Monday, May 10 2010
When I was in the music business, one of the perks was getting promo copies of the latest releases weeks before the albums hit the stores. So it is also true (occasionally) in the cigar business. Last Friday I received an envelope from EPC Cigars with several of their new EP Carrillo "Short Run" Delirios samples.
At 5 7/8 x 52, the Delirios is one of three EP Carrillo Short Run cigar frontmarks. The blend is composed of Nicaraguan and Dominican longfiller, Nicaraguan binder, and a lush, Ecuadorian Sumatra Colorado wrapper. And they're not kidding about the short run; presented in boxes of 24 cigars, only 1,500 boxes will be made in each size.
The Delirios is expected to be in stock by the end of May/early June, so here's my little preview to whet your appetite.
There was a nice even color all-around on a gorgeous Sumatra Colorado wrapper. The cigar also features a twin-banded collar: an EP Carrillo Cigars band placed above a "Short Run" band. I clipped this cigar, not with a cutter, but with a XiKAR knife I got a couple of years ago (see photo). It's extremely sharp and took off the very tip of the cap effortlessly. Since I basically skinned it, there was no frayed tobacco on the head at all.
The pre-light flavor was kind of sweet and woody. Once lit the cigar revealed a very fine, highly granular grey ash. During my thank you call to Ernie III last Friday, the only thing he mentioned was that the Short Run blend had a little more guts to it than the EP Carrillo Inaugural 2009 cigars from last year.
It was true. Pairing the cigar with coffee, from the get-go it had a much heartier flavor with some peppery notes up front, and lots of thick, creamy smoke. Shortly into the first inch, the flavor and strength rounded out into a primarily woody (oaky perhaps?) and earthy smoke with a nice balance of flavors.
One little side note: I smoked this cigar on an extremely windy day. We had up to 55 MPH gusts yesterday. Fortunately, my porch was protected, but I was still getting some pretty good drafts. I intentionally knocked-off the first impressively long ash, which revealed a nicely conical-shaped ember. Amazingly, despite the gusty winds, the ash held on.
In the second act, I picked up some nutmeg along with the prevailing woody and sweet tobacco flavors. The cigar continued to burn well, remaining consistent in both strength (medium-full) and flavor.
During the final act the cigar became noticeably more robust, and suffice it to say, more complex. Some of the sweetness was eclipsed by a spicier character, yet remained very smooth and creamy as some floral notes snuck into the mix. I also took my own advice, letting the cigar rest longer between puffs, and it helped keep it from turning bitter at this late stage.
Overall, the EP Carrillo Short Run Delirios was a very enjoyable cigar with a nice mix of sweet, woody and spicy flavors. I parted company with the cigar at about the last inch-and-a-half left. I could've gone a little longer, but the wind was beginning to wreak havoc with the wrapper, and at that point I was already quite satisfied. On a number scale, I'd score it 8.5 to 9 out of 10.
~ Gary Korb
You can find more information on these cigars at epcarrillo.com.
