The story of the E.P. Carrillo Encore actually starts with La Gloria Cubana. Blender Ernesto Perez-Carrillo built that famous brand and brought it to world-class success in the 90s, then sold it. Along the way, he learned everything he needed to know to make premium cigars. Later on, when he launched a cigar company carrying his own name, he was ready to create a masterpiece.
Here it is: the 96-rated 2018 Cigar of the Year Winner, the E.P. Carrillo Encore Majestic cigar.
The Encore Line of cigars is also Ernesto Perez-Carrillo's first-ever Nicaraguan puro. He has always relied heavily on Nicaraguan tobaccos, which were featured prominently in his La Gloria Cubana blends. Expanding on that, he knows just how to blend different Nicaraguan tobaccos to present a more nuanced Nicaraguan puro than most modern powerhouse blends are producing. This approach shares much in common with these potent sticks – most notably My Father, which the Encore resembles in appearance, if not in flavor. But Ernesto has put his distinctive stamp on this blend to create a truly remarkable cigar.
The Encore Majestic offers full flavor, but dials back the body a touch. The long-filler blend contains tobaccos from the main Nicaraguan regions of Jalapa, Estelí, and Condega. The mixture goes easier on the spicy, earthy Estelí tobaccos for a lighter and more balanced experience. But Ernesto was dissatisfied with the initial prototype in 2016 and aged the tobaccos together for another two full years to let the flavors develop and marry.
The wait paid off because the palate is as complex, balanced, and smooth as any cigar released in recent memory. Dry notes of oak and black tea are complemented by zesty candied orange peel, sweet cedar, and mellow baking spices. A rare combination, especially for a Nicaraguan puro. The Encore Majestic special stick indeed.
Please enjoy our selection of E.P. Carrillo Encore cigars at your leisure.
