Ernesto’s Humidor No. 1 Edicion 2015 by E.P. Carrillo is a special new limited edition collection introduced at the 2015 IPCPR Trade Show. The collection features three distinct blends – each described as being a personal blend of company founder Ernesto Perez-Carrillo. The blends include: Colorado (an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper blend); Connecticut (an Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper blend); and Maduro (a Connecticut Broadleaf blend). Ten cigars from each of the three blends are included in the collection and packaged in a commemorative humidor. Today I take a closer look at the the Colorado blend. Master Blender Ernesto Perez-Carrillo Jr. has proven to be one of the best blenders of all-time with Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper. With Ernesto’s Humidor No. 1 Edicion Colorado, this cigar does not disappoint.

As mentioned the Edicion Colorado uses an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper. Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper blends are quite common for E.P. Carrillo Master Blender, Ernesto Perez-Carrillo Jr. The following lists the significant blends we have seen in his portfolio with this wrapper.

• E.P. Carrillo Core Line
• E.P. Carrillo INCH Natural No. 64
• E.P. Carrillo Cardinal Natural
• E-Stunner by E.P. Carrillo
• E.P. Carrillo Short Run 2010
• E.P. Carrillo Short Run 2013
• E.P. Carrillo 5 Year Anniversary
• E.P. Carrillo Generosos (Currently exclusive to Casa de Montecristo Chicago)

Without further ado, let’s take a closer look at Ernesto’s Humidor No. 1 Edicion Colorado 2015 and see what this cigar brings to the table.

Blend Profile and Vitolas Available

The three blends making up Ernesto’s Humidor No. 1 Edicion 2015 are offered in one size – a 6 x 54 Toro. The three blends are distinct – meaning it is not the same binder and filler with a different wrapper. This is a limited edition series, but there are some refills available to the brands.

For completeness, we show the three blends making up Ernesto’s Humidor No. 1 Edicion 2015

Ernesto’s Humidor No. 1: Edicion Colorado 2015

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumnatra
Binder: Nicarguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic (Tabacalera La Alianza)
Toro: 6 x 54

Ernesto’s Humidor No. 1: Edicion Connecticut 2015

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut
Binder: Nicarguan
Filler: Nicaraguan, Dominican
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic (Tabacalera La Alianza)
Toro: 6 x 54

Ernesto’s Humidor No. 1: Edicion Maduro 2015

Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Filler: Nicaraguan, Dominican
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic (Tabacalera La Alianza)
Toro: 6 x 54

Appearance

While I categorized Ernesto’s Humidor No. 1 Edicion Connecticut as a darker Connecticut Shade wrapper, but when it came to the Edicion Colorado, I categorized this as a lighter Colorado wrapper. This wrapper had a light to medium brown color with a slight touch of colorado red mixed in. There was some light oil on the surface of the wrapper. I found the wrapper itself to be slight bumpy with some visible veins and visible wrapper seams.

While each of the bands of Ernesto’s Humidor No.1 Edicion 2015 are similar, each also are slightly different. The band to the Edicion Colorado blend has a dulled gold colored background with red font. The text “ERNESTO’S” appears on the upper portion of the band. Just below it is the text “HUMIDOR NO. 1” in a smaller font. Just below that text is the text “EDICIÓN COLORADO” in a smaller font. Finally below that text is the text “2015” embossed on the band. There is a red pinstripe toward the top and toward the bottom of the band. On the far right is the E.P. Carrillo logo featuring a red rounded square with gold and red trim. On the square are the scripted “EP” initials in gold. Below it is the text “CARILLO” in small white font.

Preparation for the Cigar Experience

As I normally do, I commenced the smoking experience of Ernesto’s Humidor No. 1 Edicion Colorado with a straight cut removing the cap. Once the cap was removed, I proceeded with the pre-light draw. The dry draw provided a mix of cedar, cream, and a slight cherry note. Overall I considered the pre-light draw of this cigar to be very good. At this point, I was ready to light up the Edicion Colorado and see what the smoking experience would have in store.

Flavor Profile

Ernesto’s Humidor No. 1 Edicion Colorado started out with a mix of cinnamon, cedar, and cherry. There was no real dominant note in the early stages, but the three notes paralleled each other nicely. Meanwhile I detected a mix of black and white pepper on the retro-hale.

During the first third, the cedar became grounded as the primary note. I found the cinnamon and cherry floated in and out of the forefront. Meanwhile the black pepper became more dominant on the retro-hale and now I detected a slight amount of it on the tongue.

By the time the Edicion Colorado entered the second third, I found some generic wood notes mix in with the cedar in the forefront. The cinnamon and cherry notes were now secondary. The pepper notes remained distant, but later in the second third they started to increase.

As the Edicion Colorado moved through the last third, the cedar and wood notes remained primary. The pepper notes became a close secondary, but didn’t quite overtake the cedar and wood. While the cinnamon and cherry were in the more distant background, it continued to balance the other flavors nicely to keep things interesting. This is the way the cigar experience came to a close. The resulting nub was cool in temperature and firm to the touch.

Burn and Draw

Overall I found the burn to Ernesto’s Humidor No. 1 Edicion Colorado to score very nicely. The burn path and the burn line remained straight from start to finish. Some touch-ups were required, but I didn’t find an excessive amount was needed. The resulting ash was light gray with some darker speckling mixed in. I found the ash to be on the firmer side and the Edicion Colorado was not prone to any significant flaking. Meanwhile the burn rate and burn temperature were ideal.

As for the draw on the Edicion Colorado, I found it to be open, but not loose. It was a low maintenance draw, but at the same time it produced an abundant amount of smoke along the way.

Strength and Body

From a strength perspective, I found the Edicion Colorado to be a solid medium cigar from start to finish. Along the way I didn’t find much in the way of a strength increase. Meanwhile when it came to the body of the Edicion Colorado, I also found it to be medium. By the last third, I did find the body progressed into medium to full territory. In terms of strength versus body, I found the body to have a slight edge throughout the smoking experience.

Final Thoughts

Given the incredible record when it comes to Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper blends by Ernesto Perez-Carrillo, Ernesto’s Humidor No. 1 Edicion Colorado stacks up quite well.. At the same time, I wondered whether the Edicion Colorado would be a cookie-cutter blend compared to some of those other releases. The good news is I also found it to be unique when compared to those the other Sumatra release by E.P. Carrillo. While the Edicion Colorado wasn’t my favorite E.P. Carrillo Sumatra wrapper release, I still found it to very good – just up against some all-time great cigars. I found this to be a cigar that could be enjoyed by an novice or experienced cigar enthusiast. As for myself, this is a cigar I would smoke again – and it’s one worthy of a box split.

Summary

Burn: Excellent
Draw: Excellent
Complexity: Medium
Strength: Medium
Body: Medium (1st 2/3), Medium to Full (Last Third)
Finish: Excellent
Assessment: 3.5-Box Split
Score: 91

References

News: Ernesto’s Humidor No. 1 Edicion 2015 by E.P. Carrillo
Price: ~$10.00
Source: Purchased
Stogie Geeks Podcast: Episode 165
Stogie Feed:Ernesto’s Humidor No. 1 – Colorado by E.P. Carrillo
Brand Reference: E.P. Carrillo