Posts Tagged maduro

EP Carrillo New Wave Connecticut Short Run 2012 (Exquisitos) – prerelease

Today we are photographing and reviewing a prerelease of the New Wave Connecticut Short Run 2012 (Exquisitos) – the latest short run project from the master blender Ernesto Perez Carrillo. Based on the success of the New Wave Connecticut and the Core Maduro lines, EPC Cigar Co decided to experiment with mixing the tobaccos from both of these lines. The outcome of that is today’s release which consists of the wrapper from New Wave Connecticut and binder / filler from Core Maduro.

Based on the huge success of the New Wave Connecticut and Core Maduro lines, we decided to experiment with mixing the tobaccos from both of these lines. The New Wave Connecticut Short Run 2012 captures the best of both lines – it is packed with flavors and strength, and is probably our best Short Run yet ! This Short Run will come in the typical 3 Short Run sizes, and we’ll be making 1,000 boxes per size. – Ernie

Vitola Size Packaging Retail
Exquisitos 4 7/8 x 50 Box of 24 $152.40 / $6.35
Invictos 5 7/8 x 52 Box of 24 $170.40 / $7.10
Reinados 6 1/4 x 60 Box of 24 $206.40 / $8.60

Visually, New Wave Connecticut Short Run 2012 (Exquisitos) was near perfection. The cigar was sporting an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper, well applied triple cap, invisible veins and extremely tight seams. The entire length of all three samples was relatively soft to the touch. After clipping the cap, perfect draw as one would expect from Ernesto’s previous releases. Great start, indeed ! In flavor department, New Wave Connecticut Short Run 2012 opened up with woodiness, earthiness, nuttiness and hints of dried fruit. There was an evident spiciness on the finish as well. Normally I don’t experience dry mouth during smoking but this cigar definitely gave that impression. Not a negative observation though. In the second half, present flavors as well spiciness increased it’s intensity. The burn was good, considering I have smoked my first sample the day after it arrived in the cold North Jersey. It went wavy couple times but corrected itself without manual intervention. The amount of smoke was photo-friendly and the ash … well, photographs below speak for themselves. An amazing construction execution resulted in +2″ of grayish ash.

Tabacalera La Alianza S.A. in the Dominican Republic has another winner, full stop. Ernesto Perez Carrillo continues to innovate and his projects are agreeing with my palate. Can’t beat that. I have smoked Exquisitos for The Review but also sampled Invictos in hopes that the latter will deliver that sweet spot. I can say that it did. Exquisitos was more aggressively spicy, almost too spicy for my taste. Invictos, delivering just as great flavors, was more balanced and refined. As for as constructive feedback, I would appreciate a smaller ring gauge version of the New Wave Connecticut Short Run 2012, ala Regalias Real. I have smoked through my share of New Wave Connecticut Stellas (5 1/8 x 42) and Core Maduro Club 52s (5 7/8 x 52) / Core Maduro Regalias Real (5 5/8 x 46) and I believe one can place New Wave Connecticut Short Run 2012 somewhere in the middle. NWC in the morning, NWC SR’12 in the afternoon, Core Maduro in the evening = magic !

Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Ecuador Connecticut
Binder: Connecticut Broadleaf
Filler: Dominican Republic & Nicaragua
Length: 4 7/8 ”
Ring: 50

Construction > Great
Burn > Good
Enjoy > Yes
Recommend > Yes
Buy > Yes

Please consider the following posts:
* EP Carrillo Short Run 2010 No.4
* EP Carrillo Core Maduro

* DISCLAIMER: New Wave Connecticut Short Run 2012 samples were gifted by EPC Cigar Co. Ernesto’s generosity had no impact on the actual experience. The cigar spoke for itself.

- click on photographs (slideshow / EXIF)- 
 
 
 

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EP Carrillo Short Run 2010 No.4

This week we are photographing and smoking an EP Carrillo Short Run 2010 No.4. This corona vitola, made by the master blender Ernesto Perez-Carrillo, is an exclusive release for Federal Cigar – New Hampshire chain owned by Rick Gadway. EP Carrillo Short Run 2010 No.4 comes in the box of 20 and will set you back $110. As the name implies, Ernesto has expanded 2010 Short Run line by adding No4 vitola. The following additional sizes in the same line are available to the mass market:


Populares – 4 7/8 x 50
Delirios – 5 7/8 x 52
Doninantes – 6 1/4 x 60



EP Carrillo Short Run 2010 No.4, manufactured at Tabacalera La Alianza S.A. in the Dominican Republic, was sporting an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper with couple visible veins and well blended seams. The cigar was tripple capped and ~%95 of it was well constructed. Based on relatively thorough inspection (12 out of 20), tip of each cigar was under-filled and felt very soft to the touch. I have inspected few other EP Carrillo cigars from my humidor and none were constructed the same way. Perhaps done intentionally ? After clipping the cap, Short Run 2010 No.4 had a perfect draw. Not too loose, not too tight. Just what the doctor ordered. In the flavor department, intense experience as expected from No4 ring gauge. Cedar mixed with a bit of sweetness / saltiness. Hints of earthiness and coffee. If you enjoy spicy finish on the palate, Short Run 2010 No.4 will deliver just that. Burn line and ash were of good quality, as expected from industry’s true icon – Ernesto Perez-Carrillo. Don’t let the size fool you ! This relatively short / thin vitola was packing some heat ! I would place it close to the full category.


Overall, EP Carrillo Short Run 2010 No.4 is another successful release. Rick Gadway was generous enough and gifted few samples couple months ago which were burned right off the truck. Both the pre-release and the regular production smoked great but I believe resting them for couple months may be beneficial. Considering the other Federal Cigar exclusive – Tatuaje Federal Cigar 90th Anniversary 109 Rosado / Reserva, Rick Gadway is on the roll. I’m looking forward to upcoming Ernesto Perez-Carrillo’s projects and Rick’s exclusives.


Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Dominican Republic & Nicaragua
Length: 5 1/8 ”
Ring: 42

Construction > Good
Burn > Good
Enjoy > Yes
Recommend > Yes
Buy > Yes



Please consider the following posts:
* EP Carrillo Maduro
* Tatuaje Federal Cigar 90th Anniversary 109 Rosado

- click on photographs (slideshow / EXIF)- 

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EP Carrillo Maduro – prerelease

- click on photographs (slideshow / EXIF)- 

This week we are reviewing one of the latest projects released by the mastermind Ernesto Perez Carrillo – EP Carrillo Maduro. Roughly a month ago, I have received a sampler pack from Ernesto Perez Carrillo III which included line extension, core line, and three sizes of Maduro. I have smoked Club 52 (toro) Maduro couple weeks ago and selected Encantos (robusto) for this review.


Visually, this cigar is a winner, full stop. Undetectable veins / seams and extremely well applied cap. The EP Carrillo Maduro looks like an artistic painting with brown / red paint mixed and splattered over the wrapper. Very appealing. Delicate, yet slightly toothy, to the touch. After clipping and lighting, I was introduced to a perfect draw and great amount of smoke. In flavor department, accolades continue. Detectable sweetness, nuttiness, and darker chocolate toward the end of the smoke. Very small amount of spice throughout the experience, even on the retrohale. The EP Carrillo Maduro burned like a champ. Fairly straight burn line and no touch ups in both samples, can’t ask for more. Dark grey ash fell of twice so definitely a ‘long-ash’ contender.


In conclusion, Ernesto Perez Carrillo has managed to release another successful, and box worthy project. Although EP Carrillo Maduro is a departure from overly spicy bombs that are released to the masses nowadays, one will surely appreciate the sweetness and accompanying flavors. Personally, I found Club 52 (toro) more enjoyable flavor-wise than Encantos (robusto) but both vitolas will provide an enjoyable experience.


Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Ecuador Sumatra
Filler: Dominican Republic / Nicaragua
Length: 4 7/8 ”
Ring: 50



Construction > Great
Burn > Great
Enjoy > Yes
Recommend > Yes
Buy > Box worthy !


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Cohiba Genios

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It is time for another ‘forbidden fruit.’ This time we are smoking Cohiba Genios, a maduro version of widely recognized Cohiba brand. Some refer to Genios as aesthetically pleasant, vein & seam free, silky smooth cigar. My visual experience was quite the opposite. Although overall presentation, including dark wrapper and classy looking Cohiba band, was extremely appealing, the wrapper itself looked fairly rough & grainy with noticeable seams. In addition, not as oily as described by fellow cigar smokers. I’m not picky when it comes to the appeal but I did have high expectation for Cohiba Genios in flavor department. Fortunately, the cigar didn’t disappoint.


First third didn’t deliver much. A touch of spice and coffee came on and off every few puffs. Right around second third, just when I was about to check out, Cohiba Genios’ flavors ramped up to the point where my mouth was salivating and lusting more complexity. Insane amount of chocolate, sweetness, nuttiness, with refined spicy notes, came through almost each puff. Total bliss ! Entire second and large portion of last third continued in the same fashion. Draw was excellent and burn, although not razor sharp, was close to perfection. Cigar burned without any touch-ups throughout entire experience.


This is my third Cohiba Genios and all three delivered fairly equal experience. If you are questioning Cohiba brand and enjoy rich maduros, this is the specimen to seek out. Absolute pleasure !


Country of Origin: Cuba
Wrapper: Cuban Maduro
Binder: Cuba
Filler: Cuba
Length: 5.5″
Ring: 52



Construction > OK
Burn > Great
Enjoy > Absolutely !
Recommend > Absolutely !
Buy > Absolutely ! (* N/A in USA *)


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