E.P. Carrillo · Encore
New WorldExperiencedE.P. Carrillo Encore Celestial
The toro of E.P. Carrillo's award-winning all-Nicaraguan Encore line — a 6 1/8 x 50 with leather, coffee, and brown-sugar sweetness over a longer smoke.
The short answer
The E.P. Carrillo Encore Celestial is a richer, medium-to-full smoke — a Dominican Republic toro with a Nicaraguan wrapper. Expect leather, coffee, and cedar. Critics rate it 96/100.
Flavor profile
Earthy · Roast · Sweet · Spice
Critic ratings
Cigar Aficionado
2024
96/100
Scores as published by each reviewer. Casa DNC aggregates third-party ratings; we don't score cigars ourselves.
The verdict
The E.P. Carrillo Encore Celestial is a richer, medium-to-full smoke from E.P. Carrillo's Encore line. It's a Dominican Republic (New World) toro wrapped in Nicaraguan at 6.125 in × 50.
On the palate, expect leather, coffee, and cedar, leaning earthy. Plan on roughly 70 minutes from light to nub.
It's well regarded: Cigar Aficionado rated it 96/100 in 2024. It pairs naturally with coffee, aged rum, and bourbon. If you're newer to cigars, work up to this one rather than starting here.
The Celestial is the 6 1/8 x 50 toro in E.P. Carrillo's Encore line, the same blend that won Cigar Aficionado's #1 Cigar of 2018 in its Majestic size. The toro gives the Nicaraguan tobacco more room to stretch out.
What it tastes like
Encore is a Nicaraguan puro: wrapper, binder, and filler all grown in Nicaragua's Condega, Jalapa, and Esteli regions, with fillers aged in palm-bark tercios for slow humidification. Expect leather, roasted coffee, and cedar laced with brown-sugar sweetness and a measured pepper spice. The longer toro format keeps the body in the medium-full range while smoothing out the transitions, finishing creamy and balanced.
Who it's for
A strong pick for experienced smokers who want an award-pedigree Nicaraguan blend in a relaxed, hour-plus smoke. Its sweet-and-spicy balance also makes it a good gateway into fuller cigars; our cigar strength guide puts medium-full in context.
Short on time? The Encore Majestic robusto is the original award winner, and the Encore Valientes is a thicker 6 1/8 x 52. Log and rate it in the Casa DNC app.
Curious how it stacks up? See Cuban vs Nicaraguan cigars.
E.P. Carrillo Encore Celestial — frequently asked
- Is the E.P. Carrillo Encore Celestial a good cigar for beginners?
- Ease into it. The fuller body can be a lot for a first-timer, so it's better once you've built up a little tolerance.
- How strong is the E.P. Carrillo Encore Celestial?
- The E.P. Carrillo Encore Celestial is Medium-Full-bodied. Strength is about body and nicotine rather than flavor, so eat something first and take it slow if you're sensitive.
- What does the E.P. Carrillo Encore Celestial taste like?
- Expect leather, coffee, and cedar, leaning earthy. Tasting notes are a guide — your palate may pick up more or less.
- What is the E.P. Carrillo Encore Celestial's rating?
- Published critic scores: Cigar Aficionado 96/100 (2024). Casa DNC aggregates third-party ratings and doesn't score cigars itself.
- What pairs well with the E.P. Carrillo Encore Celestial?
- It pairs well with coffee, aged rum, and bourbon. As a rule, match the drink's intensity to the cigar's medium-full body.
- How long does it take to smoke the E.P. Carrillo Encore Celestial?
- Plan on about 70 minutes for the toro — longer if you smoke slowly, which keeps it cool and tasting its best.
More cigars like this
E.P. Carrillo
Medium-FullE.P. Carrillo Encore Majestic
Cigar Aficionado's #1 Cigar of 2018 — an all-Nicaraguan Encore in a 5 3/8 x 52 format, balancing leather, red pepper, and brown-sugar sweetness.
E.P. Carrillo
Medium-FullE.P. Carrillo Encore Valientes
A thick 6 1/8 x 52 toro in E.P. Carrillo's award-winning all-Nicaraguan Encore line, with leather, coffee, and brown sugar in a slower, fuller smoke.
E.P. Carrillo
Medium-FullE.P. Carrillo INCH Maduro No. 64
The maduro version of E.P. Carrillo's namesake 6 1/8 x 64 INCH — a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper bringing cocoa, coffee, and sweet spice to the big-ring blend.
E.P. Carrillo Encore Celestial head-to-head
See how E.P. Carrillo Encore Celestial stacks up against similar cigars — strength, flavor, and ratings.