E.P. Carrillo Allegiance Confidant – Blind Cigar Review

Cigar Info

E.P. Carrillo Cigar Co.'s fourth line in the Perez-Carrillo Series, Allegiance, was announced just before PCA back in 2022, but didn't start shipping until November of that year. Allegiance joins La Historia, Encore, and Pledge in the series. E.P. Carrillo Allegiance is a Carrillo branded cigar, but is being rolled in Nicaragua by Oliva Cigar Co. Allegiance was blended by Ernesto Perez Carrillo using Oliva's tobacco and and is only the second cigar to be produced outside of Tabacalera La Alianza in the Dominican Republic for the company.

The Allegiance blend uses a Sumatra-seed wrapper, with Nicaraguan binder and fillers. There are four sizes: Sidekick (a robusto measuring 5×50, $12), Confidant (a 6×52 toro, $13.10), Wingman (6 7/8×54, $13.50) and a larger cigar called Chaperone (6 1/4×58, which retails for $14). These come packed in boxes of 20. Production was limited in this initial run to 7,500 boxes of cigars, but the company has not ruled out making more based on demand. Two thirds of those boxes were sent to the U.S.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Toro
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 52
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Factory: Tabacalera Oliva de Nicaragua S.A.
Blender: E.P. Carrillo
Number of reviewers: 4 – Randy B. (randobush) Angel M. (Angel) Chris M. (Chris) Noah S. (Noah)
Price: $13.10
Age: 3 Months
Release Date: November 2022
Contributed by: Blind Man's Puff

Initial Impressions – E.P. Carrillo Allegiance Confidant

Appearance: 93

“The wrapper is a very mottled medium brown, almost greasy paper bag with all the oils. There is a bit of tooth as well. The box press is soft, but very even. The cap is large and a bit lopsided.” –Chris M. (Chris)

Aroma: 95

“Pronounced aromas from both the wrapper and foot are nothing but inviting. The wrapper is musty and funky, a nice heady mix of barnyard and a leather bound book that's been tucked away in an attic. The foot is ripe with notes of hay and a just a dash of pepper that tickles my nostrils with each sniff.” –Noah S. (Noah)

First Third

Flavor: 95
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“Coffee and cedar tie up top. Black pepper, cinnamon and creamy caramel sit just beneath. There is a bit of a musty floral note on the finish as well. Very bold and balanced start. Cedar shifts to more of an oak creeping up on the second third.” –Chris M. (Chris)

“In the first third, the cigar is starting off great and is very reminiscent of the aroma with flavors of dark chocolate, vanilla, and baking spice, followed by a small amount of cedar. There' is also a small amount of black pepper, but barely noticeable, remains on the lips only for a moment. The smoke is extremely smooth and cool in temperature.” –Angel M. (Angel)

Second Third

Flavor: 95
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“Going into the 2nd third, cinnamon sits on the top of the palate, while coffee, cocoa powder, savory baking spice, and chocolate liqueur fill the flavor tank. The retrohale is divine. Almost 3” in and savory salty nougaty wood rest on the tongue. Graham cracker is still along for the ride. Rounding out the 2nd third, the ash has not fallen.” –Randy B. (randobush)

“A couple of minor transitions have taken place entering the second third however much of the flavors have remained unchanged. While the molasses and honey continue to dominate the palate, the hints of graham cracker have been replaced by the occasional glimpse of dried apricot and cherry. The cedar that once defined the finish has been replaced by a charred oak making for a finish that is certainly drier in comparison and now more bitter than spicy. The retro remains smooth but less interesting as the spice is beginning to fade.” –Noah S. (Noah)

Final Third

Flavor: 94
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Full

“The final third begins with a salted buttery, sweet cayenne, followed by cedar and baking spice on the retro. Ash fell when I finally told it to.” –Randy B. (randobush)

“In the final third, all the flavors remain the same with dark chocolate, vanilla and baking spice. There was an addition of black pepper that kicked back in right towards the end of the final third for a small flavor transition. The smoke did dry out a little bit, but still remain fairly smooth, and it did warm up a little bit, but still not hot.” –Angel M. (Angel)

Overall Impressions – E.P. Carrillo Allegiance Confidant

Draw: 95

“Just a sliver off the top and I'm getting a good draw, slightly on the loose side. Snugs up just a touch after the light up.” –Chris M. (Chris)

Burn: 97

“The burn is very good. It does have significant waivers and required one touchup, however, the rest of the cigar corrected itself as it went along.” –Angel M. (Angel)

Construction: 96

“I'll start with the end…The ash never fell until I was done with the cigar. I can say no more, but I will. Solid pack with no soft spots, stems, or blemishes. The cigar simply performed perfectly!” –Randy B. (randobush)

Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Full
Experience Overall: 95

“I really enjoyed this cigar. Right in my wheelhouse on flavors. The draw, burn, construction, were all admirable. I would hit this cigar up again and again.” –Randy B. (randobush)

“Overall, this was a superb cigar. I am partial to the particular flavors I was picking up. I do enjoy the chocolates and baking spices. I admit it was fairly one-dimensional with small transitions between each third, but considering they are flavors I enjoy, I was very happy with it. The strength did increase as I smoked starting off at a medium/full, and ending in my opinion at a full/strong cigar accompanied by a very small nicotine buzz. I am very curious to see what this is. I would definitely add this to my rotation.” –Angel M. (Angel)

“This wasn't the most complex I've had. However, the flavors were solid, and the construction impeccable. This would be an excellent cigar for a herf or barbecue. Genuinely enjoyable, and never needed attention.” –Chris M. (Chris)

“With a gambit of robust flavors that complimented one another exceptionally as well as a smoke that was creamy, smooth and mouthwatering, the first two thirds is certainly where this cigar shined! Even though the smoke remained incredibly smooth, the flavors flatlined entering the final third which made for a lackluster ending to an otherwise great cigar. Had the pleasant mix of flavors been consistent from start to finish my remarks would certainly have been a bit higher. I have a feeling that a loose roll is the most likely culprit for the sudden downturn as the temperature of the smoke quickly rose and the flavors almost immediately became acrid. I'd gladly give this smoke another shot as I'm sure the loose roll is just a fluke.” –Noah S. (Noah)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 68

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

E.P. Carrillo Allegiance Confidant – Blind Cigar Review