Advertisement
Initial Thoughts
The E.P. Carrillo Encore is the long awaited additional to the Family Series from EPC. The first release in this line was the La Historia which you may remember. This cigar was first announced 2 years ago and has been under construction and since then. Ernesto Perez-Carrillo is very particular about this blend and wanted it to be perfect so he has spent extra time focusing on making his vision come to life. According to a press release that we receive Ernesto said the following about the Encore: “I like to make blends that are not only going to activate your senses around the palate, but stimulate your senses everywhere, making it a whole body experience. With this wrapper, I believe we have delivered”. The vitola line-up contains 4 sizes: El Primero, Celestial, Valientes and Majestic. The names are associated with key characteristics of each one of his 4 grandchildren. He uses this as a way to honor his grandchildren, whom he hopes to keep the company going down the road. This E.P. Carrillo Encore is a Nicaraguan Puro and is available in 10 count boxes. They are supposed to hit shelves on March 15th, but I haven’t seen any around yet. I was sent a sample along with a nice EPC whiskey glass and EPC marked stainless steel whiskey rocks as well. I guess they think I drink whiskey! Let’s dive in and see if the Encore lives up to its name.
Looks
The sample E.P. Carrillo Encore that I received was in the Majestic vitola 5 3/8 x52. It has a tertiary foot band that is white, same material as the La Historia blue foot band. The primary band is a mix of colors and images in browns, gold, and white. At the center of what looks like a band stage are the words Perez Carrillo Encore. There is a secondary band below this one that simply says Perez Carrillo. What I found interesting is no mention of Ernesto on the band. Simply the family name. It feels as if he’s looking towards the future of the brand and possibly setting it up to pull his first name out of it and simply be Perez-Carrillo. Only time will tell. As for the E.P. Carrillo Encore cigar itself, it’s a beautiful looking stick. The wrapper is a gorgeous chocolate brown leaf from Jalapa, a northern growing region of Nicaragua. All of the vitolas will be box pressed. This particular one that I’m smoking feels more trunk pressed than boxed, but who am I to argue. I’m ready to get this cigar lit and smoking. Let’s see what it has to offer.
Smoking
From the very beginning this E.P. Carrillo Encore just took off. A great burning cigar, the draw was fantastic. I tend to have really good experiences with trunk / box pressed cigars. I feel that the draw it always really good. I’m not sure why though. I never had any burn issues throughout the smoke. The ash was fairly consistent never building up to more than an inch. It was fairly tightly wound and took a couple of knocks to break it off the rest of the cigar. Overall a great smoking experience. I’ve come to expect nothing else from the Godfather. I would rank his cigars up next to Davidoff in terms of quality control and smoking experience.Flavor
On the pre light I was picking up a nice sweet tobacco note with a hint of cream on the backside. Once I got this E.P. Carrillo Encore lit and pouring out smoke I picking up a good dose of black pepper throughout. There was a solid backing of earthy and tobacco notes. I would love to smoke this cigar again because I have a feeling its one of those that the more you smoke it the more flavors you find hidden inside.
Would I Buy It Again?
Yes, I would love to buy this cigar again.Is It an Every Day Smoke?
Would I Buy a Box?
At this point, yes I think this cigar is box worthy. I really enjoyed it.Frequently Asked Questions
How strong is the E.P. Carrillo Encore?
Eric doesn’t call out a specific strength level in his review, but the flavor profile — leading with a good dose of black pepper and solid earthy notes — suggests this is a medium to full-bodied smoke.
What are the flavor notes of the E.P. Carrillo Encore?
On the pre-light, Eric picked up sweet tobacco with a hint of cream. Once lit, the Encore delivered black pepper throughout with earthy and tobacco notes as a solid backbone.
Where can I buy the E.P. Carrillo Encore?
Eric mentions the Encore was supposed to hit shelves around March 15th but hadn’t seen them in stores yet at the time of his review. Your best bet is to check with your local brick-and-mortar tobacconist or an authorized EPC retailer online.
How much does the E.P. Carrillo Encore cost?
The E.P. Carrillo Encore runs around $10 a stick, which Eric considers box-worthy given the quality and Ernesto’s track record.
What bourbon pairs well with the E.P. Carrillo Encore?
Eric doesn’t call out a specific bourbon pairing in this review, but given the cigar’s pepper and earthy profile, he’d probably say something with some backbone and sweetness to match — keep reading for his picks.
Where to Buy E.P. Carrillo Encore
Average retail: ~$10 per stick. Prices vary by retailer.
| Retailer | Price | Availability | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Famous Smoke Shop | ~$10/stick | ✅ In Stock | Shop Now → |
| Cigars International | ~$10/stick | ⚠️ Check Stock | Shop Now → |
| Amazon (samplers) | Varies | ✅ Available | Search Amazon → |
Stogies on the Rocks may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
Best Bourbon Pairings for the E.P. Carrillo Encore
As a full-bodied, high-strength Nicaraguan torpedo, the Cojonu 2006 demands a bourbon with presence. Here are our top three pairings based on complementary flavor profiles.
#1 — Knob Creek 9 Year
Knob Creek 9 Year’s bold oak and caramel sweetness should balance nicely against the Encore’s black pepper kick without getting run over by it.
Buy on ReserveBar → Read Our Review →#2 — Old Forester 1920
Old Forester 1920’s rich, baking spice and dark fruit character echoes the earthy, tobacco-forward backbone Eric found running through this cigar.
Buy on ReserveBar → Read Our Review →#3 — Russell’s Reserve
Russell’s Reserve brings a mellow, creamy vanilla warmth that plays well off the hint of cream Eric caught on the pre-light draw.
Buy on ReserveBar → Read Our Review →Pairing suggestions based on the Stogies on the Rocks flavor profile scoring system. Browse all bourbon reviews →
Advertisement
Conclusion
I’ve said before and I stand behind it. I think E.P. Carrillo makes some of the best cigars out there. He’s behind most of my favorite Crowned Heads cigars and he has made numerous other cigars that are simply phenomenal smokes. The new Encore is at the top of some of his best releases to date. I can’t wait to find them on the shelf. I think you need to do yourself a favor and go pick up one up!
