Wrapper: U.S.A. Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro
Binder: Mexican San Andrés
Filler: Nicaraguan (Condega, Estelí, Jalapa)
Size: 5.325 x 52 Robusto Box Pressed
Strength: Medium/Full
Price: $17.00
Released: January 2024
Quantity released: 50,000
My cigars received 3 months of naked humidor time.
E.P. Carrillo gave the cigars 18 months of fermentation. Plus 3 years of aging after rolled.
THE WHOLE MEGILLAH:
This is the Maduro version of the popular Encore release in 2018…which I didn’t care for. The cigar was released a year ago and I found a mere two reviews and they agreed that the blend is passable. Why do I venture into this critique knowing my chances of survival are minimal? Because I paid for the damn cigars, and they are going to get reviewed. We cigar heathens find distress in spending $60-$85 on a fiver when it turns out we chose wrong. Most smokers don’t realize how many cigars a blogger buys. The current price of cigars has pushed a lot of good reviewers into semi-retirement. I find very negative reviews a complete waste of my time.
Once undraped from its tripod of paper clothing, the reason for such adornment becomes clear. This is one ugly cigar.
The wrapper is pungently aware of its barnyard aroma. Maybe this is why the thing looks shriveled. Think shrinkage.
The draw is a clear shot to downtown Cleveland. My PerfecDraw lies in repose and waits for orders from Kurt Cobain to Come As You Are. It’s a long-distance call.
The cold flail-about does better with notes of chocolate barnyard, caramel barnyard, smoked barnyard meat, black peppered barnyard, and baking spices minus the barnyard. What did I forget?
Whiskey sour start. Lemony with savory notes of Landjäger, bitter chocolate, black pepper, and a nice touch of creaminess in the background.
I smoked two Encore Blacks a month ago and figured I better wait. Glad I did. The exhibition is better played. Within the first minute or two, there is a subtle richness with some depth of character. Will it hold to the end. Beats me.
The sourness disappears. This is good. It allows the following understated notes to appear: hot chocolate with marshmallows, lovely floral notes that aromacize and taste good, butter brickle, 30% peanuts and 70% almonds, definitive rich espresso, and fresh mushrooms.
The foot needs a touch up. I comply with its needs. No biggie. Just another affordable $17 stick rolled by 9-year-olds.
An inch is burned, and creaminess goes full bore.
The 1990’s saw an incredible blues scene in Phoenix. During the 10 years we lived there, I played in 5 working bands. I was a weekend warrior. The scene died shortly after we left but I hear it has returned. I was almost beaten into baby seal pâte when a drunk yelled out: ‘Sweet Home Alabama.’ I stupidly laughed. Roadies pulled me from the jaws of death. That’s me performing for the criminally denuded in Tempe, Arizona holding my 27lb Dobro electric upright like it’s a ukelele:
The draw has been a bit too airy for my taste. It seems to burn in accordance with not being rolled all that well. The burn is becoming a real pain in the arse. My first two sticks were overly plump. Consistence was not something the Carrillo folks thought might be important. And probably the reason that this cigar was only reviewed twice in over a year…to a meh response.
Strength has been a solid medium. The spicy black pepper sees a surge. Not complaining…yet.
With even more extended humidor time, I don’t see this cigar becoming a good cigar under the moniker of ‘premium.’ This blend seems to be an error that E.P. foisted upon the public. Instead of taking the hit and maintaining a good rep, the company said fuck it and lined retailers’ shelves with the cigars. The least they could have done was reduce the price. They are making a huge profit as all manufacturers do. Green is god.
Transitionally, the blend is going nowhere. The second half begins, and this could be any knockoff cigar from your favorite online shop. Too bad, so sad. But I will try another 2” before I douse the stick with petrol. I’m a midnight toker.
The two sticks I smoked a month ago sent the message that it was too early. Now, I see that this was a pointless endeavor. There is stasis. I’m done.
You can purchase the E.P. Carrillo Encore Black from sponsor Small Batch Cigar.
RATING: 85
Note: A couple hours later, I smoked a newly acquired Padrón Classic Natural. Hands down, a better cigar than the Encore Black. An affordable Padron ($8-$11 after promo codes). I thoroughly enjoyed the Classic even with it having no humi time. You can purchase this classic blend from sponsor Small Batch Cigar. Take 10% off with promo code KATMAN. Every Padron sings with extended humidor time.
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Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS
