The E.P. Carrillo Encore took home Cigar Aficionado's 2018 Cigar of the Year, and that recognition came from a simple reality: this is a Nicaraguan puro that delivers every time you light one up. Ernesto Perez-Carrillo knows his tobacco, and the Encore shows what happens when you let quality leaf do the talking without gimmicks or shortcuts.
Construction: This box-pressed robusto measures 5⅜ inches by 52 ring gauge, rolled at Tabacalera La Alianza in the Dominican Republic. The reddish-brown wrapper has a slight sheen to it, and the box-press gives you a firm, comfortable hold. The draw is open and easy, producing thick smoke from the first light. Expect a 60 to 75-minute session with an even burn line that rarely needs correction.
Flavor: You start with earth and a crisp spice that gets your attention right away. What makes this cigar work is the underlying sweetness that runs through the entire smoke. The spice sits at medium-plus but never crosses into harsh territory, and that sweetness keeps everything balanced. As you move through the cigar, the flavors shift and layer in ways that keep you engaged. The finish is long, leaving earthy and slightly sweet notes on your palate well after you're done.
Pairings: A robust morning coffee brings out the earthy core, while a Spanish Rioja in the evening complements the spice and fruit notes. For food, this cigar loves grilled meat: a well-marbled ribeye or lamb chops with rosemary both work beautifully. If you're reaching for spirits, go with a bourbon that has some sweetness, like Elijah Craig or Woodford Reserve, to mirror that sweetness in the tobacco.
This is a cigar for when you have an hour to sit down and pay attention. The Encore rewards focus and delivers consistent performance from start to finish.
- Strength:
- Medium-Full
- Wrapper:
- Nicaraguan
- Binder:
- Nicaraguan
- Filler:
- Nicaraguan
