Today, I took a dive into the Saint Louis Rey Pacificos, a cigar released for the Asia Pacific region in 2009. This particular box has a production date of July 2009.
The construction looks promising, featuring a neat wrapper with some subtle green tones in its aroma. The draw on these cigars is impressive, ensuring a good start. Right away, there’s an immediate hit of medium to full flavor, with a sweet and slightly spicy profile that lingers pleasantly.
As I enjoyed this smoke, I noted the delightful combination of flavors. The cigar settled nicely with a pleasant sweetness and hints of toasted tobacco, reminding me of ginger and apricot at various moments. It’s intriguing how these notes weave in and out throughout the experience.
While the final third can get a bit messy, it maintains a strong character, making for an enjoyable session. I’m excited to see how these might mature over the next year or so.
Key Takeaways
- The unique flavors of the cigar come alive right from the start.
- The mid-section offers delightful notes of ginger and apricot.
- The final segment can get messy, but the cigar holds potential for future aging.
Cigar Overview
Background of Saint Luis Rey Pacificos
The Saint Luis Rey Pacificos was introduced as a special release for the Asia Pacific region in 2009. This unique cigar is associated with the efforts of David Tang and Doug Humbo. I’ve tried many of these cigars and enjoyed them a lot. The flavor profile often involves a mix of sweet and spicy notes that are quite distinct.
MASMOS July 09 Box Specifics
The box for this particular cigar is labeled MASMOS from July 2009. When examining several boxes, I noticed a consistent quality across the batch, which is a reassuring feature for any aficionado. The wrapper shows a bit of greenish hue when smelled, which adds to the uniqueness of the cigar.
Quality of Wrapper and Construction
The construction of the cigar is something I look at closely. For the Saint Luis Rey Pacificos, the wrapper feels uniform and smooth. I’ve checked numerous boxes, and each one has met my expectations for consistency in wrapping and construction.
Draw and First Thoughts
The draw on these cigars is simply fantastic. As soon as the cigar is lit, it jumps straight into providing a rich smoke that hits medium to fuller-bodied notes. The initial flavors bring out sweet spice, and even a hint of dried apricot can be detected. The draw remains impressive throughout, making each puff enjoyable.
Tasting Notes from the First Third
Beginning Flavor Notes
Right from the start, this cigar dives straight into the action. It comes in bold, offering flavors that are just above medium. There’s this delightful mix of sweet and spicy that really kicks things off. The aroma is sweet, and the draw is superb, making it a pleasant smoke. It’s a great opening, filling the mouth with rich flavors.
Strength and Burn Aspects
In terms of how it burns and the strength, this cigar is a bit tricky. It burns a little off, which is kind of expected due to its young age. The strength hovers just under medium, making it enjoyable yet a bit heavy. Despite the slightly uneven burn, it holds its ground with a strong, sweet aroma during the smoke.
Toasted Tobacco and Sweet Undertones
The flavors keep you guessing, as they drift in and out. There’s this nice hit of toasted tobacco, backed by subtle sweetness. A bit of a sponge cake aspect sneaks in, creating an exciting blend of tastes. These elements come and go, which keeps things interesting throughout this first third.
Sugarcane and Spiced Details
As I smoke, sugarcane notes dance in and out. It has this burnt cane flavor mixed with a touch of spice. Ginger and apricot also make brief appearances, adding a layer of complexity. These flavors seem like they might become a bigger part of the cigar in the future, and I can’t wait to see how they develop.
Second Third Analysis
Consistency and Change
As I moved into the second third of this cigar, I noticed the lovely toasted tobacco notes continued to shine through. There was a hint of sweetness that really complimented these flavors. Even though my cigar experienced a bit of an explosion (which I blame on Ayala’s aggressive handling), it didn’t affect the core flavors too much. While the draw became slightly challenging, the overall profile only slightly shifted, maintaining its medium character.
Taste Depth
During the second third, this cigar showed a wonderful mix of flavors, like apricot, ginger, and sugarcane, that came and went. These touches created a unique complexity. Though it didn’t fully develop into something drastically different, it provided a pleasant and varied experience. This cigar really stands out compared to others like the Monty, P2, and Vegueros Mananita, all of which have their own charm. It’s this uniqueness that I enjoy the most.
Final Part Review
Smoothness and Strength
The St. Louis Ray Pacifico begins with a strong, smooth profile. Early on, there’s a bold entry into medium to full intensity. This cigar quickly fills the senses with a sweet spiciness that’s refreshing. As the smoke progresses into the final third, the flavors shift. It loses a bit of the earlier smoothness and becomes a touch unorganized, but not harsh. The richness is still there, giving a medium to full experience as it advances.
Ratings and Future Promise
For me, the St. Louis Ray Pacifico scores around 88-89 points right now. I see big promise in its future, though. I would project it could reach 93-94 points with a bit more aging. If things go as planned, by next year, it might earn 91 points as it matures. This cigar fits well within its lineup and presents a nice addition to its range, sticking true to its core flavors while offering a fresh twist.
Comparing Thoughts
Saint Luis Rey Against Other Brands
When I check out different cigar brands, Saint Luis Rey stands out for the richness in its flavor. The blend they use gives it a full-bodied taste that’s hard to beat. Brand enthusiasts often rave about the complexity and depth, saying it provides a satisfying experience from start to finish.
In contrast, many other cigar brands focus on milder flavors. While this appeals to some, especially newcomers, it sometimes lacks the punch that experienced smokers crave. Saint Luis Rey provides a bold and memorable experience, more so than some of its peers.
Future Release Hopes
I’m always excited about what’s coming next. Upcoming Saint Luis Rey releases are eagerly anticipated by enthusiasts and with good reason. There’s always talk of new twists and creative adaptations in their usually impressive line, and it’s always interesting to see what they come up with.
The expectation is usually high, given their history of unique blends and robust tastes. Anticipation builds around how they will continue their legacy with future products. People often wonder if they’ll introduce a new blend that could become a fan favorite and how it might compare with past successes.
Final Thoughts
I’ve been enjoying a lot of cigars lately, and this St. Louis Ray Pacifico is no different. From the moment I lit it, I could tell it was going to be a good smoke. It’s just got this mouth-filling richness that I adore.
The draw is excellent, and the construction has been top-notch. As I puff along, I notice a sweetness—almost like a dried apricot—complemented by a hint of spice. It’s delightful.
When I take a moment to reflect on the flavors, I feel like I’m being treated to a variety of taste notes. There’s toasted tobacco, a slight sugarcane sweetness, and even a touch of ginger that swoops in and out. These flavors give the cigar a complexity that’s captivating.
The regional release aspect of cigars is quite the hot topic nowadays. Some releases don’t quite hit the mark, but this one is doing a fine job. Sometimes, they lose a bit of their smoothness towards the end, becoming just a tad messy, but they still pack a punch.
Despite any small imperfections, I’d gladly give this cigar a rating of around 88 or 89. Not bad at all, with potential to be even better in the years to come.
