EP Carrillo Encore Robusto Review

Overview

In the pantheon of modern premium cigar making, few names carry the weight of Ernesto Perez-Carrillo Jr. His departure from General Cigar and the re-establishment of EPC Cigar Co. was a homecoming of sorts — a return to the craft-first ethos that defined his early work. The Encore line, introduced circa 2014, was never conceived as a mere nostalgia play. It was, and remains, a quiet manifesto: a declaration that Nicaraguan tobacco, in the right hands, can yield refinement rather than raw power. The Encore Robusto, presented here in a traditional rounded press at 5.5 x 52, stands as one of the blend’s most perfectly resolved vitolas. There is no flash, no gimmick — only impeccable construction and a depth of flavor that rewards the patient smoker from the first light to the final quarter-inch.

The journey opens on a cold draw of sweet cedar and dark raisin, a prelude that promises balance. Once lit, the first third announces itself with a prominent wave of roasted espresso and dark cocoa, layered over seasoned leather and toasted almond. A subtle red pepper tingle on the retrohale signals the Jalapa Valley Habano wrapper’s character — silky and Colorado-hued, with minimal veining and a quiet sheen that speaks to careful aging. This is not a cigar that shouts. It compels attention through nuance. As the second third unfolds, the cocoa deepens into bittersweet dark chocolate, while dried fig and dark cherry emerge alongside aged cedar. A mid-palate creaminess softens the pepper, introducing a caramel-like sweetness that tempers the earthy undertones without obscuring them. The construction is exemplary: an effortless draw delivers voluminous, cool smoke; the burn line remains razor-sharp with almost no intervention, and the ash holds in dense, pale grey columns of 1.5 to 2 inches.

The final third brings a concentrated intensity — espresso, black pepper, and a pronounced leather backbone take command. Yet a lingering sweetness of dark molasses prevents the profile from turning harsh. The finish is long, dry, and deeply satisfying; wood tannins and cocoa dust linger well after each draw. The Encore Robusto is, in the estimation of this editor, Ernesto Perez-Carrillo’s quiet masterpiece. It is a blend that demonstrates his extraordinary ability to coax refinement from Nicaraguan tobaccos without permitting strength to overwhelm nuance. For the aficionado who respects technical excellence over marketing hype, this cigar consistently punches above its price point. It belongs in any serious rotation — not as a novelty, but as a benchmark. In a market crowded with limited editions and hype-driven releases, the Encore remains a steady, confident statement of what the craft can achieve when skill and patience guide every decision.