Epic Cigar was founded by Dean Parsons in 2014. It launched with two lines, Corojo and Maduro. Later that year, they also launched a Habano. The blends for the Corojo came in three vitolas Robusto (5 x 52), Double Corona (6 x 54), and Lancero (7 x 40). Maduro came in Robusto (5 x 52) Double Corona (6 x 54),and Gordo (6 x 60). Later, a lanerco was added to the maduro and gordo to the corojo.
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.
The blends come in 20 count packages.
Vital Stats:
Vitola: Robusto
Length: 5 1/2″
Ring Gauge: 52
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Corojo
Binder: Dominican Olor
Filler: Dominican
Factory: Charles Fairmorn
Blender: Dean Parsons
Number of reviewers: 4 – Daniel S. (Daniel S.) Isaac M.(The Nothing) Diana(ArmyRN) John I. (John I.)
Price: $8.50
Age: 1 year
Release Date: Feb 2014
Contributed by: Epic Cigars
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 88
“Nice robusto shape and I like the ring gauge. Velvet brown with a slight sheen of oil. Veins can be seen but they are not rough. The cigar has a slightly mottled brown appearance due the variations in leaf color but it is attractive.The cap is applied nicely with no rough edges noted. It’s a little lumpy at the cap but again not anything that detracts from the look of the cigar.” –Diana (ArmyRN)
Aroma: 88
“Aromas of tobacco and damp earth were most noticeable. ” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)
First Third
Flavor: 90
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“The creaminess I was hoping for seems to be there with a nice cedar background that gives a slight sweetness mixed with coffee on the retro. The coffee is really coming forward as I get into the first third. There is a very mild pepper but not enough to take away the creaminess that I am getting. I like the toastiness to this cigar. I feel like I’m having some roasted coffee beans mixed with cedar and a hint of spice and white pepper.” –Diana (ArmyRN)
“Pre-light there is a nice raisiny/dried chile flavor. Draw is a bit snug. Opens with really slick mouth filling smoke. There is a lot of rich dark wood flavor along with some dried fruit. Very bright peppery notes on the retrohale. ” –John I. (John I.)
Second Third
Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“As I am getting into the middle third. I am still getting black pepper but it is a little more complex. I am starting to get some vanilla and nutty flavors underneath the pepper. The nutty flavor is starting to come out more and the retro is still peppery.” –Daniel S. (Daniel S.)
“The second third picked up right where the first left off with a main note of rich tobacco with a creamy white pepper backdrop. The ash fell after hitting the halfway mark. ” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)
Final Third
Flavor: 90
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“As I getting into the last part of this cigar the complexities are starting to come out. I am getting buttery and nut flavors that really compliments the pepper flavor that has been prominent throughout this. I am starting to see the potential this cigar has after some age.” –Daniel S. (Daniel S.)
“So I thought it was going to go over the edge to medium full but it pulled back as I went into the last third. I’m not disappointed as it remains a fairly smooth and nice smoke. Most of the spicy and pepper notes have receded and the predominant flavor is coffee with a hint of floral. The acidic flavor has backed down but still is slightly recognizable to my palette. There is more of a toasty aftertaste now which I do enjoy.” –Diana (ArmyRN)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 89
“The draw was nice on this cigar. There is an abundance of smoke and I also noticed that I had to slow down a bit so the cigar didn’t heat up. Otherwise it was an easy draw bordering on a little too easy.” –Diana (ArmyRN)
Burn: 91
“Overall, the burn was really good no issues at all. No touch ups needed. Pretty much a razor sharp burn the whole time smoking this cigar.” –Daniel S. (Daniel S.)
Construction: 92
“Very well constructed cigar. Even though there wasn’t a tremendous variety of flavor on display the construction definitely added to the experience. ” –John I. (John I.)
Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Experience Overall: 90
“Smoking this cigar was very enjoyable. At first it appeared to be a one note with the strong pepper flavor. By the end of the first third, the flavors underneath were starting to come out. Throughout the cigar the retro was very nice. The buttery and nutty flavors that came out at the end tied everything together very nicely. By the end of this cigar, I forgot I was reviewing it and was just in my backyard smoking a good cigar.” –Daniel S. (Daniel S.)
“I feel like this cigar was made for hot summer days, and ice cold lagers. In fact, both of those things were in play as I smoked this cigar outside, helping my daughter setup her new swimming pool. In the beginning I had a hard time putting the cigar down, as the flavor was great. Ultimately, though, those flavors turned to monotonous for me. ” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)
“This was a tasty cigar for me but I didn’t like the annoying construction problems I had with it. Canoeing is a pet peeve of mine and I don’t like having to go back and keep straightening it out. It didn’t seem to correct itself as some cigars do. The mix of flavors made up for it though and I enjoyed the coffee, cedar, hints of spice, a splash of white pepper and some floral notes going in and out. I’d smoke it again but I’d like to relax more and not worry about the burn.” –Diana (ArmyRN)
“I enjoyed this one quite a bit. Sometimes hitting the right note can carry through the entire cigar and it did this time. Also, the quality of the construction helped carry the day. For me, a well crafted cigar has a charm that can carry some flavor issues. ” –John I. (John I.)
"I enjoyed this one quite a bit. Sometimes hitting the right note can carry through the entire cigar and it did this time. Also, the quality of the construction helped carry the day. For me, a well crafted cigar has a charm that can carry some flavor issues. " -John I. (John I.)
