5 x 52

Wrapper: Honduras (San Agustin Valley)

Binder: Honduras

Filler: Honduras

The Gran Puro line was introduced in 2003, but this frontmark arrived only late last year. The Punch brand has been exported to the U.S. since 1969 by the Villazon company. The Gran Puro is manufactured in Cofradia by Honduras American Tabaco SA., but the band pays homage to the original Cuban product with little images of the eponymous puppet.

The Libertad is a cedar lined tubo with an oily sun grown wrapper. Both the wrapper and the binder are sun grown, actually. I had expected this to be a more powerful smoke for this reason, but it seemed to be mellower than the other sizes in the Gran Puro line.

It’s a well balanced cigar that tastes to me like a maduro. A shimmering sweetness floats above the expected Honduran body. It’s robust and meaty, with a woody finish. Never sharp, never biting, and very well constructed. A long white ash accumulates and falls at the two inch mark. Perfect draw and an even burn. At less than 4 USD per stick, I couldn’t ask for anything more. Except more.