Let's talk about the beast that is the EP Carrillo INCH Maduro No 70 - a 7-inch monster with 70 ring gauge that makes other "gordo" cigars look tame. This Nicaraguan-Dominican hybrid comes packed in boxes of 24, dressed in oily Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper that'll stain your fingers with earthy goodness. The construction? Flawless. The smoke output? Like a steam engine. For big-ring aficionados who thought massive vitolas sacrifice flavor, this cigar spits in the face of convention.
Initial punches of black coffee grounds and bitter cocoa dominate. The broad leaf wrapper contributes damp earth notes that linger on the palate. Smoke feels dense but not harsh - impressive for such thick construction. Retrohale brings white pepper tingle without the sneeze reflex.
Sweetness emerges through caramelized walnut tones. Nicaraguan Criollo filler shows its teeth with baking spices - think cinnamon stick rubbed on cedar plank. Burn line holds razor-straight despite the massive girth. Ash drops voluntarily at 2-inch intervals.
Leather and mineral notes take over as combustion reaches the band. Draw tightens slightly but never plugs. Nicotine buildup becomes noticeable around the 100-minute mark - rookie smokers might want to bail here. Seasoned veterans push through to discover hidden hickory smoke nuances.
Rolled at Tabacalera La Alianza in Santiago, DR using Ernesto's signature "triple fermentation" technique. The San Andrés Maduro wrapper undergoes 24-month barrel-aging - you can taste the fermentation depth in every puff. What's shocking is how well the 70-ring format maintains combustion integrity given the multi-national filler blend (Dominican Pilato Cubano + Nicaraguan Viso).
