The E.P. Carrillo Pledge is the newest line in their portfolio, that was launched this year. The particular thing about this release is that the name was voted by attendees of last year’s Big Smoke in Las Vegas. Cigars are commercialized in a box of 10.
Visually, the cigar is very appealing and comes in an oily and smooth wrapper. The blue bands and the golden ribbon on the foot of the cigar make for an elegant look.
- Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
- Size: 54 x 159 mm (6.25″)
- Wrapper: USA Havana Seed
- Binder: Ecuador
- Filler: Nicaragua
- Price: $ 12 | € –
E.P. Carrillo Pledge Sojourn: ripe fruit and vegetal notes are perceived in the cold draw. Once the cigar is lit, it opens with aromas of bread and spices.
A marked black pepper note is the main flavor in the first third, that overwhelms most parts of the flavor profile. Earth and molasses come through in some puffs. The strength falls short of being medium-bodied (2.5/5).
The cigar becomes quite muted in the second third. Some black pepper spice can be picked out in the retro-hale, while light notes of cocoa and molasses can be faintly made out. Strength stays constant (2.5/5).
The spices return to the palate, with light herbal and hazelnut notes coming through as well. Strength picks up slightly, becoming medium (3/5).
Overall, the E.P. Carrillo Pledge Sojourn is a head-scratcher of a cigar. The cigar starts rough and unbalanced, with the black pepper covering the remaining flavor profile. After the first third, it loses its intensity and becomes smooth but muted. Only in the last third, the profile hints at what the potential of the cigar could have been.