Agile Cigar Reviews replace what we termed “Assessment Updates”. The concept is the same, but the name is different. Agile Cigar Reviews use a lightweight, shorter format. These will never take the place of our comprehensive reviews. They are only used on blends we have previously assessed. This might be a blend we are re-scoring or providing a score for a first time. It might be a blend we are looking at in a different size. Today we look at the E.P. Carrillo INCH Maduro No. 64. This is a cigar we previously did an assessment back in November, 2012.

Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Dominican (Piloto Cubano, Corojo and Criollo ’98)
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic Tabacalera La Alianza)
No. 64: 6 1/4 x 64
Price: $10.00

In 2012, E.P. Carrillo introduced a new line of cigars called INCH.  The INCH series is a line focused on large ring cigars that are 60 ring gauge or above. Large ring gauge cigars are nothing new to Ernesto Perez-Carrillo as he was considered somewhat of a pioneer in this area while he was with La Gloria Cubana.  The INCH was originally introduced in a Maduro and a Natural blend. In 2014, a Corojo blend called the C-99 was added.  Today we take a closer look at the INCH Maduro No. 64.

The INCH Maduro No. 64 is a vitola that measures 6 1/4 x 64.  The blend incorporates a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, a Nicaraguan binder, and Dominican fillers.  When it was introduced, the No. 64 was the largest in the line, but in 2013 the No. 70 – a 7 x 70 was introduced.

Appearance wise, in 2014, a footer band was added to the INCH series. The footer indicates whether the blend is a C-99 (Corojo), Natural, or a Maduro.  The INCH Maduro No. 64 smoked today had the new footer band indicating maduro.

The INCH Maduro is going to deliver a classic Connecticut Broadleaf experience. It is going to have notes of coffee, earth, and black pepper. In the past I had picked up a prominent nut flavor, but this seemed more in the background this time around.  The flavors were medium to full-bodied and countered nicely by medium to full strength.

Overall I also found this to be a very nice cigar when it came to burn and draw. The burn needed some occasional touch-ups, but nothing excessive. There was a little resistance on the draw – which is something that I feel is a positive on a big ring gauge as it prevents it from burning hot.

If you like big ring gauges and like a classic Connecticut Broadleaf, this is a cigar to try. For a 64 ring gauge, this cigar does its job and does it well. It’s worthy of box split.

Summary

Burn: Excellent
Draw: Excellent
Complexity: Medium
Strength: Medium to Full
Body: Medium to Full
Finish: Good
Assessment: 3.5-Box Split
Score: 90

References

Original Assessment: E.P. Carrillo Inch Maduro
News: Inch by E.P. Carrillo
Price: $10.00
Source: Cigar Provided by Manufacturer
Stogie Geeks Podcast: Episode 45, Episode 171
Stogie Feed: EP Carrillo INCH Maduro No. 64 (Paul), E.P. Carrillo INCH Maduro No. 64 (Will)