In 2010 when Ernesto Perez-Carrillo opened EPC Cigar Company one of his first ever releases was Short Run. The concept was simple, release a yearly blend featuring tobaccos that aren’t in abundance to support a regular release. The Short Run line was popular until is disappeared in 2016. Each release of the Short Run was different based on tobacco’s available for this limited release. Back in the day, the cigar was highly sought after and enjoyed by many.
This year sees the release taking on a bit of a musical theme which ties into his love of vinyl record of which Ernesto has a passion for . The Robusto is referred to as Short Play (5 x 50), The Toro is known as Extended Play (6 x 52) and the Gordo known as Long Play (6 x 60). Only 40,000 cigars in total were produced and have been limited to 150 stores including Two Guys Smoke Shop.
Cigar Review: EPC Retro Short Run
Wrapper: Ecuador Habano
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Dominican Republic, Nicaragua
Length: 6
Ring Gauge: 52
Size: Extended Play (Toro).
The Look: Packaged in boxes of 20, the EPC Short Run Retro has a simple look to it on the outside while inside the cigars feature the original bands of the 2010. The chestnut brown colored Habano wrapper from Ecuador is loaded with oils and minimal visible veins. In the hand the cigar has a silky feel it with no voids of tobacco and a well packed foot.
The Notes: Clipping the cap with my 3 year old Lotus Jaws cutter that shows no signs of slowing down, the cold draw reveals notes of a subtle fudge with some dried fruit notes. The aroma off the foot of the cigar has a slight manure aroma along with some barnyard components of hay and cedar. After we toast and light the cigar the initial taste is a mouth watering raspberry marmalade.
As we move into the first third the raspberry sweetness begins to dissipate some as notes of mocha and cinnamon develop. As the first third comes to a close the mocha notes become dominant with some pepper on the finish. The retrohale see notes of melba toast with a touch of earth and cedar.
Moving into the second third, mocha begins to slide to the background as notes of cedar and oak become dominant with a touch of leather on the finish which grows in length. The retrohale sees pepper intensify with coffee notes that linger on the finish.
The final third sees some sweetness return with hints of dried fruits in the background along with some cedar, pepper and a touch of leather. The retrohale of the cigar sees pepper become the focal point with espresso on the lingering finish.
The Finish: Short Run, how I missed thee. When these came out more than a decade ago they were the bomb. Toward the end of the run, they lost the luster so taking a hiatus was probably a good thing for the brand. Now that they are back, they embody everything the brand was. Definitely a worthy addition to your humidor as they are being added to my personal humidor at home.
Score: 94
Price: $8.69 / $183.99
EPC Short Run 2021
EPC Short Run 2021 Foot
EPC Short Run 2021 Burn
