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The evening air hums with promise as I settle on my deck, a steaming coffee in hand, ready to light up the Perez-Carrillo Pledge of Allegiance 2025 Toro. Scoring this 6 x 54 gem fresh from the factory, thanks to some tight industry connects, feels like a VIP pass to Ernesto’s latest masterpiece. At $22 a stick, this limited-edition Nicaraguan-American blend from Casa Carrillo promises a bold, patriotic kick. I light it up, ready to dive into the hype.

Let’s see what this new smoke delivers.

The Roots

Ernesto Perez-Carrillo Jr. rolls the Pledge of Allegiance 2025 at Casa Carrillo in Santiago, Dominican Republic. Launched June 10, 2025, this third annual limited edition blends Nicaraguan Condega and Jalapa tobaccos with U.S. Pennsylvania P41 and Connecticut Havana-seed, wrapped in Connecticut Broadleaf with an Ecuadorian Habano binder. It merges E.P. Carrillo’s Pledge and Allegiance lines, honoring Ernesto’s Cuban-to-U.S. journey with 1776 Toro boxes, a nod to America’s founding.

To match this cigar’s bold American spirit, here’s a book to elevate the vibe.

The Experience: From Start to Finish

First Look: Pre-Light Impressions

The box-pressed Toro feels solid, its 6 x 54 frame hefty in my hand. The Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper is dark, oily, with fine veins, showcasing Casa Carrillo’s craft. Red, white, and blue bands scream patriotism. The roll’s firm, with a clean cap and tight seams. Pre-light, I get cedar, coffee, panga panga wood, sweet tobacco, and candied walnut. The cold draw’s smooth, delivering black pepper and creamy cocoa, promising a bold ride.

I light it, coffee nearby, stoked for this exclusive smoke.

Foot to Cap: The Flavor Journey

The first third hits with creamy coffee, dark chocolate, and espresso, layered over earthy cedar and leather. Spicy black pepper sparks the retrohale, grounding the medium-full profile. The smoke’s thick, the burn’s even, and the light-gray ash holds an inch, impressively firm. Unlike Pledge Prequel’s spicy oak, this Toro’s richer, earthier, thanks to the Broadleaf wrapper. It’s a bold, creamy start.

The middle third deepens, blending coffee with dark chocolate, spiced rum, and roasted nuts. Nutmeg, gingerbread, and baking spices add warmth, while sweet tobacco keeps it smooth. The pepper softens, letting earthy sweetness shine. The burn is mostly steady. The draw’s perfect, pumping out dense smoke. Compared to Allegiance’s coffee-nut vibe, this is sweeter, with Pennsylvania P41 boosting spice. It’s complex and balanced.

The final third shifts to dark earth, espresso, and creamy tobacco, with a pepper crescendo heating the retrohale. Mild leather and caramel sweetness lift the close, but a faint bitterness softens the finish. The burn’s even, with ash clinging to the nub. Against RoMa Craft’s Neanderthal, it’s less pepper-heavy but equally rich. The 90-minute smoke ends medium-full, strong but not perfect.

Build & Burn: The Craftsmanship

The Toro’s build is top-notch. The box-pressed Broadleaf wrapper is smooth, oily, with minimal veins and tight seams, reflecting Ernesto’s skill. It’s firm, well-packed, and feels premium, worth its $22. Unlike Encore Black’s sharper box-press, this Toro’s edges are softer, classic. The construction screams quality, built for a steady burn.

The burn’s mostly even, with light-gray ash holding an inch, impressively firm. It waved slightly, needing a minor touch-up, but the draw’s spot-on, delivering creamy, cool smoke. It stays consistent over 90 minutes, though the late bitterness dings it. E.P. Carrillo’s craft shines, matching the 2024 Toro’s 91-point performance.

Flavor Deep Dive: What’s Cooking

The Toro opens with creamy coffee, dark chocolate, espresso, and black pepper, anchored by earthy cedar and leather. The medium-full body’s rich, smooth, thanks to the Broadleaf wrapper and Nicaraguan fillers. The middle third weaves spiced rum, nutmeg, gingerbread, roasted nuts, and sweet tobacco, with pepper fading. The final third delivers dark earth, espresso, creamy tobacco, and a pepper crescendo, tempered by mild leather, caramel, and faint bitterness. It outshines Allegiance’s lighter coffee but trails Pledge Prequel’s refined oak.

Strength & Body: The Power Within

The Toro’s medium-full strength builds a steady buzz, bold but smooth, ideal for seasoned smokers or intermediates craving depth. It’s richer than E.P. Carrillo’s Essence Connecticut, packing more punch. The nicotine’s balanced, perfect for a 90-minute session. Compared to My Father’s Garcia & Garcia, it’s less spicy but equally robust.

The body’s medium-full, with creamy, dense smoke carrying coffee, chocolate, and earth. Black pepper and baking spices add a kick, but the late bitterness disrupts balance. It’s stronger than Allegiance’s nutty vibe but less polished than Pledge Prequel’s creamy oak.

Perfect Pairings: Elevate the Experience

These pairings boost the Toro’s 90-minute vibe, perfect for my deck session:

• Drinks: Dark roast coffee (amps up coffee, chocolate); Maker’s Mark bourbon (lifts leather, caramel); espresso (grounds earth).
• Foods: Dark chocolate (matches gingerbread sweetness); smoked almonds (echoes roasted nuts).

Enjoy these for a bold, relaxing evening smoke.

Value: Worth the Price?

At $22 a stick or $220 for a box of 10, the Toro’s pricey but delivers. Its rich flavors and solid build justify the cost, hitting select premium shops from June 10, 2025. The 1776-box limit ensures a fast sell-out. Compared to Encore Black’s $17, it’s steeper but rarer. The faint bitterness dings it slightly, but it’s a steal for collectors.

Our Rating:

The Perez-Carrillo Pledge of Allegiance 2025 Toro earns a Refined. Its coffee, chocolate, and spiced rum notes deliver a bold, medium-full smoke. At $22, it’s a premium pick, but the bitter finish and minor burn quirk hold it back just a bit. Regardless, it is a top choice for a special evening.

Final Thoughts

After 90 minutes with the Pledge of Allegiance 2025 Toro, I’m hooked on its coffee, dark chocolate, and gingerbread groove. The medium-full body is rich, layered, but a late bitterness and minor burn touch-up keep it from perfection. At $22, it’s a steal for a limited smoke. It’s a bold win for special nights.

A standout smoke, just shy of elite.

Own the Smoke: Make It Yours

This Toro’s for smokers craving a bold, medium-full smoke with coffee, spice, and earth. It’s richer than E.P. Carrillo’s Essence Connecticut—it is not for mild-smoke fans. The 90-minute burn suits a chill evening at select shops, but with only 1776 boxes, they’ll vanish fast. Light it up, sip a coffee, and soak in the American spirit.

Great smokes are to be shared!

See you next time.