Paulie’s Quick Ash Cigar Review: EP Carrillo Endure Robusto

To Strive, To Seek, To Find…

And not to yield. To endure, in other words. While EP Carrillo probably didn’t have the last line of Tennyson’s Ulysses on his mind, this cigar nevertheless tells a story of perseverance. Of resilience.

The name pays tribute to the grit and determination found in both the Perez-Carrillo and Meerapfel families. The former fled Cuba and started over in Florida, and the latter saved the wrapper leaf that envelops Endure from extinction in the 1990s. Authentic African Cameroon. More on that shortly.

Regarding expectations, Endure is positioned among Ernesto’s best—Pledge, Encore, La Historia, and Allegiance—in the Perez-Carrillo series. All cigars that I loved by the way. A hint of good things to come.

EP Carrillo Endure Robusto Quick Ash Video Cigar Review

The Specs

Factory: Casa Carrillo, Dominican Republic
Size: 5” x 50 Robusto
Strength: Medium Bodied
Wrapper: Authentic Meerapfel Cameroon
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua

Presentation: 10-count box

Behind the Blend

So, lets talk about the Authentic Meerapfel Cameroon wrapper. If not for the efforts of Rick Meerapfel, this leaf wouldn’t exist. And today, the Meerapfels through their partnership with CETAC, SA (Compagnie d'Exploitation des Tabacs Centrafricains) are the go-to source of Authentic African Cameroon wrapper leaf.

The authenticity matters. Cameroon seed tobaccos are grown in places like Honduras and Ecuador and are not the same. Think of it like the difference between Champagne and Sparkling Wine. To further mark this distinction, EP Carrillo Endure’s box and secondary band both state ‘Meerapfel Cameroon.’

Now as for why this wrapper leaf is so prized, one simply needs to smoke an Arturo Fuente Don Carlos or Hemingway. Or do as I’m about to and fire up an EP Carrillo Endure.

The Cheat Sheet

Here’s where evaluate the EP Carrillo Endure using three criteria: high, low, and whoa (what surprised me).

• High: The wrapper leaf. And not to go the wine route again, but here I go. The Cameroon tobacco resembles the notoriously finicky Pinot Noir grape in my mind. It’s persnickety. Temperamental. Frankly, Cameroon wrappers are delicate and difficult to roll. They’re also rare and pricey. But a Cameroon wrapped cigar, done well, stands with the best.
• Low: Well, the wrapper for some. It’s fussy. And not everyone’s cup of tea. The blend is understated as opposed to brash. While Endure is a rich and satisfying smoke, it’s not a fire breathing blend.
• Whoa: Ernesto does it again. Literally and figuratively. Carrillo hadn’t worked with a Cameroon wrapper in decades (since the 1970’s with his father) and he seems to have only refined his blending chops. Using the toothy wrapper as a canvas, Endure offers an entertaining compromise between subtle and bold. Yes, there is some boldness to be found. It’s a Cameroon wrapped cigar for those who don’t usually gravitate towards them.

The Last Word

Where does Endure rank with other Perez-Carrillo cigars? Nope, I don’t do that here. I will say, however, that the audience for this blend is wider than you might think. It’s made by Ernesto, after all. Flavor-wise, Endure has notes of cedar, pepper, cocoa, cinnamon, citrus sweetness, rich tobacco, and nuttiness. It’s balanced and creamy with a clean finish. Construction and burn are top notch, and the soft box press feels good in hand. Overall, a medium bodied gem.

Not a lot of strength nicotine-wise, so Endure is an approachable blend. Don’t mistake that for weak, though; there’s enough left on the bone to keep a red meat loving cigar enthusiast interested.

Endure is worth it. It’s not an everyday blend. It’s not a cigar to be smoked casually either. But it’s another example of why EP Carrillo has reached mythical status among cigar blenders. It shows why he’s your favorite cigar maker’s favorite cigar maker. And even if Endure doesn’t wind up at the top of your rotation, you won’t regret trying it.

Pro Tip: To get the most out of EP Carrillo Endure, I recommend taking your time. Smoking slowly will let the sweet and creamy aspect of the flavors develop, especially in the first portion. Rush the pace and you risk missing the subtle transitions and complexity Ernesto built into Endure.