Does punching intensify flavors?

[Bruce T.]

Last year I got into the habit of using a punch instead of a cutter. I really enjoy the way the shoulder of the cigar is preserved when using a punch and that the result is a nicer feel in the mouth. I last night I had a cigar that seemed to be a bit stronger than I remembered. I was wondering if punching results in the flavors being intensified a bit due to the smaller area of the draw. Any opinions?

 

[Boudie]

Interesting question. I punch when the cap is poorly applied or when, in the rare case, I have a mixed filler cigar but I've never noticed a big difference in flavor.

Lots of people like big cuts on a cigar because they can take a shorter draw while getting a lot of smoke, keeping the cigar cool and not allowing the tars to overheat. A smaller cut tends to build up the tars and liquids in a smaller place and as it heats up the flavors/harshness can increase?

Curious what everyone else has to say.

 

[Burnaz16]

I recently got a punch on a cigar cruise and I've been using it more than my go to V-cut. I was planning on doing a little experiment/comparison and smoking the same cigar back to back, one with the V-cut and one with the punch to see if there is a difference. I've heard that the punch does add a little something by way of flavors, but who knows if that's just bullshit that people say or if its actually true. I'll let you know if I notice any difference when I test it out. Let me know if you can taste a difference if you do the same.

 

[navyvet]

It helps you get tar build up on many cigars

 

[jvd1230]

I use a punch only for specific cigars, namely with ones where the cap is prone to cracking when cut. Some cigars have real thin wrappers that I find a punch is just the only way I can reliably cut them.

 

[EL Corojo]

I've always thought that a punch made the flavors more intense and tend to punch mild cigars.