Carrillo Short Run 2023

E.P. Carrillo Short Run 2023

Today, we look at the E.P. Carrillo Short Run 2023 in the Robusto size. The Short Run series started in 2010 and was intended to be a small-batch, limited-production series. Each year, a different blend was released. After 2016, the series went on hiatus for a few years. In 2021, Short Run returned and was brought back with a retro theme – complete with the original E.P. Carrillo retro bands. The 2023 release would be very different than any other. This would be the first Short Run not to be produced at Tabacalera La Alianza (now Casa Carrillo in the Dominican Republic), but instead would be made at Oscar Valladares’ factory in Honduras.

The Short Run 2023 was made at Oscar Valladares’ factory and was one of three E.P. Carrillo releases produced at other factories outside Tabacalera La Alianza. This includes two other cigars made in Nicaragua: INCH Nicaragua (Plasencia) and Allegiance (Oliva). The Short Run 2023 marks the first time E.P. Carrillo has made a cigar in Honduras.

The following is the list of Short Run releases highlighted by the wrapper used in the blend.

Let’s look at the E.P. Carrillo Short Run 2023 without further ado and see what this cigar brings to the table.

E.P. Carrillo Short Run 2023 Robusto – Cigar Review

SPECIFICATIONS

Blend and Origin

The E.P. Carrillo Short Run 2023 blend features an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, a Nicaraguan binder, and a combination of Nicaragua and Honduran tobaccos. The use of Honduran tobacco is not the first time for E.P. Carrillo. The first time E.P. Carrillo worked with Honduran tobacco was actually on the Short Run 2022 release.

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan, Honduran
Country of Origin: Honduras
Factory: Oscar Valladares

Vitolas Offered

The Short Run 2023 comes in three sizes, each in 24-count boxes. The Robusto and Toro have been limited to 1,250 boxes, while the Gordo has been limited to 650.

Robusto: 5 x 52
Toro: 6 x 52
Gordo:6 x 60

Appearance

The Ecuadorian Habano wrapper of the Short Run 2023 Robusto was on the darker side, reminiscent of dark wood. There was some oil on the surface of this wrapper. Upon closer examination, a slight amount of mottling was present on the surface of the wrapper. There were also some visible veins and wrapper seams.

PERFORMANCE

Pre-Light Draw

A straight cut removed the cap before lighting up the Short Run 2023 Robusto. Once the cap was clipped, it was on to the pre-light draw. The cold draw delivered a mix of wood, nut, and natural tobacco. It wasn’t the most exciting pre-light draw, but it wasn’t bad, either. At this point, it was time to toast up the footer of the Short Run 2023 and move on to the smoking phase.

Tasting Notes

The Short Run 2023 Robusto opened with notes of coffee beans, nuts, classic wood, and natural tobacco. As the cigar moved through the early phases, baker’s spice emerged on the tongue. By the midway point of the first third, natural tobacco and nut surfaced in the forefront. The wood, coffee bean, and baker’s spice settled in the background. On the retro-hale, there was a layer of cedar.

The second third of the Short Run 2023 Robusto saw the natural tobacco remain grounded in the forefront. The wood notes moved into the forefront, displacing the nut flavors. The nut notes moved into the background. Some black pepper emerged on the tongue, and as the cigar moved through this third, it became more prominent as the baker’s spice. There also was still some baker’s spice present on the tongue.

The final third saw little change. The natural tobacco and wood notes remained primary. The pepper, baker’s spice, coffee bean, and nut notes remained. There was more spice present during this third. The background flavors didn’t seem to complement the primary notes well. Instead, they muddled the flavor profile. As the Short Run 2023 Robusto finished, the resulting nub was cool in temperature and soft to the touch.

Burn

The burn of the Short Run 2023 Robusto performed very well. This cigar maintained a straight burn path and a straight burn line with minimal touch-ups required. The resulting ash was firm and had several shades of gray to it. Meanwhile, the burn rate and burn temperature maintained ideal levels.

Burn of the E.P. Carrillo Short Run 2023

Draw

The draw also scored nicely with the Short Run 2023 Robusto. This cigar had a touch of resistance, which I like. At the same time, it was a low-maintenance cigar from which to derive flavors.

Strength and Body

The Short Run 2023 Robusto started with medium strength and medium to full-bodied flavors. Along the way, there was a nominal increase in intensity in both attributes. The strength and body were bolder at the end of the cigar compared to the beginning, but the cigar remained in the medium to full range for strength and medium to full range for body.

As for strength versus body, the body maintained an edge throughout the entire smoking experience.

BANDING AND PACKAGING NOTES

While it wasn’t branded “Retro” like the Short Run 2021 and Short Run 2022, the Short Run 2023 uses the same “retro” (i.e., original E.P. Carrill0 bands). When E.P. Carillo used these bands, they were polarizing, but I happen to like them a lot. The presentation in the boxes is quite lovely. I like the subtle Honduran vibe on the box with the art.

Packaging of the E.P. Carrillo Short Run 2023

OVERALL ASSESSMENT

Final Thoughts

The E.P. Carrillo Short Run 2023 Robusto had a nice burn, draw, and packaging. This cigar was lacking in the flavor department. While not terrible, it would rank at the bottom if I had to rank the flavors versus all of the other Short Runs. It would also rank at the bottom if I had to rank the flavors versus the other two externally made cigars (INCH Nicaragua and Allegiance). As I always say – something invariably has to fall to the bottom. A nice burn and draw won’t elevate a score much, and we don’t score packaging. In the end, the Short Run 2023 Robusto is a cigar. I would recommend trying a sample first before purchasing.

Summary

Key Flavors: Coffee, Natural Tobacco, Wood, Baker’sSpice, Pepper
Burn: Excellent
Draw: Excellent
Complexity: Medium Plus
Strength: Medium
Body: Medium to Full
Finish: Good

Rating

Value: Try a Sample
Score: 87

References

News: E.P. Carrillo Short Run 2023 to be Produced by Oscar Valladares
Price: $10.75
Source: Purchased
Brand Reference: E.P. Carrillo

Photo Credits: Cigar Coop