E.P. Carrillo Ascend Ridge

The E.P. Carrillo Ascend Ridge is the 6 x 52 Toro from Ascend, a new regular-production collection introduced by Casa Carrillo in 2026. Created by legendary master blender Ernesto Perez-Carrillo, Ascend was developed around the concept of progression—a cigar designed to evolve in flavor and complexity throughout the smoking experience.

Handcrafted at the Casa Carrillo factory in Santiago, Dominican Republic, the Ridge combines an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper with a Nicaraguan binder from Estelí and Nicaraguan filler tobaccos. The result is a medium-strength cigar with a rich progression of cedar, nuts, cocoa, coffee, earth, pepper and natural sweetness.

Cigar Information

• Brand: E.P. Carrillo / Perez-Carrillo
• Line: Ascend
• Vitola: Ridge
• Size: 6 x 52
• Shape: Pressed Toro
• Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
• Factory: Casa Carrillo, Santiago
• Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
• Binder: Nicaraguan – Estelí
• Filler: Nicaraguan
• Strength: Medium
• Production: Regular Production
• Box Count: 20 Cigars
• Release: 2026

Flavor Profile

The Ascend Ridge was blended to develop progressively rather than deliver a static flavor profile. Its Ecuadorian Habano wrapper and Nicaraguan interior tobaccos produce a rich combination of cedar, roasted nuts, earth, cocoa, espresso and baking spices, accompanied by pepper and underlying natural sweetness.

An independent review of the exact Ridge found additional nuances of dark chocolate, almonds, creamy cedar, vanilla, cinnamon, cashews, leather and coffee. Red pepper and a graham-cracker-like sweetness became particularly noticeable as the cigar developed.

Ratings & Reviews

The exact Perez-Carrillo Ascend Ridge 6 x 52 was reviewed by halfwheel in September 2026 and received an 88-point rating.

88 Points – halfwheel – September 2026

The review found the strongest examples particularly complex, highlighting combinations of cedar, creamy cashews, cocoa, coffee, baking spices, red pepper and sweetness. Strength remained around medium, while the cigars produced substantial flavor and excellent draw performance.

Box of 20 Cigars

The E.P. Carrillo Ascend Ridge is packaged in boxes of 20 cigars. As a regular-production release, Ascend expands the core Perez-Carrillo Series rather than serving as a one-time limited edition.

Highlights

• New 2026 release from Ernesto Perez-Carrillo.
• Part of the prestigious Perez-Carrillo Series.
• 6 x 52 pressed Toro.
• Ecuadorian Habano wrapper.
• Nicaraguan Estelí binder.
• Nicaraguan filler.
• Handcrafted at Casa Carrillo in Santiago, Dominican Republic.
• Medium strength with an evolving flavor profile.
• Notes of cedar, cocoa, nuts, coffee, earth, pepper and natural sweetness.
• Designed around the concept of progression throughout the smoke.
• 88 Points – halfwheel.
• Regular production.
• 20 cigars per box.

Manufacturer

Casa Carrillo is the home of legendary master blender Ernesto Perez-Carrillo. Ascend expands the Perez-Carrillo Series with a blend built around progression, balance and discovery, offering a contemporary expression of the blending philosophy behind some of the Carrillo family's most acclaimed cigars.