Casa Cuevas Sangre Nueva Toro – Blind Cigar Review

Cigar Info

Last year at the 2022 PCA trade show, Casa Cuevas showed off a new cigar, Casa Cuevas Sangre Nueva. Sangre Nueva translates from Spanish to “New Blood.” This is the cigar blended solely by Alec Cuevas, son of company President Luis Cuevas Jr. and grandson of Master Blender Luis Cuevas Sr., marking the next generation of cigar maker for the company, or new blood. It started shipping to stores in September of 2022.

Alec Cuevas was more recently appointed to the role of Director of Brand Development for the company. He is the 5th generation of the Cuevas tobacco family, and set out to create a blend that represents “old Traditions, new Generation”. Alec describes the Sangre Nueva as a Medium plus strength cigar. The blend uses an Ecuadorian Cameroon wrapper, Honduran Corojo binder, and Dominican, Nicaraguan and Pennsylvania broadleaf fillers. Alec included a high proportion of Pennsylvania broadleaf in the filler adding some extra strength while balancing out the cigar's flavors. Sangre Nueva is presented in 10-count boxes and three vitolas: Robusto 4.75 x 52 MSRP: $13.00, Toro 6 x 52 MSRP: $13.50, and Double Perfecto 6 x 58 MSRP: $14.75.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Toro
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 52
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Cameroon
Binder: Honduran Corojo
Filler: Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, USA (Pennsylvania Broadleaf, Kentucky Fire Cured)
Factory: Tabacalera Las Lavas S.R.L.
Blender: Alec Cuevas
Number of reviewers: 5 – Sean F. (fullermaine) Chris M. (Chris) Noah S. (Noah) Randy B. (randobush) Angel M. (Angel)
Price: $13.50
Age: 6 Months
Release Date: September 2022
Contributed by: Casa Cuevas Cigars

Initial Impressions – Casa Cuevas Sangre Nueva Toro

Appearance: 95

“This 6″ toro is an absolutely gorgeous cigar featuring a mottled medium brown wrapper that is reminiscent of a fine suede leather in both look and texture. Also noticeable was the tiniest of teeth, a very slight oily sheen, thin veins, and a subtly bumpy texture all of which added to its fine appearance.” –Noah S. (Noah)

Aroma: 95

“Fantastic smell on the wrapper of baking spice, cedar, and sweet tobacco. On the foot a much more intense smell of sweet tobacco, followed by a big hit of cedar and cocoa. All in all an extremely pleasant smell.” –Angel M. (Angel)

First Third

Flavor: 94
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“Flavors started off distinct but simple and rather one-dimensional out of the gate. The body of the smoke was very woody with notes of hickory campfire smoke and subtle hints that were floral in nature. About an inch in the flavors became drastically more dynamic and interesting. The woodiness dropped back substantially and an underlying sweetness crept in from the background and camped out directly on the finish that became medium to long. The retrohale further accentuated the sweetness and also added just a touch of spice with notes of cinnamon and baking spice.” –Noah S. (Noah)

“This one has a very bold start, big black pepper, creamy coffee, and brown sugar. It settles a tiny bit by about a quarter inch in, bringing out some soft cedar and marshmallow. A mossy note starts to grow with the cedar a little further in. At this point, the pepper has dropped to a nice moderate level. Brown sugar is more of a sweet bread note coming up on the second third. It sticks mostly to the finish.” –Chris M. (Chris)

Second Third

Flavor: 94
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“Going into the second third, the heavy amount of cedar remains as does the sweet tobacco, the baking spice is also still present along with the nuttiness, and there seems to be almost a whiskey flavor present. The smoke has smoothed out a little bit but still remains a bit dry and the temperature continues to be a bit warm. As for the bitterness, it has dropped down, but is still slightly present so far very enjoyable cigar.” –Angel M. (Angel)

“Going into second third, there has been some nice transitions. Still getting the slight toffee, baking spice, and sweet cayenne, but there's a hint of floral, pine, and nutmeg now, that is making it more complex/interesting.” –Randy B. (randobush)

Final Third

Flavor: 94
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“Nice peanut notes to end this cigar on.” –Sean F. (fullermaine)

“In the final third, the sweetness dropped to the back the cedar still remained prominent, and the nuttiness surpassed the sweetness. The slight whiskey flavor I picked up disappeared, making for an interesting transition toward the end. The smoke also smooths out a little bit more, settling in at a nice round smoothness, and the temperature actually cooled down a little bit.” –Angel M. (Angel)

Overall Impressions – Casa Cuevas Sangre Nueva Toro

Draw: 97

“The draw on this cigar was on point and just right through and through producing mouthfuls of opulent smoke.” –Noah S. (Noah)

Burn: 98

“This stick had a pretty rocking burn line. There were only a few points where it went wavy, but they never needed correction.” –Chris M. (Chris)

Construction: 96

“This stick was rolled masterfully, firm from head to foot with almost undetectable seams and an impressively straight double cap.” –Noah S. (Noah)

Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
Experience Overall: 94

“Great stick to smoke and enjoy. Notes of hickory bacon, cinnamon, black pepper, and peanut. Perfect draw and burn. Beautiful quad-colored ash and no touch-up was needed. This cigar makes me want another one. A stick I'd love to have in my humidor.” –Sean F. (fullermaine)

“This cigar definitely treated my palate well. Past the initial pepper blast, it was extremely well-balanced. The transitions were smooth, and the strength, manageable. I'd be interested in picking up some more to rotate through once I figure out what this was.” –Chris M. (Chris)

“WOW is all that comes to mind!!! I have a handful of cigars that I consider to be my favorites. All of which check off all the boxes, all of which are consistent, all of which are flavorful and complex and all of which I know I will enjoy whenever I grab them out of the humidor. This stick fits that bill and more! Even though this smoke started off one-dimensional for a short amount of time, the flavors were delightful and far from dull. What stemmed from there was nothing short of incredible! Ripe with an abundance of complexity, flavors, and a series of transitions that told an intriguing story, this smoke proved to be a unicorn in my eyes. My only wish is that this cigar was twice as long to prolong the enjoyment. After one round I am ready to buy a box!” –Noah S. (Noah)

“I really enjoyed this cigar, with its very interesting blend of flavors. The construction and performance of the cigar hit high marks on all notes. The transitions while smoking were noticeable, while still maintaining its original core of flavors. The smoke on the retrohale, and in the mouth, were satisfying at almost all times. THE ASH NEVER FELL. Never!” –Randy B. (randobush)

“Overall, I very much enjoyed all the flavors of cedar, sweet tobacco, baking spice, and cashew. The slight whiskey flavor that entered at the end of the first third, and through the second third was very enjoyable. The way the smoke smoothed out, and the bitterness disappeared in the final third ended the cigar perfectly. Other than the draw which I struggled with a tiny bit, I would say this was an extraordinary cigar, and most definitely worthy of placement in my rotation.” –Angel M. (Angel)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 71

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

Casa Cuevas Sangre Nueva Toro – Blind Cigar Review