E.P. Carrillo · Encore
New WorldExperiencedE.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.
The short answer
The E.P. Carrillo Encore Valientes is a richer, medium-to-full smoke — a Dominican Republic toro with a Nicaraguan wrapper. Expect leather, coffee, and brown sugar.
Flavor profile
Earthy · Roast · Sweet · Spice
The verdict
The E.P. Carrillo Encore Valientes 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 × 52.
On the palate, expect leather, coffee, and brown sugar, leaning earthy. Plan on roughly 70 minutes from light to nub.
It pairs naturally with coffee, aged rum, and whiskey. If you're newer to cigars, work up to this one rather than starting here.
The Valientes is the broader 6 1/8 x 52 toro in E.P. Carrillo's Encore line, sharing the all-Nicaraguan blend that earned Cigar Aficionado's #1 Cigar of 2018 in the Majestic size. The extra ring gauge makes it the most leisurely smoke in the range.
What it tastes like
Like the rest of Encore, the Valientes is a Nicaraguan puro grown in Condega, Jalapa, and Esteli, with fillers aged in palm-bark tercios. The thicker format favors the cooler, sweeter side of the blend: leather and roasted coffee, brown-sugar sweetness, cedar, and a gentle red-pepper spice. The draw is generous and the smoke output rich, with a creamy, medium-full body that holds steady to the nub.
Who it's for
Ideal for experienced smokers who like a fuller ring gauge and have time to enjoy it. If you are weighing Nicaraguan blends against the Cuban classics, Cuban vs Nicaraguan cigars is a useful primer.
Prefer the award-winning original size? Reach for the Encore Majestic robusto, or the slimmer Encore Celestial toro. Track it in your humidor with the Casa DNC app.
Curious how it stacks up? See Cuban vs Nicaraguan cigars.
E.P. Carrillo Encore Valientes — frequently asked
- Is the E.P. Carrillo Encore Valientes 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 Valientes?
- The E.P. Carrillo Encore Valientes 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 Valientes taste like?
- Expect leather, coffee, and brown sugar, leaning earthy. Tasting notes are a guide — your palate may pick up more or less.
- What pairs well with the E.P. Carrillo Encore Valientes?
- It pairs well with coffee, aged rum, and whiskey. 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 Valientes?
- Plan on about 70 minutes for the toro — longer if you smoke slowly, which keeps it cool and tasting its best.
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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.
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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 Valientes head-to-head
See how E.P. Carrillo Encore Valientes stacks up against similar cigars — strength, flavor, and ratings.