Punch cigars carry one of the oldest names in Havana and one of the most playful. The brand was first registered in 1840 and named after a British humour magazine, and its boxes still show the puppet Mr Punch with a cigar in hand. This profile covers its history, its classic sizes, its medium style and its place in Malaysia.
Cuban Punch and Honduran Punch
To begin with, there are two Punch brands. The original is Cuban, owned by the state and sold worldwide by Habanos S.A.
The second dates from the 1960s. Fernando Palicio, the brand’s last private owner, left Cuba after the revolution. He sold his rights to Villazon & Co., which began making a Punch from Honduran tobacco for the American market. Later, in 1997, General Cigar bought Villazon and took over that line. This page covers the Cuban Punch.
History of Punch cigars
According to Wikipedia, a German named Stockmann first registered the brand in 1840. He chose the name of Punch, a popular English comic magazine, because Britain was a key market. Habanos simply dates the brand to the mid-19th century.
Ownership then passed through several hands. Manuel López bought the brand in 1884, and his name still appears on boxes and bands today. Later, in 1930, Fernández, Palicio y Cía acquired it. That firm also owned Hoyo de Monterrey, and in 1931 Punch moved into the Hoyo factory. The Cuban government nationalised both brands after the revolution.
Where and how it is made
Punch and Hoyo de Monterrey have shared a home for nearly a century. Habanos says both are produced today at the La Corona factory in Havana. All long-filler Punch cigars are made totally by hand, with filler and wrapper leaf from the Vuelta Abajo.
Notable sizes
The Cuban range has shrunk over the years, but it keeps several classic shapes. The newest regular size is the Short de Punch, added in 2019. Habanos says it was the brand’s first thick, short-format cigar.
| Cigar | Length × ring gauge | Shape |
|---|---|---|
| Punch Punch | 143 mm × 46 | Corona gorda |
| Coronas | 143 mm × 42 | Corona |
| Churchills | 178 mm × 47 | Churchill |
| Double Coronas | 194 mm × 49 | Double corona |
| Short de Punch | 120 mm × 50 | Robusto |
The Punch Punch shares its name with the brand, and it is the size most smokers link with Punch. Our cigar sizes guide explains how these formats compare.
House style and flavour
In general terms, Punch is a classic medium Habano. Habanos describes a “characteristic flavour and medium strength”. Smokers commonly describe cedar, earth, light coffee, dried fruit and a gentle sweetness. Compared with its factory partner Hoyo, it usually feels a little fuller and earthier.
As a result, the brand can suit smokers who find Hoyo too light but Partagás too heavy. Of course, storage and age shift the balance, so treat these notes as a broad guide.
Strengths and criticisms
Fans like its old-school character. A well-aged Punch Punch or Double Corona has a strong reputation among collectors of classic Cuban sizes.
That said, Punch has a lower profile than Cohiba or Montecristo today. Some smokers feel the brand gets less attention from Habanos, and the regular range has fewer sizes than before. Others say young boxes can taste plain until they rest for a year or two.
Punch in Malaysia
Outside the US, Punch cigars on Malaysian shelves are normally the Cuban ones. Habanos cigars come into the country through The Pacific Cigar Company, the official distributor for the Asia-Pacific region. Genuine boxes carry the Habanos warranty seal; see our guide to counterfeit cigars.
If you plan to rest cigars for a year or two, the climate matters. Malaysia’s humid air and dry air-conditioned rooms both affect cigars, so read our guide on how to store cigars. Act 852 bans tobacco advertising and online sales, as our page on Act 852 and cigar law explains. No cigar is safe, either; see our page on cigar health risks.
Where to read more
- Hoyo de Monterrey: Punch’s factory partner since 1931
- Cuban cigars: the pillar guide to Habanos
- History of cigars: how the trade grew in the 19th century
- Cigar brands: every profile in our directory
Frequently asked questions
Why is the brand called Punch?
It was named after Punch, a humorous English magazine of the 19th century, and its mascot Mr Punch. The name was aimed at the British market, and Mr Punch still appears on the boxes, smoking a cigar.
Are Cuban and Honduran Punch the same?
No. The Honduran Punch began with Villazon & Co. after the revolution and now belongs to General Cigar. It uses Central American tobacco and different blends.
How strong is a Cuban Punch?
Habanos rates it medium. It sits between the lighter Hoyo de Monterrey and fuller brands such as Partagás. Our cigar strength chart explains the scale.
Does Punch have anything to do with a punch cutter?
No. The brand name comes from the magazine. A punch cutter is simply a tool that bores a small hole in the cap; our guide on how to cut a cigar explains it.
