AshMap
Overview
There is a moment, about halfway through the Encore Corona, when the smoke turns from a pleasant conversation into a monologue. The voice is unmistakably Ernesto Perez-Carrillo’s—a blender who has never needed volume to make a point. This is not the Encore you know from the Robusto or the Toro; the Corona format strips away any pretense of bulk and leaves only the architecture of the blend. What remains is a study in compression: every note arrives with intent, every transition is a deliberate step down a staircase that leads to a dark, satisfying cellar. The pre-light draw offers dried fig and the faint, dusty sweetness of almond paste, a promise of the richness to come. Once the foot is charred, the first third unfolds with a creamy cedar plank laid over a bed of white pepper—the retrohale is where that pepper lives, sharp and bright, but it never overwhelms the cocoa powder that dusts the back of the throat. The smoke itself is dense, almost chewy, a texture that feels like velvet pulled taut over a drum. By the second third, the blend shifts its weight. Espresso arrives not as a splash but as a full immersion, dark and slightly bitter, followed by leather that has been worn soft by time. The almond from the opening has roasted into walnut, and beneath it all, a refined earthiness emerges—not the raw dirt of a young farm, but the settled, mineral-rich soil of an aged Dominican field. The creaminess that held the first third together now acts as a bridge, carrying the darker flavors across the palate without letting them collapse into heaviness. The final third is where the Encore Corona makes its case for greatness. The sweetness that lingered in the background recedes entirely, replaced by dark chocolate that borders on baker’s chocolate—unsweetened, serious—and seasoned oak that has the faint char of a barrel’s inner stave. Black pepper returns on the retrohale, but it is no longer bright; it is a low, humming heat that lingers long after the smoke is exhaled. The finish is long and mineral, a taste of stone and earth that feels ancient. This is a cigar that rewards patience and punishes distraction. It is not a loud smoke, but it is a profound one. In a market flooded with 60-ring monsters that shout for attention, the Encore Corona whispers with the confidence of a master who knows exactly what he is doing. It is a reminder that the corona vitola is not a compromise—it is a lens that brings a blender’s true skill into focus.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Ecuadorian Habano — Colorado |
|---|---|
| Binder | Nicaraguan Jalapa |
| Filler | Nicaraguan (Estelí, Jalapa) and Dominican long-fillers, aged tobaccos |
| Country of Origin | Villa González, Dominican Republic |
| Vitola / Shape | Corona |
| Size | 5.62 x 46 |
| Strength | Medium-Full |
| Price | $12–$16 per cigar |
| Tier | Premium |
| Aging | Tobaccos aged a minimum of 3 years prior to rolling; post-rolling box rest typical before release |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The cold draw opens with dried fruit and toasted almond. Once lit, the first third delivers creamy cedar, a touch of white pepper on the retrohale, and a subtle underpinning of cocoa. The smoke is dense and well-structured from the first puff.
Second Third
The midpoint is where the Encore Corona earns its keep — espresso and dark leather emerge with greater intensity while the almond note transitions to roasted walnut. A refined earthiness enters, reminiscent of aged Dominican tobacco, balanced by a persistent creaminess that ties everything together.
Final Third
The final third deepens into dark chocolate, seasoned oak, and a lingering black pepper finish on the retrohale. The sweetness recedes and gives way to a more mineral, earthy complexity. The finish is long, satisfying, and appropriately bold without becoming harsh.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction is typically excellent — the draw is slightly firm, ideal for a corona format, producing a generous volume of smoke. The burn line is razor-even, ash holds firmly for an inch or more, and the wrapper shows no cracking or veining issues under typical storage conditions.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
Aged rum with character — Zacapa 23, Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva, or a mid-shelf single malt Scotch like Glenfarclas 15. The creamy mid-palate bridges beautifully with rum's caramel and vanilla backbone.
Wine
A Ribera del Duero Tempranillo (e.g., Pesquera Crianza) or a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon with some bottle age — the cigar's structure complements tannic red wine without either overpowering the other.
Non-Alcoholic
A full-bodied single-origin Colombian or Ethiopian Yirgacheffe drip coffee — black, no sugar. The berry brightness of the Yirgacheffe plays counterpoint to the cigar's dark chocolate and earth notes.
Who Should Smoke This?
You are a smoker who has spent the last year chasing strength—Nicaraguan bombs, double maduros, anything that leaves a mark. But tonight, you are sitting alone on a patio after a dinner that ended too early, and you realize you are tired of being hit over the head. You want a cigar that asks something of you. You have smoked enough to know the difference between a blend and a construction, and you have a soft spot for the classics, even if you have not smoked a corona in months. This is the cigar for that evening. It will not knock you back, but it will make you lean forward. It will give you a focused hour of introspection, where every puff is a new sentence in a story you are just beginning to understand. You will finish it feeling like you have had a conversation with an old friend who still knows how to surprise you.
Bottom Line
The Encore Corona is a masterclass in restraint, proving that the smallest format in the lineup is the one that reveals the blender’s true genius. It is a must-smoke for anyone who believes a cigar should be a meditation, not a spectacle. Buy a box, smoke one now, and hide the rest for a year.
Similar Cigars
Explore all Encore cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Encore by E.P. Carrillo Corona a strong cigar?
It is rated Medium-Full (4/5), which means it has a noticeable nicotine presence that builds gradually through the smoke, but it never becomes harsh or overpowering. The strength is most felt in the final third, where the earth and pepper notes amplify the body, leaving a satisfying, lingering tingle on the palate rather than a heavy, dizzying buzz.
What does Encore by E.P. Carrillo Corona taste like?
The flavor progression moves from creamy cedar, white pepper, and cocoa in the first third, to espresso, dark leather, and roasted walnut in the second. The final third deepens into dark chocolate, seasoned oak, and a lingering black pepper finish, with a mineral earthiness that anchors the entire experience.
How long does Encore by E.P. Carrillo Corona take to smoke?
Given its Corona vitola and dimensions of 5.62 x 46, you should expect a smoke time of approximately 45 to 60 minutes, depending on your pace. The slightly firm draw is ideal for this format, allowing for a slow, deliberate burn that encourages you to savor each third rather than rush through it.
What is the best pairing for Encore by E.P. Carrillo Corona?
Aged rum with character, such as Zacapa 23 or Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva, is the ideal companion. The creamy mid-palate of the cigar acts as a bridge to the rum's caramel and vanilla backbone, while the spirit's warmth complements the espresso and dark chocolate notes without muting the cigar's more delicate transitions.
Is Encore by E.P. Carrillo Corona good for beginners?
Not recommended for beginners. The Medium-Full strength and the cigar's demanding flavor profile—which shifts from bright pepper to deep earth—requires a palate that can appreciate subtle transitions. At $12–$16 per cigar, it is also an investment that a novice may not fully appreciate yet. Start with milder, shorter smokes to build your palate before approaching this one.
Where can I buy Encore by E.P. Carrillo Corona?
This is a premium, limited-production line, so your best bet is a well-stocked brick-and-mortar tobacconist that carries E.P. Carrillo's full portfolio. Online retailers like Famous Smoke Shop, Cigar Page, or Neptune Cigars often have it in stock, but due to its popularity, you may need to check availability or sign up for restock alerts.
What is the price of Encore by E.P. Carrillo Corona?
The Encore by E.P. Carrillo Corona is priced between $12 and $16 per cigar, placing it firmly in the premium tier. This price reflects the aged tobaccos, the meticulous construction at the La Zona factory, and the fact that the Corona is a classic format rarely featured in modern premium lines.
Is Encore by E.P. Carrillo Corona worth aging?
Yes, absolutely. The tobaccos are already aged a minimum of three years prior to rolling, which means the blend is harmonious from the first puff. However, the Ecuadorian Habano wrapper and the core of Nicaraguan and Dominican fillers have the structure to benefit from additional box rest. A year or two in your humidor will soften the white pepper, deepen the cocoa into a richer dark chocolate, and allow the mineral earthiness to become more pronounced.
What wrapper does Encore by E.P. Carrillo Corona use?
It uses an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper in a Colorado shade, which is a medium-brown leaf with a light tooth and a silky sheen. This wrapper is known for contributing a creamy texture and a touch of natural sweetness, which provides the perfect counterbalance to the bold Nicaraguan and Dominican fillers, allowing the pepper and earth notes to shine without becoming aggressive.
Where is Encore by E.P. Carrillo Corona made?
It is hand-rolled at E.P. Carrillo's La Zona factory in Villa González, Dominican Republic. This is the same facility where Ernesto Perez-Carrillo produces his most celebrated blends, and the Corona benefits from the meticulous construction standards that have made La Zona a benchmark for quality in the industry.