EPC New Wave Reserva Connecticut

Ernesto may occasionally appear a bit stern, but he is truly a pleasant and down-to-earth individual. We had the opportunity to personally experience this during our Cigarworld Factory Tour Nicaragua in 2015. In February 2015, we had the chance to sample the two currently new series at the headquarters of EPC Cigars near the famous Calle Ocho in Miami. The Ernesto Perez-Carrillo New Wave Reserva is a series distributed throughout Germany, while the New Wave Cabinet was exclusively introduced by us.

Ernesto is also often referred to as the "Godfather of Boutique Cigars" since he made a name for himself with the US-based La Gloria Cubana. This cigar series, known as El Credito with us, has been a perennial favorite in Europe for many years. After parting ways with General Cigars in 2009 and taking a contractual break, he has been back in the cigar business since 2010, working alongside his children Lissette and Ernesto III.

The New Wave Reserva is rolled with a very dark, so-called oscuro wrapper from Connecticut Ecuador. Beneath it, a Connecticut Broadleaf is used as the binder, holding together a filler blend of Nicaraguan and Dominican tobaccos. Compared to its sister series, the taste of the New Wave Reserva is noticeably creamier and smoother, with an emphasis on nutty and sweet earthy, woody notes.

The 24-count wooden boxes have a much more classic and traditional design compared to EPC's previous lines. In total, four different vitolas are produced, but the importer has only facilitated the availability of the supposedly most popular formats, the Robusto and the Supremo, for Germany.