E.P. Carrillo has teamed up with Singapore-based distributor Cigar Specialist International to release the Aura E.P. Carrillo Shēngxiào Limited Edition. It’s a super premium offering that contains a collection of 12 different blends representing the Chinese Zodiac (Shēngxiào). It’s a release primarily geared toward the Asian market, but it won’t be an Asian exclusive. Some of the collections have been made available to the U.S. market. It also is meant to commemorate Cigar Specialist International’s 25th Anniversary.

According to a press release from E.P. Carrillo, the slogan for the brand Aura is driven by energy. The first energy one experiences is at birth, and this initial energy is represented by the Chinese Zodiac.

Each of the 12 cigar blends of the Aura E.P. Carrillo Shēngxiào represents one of the animals on the Chinese Zodiac. All of the cigars come in a 6 1/8 x 52 torpedo. Each of the cigars has a unique blend that features tobaccos aged for five years. The blends were created by Ernesto Perez-Carrillo who worked over a period of several years to match the blend to the animal’s personality.

 

The cigars come packaged in a handcrafted mahogany box that includes a humidifier, a set of cards detailing each cigar blend, and animal personality. The mahogany box is enclosed in a red velour cloth and packaged in a premium outer box.

“Blending the Aura cigar requires the right energy (Aura) and state of mind,” commented Ernesto Perez-Carrillo Jr. in. a press release.

“Aura E.P. Carrillo positions the brand in the highly coveted super premium segment in Asia Pacific. We are excited with our collaboration. Ernesto captured the essence of each animal in the Chinese Zodiac (Shengxiao) with blending only he knows how.” Jose de Castro, CEO, Cigar Specialist International.

A total of 2,500 boxes have been produced. Each box has an MSRP of $1,000.00 per unit.  E.P. Carrillo has said most of the allocation of the boxes is heading to the Asian market.

The following are the blends of the Aura E.P. Carrillo Shēngxiào Limited Edition:

Rat

Wrapper: Brazilian Arapiraca
Binder: Ecuadorian
Filler: Nicaraguan
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Factory: Tabacalera La Alianza
Torpedo: 6 1/8 x 52

Ox

Wrapper: US Connecticut Habano
Binder: Ecuador
Filler: Nicaragua
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Factory: Tabacalera La Alianza
Torpedo: 6 1/8 x 52

Tiger

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra Oscuro
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican, Nicaraguan
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Factory: Tabacalera La Alianza
Torpedo: 6 1/8 x 52

Rabbit

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut
Binder: Connecticut Broadleaf
Filler: Dominican, Nicaragua
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Factory: Tabacalera La Alianza
Torpedo: 6 1/8 x 52

Dragon

Wrapper: Mexican San Andres
Binder: Ecuadorian
Filler: Nicaraguan
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Factory: Tabacalera La Alianza
Torpedo: 6 1/8 x 52

Snake

Wrapper: Nicaraguan Jalapa Claro
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Factory: Tabacalera La Alianza
Torpedo: 6 1/8 x 52

Horse

Wrapper: Nicaraguan Jalapa Rosado
Binder:  Mexican
Filler: Dominican, Nicaraguan, Brazilian
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Factory: Tabacalera La Alianza
Torpedo: 6 1/8 x 52

Goat (Sheep)

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra #2
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican, Nicaraguan, Honduran
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Factory: Tabacalera La Alianza
Torpedo: 6 1/8 x 52

Monkey

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Corojo
Binder: Ecuadorian
Filler: Nicaraguan
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Factory: Tabacalera La Alianza
Torpedo: 6 1/8 x 52

Rooster

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano 2000
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Factory: Tabacalera La Alianza
Torpedo: 6 1/8 x 52

Dog

Wrapper: Dominican Especial (Corojo, Criollo 98)
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican, Brazilian
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Factory: Tabacalera La Alianza
Torpedo: 6 1/8 x 52

Pig

Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Ecuadorian
Filler: Dominican,Nicaraguan
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Factory: Tabacalera La Alianza
Torpedo: 6 1/8 x 52

Photo Credits: Cigar Coop