AshMap
Overview
There is a moment, about halfway through the EP Carrillo Short Run 2013 Sixty, when the smoke turns a corner. What began as a polite, creamy overture gains a spine of dark caramel and leather, and you realize Ernesto Carrillo isn't just playing with a big ring gauge—he's conducting it. This is a cigar that understands its own geometry. The 60-ring format, often a blunt instrument in lesser hands, becomes a vessel for cool, voluminous smoke that lets the aged Jalapa and Estelí fillers stretch out their legs without ever feeling rushed or muddled. It's a masterclass in using size for depth rather than decibels.
The pre-light draw offers a whisper of cedar and sweet hay, a promise of the restraint to come. Once lit, the first third unfolds with a pronounced creamy cedar that coats the palate like fresh planed wood, underscored by a roasted almond nuttiness that leans savory. A sharp white pepper bites cleanly on the retrohale, keeping the experience alert. The sheer width of the draw delivers a cool, voluminous smoke that allows a gentle earthiness to surface—not the raw, red dirt of a powerhouse, but the soft, tilled soil of a garden after rain. A mild baking spice, like a distant cinnamon, lingers on the finish.
As the ash holds firm past the first inch, the second third transitions with purpose. The cream recedes, replaced by a richer, medium-full body. Dark caramel emerges, sticky and deep, followed by a supple leather note that feels broken-in. A refined cocoa powder dusts the palate, not sweet, but dark and slightly bitter, adding a sophisticated edge. The white pepper softens to a background hum, and then, unexpectedly, a dark raisin note appears—a dried fruit complexity that weaves through the smoke and elevates the blend from merely good to genuinely interesting. This is the heart of the cigar, where the Nicaraguan soul of the blend asserts itself against the Connecticut wrapper's initial elegance.
The final third tightens everything into a focused, satisfying conclusion. The flavors compress into a dense espresso shot, bitter and rich, alongside a charred oak note that speaks of burnt barrels. The black pepper returns, but with a longer, more lingering finish. The smoke becomes denser, yet it remains remarkably smooth given the strength, with a surprising, satisfying sweetness on the tongue that persists right down to the nub. It's a performance that doesn't fade; it resolves. The Short Run 2013 Sixty is a statement, a deliberate argument that a 60-ring-gauge cigar can be nuanced, contemplative, and intellectually honest. It's a benchmark not just for its size, but for the very idea of what a large-format cigar can achieve.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade (Natural) — some releases feature Nicaraguan Habano — Colorado |
|---|---|
| Binder | Nicaraguan Habano |
| Filler | Nicaraguan long-fillers from Jalapa and Estelí valleys, aged a minimum of three years |
| Country of Origin | Villa González, Dominican Republic — La Romana Cigars S.A. factory |
| Vitola / Shape | Giant / Gordito |
| Size | 6.0 x 60 |
| Strength | Medium-Full |
| Price | $12–$18 per cigar |
| Tier | Premium |
| Aging | Tobaccos aged a minimum of three years prior to rolling; Short Run releases are not intended for long cellaring but bene |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The first third opens with a pronounced creamy cedar note underscored by roasted almond and white pepper on the retrohale. The wide ring gauge delivers a cool, voluminous draw that allows the Nicaraguan filler to express a gentle earthiness alongside mild baking spice.
Second Third
The midpoint transitions into a richer medium-full profile with dark caramel, leather, and a refined cocoa note emerging on the palate. The pepper softens but remains present in the background, and a secondary note of dried fruit — specifically dark raisin — adds complexity.
Final Third
The final third tightens the flavor considerably, with espresso, charred oak, and a lingering black pepper finish dominating. The smoke becomes denser but stays relatively smooth given the strength, with a satisfying sweetness on the tongue at the nub.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction is excellent — EP Carrillo's La Romana factory is renowned for consistency, and the Sixty delivers an effortless draw with just the right resistance. The burn line is even with a firm, tight ash that holds well past an inch; the large ring gauge keeps the smoke temperature cooler than smaller vitolas of equivalent length.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
Aged Nicaraguan rum such as Flor de Caña 12 Year or a mid-shelf Kentucky bourbon like Four Roses Single Barrel — the caramel and vanilla oak notes complement the cigar's cocoa and leather midpalate beautifully.
Wine
A fruit-forward Malbec from Mendoza (Zuccardi Valle de Uco or Catena Zapata) mirrors the dark fruit notes in the second third without overwhelming the tobacco.
Non-Alcoholic
A double espresso or a dark roast Colombian single-origin pour-over — the coffee's bitterness harmonizes with the cocoa and charred oak notes in the final third.
Who Should Smoke This?
This is for the smoker who has spent years dismissing fat cigars as one-dimensional strength bombs, who has a humidor full of 50-ring gauge coronas and thinks they have big-ring formats figured out. You are a seasoned enthusiast, likely with a decade or more of smoking under your belt, who appreciates the quiet craft of a well-aged filler. You're settling into a long, unhurried Sunday afternoon with no obligations, a pot of dark roast coffee within reach, and the time to let a cigar take its full 100 minutes. You already enjoy the complexity of Padron's natural wrappers or the refined power of a Fuente Añejo, but you're looking for something that challenges your preconceptions. This cigar will not just satisfy you; it will make you reconsider a whole category you thought you had written off.
Bottom Line
The EP Carrillo Short Run 2013 Sixty is a triumph of engineering and blending, proving that a 60-ring gauge can deliver a symphony of nuance rather than a single note of power. It is a must-smoke for any serious collector and a high-water mark for the format. Seek it out before the remaining boxes disappear.
Similar Cigars
Explore all EP Carrillo cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is EP Carrillo Short Run 2013 Sixty a strong cigar?
It is rated Medium-Full (4/5), which means it has a noticeable but not overwhelming nicotine presence. You'll feel a gentle warmth and a slight cerebral buzz, but it never becomes harsh or punishing. The large ring gauge cools the smoke, making the strength feel more integrated and less sharp than a smaller vitola of the same blend.
What does EP Carrillo Short Run 2013 Sixty taste like?
The flavor arc moves from a creamy cedar and roasted almond with white pepper in the first third, to a richer core of dark caramel, leather, and cocoa with a dark raisin note in the second. The final third tightens into espresso, charred oak, and a lingering black pepper finish.
How long does EP Carrillo Short Run 2013 Sixty take to smoke?
Given its Giant/Gordito vitola and 6.0 x 60 dimensions, you should expect a smoke time of 90 to 110 minutes. The wide ring gauge and dense filler require a slow, deliberate pace to avoid overheating, making it a dedicated session smoke.
What is the best pairing for EP Carrillo Short Run 2013 Sixty?
Aged Nicaraguan rum like Flor de Caña 12 Year is an ideal match. Its caramel and vanilla oak notes directly complement the cigar's cocoa and leather mid-palate, while the rum's inherent sweetness provides a pleasant counterpoint to the pepper and char in the final third.
Is EP Carrillo Short Run 2013 Sixty good for beginners?
No, this is not a beginner's cigar. The Medium-Full strength and 90+ minute smoking time can be challenging for a novice palate, and the $12–$18 price point is a significant investment for a session that may prove too intense. A beginner should start with milder, shorter smokes before approaching this one.
Where can I buy EP Carrillo Short Run 2013 Sixty?
As a limited release from 2013, it is no longer in regular production. Your best bet is to check premium online cigar retailers that specialize in hard-to-find and aged stock, or explore auction sites and established brick-and-mortar shops with deep aged collections.
What is the price of EP Carrillo Short Run 2013 Sixty?
The original retail price was between $12 and $18 per cigar. However, given its limited release status and the age of the tobacco, you can expect to pay a premium above that range from secondary market sellers or specialty retailers holding aged inventory.
Is EP Carrillo Short Run 2013 Sixty worth aging?
The tobaccos were already aged a minimum of three years before rolling, so the blend is well-integrated and ready to smoke. While it can handle some additional time, the Short Run series is not intended for long-term cellaring. The flavors are at their peak now, so it's best to smoke it rather than risk the balance flattening out.
What wrapper does EP Carrillo Short Run 2013 Sixty use?
The primary release uses an Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper, which is a natural, medium-brown leaf known for contributing creamy, subtle flavors and a smooth, elegant smoke. Some releases feature a Nicaraguan Habano wrapper instead, which would shift the profile towards more spice and earth. The Connecticut Shade is what provides the initial creaminess and allows the aged Nicaraguan fillers to shine.
Where is EP Carrillo Short Run 2013 Sixty made?
It is hand-rolled at the La Romana Cigars S.A. factory in Villa González, Dominican Republic. This is EP Carrillo's own factory, renowned for its strict quality control and consistency, which is evident in the cigar's excellent draw, even burn, and firm ash.