In the world of cigars, some brands shout. Others whisper. But a select few — like E.P. Carrillo — play jazz. Rich, complex, full of improvisation, and always on beat. It’s no coincidence, of course. Ernesto Perez-Carrillo started life behind a drum kit, chasing rhythms and dreaming of jazz stardom in New York. Life had other ideas. The death of his father led him back to Miami, back to cigars, and eventually into the pantheon of cigar legends.

Today, E.P. Carrillo cigars are revered across the globe for their artistry, consistency, and swagger — and we’re here to give them the spotlight they damn well deserve.

The Architect of Taste

When Ernesto stepped back into the world of tobacco, he didn’t tiptoe — he brought the house down with La Gloria Cubana, a brand that exploded during the 1990s cigar boom. After cashing out and selling it to Swedish Match, he could’ve faded into retirement. Instead, in 2009, he formed E.P. Carrillo Cigars, proving that the encore is sometimes better than the headliner.

With his kids by his side and a vision sharper than a straight cut, he set up Tabacalera La Alianza in the Dominican Republic — a place that’s since become hallowed ground for cigar lovers.

Masterpieces in Motion – The Iconic Blends

Every E.P. Carrillo release feels like a concept album — meticulous, intentional, and built to blow your palate’s mind. Three of them haven’t just impressed, they’ve owned the stage. We’re talking La Historia, Encore, and Pledge — each with their own origin story and distinctive flavour experience.

These cigars don’t just make noise. They win Cigar of the Year awards. And more than once.

But let’s bring this a bit closer to home — into Robert Graham 1874 territory — and talk about what you can actually get your hands on in our stores and online.

In the Humidor: E.P. Carrillo at Robert Graham 1874

E.P. Carrillo La Historia E-III

Strength: Medium to Full
Wrapper: Mexican San Andrés
Binder: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Filler: Nicaraguan
Size: 6 7/8 x 54

This beauty is a family portrait in tobacco. Created as a tribute to the women of the Carrillo family, La Historia is bold and layered — think chocolate ganache with a dark cherry soul, finished with espresso bitterness and woody undertones. The E-III size gives this blend room to bloom, delivering a seriously elegant draw.

It’s no surprise this scored #2 Cigar of the Year in 2014 — it’s the kind of stick you light for moments that matter. Or, let’s be honest, any Thursday evening that needs a bit of drama.

Pair it with: A sherried Speyside whisky or a bold red Zinfandel for a decadent evening.

E.P. Carrillo Encore Majestic

Strength: Medium
Wrapper: Nicaraguan
Binder/Filler: Nicaraguan
Size: 5 3/8 x 52

This cigar’s name doesn’t lie — the Encore is a standing ovation waiting to happen. It’s a Nicaraguan puro, meaning it’s made entirely from Nicaraguan tobaccos, and the result is a beautifully complex, medium-bodied cigar with a symphonic blend of cedar, baking spice, and a whisper of caramel.

The Majestic vitola picked up Cigar Aficionado’s #1 Cigar of the Year in 2018, and it still walks like a champion. You’ll get waves of flavour, subtle evolution, and zero rough edges.

Pair it with: A Highland single malt with a touch of peat — think Ardmore or Benromach.

E.P. Carrillo Pledge Prequel

Strength: Full
Wrapper: Connecticut Havana Seed
Binder: Ecuadorian
Filler: Nicaraguan
Size: 5 x 50

The Pledge is a declaration of intent. A love letter to cigar lovers. The Prequel vitola in particular is punchy, precise, and unapologetically bold. With a rich, oily wrapper and a dense core of pepper, cocoa, espresso, and leather, this cigar delivers a knockout in every puff.

Named #1 Cigar of the Year in 2020, this is Ernesto saying, “I’m not done yet.”

Pair it with: A dark rum (Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva hits just right) or a heavy Islay whisky if you want to push the intensity even further.

E.P. Carrillo Allegiance Sidekick

Strength: Medium
Wrapper: Sumatra-seed (grown in Ecuador)
Binder/Filler: Nicaraguan (produced by Oliva Cigar Co.)
Size: 5 x 50

Here’s where things get spicy — literally. Allegiance is a bold move in collaboration, rolled not at Casa Carrillo but by Oliva, and it’s got attitude in spades. It’s smooth and rich with sweet cedar, dry spice, and a buttery note that lingers.

The Sidekick size is perfect for shorter sessions without sacrificing complexity. It’s a quiet stunner — the kind of cigar that sneaks up on you, then owns the room.

Pair it with: A Speyside whisky with fruit-forward character — Glenrothes or Benriach would be spot-on.

Looking Ahead: Casa Carrillo and the Future of a Titan

The Carrillo clan isn’t resting on any laurels. Not even close. In recent years, they’ve given their factory a new identity — Casa Carrillo — emphasising family, legacy, and authenticity. They also brought back Selim Hanono as Chief Operating Officer, a move that hints at expansion and evolution.

Ernesto’s got his eye on the next frontier. New blends, new innovations, and a sharpened focus on storytelling through cigars. The recently released 15th Anniversary cigar celebrates a decade and a half of rebellion and refinement — a milestone moment for the brand.

And the whispers in the wind? New collaborations. Experimental tobaccos. Limited editions. The kind of cigars that make collectors sweat and palates dance.

Final Draw: The E.P. Carrillo State of Mind

What makes E.P. Carrillo cigars so damn special?

It’s not just the blending brilliance or the mountain of accolades. It’s the fact that every cigar feels honest — born of passion, perfected through obsession, and rolled with a story inside. These aren’t just cigars. They’re moments. Mood-setters. Memory-makers.

And whether you’re a long-time fan or a curious newcomer, Robert Graham 1874 has your backstage pass to the E.P. Carrillo show.

So go ahead — strike a match, take a draw, and listen to the rhythm. Ernesto’s still playing. And the music’s never been better.