JC Newman

July 11, 2023

EP Carrillo Pledge Firecracker (3 1/2 x 50)





Video review HERE.


(Description provided by United Cigars)

In 2007, the Firecracker line was born. The first cigar on the market with a long piece of tobacco at the head shaped like a ‘wick’ or ‘fuse’ to capture its name; Firecracker. After a few years on the market, the limited release Firecrackers came to life as United Cigars collaborated with a new manufacturer every year to create a celebration cigar for our nation’s Independence Day. This year, United Cigars has partnered with E.P. Carrillo to create the Pledge Firecracker.

Awarded the #1 Cigar of the Year by Cigar Aficionado in 2020, the E.P. Carrillo Pledge is described as a zesty, spicy, woody cigar that tantalizes the consumers palate. A cigar that has a lasting creamy finish with a rich aromatic profile. Firecracker fans are in for a truly powerful smoking experience.

“Our Pledge is a fantastic blend for the United Firecracker collaboration,” said Ernesto Perez-Carrillo of E.P. Carrillo. “We have seen the United Firecracker and their limited releases grow in the marketplace so when we first discussed the project, we all knew it would perfect.”


E.P. Firecracker

Factory: Tabacalera La Alianza S.A. 

Wrapper: U.S.A. Connecticut Habano 

Binder: Ecuador

Filler: Nicaragua

Vitola: 3 ½ x 50

Box Count: 20 Cigars

MSRP: $7.00/$140.00Production: 1,000 Boxes of 20/20,000 Cigars


The cigar looks much like a firecracker, or a cherry bomb, with it's fuse cap. It has an average feel in the hand for a cigar of this size.




The test draw after cutting the cap was very good. The initial flavors at light up were citrus, light citrus peel, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a lot of dark chocolate. There was black pepper rated at 7 1/2 to 8. Very sweet, dark start.



At the first third (17 minutes) the dark chocolate has moved to the background allowing the sweet notes to really come out. The black pepper is still very good. The cigar is medium bodied, leaning toward medium to full. The finish is dark chocolate with very good lingering black pepper. The sweet notes now are citrus, cedar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and toffee. I rated the first third 95.




Moving through the second third (30 minutes) the dark chocolate made a move up and brought some earthiness with it. The same sweet notes are in play but now you have elevated dark chocolate with some earthiness. The cigar is medium to full bodied. The finish is unchanged. The cigar is still very good but I rated the second third 94.




The cigar lasted 40 minutes. The sweet notes jumped back up like they were in the first third. The dark chocolate is still elevated but not as high as the second third. The cigar has a good mix. It is medium to full bodied and the finish is unchanged. This is a very good cigar. Short, sweet, and dark. I rated the final third 95. Put these on your list.




Overall Score: 94.67

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