Todays cigar is the EPC Pledge. After rearranging my humidor and tupperdors to make room for some new cigars, I decided to give this one another try. last one I had was during summer, and i only got to smoke half at a time due to having to help my in-laws. 

i have an open adternoon today, so im looking forward to an uninterrupted cigar. 

immediate notes are chocolate and leather. draw was a bit tighter than I prefer, but i can power thru this. 

the ash stayed bright white. 

the smoke output stayed volumous. 

During the first third, the lingering flavor after retrohaling reminds me of choclate cake mixed with tootsie rolls. kind of bready, but prevalant cocoa mix. 

This cigar is a bit more "oily" than "gassy". the flavors tend to coat your senses, rather than evaporate away. 

The first retrohale brought a bit of a burning spice, but quickly subsided. along the first third, the spice level is pretty mild. So far, the burn line is incredibly clean. Ive noticed that since I've dropped down to 65% RH Bovedas in my humi, there havent been nearly as many bad burns. 

My first chunk of ash dropped at about 1 3/8 of an inch. I make my way into the second third. 

A bit of spice picks up. I refresh my pallet with a bit of Strawberry dr Pepper (call me unrefined, but it goes so damn well with a good cigar). The chocolate is fading a bit on the front end, and is replaced with some oak notes. Theres still cocoa on the finish, however. 

I am reminded again that this is not a "dry" cigar, like some Connecticuts tend to dry out my mouth. I think the flavors are akin to a meaty steak causing a dog to salivate. 

Im appreciating the variety of notes and I hit midway thru. Its always nice when a cigar introduces itself pleasantly,  and then keeps from getting monotonous.  

As the burnline reaches the band, I remove it, only to remember that there is a primary and secondary band. the secondary comes off easily. the primary band is a bit more challenging. I'll wait a few more minutes for the burnline to reach it to warm up the glue. The Wrapper itself is pretty neat. two big tittied women doing some kind of important cigar shit in tobacco fields adorn the sides, while a blue and gold namesake strikes the center. classy. 

E.P Carillo. Im thinking of other EP's.. like Earnest P. Worrell. Also, ever notice how folks that go by two initials are always cool dudes? TS Elliot, MJ, etc.. If you're introduced to a two-initailed person, theres always like a bit of mystery. I assume its some badass shit, like they arent allowed to return to Indiana, and the wont say why.. 

Finally got the primary band off, and head into the final third. 

the cigar picks up some strength. there are more earthy notes now. still a decent cocoa on the retro. 

the spice is picking up to a medium level. The flavors of warm slightly sweet brown bread from Chesecake factory are there. 

Im not rushing this cigar, and its been pretty rewarding with the burn and the flavor notes. Have you all ever noticed if you hotbox a cigar too quickly how it because rather spoiled/sour. 

Midway in the final third I swear a had a hint of peppermint for a fleeting moment.  Maybe on just a puff or two. I aleays find it interesting when a cigar dramatically shifts flavor for a moment. like what is that!? Did some pepermint eating bug just happen to die on that leaf? Amazing that cigars are hand made from natural ingredients, and no two are ever alike. 

As I get closer to a nub, there is a brighter note, thats not quite citrus-y, but brighter than a floral note. hard to describe, but its like a spice that awakens your senses, but doesnt necessarily zap you. 

I finish the ciag with about 1 inch of a nub left. 

overall, i loved this smoke. very chocolatey, with nuances that morph throughout. This was a Robusto size, and lasted about 1 hour and 10 minutes. 

I look forward to smoking this again and sharing my stash with friends. the burn was perfect throughout,  and the draw eventually opened up decently by the midway point. I love me some cocoa cigars and this one is very similar to an Oliva Melanio Maduro. not quite the floral choclate of a Mi Amor, and definitely not the aromatics or strength of a Liga Privada no. 9. 

I'd rate this a 90. 

EPC Pledge review