Pre-light Experience

The wrapper on the E.P. Carrillo Elencos Elites is on the darker side of medium brown with some marbling. There are some raised veins present and the wrapper feels like sandpaper. The seams are easily visible as they are raised, while the caps are perfectly applied. The cigar has two bands, both with a silver, black and red color combination. The primary band denotes the company and line while the foot band just has some additional artwork. The aroma from the wrapper is light and brings wood and sweetness while the foot brings sweet wheat bread and baking spice. The pre-light draw brings some sweet cedar.

First Third

The cigar begins with dark wood and vibrant black pepper. At a quarter inch in, some dark earth joins the profile. At three quarters of an inch in, the wood isn’t as dark and it gains a toasted note. The retrohale is toasted wood along with light black pepper and mustiness. At an inch and a half in, the toasted wood and dark earth are even while the black pepper and mustiness are in the background. The strength in this third was slightly above medium.

Second Third

As the second third begins, I’m beginning to get hints of barbecue smokiness. At a half inch in, the barbecue smokiness has replaced the mustiness. The retrohale is toasted wood and mustiness. At an inch and a half, the earthiness becomes a bit dry. The third wraps up with toasted wood and dry earth up front and mild black pepper and smokiness. The strength in this third remained at slightly above medium.

Final Third

As the final third begins, the toasted note transitions to a light char. At a quarter inch in, the black pepper is no longer detectable. The retrohale remains toasted wood and mustiness. At an inch and a quarter, the dry earth is just ahead of the slightly charred wood while the barbecue smokiness remains in the background. The strength in this third remained at slightly above medium.

Burn

The burn was a bit wavy but never required any attention. The ash held on in inch and a half increments.

Draw

The draw was slightly tighter than I prefer, but didn’t cause any issues with the smoking experience.

Overall

The cigar had a nice start with a very wood and earth driven profile. Getting into the second third, things dropped down a bit as the profile became a bit dry and maintained that level the rest of the way. There’s a bit of strength to the profile and construction was very good. While I don’t see myself returning to the E.P. Carrillo Elencos Elites often, I could see returning to it on occasion as I think this would work well in the evening after a hearty meal and paired with a brown spirit.

Aaron Loomis

SCORE

5.85

Cost/Point

$1.54

Scoring System

Personal Cigar Review: E.P. Carrillo Elencos Elites