AshMap
Overview
The Inch by EP Carrillo Maduro No. 64 represents a deliberate departure from the polished refinement that defines much of the contemporary premium cigar landscape. Ernesto Perez-Carrillo built the Inch line on a singular thesis: that larger vitolas, when engineered with precision, transcend gimmickry and deliver genuine smoking substance. The No. 64—a 7 x 64 Churchill-scale offering—proves the point with authority. Wrapped in Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro, it announces itself with visual density and textural character: deep espresso-brown wrapper with a toothy, restrained oily sheen that signals quality without ostentation. This is not a cigar designed to whisper; it is built to command a evening.
From the cold draw forward, the Inch Maduro announces its flavor architecture with confidence. The opening delivers dark chocolate, dried fig, and the faint barnyard funk endemic to Broadleaf tobacco—a quality that separates working-class Maduros from mass-market dilutions. Once lit, a dense, creamy smoke dominates, anchored by dark cocoa, espresso roast, and molasses sweetness, with cedar and earth providing structural support without sharpness. The blend does not shift abruptly; rather, it evolves. By the second third, leather and toasted walnut emerge, dried cherry lending sweetness that offsets the tobacco core, while strength climbs incrementally into legitimate medium-full territory. The final third deepens toward black coffee, dark earth, and charred oak—richer and bolder without turning acrid. A lingering sweetness from the wrapper holds through the nub, finishing long and warm.
Construction is exceptional for the price point. The 64 ring gauge draws effortlessly without becoming loose, and the burn line holds admirably across the length with minimal correction required. Ash is firm and light grey, holding in columns exceeding one inch under normal conditions. At $16–$22 per cigar, the Inch Maduro No. 64 occupies an underappreciated position in the EP Carrillo portfolio—a cigar for aficionados who reject false refinement in favor of density, weight, and authentic Maduro character. This is daily-smoking quality without daily-smoking price.
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?
The Inch Maduro No. 64 is engineered for the experienced aficionado who values substance over subtlety and has developed a palate for full-bodied Maduros. This is not an entry-level cigar, though it remains accessible to intermediate smokers with an appreciation for medium-full strength and dark wrapper character. The 7 x 64 vitola demands a minimum 90 minutes of uninterrupted time—this is a cigar for deliberate occasions: a sunset smoke on the patio, a post-dinner ritual, or a weekend afternoon with nowhere to be. It suits the smoker who finds most mass-market Churchills too refined and wants real-world Maduro density without premium pricing that punishes regular enjoyment.
Bottom Line
The Inch by EP Carrillo Maduro No. 64 proves that bigger can indeed be better when the blend is engineered with precision. A densely flavored, beautifully constructed cigar that delivers dark chocolate, espresso, and earth without pretense—and at a price that rewards regular rotation.
Similar Cigars
Explore all Inch by EP Carrillo cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Inch by EP Carrillo Maduro No. 64 a strong cigar?
Yes. The Maduro No. 64 is rated medium-full in strength (4/5), making it suitable for experienced smokers or those with an established tolerance for fuller-bodied cigars. Strength builds incrementally through the smoke, settling firmly into medium-full territory by the second third.
What does the Inch by EP Carrillo Maduro No. 64 taste like?
The opening presents dark chocolate, dried fig, and espresso roast with molasses sweetness. The second third introduces leather, toasted walnut, and dried cherry. The final third deepens toward black coffee, dark earth, and charred oak, with lingering sweetness and hints of baking spice on the retrohale.
How long does the Inch by EP Carrillo Maduro No. 64 take to smoke?
At 7 x 64, this cigar requires a minimum of 90 minutes for a complete, unhurried smoking experience. Plan accordingly for evening occasions or weekend afternoons.
What is the best pairing for the Inch by EP Carrillo Maduro No. 64?
Aged rum—particularly Zacapa 23 or Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva—mirrors the Broadleaf sweetness beautifully. A peated Scotch like Laphroaig 10 pairs exceptionally well against the dark earth and cocoa. For wine, a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon or Amarone della Valpolicella harmonizes without overpowering. Cold brew coffee with chocolate or caramel notes complements the espresso and cocoa profile.
Is the Inch by EP Carrillo Maduro No. 64 good for beginners?
No. This is not an entry-level cigar. The medium-full strength and dense Maduro character make it better suited to experienced smokers or intermediate aficionados with an established palate for fuller-bodied cigars.
Where can I buy the Inch by EP Carrillo Maduro No. 64?
The Inch by EP Carrillo Maduro No. 64 is available through authorized premium cigar retailers. Availability varies by region and retailer.
What is the price of the Inch by EP Carrillo Maduro No. 64?
The Maduro No. 64 is priced at $16–$22 per cigar, making it an accessible premium offering without daily-smoking price penalties.
Is the Inch by EP Carrillo Maduro No. 64 worth aging?
The tobaccos are pre-aged prior to rolling by the manufacturer. While the cigar is enjoyable upon purchase, cellaring may allow further complexity to develop, though specific aging recommendations are not publicly disclosed by EP Carrillo.
What wrapper does the Inch by EP Carrillo Maduro No. 64 use?
The cigar features a Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper with a deep espresso-brown to near-black color, toothy texture, and restrained oily sheen.
Where is the Inch by EP Carrillo Maduro No. 64 made?
The cigar is hand-rolled in the Dominican Republic at Tabacalera La Alianza in La Romana. The filler consists of aged Nicaraguan and Dominican long-fillers, with a Nicaraguan binder.