E.P. Carrillo Encore Valientes

The E.P. Carrillo Encore Valientes is a sophisticated box-pressed torpedo from Ernesto Perez-Carrillo's acclaimed Encore collection. Measuring 6 1/8 x 52, the Valientes showcases an entirely Nicaraguan tobacco blend handcrafted at Tabacalera La Alianza in the Dominican Republic.

Encore is celebrated for combining Nicaraguan tobaccos from the country's premier growing regions with extended aging and traditional techniques. The Valientes delivers a balanced medium-bodied experience characterized by natural tobacco sweetness, fruit, baking spice, black pepper and earth.

Cigar Information

• Brand: E.P. Carrillo
• Line: Encore
• Vitola: Valientes
• Size: 6 1/8 x 52
• Shape: Box-Pressed Torpedo
• Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
• Factory: Tabacalera La Alianza
• Wrapper: Nicaraguan
• Binder: Nicaraguan
• Filler: Nicaraguan
• Blend: Nicaraguan Puro
• Strength: Medium
• Body: Medium
• Construction: Handmade Premium Long Filler / Box-Pressed
• Box Count: 20 Cigars

Flavor Profile

The Encore Valientes opens with an inviting combination of natural tobacco, fruit sweetness, black pepper, baking spices and earth. The fruity sweetness is particularly noticeable early in the cigar, creating an elegant contrast with the pepper and spice.

As the cigar progresses, the sweeter fruit character gradually recedes while earth, pepper and baking spice become more prominent. The final portion emphasizes earthy tobacco and pepper while retaining the balance and refinement for which Encore is known.

Ratings & Reviews

The exact E.P. Carrillo Encore Valientes received a strong 90-point rating from Cigar Coop. The publication highlighted its natural tobacco, fruit, baking spice, black pepper and earth flavors while giving particularly high marks to its construction, including an excellent burn and draw.

90 Points – Cigar Coop

Cigar Coop characterized both the strength and body as medium and concluded that the Valientes remained an excellent expression of the Encore blend.

Read Cigar Coop's 90-Point Encore Valientes Review

Award-Winning Encore Collection

The Valientes belongs to the same Encore family that achieved one of the cigar industry's most prestigious honors when the Encore Majestic received 96 points and was named Cigar Aficionado's #1 Cigar of the Year for 2018. That distinction belongs specifically to the Majestic vitola and should not be confused with a rating for the Valientes.

The Valientes earned recognition of its own when it was selected as Cigar of the Year by Bear Duplisea of Prime Time Special Edition, further demonstrating the critical success of the Encore blend across multiple sizes.

Box of 20 Cigars

The E.P. Carrillo Encore Valientes is presented in boxes of 20 cigars. Its elegant packaging, distinctive box-pressed torpedo format and association with the award-winning Encore collection make the Valientes a strong premium selection for cigar retailers and enthusiasts.

Highlights

• Created by legendary cigarmaker Ernesto Perez-Carrillo.
• 6 1/8 x 52 box-pressed torpedo.
• Handcrafted in the Dominican Republic.
• Nicaraguan wrapper.
• Nicaraguan binder.
• Nicaraguan filler.
• All-Nicaraguan tobacco blend.
• Medium strength and medium body.
• Tobacco receives additional aging using traditional tercios.
• Notes of natural tobacco, fruit, baking spice, black pepper and earth.
• 90 Points – Cigar Coop.
• Valientes was recognized as a Cigar of the Year selection by Bear Duplisea.
• Part of the Encore collection whose Majestic was Cigar Aficionado's #1 Cigar of 2018.
• 20 cigars per box.

Manufacturer

E.P. Carrillo is led by master cigarmaker Ernesto Perez-Carrillo and the Perez-Carrillo family. Encore is one of the company's signature premium collections and demonstrates Perez-Carrillo's approach to combining carefully selected Nicaraguan tobacco with traditional aging and Dominican cigar-making craftsmanship.