AshMap
Overview
The Inch by EP Carrillo Maduro No. 64 is a cigar that understands the assignment: it is not trying to be delicate, nor does it mistake subtlety for sophistication. From the first cold draw, the Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper announces itself with a barnyard funk that is pure, unapologetic earth — the kind of scent that tells you this is a cigar built on density and intention, not ornament. The 7 x 64 format, which could easily become a liability in lesser hands, is here a canvas for a blend that rewards patience and a steady hand. This is the Churchill for people who find standard Churchills too polite, too restrained — a cigar that wants to be smoked slowly, deliberately, and with a drink that can hold its own.
The opening third is a study in controlled power. The cold draw delivers dark chocolate and dried fig, with that signature Broadleaf funk that is less barnyard and more like walking through a tobacco curing barn at dawn. Once lit, the smoke is dense and creamy, coating the palate with dark cocoa and espresso roast that is almost syrupy in its richness. A whisper of sweet molasses threads through the opening, but it is the structural backbone of earth and cedar that keeps everything honest — no sharpness, no bitterness, just a deep, resonant foundation that suggests this cigar has somewhere to go. The retrohale is surprisingly clean for a cigar this size, with a faint black pepper that teases rather than overwhelms.
By the second third, the narrative shifts from introduction to development. Leather and toasted walnut emerge, adding a savory counterpoint to the sustained dark chocolate that has become the cigar's heartbeat. A subtle dried cherry note surfaces mid-smoke, a flash of brightness that cuts through the earth and tobacco core with just enough sweetness to keep the palate engaged. The strength steps up incrementally, settling firmly into medium-full territory, but the body-to-complexity balance is so well engineered that the nicotine never feels like a burden. This is where the Inch Maduro reveals its true character: it is not a one-note powerhouse, but a blend that layers flavors like a well-aged rum — each sip, each puff, revealing a new facet without losing its core identity.
The final third is a descent into the dark, but not a surrender. Black coffee, dark earth, and charred oak take center stage, richer and bolder than anything that came before, yet never tipping into acridity. The Broadleaf wrapper's lingering sweetness holds through to the nub, a final gift that complements the baking spice and black pepper on the retrohale. The finish is long, warm, and deeply satisfying — the kind of ending that makes you sit back and stare at the ember for a moment before you snub it out. Construction is a quiet triumph: the 64 ring gauge draws effortlessly without becoming loose, the burn line holds steady, and the ash stacks in firm, light-grey columns that require no babysitting. This is a cigar that respects your time and rewards your attention, a rare thing in a world of rushed formats and gimmicky blends.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro — Maduro |
|---|---|
| Binder | Nicaraguan |
| Filler | Nicaraguan and Dominican long-fillers, aged |
| Country of Origin | Dominican Republic, La Romana (Tabacalera La Alianza) |
| Vitola / Shape | Churchill |
| Size | 7.0 x 64 |
| Strength | Medium-Full |
| Price | $16–$22 per cigar |
| Tier | Premium |
| Aging | Tobaccos are aged prior to rolling; specific aging duration not publicly disclosed by EP Carrillo |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The cold draw delivers dark chocolate, dried fig, and a hint of barnyard funk characteristic of Broadleaf. Once lit, the opening presents a dense, creamy smoke with dominant notes of dark cocoa, espresso roast, and a whisper of sweet molasses. Earth and cedar provide structural backbone without sharpness.
Second Third
Complexity builds as leather and toasted walnut emerge alongside sustained dark chocolate. A subtle dried cherry note surfaces mid-smoke, lending sweetness that offsets the earth and tobacco core. Strength steps up incrementally, settling firmly in medium-full territory with excellent body-to-complexity balance.
Final Third
The final third deepens toward black coffee, dark earth, and charred oak — richer and bolder without turning acrid. A lingering sweetness from the Broadleaf wrapper holds through to the nub, complemented by hints of baking spice and black pepper on the retrohale. Finishes long, warm, and satisfying.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction is a notable strength — the large 64 ring gauge draws effortlessly without becoming loose, and the burn line holds well across the length with minimal touch-ups required. Ash is firm and light grey, holding in one-inch-plus columns under normal conditions.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
Aged rum is the natural partner here — Zacapa 23 or Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva mirrors the sweetness of the Broadleaf; a peated Scotch like Laphroaig 10 also works exceptionally well against the dark earth and cocoa.
Wine
A Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon or an Amarone della Valpolicella — the dark fruit, earthiness, and tannic structure of both wines harmonize with the cigar's flavor core without overpowering it.
Non-Alcoholic
Cold brew coffee with a slight chocolate or caramel note — a single-origin Ethiopian or Brazilian dark roast complements the espresso and cocoa profile beautifully.
Who Should Smoke This?
You are a seasoned smoker who has spent years chasing nuance in smaller vitolas, only to find yourself craving something with more weight — more presence. You have a humidor stocked with Padróns and Liga Privadas, but tonight you want something that feels like a ritual, not a quick fix. It is a Saturday evening in late autumn, and you have just poured a glass of Zacapa 23 over a single large ice cube. You want a cigar that will last through the sunset and into the dark, something that will not punish you for taking your time but will also not bore you with monotony. The Inch Maduro No. 64 is that cigar. It will give you a dense, evolving profile that shifts from sweet to savory to smoky, all while maintaining a steady, medium-full strength that keeps you engaged without overwhelming your palate. You already know how to handle a 64 ring gauge — you have smoked the original Inch, maybe even the Natural — and you are ready for the Broadleaf depth that this Maduro version brings. This is not a cigar for the impatient or the inexperienced; it is for the smoker who understands that sometimes, bigger is not just better — it is necessary.
Bottom Line
The Inch by EP Carrillo Maduro No. 64 is a masterclass in large-format blending — dense, evolving, and unapologetically bold. It earns its price tag with construction that borders on flawless and a flavor arc that keeps you engaged from first light to final nub. If you have the time and the palate for it, this is a cigar that demands to be smoked, not just reviewed.
Similar Cigars
Explore all Inch by EP Carrillo cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Inch by EP Carrillo Maduro No. 64 (Churchill) a strong cigar?
Yes, it is rated Medium-Full (4/5) on the strength scale. Physically, you will feel a steady nicotine presence that builds from the second third onward, but it never becomes overwhelming — it is more of a warming, sustained buzz than a head rush. The strength is well-balanced by the cigar's body and flavor density, so it feels substantial rather than harsh.
What does Inch by EP Carrillo Maduro No. 64 (Churchill) taste like?
The flavor progression is anchored by dark chocolate and espresso throughout, with specific notes shifting across the thirds. The first third offers dark cocoa, espresso roast, sweet molasses, earth, and cedar. The second third adds leather, toasted walnut, and a subtle dried cherry sweetness. The final third deepens into black coffee, dark earth, charred oak, baking spice, and black pepper on the retrohale, with a lingering Broadleaf sweetness that holds to the nub.
How long does Inch by EP Carrillo Maduro No. 64 (Churchill) take to smoke?
Given its Churchill vitola and massive 7.0 x 64 size, you should plan for a minimum of 90 minutes of uninterrupted smoking time. Most smokers will find it takes closer to 2 hours if they are pacing themselves and letting the cigar rest between puffs, which is recommended to fully appreciate the flavor development.
What is the best pairing for Inch by EP Carrillo Maduro No. 64 (Churchill)?
An aged rum like Zacapa 23 or Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva is the natural partner — the rum's inherent sweetness mirrors the Broadleaf wrapper's molasses and dried fruit notes, while its oak and vanilla undertones complement the cigar's earth and cocoa core. If you prefer Scotch, a peated expression like Laphroaig 10 works exceptionally well, as the smoky, medicinal character cuts through the dark earth and espresso without overpowering the palate.
Is Inch by EP Carrillo Maduro No. 64 (Churchill) good for beginners?
No, this is not a beginner's cigar. At Medium-Full strength and a price point of $16–$22 per cigar, it demands both palate experience and financial commitment. The 64 ring gauge can also be intimidating for new smokers, and the dense, earthy Broadleaf profile may be overwhelming for those still acclimating to cigars. Beginners should start with milder, smaller vitolas before attempting this one.
Where can I buy Inch by EP Carrillo Maduro No. 64 (Churchill)?
This is a premium, tier-level cigar, so you will find it at well-stocked brick-and-mortar tobacconists that carry EP Carrillo's full portfolio, as well as online retailers specializing in premium cigars. Because of its price point and limited production runs, it is not typically available at discount chains or gas stations. Check with your local lounge or trusted online vendor for current availability.
What is the price of Inch by EP Carrillo Maduro No. 64 (Churchill)?
The Inch by EP Carrillo Maduro No. 64 (Churchill) retails for $16–$22 per cigar, depending on your local market and the retailer. This places it in the premium tier, which is justified by the aged tobaccos, the Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper, and the meticulous construction.
Is Inch by EP Carrillo Maduro No. 64 (Churchill) worth aging?
Yes, but with caveats. The tobaccos are already aged prior to rolling, and the Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper is known for its ability to develop additional sweetness and depth with time in the humidor. However, because the blend is already well-integrated, you will see the most benefit from 1–3 years of additional aging, which will soften any remaining edges and allow the earth and cocoa notes to meld further. Beyond that, the cigar may lose some of its bold character, so do not over-age it.
What wrapper does Inch by EP Carrillo Maduro No. 64 (Churchill) use?
It uses a Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper, which is a dark, toothy leaf with a deep espresso-brown to near-black color and a restrained oily sheen. This wrapper is the linchpin of the blend, contributing the cigar's signature barnyard funk, dark chocolate sweetness, and earthy depth that defines the smoking experience.
Where is Inch by EP Carrillo Maduro No. 64 (Churchill) made?
It is hand-rolled at Tabacalera La Alianza in La Romana, Dominican Republic, which is EP Carrillo's flagship factory. The binder is Nicaraguan, and the filler is a blend of Nicaraguan and Dominican long-fillers that have been aged prior to rolling. The No. 64 vitola is part of the Inch Maduro line, which was introduced around 2012–2013 and is defined by its large ring gauges.