One of my top and favorite brands, E.P. Carrillo — which stands for Ernesto Perez Carrillo — has rebranded to create a more unified legacy. Outside of the name and branding changes, everything else remains pretty much the same. Although, I’d bet that some new blends will be coming from the brand given its acumen for toasty, delicious smokes.
According to the team, this is a goal to create a more seamless experience “for cigar lovers and retail partners alike.” The biggest change is that Casa Carrillo is bringing “every aspect of [its] operation under one roof — both literally and figuratively.”
“This transition to Casa Carrillo marks a strategic step toward clarity, unity, and global recognition. By aligning our U.S. headquarters, Dominican Republic factory, and international presence under one name, we’re streamlining our identity while staying rooted in the quality that defines us.”
The “House of Brands” as Casa Carrillo calls them, will include three core lines, which many of us already know and love:
Perez-Carrillo Series — Pledge, La Historia, Encore, Encore Black, Allegiance, and Endure.
Essence Series — Sumatra, Maduro, and Honduras.
Inch Series — INCH Natural, INCH Maduro, and INCH Nicaragua.
Of course, Casa Carrillo will also continue offering the New Wave Connecticut, as well. The New Wave is not under the umbrella of the previous core lines, but instead its own thing. The brands above will continue to retain their individual identities under the Casa Carrillo name.
The rebranding has already been rolled out to the company’s website and various social media profiles. As is the case with many brand changes, it may take some time for cigar packaging, labels, and everything on store shelves to catch up.
Ultimately, this puts the Carrillo headquarters in Miami on an even keel with its factory in the Dominican Republic. Personally, I think it’s a neat and interesting change and am excited to see how it affects the wider market in regards to the brand’s exposure. It’s not like E.P. Carrillo wasn’t already a household name in cigars. The brand’s legacy spans many generations with strong Cuban roots.
Briley has over 16 years in the publishing and content marketing business. He's been writing about cigars for nearly half that in various forms. What makes him a tour de force is he also smokes them.