Encore Black by E.P. Carrillo Torpedo Review

Overview

The Encore Black Torpedo is E.P. Carrillo’s argument for restraint as the ultimate form of rebellion. Where the original Encore was a bright, sun-drenched chorus of Nicaraguan vitality, this darker sibling speaks in a lower register—a late-night conversation held in a leather chair, not a midday toast. The Colorado Maduro wrapper, with its oily, near-black sheen, is the first hint that this is a cigar built on shadow and texture, not flash. It feels dense and cool in the hand, the torpedo’s taper promising a journey that requires attention. This is not a cigar that announces itself; it compels you to lean in.

The pre-light draw offers a concentrated hit of dark cocoa and raisin, a forewarning of the sweetness that will later emerge. Once lit, the first third is a firm handshake: assertive roasted espresso, dark baker's chocolate, and a pronounced cedar spine that cuts through the richness. There is a grounding earthiness here—wet clay and worn leather—that prevents the opening from feeling top-heavy. The retrohale is where the blend first reveals its sophistication, delivering a clean white pepper sting that is immediately followed by a ghost of dried fig, a pairing that feels both unexpected and inevitable. The burn is slow and even, the ash a dense, salt-and-pepper column that holds with surprising tenacity.

As the cigar settles into its second act, the narrative shifts from declaration to nuance. The roasted coffee recedes, making way for dark cherry preserves that carry a tart, jammy brightness, while toasted almond adds a savory counterpoint. The cedar transforms, losing its sharpness and becoming a creamier, almost sandalwood-like presence. A molasses sweetness emerges mid-palate, coating the tongue and softening the blend’s edges. The pepper on the retrohale remains a steady metronome, never overpowering but always present, a reminder of the Nicaraguan core that pulses beneath the Ecuadorian wrapper’s dark veneer. This is the heart of the cigar, where the blend’s three-year-aged tobaccos feel fully integrated, each element in dialogue rather than competition.

The final third is a return to earth, but with the wisdom of the journey. Bittersweet dark chocolate and charred oak take center stage, while the espresso returns with a lingering, almost smoky finish. The leather and earth that grounded the opening return with greater presence, wrapping the palate in a dry, satisfying conclusion. The natural sweetness from the wrapper—that subtle, almost caramelized quality—holds everything together, preventing the darkness from becoming bitter. The finish is long and clean, leaving a trace of cocoa and oak that invites a final, contemplative puff. This is a cigar that rewards patience, and its final inch is as deliberate and satisfying as its first.