Saint Luis Rey Carenas Toro – Blind Cigar Review

Cigar Info

Saint Luis Rey is a somewhat lesser known brand from from Altadis U.S.A. when compared to Montecristo and Romeo y Julieta. The newest line in the brand is Saint Luis Rey Carenas and pays tribute to the Port of Havana, which was known as Puerto Carenas in the early 16th Century.

In the 16th Century, sailors headed to the West Indies would have to repair or “carenar” their ships. The historic harbor of Puerto Carenas, now known as the Port of Havana, was not only a place to get a ship repaired, but also served as a departure port for many important exports, including tobacco headed for the world’s first tobacco factory in Seville, Spain.

This story serves as the influence for the packaging and bands used for Saint Luis Rey Carenas. It comes in boxes of 20 decorated in traditional gold accents and heritage of Saint Luis Rey branding. The artwork inside the box shows a moment in history with an illustration of a 16th century Spanish ship making port in historic Puerto Carenas.

The Saint Luis Rey Carenas was blended by the Grupo de Maestros of La Flor De Copan. It is described as a flavored and medium-bodied . The blend uses a Nicaraguan wrapper and Honduran binder and filler. It comes in four sizes: Robusto (50 x 5) – $8.25; Toro (52 x 6) – $8.50; Belicoso (54 x 6 1/8) – $8.95; and Magnum (60 x 6) – $9.15.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Toro
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 52
Country of Origin: Honduras
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Honduras
Filler: Honduras
Factory: La Flor de Copan
Blender: Grupo de Maestros
Number of reviewers: 4 – Sean F. (fullermaine) Ryan H. (Ryan H.) Alan (Eulogy) Joseph S. (Bearded Bastard)
Price: $8.50
Age: 5 Months
Release Date: April 2021
Contributed by: Altadis USA

Initial Impressions

Appearance: 91

“This toro sized cigar has a Medium red-brown wrapper with no flaws.” –Joseph S. (Bearded Bastard)

Aroma: 91

“Sweet notes of cedar and tobacco are the dominant note on the foot with a baking spice finish. The predraw has much of the same with a slightly more pronounced baking spice.” –Alan (Eulogy)

First Third

Flavor: 93
Strength: Mild-Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“The flavors are starting out very bold with gingersnap, walnuts, and red pepper as the core notes. I’m finding a dusty note of peanut shells and leather on the finish with a great smoke output. The cap is becoming a problem as it split upon even a shallow cut.” –Alan (Eulogy)

“In the first third I am getting notes of nuts, and a touch of pepper. So far so good!” –Joseph S. (Bearded Bastard)

Second Third

Flavor: 93
Strength: Mild-Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“spicy brown sugar can be detected all the way a crossed the palate, molasses as well. sweetness does start to disappear with every draw. Black coffee comes from nowhere complementing the brown sugar and molasses pretty well. spice is still present but slowly dying down.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)

“I’m surprised at how big of a transition there is between these two-thirds. The profile is even sweeter than the first third with notes of honey, graham crackers, cream, and baking spice. The draw has opened up a bit and the smoke output is even better than the first third.” –Alan (Eulogy)

Final Third

Flavor: 93
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“In the final third I am picking up more sweetness, but the nuttiness and the oak from the previous third are still hanging in.” –Joseph S. (Bearded Bastard)

“Each quarter inch is almost like a whole new experience. It may have a lot of notes from the previous third but it is almost manically changing the presentation. The graham cracker and honey notes can be upfront and center one moment but then the gingersnap and baking spice profile adds a nice depth.” –Alan (Eulogy)

Overall Impressions

Draw: 96

“Perfection from beginning to end.” –Sean F. (fullermaine)

Burn: 97

“I did love the burn not even close to having to touch it up.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)

Construction: 93

“Might have been a little overfilled compromising the draw, but A+ in every single other department concerning construction. seams + cap+ quality material+” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)

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

“What a pleasure to smoke this cigar. Perfection in construction, draw and burn. A great blend of cherry, hickory, oak, black pepper, and grass. A cigar that I’d smoke again and want for my humidor.” –Sean F. (fullermaine)

“I absolutely loved this cigar. It was very enjoyable, and it for sure tasted great. I would buy a box.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)

“Amazing cigar with a sweet profile and flawless burn. The cap was a slight annoyance but everything else was so spot on that it is easy to ignore. If you enjoy a naturally sweet profile this will be a real winner for you. I can’t recommend this enough and I think everyone should at least try one if not pick up a five-pack to give it a try. Certainly, the best review cigar I’ve had this year and one of the top cigars I have had in a while.” –Alan (Eulogy)

“Loved the flavors and the meaty mouthfeel.  The sweet and nutty profile really kept me interested!” –Joseph S. (Bearded Bastard)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 72

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

Saint Luis Rey Carenas Toro – Blind Cigar Review