Cigar News: Punch Knuckle Buster Shade and Maduro Stubby Hit the Cigar Scene

Punch Knuckle Buster Shade and Maduro Stubby. Mobbed-up names? Characters from an obscure Tarantino movie? Or two new releases from Punch cigars? Maybe all three. Read on and decide for yourself.


Punch Knuckle Buster Shade

Punch Knuckle Buster, the bold collection that debuted earlier in the 2020s, has just added a collection of natural wrapper smokes to its lineup. Called Punch Knuckle Buster Shade, the six-country blend is described as:

  • Wrapper – Ecuadoran-grown Connecticut Shade
  • Binder – Mexican
  • Filler – Colombia, Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and USA (Broadleaf)

Filling a gap in the Knuckle Buster portfolio in terms of price and profile, “Shade” is an elegant yet rugged smoke that’s a great anytime, anywhere cigar. Toasty notes of earth and nut make Punch Knuckle Buster Shade a great pairing for a Pilsner or a cappuccino (if you’re fancy like that).

The line features these frontmarks:

  • Robusto (5.5 x 50) – MSRP $5.39/cigar (25 per box)
  • Toro (6” x 52) – MSRP $6.09/cigar (25 per box)
  • Gordo (6” x 60) – MSRP $6.59/cigar (20 per box)
  • Stubby (4.5” x 60) A New Vitola – MSRP $5.49/cigar (20 per box)

The company notes that the Stubby is the ideal companion for shorter smoking occasions.

Handmade at HATSA in Honduras, Punch Knuckle Buster Shade is beginning to appear at retail, following a ship date of March 1.


Other Punch Knuckle Buster News

The Punch Knuckle Buster Maduro line has been beefed up with a short gordo that’s also called Stubby. The little dynamo clocks in at 4.5” x 60, comes 20 in a box and sells for an MSRP of $5.49.

Its blend is described as:

  • Wrapper – Connecticut-grown broadleaf
  • Binder – Indonesian
  • Filler – all-Nicaraguan

If we’re going with the mob analogy above, this cigar packs a punch. Punch Knuckle Buster Maduro Stubby is a medium-bodied smoke but full of what you expect from a maduro: molasses, black cherry and cocoa – ideal with coffee or a stout. Also handcrafted at HATSA in Honduras, Punch Knuckle Buster Maduro Stubby is hitting retail now.

Brand manager John Hakim said:

“Punch Knuckle Buster keeps growing by popular demand. With great blends, expert craftsmanship and realistic pricing, the line offers something for every cigar smoker and every occasion. If you haven’t tried one of the Punch Knuckle Buster blends yet, I’d tell you you’re missing out. But I’m sure you’ve already heard that from your cigar smoking buddies.”


About Punch Knuckle Buster

Named for a phrase made famous by a university basketball coach who described a rough and tumble physical game as a “Blue Collar Knuckle Buster,” the Punch Knuckle Buster Habano line was created in 2020 to deliver a hardworking cigar for hard working people.  The line was extended in 2022 to add the Knuckle Buster Maduro.