Punch Golden Era Lancero (7 X 38)

Video review HERE.

(Description provided by General Cigar)

Punch Cigars is delighted to announce a classy new vitola in the Golden Era line. The new size is a 7 X 38 Lancero, and it features the same spectacular Corojo-heavy blend as previous Golden Era releases.  

Punch Cigars created Golden Era to honor the legacy of Corojo tobacco and deliver a taste of the “golden age” (or, in this case, “golden era”) of Corojo cigars to a modern audience. Corojo was the wrapper of choice in the cigar industry until diseases and mold brought the tobacco to the brink of extinction.  

By working with the acclaimed Eiroa family, cultivating their famous Cuban seeds on their 650-acre farm in Honduras, Punch has successfully restored authentic Corojo to its former glory with the 90-rated (Cigar Aficionado) Punch Golden Era.  

Punch Golden Era Lancero has a Honduran-grown, Cuban-seed Corojo wrapper and binder. Its filler includes Honduran-grown Habano and Honduran-grown, Cuban-seed Corojo tobacco. To date, it is the only Lancero in the Punch portfolio.  

Punch's brand manager, John Hakim, said, “We’re excited to add a classic Lancero to the Golden Era line. The rich, silky Corojo tobacco of Golden Era is a throwback to when Corojo was king in the cigar world, and the new Lancero delivers a uniquely creamy and spicy smoking experience that connoisseurs will love.” 

Punch Golden Era Lancero is an elegant, mellow-to-medium-bodied smoke. Tasting notes for Golden Era Lancero include earth, cream, and nuts.  

Punch Golden Era Lancero is handmade at Fabrica de Puros Aladino SA in Honduras. The cigars will be presented in 20-count boxes and shipped to retailers on July 1.  

Punch Golden Era Lancero (7 X 38); SRP per cigar $10.99.

Punch Golden Era is also available in the following sizes: 

Robusto (5 x 50); SRP per cigar $9.99 

Toro (6 x 52); SRP per cigar $10.49 

Churchill (7 x 48); SRP per cigar $10.99

 

The cigar is brown and has an average feel in the hand.

The test draw after cutting the cap was good with a touch of firmness. The initial flavors at light up were an intense, sweet orange citrus and apricot, a lot of brown sugar, cinnamon, leathery black coffee. There is much more leather than black coffee. There was black pepper rated at 7 1/2. Intense, sweet start. Very good start.

At the first third (27 minutes) the sweet notes are very intense and nice. I had the same notes. Again, there's more leather than black coffee at the base but it's definitely more than just leather. There seems to be some richness in the sweet notes too. They are smooth and somewhat buttery. The black pepper is now between 7 1/2 and 8. The cigar is medium bodied. The finish is leather with very good lingering black pepper. The cigar is really good. I rated the first third 96.

As I moved through the second third (49 minutes) not much changed. The intense sweetness that I had in the first third toned down just a tad. I feel it's more in balance now but I liked the first third better. The cigar is medium bodied. The finish is leather with some apricot notes and very good lingering black pepper. I rated the second third 95.

The cigar lasted 1 hour 12 minutes. I had more leather in the final third and they dulled the sweet notes a little. The cigar is medium bodied. The finish is leather with very good lingering black pepper. The the cigar is still good but just a little dulled in the sweet category. I rated the final third 94. This is a very good cigar that is a must-try.

Overall Score: 95