Punch Gran Puro Nicaragua Robusto

Punch has been delivering powerhouse smokes since its Cuban beginnings in 1840, and the Punch Gran Puro Nicaragua proves the brand is still pushing boundaries. Handmade in Honduras at the HATSA factory, this cigar swaps out the traditional all-Honduran blend for a daring recipe that layers Nicaraguan binder and long-fillers beneath a dark, oily Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper. The result is a robust, medium-to-full-bodied smoke that delivers waves of earth, spice, leather, and a subtle sweetness that keeps the intensity in check.

To match its bold but balanced character, we recommend pairing the Gran Puro Nicaragua Robusto with Heavy Riff’s Velvet Underbrown Ale. The ale’s creamy malt body, roasted cocoa notes, and touch of caramel harmonize beautifully with the cigar’s pepper and leather core, while its smooth finish tames the cigar’s strength. Together, they create a pairing that’s rich, satisfying, and perfect for unwinding after a long day.

The Nicaraguan cigar industry originated when Cuban cigar makers escaped the revolution and re-established their livelihood in Nicaragua with Cuban-seed tobacco. Blessed with dark, rich soil, their new home was ideal for tobacco cultivation and Nicaragua quickly became known for cigars that rivaled Cuban quality. Unfortunately, revolution and war came to Nicaragua in the 1980s and devastated the industry, but it’s rebounded dramatically and is once again producing tobacco considered by many to be the finest in the world.

The Esteli Valley is in many ways the heart of Nicaraguan production and is known for its very powerful and spicy tobacco. The Jalapa Valley produces arguably the finest tobacco in the country: somewhat sweeter and less intense than Esteli, but extremely complex. The tobacco of the Condega Valley is often described as a blend of the other two regions.