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Punch: 48 Specialist
Punch
Punch is a historic Habanos brand founded in Cuba in 1840, making it one of the oldest cigar houses still in operation. Known for its medium-bodied profile and a firm reliance on classic pre-1960 formats, the house maintains a traditional approach to blending. It remains a staple for serious collectors who appreciate consistent, balanced Cuban tobacco over modern, heavier ring gauge releases.
Origins and the House Profile
Established in 1840, Punch was originally developed for the British market. The brand took its name from the popular humorous magazine of the era, establishing an early and enduring relationship with English smokers. The house is currently owned by Habanos S.A., which continues to manage its global distribution.
The hallmark of the house is its dependable medium-bodied blend. Rather than overpowering strength, a typical Punch provides steady notes of wood, earth, and subtle spice. The portfolio relies heavily on traditional vitolas de galera, preserving the dimensions that defined the Cuban cigar industry in the mid-twentieth century.
The Core Range and Classic Vitolas
The regular-production Core Range comprises formats that have been in continuous production for decades. The most prominent among these is the Punch Punch, rolled in the Coronas Gordas vitola measuring 143 mm by a 46 ring gauge. It serves as the benchmark for the brand's standard blend and is widely considered a reference point for the format.
The Double Coronas is another cornerstone of the house. Rolled in the imposing Prominentes format (194 mm by 49), it is designed for extended smoking and significant, long-term ageing. For shorter durations, the house offers several Petit Coronas, including the Coronations and the Triunfos. Both of these cigars utilise the Marevas factory name, measuring 129 mm by 42.
The Petit Coronations adopts the slightly shorter Coronitas format (117 mm by 40). In recent years, Habanos S.A. has introduced contemporary formats to the Core Range, notably the Short de Punch. This cigar uses the Paraísos vitola (120 mm by 50), providing the characteristic medium-bodied Punch profile in a modern petit robusto format.
Punch: Petit Coronations
Key Specifications
Coronations — Vitola de Galera: Marevas — Length (mm): 129 — Length (inches): 5.08 — Ring Gauge: 42
Double Coronas — Vitola de Galera: Prominentes — Length (mm): 194 — Length (inches): 7.64 — Ring Gauge: 49
Petit Coronations — Vitola de Galera: Coronitas — Length (mm): 117 — Length (inches): 4.61 — Ring Gauge: 40
Punch Punch — Vitola de Galera: Coronas Gordas — Length (mm): 143 — Length (inches): 5.63 — Ring Gauge: 46
Short de Punch — Vitola de Galera: Paraísos — Length (mm): 120 — Length (inches): 4.72 — Ring Gauge: 50
Triunfos — Vitola de Galera: Marevas — Length (mm): 129 — Length (inches): 5.08 — Ring Gauge: 42
Regional, Limited, and Reserva Releases
Beyond the Core Range, Punch is frequently selected by Habanos distributors for Regional Editions (Edición Regional). These releases cater to specific territories and often employ vitolas outside the standard portfolio. Notable examples include the ManTua (Italy Regional Edition 2018), the La Isla (Cuba Regional Edition 2018), and the Sir David (Hong Kong Regional Edition 2018). The brand also appeared in the UK Regional Edition program with the Serie D'Oro No.1 in 2008.
The house has also featured in the Edición Limitada program, which uses wrapper leaves aged for a minimum of two years. Releases such as the Serie d'Oro No.2 (2013) and the Regios de Punch (2017) are highly sought after by collectors. Additionally, specialised reserves like the Hunters & Frankau House Reserve showcase vintage Punch cigars. Examples such as the Tres Petit Corona 1998 are carefully aged in British humidors before commercial release.
Collecting, Storage, and Authenticity
Punch cigars, particularly the larger formats like the Double Coronas and Punch Punch, possess significant ageing potential. Collectors typically rest these boxes for five to ten years in a temperature-controlled humidor. This storage period allows the medium-bodied blend to integrate, reducing any youthful tannin and highlighting the inherent cedar and spice notes.
When acquiring Punch for a collection, the factory box code and date stamp on the base of the box are critical indicators of provenance and age. Refer to our cigar box code guide to interpret these stamps accurately.
For boxes acquired in the United Kingdom, the presence of the English Market Selection (EMS) stamp guarantees that the cigars have been imported through official channels and inspected for quality. Given the prevalence of counterfeits in the secondary market, buyers should always verify the Habanos warranty seal and micro-printed serial number. Detailed instructions are available in our guide on how to spot fake Cuban cigars.
At MokaCigar
Our inventory includes both current production formats and carefully stored vintage releases from the Punch portfolio. We presently hold selections from the Edición Regional and Edición Limitada programs, including the ManTua Italy Regional Edition 2018, the La Isla ER Cuba 2018, and the Regios de Punch Limited Edition 2017. For daily availability of the Core Range and aged stock, inspect the Punch shop page.
In our cellar
In stock now:
Sold-out archive (34 releases, enquiries welcome): Punch 898 Asia Pacific Regional Edition 2019, Punch 898 Asia Pacific Regional Edition 2019, Punch Churchill 1997, Punch Churchill Tubos 1996 - Singles, Punch Coronas 2001, Punch Coronation, Punch Diademas Extra 1986, Punch Diademas Extra 1986, Punch Double Coronas, Punch Double Coronas 1984, Punch Double Coronas 1990, Punch Double Coronas 1995, and more.