Punch
Punch Cigars are regarded as one of the finest premium cigar brands. As the name would suggest, Punch has a strong place in the cigar market and has stood the test of time.
The origins of Punch date back to the 1840s in Cuba. There is a bit of discrepancy as to who originally started the brand. Some believe it was a German businessman with the surname Stockmann and ownership changed hands a bit before landing a spot in Juan Valle & Company, owned by Manuel Lopez. The leading theory is Manuel Lopez established the brand; his name was after all on the original cigar band.
Regardless of which tale you believe, the brand was named after the character “Mr. Punch” from the famous “Punch & Judy” show. The show consisted of Punch and Judy clobbering each other with clubs for comical purposes. In the show, Mr. Punch is a Pulcinella, a character commonly described as “the voice of the people” who usually manages to win his trials.
Europeans were drawn to the witty “everyman” that Mr. Punch emulated and they associated themselves with his character. Mr. Punch was chosen to represent the brand because it was targeted at the British market. This choice was a success because the brand quickly found a lot of success, especially after gaining praise from Sir Winston Churchill.
Punch is one of the few brands that were not discontinued after the nationalization of the tobacco industry in Cuba. Like other popular pre-revolution brands from Cuba, a separate company under the same name was created to produce cigars for the American market after the embargo.
Punch production in Cuba is under the state-run cigar company, Habanos S.A and the bands no longer feature Manuel Lopez’s name. According to Habanos S.A., it has a relatively small market share in Cuba as a multi-local brand. The medium strength cigars are handcrafted in the La Corona factory using long-filler tobacco from the prestigious Vuelta Abajo region.
Before the revolution Punch had been under the ownership of Fernández, Palicio y Cía for over three decades. Fernando Palicio fled to Florida, where he met Frank Llanzea and Dan Blumenthal. Frank and Dan are considered cigar legends for their revolutionary predictions and successes in the cigar industry and own the illustrious Villazon & Company.
In 1965, Villazon & Co. gained ownership of Punch. Four years later, they brought the production of Punch cigars to Honduras. Punch was one of the first cigars to have been produced in Honduras and this gave it a bolder and stronger body compared to its competitors in its early days.
General Cigar Company bought the rights to Punch in 1997. This acquisition changed almost nothing. The cigars are still handcrafted in the Villazon factory from Cuban-seed tobacco. The target market is still the everyday man, except this time the location is global and not just British.
Since then Punch has made a huge amount of award winning cigars. With its numerous blends winning the hearts and minds of everyday smokers and critics alike.
In 2011 the Punch Gran Cru No 2 Maduro received an incredible 93 point rating from Cigar Aficionado. That year it was awarded the number thirteen spot on the annual Top 25. With critics taking notice of its sweet notes of cocoa, coffee, and silly smooth oak.
This wouldn’t be the final time a Punch cigar would make it onto the top 25. The Punch Gran Puro Santa Rita would make the number ten spot for the year 2016. Following it up was the Punch After Dinner. Which took the number twelve spot for 2019 and also received a 93 point rating.
Critics called it a chewy smoke with hints of sweetness and earth. But that wasn’t the only Punch to make the Top 25 for that year. The Punch Diablo Scamp took the number sixteen spot and scored a 93 point rating. One of the most full bodied sticks they’ve produced, it was praised for its taste of chocolate fudge, espresso, and walnuts.
These may be the most recent Punch cigars to receive the high honor of a spot on the Top 25. But they certainly won’t be the last. With Punch’s ongoing commitment to quality and full bodied tobacco, its inevitable more cigars will wow reviewers.
Aficionados love Punch because, much like a physical punch, there is a lot of boldness and strength with each cigar. According to Mr. Punch, if you love football, fishing, and grilling you are like him and you would love a Punch cigar too.
