Posts Tagged ernesto perez carrillo

EP Carrillo Medalla D’Oro

This week we are photographing and reviewing the EP Carrillo Medalla D’Oro. This lonsdale vitola, made by the master blender Ernesto Perez-Carrillo, is an exclusive release for the Federal Cigar – New Hampshire chain owned by Rick Gadway. Right off the bet one will recognize the obvious a) Medalla D’Oro is a continuation of the New Wave Connecticut Short Run 2012 and b) Medalla D’Oro packaging is not too far from the Cuban staple – Bolivar Gold Medal. EP Carrillo Medalla D’Oro and Tatuaje Federal Cigar 90th Anniversary 109 – REDUX ‘Hassell’ are hitting the market in march of 2013 to commemorate Federal Cigar’s 92nd Anniversary.


Visually, from extra foil packaging to standard bands, from smooth wrapper to elegant pigtail (as depicted below), the EP Carrillo Medalla D’Oro screams class ! Slightly oily, golden brown Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper, well blended seams, visible veins is what is on the cover of the EP Carrillo Medalla D’Oro. The draw was excellent from the very beginning to the very end. In the flavor department: woodiness, nuttiness, hints of dried fruit, spiciness which continued to increase as the time has progressed, and tiny bits of sweetness which at times felt “perfumy-like” (?). Great amount of creamy-in-texture smoke which coated and dried out the palate. Nearly perfect burn line throughout.


Carrillo-Gadway collaboration produces another winner, full stop. I went back and read my thoughts on the New Wave Connecticut Short Run 2012 after I wrote the above paragraph. Fortunately, not much of a departure ! I enjoyed the New Wave Connecticut Short Run 2012 quite a bit and hoped for a thinner vitola. The Medalla D’Oro is the answer. Delicious assortment of flavors, fantastic construction, good price point ($85 per box / boxes of 10) – box worthy purchase in my humble opinion !


Federal collaborations featured on cigarphoto.net:

Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut
Binder: Connecticut Broadleaf
Filler: Nicaragua, Dominican Republic
Length: 6.5″
Ring: 44

Construction > Excellent
Burn > Excellent
Enjoy > Absolutely ! 
Recommend > Absolutely ! 

Buy > Box(es) worthy !

 

 

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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.

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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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Four Kicks – cigar giveaway

And the winner of the Four Kicks (corona gorda) 3-pack giveway is …





Thank You all for participating. Cigar smoking is about enjoying as well as sharing. In 2012 and going forward, if my coolidors / humidors agree, I would like to continue with 1 giveaway per month. Cigars, Photo prints, etc. Conceptually, not too many limits. Everyone is welcome back to ‘play’ again. I have received quite a bit from the cigar industry and local B&Ms. It is time to Pay It Forward. Enjoy !

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Four Kicks

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! Giveaway !

Leave a comment (no rules) and be eligible for one 3-pack of Four Kicks (corona gorda) by Crowned Heads. Deadline – 11:59pm EST on 09JAN. Random selection and announcement will take place on 10JAN.

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This week we are photographing and smoking the latest creation out of the Crowned Heads stable – the Four Kicks. In the last few months, there has been a lot of chatter about the Four Kicks project in the social media circles. Kudos to Jon Huber and Mike Conder for creative and successful marketing campaign. Both individuals and their fellow business partners have shifted their creative minds from one established cigar company to a brand new cigar venture with a catchy label – the Crowned Heads. I can continue to summarize the history, the meaning, the approach or I can simply provide a link to the Crowned Heads website. I will choose the latter since one has to and will appreciate the amount of effort it takes to launch a premium cigar company from the ground floor up after watching numerous videos, reading blog entries, and absorbing all other information. A must read !


Packaged in 24-count boxes, Four Kicks is available in four shapes: Corona Gorda (5 5/8″ x 46), Robusto (5” x 50), Sublime (6” x 54), and Piramide (6 1/8” x 52). The suggested retail price ranges from $6.95 to $8.65 per cigar and is available through the following retailers.


The Four Kicks corona gorda, manufactured at Tabacalera La Alianza S.A. under the supervision of one of the cigar industry’s true icons, Ernesto PerezCarrillo, was sporting an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper with clearly visible seams and veins. After clipping the tripple cap, I was introduced to a perfect draw – pretty much an expectation from Ernesto’s work. Pleasing blast of spice on the initial draw and throughout the experience. The spice (pepperish) was definitely heavily concentrated in the back of the throat. In flavor department, hmmm, where should I start ? I have smoked through 3 samples in preparation for this entry and each one brought something additional to the table. There was definitely plenty of woodiness and earthiness throughout the smoke. Previously mentioned spiciness was balanced with less muted, but oh-so-enjoyable, sweetness. Few days prior to the Four Kicks marathon, I have smoked through few good quality CCs and I swear, on more than one puff, I felt that ‘cubanesque’ taste. Whether that is a compliment or an insult, I won’t digress but personally, I found that extra ‘bonus’ to be quite enjoyable.


The Four Kicks in corona gorda vitola is a box worthy purchase. Full Stop ! Whether you are a collector interested in an inaugural release and / or a smoker who finds above flavor description up their alley, you should consider seeking a box, or at least a sampler. I’m patiently awaiting Crowned Heads’ encore but until then, I will continue to enjoy the Four Kicks in my favorite vitola – corona gorda.


Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Length: 5 5/8”
Ring: 46

Construction > Great
Burn > Great
Enjoy > Absolutely
Recommend > Absolutely
Buy > Box-worthy !



Please consider the following post:
* CAO La Traviata

- click on photographs (slideshow / EXIF)- 

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