Punch Petit Coronations: Revisiting where it all began
Back in October 2009 I ventured into a humidor for the first time. I came out with a grin a mile wide clutching four Cuban cigars including the Punch Petit Coronations. Since then, I have enthusiastically explored the world of cigars, but the memory of those first four “proper” cigars has remained with me. Now in 2021, and with considerably more knowledge and experience under my belt, does this cigar stand up to my memories?
One thing that makes this cigar ideal for a novice cigar smoker is that it comes in its own cedar lined tube. This means that you don’t have to worry about keeping it in a humidor. Sliding the cigar from its tube, I was greeted with a firm and slightly veiny cigar which released aromas of hay, cocoa and farmyard dust. A quick straight cut revealed the cold draw to be a little tighter than other cigars that I have smoked, but once lit, the draw opened up considerably.
My first draws took me on a trip down memory lane to when I had first smoked this cigar. I recalled the smoothness of taste and the light texture of the smoke as well as various meaty flavours that my inexperienced palate picked up. This time though I was able to focus more on what I was tasting in the Punch Petit Coronations rather than how I was smoking it.
The cocoa and farmyard notes that I picked up pre-light were right at the forefront of the flavour, with a sweet leather at the tail end. It wasn’t long before cedar joined the mix, and it made me wonder if I shouldn’t start lighting more cigars with a cedar spill. Right the way through the first third, the cigar tasted light and clean.
As I smoked into the middle third, aromas of a light, sweet oil and toast filled the air. The taste of the cigar had changed by this point, not dramatically, but the leather and cocoa had all but retreated to be replaced by hazelnuts with lightly roasted notes. The smoke was a bit wispy, but danced nicely in the air, enhancing my reminiscing. Construction wise, the Punch Petit Coronations was very neat and tidy. Every half inch, the light grey ash rolled off into my ashtray completely in tact.
It was in the final third that the cigar started to ramp up its strength. Black pepper and roasted meat took the front seat, although the cedar was still noticeable at the end of the flavour. True to form, I smoked the Punch Petit Coronations right down to the nub and by the time I laid it to rest, I had a big grin on my face.
This was by no means a complicated or nuanced cigar. I can totally understand why it was recommended to me as a novice cigar smoker and would heartily recommend it as an excellent first cigar. I also think that more experienced smokers would enjoy it enough as an every day smoke. For me, part of the pleasure of this Punch Petit Coronations was from my memories surrounding the first time I smoked it. And on that basis alone, it won’t be the last time I light one of them up.
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Punch Petit Coronations Cigar Details
- Vitola: Coronitas
- Length: 4⅝”
- Ring Gauge: 40
- Smoke Time: 1h 30
- Source: James Barber Tobacconists
Punch Petit Coronations Review Summary
My Verdict
I loved this trip down memory lane. The flavours in the cigar weren’t complex but each was distinct. I can absolutely understand why this was recommended to me as a novice cigar smoker and I would definitely suggest it as a good quality, budget priced Cuban cigar for someone new to the hobby. It is also a cigar that I think experienced smokers can also enjoy as an uncomplicated social smoke.
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