Ernesto Pérez-Carrillo, the Architect of the Ring Gauge, founded his Dominican cigar house in 2009; in 2025, the company formally adopted the name Casa Carrillo (formerly E.P. Carrillo).
The story of Casa Carrillo begins with Ernesto Pérez-Carrillo, the Cuban master who revitalized La Gloria Cubana, helped lead the boutique boom of the 1990s, and ultimately launched his own brand in 2009. Following the 2025 relaunch and rebrand, the company unified its factory, headquarters, and global identity under the Casa Carrillo name—reaffirming its artisanal, family-driven philosophy.
From its Santiago factory, Casa Carrillo has achieved extraordinary milestones, including two Cigar of the Year wins (2018 and 2020). Its technical, highly regarded portfolio includes Pledge, Encore, La Historia, and the INCH series. The brand’s philosophy blends Cuban precision, Dominican innovation, and Ernesto’s signature mastery—cementing him as one of the most influential blenders in the world.
Current relevance
• Historic double win: Encore Majestic (2018) and Pledge Prequel (2020) as Cigar of the Year.
• Continuous innovation (e.g., Encore Black / Noir 2024) with production anchored at Casa Carrillo (formerly Tabacalera La Alianza) in Santiago.
Key milestones and iconic blends
• Encore (DR+NIC): creamy spice and a silky finish; Majestic #1 (2018).
• Pledge: dark, box-pressed, chocolate-spice density; Prequel #1 (2020).
Production
Casa Carrillo (Santiago); rebranding aligned brand, HQ, and factory.
Top 3 recommendations
- Encore Majestic — Medium-plus structure; 2018 #1; ideal for explaining Ernesto’s signature.
- Pledge Prequel — 2020 #1; dark wrapper with rich texture.
- Encore Black — Showcases the brand’s current momentum and thematic evolution.
