Not to be confused with the ancient metal weapon (knuckle duster), the Punch Knuckle Buster cigar line was created by University of Virginia college basketball coach Tony Bennett.
Bennett once described a game of basketball as a “blue-collar knuckle buster”, inspiring the name of this medium-bodied smoke. Introduced as a wallet-friendly cigar aimed at industrious blue-collar people, it houses a hardworking blend that uses only Habano-seed tobaccos. We’ve taken a break from the daily grind to bring your our own Punch Knuckle Buster review.
Brand Overview
The Punch brand immediately evokes images of cigars that pack a punch and blow your socks off, which isn’t too far from the truth. Punch is a champion of the cigar industry, producing some of our everyday favorite smokes.
Originating in 19th-century Cuba, Punch is the world’s second oldest cigar brand still in production and one of the first brands to be manufactured in Honduras. The Punch name comes from a famous European muppet show (Punch and Judy). Thankfully, there’s nothing theatrical about the Punch Knuckle Buster cigar or any other of their cigar lines, for that matter.
Ed Lahmann, senior brand manager for Punch, said, “Punch is committed to staying true to what the brand has represented over the last six decades: a consistent, well-made, no-nonsense cigar at a price that’s fair and reasonable.”
Cigar specs
- Country of Origin: Honduras
- Strength: Medium
- Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano
- Binder: Nicaraguan Habano
- Filler: Honduran/Nicaraguan Habano
- Sizes Available:
- Punch Knuckle Buster Gordo (6.25 x 60)
- Punch Knuckle Buster Robusto (4.5 x 52)
- Punch Knuckle Buster Toro (6 x 50)
Cold draw
Before I ensue with the pre-light draw, I will quickly touch on the look of the Punch Knuckle Buster. Its contemporary band denotes a new style for Punch. The black, silver, white, and gold motif features brass knuckles at the ridge, with the name “Knuckle Buster” standing defiantly in the center. Well packed with no obvious blemishes, it certainly doesn’t scream economy cigar.
Running my nose along the smooth, dark caramel wrapper, I picked up aromas of rich earth and musty barnyard. A straight cut was used to remove the cap and reveal a cold draw strewn with lightly sweet cedar, hay, and natural tobacco sweetness. It’s a relatively complex start for a cigar in this price bracket.
Flavor profile: first third
The cedar seeped through into the opening round of my Knuckle Buster experience, but this time it was far more potent and woody, helped partly by some subtle dry red pepper spice.
The pepper spice starts to fly at an inch, especially on the finish. Roasted nuts and golden hay provided some creamy respite in the background, but my palate was purring as I neared the end of the first third. Espresso notes stirred their way into a profile that continued to delight and surprise in equal measures.
Flavor profile: second third
The peppery quality apparent in the first third had faded slightly by the second while a sweet-vs-savory tussle broke out. Creamy espresso glazed my palate with a hint of citrus and nutty components of almonds and praline. The stick had evolved into a delectable-like dessert cigar with its sweet and salty nuttiness, but plenty of contrasting flavors were still present.
Savory notes included leather, oak, and natural tobacco, which had shed its earlier sweetness. Some lightly toasted earth sat on the post draw between each puff, with pepper spice fluttering in and out on the tongue.
Flavor profile: final third
Dry earth guides the Punch Knuckle Buster into the final third. Even though there isn’t as much transitioning back-and-forth as I edge closer to the nub, there’s a little more punch behind diligent niceties of coffee, herbal spices, oak, and leather.
The rich cream notes were more sparse, but I picked up a surplus of cedar in the retrohale, which helped elevate the sweetness in the blend.
Conclusion
Punch has once again proved themselves as knockout artists in delivering cigars with great character, flavors, and aromas. This is a reliable, value-oriented blend with a complex flavor combination that both new and seasoned smokers can enjoy time and again.
Perfect for lighting up when walking the dog or spending an afternoon appreciating a wonderful stogie with like-minded friends, we recommend pairing the Punch Knuckle Buster with something on the sweeter side of life. Cream soda with its underlying vanilla flavor would take some beating.
Available in three sizes, pick up your box of 20 Punch Knuckle Buster cigars for just $99.30 from Cigars.com today.