Encore by E.P. Carrillo Belicoso Review

Overview

In the premium cigar market, the name E.P. Carrillo commands respect. With decades of blending authority and an unbroken line of acclaimed releases — from the legendary La Historia to the bold Pledge series — Ernesto Perez-Carrillo has proven himself a master of the craft. But the Encore line, launched around 2013, represents something rarer: a master working without ego, delivering a cigar that is accessible without being simple, affordable without being cheap. The Encore by E.P. Carrillo Belicoso is the line’s definitive vitola, a study in what happens when a world-class blender pours his knowledge into an everyday offering. The build is impeccable: a 6.5 x 52 belicoso draped in an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper of Colorado color — medium brown, slightly toothy, with a gentle natural sheen that catches the light. Beneath it lies a Nicaraguan binder and a filler blend of Nicaraguan and Dominican long-leaf tobaccos, all hand-rolled at the Carrillo factory in Villa González, Dominican Republic. The result is a cigar that punches cleanly above its $10–$14 price point, earning its place as the entry-level cornerstone of the E.P. Carrillo portfolio. The flavor journey begins with a confident first third: toasted cedar, mild creaminess, and a gentle nuttiness — roasted cashew and a whisper of light oak. A delicate citrus zest dances on the retrohale, keeping the opening bright and engaging. The second third evolves into dried fruit notes — golden raisin and a trace of fig — layered over a consistent cedar foundation. Leather enters softly, adding texture and weight without overwhelming the medium-bodied structure. By the final third, patience is rewarded: deepened earth and espresso join the conversation, accompanied by mild black pepper on the finish, while the cream lingers just enough to maintain balance. The draw is reliably easy — slightly loose, as a belicoso should be — with cool smoke and a firm, medium-grey ash that holds an inch or more. Encore is not a cigar that shouts; it hums with the quiet confidence of a blender who knows exactly what he’s doing. It is the sort of cigar that makes you wonder why all cigars at this tier aren’t this good. The answer, of course, is that most blenders don’t have the pedigree, the resources, or the inclination to treat an everyday line with this level of care. Encore is a reminder that craftsmanship is not reserved for limited editions. It is available to anyone who demands more from their daily smoke. For the aficionado seeking proof that complexity and approachability can coexist, the Encore Belicoso is Exhibit A.