Pre-light Experience

The Punch Rare Corojo Aristrocrat has a unique shape with a bulb near the foot and then a gradual taper up to the head. The wrapper is between medium and dark brown and has some decently raised veins present. The seams are smooth while the caps have some raised edges. The band is red and gold and carries the brand and line names. The aroma from the wrapper is dark earth and stewed fruit and with the foot opening being fairly small, I’m unable to detect any differing aromas. The pre-light draw brings stewed fruit and light amounts of cedar and spice, along with a mid-level spiciness on my lips.

First Third

The cigar begins with toasted oak and light amounts of stone fruit sweetness and black pepper. At a half inch in, the sweetness has left, while the black pepper has picked up a bit. At three quarters of an inch in, some dry earth joins the profile. The retrohale is toasted oak, dry earth and black pepper. As the third comes to a close, the profile is toasted oak up front, with dry earth right behind and black pepper a little further behind. The overall profile is a bit dry and the strength level is right at medium.

Second Third

As the second third begins, the toasted oak and dry earth are now even. At a half inch in, the black pepper is now fairly mild. The retrohale is toasted oak and dry earth with mild black pepper. At an inch and a half in, the pepper is no longer present. As the third comes to a close, the profile is just an even mix of toasted oak and dry earth. The strength dropped down to slightly below medium.

Final Third

The final third continues on with the even mix of toasted oak and dry earth. The retrohale is now just a mirror image of the toasted oak and dry earth. At three quarters of an inch in, the toast level increases. At an inch and a quarter, the flavors become fuller. As the cigar wraps up, the profile remains an even mix of toasted oak and dry earth. The strength remained at slightly below medium.

Burn

The burn was a bit wavy as it went through the bulb, but after that it was straight the rest of the way. The cigar did go out once in the second third, requiring a re-light.

Draw

The draw was perfect, with just the right amount of resistance that I prefer.

Overall

The cigar began with toasted oak and light amounts of stone fruit sweetness and black pepper. The sweetness left a bit later and some dry earth joined in. The second third saw the black pepper drop out. The final third saw the flavors increase in fullness. 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.

Aaron Loomis

SCORE

5.55

Cost/Point

$1.80

Scoring System

Personal Cigar Review: Punch Rare Corojo Aristocrat