Stogie Reviews: Punch Café Royale

I’m a firm believer that, if stored properly, cigars – much like fine wines – only get better with age. After all, every single noteworthy stogie producer initially ages its crop for about four to eight weeks after it has been rolled to dry, stabilize, and allow the tobacco to mature. But if you have the patience, letting cigars age even longer in your humidor will allow the flavors to further blend, bond, and mellow into more melodious smokes.

I must admit, I usually don’t have this patience. When I bring stogies back from my tobacconist and place them in my humidor, I usually can’t wait more than a few weeks before indulging. Call it a weakness, but when I see their oily, smooth wrappers and their glistening, golden bands…well, I can’t help myself.

For one reason or another, however, I was able to keep my hands off a Punch Café Royale that had been aging beautifully in my humidor for over one year. That’s over 365 days! I know – I can’t believe it myself.

But I recently caved and smoked this fine five and 5/8 inches by 45 ring gauge cigar and, I must say, I was not disappointed. It was bold yet smooth, and its flavors – which ranged from leather to oak – were delightfully complex. They say that Punch is “the cigar with a taste that’s true to its name.” I’m a believer. While the burn wasn’t as even as I had hoped, I am highly recommending this cigar.

It’s true this review may be biased given the months I allowed this stogie to develop and mature in my humidor, but I can certainly say over the years I’ve smoked enough of these cigars to confidently give the Punch Café Royale a praiseworthy three and ½ out of five stogies.

-Patrick A