EP Carrillo New Wave Connecticut
 

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Size: 5×50, Brillantes

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut

Binder: Nicaraguan

Filler: Nicaraguan and Dominican

Strength: Medium

Price: $4.50-7

Grade: 9.2

The E.P. Carrillo New Wave Connecticut Edition is one of two new releases from the Carrillo family, the other being the Elencos Series, which is the same blend as the Edicion Limitada 2010 Elencos. These two blends are being released now to B&Ms.

The New Wave is available in four sizes and is priced very well. this will be a full addition to their portfolio and will be available year round.

* Stellas: 5 1/8 x 42 ($4.50 retail)
* Brillantes: 5 x 50 ($5.25 retail)
* Divinos: 6 x 52 ($6.25 retail)
* Gran Via: 7 x 49 ($7.00 retail)

Pre-light, 1.7:
The first thing I notice on my two samples is a very thin wrapper, that causes cracks across one sample and a very loose foot on the other. Moving beyond this however, there is little else that is negative. A subtle triple cap, an elegant band, and smooth almond colored wrapper highlight the New Wave. The aroma on the cigar is incredibly strong – it is in fact one of the strongest cigars I’ve smelt. The pre-light aroma can be deducted from several feet away and has interesting, erratic, and at times musty notes of crisp hay, mild spice, nuts, and a cream that reminds me of a root beer float. This is one of the more lively profiles I’ve smelled in some time and at times is even pungent. Though that may sound negative, it in fact shows the depth of this cigar’s aroma. On the draw, the notes are much more subdued than the aroma and the primarily flavor is of nuts, or cashews specifically. The cut also reveals an open pull.

Burn, 1.7:
Though the one sample had cracking along the bottom half, it still managed to burn well and keep a steady draw. I will say that my two samples were shipped several times, as the first time they were sent to my old mailing address. It does still seem that the wrapper is a bit thin on the New Wave and will require some special care when stored. Overall, this is a clean burning cigar.

Flavor, 2.9:
The initial burst on the New Wave is full of sugary cream and a smooth, underlying nuttiness. Moving into the first third, the balance on the cigar is wonderful, with thick creamy notes of butter and cedar. The second third provides a bit of transition, with a slightly fuller and more developed taste that shows all of the flavors merged into a steady profile of roasted nuts and butter. The last stretch of the New Wave is incredibly smooth and holds the most interest for me. Though the flavors are not quite as complex as I anticipated from the aroma, this is still an incredibly well balanced and medium to full flavored cigar, which is rather stunning for an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapped cigar. The cigar is smooth throughout and at times the finish is incredibly light, almost disappearing between draws. The Nicaraguan binder and the mixed Nicaraguan and Dominican binder do very well to complement the typically less flavored Connecticut shade wrapper. This is without question a winner in the flavor category.

Overall, 2.9:
This is not your usual Connecticut cigar and stands above most of what is on the market in this category. Though the burn was troublesome in spots, I attribute this to the shipping errors and not to the quality or construction. The flavor is full while the strength remains in the high Mild to low Medium spectrum. Add to that an excellent value, with the Robusto coming in at under $5, and you find an excellent cigar. I keep waiting for the Carrillo family to miss the mark somewhere, but it just hasn’t happened! If your B&M has these, pick up and 5 pack and enjoy it with a nice cup of coffee. If your unhappy with them, shoot me an email – I’ll gladly buy them off you!

(Total: 9.2)

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Re: EP Carrillo New Wave Connecticut
 

Another excellent review Matthew!! :tu :tu Thanks for sharing.

Re: EP Carrillo New Wave Connecticut
 

Thanks Mac.

This cigar quickly ranked in my top 5 of Connecticut wrapped cigars, and the robusto is under $5. I'll be getting a box of these soon!

Re: EP Carrillo New Wave Connecticut
 

I smoked the black band yesterday, I should've smoked this one instead. Thanks for tad review. Hopefully the samples are still at the shop.

Re: EP Carrillo New Wave Connecticut
 

Did you not enjoy the black band?

Re: EP Carrillo New Wave Connecticut
 

Thanks for the review. This is one Connecticut I'll keep a look out for.

Re: EP Carrillo New Wave Connecticut
 

It's definitely not your typical Connecticut, medium to full flavored.

Re: EP Carrillo New Wave Connecticut
 

Not sure where your mark is but they ran off the road and hit a tree with the EPC Inaugural Edition! Some of the issues you observed such as thin wrappers and cracking were a big problem with them also in addition to very little flavor even after more than a year in the humidor. Not what I expect with a $4 cigar much less a $13 one.:td

Re: EP Carrillo New Wave Connecticut
 

That's odd, I've had several IE 2009s and never had an issue. Every one was delicious and I only had 1 have a wrapper crack which was one I gave to a friend (I kind of felt bad)...

While I found it expensive at $13 a stick, I still bought quite a few and every one I gave out impressed others.

Re: EP Carrillo New Wave Connecticut
 

I pre-ordered a box and have smoked about 1 every other month hoping for something good. Body has picked up some but nothing near where it should be for that cigar. Age does not help the far too thin wrappers though. The first high quality cigar I ever smoked was one I purchased from the Carillo factory in Miami way back when and still smoke LGC's regularly so I was extremely disappointed in the IE.

Guess I am somewhat straying away from the thread review so better move away from the IE.

Re: EP Carrillo New Wave Connecticut
 

This is on topic IMO. It was the IE '09 you had issues with, not the Edicion Limitada '10?

I haven't had any issues w/ the IE '09, but that's just me. I've been very impressed w/ their releases so far.

Re: EP Carrillo New Wave Connecticut
 

Yes the 09, maybe I just got a bad box in the early run.

Re: EP Carrillo New Wave Connecticut
 

thanks for the review!

Re: EP Carrillo New Wave Connecticut
 

I'd be pretty upset about that as well, if I paid $130 for a box of 10 and had wrapper issues.

Re: EP Carrillo New Wave Connecticut
 

Not really. I am a fan of the EP line but I have to rank the black band last. It's nice that EP has gone a different route on this cigar but... it just didn't do it for me.

Re: EP Carrillo New Wave Connecticut
 

Great reivew! I will have to get my hands on some of these.

Re: EP Carrillo New Wave Connecticut
 

Let me know how you like the New Wave, especially in comparison to the black.

Re: EP Carrillo New Wave Connecticut
 

Ha! My buddy that owns Tower Cigar gave it away. The rep only left one of each. Guess I'll have to find these when I can. I highly doubt he'll carry them. EP's Core line didn't do all that well. The Short Runs however, did very well.

Re: EP Carrillo New Wave Connecticut
 

Nice review.

Re: EP Carrillo New Wave Connecticut
 

So I was able try the Conneticut and I thought it was boring. No flavors that really got me going, just the typical Conneticut taste, boring. To sum up this New Wave line, not worth it.

Glad to see others enjoying them but they are not for me.

Re: EP Carrillo New Wave Connecticut
 

Great review, we got these on the shelves today and I picked up the Robusto. Going to see how these smoke tomorrow.

Re: EP Carrillo New Wave Connecticut
 

Nice review. I've got one more of these to smoke and review.. the first couple I've had were excellent though.

Re: EP Carrillo New Wave Connecticut
 

I bought a fiver of the stella (5 1/8x42) awhile ago and had another one of them today. This might be my new favorite connie. At least as good as the Oliva Connecticut reserve and a good contrast with it because it's less mild. Love that grassy cedary flavor. Great value.

Re: EP Carrillo New Wave Connecticut
 

I have heard good things about these...Thanks for the review! Just saw a some at B&M in Pittsburgh and should've grabbed a few. I will look forward to trying them in the near future. :tu

Re: EP Carrillo New Wave Connecticut
 

I've tried several different vitolas and the Stellas are by far my favorite in this line. These really open up going into the second half. Definitely the best connie I've had to date!

Re: EP Carrillo New Wave Connecticut
 

I'm lovin' these too, smoked a robusto Friday, but my next fiver is gonna be the Stellas.

Re: EP Carrillo New Wave Connecticut
 

Smoked a NWC robusto at EPC thanks to Ernie Carillo and the fabulous Hernandez brothers.

A couple of things stood out to me smoking this great cigar: one, the flavor and complexity. Rare in a Connecticut, the depth and breadth of this stick blew me away. And this wasn't just power for power's sake; this was a flavor bomb. The combination of a long bout with the flu and the fact that this was the 3rd cigar in just a matter of hours prevented me from discerning any individual nuances, but they were there nonetheless.

And the other thing that stood out was that this lacked any of the bitterness, sourness or off-flavors which often accompany a Connie wrapper. This was sweet and without anything off-putting.

I was impressed, but then again it's blended by Ernesto Carillo so excellence should come as no surprise.

Re: EP Carrillo New Wave Connecticut
 

Just smoked one of these in the "El Decano" size which is a 6x60. I'm usually not a fan of RG's this big, nor a big fan of Connecticut wrapper cigars, but I was definitely pleased with this one. Overall flavor was that of nuttiness, buttery, and very smooth. I also experienced the somewhat brittle wrapper issues that the OP described, but it did not take away from the smoke at all. This is the first time I've smoked one, but I would definitely recommend it and will probably be looking for a fiver or two of these. Nice smoke.

Re: EP Carrillo New Wave Connecticut
 

I just bought a box of Stellas. This is a great review. I am really looking forward to these now.