E.P. Carrillo La Historia Cigar Review
E.P. Carrillo La Historia is one of those cigars that immediately feels intentional. It does not smoke like a random maduro blend built only for strength. It smokes like a cigar with memory, weight, and identity. The name itself, La Historia, fits perfectly because the cigar feels like a tribute cigar, something personal from Ernesto Pérez-Carrillo, not just another box pressed release.
The blend uses a dark Mexican San Andrés wrapper, Ecuadorian Sumatra binder, and Nicaraguan filler, made in the Dominican Republic. It is medium to full bodied, box pressed, and known for its rich profile of cocoa, coffee, earth, pepper, wood, and subtle sweetness. Cigar Aficionado named the E-III No. 2 Cigar of the Year in 2014, and the blend has continued to be respected for its bold flavor and balance.
Visually, La Historia looks serious. The wrapper is dark, oily, and rustic, with that classic San Andrés character. It is not trying to look delicate or overly polished. It looks rich, earthy, and handmade in the best way. The box press gives it a premium feel in the hand, and the cigar usually has a dense, firm construction without feeling overpacked.
The cold draw usually gives hints of cocoa, dark earth, espresso, and a little natural sweetness. Once lit, the cigar opens with a strong earthy core. The first third brings dark chocolate, black coffee, toasted wood, and pepper. The pepper is present, but it does not dominate. It gives the cigar structure. What makes La Historia special is that the sweetness and bitterness stay balanced. You get that deep maduro richness, but it never turns syrupy or flat.
In the second third, the cigar becomes smoother and more elegant. The coffee note deepens into roasted espresso. The cocoa becomes more like bittersweet chocolate. There is also a leathery, woody quality that gives the cigar maturity. This is where La Historia really shows its quality. It has strength, but it is not just strong. It has body, texture, and control.
The final third becomes heavier and more intense. The earth, coffee, oak, pepper, and dark chocolate come forward. A subtle sweetness remains on the finish, which keeps the cigar from becoming harsh. For my taste, this is the part where La Historia feels most satisfying, especially if smoked slowly.
The burn and draw can vary a little depending on the vitola, and some reviewers have noted occasional draw or burn inconsistency, but when the cigar is performing well, it gives a long, rich, rewarding smoke.
This cigar pairs beautifully with espresso, black coffee, aged rum, bourbon, or a dark chocolate dessert. I would not pair it with something too sweet because the cigar already has enough natural sweetness. It works best with something that supports the coffee, cocoa, and oak notes.
Overall, E.P. Carrillo La Historia is a cigar for someone who likes depth, richness, and character. It is not a light casual smoke. It is a cigar you sit with. It has a serious maduro profile, but it remains balanced and refined. For me, La Historia is one of Pérez-Carrillo’s best cigars because it delivers exactly what I want from a premium maduro: dark flavor, complexity, strength, sweetness, and elegance without losing its edge.
Rating: 96/100
Best for: evening smoke, coffee pairing, bourbon pairing, slow relaxed smoking
Strength: medium full
Flavor profile: cocoa, espresso, earth, oak, leather, black pepper, dark sweetness
Final verdict: A rich, elegant, deeply satisfying maduro that deserves its reputation.
