Pre-light Experience

The wrapper on the E.P. Carrillo INCH Natural No. 60 is a marbled medium brown and has a few decently raised veins present. The seams are smooth but visible due to vein placement while the head is finished of with a well applied set of caps. There are two bands with the primary being a yellowish orange and gold. The majority of the band is designed to look like a ruler and it designates the line name. The foot band is brown, gold and yellowish orange and designates that this is the Natural version of the line and also has the company name. The aroma from the wrapper is musty wood with light earth while the foot brings a sweet bread note. The pre-light draw is a lightly sweet and spicy cedar along with a light spiciness on my lips and tongue.

First Third

The cigar begins with wood, earth and mustiness. At a half inch in, some black pepper joins the profile. At an inch in, the wood becomes more defined as oak and is slightly ahead of the earth, mustiness and black pepper. The retrohale is musty wood and light earthiness. As the third comes to a close, the musty oak is up front with light earthiness and faint black pepper. The strength in this third was right at medium.

Second Third

As the second third begins, the earthiness increases to become even with the musty oak while there is still faint black pepper in the background. At a half inch in, the earthiness takes a slight lead in the profile and is a bit drying. The retrohale is musty oak and earthiness. At an inch and a quarter, the black pepper leaves the profile. The strength in this third remained at medium.

Final Third

As the final third begins, the musty oak and earthiness are once again even. At a half inch in, some char joins the oak. The retrohale maintains the musty oak and earthiness. The cigar finishes up with the profile of musty and lightly charred oak and earthiness. The strength in this third remained at medium.

Burn

The burn line was slightly wavy throughout, but never needed any attention. The ash held on in an average of 2 inch increments.

Draw

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

Overall

The cigar began with wood, earth and mustiness. Some black pepper joined fairly quickly and the wood became more defined as oak. The second third saw the black pepper drop out in the second half while the final third saw some char join the oak. The construction was very good and strength was medium the whole way. The E.P. Carrillo INCH Natural No. 60 had a flavor profile that was pretty linear with just a few changes. It was definitely a heavy oak and earth influence. I’d prefer a bit more to the flavor profile, but for those that are fans of the flavors I’ve described, you’ll get a full dose of them here and find something you enjoy. The cigar is a very slow smoker, so there is some value there. Probably not a cigar I’d be in a hurry to come back to.

Aaron Loomis

SCORE

5.50

Cost/Point

$1.74

Scoring System

Personal Cigar Review: E.P. Carrillo INCH Natural No. 60