizes up against a young one.

The No.2 has aged gracefully and looks in immaculate condition. The wrapper is incredible, with a greenish, claro shade and has an amazing silky feel. There is hardly any veins running through it and no imperfections at all. The triple cap is rounded and perfectl;y applied. The bunch is firm and consistent all the way through, without any hard or soft spots. The prelight draw is slightly loose, with a sandy flavour and there is no noticeable aromas emerging from the wrapper or the foot.

The initial flavours are salty and fruity, with a smooth velvety texture on the palate. The Nectares No.2 is not strong, but it is unbelievably smooth and creamy. Once it settles down, the saltiness disappears, giving way to some sweet spices. Cloves, aniseed and liquorice on the foreground, in an unusual but very interesting trio. The body is mild to medium and the finish is long and cool, with flavours of mint and a hint of cinammon. What an unusual cigar…

I am just smoking into the second third and this cigar has taken my perception of “smooth” and “mellow” in a completely different level! There is not a hint of pepper or wood that you would expect to find in a Punch, or the dry, cedary and peppery flavours of a vintage cigar. There hardly any tobacco flavours either; every drag feels like a spoonful whipped cream touching your palate. The body is still mild to medium, with sweet floral flavours now joining the mix. It may not  be bursting with complexity or richness, but it is unbelievably smooth. The burn is even so far and the ash has a light grey colour, firm texture and stays on the cigar until it reaches an inch in length.

In the last third, the smoothness starts to gradually fade away. The woody flavours you would expect from the beginning start now to appear, while flavours of white pepper dominate the finish. The body is now medium, going towards medium to full in the last inch. It has taken a while for the Nectares No.2 to show some boldness and when it does, it gets a little hot. But it smokes very well until the end, without going off or getting harsh.

Smoking a 40 year old cigar is a unique experience. You don’t set your bar high and you don’t expect this cigar to blow your mind with complexity. Apart from a few exceptions, theBut this Nectares was a pleasant surprise. It’s appearance was striking, with its velvety claro wrapper almost glowing. And when I lit it up, it was full of smooth, creamy textured flavours. I would imagine that it has lost most of its strength over the years, but it is great to see that the flavours are still there and have mellowed and blended beautifully. 5 stars and 95 points for the Punch Nectares No.2.

Score:

Would I choose this instead of the Siglo IV? Putting the rarity (and price) aspect out of the equasion, the Siglo IV is an amazing cigar, with great complexity that can more or less find in some of the cigars in the Cohiba brand. But the flavours of the Nectares No.2 are unique and unusual, and I could not compare them to any cigar or brand I have ever smoked. Maybe after 40 years, the Siglo IV will be even better, but for now the Nectares gets my vote!