E P Carrillo La Historia E III

Wrapper: San Andres Mexican
Binder: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Filler: Nicaraguan, Dominican
E-III: 6 7/8 x 54
Price: $8.75

This cigar was assessed in depth on Cigar Coop.

This is a new core line release that recently garnered a lot of attention when this blend and size was named Cigar Aficionado’s #2 Cigar of the Year. The Perez-Carrillo La Historia pays homage to founder Ernesto Perez-Carrillo Jr’s family. The E-III is named for his son, Ernesto Perez-Carrillo III.

I’ve found this to be a cigar that has gotten better over time – and I have found this to be a cigar that in this size seems to be the Belle of the Ball. The cigar starts out with a mix of black and white pepper. It gives way to earth and a syrupy sweetness that has both mocha and black cherry qualities. The earth and syrup notes alternated and eventually the syrup became more mocha flavors. Toward the last third, I found an increase in pepper but it never got overwhelming.

This is a medium strength, medium-bodied cigar. What I liked is how the sweetness did not get heavy on the palate. This cigar is worth a box split.