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

Overview

The Inch by EP Carrillo Maduro No. 64 is a study in controlled excess—a 64-ring monster that never once feels like a novelty. From the first cold draw, there's a promise of density: dark cocoa, raisin bread, and a faint barnyard funk from the toothy Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper. Light it, and the opening salvo is a rush of bittersweet chocolate and espresso, but the genius is in the restraint—the sweetness of the wrapper (think molasses, not sugar) keeps the Nicaraguan filler's raw edge in check. By the time the ash falls, you're already in the rhythm of a cigar that knows exactly what it is: a broad-shouldered bruiser with a poet's tongue.

As the second third unfolds, the narrative deepens. The chocolate shifts from dark to bakers' grade, and a leathery chew emerges, backed by dried fig and a tart cherry note that dances on the retrohale. The creaminess that builds is not the fluffy kind—it's the dense, mouth-coating texture of a well-reduced sauce. The pepper, which was a whisper in the first third, now steps forward as a warm, black-pepper hum, but it never overwhelms the wrapper's persistent, earthy sweetness. This is where the blend's architecture shines: the Broadleaf isn't just a flavor; it's a structural element that holds the Nicaraguan spice and Dominican creaminess in a tense, beautiful equilibrium.

The final third is a masterclass in landing a plane. The roast deepens into a dark, almost charred coffee note, while the earth turns mineral and the leather becomes worn, familiar. The mocha finish is long, with a final crack of black pepper that lingers like a good bourbon's tail. Strength builds to a solid medium-full, but the composure never breaks—there's no harshness, no ammonia, just a slow, satisfying fade. The burn is a straight line, the ash a firm, light-gray pillar that holds past an inch, and the draw is effortless, pulling cool smoke even at this girth. This is a cigar that respects your time and your palate, delivering a 90-minute arc that feels both epic and intimate.

What makes the No. 64 truly distinctive is how it redefines the oversized ring gauge. Most fat cigars are all heat and no nuance; this one uses its girth to layer flavors in a way that a thinner vitola couldn't. The extended fermentation of the Broadleaf wrapper is the key—it's sweet without being cloying, rich without being heavy. Ernesto Perez-Carrillo Jr. has built a reputation on blending precision, and here he proves that even a 64-ring can be a precision instrument. It's a cigar that demands attention but rewards it generously—a rare balance in the premium market.