Happy Saturday!
Well, when you read this it will be Monday so, Happy Monday!
I’m sorry I wasn’t able to get a review in last week, things were sort of crazy for me on a couple of levels. Hopefully I can redeem myself this week.
Its a beautiful 65 degrees and sunny in east Tennessee, which makes for a great day to sit out on the deck and have a cigar. The only problem is that I have yet
to purchase patio furniture. With that being said, its off to Alcoa for me.
The cigar I am reviewing today is the Smoking Joe’s Lounge Exclusive by E.P. Carrillo. The manager of Smoking Joe’s Alcoa, Tennessee said “here, smoke this” and handed me
one so I believe I will. These are the details on this cigar..
Pre-light
The first thing that I notice about this cigar is the wrapper. Its got a great, almost sand paper like feel to it. Fantastic construction, and a great black pepper note on the cold draw. The time for talk is done, the time to smoke is now.
First Third
This cigar starts off with very well balanced profile. I would call it a medium body for right now. Some of the pepper I expected is there, but not as pronounced as I thought. I’m getting a good bit of leathery characteristic when I retro-hale, and a slight bit of sweetness. Great start.
Second third
Honestly, not too much has changed. Very consistent and well balanced. The pepper is beginning to come through a little more on the retro-hale and the sweetness is subsiding. The ash fell at about the inch and a half mark, still great construction and perfect draw.
Halfway mark
Wow! The pepper has made its presence known. I retro-haled at just about the halfway point and thought my eyes were going to come out of my face. After a few more puffs though things calmed back down a little. The body has began to pick up, more towards the medium-full side.
Final third
Okay, so I’ve never thought I would say this about a cigar, but there is no other description. The only flavor I can think to describe this right now is grilled meat. The reason I say that is its a really savory, almost like a beef flavor. At the same time though, it has like a charcoal, roasted flavor. Its very different from many other cigars I’ve had. The strength is also now what I would say is a full bodied
cigar.
Conclusion
Awesome. Seriously, this is a great cigar. With a price tag of $8.49/stick this is going to be hard to beat in that price point for me. It has a great complexity, very unique flavors, great construction, and is just an all around great cigar.
Why are you still reading this? Go buy these now.
I hate Lounge Exclusives I normally don’t even read reviews on them cause I can’t get them… but when its an EPC stick…. well I just have to read it… Sounds like a great stick one I would love to smoke…. Grrrr
I have an easy solution for you, Corey. Drive down to Tennessee for the Chattanooga Tweet-Up in August. Smoking Joe’s is right not far off the route you would have to take…stop in and try one out…see if you want to buy a box or two. Then repeat that same process at Silo Cigars in Farragut as they have a My Father Lounge Exclusive that is just devastatingly good. 🙂
I’m taking this advice! Hopefully they still will have this cigar in August, but sounds like a great place to visit.
Dick!!! LOL sounds good and then I’ll just crash at your place hahaha
Great write-up, love the EPC stuff.
Sounds very enjoyable. Thanks for the review.
Thanks for the review, it sounds like an amazing stick!