Punch (Cuba) Super Selection No. 2

great cigar but one that definitely improves with age.

Smoked one with quite a bit of age from a generous BOTL tonight, and couldn't believe how much punch it still had for such an old cigar. The flavors were nutty and complex, yet the cigar packed a whallop! I know I'll probably never see another with this kind of age again soon, but I will be on the lookout! Perfect burn, draw, and finish!

A very nice smoke. Silky smooth milk chocolate wrapper with hardly a visible vein. Solid construction without soft spots (VERY solid stick!). Nice prelight aroma. Easy light. Slightly firm draw. Even, but slow, burn with only the need for one correction. Gray-black ash. Started immediately with a highly tannic flavor with the taste of raw tobacco and mild black pepper. This mellowed out a bit by the end of the first third, while notes of leather and grapeskins off of young red grapes revealed themselves. In the last third, the tobacco flavor became slightly toasted and there were herbal whispers which were transiently noticed. This was from 7/01, so it was over 4 years old when it was smoked. Despite the age, it could still use more. Clearly this is a full-bodied smoke, though not a headspinner. With time, it will surely be even more enjoyable.

The Super Selection No. 2 is one of four Corona Gordas produced by Punch, the others being the Punch Punch, the Black Prince and the Royal Selection No. 11. The SS2 is made to be aged, showing greater strength and tannin when young. However, 3 to 5 years or more mellows this cigar, and brings out deep and complex flavors of nuts, wood and a subtle fruitiness. A real classic and a real shame that it has been discontinued.

I had a couple of these in the past little while, one was definately with a few years age, one was younger. I love the size, perfect for me because I rarely have 2 hours to devote to a long stick. Excellent draw, nice flavors, the aged one was much superior with a smooth and complex flavor with power. The younger one was nowhere near as interesting.