E.P. Carrillo Cardinal Maduro

We enter the “Select Six” in the 2012 Cigar of the Year Countdown.  Coming it for #6 Cigar of the Year is the E.P. Carrillo Cardinal Maduro.   The E.P. Carrillo Cardinal line was introduced after the 2012 IPCPR trade show.  The Cardinal Maduro is one of two blends in this line.  The other blend is the E.P. Carrillo Cardinal Natural, which placed at #27 on the 2012 Cigar of the Year Countdown.

Together with the E.P. Carrillo Cardinal Natural, this gives E.P. Carrillo two entries on the 2012 Cigar of the Year  Countdown.   The Cardinal Maduro marks the second year in a row an E.P. Carrillo maduro blend has placed in the top ten.  In 2011, the E.P. Carrillo Core Line Maduro finished as the #8 cigar for that year.

The Cardinal Maduro is definitely a full strength cigar with full-bodied notes.   For those wanting a nice dose of power to balance the flavors, this is the cigar for you.  The boldness of the strength and body is what appealed to us here.  The flavor notes are classic maduro ones – consisting of chocolate, pepper, cherry, and nut.  Ernesto Perez-Carrillo Jr. seems to have the magic touch in terms of keeping to classic flavors on his maduro smokes – and the Cardinal Maduro is no exception.  The construction is outstanding on the Cardinal Maduro – and this is reflected in the burn and draw.

Click here to see our original assessment of the E.P. Carrillo Cardinal Maduro.

Blend Profile

Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan

Vitolas Available

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