Brand Family Profile
Casa Carrillo Encore
Ernesto Perez-Carrillo’s Nicaraguan-Puro Family: Encore, Encore Black and Continuing Editions
Manufacturer: Casa Carrillo (E.P. Carrillo)
Last verified August 21, 2026
Casa Carrillo Encore at a Glance
- Brand
- Casa Carrillo Encore
- Historical name
- E.P. Carrillo Encore
- Manufacturer
- Casa Carrillo
- Factory
- Casa Carrillo, Santiago
- Country of manufacture
- Dominican Republic
- Original blend identity
- Nicaraguan puro
- Major branch
- Encore Black
Casa Carrillo Encore Historical name E.P. Carrillo Encore Manufacturer Casa Carrillo Factory Casa Carrillo, Santiago Country of manufacture Dominican Republic Original blend identity Nicaraguan puro
Major branch
Encore Black
A Perez-Carrillo Family Legacy
The Perez-Carrillo cigar story reaches back to Cuba, where Ernesto Perez-Carrillo Sr. purchased the El Credito factory in 1948. After the Cuban Revolution, the family rebuilt its cigar-making life in Miami. Ernesto Perez-Carrillo Jr. eventually led El Credito and developed La Gloria Cubana before returning to an independent family company in 2009 with his children. That history frames Encore as part of a multigenerational craft tradition.
The Birth of the Modern Company
After leaving Swedish Match and General Cigar in 2009, Ernesto established the business that became E.P. Carrillo and is now branded Casa Carrillo. The family built its own portfolio from a new factory base in Santiago, Dominican Republic. The current company name matters for SEO. Historical references to E.P. Carrillo remain valid, but new pages should explain that Encore is now marketed by Casa Carrillo rather than creating duplicate brand identities. Encore as the Second Performance Casa Carrillo describes Encore as the second part of a series following La Historia. The performance metaphor presents Ernesto’s next major creative statement rather than a sequel with the same blend. The original line’s Nicaraguan wrapper, binder and filler make it a puro, while production takes place at Casa Carrillo in the Dominican Republic. Blend origin and factory country should never be confused.
The Original Nicaraguan Puro
Official current product information identifies original Encore as all Nicaraguan tobacco. Its listed formats include Majestic, Celestial, El Primero and Valientes, each requiring its own dimension and evaluation record. The family page should explain the shared blend and identity without reproducing a full inventory. Retailer availability, packaging and current sizes should remain structured product data. Encore Black Expands the Family Encore Black is a separate blend built around Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro, a Mexican San Andrés binder and fillers from Condega, Estelí and Jalapa. It is not simply a dark wrapper option for original Encore. Casa Carrillo describes extended fermentation and aging for the Broadleaf wrapper. New shapes such as Bulwarks belong beneath Encore Black and should carry their own specifications and evaluations.
Ownership, Brand Architecture and Production Model
Encore belongs to the family-run Casa Carrillo company and is currently organized within the Perez-Carrillo Series. Ernesto Perez-Carrillo remains the central blender and creative identity. The architecture separates original Encore, Encore Black, named core formats, later Black shapes and limited projects such as Encore Noir and Edición Única. Each branch needs release-specific documentation.
Principal Brand-Family Map
This map explains the Encore branches without becoming a full SKU catalog. Exact sizes, retailer projects, annual editions and retired cigars should live in product records. Detailed tasting, construction, scores and awards belong on evaluated-cigar pages.
| Line / Collection | Role in the Family | Editorial Identity |
|---|---|---|
| Original Encore | Foundational collection. | Nicaraguan puro |
| Majestic | Named original format. | Product-specific evaluation |
| Celestial | Named original format. | Separate recognition record |
| El Primero | Named original format. | Product-specific record |
| Valientes | Torpedo-format original. | Product-specific record |
| Encore Black | Broadleaf successor blend. | Connecticut wrapper; Mexican binder |
| Bulwarks | Encore Black perfecto. | Shape-specific evaluation |
| Limited editions | Noir and Edición Única projects. | Year and market specific |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes Encore cigars?
Encore is made by Casa Carrillo, the family company led by Ernesto Perez-Carrillo, at its Santiago factory in the Dominican Republic.
Was Encore previously called E.P. Carrillo Encore?
Yes. The company is now Casa Carrillo, while E.P. Carrillo remains an important historical and search name for the brand.
Is original Encore a Nicaraguan puro?
Yes. Casa Carrillo lists Nicaraguan wrapper, binder and filler, although the cigar is manufactured in the Dominican Republic.
Is Encore Black the same blend as Encore?
No. Encore Black uses Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro, Mexican San Andrés binder and Nicaraguan fillers.
What are the main original Encore formats?
The current official page lists Majestic, Celestial, El Primero and Valientes. Exact specifications belong in product records.
Where is Encore manufactured?
Original Encore is produced at Casa Carrillo in Santiago, Dominican Republic. Release-specific factory information should still be verified.
What is Encore Black Bulwarks?
Bulwarks is a perfecto-format expression using the Encore Black blend.
Should every Encore size have its own brand page?
No. The family page carries shared history and architecture; individual cigar pages hold exact dimensions, tasting, construction and scoring evidence.
Ashologist’s Brand Perspective
Encore combines a strong personal story with a clean product structure: Ernesto Perez-Carrillo’s creative legacy, a Nicaraguan-puro original and a clearly differentiated Broadleaf successor. For Ashologist.com, the best hierarchy separates Casa Carrillo as manufacturer, Encore as brand family, Encore Black and special editions as branches and evaluated formats as product pages.
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Editorial and Verification Note
This independent profile is not sponsored by Casa Carrillo, any distributor or retailer. Company history, factory, blend and current portfolio relationships were checked against official Casa Carrillo sources as of August 21, 2026. Product specifications and availability may change.
Primary Brand Sources
- Casa Carrillo - Official Encore
- Casa Carrillo - Official Encore Black
- Casa Carrillo - Official About Us
- Casa Carrillo - Official Factory
- Casa Carrillo - Official Cigar Portfolio
- Casa Carrillo - Official Perez-Carrillo Series
- Casa Carrillo - Official News and Press
- Casa Carrillo - Encore Legacy Editions
- Casa Carrillo - Encore Black Expansion
- Casa Carrillo - 15th Anniversary
- Casa Carrillo - Contact
- Cigar of the Year - Competition Home
Sources without a linked URL above are publicly available but were not on file with a direct link at time of publishing.