“To me, Miami was supposed to be a steppingstone – a place to gather ourselves before I made it big in New York as a jazz musician. Things happen for a reason, and it’s clear now that Miami was the right place for me, and the place that pushed me to discover – and master – my true calling in life.” 

– Ernesto Perez-Carrillo 

The EP Carrillo name started back in 1948 when Ernesto Sr., purchased a small cigar factory in Havana.  The Perrez-Carrillo name became a well-respected in Cuba, until Sr.; was elected to the Senate in 1954 and 1958.  Fast forward to Little Havana in Miami Sr., re-established El Credito factory and started manufacturing cigars again.  In 1990 after the passing of Sr., and a failed stint at becoming a famous jazz musician Jr., found his true calling and continued to run the family business.     

Introduced in 2016 the EP Carrillo introduced the Encore (a fitting name for a once jazz musician).  Awarded the Cigar of the Year in 2018 by Cigar Aficionado with a rating of 96 the Encore could be found in every Cigar Shop and bar around the world.  The weather was perfect outside and so I sat down with Encore El Primero: 6 7/8 X 54 and Aberlour 14-year-Old Scotch Whisky Double Cask.   Constuced with a Nicaraguan wrapper, with the binder and filler also being Nicaraguan this flavor profile from start to finish was full of flavor and a easy smoke from start to finish.  

The cold draw was full of baking spices and under notes of sweetness. The Aberlour on the palate had a Sherried finish with fruity aromas balanced off with rich chocolate notes.  The finish was sweet and spicy and had a warm finish.  

This time I went with a punch cut to get a smooth even draw.  From the start the cedar, baking spices, and gentle sweetness carry through the entire stick from start to finish.  The smoke was a Suttle white smoke that itself had a cedar smell to it that made it even more enjoyable.  On the retro Hale you will get a peppery flavor counterbalanced again by a hint of sweetness.  

The sips of the Aberlour allowed the sweetness to come more to the fore front as I moved into the 2nd and 3rd third portion of the stick which made it a more exciting smoke.  The warm finish of the whisky brought out some small hints of chocolate that I did not catch on the cold draw.   

This EP Carrillo did not disappoint and is well deserved of the name Encore.  The balance of the baking spices and the Suttle sweetness along with the Aberlour are yet another Perfect Pairing....