In October 2010, I had the opportunity to visit the Plesencia factory in Esteli, Nicaragua. While there, I was fortunate enough to sample a very unusual cigar that was still in development. Named the Punisher, this stick took me by surprise. Its wrapper appeared to be infused with a chili-like substance that, upon placing in my mouth, created a warm sensation across my lips and tongue. This was something totally new in all of my cigar-smoking experience. But it was no gimmick. The Punisher smoked like a dream and had the richness and complexity of a truly great cigar. Today, the Punisher is in the final production stages and currently available as part of a Cigar.com sampler. All information about this cigar is closely guarded and its construction and resultant flavor is the result of a secret process. But the alchemy that is taking place at Plasencia’s factory is certainly working; as this cigar is exceptional is many ways. Having now smoked a number of the current Punisher iterations, I am pleased to report that lovers of strong cigars have a great new addition to their smoking rotation.
The cigar
The original prototype of the Punisher was a hefty 6×58 yet the final production cigar ended up as a slender piramide. This bucks the current trend towards fat cigars and this change was simply the result of the manufacturers preference. As it turns out, the 6×52 torpedo shape fits comfortably in the hand. Being a piramide, the overall look and feel of the stick is slender as the 52mm diameter is measured at its widest point (the foot).
The Punisher wrapper has a toothy texture with a beautiful dark chocolate color and an oily sheen that is mouth watering. Its prominent veins may not win points for presentation but its rugged appearance is a foreshadowing of big flavor and full strength. This cigar looks like how it tastes.
Although not billed as a maduro, the Punisher certainly fits the profile. With a wrapper so dark, oily, and ripe, there is no other way it can be classified. The Punisher is a sumptuous cigar with flavors of chili, dark chocolate, raisons, and rich ligero that has been fermented to perfection. Its smoothness belies its strength, and the pre-lit spice serves as a warning: Newbies, beware! I smoked a number of Punishers at various times of the day and my morning foray was interesting. The ligero hit me early on and I had to ration the remaining cigar throughout to course of the day. But the cigar tasted so good, I just didn’t want to put it down. This is definitely a cigar to smoke later in the day and with a full stomach.
Conclusion
The concept of an infused wrapper might, on the surface, seem like a ploy to sell an inferior cigar. But in this case, it serves as an augmentation of a great cigar that would otherwise stand on its own. The creative minds at the Plasencia blending room (a joint venture with Cigars International) have taken the next logical step in the strong cigar evolution. By coupling the spicy element of Nicaraguan tobacco with the physical sensation of heat, they have made a cigar that when smoked, is a total sensual experience. Lovers of strong cigars and spicy food should truly enjoy the almost gluttonous experience of smoking the Punisher. It’s a very satisfying cigar, and with the addition of the “chili effect”, smoking the cigar is also a lot of fun.
Note: If I were to compare the Punisher to another cigar, I would say that it tastes like a turbo-charged Rocky Patel Edge. It’s also important to mention that the amount of chili-heat varied from cigar to cigar. Like a jalapeño, some Punishers were duds while others more intense. But at it’s strongest, the chili effect was never overpowering and its unpredictable nature was part of the fun. One last thing: the burn was uneven and required some touch-ups, but it didn’t diminish the enjoyment of smoking this cigar. I think this may be a side effect of the wrapper having been treated but that’s just conjecture on my part.
good review. I thought the punisher was going to be aj fernandez’s cigar. hmm? I had, well, I lit a cu avana intensio up one time. It lasted about four or five puffs. will have to try this one.
Having had the same opportunity that you had to smoke an early version of this cigar, I have to agree with the overall review. The cigar is definitely something to smoke on a full stomach, and I caution anyone who dislikes anything spicy from even attempting to smoke it. I recall there being a dense, rich smoke, that filled the palate with complex flavors. When the spice was taken into this mixture, it turned from a simple cigar into a full 7 course meal.
I also think that this size will be better overall. It is a lot more comfortable to hold, and one of my favorite sizes. I will be looking for it at the CI outlet on my next trip! Great review!
I had the opportunity to smoke a Punisher yeasterday afternoon with a buddy of mine. After a modest lunch of roast beef sandwich’s and cole slaw we made a visit to his awesome humidor. Arturo pulled out two beautiful looking torpedo’s and asked me if I was ready to try a Punisher. I must admit that after all I had read about this particular cigar I was kind of excited.
We adjourned to the smoking patio and upon removing the cello wrapper I immediately caught the aroma of chile which was confirmed when I put the cigar to my lips. A very pleasant tingling immediately began on my lips and tongue. At this point I clipped the end and fired her up.
Initially the draw was a bit tight, my fault as I tend to remove very litle of the tip of a torpedo preferring to chew the end until I get the perfect draw.
The first third of this cigar was stout yet smooth, you know this cigar is loaded with ligero. The predominant flavor is subtle chile, not jalapeno more like habanero mixed with cinnamon. Absolutely perfect construction, burned evenly and held an ash for 1.5 inches.
The middle part of the cigar included a more complex flavor profile that included dark chocalate and golden raisins accompanied by the chile.
The final third of this cigar continued with chocalate and raisins and the cinnamon returned. I absolutely nubbed this cigar and it remained smooth throughout, never overpowering and never bitter.
Another womderful smoke from Nestor Placencia and big thanks to Arturo for sharing.
Cheers,
Will
one of the best I had lately-if the first inch is not there.Horiffic for the first 10 minutes,marvelous for the rest of it.If you want to get out of the regular sensations try this one-terrific taste if you are abe to go over of 10 minutes of jalapeno flavored smoke you will get to an excelent complex taste
I got a sampler of five a while back after reading about these M-80s . I smoked two so far. The first one I sampled was a really,really nice surprise I was wondering why my lips had started to heat up when I was drawing on it prior to putting a torch to it. I enjoyed it all the way down to a stub. seemed to me that my taste buds were opened up to be more sincetive to the great taste(s) coming from the smoke.Kinda like the safe cracker that sands the tips of the fingers to be able to feel the tumblers engaging. I drink a glass of V-8 fortified W/Tobasco and Tapatio hot sauces sometimes when I lit-up and I get the same effects.
I like the size too. I’d Like/love to have a lonsdale version. Do you think different sizes will be offered in the future ?
I just found out that a Punisher Shorty (4.5×60) will be released soon. With a possible perfecto sometime later in the future. I’m happy about this…the original prototype was a fat 6×58 and I liked the bigger ring size a lot.
Just had one of these for the first time two days ago…had been received as part of a sampler for Christmas. I was shocked when I put the cigar to my lips before lighting it! They were starting to tingle, and then in ten seconds were quite warm, like hot sauce warm! What was this thing? As I lit it, any initial flavors were lost in the pepper that followed, but it was a pleasant sensation, a new cigar experience! A little further in, yes, the pepper waned and there were notes of cocoa, espresso, earth, all served up on a platter of mild pepper, which, at this point halfway in, were working well together.
As I neared the end, I noticed a strong nicotine “kick”, which eventually got me a bit lightheaded as I was smoking on an empty stomach…one word to the wise, heed the advice in the previous reviews and save this for after a hearty meal!
All in all, I found this cigar to be a really nice change from the usual mid to full body smokes I enjoy. It was full of flavors and the pepper just seemed to enhance the whole experience. I will be picking up some more of these sticks for evenings when I’ in the mood for a more “intenso” experience.