Quick Smoke: E.P. Carrillo Core Plus Natural Enchants

Each Saturday and Sunday we’ll post a Quick Smoke: not quite a full review, just our brief verdict on a single cigar of “buy,” “hold,” or “sell.”

Last summer, E.P. Carrillo introduced the Core Plus series, a lineup of four vitolas available in either Natural or Maduro wrappers. The robusto-sized Enchants format in the Natural selection comes complete with a dry, reddish Ecuadorian wrapper and Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos. It sells for under $7. On the palate, it’s spicy, leathery, and considerably sweet. A prominent sugary note reminds me of Luden’s wild cherry cough drops, a medicinal flavor of which I’m not particularly fond. The burn leaves much to be desired, as my single sample required several re-lights to stay on course. I have been a fan of many E.P. Carrillo creations over the years, but the Core Plus Natural Enchants left me unimpressed.

Verdict = Sell.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys