The E.P. Carrillo Short Run is back for another year. First, a quick look back at the “Short Run 2010.”

The Short Run 2010 production was approximately 108,000 cigars featuring an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper, Nicaraguan Criollo binder, and Nicaraguan and Dominican filler

The Short Run 2011 shares a couple of similarities with its 2010 counterpart. It is still offered in three sizes and vitolas, but the names have changed. This year’s sizes and names are:

• Bombones — (4 7/8 x 50)
• Cañonazos — (5 7/8 x 52)
• Inmensos — (6 1/4 x 60)

The biggest change for the Short Run 2011 is the use of an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper (as opposed to Ecuadorian Sumatra for the 2010 version). I reached out to Ernesto, and he had this to say about the Short Run 2011:

For this production we used a tobacco from a new area in Nicaragua, before you reach Jalapa. The blend is different in many ways than 2010, starting with the wrapper as the focus point. Although it is being used a lot, in the Short Run I think we gave it a different twist than what is out there now.

Just like the 2010 release, this year’s release will be sold in 24 count boxes with MSRP from $6.35 to $8.50. The Short Run 2011 production run is lower, with a total of only 74,000 cigars rolled, and split evenly between the vitolas.

Here is photo that shows the The Ecuadorian Habano wrapper on the 2011 release (left) is several shades darker than the Sumatra on the 2010 (right)…

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Enough background. Let’s see how the Short Run 2011 stacks up:

• Cigar Reviewed: E.P. Carrillo Short Run 2011 Cañonazos
• Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
• Factory: Tabacalera La Alianza S.A.
• Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
• Binder: Nicaraguan
• Filler: Nicaraguan and Dominican Republic
• Size: 5 7/8 Inches
• Ring Gauge: 52
• MSRP: $7.10 (Boxes of 24, $170.40)
• Release Date: June 2011
• Production Numbers: 1,028 Boxes of 24 Cigars (24,672 Total Cigars)
• Cigars Smoke for Review: 4

The wrapper on the 2011 has a moderate amount of veining and is mostly smooth, with a small amount of oil visible. The wrapper smells like leather with a slight spice note present. At the foot, the primary smell is manure with some dry hay. The cold draw reveals some earth and the distinct taste of raisins.

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After a quick light, the cigar initially reveals a core of mild to medium spice, raisin sweetness and a citric acidity. The spice is definitely more pronounced in the nose, and there is a cedar element that doesn’t come through on the palate. The smoke is medium in body, with a lingering finish. The most striking thing, at this point, is how well the various components are balanced.

Entering the Second third of the cigar, the burn is wavering but doesn’t need any correcting. The flavors are mostly the same, although the spice is increasing and also taking on a peppery flavor. There is also roasted cashew flavor that has appeared very lightly on the finish.

In the Final third, the spice continues to increase and the sweetness has faded and given way to a more earthy/woody core. The burn self corrected, but the wrapper did have a mini explosion after I removed the band. Despite the cracking of the wrapper, the performance was not affected. All in all, this was an excellent cigar.

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Final Thoughts:

• Strength wise, this cigar starts out medium but finishes in the full range.
• I smoked a 2010 Populares right before I smoked the last of my samples for the 2011 review. The 2011 is definitely stronger and spicier, while the 2010 was creamier with a much more rounded sweetness.
• It amazes me how E.P. Carrillo has consistently, IMHO, produced some of the best cigars released in the last few years. I haven’t yet found one I dislike.
• While the wrapper explosion was unsightly, it occurred only in one of the samples that I smoked.

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The Bottom Line: I think this is the strongest cigar yet from E.P. Carrillo, although I have not yet smoked a Core Line Maduro. The Short Run 2010 was my favorite release up until this point, and while I don’t know if the 2011 will end up replacing it as my favorite, it was highly enjoyable. If you liked the rest of the E.P. Carrillo releases but were looking for something stronger, this cigar might be just what you were waiting for.

Final Score: 89