I apologize for my absence as of late. Life has been coming at me way too fast, but I am finally able to light up a cigar this Saturday morning for review. A few weeks back, Tony reviewed the E.P. Carrillo Dusk Solidos that “just didn’t do it for [him]”. Well, I thought I would try out a smaller format and see if it brings something a little better to the table.

Released in 2016, the E.P. Carrillo Dusk is manufactured at Ernesto Perez-Carrillo’s Tabacalera La Alianza factory in the Dominican Republic. The cigar features a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper over an Ecuadorian binder and Nicaraguan filler tobaccos. Available sizes include Robusto (5  by 50), Stout Toro (6 by 52), Obscure (7 by 54), and the Solidos (6 by 60).

You can pick up the E.P. Carrillo Dusk from our good friends over at Famous Smoke Shop HERE. 

THE FACTS

Price: $7.15
Vitola: Robusto
Size: 5 by 50
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Ecuadorian
Filler: Nicaraguan
Smoke Time: 1 Hour

PRE-LIGHT

The Dusk by EP Carrillo is dressed in an extremely dark brown, Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper. As you look closely at the leaf, there are some even darker veins that are small in size. Oils, scatter bumps, and a fine tooth can be seen and felt. The cigar is very firm from head to foot.

A pungent aroma of vinegar, barnyard, and chocolate comes across on the wrapper. Big notes of chocolate and graham cracker are found on the foot of the cigar. After two cuts, the draw is still on the firm side. There is a mixture of chocolate and chili powder going on in the cold draw.

FIRST THIRD

The Dusk opens with a mild to medium flavor profile with notes of wood, earth, cocoa, and a pepper spice. The cocoa and pepper stand out on the finish of the smoke. At a half inch, a sweetness and bread flavor join in and are giving the other flavors a run for the money. The Dusk is burning beautifully with a light gray, layered ash forming. 

MIDDLE THIRD

Even though the draw feels firm, a satisfying amount smoke is produced by the E.P. Carrillo Dusk. There is a fizzy quality to the smoke, like cola. Not in flavor, but texture. The cocoa, bread, and sweetness hold strong as coffee replaces the wood and earth. The sweetness is central in the profile.

FINAL THIRD

The sweetness, more syrupy now, continues to build and the flavors are between medium and full. The bread takes on a more toasted flavor. The coffee and cocoa remain, but more on the finish of the smoke  I feel some spice heat in the mouth, but as I move it through my nose I am surprised by how tame the spice is.

WRAP-UP

Like Tony, the cigar started off a little too mild for my taste. However, the Dusk evolved quickly, bringing medium to full flavors to the table. Once the sweetness entered in, I was hooked. I have been impressed lately with the construction of E.P. Carrillo cigars. Similar to the La Historia I smoked last month, the Dusk had an excellent burn. And the price is right in the sweet spot for me at $7.15. Comparing my experience to Tony’s, it goes to show you how different sizes of the same cigar can result in completely different experiences.