“When I look at the (E.P. Carrillo) Medalla D’ Oro, this is a case where the stars in the sky align. This is the right blend coming together – in the right size. To me, the extra ligero, combined with the lonsdale shape elevates the NWC Short Run 2012 blend to a whole new level.”
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| #4 – E.P. Carrillo Medalla D’Oro (Federal Cigar 92nd Anniversary) |
Coming in at #4 on the 2013 Cigar of the Year countdown is the E.P. Carrillo Medalla D’Oro. This was a limited edition, retail exclusive cigar released for Federal Cigar in New Hampshire to commemorate the store’s 92nd anniversary.
The E.P. Medalla D’Oro marks the second consecutive year a retail-exclusive to Federal Cigar has made the countdown (last year the My Father Le Bijou 1922 Ecuadorian Connecticut Federal Cigar Edition was #29). It also makes gives E.P. Carrillo its second entry on the countdown. They also become the first company to place two cigars in the top ten for 2013. This also is the first Ecuadorian Connecticut cigar to make this year’s countdown – and more significantly becomes the highest placed Ecuadorian Connecticut cigar in the history of our countdown. Finally this is also E.P. Carrillo’s highest placement ever on our countdown.
The Medalla D’Oro is based on the E.P. Carrillo NWC Short Run 2012 blend, but contains extra ligero. It was made available in one size – a lonsdale. It contains the banding of the Short Run 2012 as well. However, the most striking feature is the gold foil on the upper part of the cigar. This pays homage to the iconic packaging of the famed Cuban Bolivar Gold Medal. The packaging looks striking with the Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper and the EPC banding.
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| E.P. Carrillo Medalla D’Oro packaging |
As striking as the packaging is, the E.P. Carrillo Medalla D’Oro smokes even better. I detected notes of pepper, berry sweetness, wood, cinnamon, and cream. There is great synergy with these flavors – and there is an outstanding finish on this cigar. The flavors start out medium-bodied. They increase to medium to full in the second half and even become full-bodied at the very end. The strength starts out medium and increases to medium to full in the second half.
Perhaps the most interesting quality was the lonsdale. This is what I term a “perfect storm” scenario with a cigar blend – namely the right blend for the right size.
Click here for our assessment of the E.P. Carrillo Medalla D’ Oro.
Blend Profile
As mentioned the E.P. Carrillo Medalla D’Oro is a modification of the E.P. Carrillo NWC Short Run 2012 blend, but with extra ligero. The Short Run 2012 was a combination of tobaccos from two other E.P. Carrillo cigars. The Medalla D’Oro (like the Short Run 2012) uses the same Ecuadorian Connecticut as the E.P. Carrillo New Wave Connecticut Cigar. The Medalla D’Oro also utilizes the binder and filler from the E.P. Carrillo Core Line Maduro, but the blend contains extra ligero.
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut
Binder: Connecticut Broadleaf
Filler: Nicaraguan, Dominican
Vitolas Available
The E.P. Carrillo Medalla D’ Oro has been released in one size – a 6 1/2 x 44 lonsdale.
Score: 95 (3/12/13)
Assessment Rating: 4.5 – Fight Chuck Norris for Them
For more information on our vision and criteria for the 2013 Cigar of the Year countdown, see our December 2013 Editor’s Corner.
