E.P. Carrillo

Essence

When it comes to immersive and integrative experiences in the cigar world, there is nothing quite like the E.P. Carrillo Essence Series, a new release from the revered company that goes above and beyond in both delighting the cigar smoker with top-shelf tobacco and educating smokers on what has gone into the construction of this top-rated cigar. The Essence Series will eventually contain a half dozen wrappers and is meant to celebrate the wrapper’s role in providing both flavor and balance to a premium cigar. Included in the box and on the band artwork is a QR code that buyers can scan, which will immediately take them to a landing page that educates them on the Carrillo difference and will soon feature a curated questionnaire that will help pair smokers with the perfect Carrillo blend based on how they’ve responded to different smokes in the Essence series. Lissette Perez-Carrillo said in a press release: “We intend to incorporate a series of educational materials to teach our smokers about each wrapper in this series we are calling our Essence Series, where the focus is all about the wrapper.” Debuting the line were a pair of smokes, one Maduro and one Sumatra. The Maduro utilizes a Mexican San Andres wrapper, a Honduran binder and fillers from Nicaragua. The resulting flavor profile is one of dark chocolate, strong espresso and a hint of spice. Medium-bodied in strength, the cigar is lush and incredibly complex, with the deep and dark profile appealing to the more seasoned smoker who prefers a thought-provoking experience. The Sumatra, meanwhile, boast a combination of Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper, double binder of Nicaraguan and Honduran tobaccos and Nicaraguan and Dominican fillers. This medium-bodied smoke is a bit sweeter on the palate than its Maduro counterpart, bursting with notes of cedar, coffee, raisin, and root beer. There is, perhaps, no cigarmaker better outfitted to take on a project like this than Carrillo, whose blends have been a mainstay in Cigar Aficionado’s prestigious top 25 for decades now. Hits like Pledge, Allegiance and Encore are stocked heavily in the humidors of aficionados everywhere. And now, that knowledge is being passed on to the curious smoker to whom this line is dedicated. Shop Cigars.com now and get your 24 count box at a price you won’t believe.