Blind Cigar Review: Epic | Ten

Cigar Info – Epic Ten

Epic Cigars has been around since 2010, and as the name would imply, the Epic Ten is celebrating that 10th Anniversary. The brand Epic Cigars actually started from the name. Dean Parsons was searching for websites that hadn’t been purchased relating to cigars, and discovered that the Epic Cigars name hadn’t been used while thinking about his friends company Epic Kiteboarding. After building the company on his own for a while, in 2019 Parsons sold the company to Zander-Greg, which also makes Nat Cicco, and became brand ambassador.

The Epic Ten is collaboration with AJ Fernandez and is rolled at his factory Tabacalera AJ Fernandez Cigars de Nicaragua S.A. The blend uses a Cameroon wrapper with Nicaraguan binder and filler. It comes in one size, a 6 x 54 Toro that is also box-pressed. It comes in boxes of 10 which sell for $160. Only 1,000 boxes have been made and each is individually numbered with a commemorative certificate inside and the cigars shipped November of last year.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Toro
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 54
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Cameroon
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Factory: Tabacalera AJ Fernandez Cigars de Nicaragua S.A.
Blender: Dean Parsons and AJ Fernandez
Number of reviewers: 5 – Alan (Eulogy) John A. (Bostoneo) Ryan H. (Ryan H.) Mickey T. (irratebass) Doug S. (Unpossible_1)
Price: $16.00
Age: 3 Months
Release Date: November 2020
Contributed by: Epic Cigars

Initial Impressions

Appearance: 93

“Cigar is a smooth and well wrapped soft box-press, using a leather-like wrapper with minimal blemishes.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)

Aroma: 88

“Dark roast coffee, toffee, and manure on the body. Manure and chocolate on the foot. ” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

First Third

Flavor: 90
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“An effortless experience so far. The smoke output is fantastic along with the burn. I was expecting something a bit more subdued in flavor due to the mild pre-draw. It is starting out heavy with rich notes of cedar and red pepper on the draw. There’s even more red pepper on the retrohale but it’s on the verge of being overpowering. As the flavors develop a bit more there are notes of graphite and baking chocolate rounding out a tasty but earthy third. ” –Alan (Eulogy)

“Cigar bellows thick plumes of flavorful smoke. The cigar is so very spicy to start but about 4 draws in notes start to step forward. First leather then dried fruit cedar joins trying to match the leather. The draw is amazing. Cigar strength is medium-plus pushing full. Another transition cream then earth also bread. I love it when a cigar seems to have a personality. Quite a complex cigar.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)

Second Third

Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“The second third starts out with a medium-bodied profile of chocolate, leather, cedar, and a copious amount of smoke. This cigar can take some abuse and loves to be pushed hard and yet the construction and burn are spot on, not straying one bit. As this third moves on, the dominant note becomes cedar in the latter half. Big creamy and black peppery notes come out in force towards the back end and last till the last third.” –John A. (Bostoneo)

“Burn and ash are so strong and straight. Such a wonderful cigar I would buy all the boxes I could of this cigar. I got to have three and a half inches of ash here no problem. Leather and dried fruit on the front sweet creature and earth in the finish. Spice has now completely left. Losing strength now on the lighter side of medium. Nic kick with this one has some power.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)

Final Third

Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“Ends with the same earthy experience as it started with notes of baking chocolate, black tea, cedar, red pepper, and oily tobacco like the previous thirds. The heavy red pepper has returned from the first third as well. ” –Alan (Eulogy)

“Last but not least, the final third. Notes from the second third carry over to the last third. Creamy leather notes and black pepper dominate the profile. Midway through, the profile changes over to a toasted damp wood flavor profile… I am not sure how I feel about this combination of flavors as it declines in smokability towards the end as sour notes further deepen.” –John A. (Bostoneo)

Overall Impressions – Epic Ten

Draw: 94

“Nice open draw, I did double cut it with my V to get this” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

Burn: 97

“Razor-sharp from beginning to end. I never needed to do any touch-ups or relights. ” –Alan (Eulogy)

Construction: 93

“Seemed well made, with a few touch-ups here and there.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)

Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Epic Ten – Experience Overall: 90

“The flavors were solid, construction was great, smoke output was rich and creamy, and I found the experience effortless. Without a doubt, it’s a solid cigar and one that I would smoke again. The only drawback, to me personally, was that there were no real transitions to speak of and due to the size of the cigar was a bit monotonous. ” –Alan (Eulogy)

“Overall, this was an OK cigar. Nothing screamed complex however the flavors it did provide did match up very well. From leather to cedar and toasted notes were the main takeaway from the flavor profiles throughout the sample. Everything performed up to snuff here with great construction, burn and draw. Something to try out, but nothing to rave about on this one! It may fit into your profile of lovely smokes.” –John A. (Bostoneo)

“This is the best cigar I have smoked in quite some time. Buy all that you can ladies and gentlemen. Quality smoke with personality and such complexity. I was really impressed with the leather and sweet cream notes they just melded so well together.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)

“Overall not a bad smoke, but there wasn’t much there really. Flavors of coffee, cream, chocolate, and roasted peanuts were consistent, which is fine, but I expected more variety with each third. I would smoke again, but would not search for this cigar. ” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

“The best thing I can say about this cigar was the construction. Unfortunately, the entire session was pretty boring altogether. Perhaps a dud hopefully. ” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 76

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

Blind Cigar Review: Epic | Ten