E.P. Carrillo Encore cigar

E.P. Carrillo Encore is a premium cigar blend created by the legendary Ernesto Pérez-Carrillo Jr. The brand is originally from the United States, specifically Miami, Florida, where Ernesto Jr. founded EPC Cigar Co. in 2009 after his time leading El Credito and General Cigar.

While the Encore blend is a 'Nicaraguan Puro'—meaning all the tobacco used for the filler, binder, and wrapper is sourced from Nicaragua—the cigars themselves are handmade in the Dominican Republic. They are rolled at the family’s own factory, formerly known as Tabacalera La Alianza and recently rebranded as Casa Carrillo, located in Santiago.

The brand remains family-owned and operated. Ernesto Pérez-Carrillo Jr. serves as the master blender, working alongside his children, Ernesto III and Lissette. The ultimate owner company is EPC Cigar Co. LLC, which continues to maintain its independence as a boutique manufacturer known for its high-quality, award-winning cigars, including the Encore Majestic, which was named Cigar of the Year in 2018.