Since the launch of Epic Cigars by Dean Parsons, the brand has steadily grown and gained a following and also garnered a solid reputation in the industry. Even after selling the brand a couple of years ago, Parsons still maintains the role of brand manager/ambassador. In celebration of the tenth anniversary, the Epic Ten was released. The cigars are presented in a beautiful bright red, high gloss 10-count box. Only 1,000 boxes were produced. Here is Matt’s evaluation of the Epic Ten.
This cigar is currently only available in this single vitola.
Epic Ten
MSRP: $16.00
Size: 6 x 54 Box Press
Origin: Tabacalera A.J. Fernandez (Esteli, Nicaragua)
Wrapper: Cameroon
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Prologue
The cigar has a medium brown, like a dark paper bag coloration. There is a very slight oil sheen and slight toothy texture. The soft corners of the box press are well formed and the cigar looks and feels well made, but maybe feels a bit light for the size. The wrapper has a light smell of leather and cedar, while the foot has aromas of pepper and mild mustiness. The cold draw is sweet and grassy, with a little cedar and spice.
Act I
The flavors start out a bit heavy handed, with deep notes of bittersweet cocoa and earth. Within a few minutes that heaviness subsides. The flavor and aroma notes that I get are reminiscent of red pepper flake, damp earth, and dark chocolate. There are also a few hints of sweetness like toasted marshmallow and dried plums. The retrohale is earthy and spicy, with a notable zing in the nostrils.
Act II
The center section of this cigar really comes into a nice combination of notes. The earthiness comes way down and is barely present on the back of the palate. There is a nice mix of sweet and spice on the front of the palate, with hints of a sour-leathery aroma on a few puffs. The retrohale has a lot of the musty and earthy qualities with a little spice.
Act III
As the cigar closes out the profile flips. The sweet notes and leathery aromas go to the background. The musty and earthy qualities come to the front of my palate and the peppery notes are also somewhat intense. There is also an interesting hint of aroma that reminds me of citrus. The retrohale is deep, earthy, spicy, and bold.
Epilogue
The overall performance of this cigar was very good. A few of the samples did not necessarily perform or burn well, but most were fine in that regard. The Epic Ten has a nice combination of flavors and aromas that work very well together. These cigars also have a very solid amount of smoke output, which really helps deliver the flavors and aromas. I think this is a nice way to celebrate the tenth year of the brand, and recommend this cigar to smokers who enjoy a medium-plus profile with earthiness, sweetness, and spice.
Epic Ten – How Bout That Cigar?
Rating: How Bout A 5er?
Overall Score: 89
PAD: -1.0 (What is PAD?)
Flavor Summary: Earthiness, Spice, Sweetness, Cocoa
Strength Assessment: Medium-Plus
Source: Cigars for this review were provided by Epic Cigars