E.P. Carrillo’s Escapade Project Launching Nov. 1

E.P. Carrillo’s newest project, dubbed Escapade and which was created with the help of consumers, is set to launch on Nov. 1, and the company is once again asking consumers for help in not only deciding upon a blend that will go on to become a limited edition early next year, but also on how the cigar should be marketed.

The Escapade project began over the summer, with Ernesto Perez-Carrillo Jr. hosting a series of three Zoom sessions with small groups of consumers who had the opportunity to share their preferences and ideas for the new blend directly with the cigar maker. Each session was limited to just 10 participants.

From those sessions, Carrillo went on to create three blends, one using a Nicaraguan corojo 99 wrapper, another using an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper, and the third using an Ecuadorian habano wrapper. The binder and filler of the three cigars are not being disclosed, and all are offered in a 6 x 52 toro vitola with either a purple, red or teal band to distinguish them, though it does not appear that the blends are identified on the bands. The cigars are produced at the company’s Tabacalera La Alianza S.A. in Santiago, Dominican Republic.

“It is important to me that I listen to what our consumers are seeking,” said Ernesto Perez-Carrilo Jr. in a statement when the Escapade project was announced. “It gives me such satisfaction to create a blend for others to enjoy around the world. When our consumers expressed they wanted something lighter, we had one thing to do…listen.”

To get the Escapade cigars, consumers must purchase a box of E.P. Carrillo cigars from an Escapade event at a retailer, which runs from Nov. 1  through Dec. 31, or by e-mailing a photo of a receipt indicating a box purchase between those same dates to the company at [email protected]. There are only 1,000 of the Escapade packs available, each with a QR code that will allow the consumer to cast a vote for their favorite cigar.

Once voting is complete, the company will turn the winning cigar into a limited edition that is expected to be released in mid-February of 2024, according to the report.

If the process for the Escapade project sounds familiar, it’s because it is fairly similar to that of the Platinum Bash that came out in May 2023. That line, which was created for Ernesto Perez-Carrillo Jr.’s 70th birthday, solicited consumer input on three candidates to become the final blend, though Escapade incorporated more consumer involvement.

In addition to asking for consumers to lend input with the blend of the cigar, the company has also asked for help with how to market it. Yesterday, Lissette Perez-Carrillo hosted a Zoom session with consumers seeking ideas for “how we can market it to the greater cigar community.”

“We genuinely believe that together, we can unlock the full potential of our products and services and your input is invaluable,” the company wrote in an e-mail to consumers earlier this month looking for participants.

Update — A representative from E.P. Carrillo provided details of the release as well as an image of the cigars.

Update (April 8, 2024) — The final Escapade has not yet been released, with no time table set for it to debut. A representative from the company indicated that production capacity at Casa Carrillo is the main reason for the delay.