Manufactured at Ernesto Perez-Carrillo’s La Alianza Factory, the Original Rebel line contains two distinct blends: Rebellious and Maverick. Rebellious, the maduro version, features a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, Ecuadorian binder, and Nicaraguan filler tobaccos. Maverick, the original version, is blended with an Ecuadorian wrapper and Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos. Both options come in three sizes: 52 (5 1/2 by 52), 54 (6 1/2 by 54), and 56 (7 1/2 by 56).

You can buy the E.P. Carrillo Original Rebel Maverick from our good friends at Famous Smoke Shop.

THE FACTS

Price: $10.50
Vitola: Maverick 54
Size: 6 1/2 by 54
Wrapper: Ecuadorian
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Smoke Time:

PRE-LIGHT

The EP Carrillo Original Rebel Maverick is dressed in a dark brown, Ecuadorian wrapper that is full of oils, veins, and bumps. As I run my fingers down the oily leaf, I find no soft spots and the cigar gives only slightly.

The wrapper aroma is a pungent vinegar. The closed foot shows off a bit of sweetness and chocolate, as well as the same pungency. The pig-tailed cap cuts with ease, showing off a perfect draw, even with the closed foot, as big flavors of potpourri, vanilla, and cedar awaken my palate. There is some residual heat in the mouth.

FIRST THIRD

Once lit, the E.P. Carrillo Original Rebel Maverick 54 produces a copious amount of smoke that has a thick texture in the mouth. Full flavors of earth, pencil shavings, and dark red fruit are first to make an appearance. There is a medium pepper spice in the mouth and a hair fuller through the nose as I retro-hale the smoke.  A layered, salt and pepper ash is forming that is somewhat flaky in appearance.

MIDDLE THIRD

As I make my way into the second third of this 6 1/2 by 54 smoke, the pepper flavor and heat have intensified as the rest of the flavors remain level with the prior third. The fruit flavor has exited as a faint sweetness joins in. It is enough to balance out the darker earth and pepper. A quick hit with lighter is required to get the burn back in line as I near the middle of the Original Rebel Maverick. 

FINAL THIRD

Into the last leg of the Original Rebel Maverick, the pencil shaving flavor has evolved to charred wood, while the earth and sweetness remain. The cigar has burned along with no further issue and I am finally beginning to feel a little nicotine kick as I close out the cigar. 

WRAP-UP

The E.P.  Carrillo Original Rebel Maverick 54 brings fulls flavors and medium/full strength to table. Even though the flavors are on the darker and heavier end, they are in no way harsh or unbalanced. The sweetness in the second third was a great addition to the profile and the spice held strong throughout. Other than the minor burn hiccup in the middle third, I have no complaints about the performance. Good smoke production, decent holding ash, and perfect draw. Coming in above $10 pushes the Original Rebel Maverick outside of my day to day price range, but I will be reaching for this smoke the next time I come across it in a humidor.

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