I know what you’re thinking. Wasn’t the next cigar released by EP Carrillo supposed to be their core line? A cigar named “Short Run” doesn’t sound like one that will be around for very long. You’re right on both counts, it seems that plans and production schedules have changed. The Short Run is indeed another limited release and the latest word from EP Carrillo family is that their main cigar line will be formally introduced at IPCPR this year. We can expect to see that line on the shelves in late August.

In the meantime, though, let’s focus on what we have here now. The Short Run concept, as explained to me by Ernesto Perez-Carrillo’s son Ernie is “to release small batches of unique blends throughout the year. This is the only Short Run edition that we plan on doing in 2010, but we will do many more in 2011.” This first Short Run edition will come in 1,500 boxes of 24 in three sizes: Populares (4 7/8 x 50 at $6.25), Delirios (5 7/8 x 52 at $7.00) and Dominantes (6 1/4 x 60 at $8.50). The Populares and Delirios will be available by sometime in early June, and the Dominantes should hit the market in July.

And with that cleared up, it’s time to treat the Short Run to a fire exercise.

Cigar Stats:
Size: 5 7/8 x 52
Wrapper: Ecuador
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Dominican Republic, Nicaragua
Smoking Time: 2 hours
Beverage: Water
Source: Samples provided by EP Carrillo
Price: MSRP $7.00

The Pre-Smoke
The Short Run Delirios is a little darker and more rustic than it’s predecessor, the Edicion Inaugural. And to make it even easier for the consumer the tell the two apart, the second band is black (instead of red) displaying “Short Run” in gold. Looking the cigars over, I found them to have a few larger veins, but they were free of any obvious superficial imperfections.

The cigars were very firm to the touch, and slightly lumpy in places. The wrapper scent was funky and potent combination of prune-like sweetness and compost, and that sweetness was echoed in the cold taste.

The Burn
No surprise, the Short Run burned like a cigar made by Ernesto Perez-Carrillo. It had produced long, solid ashes, had a slow burn, with a draw just a tad on the tight side of perfect and no need for a relight. The single flaw I experienced smoking the cigar was a somewhat irregular burn line that did require a touch up in one case. Otherwise, the issue was purely cosmetic. In all, not bad considering these early samples had almost no time to recover from shipping.

The Flavor
Much like the Edicion Inagural it seemed that no two puffs were quite the same with the Short Run. Flavors appeared, mingled and faded off again, over and over again. The initial third offered a mixture of flavors that were heavy on coffee and nuts, with a little bit of sweetness early on, and some toastiness toward the end. There were also the occasional wood and dark chocolate notes.

The second third was toastier and woodier than before, with a good amount of chocolate in the mix. There was an interesting bit of butteriness early on, and a little sweetness and cinnamon toward the end.

I tasted more dark chocolate and some slightly sweet wood in the final third. There was also a little more of that buttery at the beginning, usually when the wood flavor was more pronounced. The finish was very long and chocolaty.

The Price
I have no complaints about the price. This is solidly in the sweet spot for premium cigar pricing.

The Verdict
Much like the Edicion Inaugural Encore, the Short Run Delirios is another rich, complex smoke that really begs to be savored. But unlike it’s similarly limited production predecessor, it’s fuller bodied and has a good amount of power, particularly in the final third. The complaints I heard most often about the Edicion Inaugural from people who didn’t like it had to do with its higher price and milder body. The Short Run addresses both of those concerns nicely, without sacrificing flavor or complexity.

I’m still partial to the Edicion Inaugural, but Short Run is a cigar that I plan to explore more when they become more widely available, and I recommend trying it. Especially if you were were unsatisfied with its predecessor. A word of warning though, it might be a little potent for people who prefer milder cigars (like our resident long-hair, Mike).

Liked It: Yes
Buy It Again: Yes
Recommend It: Yes

Tower of Burn
Here for your viewing pleasure is my trademark Tower of Burn.