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EP Carrillo Elencos Series Oscuro Elites (Pre-release)
By GC
12/19/2011 12:20:00 PM  
Background:

Today I'm smoking the Elites (Toro 6x54) size of the Pre-release E.P. Carrillo Elencos Oscuro Series. The Carrillo Family has decided to release the Oscuro wrapped version of the Elencos blend in very small numbers at first, just a few boxes per retailer in the Elites size with the full release of the brand planned for late winter 2012. The Maduro Elencos Series sports a Brazilian Habano wrapper and a Nicaraguan / Dominican binder and filler.



Appearance / Construction:

The Elencos Series Oscuro is quite a specimen. The toothy wrapper is not anywhere close to as rough as the wrapper leaf used for the EPC Core Line Maduro. It's so smooth, I can barely see any veins or seams. Heavy in hand, the cigar is well packed.The pre-light draw gives off a nice barnyard aroma with some sweet tobacco flavoring. Lets light this baby up!



First Third:

After toasting the foot, the first few draws give off a substantial blast of pepper, with some nice spice through the nose. The toothy wrapper creates a nice white ash as I smoke through the first half inch. There's a lot going on here, despite the anticipation of a strong body and profile, I'm getting a very smooth, creamy cigar with vanilla sweetness to start. Something I did not expect from a cigar with such a dark wrapper! The cigar is wonderfully balanced and has a very complex flavor profile. Through the balanced strength and creamy finish, I'm also experiencing woodsy, earthy flavors that may be coming from the wrapper leaf? The regular E.P. Carrillo Elencos Series was very complex, very smooth and creamy, and instead of butting heads with the blend, the Oscuro wrapper just seems to add a new dimension. As the first third comes to an end, the strength of the body and the peppery spice is kicking up a bit. Also identifying some espresso or dark cocoa sweetness. The smoothness and balance of all the flavors is excellent, and each can still be identified in the profile. A very complex smoke.



Second Third:

The burn and the draw has been near perfection throughout the cigar so far, just the perfect amount of hesitation on the draw. When I smoke cigars I constantly retrohale, to the point where it's unconscious at this point. While this cigar has a medium to full body, and so many flavors going on the retrohale is amazing. Smooth and creamy smoke flows wonderfully throughout my nose allowing me to take in all this cigar has to offer. Waiting until late winter to try some more of these Toro's and the other sizes of the Elencos Oscuro is going to be tough, I'm really enjoying this cigar. The cigar's profile has shifted more towards the earthy, leathery flavors in the forefront, the sweetness has disappeared a bit, but the long creamy finish remains.



Last Third:

The final third is all leather and dark cocoa, medium to full in body, still an excellent balance in flavor and no bitterness at all. An enjoyable cigar all the way to the finish. I smoked it down as far as I could, until it got a bit too hot to smoke. All I can say is Wow, I know I'm gushing a bit on this one, but I swear Ernesto Carrillo has a gift, and luckily we are all around to enjoy his creations.

Overall:

I feel like every time I smoke or review a new EPC cigar, I'm blown away. Or at least I'm more impressed than the last time I smoked one. The ability to consistently outdo oneself is a true mark of greatness. If you were a fan of the Natural Elencos Series, which stood on its own as an amazing cigar, I promise this one is going to rock your world. Taking the Elencos to the next level by adding an Oscuro wrapper that works perfectly with the blend. Right now, the only way to score this cigar from Atlantic Cigar, is to purchase the Sublime 2012 Sampler. A great sampler for a great price, this cigar absolutely deserves to sit amongst the likes of the Padron No. 9, The OpusX Lost City and the Camacho Liberty 2011. Phenomenal cigar, can't wait for the other sizes and the full release which should be late-winter 2012.

     
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Tags: epc cigars, ernesto carrillo, elencos series oscuro, cigar reviews, brazilian habano, pre-release reviews
Categories: Product Reviews, What's New
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