A few weeks ago Mike and I got together to do some Cigarfest 2011 Coverage. We headed up to the Poconos a day early to attend a Studio Tobac World Tour event at Atlantic Cigar. While snapping a few pictures to post on Twitter, Bryan Scholle tapped me on the shoulder and handed me a cigar. He said that he called this creation the “Donkey Punch“.

Bryan went on to explain that the filler was made up of Esteli Ligero with a Cain F Wrapper as a binder and the same Cain F Wrapper leaf as the wrapper. He went on to tell me that the cigar was very full and to smoke it after having something to eat. I threw caution to the wind and lit up the cigar on the spot, and loved it.

A few days later, while standing around at Cigarfest 2011, Bryan approached me again and told me that he wanted me to smoke the first ever Donkey Punch Maduro. I placed the cigar in my pocket to be smoked at a later date (this review). I didn’t ask what the wrapper was, but I can only assume that it is the same San Andreas Maduro that is used on both the Studio Tobac ST/DS-001 and Nub San Andreas Maduro.

Construction

The major difference between the Nub and Cain events of the past, with Sam Leccia, and the new Studio Tobac events, with Bryan Scholle, is that the cigars rolled at the current events are made completely at the event. Instead of just applying a wrapper, Bryan is blending cigars from loose tobacco, placing them in a press, and rolling them all before your eyes. With this soup to nuts style rolling at events, the cigars look a bit crude.

My Studio Tobac Donkey Punch Maduro was a bit lumpy with a crooked cap, but otherwise constructed very well. The stick felt heavy in my hand and very firm when pinched. After clipping, my cigar had a bit of resistance that increased upon lighting. Several minutes in, the draw opened up and plenty of smoke was provided.

The burn rate was nice and slow, with an even burn line. The ash formed into a tight compacted shape and grew to an inch and a half before I forced it off the end of my cigar. Resting smoke was light and the room aroma was rather mellow for such a stout smoke.

Flavor

When it comes to flavor, the Donkey Punch Maduro is, in a lot of ways, like the >Cain F line. The emphasis is on power with a complex variety of flavors being less important. The end result is a one dimensional flavor profile that remains the same from start to finish.

Through the sinus I was hit with a powerful spice which seemed a bit muddy (not bright, for lack of a better description). Across the palate I noted a syrupy bitterness and woodsy tones. These three components worked together to makeup the only flavor profile that I was able to detect. While the flavor was one dimensional, I enjoyed the total package.

The body would best be described as very full, while the smoke was full flavored. Smoke coated the palate and left me with a thick syrup like texture that gave me the urge to either sip on some water, or spit.

Final Thoughts

If you are not a fan of limited production, hard to find, sticks then you are going to hate the Studio Tobac Donkey Punch Maduro. The reason being, this cigar is not in any sort of production and are only available at Studio Tobac Events. To make matters worse, you are only going to get one if you ask Bryan to make it. Think of this cigar as made-to-order.

Even in this extremely limited quantities state, I am a big fan of both the Studio Tobac Donkey Punch and Donkey Punch Maduro. The flavor profile is the same from front to back but it is loaded with power. You can’t help but feel like you are melting into your chair, the world becoming a distant blur, while the cigar turns to ash.

Call to Action

While talking to Bryan I learned that he plans on re-naming this cigar. He feels that by calling it the “Donkey Punch”, he may offend people. In the short term, he began referring to it as the “DP” (That is so much better, isn’t it? LOL). Personally, I think that the name should remain. If you feel the same way, I’d like you to reach out and tell Bryan to keep it.

Twitter Users:
I would suggesting tweeting something like @StudioTobac Keep the Donkey Punch name alive! #HeeHaw

Facebook Users:
If you are a friend of Bryan, write something on his wall to the affect of Keep the Donkey Punch name alive!