Pre-light flavor: Earthy, somewhat dark and spicy
Toasting & Light: Took a little longer to light this cigar properly for an even burn, but it lit well and evenly.
First puff: Surprisingly flinty and bitter. I was a little nervous at first. Maybe I over-lit it? By the third puff it rounded right out.
Retrohale: A real tingler!
Base flavors: Dark tobacco, espresso and a hint of semi-sweet dark chocolate.
Aroma: Sweet and spicy
Burn / Ash: Burn was just slightly off after the first inch, but once ashed, evened-out and never presented any further burn issues.
General Observations: This is a LOT of cigar. It is definitely full-bodied, but very smooth and creamy. Though it started-off funky, the base flavors came through shortly after. By the midpoint it turned a little sweeter, more complex, and remained consistent right down to the nub.
Summary: When Ernesto handed me this un-banded cigar in February last year (see photo at right), he said, “Here’s something new for you to try, but it won’t be released until November.” So, I decided to take it home and let it rest until the cigars were released last Fall, but I didn’t smoke it until a few days ago.
On the whole, the Edicion Limitada Dark Rituals offered excellent balance and plenty of flavor. I enjoyed it immensely, and IMO, this cigar is best suited for more experienced cigar smokers who will appreciate the myriad nuances in the blend. There is a lot going on in this cigar. The Brazilian wrapper was not as spicy as I expected. Its ZING comes from the combination of the wrapper and the Nicaraguan ligero, while the sweeter, milder Sumatra binder keeps it from being too overpowering. Overall, a real treat that burned for well over an hour. This is one cigar you don’t want to rush.
See all E.P. Carrillo Cigars.
Rating: ???
Rating scale
? = Fair to Midland
?? = Good
??? = Excellent
???? = Outstanding
????? = Extraordinary
Executive Editor
Gary Korb has been writing and editing content for CigarAdvisor.com since its debut in 2008. An avid cigar smoker for over 30 years, he has worked on the marketing side of the premium cigar business as a Sr. Copywriter, blogger, and Executive Editor of Cigar Advisor. A graduate of the Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, prior to his career in the cigar business, Gary worked in the music and video industry as a marketer and a publicist.
Show all Gary Korb's Articles
Reading Time: 3 minutes Gary reviews the Cohiba Riviera Toro, the first Cohiba to wear a Mexican hat, and more. Named for the Riviera region in Mexico’s Tuxtla Valley (not the Buick classic), see what makes this Riviera run by watching now.
Reading Time: 7 minutes The panel turns its focus to the latest addition in the Famous Exclusivo lineup—the El Gueguense Toro Box Press. Sporting a new shape and Mexican San Andres binder leaf, find out how this new addition compares to the original.
Reading Time: 2 minutes In another fine cigar collaboration, top-rated E.P. Carrillo Cigars has joined forces with Oliva Cigar Co. in Nicaragua to create Allegiance Cigars. The four vitola selection was blended by Ernesto Perez-Carrillo using tobaccos from Oliva’s finest stocks. Get the full story here.
Reading Time: 7 minutes Is Punch Fu Manchu a hero in flavor, or a supervillain of smoky disappointment? Tune into our Cigar Advisor Panel Review and find out!
