Encore Black — Heritage & History

Encore Black began not in a single factory but as a deliberate collision of three production houses: Tabacalera La Alianza in Estelí, the E.P. Carrillo factory in Villa González, and an STG/Davidoff facility in Estelí. This tri-national sourcing—Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, and Honduras—was unusual at the brand's inception, allowing each vitola to be built where its blend components grew strongest. The line debuted with a core of Nicaraguan fillers and a rotating cast of Habano wrappers, from Nicaraguan Habano Rosado to Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro. Early milestones included the Lancero and Belicoso, which became reference points for how a medium-full cigar could maintain balance across long formats. The Maduro Robusto, wrapped in Connecticut Broadleaf, added a darker counterpoint to the otherwise Habano-forward range. By splitting production across three countries rather than committing to a single factory, Encore Black positioned itself as a blender's brand—one where provenance shifts by vitola, and consistency is achieved through recipe discipline rather than geographic uniformity.

Blending Philosophy

Encore Black's blending approach is defined by wrapper-driven variation within a fixed medium-full strength framework. Rather than one house style, the brand treats each wrapper as a primary flavor source: the Nicaraguan Habano Rosado on the Belicoso lends a reddish, sweet-spiced character, while the Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro on the Gran Toro pushes darker, earthier notes. The Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro on the Maduro Robusto introduces a fermented, molasses-like depth that contrasts with the brighter, cedar-forward Natural Toro. Fillers are sourced from Nicaragua and Honduras, with the Dominican Republic contributing binder or filler in select vitolas. Aging is handled per factory, but the brand's internal standard favors two to three years on all wrapper leaves. Construction follows each factory's house style—the E.P. Carrillo-made Churchills are rolled with a tighter draw, while the La Alianza-produced Torpedos allow a more open smoke. This multi-factory model means the blend is less about a single terroir and more about matching leaf to format.

Flavor Profile

Across the Encore Black range, smokers can expect a core of cedar and leather, with white pepper on the retrohale that intensifies in longer vitolas like the Lancero and Lonsdale. The Habano-wrapped cigars—Natural Toro, Robusto, Corona—deliver dried fruit sweetness, particularly raisin and fig, alongside a subtle dark cocoa bitterness. The Oscuro and Maduro expressions shift toward espresso, dark chocolate, and a damp earth note, with the Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro adding a molasses sweetness and a hint of anise. The Belicoso and Torpedo, both tapered, concentrate the pepper and spice at the foot, while the Churchill and Gran Toro open with more airy cedar and floral hints before settling into a creamy leather mid-section. Strength remains medium-full across the board, but the nicotine body is more pronounced in the Maduro Robusto and the Toro, which uses a heavier Nicaraguan Habano Oscuro. The Petit Corona is the most approachable, with muted pepper and a shorter finish.

Best for Beginners

Start with the Petit Corona. At $9–$12, it's the most affordable Encore Black, and its 4.5-inch length keeps the smoking time under an hour. The medium-full strength is present but not punishing, with flavors of cedar, mild leather, and a touch of dark cocoa. The smaller ring gauge means less heat and a more forgiving draw, making it an ideal introduction to the brand's Habano character without the intensity of the Lancero or the Toro.

Encore Black Cigar Lineup

Explore 12 Encore Black cigars in the AshMap encyclopedia:

  • Belicoso — Belicoso, Medium-Full · $14–$18 per cigar
  • Churchill — Churchill, Medium-Full · $14–$18 per cigar
  • Corona — Corona, Medium-Full · $12–$16 per cigar
  • Gran Toro — Toro, Medium-Full · $12–$16 per cigar
  • Lancero — Lancero, Medium-Full · $14–$18 per cigar
  • Lonsdale — Lonsdale, Medium-Full · $12–$16 per cigar
  • Maduro Robusto — Robusto, Medium-Full · $10–$14 per cigar
  • Natural Toro — Toro, Medium-Full · $10–$14 per cigar
  • Petit Corona — Petit Corona, Medium-Full · $9–$12 per cigar
  • Robusto — Robusto, Medium-Full · $12–$16 per cigar
  • Toro — Toro, Medium-Full · $18–$24 per cigar
  • Torpedo — Torpedo, Medium-Full · $12–$16 per cigar

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are Encore Black cigars made?

Encore Black is produced across three facilities: Tabacalera La Alianza in Estelí, Nicaragua; the E.P. Carrillo factory in Villa González, Dominican Republic; and an STG/Davidoff production facility in Estelí, Nicaragua. Some tobaccos are also sourced from Danlí, Honduras, but rolling occurs at these three sites.

What is Encore Black known for?

Encore Black is known for its multi-factory production model—rare for a single brand—and for offering a wide range of vitolas, from Petit Corona to Churchill, all within a consistent medium-full strength. The Lancero and Belicoso are often cited as benchmarks for how Habano wrappers behave in long formats.

Are Encore Black cigars strong?

All Encore Black vitolas are rated medium-full, meaning they deliver noticeable nicotine and body but stop short of full-strength intensity. The Maduro Robusto and Toro sit at the higher end of that range, while the Petit Corona and Natural Toro are closer to medium.

What is the best Encore Black cigar for beginners?

The Petit Corona is the best entry point. Its shorter length and smaller ring gauge reduce smoking time and nicotine buildup, while the medium-full strength remains manageable. Flavors are classic Encore Black—cedar, leather, dark cocoa—without the pepper-forward intensity of the Lancero.

How much do Encore Black cigars cost?

Prices range from $9–$12 for the Petit Corona and Maduro Robusto, up to $18–$24 for the Toro. Most vitolas—Robusto, Corona, Gran Toro, Torpedo, Lonsdale—fall in the $12–$16 bracket, while the Belicoso, Churchill, and Lancero are $14–$18.

What wrapper does Encore Black use?

Encore Black uses eight wrappers across its lineup: Nicaraguan Habano Rosado, Nicaraguan Habano Oscuro, Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro, Nicaraguan Habano, Ecuadorian Habano Natural, Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro, Honduran Natural (Habano-seed), and Ecuadorian Habano Negro. Each vitola is matched to a specific wrapper to achieve its intended flavor profile.

Are Encore Black cigars Cuban?

No. Encore Black is not Cuban. It is produced in Nicaragua (Estelí), the Dominican Republic (Villa González), and Honduras (Danlí, for tobacco sourcing). The brand uses Nicaraguan, Ecuadorian, Honduran, and Connecticut wrappers, with no Cuban tobacco or production.

Where can I buy Encore Black cigars?

Encore Black is distributed through premium cigar retailers, both brick-and-mortar and online. Given the $9–$24 price point, it is positioned as a boutique brand, so it may not be in every chain store. Check with specialist tobacconists or authorized online retailers that carry multi-factory lines.