Cuban Cigars Punch Brand

Punch is one of the very oldest Habano brands. Don Manuel Lopez of Juan Valle & Co founded it in the mid 19th Century with an eye to the booming British market where a humorous magazine of the same name was much in vogue. A contented Mr. Punch, the clown who personified the magazine, is still featured in every box, cigar in hand, and surrounded by 19th Century images of cigar making that remain virtually unchanged over a century and a half later. In 1925 the Punch moved to the factory where Hoyo de Monterrey was made and this long association continues to the present day.

Punch

Strength: Medium

Punch was created in 1840 by Don Manuel Lopez of J. Valle & Co predominantly for the British market. The name came from their humorous magazine, which was portrayed by the comic “Mr Punch”.

Mr Punch, cigar in hand, surrounded by 19th century images of cigar crafting still adorns each box.

Its popularity led Winston Churchill to visit the factory and giving his name to one of the sizes of this brand.

It is one of the oldest Habano brands ever: Punch. Its origins date back to the middle of the 19th century , and at that time the British market was the main target. It was named after Mr. Punch , a figure from the popular hand puppet theatre, a character who is similar to Punch and Judy in this country. The brand’s logo, which shows an open curtain , alludes to this theatre tradition . 

Mr. Punch’s behavior is sometimes quite crude and impertinent, and it is therefore not surprising that a very famous satirical magazine of the time was named after him. Punch, a magazine with a huge circulation in England, was known for not mincing its words. You may have heard of the famous cartoon Dropping the Pilot . It shows Bismarck , dismissed by Kaiser Wilhelm II, abandoning the ship, and is perhaps the most famous depiction that ever appeared in Punch. 

eventful history

Cuba’s history has been turbulent, and this has not left the Punch cigar brand unscathed. Over the decades, it has changed owners several times. It is inextricably linked with Don Manuel Lopez , to whom it owes its name. 

The 20th Century

During the economic crisis that hit the world in the 1920s, Punch also ran into difficulties. The company Palacio y Cía, which also produced other fine cigars, bought the brand. Since 1925, Punch has been produced in the same factory as Hoyo de Monterrey – a connection between the two Cuban labels that continues to this day.

When the revolution broke out in Cuba, ownership changed again. The US trade embargo imposed shortly afterwards meant that the USA was no longer an export country, which also meant a serious turning point for cigar production. But Punch, now in the hands of the socialist state like all companies on the Caribbean island, was able to hold its own. Thanks to their quality, the cigars continued to enjoy great popularity in Europe, especially in the core market of Great Britain.

Present

Punch still enjoys the reputation of being one of the finest brands in its country, and word has spread in continental Europe as well. There is a lot of competition from outstanding tobaccos among Cuban cigars, but Punch has nothing to hide. Like many first-class Habanos, it sources its tobacco from the Vuelta Abajo region. In terms of taste, Punch is characterized by woody notes and a pleasant sweetness .

In addition to the regular cigars, there are also always limited formats. When these limitadas come onto the market is a lottery and cannot be predicted. The trademark of these delicacies is the gold and black ring with the year. For those who prefer something smaller: the wonderful minis in the neat pack of 20 offer the pleasure of a Habano in pocket format. Also ideal for beginners who want to explore the world of Cuban cigars via the punch!