E.P. Carrillo Pledge Prequel Earns Cigar

A Century City, California financial executive, Antoine Souma has a client-centered asset allocation approach and has held leadership roles with UBS Deutsche Bank. As one who actively seeks out fine culinary experiences, Antoine Souma is also a cigar enthusiast who participates in Big Smoke NYC events when he has the opportunity.

In January 2021, Cigar Aficionado announced its top 25 cigars of 2020, with the surprise pick for number one the dark, box-pressed E.P. Carrillo Pledge Prequel. The wrapper of Pledge is Cuban-seed varietal Connecticut Habano, which is grown in Connecticut, while the filler is Nicaraguan.

Retailing for only $11, the cigar is part of a series that began in 2014 with La Historia, which was a tribute to the family legacy of cigar-maker Ernesto Perez-Carrillo. Released in 2018, the next in line was E.P. Carrillo Encore Majestic, which earned Cigar of the Year distinction.

Rounding out the trilogy was the Pledge, which is characterized as well-structured and “sublimely rich.” Released in September 2020, the bold and aromatic cigar features notes of black cherry, licorice, spicy oak, and black pepper. What really set it apart in Cigar Aficionado’s blind taste test was a warm, mellow aftertaste, reminiscent of baked apple.