Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Size: 5 x 52 “Robusto”
Body: Medium/Full
Price: $7.20 by the box

Here is a great utilitarian cigar. Good breeding. Has some punch. And very flavorful.

The stick was released in the latter part of 2012. Since we are here for the cigar review, let’s get to it. Information about Carrillo is there for you in Wikipedia.

Even though the cigar is covered in large veins, the construction is excellent. In bright light, the light brown wrapper has a reddish tinge. Seams are near invisible. The triple cap is impeccable. The cigar is packed solidly but not like a rock which is nice for a change. It has the right weight and give to it. Carrillo cigar bands tend to be the same and this one has the usual logo and beneath that, the word Carrillo against a flaming red background that circles the cigar.

I clip the cap and find aromas of strong spice, cocoa, cinnamon, baking spices, herbal renderings, dried fruit, cedar and leather.
Time to light up.

The first puffs are redolent with red hot pepper. And a nice meatiness. But the real flavor comes from leather and cedar. Very strong at the beginning. The draw is exceptional and the char line is spot on.

I had one of these sticks as my last one of the day. Even with a charred palate, all of the flavors were bold and potent. Nothing hid behind my limping taste buds.

A sweetness is exhibited. And then an adult size portion of cocoa. A fruit element begins to crawl from the swamp. This seems to be a combo of two different fruits. Still smacking my lips trying to determine their origin. But I am only ¾” into the cigar. I think one component is a dried fruit; like raisin. And the other, a stone fruit like peach or mango. Very subtle at this point. The cigar is showing me a more refined flavor profile on a fresh palate than it did last night. Much better. Lots of nuance and character. Like me.
The spiciness continues to drive the bus.

The flavor profile is struggling to get free in order to make flavor bomb status as early as possible but I don’t think it will happen in the first third.

At the 1” mark, creaminess enters the arena and pulls all the other flavors together. With this much Nicaraguan tobacco, I have an inkling about the flavor profile-to-be so I grab a Diet Coke for my NYC egg cream experience.

The first third is a beach head for the flavors to grab on to. Flavor bomb status will follow shortly.

The flavors just keep on coming. The cedar becomes more of a woody note and very prominent. The fruity flavors distill themselves into raisin and black cherry.
My tongue tingles. My eyes begin to water. The red pepper is very strong and I’m digging it. Especially, as it doesn’t come close to masking the other flavors.

The char line is truly behaving itself. There is a nice oiliness that this gloomy day will probably prevent me from capturing in photo.

Temps are getting better day by day. It is only -6° at 9am…going up to +4° by 1pm. Pool party!

The second third begins and I was right. The cigar hits flavor bomb status. Smoke pours from the cigar like a California brush fire. I can’t hold the cigar in my mouth, like I usually do, when I type. It totally obliterates the screen.

Here are the flavors, in descending order: Creaminess, red pepper, cocoa, black cherry, raisin, assorted dried fruit, wood, leather, and a very rich earthiness.

The price point is pretty decent. It could easily go for a buck or more each. This is a very complex cigar with interesting flavors and extremely well balanced with a lip smacking long finish.

The complex nature of this cigar is heady. The strength was classic medium at the beginning but now medium/full at the halfway mark. The cigar is as smooth as my tushy.

I get a coffee flavor. More of a café latte. The creaminess is a big influence on the other flavors. The ash is now almost 1-1/2” long and seems sturdy. Do I allow it to fall into my lap or keyboard? Or do I knock it off and the hell with the cool photos?

It’s 9:45 and the wonderful sun shows itself…blinding me from its reflection on the snow in our backyard which is what I am facing while I type. On days like this, I must wear a ball cap while I type, otherwise, I can’t see nuttin’ honey.

The last third begins. Flavors are terrific. Nothing has changed other than the flavors have become more prolific in their approach of serving them up to your palate.

The triple cap has behaved admirably. The char line has not required a single touch up. And the draw has not changed from the start; billowy clouds.

I want to thank Jason Harding of BestCigarPrices.com for the wonderful samples. Their prices are good and you should give them some of your business to make the Katman happy.

While the strength climbs, the cigar gets even smoother. Flavors are somewhat subdued creating a Xmas day package. All tidied up and with a bow on top. I wouldn’t know about the gentile practice as we Jews, during Chanukkah, rampage through the neighborhood smiting the neighbors’ first born. Wait. Wrong holiday. That’s right, we light a damn candle every night for 8 days. And then, we rampage the neighborhood.

The last couple inches sees the strength hit full bodied. The nicotine kick breaks on through to the other side. And if it’s possible, the clouds of smoke are bludgeoning the dining room where I work.

The flavor profile has changed a bit: Cocoa, coffee, creaminess, earthiness, spice, raisin, leather, and wood.

It is here I slow down out of fear of the nicotine.

The stick finishes out nicely. Not harsh or bitter. Cool as a cuke. And still very flavorful and complex.
I’ve reviewed the Core Line Natural, E Stunner, Short Run 2011, and the Atlantic 15th Anniversary edition.
I’ve reviewed Carrillo’s other blends, but not here. Gotta do something about that.
Thanks Jason and BCP.

And now for something completely different:
It was 1981, I think. My band was playing, for the first time at The Troubador in West Hollywood.
Everyone dreamed of playing this gig. Not a big place. Maybe a couple hundred people per show.
You’ve never heard of the Troubador?

“The Troubadour played an important role in the careers of Elton John, Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor, the Eagles, The Byrds, Love, Joni Mitchell, Hoyt Axton, Carole King, Bonnie Raitt, J.D. Souther, Jackson Browne, Van Morrison, Buffalo Springfield and other prominent and successful performers, who played performances there establishing their future fame. In 1961, comedian Lenny Bruce was arrested on obscenity charges for using the word “schmuck” on stage.”

She was just standing there, staring at me, as we finished sound check.
We had one set to play that night and were headlining.

I was dumbstruck. Her beautiful blue/green eyes stared right through me. She no longer had the platinum blonde hair from 1971 that made her look just like Goldie Hawn…. but she looked better with auburn/brown hair.

I couldn’t speak and she said nothing. I finally managed some utterances that sounded like squeaks and whistles. I said, “Hi Teri.” And she replied, “Hi Phil.” So far, so good.

In 1971, I married this woman and in 1972, we divorced. Way too young for that foolishness.

I asked her how she knew my band would be playing there that night? She handed me a letter that I had written her; where I casually told here I would be playing there, and invited her to come….knowing full well she wouldn’t. It was a letter in reply to something legal left over from the marriage, I think. I don’t know. But she took the invitation to heart.

I was stunned. I hadn’t seen this woman for 10 years.

My band, the Attitude, was made up of four guys, all devastatingly good looking. We attracted women when we played and The Troubador was standing room only. We put on a helluva show. We even used props and did small skits within the body of some songs. I worked my ass off for those 90 minutes. Concert adrenaline.

When it was over, I was drenched in my own sweat. I was dizzy. I gave it my all.

The band wandered into the crowd to talk to everyone and it was nothing but big smiles and lots of pats on the backs.

Teri came up to me and led me by the hand; saying nothing. She took me outside through the back stage door and we sat down on the curb. Not a word was spoken.
She got up and got me a wet cloth to put around my neck as I slumped in the sitting position. I was drained. I was hyperventilating. Teri rubbed my back and whispered sweet things in my ear.
I was really glad she was there.

We sat there for a good 30 minutes until I regained my strength and my senses.

There was an after party at the guitarist’s home..not far from the Troubador. Teri followed me over. We sat and talked for hours. We held hands. Not only did we do a killer gig, but the love of my life was there to take it all in.
Morning was nigh. I asked her if she wanted to go back to my house, in north Long Beach, and she agreed.
It was a magical night…a really magical night.
To be continued….

Note: To see The Attitude performing, in a very inexpensive music video, click on “Hound Dog” to see it on YouTube. During the recording of the song, Little Richard played piano.

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