Posts Tagged maduro cigar

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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