A carton includes a substantially tubular structure having an outer top panel. The carton also has an end wall structure including an outer top end flap foldably connected to the outer top panel along its end edge. The outer top end flap includes a handle opening having a weight-bearing region. The carton also has an insert including an inner top panel and an inner top end flap. The inner top panel is disposed in flat-face condition substantially in registry with the outer top panel. The inner top end flap is foldably connected to the inner top panel along an end edge of the inner top panel. The inner top end flap is substantially in registry with the outer top end flap and has a distal edge disposed adjacent the weight-bearing region of the handle opening. The insert further includes at least one auxiliary reinforcement flap disposed in flat-face condition with the inner top end flap so as to provide multiple-ply structure adjacent the handle opening weight-bearing region.