Ernie Carrillo’s Second Rebirth

Everyone knows Ernesto Perez Carrillo as the mad behind the Miami company La Gloria Cubano.  And indeed he was just that.  Running that brand own his own for many years out of Little Havana in Miami.  After some years he sold a controlling interest to General Cigar but continued to make the cigars for them.  Then, about 3 years ago he split from General to create a boutique brand bearing his family name.  Over the years I have enjoyed La Gloria and in recent months reviewed them quite favorably here.

Tonight’s smoke came from the depths of the humidor and is Carrillo’s first offering under his own name, the E.P. Carrillo Inaugural Edition 2009.

This is a good looking cigar that lit easily and produced a nice volume of smoke.  The first few puffs were not overly hot or spicy and the cigar presented well.

During the smoke the cigar did not burn evenly and had to be relit, but this didn’t take away form the flavor.  It held a nice dark grey ash.

Flavor from this cigar comes not only from the wrapper of Ecuadoran Habano that has been aged, but also from two binder leafs.  One each from the Dominican and Nicaragua.  There was a note of spice along with leather and cedar running through my smoke.  As it burned, the taste remained consistent.  With about a third to go the spice picked up a bit and then receded.

At $13 this is a pricey cigar and it did not show as well as others from Carrillo.  It is a medium bodied rarity as only 15,000 cigars were made, which is a small run.  Since E.P. Carrillo has a following there may be some collectors who would want to give this one a try.