Wrapper: Mexican San Andrés Maduro
Binder: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Filler: Nicaraguan, Dominican
Size: 6.875 x 54
Strength: Medium/Full
Price: €9.50 (If you know where to look here on the old continent) $13.00 in the U.S.
Factory: Tabacalera La Alianza ~ Santiago, Dominican Republic
First half:
As I was pondering what to review next, it occurred to me that, although a good take down is always fun, I would enjoy reviewing a cigar that I like. Very much. Spoiler alert…
Anyhoo, the E-III has been with me for about 18 months in cello. It is one of those blends that benefit from some time resting. Straight away I get chocolate. Contrary to the appearance of the toothy wrapper, the veins and the somewhat lacklustre cap, it comes across as quite sophisticated once you start smoking. Floral, herbal elements join the chocolate half an inch in. Well balanced, excellent draw although box pressed, and the burn line is equally enjoyable. Not a bad word to say. While I usually always keep the price of my smokes in the back of head when reviewing, here I can say that this is a great cigar at any price point. Strength to me is medium, and I know I do not need to tell you this, but I will nonetheless: the appearance of a cigar has very little to do with its strength. The E-III looks like it came in to knock you out of your boots, but all it does is knock my socks off with the ever-developing flavours. We now have pepper coming in, the florality, if that is a word, exits centre stage but remains present, and so does the still dominating chocolate. Wood, leather also join, but not in a boring way. Instead, they also take on supporting roles to the chocolate. I taste no hay, no “earth”, no barnyard. Great!
La Historia has been around for a while. It has won one thing or another, and surely deservedly so. But I am aware that not all E.P. Carrillos are created equal. The Encore line never did much for me, and do not get me started to the various INCH-es. Not my thing. The La Historia and the Allegiance line however are straight up my alley. I also tend to avoid anything above 56 ring gauge, so the E-III is touching my upper limit, but the box press makes it palatable as I like to keep a cigar between my lips while typing.
Second half:
This is where I need to tell you that the taste explosion somehow tinkers with the balance. You need to keep your concentration on if you want to get it all. If you do not, you might miss out on details and that might make you think that Ernesto executed the transitions harshly. But he did not. They are just subtle. For instance, the pepper is leaving, but not abruptly, as chocolate comes even more to the fore briefly, bringing with it Chili of the mild sort, which then takes over for about ten minutes. Very nicely done.
It is no smoke bomb, if you enjoy that. I usually do. But smoke output is pleasing and still rich. It transitions to medium-full, which is welcome. The draw is now bordering on being tight, but starting the final third this is corrects itself. It also corrects me, as the ash drops by itself into my lap under protest. I should have paid attention to it. It is may not be as creamy as I would like my ideal cigar to be, but there is always something, isn’t there? Still, there is some cream, and considering the general smoking experience is extremely flavourful and not marred by any burn or draw issues, I am happy to live with it. As the cigar continues to impress, espresso comes in, substituting wood and leather. The espresso is now at the forefront, together with the ever-present chocolate. If there were no more changes, I would happily recommend this cigar to everyone who is willing to take the time to appreciate it. It is no “yard cigar”, no “car cigar”, it needs to be savoured with time and concentration. Then it shines.
But was that it flavour-wise? No. Towards the end, I am talking the last inch and a half, we have explicit sweetness, nuttiness and bread. Ernesto, on YouTube, always goes on about the nuttiness he enjoys in his cigars, and here you can experience what he is on about. It is a great finale to one of my favourite cigars. I nub it, finally using the PerfecDraw, if not for its intended purpose.
Final thoughts:
I said it before, I will say it again: the La Historia E-III is a great cigar, price no matter. For its current price in Europe using the right sources it is a steal, for twice that it still would be, considering some of the competition. The more humidor time, the better.
It does have the power to take you to Xanadu, but you need to play along with it. I recommend a straight cut. Smoking time two very well spent hours.
Final Score: 94
You can purchase the E.P. Carrillo La Historia from Small Batch Cigar (10% off with promo code ‘katman’) and from Cigar Page.
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Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS
Nubbing is the best off-label use of the PerfecDraw, something i got used to do as well, it has been my companion ever since 🙂
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