EP Carrillo Pledge of Allegiance 2025
Dominican Republic Cigar Review

Cigar Review: E.P. Carrillo Pledge of Allegiance Toro

n 2023, E.P. Carrillo released the Pledge of Allegiance to celebrate Independence Day, a holiday that was missing a presence in the cigar market until recently. This year the cigar is available in two different sizes a Toro (6 x 54 / $22 MSRP) and a perfecto called Rocket (6 3/8 x 58 / $30 MSRP) with the Toro being released in 1776 boxes to celebrate the birth of the greatest nation in the world, while the Rocket has a production of just 249 boxes marking the age of America at the time of release. 

Continue Reading

July 4, 2025
Rum Review

Rum Review: E. Leon Jimenes by La Aurora Rum 110 Aniversario

La Aurora has entered the rum market with E. Leon Jimenes Rum 110 Aniversario.

If you know the President of La Aurora it should come as no surprise he would enter the rum market. I’ve been blessed to spend countless nights at Camp David in Santiago or in the sanctuary of his home drinking rum. It was him who turned me on to what we dubbed, El Gato Grande consisting of Ron Barcelo Rum & Sprite. Needless to say it didn’t surprise me one year to be gifted with a bottle of today’s rum which didn’t last very long. I was happy to see the rum is now for sale in select US Markets and the company was kind enough to send me a sample.

Continue Reading

July 2, 2025
Ashton VSG Robusto
Dominican Republic Cigar Review

Cigar Review: Ashton VSG Robusto

Ashton VSG is our throwback review for the month of July. Every month on the 1st we will be doing a review of a cigar that has been on the market for at least 10 years. It gives us at The Barrel Burner a chance to look back at cigars in an age when cigar blogs are mostly about reviewing what is new.

Continue Reading

July 1, 2025