For the seventh consecutive year, E.P. Carrillo is releasing its Short Run Series. The E.P. Carrillo Short Run Series is a annual release that is a limited one time production run. Each year the blend has varied. This year, the company has changed things things up. The E.P. Carrillo Short Run 2016 is the first brand to get a new design, and Perez-Carrillo showed off all of the redesigned bands and packaging at IPCPR. Check out our video interview of E.P. Carrillo at IPCPR talking about his new releases.
This cigar was reviewed blind (no bands) by a panel of at least 4 reviewers. They did not know what they were smoking beforehand. The scores are an average of all the reviewers' scores with outliers removed. All of our cigars reviewed are shipped to the panelists with Boveda packs to ensure optimal smoking experience.
As for the blend, the Short Run 2016 contains an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper and Nicaraguan binder and filler. The Short Run 2016 is the first Short Run since the Short Run 2011 to use an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper. Meanwhile the filler contains Criollo 98 tobacco from a region called Somoto, located north of Esteli. Somoto tobacco is not often used in tobacco blends, but if it sounds familiar, it is because the original Elogio LSV cigar used a wrapper from that region. While previous Short Runs were offshoots of some regular production lines, this one has its own distinct blend.
While the previous six editions of the Short Run have been released in three vitolas, this year is different as it will come in a single size – a 6 x 52 Toro. Production is limited to 2,500 ten count boxes. Pricing is set at $12.00 per cigar.
“In the past, Short Run cigars were offshoots of existing E.P. Carrillo brands,” said brand owner Ernesto Perez-Carrillo. “Now, the Short Run will have its own blend, its own packaging and its own identity.”
First released in 2010, Short Runs were normally blended as alternative versions of core E.P. Carrillo brands. All packaging for previous Short Runs was essentially the same as its host brand, and the cigar was identified as a limited edition by a secondary band that simply read “Short Run.” This year’s Short Run will come adorned in a striking gold band that looks nothing like any other lines in the E.P. Carrillo portfolio.
The Short Run 2016 will come in one size—a 6 inch by 52 ring toro. Other than its Ecuadoran Habano wrapper, the cigar contains all Nicaraguan tobacco, notably some Criollo ’98 in the filler from the growing region of Somoto, which is located about 32 miles north of Estelí on the Pan American highway.
“A lot of people aren’t familiar with Somoto,” adds Perez-Carrillo. “The growing area isn’t that big, but I think the tobacco brings complexity to the blend.” Only 2,500, 10-count boxes of the Short Run 2016 will be released. Each cigar is set to retail for $12. They’re made at Perez-Carrillo’s La Alianza factory in the Dominican Republic.
“They say you eat with your eyes first, and this cigar looks like it will be good. It has a nice even medium brown color. The gentle tooth present on the wrapper is accentuated by a faint sheen of oil. I see some medium veins, invisible seams, and evidence of quality rolling at the foot.” –Matthew T. (A Huge Nerd)
Aroma: 89
“The outer wrapper only has faint smells of leather and cocoa. The foot, however, is filled with a unique combination of vanilla and cinnamon. Cold draw is very open, almost loose, and has flavors of cinnamon and cedar.” –Matthew T. (A Huge Nerd)
First Third
Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“First third started out with light pepper and some creamy textures. It continued to mix in flavors that went nicely with the creamy texture. Cinnamon, and nutmeg and caramel sweetness. A distinct roasted almond flavor came in to join the cinnamon and was really nice.” –Matthew T. (A Huge Nerd)
“Post light the flavor profile is classic light medium working towards medium. Aged tobacco, coffee, and nuts are on the exhale while the retro is classic cream and pepper.” –Matt C. (Big Matt)
Second Third
Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“A well balanced black pepper, cedar and leather mix. There’s no real heat to speak of, just a nice savory quality. Coffee enters at the halfway point adding yet another dimension.” –Gregg (McGreggor57)
“The profile changes a bit in the second third the harshness experienced in the first third going away, and the salt notes fading to almost non existence. The profile is now almost exclusively herbal flavors and dry tobacco.” –Dave W. (mdwest)
Final Third
Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
“The final third continued the previous flavor profile and had a nice increase in strength and body. Also a kick of black pepper. The spicy notes mix almost perfectly with the sweetness and have me smoking this to a tiny nub.” –Matthew T. (A Huge Nerd)
“In the final third this cigar really started to pick up. The strength is medium and we are now presented with a very complex cigar. I am still getting a strong coffee element, burnt sugar, and nuts. However there is a bitter sweet and tangy flavor that brings the whole profile together and is a very good experience. Cream and cinnamon now coat the mouth but the finish is short and works very well in this profile..” –Matt C. (Big Matt)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 90
“Draw was firm but the smoke is copious. Never had a problem.” –Matt C. (Big Matt)
Burn: 91
“Despite a breezy rainy day, this cigar offered a ton of smoke and straight burn-line” –Gregg (McGreggor57)
Construction: 91
“I could tell by looking at the foot before lighting that the cigar was bunched and rolled properly. Combine that with a beautifully applied wrapper and cap, and it was obviously a well built cigar. The draw, burn, and smoke output only confirmed that the cigar was properly constructed to perform just right.” –Matthew T. (A Huge Nerd)
Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
Overall Experience: 92
“Part of the joy of a blind review is finding out later what it is I was smoking. Well, I am very excited to find out on this one because I may be buying a box. The flavor and aroma combination was fantastic and interesting and the burn was incredible. The smoke output was HUGE. If it is a cigar in my price range, I will be stocking up.” –Matthew T. (A Huge Nerd)
“This cigar limped out of the starting gate but halfway thru the second third it began to emerge. The coffee, nuts and classic profile and lack of complexity in the first half of the cigar had me worried, but it exploded in the final half. The tangy profile really pulled this cigar together. If I had to guess I would say this is a Montecristo Cuban cigar with 2-3 years of age on it. The appearance wasn’t the best, ash was charcoal and chunky, and the cap was a little sloppy. A cigar with this type of appearance doesn’t survive on the Nicaraguan market, but in a Cuban format it is what you get with Habanos SA pumping out cigars at the rate and varied factory usage they employ. I’d snag 10 of these with the hope age will pull this cigar together,” –Matt C. (Big Matt)
“One of the better cigars I’ve enjoyed this year. Cedar and leather were the base flavors as black pepper, cocoa, coffee and allspice wove their way through the thirds. Perfectly balanced and a pleasure to smoke.” –Gregg (McGreggor57)
“Overall a decent smoke. I would have liked a little more flavor, and a little better job done in applying the wrapper leaf, but the experience was good in general and I’d give it another try down the road if given the opportunity.” –Dave W. (mdwest)
Cigar Info
First Third
Second Third
