Casa Carrillo

Casa Carrillo stands as one of the most distinguished premium cigar brands in the world, renowned for producing multiple Cigar Aficionado 'Cigar of the Year' winners including the Pledge (2020 #1) and Encore (2018 #1). Founded by legendary master blender Ernesto Perez-Carrillo Jr., the brand represents four generations of Cuban cigar-making heritage translated into modern Dominican excellence. Casa Carrillo cigars are celebrated for their exceptional complexity, consistency, and craftsmanship, with each blend showcasing Ernesto's unparalleled expertise in tobacco selection and aging. The brand has evolved from E.P. Carrillo to Casa Carrillo, unifying its identity under the concept of 'home' - where tradition meets innovation in the pursuit of cigar perfection.

Background

The Casa Carrillo story begins with the Perez-Carrillo family's deep roots in Cuban tobacco, tracing back to Ernesto Perez-Carrillo Sr., who was born in 1904 and learned the tobacco trade from his father who rolled penny cigars in Havana's streets. In 1948, Ernesto Sr. purchased El Credito, a small cigar factory in Havana, establishing the family dynasty before being forced to flee Cuba during the Revolution, losing everything to government confiscation. His son, Ernesto Perez-Carrillo Jr., born in Pinar del Rio in 1951, rebuilt the family legacy in Miami, eventually creating the legendary La Gloria Cubana brand that earned a 90 rating from Cigar Aficionado in 1992 and became one of the most sought-after cigars globally. After selling La Gloria Cubana to Swedish Match in 1999 and working for General Cigar for a decade, Ernesto was persuaded by his children, Ernesto III and Lissette, to return to independent cigar making, leading to the founding of E.P. Carrillo (now Casa Carrillo) in 2009.

History

Casa Carrillo was established in 2009 when Ernesto Perez-Carrillo Jr. opened his 40,000 square-foot factory in Santiago's Zona Franca, originally named Tabacalera La Alianza, beginning with the inaugural Casa Carrillo 2009 blend. The brand quickly gained recognition for its exceptional quality and complexity, earning numerous high ratings and awards from industry publications. In 2024, the factory was renamed Casa Carrillo, and in 2025, the entire brand unified under the Casa Carrillo name, reflecting the family's vision of creating a 'home' where tradition and innovation merge to produce world-class cigars.

Reputation

Casa Carrillo enjoys an elite reputation in the premium cigar industry, having achieved the pinnacle of recognition with two Cigar Aficionado 'Cigar of the Year' awards - the Pledge in 2020 and Encore in 2018 - along with numerous 90+ ratings across their portfolio. The brand is revered by connoisseurs and critics alike for Ernesto Perez-Carrillo's masterful blending expertise, particularly his work with Connecticut Broadleaf and complex multi-origin tobacco combinations. Industry professionals consistently praise Casa Carrillo cigars for their exceptional construction, flavor complexity, and consistency, positioning the brand among the world's finest premium cigar manufacturers. The Perez-Carrillo family's commitment to quality and their collaborative approach with select partners has earned them respect throughout the global cigar community.