Review: EP Carrillo Short Run #4

It's been awhile since I have done a review from the EP Carrillo (EPC for short) camp, so I thought I'd do one today for a cigar that my friend Tony Casas (Casas Fumando) gave to me on our recent trip to Nicaragua. The EPC Short run #4 was an exclusive release to Federal Cigar last year. The blend is the 2010 short run release, but the size is something exclusive for the Federal 90th anniversary.

I don't have a quote to add to this, but I'm not sure one is really necessary as most cigar blog readers are pretty well versed in the story behind the Short Run line. I must say that I was a big fan of this blend in the other sizes. I'm excited to see what the #4 brings to the table. On to the review...

(Due to the size of this cigar, this review is only in two parts instead of the traditional thirds.)
 
Specifics
Vitola: #4
Length: 5 1/8
Ring Gauge: 42
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan & Dominican
Price: $5.50
Smoking Location: My back deck
Beverage: water

Pre-Light 

The wrapper on my  Short Run #4 was a light brown color with some very light spots in certain places. There were lots of tiny veins running all around the cigar, but you really could only see them if you looked closely. Squeezing the cigar, it was rock hard. They packed a lot of tobacco into this little guy. The pre-lit aroma was a mixture of hay and that not so pleasant (but pleasantly named) "barnyard" smell. The cap slipped with no issues, but the cold draw was very tight. I clipped it a bit more, but unfortunately that didn't help. On the plus side, the taste from the cold draw was a strong raisin flavor.           

First Half

Even with the very tight draw, I still got a lot of flavor to come out of the first half of my Short Run #4. The front of the profile consisted of graham and thick sweet honey. Yes..just like the cereal Golden Grahams. The finish had a nice contrast to the sweet front and tasted of some mild black pepper. The pepper sat directly on the taste buds in the center of my tongue for a long time between draws. I must point out that even with its small size and a somewhat windy day, the ash was very strong on this cigar. The nicotine strength was a solid medium.

Second Half and Final Thoughts 

The second half Short Run #4 was pretty much the same as the first half until I got down to the nub. The draw was still plagued with tightness, but the flavors were strong enough and enjoyable enough that I didn't want to put the cigar down. Once I did get to the nub (it took a long time even with it being such a short cigar) the black pepper taste really ramped up and took over the front and the finish. It was very spicy and exactly what I enjoy in cigars. I'd go as far as to say that the end of my experience with this stick was a pepper bomb. The nicotine level never got about a solid medium. 

Final thoughts on the Short Run #4 ? Like I said in my intro, I really liked this blend in other sizes and, for me, the #4 size was just as good. I normally get a little bored with cigars that are mostly one dimensional in taste, but these flavors just seem to work so well that I never got to that point. Bold statement of the review: I still think the 2010 short run is the best blend to come from EP Carrillo's new(ish) venture to date.

Would I buy it again? Yes

Would I buy a box? If they still have some left, this is box worthy.

Dan

Review: EloGio Serie Habano

Today's review is for a cigar and brand which, until last week, was unknown to me. EloGio Cigars is a small company whose products are being produced where I consider the heart of all things cigar-related...Esteli, Nicaragua. It seems EloGio's claim to fame is their Master Blender Carlos Pereda Robaina, who is the grandson of the late, legendary Alejandro Robaina.  

Info taken from the EloGio Website: We only use select long filler Nicaraguan tobacco grown exclusively for us in Candega, Jalapa, and a exclusive small farm in Somoto.

According to their website, the Serie Habano is the newest release in their portfolio. I want to thank Ben from Nice Tight Ash for setting me up with this stick....Good looking out, friend.
Specifics
Vitola: Corona Extra
Length: 6
Ring Gauge: 42
Wrapper: Nicaraguan
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Price: $?
Smoking Location: My back deck
Beverage: water

Pre-Light 

My EloGio Serie Habano was medium brown in color with a few good-sized veins. These characteristics, paired with the very distinct amount of tooth the wrapper had, gave it a somewhat rustic appearance. The prelit aroma was strong and smelled like a combination of raw sweetness and cedar. It was not off-putting in the slightest, but it was very pungent. Like the aroma, the cold draw was also strong and had a floral, red wine taste. The flavor seemed to linger for a pretty fair amount of time, even while unlit. The band...well, it looks like a cheap bundle cigar. I don't know anything about the set up of this company, but I really think some of the smaller guys should spend more time on their artwork. This is a BIG selling point for your cigar...don't let it NOT stand out.

First Third

My EloGio Serie Habano opened up right away with a lot of flavor. The front of each draw had a powerful, sweet hazelnut taste that gave way to an equally powerful cinnamon spice finish. I was impressed right away by its uniqueness and great flavor. There was a great draw of smoke on each puff and just enough resistance that it didn't feel like you were sucking air. I did have some problems with the burn being crooked and had to touch it up twice. The wrapper seemed to be pretty thin, so correcting the burn was not a big issue. The nicotine strength was in the mild to medium range.    

Second Third

In the second third of my EloGio Serie Habano, the front profile flavors took a huge shift to the darker side. The front no longer had any of the sweetness or hazelnut from the first third, but was now dominated by a charred meaty flavor. I never would have expected it coming from what I experienced in the first third. It was still enjoyable, but a lot different. The finish on the profile stayed the same with a spicy cinnamon, but it wasn't as strong a flavor any longer. The nicotine level now started to creep up into a solid medium level. Burning further into the second third, the finish started to change up again and picked up a floral flavor.

Final Third and Final Thoughts 

The final third of my EloGio Serie Habano a had a strange, yet nicely balanced, flavor profile. The front was the dark, strong meaty flavor and the finish a light floral, almost potpourri note to it. It sounds like it really wouldn't work, but in this case, it did. I don't think I would've enjoyed it if this were the flavor profile for the whole smoke, but at the end, it was nice. The burn continued to be a little problematic and needed touch-ups, so keep your lighter close. The nicotine level was a solid medium at the end. 

Final thoughts on the EloGio Serie Habano? I didn't know what to expect from this cigar, but I am very glad to report that it was a pleasant surprise. The first third was, by far, my favorite part of the cigar, but the second and third parts had enough going on that I enjoyed them also. I recommend looking around for one or two of these and giving them a shot. If anything, the first third is pretty unique and I'd love to hear others' thoughts on it.

Would I buy it again? Yes

Would I buy a box?I liked this cigar, but I'm on the fence about a full box. If they were priced right, I think I would at least consider it.

Dan

Review: Arturo Fuente Solaris

Next up for review is the latest installment in the Smoke Inn Micro Blend Series - a project for Smoke Inn in West Palm Beach, Florida. You can view my reviews of the previous three releases in this series Here, Here, and Here. The Fuente Solaris is a departure from the all Nicaraguan blends of the past three cigars and is, from what I can find, one of the only Fuente single shop releases in awhile.

Info taken from the Smoke Inn Website: For this Microblend installment Smoke Inn played no part in the creation of the size or blend. When Smoke Inn Proprietor Abe Dababneh approached the Fuente Family about making a Microblend, they decided this would be a perfect project for a small batch of cigars made over 6 years ago. Carlos Fuente Sr. had produced a small batch of belicoso cigars made from Ecuadorian Sun Grown wrapper that was uniquely light in its complexion. The cigars sat and aged for over six years. When smoked, we found the flavor mellow yet complex. One could definitely taste the quintessential Fuente flavor profile behind the elegantly aged smoke. Solaris will delight the palate of Fuente fans and collectors; especially those who like to age their cigars.”

Fuente is famous for their aged tobacco, so it should be interesting to see what this cigar is like due to that fact that they were made 6 years ago.
Specifics
Vitola: Belicoso
Length: 6
Ring Gauge: 49
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sun Grown
Binder: ?
Filler: ?
Price: $8.95
Smoking Location: House of Cigar
Beverage: water

Pre-Light 

The wrapper on my Solaris was very smooth with minimal veins or tooth. The color was light and reminded me of the color of peanut butter. The construction looked classic Fuente with an exceptional looking cap. Holding the stick to my nose, I picked up a lot of sweet scents, mixed in with aged tobacco. It was not an overly strong smell, but it was interesting. The cap clipped with no issue and the cold draw consisted of a walnut flavor and some honey notes.

First Third

Right out of the gate this cigar produced thick creamy textured smoke. The kind of smoke that coated the entire inside of my mouth. Although the smoke was thick, the flavor was a bit muted and very mild in body. What I did pick up was a sweet natural tobacco flavor on the front, which finished off nicely into refined honey. Also to note was how clean the finish was, even with the thick texture of each draw. Like I wrote above, it was very mild, but still a nice flavor. The nicotine strength was almost non-existent, so in the very mild range.      

Second Third

In the second third of my Solaris, the flavor profile got stronger. The front of each puff now consisted of some nutty flavors (pecans maybe?) mixed in with a burnt sugar taste. The finish was still the same as the first third (raw honey), but was now a lot stronger. This is the part of the cigar I liked the most -- lots of flavor. Even thought the flavor had picked up, the nicotine level was still unbelievably low. I would say again that the second third was in the low mild area. I did have a bit of a crooked burn during this section of the cigar, but it was easily corrected with my torch.

Final Third and Final Thoughts 

The final third was almost identical to the second third. The only real different is on the finish of each draw was that the honey flavor had left and an earthy grit took over. It wasn't a dirty flavor, just something with a bit more bite. It added a bit of interest into the profile which, by now, I pretty much thought I had pegged. A nice way to finish off the cigar, in my opinion. The nicotine strength was consistent in the low mild range.

Final thoughts on the Arturo Fuente Solaris? Although this might be the mildest cigar (as far as nicotine strength goes) I have smoked a ages, it made up for it in flavor. The flavor profile started out a bit weak, but it builds and builds throughout the cigar and turns into something very enjoyable. I would say anyone new or old to the hobby of cigar smoking will enjoy this stick. A good cigar to pass around to friends.

Would I buy it again? yes

Would I buy a box? Not really my cup of tea for a whole box, but with it being so limited... not a bad choice.

Dan