SSS-WRC: 1998 punch Corona 31-28 Rams

[prodigy]

I had LASIK eye surgery on Friday and decided I wanted to celebrate my new found vision and life without glasses with a rare cigar. This being the oldest CC in my collection, it seemed a good fit.

 

The wrapper is unbelievable beautiful. Not a single imperfection, so dark and oily after over 20 years. I decided to use the tap water method to rehydrate the wrapper. It's been stored for so long, I didn't want it to split and explode halfway through.

 

This was my morning cigar, so I haven't cracked into the beer or liquor, yet haha. Paired nicely with a fantastic latte. Rocket sure does know how to make a fantastic machine!

 

The cigar is cut, and I notice there is a nice dimple under the cut. I've seen many people talk about this, but I've rarely ever actually seen a dimple myself. The draw is firm, but not too firm.

 

Lighting up is an explosion of flavors. Mostly leather, damp earthiness, and mushroom/herbal notes. The first third also has blasts of peanut and chocolate mixed in.

 

The second third maintains the same complexity and builds with intensity. The dank earthy flavors are truly unique, I'm not sure if it's a result of the age or a trait of this cigar. There is a unique sweetness element coming in that I can't quite put a finger on. It's not a caramel sweetness like PL, it's not a honey sweetness like cohiba, it's truly unique, and unknown to me and my young palate.

 

The final third ramps up in sweetness. It's crazy, I've never considered punch a marca of having sweetness, but this was blowing my mind. I wish it wasn't my one and only example. Well worth the life event and truly an amazing smoke. Thanks Zane.

 

I pick the score to be 31-28 in favor of the Rams. I haven't watched much, if any games this year so I'm literally pulling numbers out of my *** haha. Seems like it could be a much higher scoring game, but we'll see. I'm just hanging at the house with the wife. I don't feeling like doing much else because my eyes are quite sensitive from surgery. I plan on lighting up an aged cigar right now, 2 hours before the kickoff. Sipping a pernicious IPA from Wicked Weed. Will probably pour a dram of a fine bourbon. I have so many it's hard for me to choose until I see what looks good in the moment.

 

 

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[prodigy]

Nubbed just in time.for kick off!

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[zeedubbya]

Glad you enjoyed it.  Great review.  These have all been very good.  They were stored properly for 20 years—I know this makes a big difference.  It will be a sad day when they are gone.  I sure wish I knew in 2001/2002 what I know now about how Punch ages.  Think I might as well shorten the lifespan of that box up a little more right now.