EP Carrillo Encore Majestic Review

The E.P. Carrillo Encore Majestic is one of those cigars that carries real weight before you ever light it. Rated 96 points by Cigar Aficionado and named Cigar of the Year in 2018, the Carrillo Encore Majestic earned its place at the top of the industry. For many smokers, the Perez Carrillo Encore became the benchmark for what a modern Nicaraguan blend could be.

But awards fade. Rankings change. New releases steal attention. The real question for this E.P. Carrillo Encore Majestic review is simple: Does this cigar still deserve the reputation it built?

I carved out about an hour on the back deck just before the evening slowed down for this cigar review. Grill plans were waiting. This was the reward beforehand, not something rushed, but something you make time for. I wanted to see if the Encore Majestic still performs the way people remember.

Cigar Details & Blend Breakdown

Profile: Medium+

Wrapper: Nicaraguan (reddish-brown, sun-grown appearance)

Binder: Nicaragua binder

Filler: Nicaraguan tobaccos from Estelí, Condega, and Jalapa

Factory: Tabacalera La Alianza

Sizes Available: Four vitolas named after Ernesto Perez Carrillo Jr.’s grandchildren: El Futuro (Robusto 5 x 50), Majestic (Robusto 5 3/8 x 52), Celestial (Toro 6.1 x 50), El Primero (Churchill 6 7/8 x 54), Valientes (Torpedo 6.1 x 52)

Notable Feature: EPC’s first Nicaraguan puro, made entirely from Nicaraguan tobaccos

Flavor Highlights: Cedar, roasted nuts, leather, baking spice, white pepper, earth, subtle vanilla

Price Point: Typically around $13-14 per cigar and around $12-13 when bought in boxes of 20

The Legacy of Ernesto Perez Carrillo & the Encore Majestic

Before the Carrillo Encore Majestic ever existed, Ernesto Perez Carrillo was building his reputation in Miami. After taking over his father’s El Credito Cigar Co. in 1980, Ernesto transformed La Gloria Cubana into one of the hottest brands of the 1990s.

As a Cuban-born cigar maker operating out of Miami, he reshaped how bold cigars were perceived in the U.S. market. Eventually, La Gloria was sold to General Cigar, but Ernesto wasn’t finished.

In 2009, Perez Carrillo launched EPC Cigar Co. alongside his children, including Lissette Perez Carrillo, who plays a major role in branding and development. The Encore became part of what many consider the modern family series, a continuation of the legacy in a new chapter.

The Encore name reflects that musical encore concept. One last song. One final performance. But instead of a curtain call, this cigar became a headline act.

The E.P. Carrillo Encore Majestic was awarded 96 points by Cigar Aficionado and named Cigar of the Year. Later, the Pledge Prequel would also earn a #1 spot, making Ernesto Perez Carrillo one of the few in the industry with multiple number one cigars. The man knows tobacco better than most in the industry.

Why the Encore Majestic Was Named Cigar of the Year

When the Perez Carrillo Encore Majestic was named Cigar of the Year by Cigar Aficionado, it wasn’t simply hype around a new release. The company, referring to this blend as a true encore performance, wasn’t exaggerating. The flavor profile showed remarkable balance and maturity that reflected decades of experience from Ernesto Perez Carrillo, a former musician turned master blender.

The Encore followed the success of La Historia, and many smokers compare the La Historia Encore lineage when discussing how the brand evolved. While La Historia delivered bold richness, the Carrillo Encore Majestic offered a more refined and balanced take on Nicaraguan tobaccos. In many ways, it felt like an important family member in the EPC portfolio, not louder than La Historia, but confident in its own right.

The Perez Carrillo banner on the primary band and the cream colored ribbon design details reinforce the celebratory tone. Even the secondary band marked “Encore” ties back to that musical tie-in theme. And yes, Ernesto Perez Carrillo’s daughter, Lissette Perez Carrillo, has spoken about how much intention went into the branding and presentation of this cigar.

Cold Draw & First Impressions

Before lighting, the wrapper on the Encore Majestic immediately stands out. The reddish-brown wrapper leaf shows fine veins with a slightly oily texture, hinting at the richness to come. The presentation feels elegant, from the Perez Carrillo banner to the secondary band; everything about this cigar suggests care in the details.

The aroma off the wrapper delivered light cedar and natural sweetness. On the cold draw, roasted nuts came forward right away, cashew and almond, layered with faint leather underneath. There’s a subtle baking spice note even before first light, giving you a preview of the flavor profile.

In hand, the box-pressed shape gives the cigar a structured, confident feel. There was a slight resistance on the draw, but nothing concerning. It actually added to my anticipation.

Knowing this is a Nicaraguan puro fermented in tercios wrapped in royal palm leaves, you expect depth, and I was so curious to find out. The tobacco held in that fermentation process clearly develops character, and even before lighting, time to light!

First Third: Sweet Cedar and Cream

Once lit, the first third of the E.P. Carrillo Encore Majestic opened with roasted almonds and cedar almost immediately. The nuttiness, somewhere between cashew and almond, felt natural, not too sweet. It tasted like well-aged tobacco doing what it’s supposed to do and doing a damn good job of it.

The smoke was rich and dense without feeling overly heavy. It coated the palate in a way that made you slow down a bit, whether you meant to or not. Baking spice sat underneath the cedar, with a gentle sweetness keeping everything in balance. And just a touch of white pepper showed up on the retrohale.

Second Third: Rich Earth and Black Pepper Build

As the cigar moved into the second third, deeper earth and leather began to take the lead. The rich earth profile expanded while the spice leaned slightly darker. Not overpowering, just more present. A subtle vanilla sweetness lingered in the background, softening the heavier notes and keeping the blend from becoming one-dimensional.

This is where the Carrillo Encore Majestic started to separate itself. A lot of cigars get a bit louder in the middle. This stayed incredibly smooth. The second third was just as enjoyable as the first and equally dependable.

Final Third: Strength, Structure, and Encore Performance

In the final third, the E.P. Carrillo Encore Majestic leaned slightly more into the strength. The pepper intensified just a bit, while leather and earth became more dominant. The sweetness from earlier transitioned into a faint creaminess that lingered on the palate.

The cigar stayed balanced, and while the body nudged toward medium-plus, it never became overpowering. The final third highlighted why the Carrillo Encore Majestic stands in its own right as a Cigar of the Year winner.

The complexity remained intact through the last inch. Even as the second half built in depth, the blend retained control and composure.

Construction, Burn, and Draw Performance

Construction on this box-pressed cigar was mostly strong, though I did experience a slightly wavy burn that required a small touch-up. It wasn’t a huge deal, but it’s worth mentioning.

The draw had a slight resistance, which can happen with box-pressed formats from time to time. I’ve had tighter draws on other cigars and was happy that it didn't cause any issues.

Ash held well, and smoke production stayed consistent through the hour. Aside from the minor correction, the overall performance reflected careful craftsmanship. For a cigar at this level, expectations are pretty high. The Encore Majestic didn’t completely miss the mark; it just wasn’t flawless.

Price & Value

The Carrillo Encore Majestic sits firmly in premium territory, typically landing around $13–14 per cigar, and closer to $12–13 when purchased in boxes of 20. That puts it in line with other top-tier releases that have earned major recognition.

For a box pressed, all-Nicaraguan blend made at Tabacalera La Alianza with a Nicaragua binder and carefully fermented Nicaraguan tobaccos, that pricing makes sense. This isn’t an entry-level cigar, but it’s not positioned out of reach either.

You’re not just paying for a rating. You’re paying for craftsmanship, a deliberate fermentation process using royal palm leaves, and a blend that continues to deliver layered character year after year.

In my sample, the slightly wavy burn cost it a few points, but the overall experience still reflected an award-winning cigar. For smokers who value balance, depth, and consistent smoke output, the price feels fair, especially at box pricing.

Is the Carrillo Encore Majestic Still Worth It?

So does the Perez Carrillo Encore still deserve its reputation? Yes, but not just because of a 96 rating. The balance between cedar, cream, roasted nuts, sweetness, and earth still holds up. The smoke stays rich without becoming overpowering. The structure keeps it interesting without demanding your full attention.

This isn’t a brute-force cigar; it doesn’t rely on strength alone to impress. If you’ve never smoked the Encore Majestic, it’s worth experiencing at least once. If you already have it, it’s the kind of cigar that earns a repeat spot in the humidor.

Pairing Suggestions for the Encore Majestic

The Encore Majestic pairs well with black coffee, especially something slightly nutty or medium roast. The cream and sweetness in the blend complement coffee beautifully.

If you prefer spirits, a mild bourbon or light rum works well without overpowering the flavor profile. The balance of smoke, cedar, and subtle cream allows the flavors to stay front and center without fighting your drink.

This cigar also works as a late afternoon or early evening reward, like mine on the back deck before firing up the grill.

Ratings Breakdown

(Roughly equivalent to a 90–92 on the traditional 100-point cigar scale.)

The flavor profile and balance carry this cigar. While the burn required a minor touch-up, the blend, wrapper performance, and smoke production still delivered a memorable experience.

Final Verdict on the E.P. Carrillo Encore Majestic

Ultimately, the E.P. Carrillo Encore Majestic remains a good cigar that rewards patience. The flavors evolve naturally, the medium strength keeps it approachable, and the balance between sweetness, earth, and spice keeps your taste buds engaged from first light to final third.

It may not have delivered a flawless burn in my experience, but the blend itself still performs at a high level. This is the kind of cigar you reach for when you want something proven and reliable, something you know will show up.

If you want to experience it for yourself, you can grab the E.P. Carrillo Encore Majestic right here at After Action Cigars. If you’re exploring the brand more broadly, check out our full E.P. Carrillo cigar selection to compare blends like La Historia and Pledge. And if you’re building out your humidor, you can browse our full lineup of premium cigars for sale.