In a year when almost everything got overlooked, a dark, box-pressed robusto quietly took the top spot on Cigar Aficionado‘s Top 25 list. The E.P. Carrillo Pledge Prequel was named the No. 1 cigar of 2020, and it earned that spot against a field of far more heavily hyped releases.
Years later, it’s still one of the best autumn smokes you can put in your humidor. Here’s why. This is a research-based review, drawn from published reviews and the blend details released by E.P. Carrillo.
The Third Chapter of a Family Story
Pledge is the third brand in Ernesto Perez-Carrillo’s Perez-Carrillo Family Series. The first, La Historia, arrived in 2014 as a tribute to his family. The second, Encore, followed in 2016, and the Encore Majestic was named Cigar of the Year in 2018. Pledge launched in September 2020, and the Prequel took the title again.
The Blend
- Wrapper: Connecticut Habano (Cuban-seed tobacco grown in Connecticut)
- Binder: Ecuadorian
- Filler: Nicaraguan
- Factory: Tabacalera La Alianza, Santiago, Dominican Republic
- Vitola: Prequel, a soft box-pressed Robusto, 5 x 50
- Price: Launched at $10.75; expect roughly $11 to $13 today
The star is the wrapper. Connecticut Habano is a hallmark of Perez-Carrillo’s work, and it produces a dark, oily leaf with a lot of flavor.
Appearance and Construction
Reviewers describe a dark espresso-brown wrapper with a soft box-press, noticeable veins, and plenty of oil. It’s a firm cigar, but the draw reportedly stays open, with heavy smoke output and a steady burn.
What to Expect in the Smoke
Published reviews describe a cigar that starts with a bang and then settles into complexity:
- Pre-light: Cocoa nibs, leather, cedar, and hay.
- First third: Plenty of spice and black pepper, particularly on the retrohale, which fade fairly quickly.
- Middle: Cocoa, espresso, leather, and earth build, with a sweetness often compared to dark fruit.
- Final third: Warm baking-spice character, with a long, rich finish.
Cigar Aficionado called it the most “sublimely rich, structured and interesting” cigar it smoked all year. Strength is generally described as medium to full.
Who Should Smoke It
Experienced smokers who like rich, dessert-leaning cigars with a spicy edge. Give it a quiet hour and don’t rush it.
The Verdict
The Pledge Prequel earned its Cigar of the Year title on the strength of the blend rather than hype. At roughly the price of a nice sandwich, it’s one of the better values among top-rated cigars of the last decade.
Pairing Suggestion
It’s built for cooler weather. Try it with an aged rum, a good bourbon, or a bold espresso.