E.P. Carrillo inaugural 2009

[Don Fernando]

Ernesto Perez-Carrillo once owned of the non Cuban La Gloria Cubana, now part of the General Cigar family and not too long ago he parted from General Cigars to start his own business. The first cigar for his new company was the E.P. Carrillo inaugural 2009 and I was really looking forward to this cigar, that was given to me by an American friend. I read some raving reviews about the cigar and my curiosity grew with every review or mention of this 5⅜x52 cigar. The cigar had a limited production of 150,000 cigars and is made from Nicaraguan and Dominican filler, a double binder, one from Nicaragua, the other from the Dominican republic and an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper.



I love the double band, for some reason I like double bands on cigars. The cigar has a mild barnyard smell. The chocolate brown wrapper is mild oily and has a few thin but long veins. I feel some soft spots in the construction but yet the predraw is a bit hard and quite spicy.



I taste wood, a bit spicy but also musty. The wrapper doesn't look like it's Connecticut, but it tastes like it. A quick look on the E.P. Carrillo website tells me that the wrapper is Habano so I was wrong there. After an inch I taste leather with a little pepper and the flavors are still musty. In the aftertaste is discover a little bit of chocolate.



The cigar gets a little spicier after a third. After that there is hardly no development in the flavor department. The cigar reaches an early turning point, I have to toss it after two thirds.



I smoked the cigar for an hour and fifteen minutes before I tossed it. I got a decent amount of smoke which was not thick enough. The pepper and salt colored ash (more salt than pepper) is firm. The burn and draw are good. The cigar is medium flavored and medium to full bodied.



Would I buy this cigar again? Even if it was possible, I wouldn't.

Appearance: 7 / 10
Construction: 7 / 10
Draw: 7 / 10
Burn: 7 / 10
Smoke & ash: 7 / 10
Aroma first part: 6 / 10
Aroma second part: 6 / 10
Aroma third part: 5 / 10

[kelmac07]

I didn't care for these much myself.

[Ogre]

I have had only one of these and it had a real tight draw. I could not form a solid opinion on it. I have enjoyed all the other EPC's that I have smoked.

[Subvet642]

I haven't tried these, but I do like their "New Wave" line very much.

[RCS44]

Have not had one of these yet but the cigars that EP is putting out right now are some good cigars

Another I want to try; love La Gloria Cubanas so thinking this might hit the spot.

[scottdurand]

It gets a thumbs down from me too. I bought 6 of these without smoking one and have the other 5 aging. I do not have high hopes and I should just give them away as the flavor just didn't appeal to me. Quite a let down.

Same for me. Loved the Short Run 2010 Populares, and bought several of these when I found them. Totally agree that "The cigar gets a little spicier after a third. After that there is hardly no development in the flavor department."

[Bax]

Just had the one I had and it was very nice. Not complex but a very smooth creamy flavor till the end. It was actually better than the Partagas 898 I just finished up.

[JJG]

I may be one of the few who really liked these. I get why many didn't though. The flavor was just really subtle and nuanced. If you prefer full flavored NCs, this one would definitely disappoint, especially for the price they were asking.

Smooth and creamy is a pretty accurate description. Personally I found it to be a refreshing change of pace. If they had packed just a little more "zip" in there, I think these would have been a home run.

[Big Bert]

I've only smoke one of the E.P.C line and it was alright kinda sounded like the same profile as this one. Still great review

[lenguamor]

Originally Posted by JJG

I may be one of the few who really liked these. I get why many didn't though. The flavor was just really subtle and nuanced. If you prefer full flavored NCs, this one would definitely disappoint, especially for the price they were asking.

Smooth and creamy is a pretty accurate description. Personally I found it to be a refreshing change of pace. If they had packed just a little more "zip" in there, I think these would have been a home run.

Sounds like it's similar to the New Wave; would you say that's true, Jeff?

[JJG]

Originally Posted by lenguamor

Sounds like it's similar to the New Wave; would you say that's true, Jeff?

Have not tried it, but I will now!