PCA 2023: E.P. Carrillo

Over the years, Ernesto Perez-Carrillo has become synonymous with creating legendary cigars and establishing a factory (Tabacalera La Alianza) that has produced many releases for industry leaders.

However, at the 2023 Premium Cigar Association (PCA)Trade Show, things were a little different.

The two releases that E.P.

Carrillo featured were not being done at their own factory.

Last year Ernesto started an initiative where he would go out to other factories, work with their tobaccos, and develop a blend.

The company’s two releases for the 2023 PCA Trade Show, Short Run 2013 and INCH Nicaragua 7 x 70, were developed at the Oscar Valladares and Plasencia factories.

The company has also moved to focus on charitable and philanthropic efforts – most notably the Pledge 98 campaign in support of Els for Autism.

This was an effort spearheaded by Ernesto’s granddaughter Skye McPhillips.

This year we talked with Skye and Ernesto’s daughter Lissette.

While we had a conversation about cigars, we also dived into the story of the Pledge 98 campaign.