Cigar Review – EP Carrillo Edicion Inaugural 2009
In March 2009, Ernesto Perez-Carrillo, the maker of La Gloria Cubana, decided to part ways with General Cigar Company to build his own family-owned boutique cigar business. The EP Carrillo Edicion Inaugural 2009 is his first cigar made with aged tobaccos that are too rare to use for regular production. The EP Edicion Inaugural 2009 was introduced at the 2009 IPCP Trade Show in New Orleans with the rest of his lines to be released in spring of 2010. The rest of his lines are said to be around the $6-$8 price point which should attract the majority of cigar enthusiast.
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Wrapper: Ecuadorian
Binder: Nicaraguan, Dominican
Filler: Nicaraguan, Dominican
Made In: Dominican Republic
Size: 5 ½ x 52
Price: $13 Per Single, $130 per box of 10 from Smoke Inn
Appearance & Construction: The EP Carrillo Edicion Inaugural 2009 is one fine looking cigar. A classy band adorns the smooth lighter brown colored wrapper of this cigar and has an aroma of fresh baked homemade bread. The construction is top-notch with its even seam lines and perfectly applied cap.
Smoking Characteristics: The EP Carrillo Edicion Inaugural 2009 has a slightly tighter draw than what I prefer but is still good. The burn line is thin but is moderately wavy; still acceptable by most standards. The ash is chunky looking but does not flake off at all and holds on for a good inch.
Flavor: From the moment you take a puff of the EP Carrillo you are greeted by notes of oatmeal, nuts and a slightly sweet cedar flavor. There are also faint hints of dried fruit that reminded me of papaya. The smoke is ultra creamy and chewy, and is extremely smooth on the palate. The beginning of the second third was the same as the first third but at the half-way point of the EP Carrillo Inaugural, the body picked up and added a bit of spice, all while remaining very smooth. The body of the EP Carrillo Inaugural 2009 is mild to medium and the strength is average.
Final Thoughts: The EP Carrillo Edicion Inaugural 2009 is a winner albeit not for every occasion and not for every cigar enthusiast. I smoked these cigars in the morning and still found them to be mild to medium at best. This would be a nice “special occasion cigar” or a “weekend cigar” for somebody who smokes cigars in the mild to medium body range. The cigar is ultra smooth and very enjoyable but I would advise this is not a “flavor bomb.” The flavor is ultra complex, extremely smooth and moderately balanced but it’s not going hit you as a “flavor bomb.” The price points on these cigars are high but you are getting an aged cigar which is fair for the price. Overall a great mild to medium bodied cigar.
Cigar Rating: Great
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Great review. This cigar just blew me away. I think Ernesto accomplished exactly what he set out to do.
This is easily one of my very favorite cigars, not to mention the fact that Ernesto could not possibly be a nicer guy.