Casa Carrillo Cigars is set to expand its acclaimed Encore Black line with the introduction of a bold new size: the Bulwarks. Officially debuting on July 26 at the Great Lakes Cigar Festival in Pontiac, Michigan, this 6 x 58 perfecto aims to offer aficionados a fuller, slower-burning experience. The new vitola maintains the original blend’s complexity, featuring a Connecticut broadleaf maduro wrapper, a San Andrés viso binder, and filler tobaccos from Nicaragua’s Condega, Estelí, and Jalapa regions.
Unlike the original robusto format, which measured 5 3/8 x 52, the Bulwarks offers a more immersive profile, showcasing the bold character of the broadleaf wrapper. According to Ernesto Perez-Carrillo Jr., the larger format allows for a deeper exploration of the blend’s layered flavors, with gradual transitions and a richer smoke. Each cigar retails at $21, with boxes of 10 priced at $210.
While the inaugural Encore Black featured an extended black footband, this detail is omitted in the Bulwarks due to the cigar’s tapered shape. Initially, distribution will be limited following the Michigan event, but wider shipments to retailers are planned. With this release, Casa Carrillo continues its tradition of delivering cigars rooted in family legacy, bold taste, and masterful construction.
