The EP Carrillo New Wave Connecticut Brillantes (5" x 50) arrives as a box of 20 stogies priced around $130, packing Nicaraguan guts in a creamy Ecuadorian wrapper that'll make you question typical Connecticut shade cigars. While sporting mild-medium strength perfect for morning coffee sessions, this award-winner with its 91 Cigar Aficionado rating throws spicy uppercuts behind that peachy exterior - think cinnamon twists meeting cashew butter during your golf round wind-down. Four sizes exist but this 5-incher's the Goldilocks pick for humidor regulars wanting complexity without commitment.
The initial puffs deliver black pepper crackle through the nose while the tongue gets brown sugar sweetness. Compact ash holds strong for 15+ minutes, though tight rollers might need a perfect draw tool. That peachy wrapper shines under direct light while oozing cashew butter vibes - creamy but with cinnamon stick edges that prevent blandness.
At the halfway mark, white pepper replaces black while toasted biscuit notes emerge. Retrohales get smoother with vanilla undertones balancing the heat. Smoke output increases noticeably, creating satisfying mouthfuls that linger without overwhelming. The burn line stays razor-sharp if you pace at 60-second intervals.
Approaching the nub, mineral tones creep in alongside damp cedar. Novices should stop before the last inch as nicotine creep gets real. Tar buildup stays minimal compared to most Nic puros. That Ecuadorian wrapper finally shows earthy depth - imagine licking a river stone after rain, minus the grit.
