The Godfather of Boutique Brands
Few brands can tout the success that E.P. Carrillo has had in recent years. But this success has been a long time coming. E.P. Carrillo cigars have a rich history dating back to 2009 when Ernesto Perez-Carrillo, a legendary master blender with over 40 years of experience in the cigar industry, founded the company. Ernesto has a deep passion for cigars and has dedicated his life to perfecting the craft of cigar-making, which has resulted in E.P. Carrillo being one of the most highly respected cigar brands in the world, earning the title “Godfather of Boutique Cigars”
The first highly rated blend from E.P. Carrillo is the La Historia line, which was created to celebrate the company's 10th anniversary. This blend features a dark and oily Ecuadorian Habano wrapper and a complex blend of Nicaraguan and Dominican fillers. The La Historia line has received numerous accolades, including a rating of 94 by Cigar Aficionado magazine and was the #2 cigar of the year in 2015.
After the success of the La Historia, E.P. Carrillo released the Encore line, which scored then #1 cigar of the year in 2018. This line showcases the company's commitment to creativity and innovation, and provides cigar enthusiasts with a unique smoking experience, utilizing all Nicaraguan tobacco despite being made in the Dominican Republic.
Following up on the Encore, E.P. Carrillo then launched the Pledge to even more critic acclaim. This cigar was a dedication to cigar smokers around the world, with Ernesto stating “I will never stop working with the best tobaccos and bringing new and innovative blends to you". This rich and elegant blend again topped the charts in 2020, with an outstanding 98 point rating (one of the highest scores ever given by Cigar Aficionado).
The most recent release from E.P. Carrillo is the Allegiance, which utilizes tobacco grown by the Oliva family in Nicaragua. It’s unique green color scheme is meant to match the green tobacco leaves as they grow in the fields and the “Allegiance is an ode to roots, friendships, and bonds". While the official review from Cigar Aficionado has not come in yet, early reviews have set the tone for another upcoming high score.
In conclusion, E.P. Carrillo cigars are a testament to the passion and expertise of master blender Ernesto Perez-Carrillo. He has taken a unique approach and utilized a variety of Nicaragua tobaccos to produce cigars out of his Dominican factory. The result speaks for themselves, with a slew of #1 & #2 cigars of the year awards and sky high ratings due to the balance, richness and unique qualities that all E.P. Carrillo cigars have.