We add a third category to cigars that qualify for Assessment Updates (#3) 1) Assess
“pre-review” cigars that were not given a rating or score (typically
pre-release cigars); 2) Provide numeric ratings to cigars previously
assessed prior to the implementation of the numeric scoring system; 3) A re-assessment and re-score of a previously assessed/score cigars. Today, we re-assess the La Aurora Puro Vintage 2004 and provide a score to the previously assessed Punch Rare Corojo 10th Anniversary.
La Aurora Puro Vintage 2004
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| La Aurora Puro Vintage 2004 |
I’ll admit, the first time I smoked a couple of the La Aurora Puro Vintage 2004, I was underwhelmed. In fact I wrote:
I kept thinking that I wish this blend would have been rolled in a
classic parejo vitola as opposed to the salomon. In my book, I think it
was this shape that ended up costing this cigar some points
Fast forward about two months later and I revisited this cigar and what a difference about 8 to 10 weeks makes. This time, the salomon vitola burned like a champ. The flavors almost seemed more mature and developed. Overall, it was now one of the better salomons I’ve had in recent time. It made this cigar worthy of being re-scored. The way we score cigars, a difference in 3 points is huge .
Click here to read the original assessment of the La Aurora Puro Vintage 2004.
Assessment: Nice to Have
Original Score: 87
Re-assessed Score: 90
Punch Rare Corojo 10th Anniversary 2012 Release
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| Punch Rare Corojo 10th Anniversary 2012 Release |
A little caveat on this assessment update – namely, General Cigars has re-released the Punch Rare Corojo 10th Anniversary that made its debut last year. For the most part, while this could possibly be a new crop of tobacco, I found the experience to be very similar.
The Punch Rare Corojo 10th Anniversary features a unique Connecticut Corojo wrapper. It also uses Connecticut Broadleaf for the binder and has a blend of Nicaraguan, Honduran, and Piloto Cubano for the filler.
The cigar itself is well balanced with medium strength and medium to full-bodied notes. Although not the most complex cigar from a flavor profile, it throws out berry, baker’s spice, and what I categorized as a very unique “cola-like” sweetness. The draw was excellent, but like last year, the burn could have been a little straighter.
Click here to read the original assessment of the Punch Rare Corojo 10th Anniversary from 2011.
Assessment: Nice to Have
Score: 88
I like the idea and the format of this. There are a few sticks I've had which I'd like a second look at, so it is nice to see how age effects a stick. Plus on top of that you never know how your tastes might differ from day to day.