Saint Luis Rey Gen2
Monday, August 5th, 2013First things first. Have you ordered your TomsCigars sampler yet? Don’t forget to enter the raffle to win one for free.
A little while ago, Altadis emailed me some samples of the Saint Luis Rey Gen2. This blend is their attempt to move into the fuller bodied market. There is really no big story here, so let’s get to it.
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Honduras & Nicaragua
Size: Toro 54 x 6
Price: $6 to $7.00
Pre-Smoke & Construction:
The wrapper looked toothy, a little blotchy, but had no real flaws. It had an odor of earth, wood, and leather. All of the samples I received were rolled very tight, which resulted in a snug draw. The pre-light draw was leathery, with a slight peppery note.
The burn required a few minor corrections, and the ash held for just over an inch.
Flavor:
The first third started off with a fairly strong pepper. After an inch or so, it calmed down a bit. This allowed leather, earth, and cedar, to stand out. The tight draw resulted in minimal smoke volume. The smoke feel was very dry and crisp.
The tight draw loosened up in the second third. This allowed more smoke volume and flavor. The smoke feel became thicker, yet it remained crisp. Leather, coffee (with cream), and cedar were the main flavors. Black pepper would come and go.
In the last third, coffee, with cream and sugar, dominated the flavor profile. Pepper, earthiness, and cedar followed. The smoke feel was nice and thick. It really coated the palate after exhaling.
Conclusion:
This was a good upper medium to full bodied cigar. There is really nothing to make the Gen2 stand out from the crowd. As for the brand itself, this is the better of the lot. My only complaint was the tight draw in the first third. Otherwise, this is a good “Normal” cigar.
