Punch Monarch (Tubos)

The Night I Finally “Got” the Punch Monarch Tubos

It was late September 2019, sitting on my buddy Mike’s deck in Tampa after a brutal week at work. He’d been raving about these Punch Monarch tubos for months – I mean, wouldn’t shut up about them. I’d been politely nodding along while secretly thinking he was full of it. Punch has always been hit or miss for me, and honestly? I figured this was just another overhyped stick.

Then I lit one up that night.

About twenty minutes in, when that first complexity shift hit – you know the one, where the cigar suddenly stops being just tobacco and becomes something else entirely – I had to set it down and just… appreciate what was happening. Mike looked over with this smug grin. “Told you so,” he said. And damn it, he was right.

First Impressions and Construction

The Punch Monarch comes in those aluminum tubes that I usually find pretentious (sorry, not sorry), but there’s something about the way this one feels in your hand that’s different. Substantial. The tube itself has this nice weight to it that doesn’t scream “cheap marketing gimmick.”

When you slide the cigar out – and it slides, doesn’t stick like some of these tubed cigars do – you’re looking at a beautiful corona gorda. The wrapper’s got this gorgeous Colorado shade that’s not too dark, not too light. Perfect, really. Construction-wise, I’ve never had a dud. Not once in the… oh, probably thirty or so I’ve smoked over the years.

The pre-light draw is where things get interesting. You get this subtle sweetness that reminds me a bit of the punch grand cru line, but cleaner somehow. More refined. There’s cedar there, obviously, but also this hint of… I want to say vanilla? Maybe that’s my imagination, but it’s there.

The Smoke – Why This Isn’t Your Average Punch

Okay, here’s where I’m gonna get a little controversial. Most Punch cigars are workhorses – solid, dependable, but not exactly inspiring. They’re the Toyota Camry of cigars. Reliable but forgettable.

The Monarch? This is different animal entirely.

Right off the bat, you’re getting this beautiful cedar and leather combination that’s become my benchmark for how these flavors should work together. Not competing, not taking turns – actually complementing each other. The first third burns evenly (always a good sign) and there’s this underlying creaminess that I honestly didn’t expect from Punch.

Around the halfway point – and this happens every time, it’s not just my imagination – something magical occurs. The leather notes deepen, and you start getting these waves of… I guess I’d call it baking spice? Cinnamon, maybe some nutmeg. It’s subtle, not in-your-face like some of those flavored cigars that taste like someone dumped pumpkin spice into the tobacco.

The final third is where the Monarch really earns its name. The flavors intensify without becoming harsh (which, let’s be honest, happens with a lot of cigars in the final stretch). You get more pepper, but it’s balanced by this almost chocolate undertone that develops. I’ve shared these with friends who swear they taste coffee in the finish. Maybe they do – palates are weird that way.

Burn and Draw Characteristics

I’ve got to mention the burn because it’s honestly impressive. These things burn like they were engineered in a lab. Straight, even, no touch-ups needed 95% of the time. The ash holds for a solid inch and a half before dropping, and it’s always this clean white-gray that just looks… premium.

Draw’s perfect too. Not too tight (hate that), not too loose (hate that even more). Just right. Goldilocks would approve.

What I Pair With These (And What You Shouldn’t)

Pairing is where a lot of people overthink things, but I’ve had enough of these to know what works and what doesn’t.

My go-to is a glass of Maker’s Mark 46 – not the regular Maker’s, the 46. The French oak staves they use give it this vanilla-caramel thing that plays beautifully with the Monarch’s natural sweetness. Had this combo probably a dozen times, never disappointed.

For non-whiskey drinkers (and I’m not judging, much), a good porter works wonders. I’m partial to Deschutes Black Butte Porter when I can get it, but honestly any quality porter will do the trick. The roasted malt flavors bridge perfectly with that chocolate note I mentioned earlier.

Coffee? Surprisingly good. Had one with my morning cup last weekend (don’t judge – it was Saturday), and the combination worked better than it had any right to. Just make sure it’s good coffee. Life’s too short for both bad cigars and bad coffee.

What doesn’t work: Anything too sweet. Skip the dessert wines, skip the flavored rums. The Monarch’s got its own sweetness going on and you’ll just muddy the waters.

Who Should Smoke These (And Who Shouldn’t)

This is a medium-bodied smoke, which makes it more approachable than you might expect from the Punch name. I’ve given these to relative beginners who handled them just fine – no green faces, no coughing fits.

That said, if you’re looking for a powerhouse cigar that’s gonna knock you on your ass with nicotine, look elsewhere. These are about finesse, not brute force. If your idea of a good cigar is something that hits like a freight train, you’ll probably find the Monarch boring.

They’re perfect for:

• Business dinners (classy but not intimidating)
• Evening relaxation sessions
• Introducing someone to premium cigars
• When you want to actually taste what you’re smoking

Skip them if:

• You only smoke full-bodied cigars
• You’re on a tight budget (they’re not cheap)
• You prefer rustic, rough-around-the-edges sticks

Storage and Handling Tips

Here’s something most reviews won’t tell you: those tubes are both a blessing and a curse. Great for travel, great for gifts, but they can mess with humidity if you’re not careful.

I learned this the hard way when I stored a handful in my humidor still in their tubes for about six months. They dried out more than they should have because the tubes create this weird micro-environment. Now I remove them from the tubes and store them like any other cigar. Keep the tubes if you want – they’re handy for travel – but don’t rely on them for long-term storage.

Also, these age beautifully. I’ve got a few from 2020 that are smoking better now than they did fresh. The flavors meld together more, become more integrated. If you’ve got the patience and the humidor space, buy a few extra and forget about them for a year or two.

How They Stack Up Against Other Punches

I mentioned the punch grand cru earlier, and the comparison’s worth exploring. The Grand Cru has more earth, more raw tobacco flavor. It’s a cigar that wants you to know you’re smoking a cigar, if that makes sense. The Monarch is more refined, more… civilized, I guess.

The regular Punch lineup feels almost rustic compared to the Monarch. Not bad, just different. It’s like comparing a craft cocktail to a beer – both have their place, but they’re trying to do different things.

Value Proposition

Let’s talk money because, let’s face it, these aren’t cheap. You’re looking at around $15-20 per stick depending on where you buy them (and yes, I know some of you are paying more – shop around, people).

Are they worth it? That depends on what you’re comparing them to. Against other premium cigars in the same price range? Absolutely. I’d take a Monarch over a comparably priced Ashton or Davidoff any day of the week.

Against budget smokes? Well, that’s not really a fair comparison, is it? But if you’re trying to decide between these and, say, three cheaper cigars… I’d take the one Monarch. Quality over quantity, especially when the quality gap is this significant.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do these take to smoke?

Plan on about 90 minutes to two hours. They’re not a quick smoke, but they’re worth the time investment. I’ve never felt like one dragged on too long.

Can I buy these in boxes?

Yes, they come in boxes of 15. Fair warning though – once you have a box, you’re gonna smoke through them faster than you think. They’re dangerously easy to reach for.

Are these Cuban?

No, these are made in Honduras. And before anyone starts with the “Cuban or nothing” nonsense – these are proof that great cigars come from all over. Geography isn’t everything.

Do they get better with age?

Absolutely. I’ve got some with three years on them that are smoking like absolute poetry. The flavors integrate more, become more subtle and complex. If you can afford to lay some down, do it.

Final Thoughts

The Punch Monarch Tubos changed my opinion about the entire Punch brand. It’s not just a good cigar – it’s a great one. Consistently great, which in this business is rarer than it should be.

Is it perfect? No cigar is. But it’s damn close to what I want in a premium smoke: excellent construction, complex flavors, and enough refinement to make the price tag feel justified.

Mike still reminds me about that night in Tampa whenever we light up together. And you know what? He’s earned the right to be smug about it. When you find someone a cigar this good, a little gloating is acceptable.

Just… maybe don’t be quite as insufferable about it as he was.