Punch Releasing a New Value Brand Called Knuckle Buster
A set of brass knuckles on a cigar band might lead you to think that the cigar it adorns is going to be a powerful smoke. But that’s not exactly what General Cigar had in mind when it came up with the Punch Knuckle Buster. It’s a wallet-friendly, relatively inexpensive brand coming out next month that’s meant to fall in the middle of the strength spectrum. According to General, the cigar is a “hardworking blend for hardworking people.”
General explains that the name was inspired by University of Virginia college basketball coach Tony Bennett, who once described a rough-and-tumble game as a “blue collar knuckle buster.”
Despite the tough-guy name, Punch Knuckle Buster’s biggest attraction is not its power, but its price. The brand comes in three sizes, and all of them are slated to retail for less than $6: Robusto, measuring 4 1/2 inches by 52 ring gauge ($4.99); Toro, 6 by 50 ($5.49) and Gordo, 6 1/4 by 60, ($5.99). The Robusto and Toro will come in 25-count boxes, the Gordo, in boxes of 20.
As far as strength, the Knuckle Buster is blended to be an approachable medium body that anyone can light up regardless of their smoking experience. The Nicaraguan and Honduran filler is held together by a Nicaraguan binder and covered in a Nicaraguan Habano wrapper. Like most non-Cuban Punches, Knuckle Busters are made in General’s HATSA factory in Danlí, Honduras.
“A cigar is not about money or status or boutique cigarmakers,” said Ed Lahmann, senior brand manager for Punch. “It’s about removing those barriers and enjoying a moment of well-earned relaxation.”
The Punch Knuckle Buster ships to retailers on March 9.
