AshMap
Overview
There is a particular arrogance to the lancero format. It demands a smoker's full attention, punishing haste with a scorched tongue and rewarding patience with a clarity of flavor that fatter ring gauges blur into a muddle. The Encore by E.P. Carrillo Lancero is not an entry point into that discipline; it is a masterclass in it. Ernesto Perez-Carrillo Sr. has taken the accessible, crowd-pleasing Encore blend and threaded it through a needle, producing a cigar that feels less like a product and more like a pointed argument: that the soul of a blend is best revealed when it is forced to sing solo. From the first cold draw, the narrow bore telegraphs its intentions—a rush of sweet hay and a faint, almost saline tang of cedar shavings, promising a focused, unmediated experience.
The initial light is a study in controlled intensity. The first third arrives not as a wave but as a series of precise, staccato notes: a dry, toasted almond kernel, the bitter edge of green tea leaves steeping, and a core of sweet, aromatic cedar that is the cigar's structural spine. The retrohale delivers a sharp, clean white pepper tingle—a jolt of electricity that clears the sinuses without overwhelming the palate. The smoke itself is remarkably creamy for such a thin gauge, a dense, milky texture that coats the tongue and carries those flavors with a deceptive weight. This is not a shy cigar; it is a focused one, its voice a clear tenor cutting through the room's ambient noise.
As the burn line passes the halfway mark, the blend's Nicaraguan core begins to assert its character. The bright cedar mellows into a darker, more resonant woodiness, and the profile deepens into a rich, sticky dark caramel. A distinct espresso roast emerges, not as a fleeting note but as a grounding, bitter-sweet anchor. Then, the surprise: a dried fruit undertone, like a fig or a sun-dried cherry, surfaces from the warmth of the combustion. It is a fleeting, almost ghostly sweetness that plays against the growing leathery texture, preventing the strength from becoming monolithic. The pepper, once a sharp tingle, now integrates into the fabric of the smoke, a warm, pervasive hum rather than a spike.
The final third is a reward for the smoker's diligence. The flavors condense and intensify, a dark cocoa powder and roasted nut medley taking the lead. The leather from the second third hardens into a distinct earthiness, a return to the soil that grounds the entire experience. A final flourish of black pepper on the finish lingers long after the smoke is exhaled, a satisfying, peppery echo. The narrow ring gauge forces a concentration of these final notes, making the last inch a potent, almost espresso-like shot of flavor. It is a demanding finish, but one that rewards the attentive smoker with a complexity that feels earned, not given. This is a cigar that respects the ritual, and in return, demands it.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Ecuadorian Habano — Colorado |
|---|---|
| Binder | Nicaraguan |
| Filler | Nicaraguan long-fillers, multiple primings, aged |
| Country of Origin | Dominican Republic (E.P. Carrillo factory) |
| Vitola / Shape | Lancero |
| Size | 7.5 x 40 |
| Strength | Medium-Full |
| Price | $12–$16 per cigar |
| Tier | Premium |
| Aging | Tobaccos aged prior to rolling; specific post-production aging not widely documented |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The narrow ring gauge announces itself immediately with concentrated cedar, toasted almond, and a grassy green tea note. There is a gentle white pepper tingle at the retrohale, and the draw delivers a creamy, cohesive smoke that is deceptively refined for the price point.
Second Third
The profile deepens into dark caramel, leather, and a distinct espresso roast. A dried fruit undercurrent — fig or dried cherry — emerges as the combustion warms. The pepper integrates rather than spikes, and the medium-full body becomes more assertive without losing elegance.
Final Third
Dark cocoa and roasted nuts dominate, accompanied by a lingering earthiness and a touch of black pepper on the finish. The narrow format keeps the smoke focused and slightly intense toward the nub, rewarding patience with complexity and a long, satisfying finish.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction is expectedly tight for a true lancero, requiring an attentive cut and light, but once lit it rewards with an even, razor-sharp burn line and a firm, cool draw. Ash is tight and holds in decent columns; the thin ring gauge means the smoke temperature must be managed with a slower cadence.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
Aged rum — Zacapa 23 or Ron Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva — complements the caramel and dried fruit notes without overpowering the nuance of the narrow vitola. A light Bourbon such as Elijah Craig Small Batch also works well.
Wine
A medium-bodied Rioja Reserva or a Côtes du Rhône blend — the earthy Grenache-forward profiles mirror the cigar's leather and dark fruit notes without clashing.
Non-Alcoholic
A single-origin Colombian pour-over coffee — fruity and medium-roast — highlights the cigar's espresso and almond mid-section beautifully.
Who Should Smoke This?
This is for the smoker who has a dedicated humidor drawer for special occasion cigars but finds themselves reaching for the same reliable daily smokes out of habit. You are someone who has graduated from chasing strength and now seeks definition—you appreciate the way a well-aged rum unfolds on the palate and are looking for a cigar that offers a similar, slow-burn narrative. You have a free Sunday afternoon, a comfortable chair on a porch with a view, and a desire to be alone with your thoughts, not a podcast. You already enjoy the peppery punch of a good Habano wrapper but are tired of the monolithic, full-bodied blends that dominate the market. This lancero will not just give you a smoke; it will give you a 90-minute meditation on balance, forcing you to slow your cadence and pay attention to the subtle shifts in flavor that a wider ring gauge would mask. It is for the smoker who wants to be reminded why they fell in love with this ritual in the first place.
Bottom Line
The Encore Lancero is a masterful display of blending and construction, proving that the lancero format is the ultimate test of a cigar's pedigree. It delivers a focused, evolving profile of cedar, espresso, and dried fruit that punches far above its modest price point. This is a must-smoke for any serious enthusiast who believes the best expressions are found in the most demanding formats.
Similar Cigars
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Encore by E.P. Carrillo Lancero a strong cigar?
Yes, it is rated Medium-Full (4/5). This manifests as a building, assertive body that becomes more pronounced in the second and final thirds, offering a satisfying nicotine kick and a weighty presence on the palate, but it never tips into harshness or overwhelms the flavor profile.
What does Encore by E.P. Carrillo Lancero taste like?
The flavor journey begins with toasted almond, cedar, and a grassy green tea note. It then deepens into dark caramel, leather, and espresso roast, with a distinct dried fig or cherry undertone. The finale is dominated by dark cocoa, roasted nuts, and a lingering earthiness with black pepper on the finish.
How long does Encore by E.P. Carrillo Lancero take to smoke?
Given its 7.5 x 40 lancero vitola, you should set aside a solid 90 to 100 minutes. The narrow ring gauge requires a slow, deliberate smoking cadence to keep the tobacco cool and the flavors defined, making it a true leisure smoke.
What is the best pairing for Encore by E.P. Carrillo Lancero?
An aged rum like Zacapa 23 or Ron Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva is the ideal companion. The rum's inherent caramel and dried fruit sweetness directly mirrors and amplifies the cigar's core flavors in the second third, creating a harmonious and luxurious pairing without either component overpowering the other.
Is Encore by E.P. Carrillo Lancero good for beginners?
No, this is not a beginner's cigar. The Medium-Full strength can be challenging for a novice palate, and the lancero format is notoriously unforgiving, requiring precise smoking technique to avoid harshness. Given its $12–$16 price point, a beginner would be better served starting with a milder, more forgiving vitola before approaching this.
Where can I buy Encore by E.P. Carrillo Lancero?
As a premium, hand-rolled cigar, it is best sourced from established brick-and-mortar tobacconists with a good turnover, or from reputable online cigar retailers that specialize in premium brands. Look for authorized E.P. Carrillo dealers to ensure authenticity and proper storage.
What is the price of Encore by E.P. Carrillo Lancero?
The expected retail price is between $12 and $16 per cigar. This price point positions it as a premium offering, but one that delivers a smoking experience that rivals cigars costing significantly more.
Is Encore by E.P. Carrillo Lancero worth aging?
While the tobaccos are aged prior to rolling, the blend is well-balanced and approachable in its youth. However, the Ecuadorian Habano wrapper and Nicaraguan fillers have the structure to benefit from 1-3 years of humidor rest, which could allow the pepper to further integrate and the dried fruit notes to become more pronounced. It is not a cigar that requires aging to be enjoyed, but it will reward patience.
What wrapper does Encore by E.P. Carrillo Lancero use?
It is wrapped in an Ecuadorian Habano leaf in a Colorado shade. This specific wrapper is prized for its silky texture and subtle sheen, and it contributes a signature spiciness (white pepper) and a distinct cedary sweetness that forms the backbone of the cigar's flavor profile.
Where is Encore by E.P. Carrillo Lancero made?
It is hand-rolled in the Dominican Republic at the E.P. Carrillo factory. This is the brand's own production facility, which ensures strict quality control over the construction of this demanding vitola, resulting in the razor-sharp burn line and firm draw the cigar is known for.