AshMap
Overview
The Inch by EP Carrillo Natural No. 64 Churchill is a study in contradiction resolved — a cigar that dares to be both colossal and delicate, bold in girth yet whisper-quiet in its demands. Ernesto Perez-Carrillo Jr. has long been the architect of blends that speak in layers, but here he turns the volume down, letting the Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper sing in a register most large-ring cigars never reach. From the first cold draw, there’s a promise of something unhurried: the air moves through the 64-ring bore with a gentle resistance, carrying hints of sweet hay, soft almond paste, and a faint, almost floral perfume that suggests this will not be a brute-force smoke. Light it, and the opening third unfolds like a slow morning — creamy cedar, toasted almonds, and a buttery richness that coats the palate without ever feeling heavy. The retrohale introduces a white pepper that’s more a suggestion than a statement, a tingle that keeps the creaminess honest. By the second third, the cigar deepens its vocabulary: roasted cashew emerges, joined by a light baking spice that evokes cinnamon and nutmeg dusted over warm oak. There’s a honeyed sweetness that never cloys, and a dried hay note that grounds the profile in something rustic, a counterpoint to the wrapper’s polish. The combustion zone moves with a discipline that defies the 64-ring gauge — the burn line stays remarkably even, the ash holding firm past an inch, a testament to Carrillo’s construction mastery. The final third brings a shift toward savory warmth: leather, toasted bread, and a lingering sweetness that echoes the honey of the middle, while the white pepper reasserts itself on the retrohale, not sharp but insistent, a final reminder that this cigar has backbone. The finish is clean, medium-long, and leaves the palate satisfied, not fatigued. What makes this blend distinctive is its refusal to use size as a crutch — there’s no bluster, no over-extracted strength, just a steady, elegant progression that rewards patience. It’s a cigar that understands its own scale, using the massive ring gauge to deliver a cool, slow burn that lets each note develop fully, like a long exposure photograph. In a lineup that includes the more muscular Inch Maduro, the Natural No. 64 stands as the contemplative sibling — a cigar for the smoker who wants to taste the wrapper, not just feel the smoke. It’s not a cigar that shouts; it persuades, inch by inch.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade — Natural |
|---|---|
| Binder | Nicaraguan |
| Filler | Dominican and Nicaraguan long-fillers, aged tobaccos |
| Country of Origin | Estelí, Nicaragua (EP Carrillo factory operations) |
| Vitola / Shape | Churchill |
| Size | 7 x 64 |
| Strength | Medium |
| Price | $12–$16 per cigar |
| Tier | Premium |
| Aging | Aged tobaccos from Carrillo's proprietary reserves; specific aging duration not publicly disclosed |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
Opens with creamy cedar and toasted almonds, backed by a gentle floral note from the Ecuadorian wrapper. White pepper emerges on the retrohale, understated but present, along with a buttery creaminess that coats the palate.
Second Third
The profile deepens into roasted cashew, light baking spice, and a mild honey sweetness. Hints of light oak and dried hay layer in as the combustion zone progresses, maintaining a smooth, even creaminess throughout.
Final Third
Finishes with warm leather, toasted bread, and a pleasant lingering sweetness. The white pepper on the retrohale reasserts itself without becoming sharp, and the finish is clean, medium-long, and satisfying.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction is characteristically excellent from EP Carrillo — the large 64 ring gauge draws effortlessly with a slight resistance, and the burn line stays remarkably even for its girth. Ash is firm, light grey, and holds well past an inch.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
Aged rum — particularly a 12-year Zacapa XO or Ron del Barrilito Three Stars — to complement the creamy sweetness without overpowering the delicate Connecticut wrapper
Wine
A lightly oaked Chardonnay from Burgundy (e.g., Mâcon-Villages) or a Viognier from the Rhône Valley to echo the floral and buttery characteristics
Non-Alcoholic
A medium-roast single-origin Colombian pour-over coffee — the nuttiness and brightness harmonize beautifully with the almond and cedar notes
Who Should Smoke This?
Picture a mid-career architect who has spent the week in client meetings, negotiating sightlines and material budgets, and now sits alone on a Sunday morning on a screened porch, the neighborhood still quiet. He’s smoked for about five years, graduated from peppery Nicaraguans to the softer cadence of Connecticut-wrapped blends, and he’s looking for something that won’t demand his attention but will reward it when given. He has a pour-over coffee cooling beside him, a stack of unread journals at his elbow. This cigar is his hour and a half of deliberate non-doing. It gives him the creaminess of a high-end Connecticut without the flatness, the complexity of a larger blend without the strength that would send him into a midday slump. He’ll finish it feeling like he’s had a conversation with an old friend — no urgency, no performance, just the quiet satisfaction of something well made.
Bottom Line
The Inch by EP Carrillo Natural No. 64 Churchill is a masterclass in large-gauge elegance, proving that a 64-ring cigar can be as refined as any lancero. It’s a must-smoke for anyone who’s dismissed big ring gauges as one-dimensional, and a quiet triumph for those who already trust Carrillo’s hand.
Similar Cigars
Explore all Inch by EP Carrillo cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Inch by EP Carrillo Natural No. 64 Churchill a strong cigar?
No, it is rated Medium (3/5) on AshMap’s strength scale. Physically, you’ll feel a gentle warmth on the palate and a mild nicotine presence that builds slowly, but it never becomes overwhelming or causes dizziness, even for those sensitive to strength. It’s a cigar you can smoke on an empty stomach without regret.
What does Inch by EP Carrillo Natural No. 64 Churchill taste like?
The flavor progression moves from creamy cedar and toasted almonds with a white pepper retrohale in the first third, to roasted cashew, light baking spice, honey sweetness, and dried hay in the second third, finishing with warm leather, toasted bread, and a lingering sweetness as the white pepper returns. Throughout, a buttery creaminess coats the palate.
How long does Inch by EP Carrillo Natural No. 64 Churchill take to smoke?
As a Churchill vitola measuring 7 x 64, expect a smoking time of 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on your pace. The large ring gauge promotes a cool, slow burn, so it’s best suited for a relaxed session where you’re not rushing.
What is the best pairing for Inch by EP Carrillo Natural No. 64 Churchill?
A 12-year Zacapa XO or Ron del Barrilito Three Stars aged rum is ideal — the creamy sweetness and oaky notes of the rum mirror the cigar’s honey and baking spice layers without overpowering the delicate Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper. For a non-alcoholic option, a medium-roast single-origin Colombian pour-over coffee enhances the nutty almond and cedar notes.
Is Inch by EP Carrillo Natural No. 64 Churchill good for beginners?
Yes, in terms of strength — it’s Medium, so it won’t overwhelm a novice. However, the $12–$16 price point and 1.5–2 hour smoking time make it a commitment. It’s a better choice for an intermediate smoker ready to appreciate a refined Connecticut, or a beginner with patience and a budget for a premium experience.
Where can I buy Inch by EP Carrillo Natural No. 64 Churchill?
This premium cigar is available at well-stocked brick-and-mortar tobacconists, especially those that carry EP Carrillo’s full line. Online retailers like Famous Smoke Shop, Cigars International, and Neptune Cigars often stock it, but availability can vary, so check with your local shop or a trusted online vendor.
What is the price of Inch by EP Carrillo Natural No. 64 Churchill?
The price ranges from $12 to $16 per cigar, placing it in the premium tier. This reflects the aged tobaccos, Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper, and hand-rolled construction from EP Carrillo’s Estelí factory.
Is Inch by EP Carrillo Natural No. 64 Churchill worth aging?
Yes, but with nuance. The tobaccos are already aged from Carrillo’s proprietary reserves, so the cigar is ready to smoke now. However, the Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper is delicate, and additional aging of 1–2 years in a stable humidor can further integrate the honey and baking spice notes while softening the white pepper. Beyond that, the wrapper may lose some of its floral brightness, so don’t over-cellar it.
What wrapper does Inch by EP Carrillo Natural No. 64 Churchill use?
It uses an Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper, which is golden honey to light tan in color with a silky texture and minimal veining. This wrapper contributes the cigar’s signature creaminess, subtle floral notes, and gentle white pepper, while keeping the overall strength medium.
Where is Inch by EP Carrillo Natural No. 64 Churchill made?
It is made in Estelí, Nicaragua, at EP Carrillo’s factory operations. The cigar is hand-rolled there, using a Nicaraguan binder and a blend of Dominican and Nicaraguan long-fillers that have been aged in Carrillo’s proprietary reserves.