AlastairE Posted October 29, 2014 Posted October 29, 2014 This is my first review - ever! I don't normally take notes when smoking - my recall is pretty decent, but as a change up, I decided I'd take notes on last week's live review cigar - the Punch Serie D'Oro No. 2 Vitola de Salida: Punch Serie D'Oro No. 2 2013 - Edición Limitada Vitola de Galera: Campanas Date: 24/10/2014 Pairing: Soda water on the rocks Box code: LOE JUL 13 The Punch Serie D'Oro No. 2 is the first EL in the Punch marca. Unfortunately the original price point on these meant that a large chunk of potential suitors were put off Fortunately for me, I was in charge of the live review last week, and I thought, heck - why not! Joining me in last week's review were: Habana Mike, bradbrennan, Lant63, Laynard, Optic101 and melies (who dropped in to say hello - gracias hermano!) and the Denver Broncos hosting the SD Chargers! Let's go! Aroma at cold - nutty and earthy. Not much else. The construction is spot on, perfectly weighted with no discernible under-filling or plugs. The wrapper is gorgeous, a rich maduro with not much sheen. A quick guillotine cut did the trick, and the draw was generous. Perhaps a tad looser than the "standard" Cuban draw but I personally prefer slightly looser draws over something a bit tighter than perfecto. 1st third - the initial draws are straight up espresso (definitely not milky). This eases off, but is certainly prominent on the palate. I can sometimes struggle to pick up and define specific nuts in a cigar, but toasted peanuts are unmistakable, along with toasted tobacco. At this stage, I can't wait to see what the rest of the cigar brings. 2nd third - alas, the promising start faded away slightly. Well, that's not really fair, but there was no real development in the middle part of this cigars. The flavours are all quite similar to the 1st third. I am still getting that coffee/peanutty hybrid throughout, but with the very occasional bread-y (toast) and rasin notes. Look, there's not an awful lot going on, but this 2013 Punch is still interesting and enjoyable. Final third - the cigar is becoming a tiny bit harsh, and slight bitterness permeates. I get the slight tingling on the tip/front of my tongue that I do with some other young cigars. That being said, the flavours are developing and becoming more complex. It's truly a double edged sword... the youthfulness of the cigar vs the strength of flavour evolution... The company has been great, and conversation and whisky (Laynard), beer (Lant63) and milk (brad....?!) has flowed. After 1hr 15 minutes I feel that it's time to wrap up this live review and let this EL burn itself out with about 3cm remaining. Overall notes - limited sweetness, coffee and peanut profiles noteworthy throughout a consistent medium body. Unfortunately not much complexity/evolution, rather quite one dimensional. I don't expect a ridiculous amount of evolution from a non Prominente/Julieta No. 2./Laguito No. 1, especially something this young. That being said, this Punch Serie D'Oro No. 2 was certainly impressive. I also feel that this cigar would benefit from a bit more maturation, a bit of time and these could be marvelous! I don't love the rating system. My rating system doesn't go off burn etc, but rather how much I enjoyed the cigar. If I have to touch up a cigar, it won't affect my score as long as I still enjoy the experience/taste On the Smithy woman scale, I'd score this a 8.5/13. Figure that number out yourself 2
Maplepie Posted October 29, 2014 Posted October 29, 2014 Very nice, Alleyway! Hope more come to us in the next few weeks! (poke. poke.) I like how this review was Alastair (feat. misc. members of FoH) Sorry I missed the review opportunity... But you blokes of course had fun! Note: You gave the cigar a 65/100!?! A little harsh, don't you think? (says me)
AlastairE Posted October 29, 2014 Author Posted October 29, 2014 Very nice, Alleyway! Hope more come to us in the next few weeks! (poke. poke.) I like how this review was Alastair (feat. misc. members of FoH) Sorry I missed the review opportunity... But you blokes of course had fun! Note: You gave the cigar a 65/100!?! A little harsh, don't you think? (says me) Obviously you're not familiar with the Smithy 13 point scale I'll have to poke around and see if I can find reference to this anywhere on the forum. Basically it was coined based on the premise that 10 points isn't enough to appreciate all women/cigars on. The different between an '8' and a '10' (2 points) is not constant throughout the scale. Double the scale to 20, or 50, or even 100 and you're just keeping everything in ratio. 13 is used because it's not easily divisible, and allows for stunners (women and cigars) to be awarded something (an objective numbering system) they truly deserve. Oxymoron anyone? 1-10 are civilians. If someone scores a 10/13, they're gorgeous - no arguments. 10-13 are your supermodels/out of this world. These last 3 points are the upper echelon, Reserved from absolutely jaw-dropping women/cigars. Use sparingly!
Jeremy Festa Posted October 29, 2014 Posted October 29, 2014 Nice review Alastair! Albeit a tad harsh
AlastairE Posted October 29, 2014 Author Posted October 29, 2014 Nice review Alastair! Albeit a tad harsh Imagine 8.5/10 and I become a bit more lenient! 10-13 reserved for absolute pearlers
Maplepie Posted October 29, 2014 Posted October 29, 2014 Obviously you're not familiar with the Smithy 13 point scale I'll have to poke around and see if I can find reference to this anywhere on the forum. Basically it was coined based on the premise that 10 points isn't enough to appreciate all women/cigars on. The different between an '8' and a '10' (2 points) is not constant throughout the scale. Double the scale to 20, or 50, or even 100 and you're just keeping everything in ratio. 13 is used because it's not easily divisible, and allows for stunners (women and cigars) to be awarded something (an objective numbering system) they truly deserve. Oxymoron anyone? Un-irregardless of the ratio, it would distil back down to the 10 scale because that's what our number system is built on! I don't have much authority in things... but maths is something I have part authority in! And this aggravates me!! (Isn't Smithy an engineer!?!?) PS. Kudos on explaining the system, though. The women metaphor was especially.... ahem.... helpful
AlastairE Posted October 29, 2014 Author Posted October 29, 2014 Un-irregardless of the ratio, it would distil back down to the 10 scale because that's what our number system is built on! I don't have much authority in things... but maths is something I have part authority in! And this aggravates me!! (Isn't Smithy an engineer!?!?) PS. Kudos on explaining the system, though. The women metaphor was especially.... ahem.... helpful 1-10 are on a certain level, 10-13 are measured differently. If you're an 11, you're more attractive woman/a more enjoyable cigar than a 10, but to a more severe extent than a 8 is to an 7. Does that change the ratio/scale for you Jer...? I think that's the point Smithy was trying to get across. My mates and I use the 13 point scale and haven't looked back! PS. Smithy is a vagrant.
Maplepie Posted October 29, 2014 Posted October 29, 2014 Does that change the ratio/scale for you Jer...? Well, I guess it works out in the end. But one just needs to get past the learning curve... Slightly off topic here. I've always wanted to switch tot he -10 to +10 rating scale. that one has always pleased me the most... but the 100 scale is just so mathematically valid to me.
Optic101 Posted October 29, 2014 Posted October 29, 2014 Well done Alastair, great review, good rating. And yours was far better than mine !
bradbrennan Posted October 29, 2014 Posted October 29, 2014 Good stuff, Alastair!! Keep em coming...yes, milk might tone it down a bit to filtered water
Rye Posted November 6, 2014 Posted November 6, 2014 Great first crack at reviewing Alastair! I'm sad I missed this live review, but I do remember thinking that these needed more time when I smoked one awhile back
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