Inch by EP Carrillo Maduro No. 64 (Lonsdale) Review

Overview

There is a certain audacity in the Inch by EP Carrillo Maduro No. 64 that commands attention before the first draw is even taken. The vitola—a Lonsdale by approximate format, but a 64-ring-gauge behemoth by design—is a signature statement from Ernesto Perez-Carrillo Jr., a figure whose name is etched into the modern cigar canon. The Inch line, as the name suggests, was conceived around the philosophy of the oversized ring gauge, eschewing the conventional proportions of the classic parejo to deliver a smoking experience defined by volume, density, and a slow, deliberate burn. In the Maduro No. 64, the concept reaches a point of elegant resolution. This is not a novelty; it is a studied exercise in balance, where the sheer physical scale of the cigar is matched by the depth and composure of its construction.

The architecture of this blend is a testament to the alchemy of aging and fermentation. The Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper, which presents as a deep espresso brown verging on black, is toothy with a faint, inviting oily sheen. It undergoes an extended fermentation process designed to coax out a pronounced, natural sweetness—a critical counterpoint to the Nicaraguan spice that resides in the filler. Beneath this wrapper lies a Nicaraguan binder, and the filler is a careful marriage of Nicaraguan and Dominican long-fillers, all aged prior to rolling. The result, crafted at the EP Carrillo factory in Villa Gonzalez, Dominican Republic, is a cigar that starts with an immediate and confident greeting: rich dark chocolate and roasted espresso, layered over a sweet, earthy Broadleaf character. A whisper of toasted cedar and a gentle black pepper on the retrohale signal that while this is an accessible medium-full smoke, it possesses a genuine complexity that rewards attention.

As the ember travels into the second third, the profile deepens with intention. The dark chocolate evolves into the more austere, classic notes of baker’s chocolate, joined by leather and a medley of dried dark fruits—fig and dark cherry in particular. A creamy texture develops on the palate, softening the now-building medium-full body. What is remarkable here is how the sweetness from the Broadleaf wrapper does not retreat but instead weaves itself into the Nicaraguan spice, creating a harmonious tension that defines the entire middle passage. The final third offers a satisfying convergence of roasted coffee, dark earth, and worn leather, with a lingering mocha finish punctuated by a touch of black pepper. The strength builds modestly toward full but never loses its composure. The construction, predictably for an EP Carrillo product, is flawless: an effortless draw from the cavernous ring gauge produces thick, voluminous smoke, and the burn line remains razor-straight, with a firm, light-gray ash that holds past an inch.

In the landscape of premium, handmade cigars, the Inch Maduro No. 64 occupies a distinctly rational space. It offers legitimate craft, thoughtful blend architecture, and a flavor profile that is both approachable and nuanced—all at a price point that feels genuinely fair for the quality on offer. This is not a cigar that requires a PhD in leaf science to appreciate; it is a smoke that delivers. Ernesto Perez-Carrillo’s vision for the Inch line was to prove that large ring gauges could be elegant and balanced. With the Maduro No. 64, he has done exactly that, and in doing so, created a blend that deserves a permanent rotation in any aficionado’s humidor.