Cigar Aficionado

In honor of the 248th birthday for the United States of America, cigarmaker E.P. Carrillo is expanding its limited-edition Pledge of Allegiance brand with a new shape, a Salomon. The patriotic new cigar is shipping now, along with the 2024 edition of the Pledge of Allegiance toro.

"We are incredibly proud to present the Pledge of Allegiance Salomon," said Lissette Perez-Carrillo in a press statement. "This cigar not only embodies our commitment to quality and tradition but also honors the rich history and spirit of America."

The Salomon is a shape made with a head that tapers into a point, and a bulging foot with a nipple tip. It’s fairly rare in the cigar industry due to the time-consuming method of their production. An expert roller can make about 50 to 60 Salomones per day. Only one pair of senior rollers at Casa Carrillo in the Dominican Republic, where the cigars are made, were assigned the task of producing the intricate shape. The cigars from this production were rolled last year with the 2023 edition of Pledge of Allegiance and set aside to be placed in the aging room for one year.

The blend consists of a dark Connecticut broadleaf wrapper, Ecuador Connecticut binder and fillers from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic, along with some broadleaf from Pennsylvania and Connecticut. According to the company, the smoke is medium-to full-bodied. The Pledge of Allegiance Salomon measured 6 3/4 inches by 64 ring gauge. It doesn’t come cheap with a suggested retail price of $35 each.

"Creating the Pledge of Allegiance Salomon has been a labor of love," says Ernesto Perez-Carrillo. "This cigar stands as a testament to our enduring dedication to the art of cigar making and our deep appreciation for our nation’s heritage."

Each red, white and blue box is individually numbered and is signed by Perez-Carrillo. Production is limited, fittingly for the anniversary, to just 248 boxes of 10.

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