It’s been said that the cigars for the Tobacconist Association of America (TAA) are the best cigars by the best manufacturers for the best retailers. Now E.P. Carrillo its taking one of its most acclaimed blends and making it a part of the 2020 TAA Exclusive Series. Last week at a virtual meeting held by TAA members, E.P. Carrillo introduced the Encore 656 – a 6 x 56 offering of its Encore blend.

The Encore by E.P. Carrillo captured Cigar Aficionado’s 2018 Cigar of the Year and #23 Cigar on the Cigar Coop 2019 Countdown (in the Majestic size). Encore is one of two blends in E.P. Carrillo’s Family Series. It’s a cigar that is a 100% Nicaraguan puro. Tobacco used for the Encore was aged and cured in something called tercios. Tercios comes from the bark of palm trees and is used to wrap the tobaccos in bales. After the tobacco is wrapped, there is some additional aging that occurs.

The Encore by E.P. Carrillo 656 marks the third consecutive year that E.P. Carrillo has been a part of the TAA Exclusive Series. In 2019, the other blend in the E.P. Carrillo Family Series, the La Historia was also released in the 656 series as a part of the 2019 TAA Exclusive Series.

There are 750 ten-count boxes planned for the Encore 656. Plans are for the cigar to be released to TAA retailers in May.

Typically The TAA Exclusive Cigars are unveiled at the organization’s annual convention and trade show. Since this year’s trade show was canceled due to the COVID-19 Coronavirus, this year’s TAA Exclusive Series was unveiled at a virtual meeting held to TAA members.

At a glance, here is a look at The E.P. Carrillo Encore 656:

Blend and Origin

Wrapper: Nicaraguan
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Factory: Tabacalera La Alianza S.A.

Vitolas Offered

656: 6 x 56 (TAA Limited)
10th Anniversary: 6 1/2 x 56 (Limited)
Majestic: 5 3/8 x 52
Celestrial: 6 1/8 x 50
Valientes: 6 1/8 x 52
El Primero: 6 7/8 x 54