Punch Churchill 1995 (BGRW)

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Well, I know this one is not really in the big gun category relative to all of these amazing reviews that have come across these past few days, but it does have some importance to me, as it is one of about 10 cigars that I have kept since my first foray into this wonderful world.  I tried to look after them correctly as I moved to various places, started a family and, for some reason, actually stopped smoking cigars for about a 25-year period. But thankfully, through a friend, have recently rediscovered this great passion many here seem to share.

Unfortunately, I cannot remember exactly how I acquired this cigar, but most likely around 1995 from a managing director at a New York investment bank who was happy that his big deal had closed and was going to make a big bonus that year, they would give all us junior analysts cigars in celebration.

So enough of my boring back story, this Punch measures slightly under 7 inches and the ring gauge looks pretty comparable to my RyJ Churchill, so right around 47, maybe slightly smaller as I can tell the cigar has shrunk over time due to the very loose band. First impressions is that it has a little spring still left in it but not much.  The initial aroma is a faint sweet smell, maybe cedarish.

Lighting the cigar was easy, it had a nice even burn and a slightly open draw.  The initial impressions were a slight sweetness but mostly a clean mild tobacco taste.  It had a faint undertone of cedar.  It was pleasant tasting but right away I could tell that unfortunately I probably had not kept the cigar correctly over all this time. It was very mild and the flavors were only coming through with a hint. I kept going with it and about half way through started to get a subtle change to a little more woodiness but, alas, the overall impression was somewhat papery and light. I really would love to see what a good vintage Punch would taste like.

Even though from a strict flavor standpoint, the cigar was a disappointment, 80/100 (through entirely my own fault of poor long term storage), it took me back to my very first days of exploring and enjoying cigars over 25 years ago.  Sitting on the patio with a good friend, having great conversations and good drinks, enjoying life and talking about the future.  In that regard the cigar was a 100 for me.