Casa Carrillo Pledge Prequel

The Casa Carrillo Pledge Prequel is a full-bodied, award-winning cigar that exemplifies Ernesto Perez-Carrillo’s dedication to craftsmanship and innovation. Produced in the Dominican Republic, it features a dark Habano Connecticut wrapper over an Ecuadorian binder and Nicaraguan fillers, creating a bold and complex blend. From the outset, the Pledge Prequel delivers a powerful and layered profile. Notes of spice and oak lead the way, followed by rich flavors of espresso, leather, and earth. As the cigar develops, additional nuances of bread, nuts, and subtle sweetness emerge, creating a dynamic and evolving experience. The smoke is dense and aromatic, with a smooth yet assertive texture that builds in strength without losing balance. The finish is long and satisfying, leaving behind lingering notes of coffee and spice. This cigar pairs exceptionally well with an Oaxaca Old Fashioned, whose smoky and sweet elements complement the cigar’s bold profile. The Pledge Prequel has received widespread acclaim, including a 98 rating from Cigar Aficionado and the #1 Cigar of the Year (2020), along with multiple industry awards. With a panel rating of 98, it stands as one of the most celebrated cigars in recent years, delivering a truly premium smoking experience.

Though tobacco is indigenous to Hispaniola, the tobacco industry in the Dominican Republic existed in the shadow of Cuba’s dominance through the 1960s. When the exodus of Cuban cigar makers began in the wake of the revolution, many decided the Dominican Republic would be ideal for the resumption of their livelihoods. Unrest in Nicaragua in the 1980s fueled the Dominican cigar industry further. The country now makes more than half of the premium cigars imported into the U.S.

The Cibao Valley and the nearby city of Santiago are the center of cigar production in the Dominican Republic. Three main varieties are grown here: the mild and native Olor Dominicano; the intense Piloto Cubano, brought from the Vuelta Abajo of Cuba; and San Vicente, a milder and more acidic Piloto hybrid. Dominican puros were once unheard of as it was widely thought impossible to grow quality wrapper leaf on the island, but new growing techniques are now allowing some exceptional puros to be produced.