Issue: Cigar Aficionado, Jan 01, 2013

Score: 91

The Punch Gran Puro line came onto the scene 10 years ago and is General Cigar’s only Honduran puro, meaning that it uses only tobacco from Honduras. Blended around a proprietary dark Cuban-seed wrapper from the St. Augustín valley, this is a bold cigar that produces a very solid white ash as it burns. The high- priming leaves used for wrapper and binder are sun grown, resulting in dark, oily nicotine-rich tobacco that is also full of strength and flavor. Like all Punch cigars, it’s made in Danlí at the Honduras American Tobacco factory (HATSA). Over the last 10 years, the brand has only seen minimal price increases and is always competitively positioned in terms of suggested retail price. This year, the near-black Santa Rita size is the very definition of bargain smoke, offering all the richness and flavor of a cigar that could easily cost three times as much.

Issue: Cigar Aficionado, Aug 01, 2012

Score: 91

This chocolate brown robusto burns perfectly even and draws well, delivering sweet and floral smoke with profound undertones of leather, dried red fruit and a hint of cinammon.

Issue: Cigar Aficionado, Apr 01, 2006

Score: 87

Dark, oily and attractive, this well-made cigar has loads of cedar flavor and good amounts of caramel. The finish is slightly charred. A rich, fine smoke.

Issue: Cigar Aficionado, Feb 01, 2004

Score: 88

A rich, dark-brown wrapper covers this cigar, which is very cedary and pleasant. It has pepper and apple flavors, and a medium body.

Issue: Cigar Insider, Oct 01, 2003

Score: 89

This cigar is rock solid and full in body. Its flavors are meaty, with a touch of black pepper and earth. the finish is spicy. A steady smoke.