E.P. Carrillo is one of the most decorated cigar brands of the modern era — the creation of master blender Ernesto Perez-Carrillo, a Cuban-American cigar maker whose career spans over four decades and includes some of the most acclaimed cigars ever produced. From founding La Gloria Cubana to launching his own eponymous brand, Perez-Carrillo has earned a reputation as one of the greatest cigar makers alive.
This guide covers Perez-Carrillo's remarkable story, breaks down the brand's major lines, and helps you find the right E.P. Carrillo cigar for your palate.
The E.P. Carrillo Story
Ernesto Perez-Carrillo's cigar journey begins in Cuba, where his father operated a small cigar factory before the Castro revolution forced the family to flee to the United States. Settling in Miami, the family eventually restarted cigar production, and the young Ernesto learned the craft from his father — absorbing the traditional Cuban rolling techniques and blending philosophy that would define his career.
In the 1970s, Perez-Carrillo took over the family business and created La Gloria Cubana — a brand that would become one of the most influential cigars of the 1990s cigar boom. La Gloria Cubana's bold, full-flavored blends earned rave reviews and a devoted following, helping to popularize the boutique cigar
concept long before the term existed.
In 2000, Perez-Carrillo sold La Gloria Cubana to Swedish Match (now part of the General Cigar portfolio). After a non-compete period, he returned to the industry in 2009 with a new brand bearing his own name: E.P. Carrillo. The debut was a triumph — critics immediately recognized that Perez-Carrillo had lost none of his blending genius, and the brand quickly earned multiple 90+ ratings and year-end awards.
The crowning achievement came in 2018 when the E.P. Carrillo Encore was named Cigar Aficionado's #1 Cigar of the Year — validating Perez-Carrillo's status as one of the all-time greats.
Today, E.P. Carrillo cigars are produced at Tabacalera La Alianza in Santiago, Dominican Republic — a factory Perez-Carrillo built and operates with his daughter Lissette, ensuring the family legacy continues.
E.P. Carrillo's Major Lines
Encore — The #1 Cigar
The cigar that earned Cigar Aficionado's top honor in 2018. Encore features a Ecuadorian Sumatra Oscuro wrapper with Dominican and Nicaraguan fillers, delivering a medium-to-full body with extraordinary complexity — rich flavors of dark chocolate, espresso, leather, sweet spice, and cedar with a long, satisfying finish. The construction is flawless, and the balance between power and elegance is what sets Encore apart. A must-try for any serious cigar enthusiast.
La Historia — A Tribute to Heritage
La Historia (The History) is Perez-Carrillo's tribute to his family's cigar-making legacy. Featuring a Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper with Dominican and Nicaraguan fillers, it delivers a medium-to-full smoke with rich, layered flavors of dark chocolate, coffee, sweet earth, and baking spice. La Historia earned its own spot on Cigar Aficionado's Top 25 list, further cementing the brand's elite status. Pairs beautifully with bourbon — see our whiskey pairing guide.
Pledge — Bold and Complex
The Pledge series showcases Perez-Carrillo's boldest blending. The original Pledge uses a dark Honduran wrapper with Dominican and Nicaraguan fillers for a full-bodied smoke with intense pepper, dark chocolate, leather, and earth. The Pledge Prequel dials back slightly to medium-full with more nuance and sweet spice, making it more approachable while maintaining the series' signature complexity.
Selección Oscuro — Dark and Rich
Selección Oscuro features a dark Ecuadorian wrapper that delivers a medium-bodied smoke with smooth flavors of cocoa, coffee, cedar, and gentle spice. It is one of the more approachable E.P. Carrillo cigars — complex enough for experienced smokers but smooth enough for those exploring darker wrapper styles for the first time.
New Wave Connecticut — The Mild Option
New Wave Connecticut is E.P. Carrillo's lightest offering — an Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper with Dominican fillers delivering a mild-to-medium smoke with cream, nuts, cedar, and gentle sweetness. It is an excellent beginner cigar and a great morning smoke. The New Wave Reserva adds aged tobaccos for more depth while keeping the approachable profile.
INCH — Big Ring Gauge, Big Flavor
The INCH series (named after the large ring gauges) delivers bold, full-flavored smoking in chunky formats. Available in multiple wrappers including Natural, Maduro, and Colorado, INCH cigars offer rich flavors of earth, pepper, cocoa, and sweet spice. The large ring gauge format provides a cooler, longer smoke — learn more about cigar sizes.
Other Notable Lines
E.P. Carrillo Dusk — A medium-to-full blend featuring a Mexican San Andrés Maduro wrapper. Rich chocolate, earth, and sweet spice. The darker counterpart to the brand's lighter offerings.
E.P. Carrillo Dimensions — A Nicaraguan-focused blend with earthy, spicy complexity. Medium-to-full body.
E.P. Carrillo Short Run — Limited-production releases featuring experimental blends. These rotate regularly and are worth grabbing when you see them.
E.P. Carrillo Allegiance — A Honduran Habano-wrapped cigar with a medium-to-full profile featuring leather, cedar, and sweet spice.
E.P. Carrillo Elite — The brand's original line featuring well-balanced, medium-bodied blends in multiple formats.
Where to Buy E.P. Carrillo Cigars
Browse and compare E.P. Carrillo pricing across multiple trusted retailers on the E.P. Carrillo brand page at Cigar Finder. For the full catalog with real-time pricing, visit CigarFinder's premium cigars page and filter by brand.
New to buying online? Read our guide on how to buy cigars online safely. Looking for deals? Check our coupon codes page and best cigar deals guide.
Join the Deal-Hunting Community! Share your cigar deals and steals with fellow enthusiasts: - Cigar Deals & Steals Facebook Group - Cigar Deals X Community - r/EverythingCigars Deals & Steals
Explore More: Visit our E.P. Carrillo brand page to compare prices. See our understanding cigar ratings guide. Browse all premium cigars.
