#27: E.P. Carrillo Cardinal Natural

The #27 Cigar on the 2012 Cigar of the Year Countdown is the E.P. Carrillo Cardinal Natural.   This was a new regular production line of cigars introduced by Ernesto Perez Carrillo’s E.P. Carrillo company shortly after the 2012 IPCPR Trade Show.  This marks the third consecutive year that E.P. Carrillo has appeared on our Cigar of the Year Countdown

The E.P. Carrillo Cardinal Natural is one of two blends that make up the E.P. Carrillo Cardinal line (the other being the Cardinal Maduro).  At was at the 2012 IPCPR Trade Show, where E.P. Carrillo was handing out samples of this cigar, but not much was known about the cigar.  These cigars were meant to fill a niche in the E.P. Carrillo portfolio – namely a more fuller offering.

The E.P. Carrillo Cardinal Natural has a Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper.  The flavor profile delivers notes of roasted nuts, pepper, natural tobacco, and citrus. The depth of these flavors start out medium to full-bodied in the first half and progress to full-bodied in the second half.  At the same time, the strength follows a similar path – namely starting out medium to full strength in the first half an progressing to full strength in the second half.   The E.P. Carrillo Cardinal Natural also has an outstanding burn and draw.

Click here for our pre-release review of the E.P. Carrillo Cardinal Natural.  Click here to read how we rated and scored the E.P. Carrillo Cardinal Natural.

Blend Profile

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan 

Vitolas Available

Each of the two blends will be available in the following vitolas:

Cardinal 52: 5 x 52
Cardinal 54: 6 x 54
Cardinal 56: 5 1/2 x 56

Recommended Vitola: Cardinal 54