In Our Memory Of: Punch Petit Corona del Punch

Saturday, November 5th, 2011

One of the two petit coronas in the 2012 deletion list is the Punch Petit Corona del Punch. The Petit Corona del Punch is one of the two marevas in current production (until 2011) from Punch; the other one is the Punch Coronation, the petit corona we see in every off licence in Ireland either in a silver or the new green tubo. A mild and pleasant cigar, very popular for first time or casual cigar smokers. The Petit Corona del Punch on the other side is a cigar that you will only come across in specialist tobacconist stores, in dress boxes of 25.

Petit Corona is possibly the most popular size, and Habanos has no less than 23 of these in regular production this year! It takes a lot for a cigar to shine through this big crowd, especially when competing against classic sellers like the Monte #4, the Siglo II and the delicious Por Larranaga Petit Corona. It is the first time I am smoking this cigar and I hope that it is not just a Coronation without the tubo… Nothing wrong with the coronations, I just feel I have grown out of it!

Appearance 13 /15
This petit corona is well constructed, with a spongy bunch that is even all the way through, and it is heavily box pressed. The wrapper is coffee brown in colour and has a rustic look, with plenty of veins but no imperfections. The cap is well applied and flat and strong aromas of moist earth are present on the foot. The prelight draw is perfect.

Flavour & Body 23 / 25

The cigar shows some intense flavours from the start, with wood, earth and dried fruits being the most prominent, and a lovely, creamy texture. The body is medium and the flavours are balanced. On the second third the body remains medium, with the flavours becoming more deep and complex; nuts, vanilla and coffee have now joined the mix, all in perfect harmony with the flavours carried over from the first third. The finish is long, crisp and fresh; so far I am very impressed! On the last third the cigar changes again on the final third, becoming stronger and spicier. Clove and nuts dominate, with coffee, earth and wood on the background. It keeps getting stronger and spicier as you smoke towards the end, and I have to put it down a tad earlier than I would have liked to. Nevertheless, this little bugger is a heck of a cigar!

Draw & Burn 24 /25

I have very little to note on the cigars draw and burn, simply because it draws great and burns evenly and consistently all the way through, without going off at all. The ash is dark grey, flaky and falls off every half inch, to reveal a large, flat coal. The cigar delivers plenty of smoke that is thick and grey. Every cigar should smoke like this…

Overall 32 /35
That was the first time I have ever smoked a Petit Corona del Punch. I have always overlooked the smaller Punch, opting for the larger vitolas of the brand. However, this petit corona is just delicious! All the flavours and strength that you find in a Punch double corona, packed in a five inch mareva. And just to round it off, the cigar burns and draws extremely well. The Petit Corona del Punch has now got a place in my favourite marevas and I am raging that I only got to smoke it when it is getting deleted… I will be smoking a lot more of these and I hope they will live up to my expectations.

TOTAL 92 /100

Verdict: Get your hands in a box and let it rest… It may never acquire a large monetary value, but with five years of age this petit corona will be delicious.