This Punch Golden Era Robusto is by far one of the best non-Cuban Punch I have ever had. The interplay of creamed cherries, effervescence and Hawaiian sweet bread was enjoyable every single puff. And for an MSRP of $9.99 per cigar, this is no doubt a box buy.
The Cavalier Genève Limited Edition 2022 had a nice start, but dropped a level in the second third as the earth became a bigger player and maintained that level the rest of the way. This was an OK showing for a limited edition, but not something I'd see myself coming back to all that often.
$6.95 MSRP per cigar for the Cavalier Genève Tres Delincuentes Habano Robusto. Let that soak in. In 2023, there is a cigar that is $6.95 that beats the majority of $15 plus priced cigars. Not just beat, but demolish. Watch out Illusione Rothchild, there's a new kid in town.
The Punch Brotherhood The People's Champ Brobusto had an average and basic flavor profile throughout. Nothing that really grabbed my attention. If you're a budget smoker, this may be something to look at, but if you don't mind spending more, I'd pass on this one as it's not a cigar I'd see myself coming back to.
This JRE Aladino Candela Robusto was an average candela. Price is nice, but it's an average candela. If it had some earthiness with the candela profile, it would have been better. A prettier wrapper would have helped the cigar as well. Nice lemon curd profile in the first two thirds. When it was paired with the cedar, lemongrass and white pepper notes, it was great. Just needed something more.
The Alec Bradley Trilogy Native Cameroon had a flavor profile that never really seemed to get going. Just a basic combination of flavors that started to become dry in the second third. This Cameroon version of the line just didn't do it for me and I'd give a significant lead to the Corojo over this and the Maduro. I don't see myself coming back to this version.
I thought the Rocky Patel The Edge 20th Anniversary Robusto delivered some interesting and tasty flavors that combined in ways to keep me engaged through most of the review. Being a big fan of the various other Edge offerings, I was eager to try the 20th Anniversary edition, and I would come back to this.
I really enjoyed the Alec Bradley Double Broadleaf Robusto, and I will definitely be smoking it again. I will probably gravitate towards the Toro and Gran Corona vitolas, but that is how I am with Alec Bradley stuff. Very rich and filling. Great winter cigar.
The Alec Bradley Trilogy Exotic Maduro had an average flavor profile throughout. Very oak and dry earth dominant, but the baking spice addition, did help out a little bit. Quite a difference between this Maduro and the Corojo, and I wouldn't see myself coming back to this iteration in the line.
The Punch Rare Corojo Aristocrat had an average flavor profile throughout. The first third had the most complexity, but as some components began dropping out, the profile was very linear and boring. Not a cigar I would see myself coming back to, but a cigar that is definitely approachable for newer smokers.