NowSmoking: E.P. Carrillo Allegiance

NowSmoking: EPC Allegiance Wingman Cigar Review (Video)

Blend Details:

Factory: Oliva Cigar Co. – Estelí, Nicaragua
Size: 6 7/8″ x 54 Box-Pressed Double Corona (Wingman)
Wrapper: Ecuador Sumatra
Binder & Filler: Nicaraguan

Presented in boxes of 20

The EPC Allegiance Cigars Back Story

EPC Allegiance cigars from E.P. Carrillo Cigars marks the fourth blend in EPC’s Family Tribute series. Allegiance follows La Historia (2014 #2 Cigar of the Year), Encore (2018 #1 Cigar of the Year), and Pledge (2020 #1 Cigar of the Year). E.P. Carrillo Allegiance may be a cigar that wears the Carrillo name, but it is being produced in Nicaragua by Oliva Cigar Co.

“From the very beginning of E.P. Carrillo we understood the importance of working with like-minded tobacco producers from across the globe,” said Ernesto Perez-Carrillo. “That is why we have partnered with Oliva Cigars, a well-trusted legacy cigar company located in Nicaragua and known for great blends and consistent performance.”

That makes Allegiance the second EPC cigar blended and rolled at another factory. Additionally, the green and gold band color scheme was chosen for a specific reason. According to Ernesto, “The green came to mind because of its association with nature and particularly tobacco leaves. We even tried to get the green as close as we could to the tone of tobacco leaves in the fields.”

E.P. Carrillo Allegiance Cigar Basics

For starters, I loved how the green and gold bands popped against the Sumatra wrapper’s milk chocolate color. The wrapper had an almost leathery texture to it with a light oily gloss. There were a few veins showing on both my samples, but they didn’t detract from the cigar’s appearance. The box pressing has more rounded than sharp edges and the foot dons a green silk band. The cigar was also well-packed; I couldn’t find any soft spots along its length. The triple seam cap on both was textbook. The draw was also perfect on both of my samples issuing pre-light flavors mostly of sweet tobacco and a light whiskey-like note. The burn was also excellent throughout revealing long, dark grey ashes.

E.P. Carrillo Allegiance Wingman Cigar Review

During the toasting and lighting the opening puffs were a little spicy with a very rich tobacco flavor. Once the cigar got going, the smoke exhibited a very clean, smooth, and creamy mouthfeel. A combination of earth and wood flavors ensued. By the one-inch mark the cigar had really settled down. I found it very creamy and mostly woody smoke with a hint of sweetness and medium in body. As the cigar found its groove, it bloomed with a well-balanced mix of light cream, oak, sweet tobacco and a distinct note of nutmeg.

By the Allegiance’s midpoint, it was still mostly medium-bodied and also medium in strength. Moreover, it was performing like a champ on all counts. The cream, oak, nutmeg and that light sweetness were more vivid, while the baking spices became the most dominant flavors.

In the final inches the body shifted to medium-plus. Retrohales, which I don’t normally do, were peppery but not nose tweaking. While the core flavors continued to flow the smoke had become earthier. One nice surprise at the nub was a note of strong espresso, but by that time the sweetness had mostly faded away. Suffice to say, this was one nice long smoke.

Are E.P. Carrillo Allegiance Cigars Worth Buying?

I think this Double Corona is well worth buying especially if, like me, you’re a fan of both EPC and Oliva cigars. As I said in the video, the fact that this cigar was blended by Ernesto Perez-Carrillo, one of the world’s top master blenders using tobaccos from Oliva Cigar Co., another iconic cigar brand, is reason enough for it to be humidor-worthy. The smoke was on target in every respect, including a decadent flavor profile and a fair amount of complexity. What I also like about the Allegiance is that the body and strength are ideal for most cigar smokers. For my money, the cigar paid for itself. Finally, if you want another reason to try it, Allegiance may just be the next number one cigar of the year.