E.P. Carrillo · Encore
New WorldExperiencedE.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.
The short answer
The E.P. Carrillo Encore Majestic is a richer, medium-to-full smoke — a Dominican Republic robusto extra with a Nicaraguan wrapper. Expect leather, red pepper, and brown sugar. Critics rate it 96/100.
Flavor profile
Earthy · Spice · Sweet · Roast
Critic ratings
Cigar Aficionado
2018
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 Majestic is a richer, medium-to-full smoke from E.P. Carrillo's Encore line. It's a Dominican Republic (New World) robusto extra wrapped in Nicaraguan at 5.375 in × 52.
On the palate, expect leather, red pepper, and brown sugar, leaning earthy. Plan on roughly 60 minutes from light to nub.
It's well regarded: Cigar Aficionado rated it 96/100 in 2018. 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 Encore Majestic earned E.P. Carrillo its second Cigar of the Year crown, topping Cigar Aficionado's list in 2018 with a 96-point score. It is a puro-style, all-Nicaraguan blend in a stout 5 3/8 x 52 vitola that drinks like a refined everyday luxury.
What it tastes like
Encore uses Nicaraguan tobacco for the wrapper, binder, and filler, sourced from the volcanic regions of Condega, Jalapa, and Esteli. The fillers are aged in tercios, where leaves are bundled in palm bark for a slow, two-way humidification. The payoff is a smooth, spicy-sweet profile: leather and red pepper balanced by brown sugar, roasted coffee, and cedar. Strength reads medium, but the body pushes into medium-full territory with a creamy, polished finish.
Who it's for
Great for smokers who want an award-winning Nicaraguan blend without going full-bodied. If you mostly smoke Cuban-style cigars, this is a flavorful introduction to what Nicaraguan tobacco does differently, explained in Cuban vs Nicaraguan cigars.
For a longer smoke in the same line, the Encore Celestial is a 6 1/8 x 50 toro. Add it to your humidor and rate it in the Casa DNC app.
Curious how it stacks up? See Cuban vs Nicaraguan cigars.
E.P. Carrillo Encore Majestic — frequently asked
- Is the E.P. Carrillo Encore Majestic 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 Majestic?
- The E.P. Carrillo Encore Majestic 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 Majestic taste like?
- Expect leather, red pepper, and brown sugar, leaning earthy. Tasting notes are a guide — your palate may pick up more or less.
- What is the E.P. Carrillo Encore Majestic's rating?
- Published critic scores: Cigar Aficionado 96/100 (2018). Casa DNC aggregates third-party ratings and doesn't score cigars itself.
- What pairs well with the E.P. Carrillo Encore Majestic?
- 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 Majestic?
- Plan on about 60 minutes for the robusto extra — 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 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.
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 Majestic head-to-head
See how E.P. Carrillo Encore Majestic stacks up against similar cigars — strength, flavor, and ratings.