I have been curious about the Sucker Punch but the name had me scared. But recently a friend gave me one to try, with reassurances that it would not knock me on my domesticated beast of burden. So here goes …
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut
Filler: Nicaraguan ligero
Binder: Cameroon
The cold draw of this 5 x 52 is medium with dried fruit.
Lighting up I found mild new leather on the palate, but in the sinuses – without even retro-haling – lots of pepper.
After a half inch the flavor has started to pop with some depth developing along the lines of hardwood and citrus rind, with a slightly skunky finish and aftertaste. The intensity is up to a solid medium.
A third in it is dominated by a bold presence of cantaloupe rind. But by the middle that boldness has started to diminish and settle into a more blended profile.
By the end it continues along the lines of blended, nondescript, melon rind-ish flavor, in the mild-medium intensity.
Summary
This Punch Sucker Punch does contain a punch – a flavor punch – in the first third, by coming on with a strong flavor burst of citrus hardwood. It proceeds to diminish and settle down as it progresses. It is not intricately complex, but does maintain interest throughout most of the balance of the stick, making it a good stick for the sub $5 value category.