E.P. Carrillo Encore Celestial

There is something to appreciate in every moment of this cigar. This week's offering exudes hay on the body while the cold draw suggests sweet raspberries and malt. The construction is flawless; the seams are invisible, and the veins are nearly absent. The draw produces an ample amount of chewy smoke with minimal effort. The malt and floral notes are delicate at points and could be overwhelmed by a bolder pairing. The first third tastes of wood, dry earth, and pepper; not luxurious or out of the way spectacular but mild and enjoyable. The middle third reveals itself in slow and subtle hints.  Just a few pulls into the middle third and the experience is wholly elevated to a new level of enjoyment. The wood and dry earth subside entirely. Perfectly balanced flowers linger on the tip of my tongue and pepper on the sides, so much so that I am reminded of a quote by Kurt Vonnegut: "I suppose that flowers, when they're through blooming, have some sort of awareness of some purpose having been served." In this case, that purpose is to create a magic moment wherein a cigar can transform one's notion of what is possible. Stay gold dear readers!

- S. Robert Sacco

Wrapper: Nicaragua / Binder: Nicaragua/ Filler: Nicaragua

Vitola: Toro / Size: 6 1/8 x 50

Factory: Tabacalera la Alianza S.A. / Country of Origin: Dominican Republic

Hay

Stallone Alagan Review: The Foot

Hay

Stallone Alagan Review: The Cold Draw

Malt and sweet raspberries

Stallone Alagan Review: First Third

Primary notes: wood, dry earth, pepper.
Secondary notes: malt, flowers

Stallone Alagan Review: Second Third

Primary notes: flowers
Secondary note: pepper

Stallone Alagan Review: Final Third

Flowers, wood, pepper, dry earth

The reviewing process at Cigar Public ensures that each cigar is reviewed blindly. This cigar was sent without any bands and without any information about the cigar. Cigar Public does not attempt to influence or alter any scores given by any of our reviewers.

 

S. Robert Sacco

I am a systems engineer who works in the defense industry, earned a second-degree black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and hold a master's degree in information systems management. In a time of economic immobility, institutional deterioration, and cultural fatigue, I find my mood elevated and my mind sustained by music, art, literature, and cigars. This harmonious fusion of artistic expression expands my sense of the human spirit.