Tuesday, January 17 2012
E.P. Carrillo Edicion Limitada 2011 Dark RitualsCountry of Origin: Dom. Rep.
Size: 6½ x 56
Strength: Full
Wrapper: Brazilian
MaduroFiller: Nicaraguan
Binder: Ecuadorian
SumatraPresentation:
Box of 10
cigars and 5-packs
NOTE: The following review is based on a sample given to me by Señor Carrillo last February at his factory during the ProCigar Festival in Santiago, The Dominican Republic. More on that to follow...
Appearance and feel: This wide-bodied beauty has a beautiful dark chocolate sheen with some toothiness on the wrapper.
Paired with: Svedka Citron & Tonic with a splash of Rose's Lime Juice
Draw: Perfect
Pre-light flavor: Earthy, somewhat dark and spicy
Toasting & Light: Took a little longer to light this cigar properly for an even burn, but it lit well and evenly.
First puff: Surprisingly flinty and bitter. I was a little nervous at first. Maybe I over-lit it? By the third puff it rounded right out.
Retrohale: A real tingler!
Base flavors: Dark tobacco, espresso and a hint of semi-sweet dark chocolate.
Aroma: Sweet and spicy
Burn / Ash: Burn was just slightly off after the first inch, but once ashed, evened-out and never presented any further burn issues.
General Observations: This is a LOT of cigar. It is definitely full-bodied, but very smooth and creamy. Though it started-off funky, the base flavors came through shortly after. By the midpoint it turned a little sweeter, more complex, and remained consistent right down to the nub.
Summary: When Ernesto handed me this un-banded cigar in February last year (
see photo at right), he said, "Here's something new for you to try, but it won't be released until November." So, I decided to take it home and let it rest until the cigars were released last Fall, but I didn't smoke it until a few days ago.
On the whole, the Edicion Limitada Dark Rituals offered excellent balance and plenty of flavor. I enjoyed it immensely, and IMO, this cigar is best suited for more experienced cigar smokers who will appreciate the myriad nuances in the
blend. There is a lot going on in this cigar. The Brazilian wrapper was not as spicy as I expected. Its ZING comes from the combination of the wrapper and the Nicaraguan
ligero, while the sweeter, milder Sumatra binder keeps it from being too overpowering. Overall, a real treat that burned for well over an hour. This is one cigar you don't want to rush.
See all
E.P. Carrillo Cigars.
Rating: ♦♦♦
Rating scale ♦ = Fair to Midland
♦♦ = Good
♦♦♦ = Excellent
♦♦♦♦ = Outstanding
♦♦♦♦♦ = Extraordinary
