Wrapper: Nicaraguan Jalapa

Binder: Nicaraguan

Filler: Nicaraguan

Vitola: Majestic (5 3/8 x 52)

Production: Regular

Purchase Link: E.P. Carrillo Encore Majestic

E.P. Carrillo Encore Review - Oregon

Summary: This week’s review found me holding yet another beautifully crafted, box-pressed cigar.  It was medium brown in color, featured an ultra-smooth wrapper and every outwardly apparent detail passed my visual QA test.  With a bit of the cap removed, the loose cold draw tasted like a Wheat Chex and dry hay combo.

Once heat was rolling, oak, earth and leather comprised the majority of what I tasted with just a dash of pepper at the end.  The early retro hale offered some generic wood flavors and enough pepper spice to wake you from that webinar induced coma you experienced at least once last week.  Eventually I experienced the addition of bitter chocolate, cedar, a pinch of salt and a very small hint at creamy sweetness. 

Midway, the pepper heat all but disappeared and things smoothed out overall in the profile.  Palatable notes of cocoa, coffee and soft leather began to hint at the greatness I hoped this cigar would hold.  This cigar made my mouth just a little dry.  I grabbed for a glass of water frequently while smoking this one.  On a high note...the construction of this stick was simply outstanding.  It never stopped smoking and the first two inches of the ash was stacked dimes.  Even through the end of the cigar the ash was just very solid and smoke production perfect.

If You Like That, You Might Like This: If you like this then you probably like books about how to tie knots.

Pairing Suggestion: I would pair this with a chocolate stout or a bold red wine.

Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Go fiver on this one all day.

E.P. Carrillo Encore Review - California

Summary: The cap cracks as I cut it and the draw is on the loose side. Rosé on the prelight. The first few puffs taste like a sweet wheat bread.  About an inch down, there is an amaretto sweetness with red and black pepper lingering on the retrohale.

The sweetness is fading as I begin the second third, but is replaced by floral notes; the pepper takes a backseat to wood notes.  I knock off the ash and relight it just as I reach the final third.

A hint of licorice, but it’s fleeting. Pretty much just wood and mushrooms now. The end gets a bit bitter, but not to the point where I’m tempted to put it down before nubbing it.

If You Like That, You Might Like This: Whittling next to a campfire.

Pairing Suggestion: Rye

Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Fiver.

E.P. Carrillo Encore Review - Wisconsin

Summary: We're back to a box press this week. It brings a pretty simple combination of nuts, citrus, light spice, leather, vanilla, bread, and wood. What really stands out is the wood and nut flavors. Unfortunately, it's on the dry side.

In the second third, pepper picked up. The rest stayed pretty similar. It was an enjoyable cigar, it just didn't bring the 'wow' factor for me.

If You Like That, You Might Like This: Woody nuts!

Pairing Suggestion: Rum would balance it well.

Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Single on this one.

Participants in this blind review were completely unaware of the cigar they were evaluating until all submissions were received and processed. Each participant was asked to answer a summary paragraph, an if/than statement, a pairing suggestion, and a purchase suggestion. Cigars were provided by Small Batch with only the expectations of candid responses.  All pictures, information, and formatting were completed by a Coordinator outside of the reviewing process.

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