E.P. Carrillo · Pledge
New WorldExperiencedE.P. Carrillo Pledge Prequel
Cigar Aficionado's #1 Cigar of 2020 — a dark, box-pressed robusto with a Connecticut Havana-seed wrapper, layering black pepper, cocoa, and espresso.
The short answer
The E.P. Carrillo Pledge Prequel is a richer, medium-to-full smoke — a Dominican Republic robusto with a Connecticut Havana seed wrapper. Expect black pepper, dark cocoa, and espresso. Critics rate it 98/100.
Flavor profile
Spice · Sweet · Roast · Fruity
Critic ratings
Cigar Aficionado
2020
98/100
Scores as published by each reviewer. Casa DNC aggregates third-party ratings; we don't score cigars ourselves.
The verdict
The E.P. Carrillo Pledge Prequel is a richer, medium-to-full smoke from E.P. Carrillo's Pledge line. It's a Dominican Republic (New World) robusto wrapped in Connecticut Havana seed at 5 in × 50.
On the palate, expect black pepper, dark cocoa, and espresso, leaning spice. Plan on roughly 55 minutes from light to nub.
It's well regarded: Cigar Aficionado rated it 98/100 in 2020. It pairs naturally with espresso, aged rum, and bourbon. If you're newer to cigars, work up to this one rather than starting here.
When Ernesto Perez-Carrillo set out to honor his late father, the result was Pledge, and the Prequel is the soft box-pressed robusto that carried the line to Cigar Aficionado's #1 Cigar of the Year in 2020. It is, simply, one of the most celebrated cigars of the past decade.
What it tastes like
Under a dark, oily Connecticut Havana-seed wrapper sits an Ecuadorian binder and aged Nicaraguan fillers. The smoke opens with zesty spicy oak, licorice, and black cherry, then settles into a richer middle of dark cocoa, espresso beans, and chocolate-covered almonds. The body builds from medium toward medium-full, with a peppery, full-bodied finish that coats the whole palate. It is a complex, layered smoke that rewards slowing down.
Who it's for
This is a cigar for experienced smokers who want flavor with weight behind it. If you are still building toward fuller blends, our cigar strength guide explains where medium-full lands. The Nicaraguan-Dominican filler also makes it a great study in how those tobaccos differ from a pure Cuban blend, which we break down in Cuban vs Nicaraguan cigars.
Want the same blend in a longer format? Try the Pledge Sojourn toro. Log it and rate it in the Casa DNC app.
Curious how it stacks up? See Maduro vs Connecticut wrappers.
E.P. Carrillo Pledge Prequel — frequently asked
- Is the E.P. Carrillo Pledge Prequel 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 Pledge Prequel?
- The E.P. Carrillo Pledge Prequel 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 Pledge Prequel taste like?
- Expect black pepper, dark cocoa, and espresso, leaning spice. Tasting notes are a guide — your palate may pick up more or less.
- What is the E.P. Carrillo Pledge Prequel's rating?
- Published critic scores: Cigar Aficionado 98/100 (2020). Casa DNC aggregates third-party ratings and doesn't score cigars itself.
- What pairs well with the E.P. Carrillo Pledge Prequel?
- It pairs well with espresso, 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 Pledge Prequel?
- Plan on about 55 minutes for the robusto — longer if you smoke slowly, which keeps it cool and tasting its best.
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E.P. Carrillo Pledge Prequel head-to-head
See how E.P. Carrillo Pledge Prequel stacks up against similar cigars — strength, flavor, and ratings.