Last week I had the pleasure of sitting down with Ernesto Perez Carrillo who after the rumors we reported you might think he had an axe to grind. However when we asked about those rumours he shrugged it off saying the rumors have been persistent since him and Michael Gianini worked on a project in 2014. I asked him, if he wanted to dismiss the rumour officially on the record and he just smiled as he sipped on the Cuban Coffee that I made him. In return he gifted me with today’s cigar after we caught up on him and the brand before I had to leave for an appointment.
Cigar: EP Carrillo Short Run 2015
Size: 6 x 52 (Vencedores)
Wrapper: Criollo ’98 (Jalapa)
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Dominican Republic & Nicaragua
Strength: Medium-Full
Source: EP Carrillo
The Look: Despite this being listed as the Vencedores size it measure at 5.75″ and the cigar is available in a 5 x 50, 6 x 52 and 6 x 60. The dark wrapper has faint brindle effect to it and the roll is porous with one thick vein running the length of the cigar. The band of gold, black, yellow and red is a nice redesign of the original EP Carrillo bands and the mention of Criollo 98 on the band is nice and unlike years past where the Short Run as a secondary band this year it is attached as one. The wrapper has some tooth to it and little crystals on it. In the hand it feels gritty and light.
The Nose: The cold draw of the Short Run 2015 is that of earth and a slight hint of coffee. Off the foot of the stick we get the aroma of cinnamon and earth. The initial light of the cigar is light and airy with hints of cedar.
As we smoke the first third of the Short Run 2015 there are some notes subtle spices like nutmeg and cinnamon with elements of licorice over a woodsy base note.
As we enter the second third of the cigar some noted similar to a pretzel rod, with continued notes of wood and some faint spices remain.
In the last third of the cigar the wood notes remain with some licorice especially on the finish with a hint of dried apricot.
The Burn: The cigar burned pretty even with a thin burn line with an exception at the time of the burn photograph when the burn got a little out of hand. It wound up self-correcting but it looks like it was about to get nasty. Around the halfway point I had to relight the cigar as it wouldn’t stay lit. The light color ash was firm and held for more than a third at a time. The draw of the cigar was a tad loose.
The Finish: The 2015 Short Run had some moments of excellence but the one thing that stood out was the aroma of the cigar which a few people asked me what I smoking because it didn’t smell too good. If I came across these I would grab a couple to see how they age, but for now they just seem a little young. It’s a shame because I truly like Ernesto Perez Carrillo but lately for me the cigars seem to fall a little short (pun intended).
Score: 88
Price: $7.76
EP Carrillo Short Run 2015
EP Carrillo Short Run 2015
