Pre-light Experience

The wrapper on the E.P. Carrillo New Wave Connecticut Divinos is light brown with same darker lines and spots from the veins beneath. There are some lightly raised veins present and the seams are smooth but easily visible due to the color variation of the wrapper. The head is finished with a well applied triple cap. The cigar has two bands with both carrying a white, gold and red color combination. The primary band designates the company, line and group the line is in. The secondary band is a bit redundant as it again designates that this cigar is in “The Classics” group. The aroma from the wrapper is a mix of hay and cedar while the foot reminds me of honey graham cracker. The pre-light draw has more of the honey graham cracker and a good dose of baking spice. There is spiciness present on my lips and the tip of my tongue.

First Third

The cigar begins with hay, dry wood and black pepper. At a half inch in, the hay and black pepper have mellowed slightly. The retrohale is musty wood and light black pepper. At an inch in, the wood is no longer dry and it is even up front with the black pepper while the hay is in the background. At an inch and a half, the black pepper has moved to the background and the finish. As the third comes to a close, the wood is up front with black pepper, hay and newly joined mustiness in the background. The strength in this third was right at medium.

Second Third

As the second third begins, the wood and mustiness are up front with the black pepper and hay in the background. At a half inch in, the hay is now right behind the musty wood while the black pepper is a bit further in the background. The retrohale remains musty wood and light black pepper. At an inch in, the hay drops from the profile. At an inch and a half in, the black pepper is very light in the background. As the third comes to a close, a light char joins the wood. The strength in this third remained at medium.

Final Third

As the final third begins, the profile is musty and slightly charred wood with light black pepper in the background. The retrohale is now musty wood and light vegetal note. At an inch in, the light vegetal note joins the profile and the black pepper has left. The cigar finishes with the profile of musty and lightly charred wood with light vegetal note. The strength remained at medium.

Burn

The burn was a bit wavy throughout. The cigar went out once in the first third and required a re-light. The ash held on in inch and a quarter increments.

Draw

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

Overall

The cigar began with hay, dry wood and black pepper. The second third saw the hay drop out and a light char join the wood. The final third saw a light vegetal note join in and the black pepper drop out. The construction was good and strength was medium the whole way. The E.P. Carrillo New Wave Connecticut Divinos had a nice start but dropped to average from the second third on. From what I recall, this is one of the early Connecticut shades that was supposed to change how they were perceived. It does bring a heavier black pepper to the profile and dodges the grassiness that can be attributed to the wrapper. This is a good look back as the more recent Connecticuts are a drastic change from what this cigar provides. If you like traditional Connecticut shades but like a little more pepper, this is one to try if you haven’t. The price point is also quite attractive. I’d be open to coming back to this from time to time.

Aaron Loomis

SCORE

5.75

Cost/Point

$1.17

Scoring System

Personal Cigar Review: E.P. Carrillo New Wave Connecticut Divinos