Cut/Punch Differences?

[Psojka RP,601]

As i am sitting here, smoking an Air Bender that i have punched...I'm thinking about the AB that i smoked last week; i cut that one. and i can honestly say that i taste a distinct difference in the flavors here. This is the first cigar that i have experienced this with to my knowledge. So, my question to you all is:

What cigars, if any, have you tasted a difference in when you cut or punch them? And how much of a difference can you taste?

 

[ninjafox99]

I think someone said that punching a cigar makes it not so full-bodied. I dont know how true that is, but i myself cant tell as far as flavor goes.

 

[Clint]

Old school/purist here....I have been told by many I repsect in and out of the cigar biz that punching a cigar is not a good idea.

Why? Theorectically you can push the tobacco when punching, thereby impacting and sometimes destroying the burning performance of your cigar....Basically creating a plug.

So, I voted "A very distinct difference " based on the fact that you can ruin your cigar, and not ever get to taste it!!

 

[SkinsFanLarry]

The only reason I occasionally punch a cigar (large ring cigar) is to "centralize" the flow of the smoke versus cutting the end off with a Palio.

( and I checked - cant really tell a difference at all)

 

[AnthonyP]

I can't really tell a difference...

 

[iCraig]

Never noticed a taste difference between punch and cut. I used to use punch exclusively. I've misplaced my punch though and have been using a regular 2-blade guillotine and been just as happy.

 

[lighthousebill1]

i usually decide to punch when the ring size is 58 or larger . i v-cut torpedoes and belicosos, and straight cut everything else ...

 

[Fia]

Only thing I notice is that it seems to get a little more bitter near the end with a punch. But other than that, no real difference.

 

[iCraig]

i usually decide to punch when the ring size is 58 or larger . i v-cut torpedoes and belicosos, and straight cut everything else ...

Why the v-cut on torpedos instead of a straight cut?

 

[The BurgerMeister]

i've heard that a bullet cut can lead to more bitterness at the end due to a collection of nasty tobacco juice around the ring of the hole.

for my part, i use a Palio for most cigars and a bullet for very large ring cigars.

 

[sean]

i've heard that a bullet cut can lead to more bitterness at the end due to a collection of nasty tobacco juice around the ring of the hole.

for my part, i use a Palio for most cigars and a bullet for very large ring cigars.

i've had a few punches get soggy/gross on me... subtle difference between the two.

but i too am curious about the V cut on belicosos...

 

[lighthousebill1]

I just find i like the flow of smoke on a torpedo when i use a v cut.also i notice the v cut works perfect on a torpedo

 

[sean]

Do you cut it perpendicular to the angle of the stick?

 

[swat253]

Never noticed a taste difference between punch and cut. I used to use punch exclusively. I've misplaced my punch though and have been using a regular 2-blade guillotine and been just as happy.

Same here - I used to punch 'em all till the thing went missin! I'm still not to the point where I smoke many duplicates yet, so I can't really say, but I chose Can't really tell a difference.

 

[smokemifugotem]

I find that punch tends to give more tar on cigars. Not every cigar is like that...but when one does hit a tar spurt...Im done...

 

[tmoney2007]

I find that punch tends to give more tar on cigars. Not every cigar is like that...but when one does hit a tar spurt...Im done...

Yep, its pretty terrible.

If a cigar is proned to tarring up... a punch will make it worse.

 

[Wink]

Haven't really paid to much attention to that. Good question, I'm more concerned about getting the tobacco on my lips so I rarely even use my cutter. I just punch and go, but I do believe it changes the draw for sure.

 

[Le Buzz]

I get burn issues sometimes when punching. When you punch, you only draw mostly from the inner leaves. Sometimes I get tunneling as a result or just a wacky burn, compared to when I clip.

As a result I only punch Padrons, and clip everything else. Damn padrons and their dinky little single caps. :skew:

 

[MichiganM]

I use my Palio on just about everything. I have found that a punch does give me a harsh flavor profile once the cigar is about half way through, just my opinion.

 

[ER Doc]

I can't really tell a difference, but I've heard that a punch cut will direct the smoke more directly onto the taste buds thus giving a more distinct flavor.

I usually go with my mood - or if I want to do something different than I've been doing. As far as I care, they all open the cigar up so I can smoke it!!!