Match M59 paired two undefeated group champions in the Grand 8. E.P. Carrillo Encore Majestic entered 4-0 after winning Group E and defeating Plasencia Alma Fuerte Eduardo I. Davidoff Millennium arrived 4-0 after sweeping Group D and eliminating Tatuaje Black Petite Lancero.
The matchup contrasted a medium-full, 5 3/8 x 52 Dominican-made Robusto with a medium-full, 6 x 50 Dominican Toro. Encore was a Nicaraguan puro made at Tabacalera La Alianza. Millennium paired its Ecuadorian Hybrid 151 wrapper with Dominican binder and filler at Davidoff's Villa González production facility.
Construction, draw, burn, complexity and balance all tied at perfect 5.0 scores. Only finish separated the cigars: Encore won 4.5 to 4.0. That single half-point advantage produced a 29.5 to 29.0 victory and carried Encore into the Final Smokeout.
Matchup at a Glance
| Category | E.P. Carrillo Encore Majestic | Davidoff Millennium |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Casa Carrillo / E.P. Carrillo | Davidoff |
| Origin | Dominican Republic | Dominican Republic |
| Wrapper | Nicaraguan | Ecuadorian Hybrid 151 |
| Binder | Nicaraguan | Dominican |
| Filler | Nicaraguan | Dominican |
| Factory | Tabacalera La Alianza S.A. | Davidoff Production Facility |
| Vitola | Majestic Robusto, 5 3/8 x 52 | Toro, 6 x 50 |
| Strength | Medium-Full | Medium-Full |
| Ashology score | 29.5/30 - Exceptional | 29.0/30 - Exceptional |
| M59 result | Winner - advanced to Final Smokeout | Loss - Grand 8 finisher |
Encore began with sweet cedar, raisin, cocoa and baking spice on the cold draw. Cedar, cinnamon and natural tobacco sweetness opened the cigar as cocoa and pepper developed gradually. Caramel, roasted nuts, coffee and dried fruit formed a balanced center before espresso, oak and baking spice grew richer while the sweetness remained intact.
Millennium opened from a cold draw of cedar, hay, black tea and gentle pepper. Refined cedar, cream, white pepper and toasted bread created an elegant beginning. Coffee, walnut and delicate cocoa added richness before oak, espresso and pepper deepened the profile without disturbing its smooth precision.
Both cigars shared cedar, cocoa, coffee, espresso, oak, pepper, nuts and natural sweetness. Encore expressed those elements through raisin, cinnamon, caramel, dried fruit and baking spice for a richer, sweeter progression. Millennium was subtler and creamier through hay, black tea, white pepper, toasted bread and walnut.
Where the Matchup Was Decided
The technical categories produced no separation. Construction, draw and burn tied 5.0 to 5.0. Encore delivered an excellent draw, steady burn and firm ash, while Millennium supplied effortless airflow, a clean burn and firm ash. Both cigars earned perfect marks for complete technical control.
Encore won one category; Davidoff won none; five categories tied.
Complexity and balance extended the deadlock at 5.0 to 5.0. Encore moved from cedar, cocoa and spice into caramel, nuts, coffee, dried fruit, espresso and oak while preserving sweetness. Millennium layered cedar, cream, tea, coffee, walnut, cocoa, oak and espresso with equally precise integration.
Finish decided the match 4.5 to 4.0. Millennium's long, polished and quietly complex close earned an Excellent score. Encore answered with a long, sweetly spiced and refined finish that carried espresso, oak and baking spice with more persistence. That Outstanding close created the only half point on the scorecard.
Official Result: E.P. Carrillo Encore Majestic Wins Match M59
E.P. Carrillo Encore Majestic defeated Davidoff Millennium 29.5 to 29.0 and advanced to the Final Smokeout. The victory improved Encore to 5-0 and created Match M61 against Padrón 60th Anniversary Perfecto.
Encore later lost to Padrón and Liga Privada T52 to finish #4 overall with a 5-2 record. Its Exceptional 29.5 evaluation and five perfect categories established it as a Final Four cigar. Millennium finished #7 overall at 4-1 as an Exceptional Grand 8 honoree.
Final Ashology Verdict
Davidoff matched Encore everywhere except the final category. Its construction, draw, burn, complexity and balance were all flawless, and its cedar, cream, tea, coffee, walnut, cocoa, oak and espresso delivered exceptional refinement.
Encore advanced because its finish remained a little longer and more expressive. Sweetness, espresso, oak and baking spice carried through an Outstanding close, while Millennium finished with quieter complexity. Five perfect ties left no room elsewhere; one half point on finish decided the Grand 8 matchup.
Tasting notes reflect the cigars and vitolas evaluated during the 2026 competition. Flavor, strength and burn performance may vary based on storage, age, vitola and individual palate. Tobacco products are intended only for adults of legal smoking age.