karp

Great review - sorry it wasn’t a great smoke though. Bad construction for sure. Have you tried recent P2s or Monte 2s? They’re really good imho. Maybe will change your mind!

Partagas E2 or HU Mag 50 would fit the description.

Epi2 is my guess as well.

Hoyo Petit Robusto?

Bolivar PC is my guess as well.

Staple in my rotation. Very consistent in the past 5 years or so… occasionally excellent. I would say the best robusto available, which is a high bar to meet in Cubans!

Ah, hahaha, that was good. Also accurate

$10-15 max. These are great but a Hoyo de depute is also great and cheaper. I don’t see the value over this price point.

Wicked chat session, really enjoyed it. Interesting commentary on cigars and inter generational changes through the last few decades.

These are great and too bad they're not a little bit longer.

RASS?

Monte Double Edmundo?

HdM Epi 1?

That is very high praise - will have to try these, as the E2 is one of my favourite cigars. I am wondering what the BR 109 will be like if this one is so highly reviewed? Thanks for the great reviews as always JohnS!

Nice review of the cigar and nice review of the Guinness too! I haven't opened my '19 box and was thinking of selling it actually, but now I am interested in trying. Cheers!

Thanks for the info - both reviews and yours are effusive with praise. Cabs of 50 sounds excellent. I detect some common themes in both vitolas but I guess will have to try them to find out! 😄

Like a E2… Goody! Looking forward to it!! How does the regular 109 compare? Is it a totally different blend or just longer version?

Congrats!! Review the new smokes!

Punch Punch is better than the Short de Punch imho. I’ve had some spicy versions of the latter that are really interesting but overall hit or miss.

I didn’t have a full review of these two cigars that I recently smoked, so I’ll put two half reviews together so I increase my chances for scoring the Fat Fundies. For me, the point of these two cigars is to have a change of pace cigar. I typically smoke Partagas, Monte, HU… These are different. Or are they? Which one is distinct enough to stand out? First third The cigars were smoked on two different occasions, so it’s all completely subjective. Nonetheless, if my memory serves me correctly - both started differently. The Sancho transitioned quickly to woodiness while the Punch, well the Punch tastes much like a newly lit HU - bready. Second third The Sancho’s woodiness has a characteristic salted caramel edge. It’s quite enjoyable, and although the caramel taste itself is present in a lot of CCs the combo of the saltiness and woodiness makes the Sancho different. The Punch on the other hand has this clove + cedar flavour, not far off from a Hoyo. A five-spice flavour used to kick in when these were younger, but this is subdued, spices are there certainly but not far off from a Partagas. Last third Both cigars ramped up in the last act. Flavours were stronger but while the Sancho had a sort of nutmeggy finish, the Punch was more leathery. The Punch did not have any nuttiness, which was disappointing since sometimes I get peanut from these like others have reported. No peanut this time at all. Both cigars smoked well with no touchups needed. Verdict: The Sancho is the clear winner for a change of pace cigar: 92 points. The Punch, not so much: but still 90 points. At this point in its development, this is smoking like a Partagas crossed with a Hoyo crossed with a HU. Basically a blend of the other cigars I typically smoke. It’s not a bad cigar, but not what I was hoping for. If I smoked this blindfolded I would be hard pressed to distinguish, the Sancho on the other hand - well I’d like to think I can taste the difference.

Many opinions 🤔 My two cents: HU taste like tobacco until you age them. Monte are inconsistent but can be chocolate bombs. Can be spectacular. Partagas are solid and ok but not outstanding. Diplo and Vegas Unicos are really interesting unless you get a mediocre box which can happen. Then they are bad! It’s a roll of the dice… but Monte is the biggest payoff.

The E2 is a terrific cigar and this one did not disappoint. A solid 94 points easily. I rarely smoke my E2s since they are so hard to find. They are also so expensive, I almost feel bad smoking them. But not that bad. I splurged and was lucky to get a box from 24:24 recently to replace the dwindling one I have left. Was hoping for the El Laguito factory code but got Partagas. Exciting nonetheless, and I ordered just under the recent price increases which mean I may never get another to replace this new one. 😬 On to the review. First third The E2 starts out with a mild graham cracker and cuban twang. Some call this the sourdough flavour but unlike a D4, less strong and pronounced. The flavour is smooth and pleasant. At five years it has no harshness at all, just very pleasant and easy to smoke. It’s like a really well blended D4. Second third Caramel but not overly sweet. Some paprika. There is a bit of an herbal flavour, cigars from this box used to taste like marjoram in the past, but it has blended at this point and not as clearly discernible. Let’s just say the initial flavours from the first third are joined by other herbs and spices at the edges that give it more complexity. Every puff is an adventure. Last third The E2 finishes with a nuttiness, hazelnut, and some earthiness or leather. It’s strengthens to medium, maybe even on the stronger side at the finish. Development was excellent. No touch-ups were required - perfect burn throughout. The E2 is a great Partagas. I love the interplay of flavours and development that it has, and the larger size means it lasts for a special occasion, which can be any day of the week frankly. Crappy ring gauge, I know, but it’s worth overlooking.

Fair enough - to each their own! They're both good DCs.

This was a good cigar overall and I give it a 93 points, higher than its box mates in the past. One particular reason I was happy with this one is this is that the prior night I had a Monte Edmundo LGB MAY 20 that was completely unsmokeable. Flavours were there but the darn thing wouldn’t stay lit, so after fussing and trying to relight it over and over I gave up in the first inch and threw it in the fire pit. Smoked a Fuentes Rare Pink instead, which I must say was OK but disappointing too. Too strong = not my cup of tea. Well, fast forward to the following night and the Gigantes was a relief. Look at that sheen. Even lighting this thing was a treat… First third Started out tasting exactly like a SCdH La Fuerza, all pancake and molasses. Smooth and easy to retrohale. Second third Flavours build to what I would call medium or just under. A raisin / prune like flavour at the edges which was nice. Last third Same flavours as in the first and second, maybe some mild leather coming in at the last two inches. A trivial touchup was needed in the last third but smoked well overall. The good = this is a solid cigar. The bad = I would say these show almost no flavour development for a double corona. The taste is on point, with a nice dried fruit undertone, but score maxes at low 90’s because it just doesn’t go anywhere. It’s a nice solid cigar but for 2.5 hours I would rather have a Lusi anytime.

Thanks for the reviews! It sound like you are enjoying some aged boxes recently, I liked hearing about them. In particular, the ERdM and HU2 and PLPC. Monte no1 is my favourite Monte. Reading your reviews is relatable, fun, informative, please keep it up!