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+--- Thread: Illusione 4/2g (/thread-11226.html)
- macallan2 - 11-05-2007
Well, after all the stuff I was hearing about these and the fact that the Vikes won a game and I had to ge to work for a few hours yesterday, I decided to reward myself by picking up a couple of these to try. First off, let me say how happy I was I did because I had to go to a B&M that I usually avoid to find them. While this place has the nicest lounge around, I hated the old ownership. Alas, ownership has changed and a cute woman is now running the shop! True, she's married to the other owner but it's a helluva lot better than the old alternative that was there! So, now I have my winter smoking spot back!
On to the review!Illusione 4/2g 7.5 x 49
Country: Nicaragua
Strength: Full
Well there's the quick stats. Let's get on to the substance of this cigar, and there was plenty of it! This baby cut effortlessly. The prelight draw was just as I like it with tobacco and leather notes coming through. The light was very easy. My first few puffs had a bit of pepper in them. I have to admit, I was worried I'd bitten off more than I could handle. I didn't really want to smoke a strong peppery cigar but I was happy to find that the pepper notes were very faint and all but disappeared in the first third of this cigar. What replaced that pepper was a very pleasant tobacco sweetness. Not sweet like sugar but tobacco sweet. Just straight tobacco flavor with smoke that was chewy and finished sweet. The burn on this one started off a little uneven but that also worked itself out through the first third. The ash held for about 2 inches and I never had to relight or touch up the burn. The sweetnest I was enjoying slipped away in the last third and was replaced with a bit of the pepper along with more of those tobacco and leather notes I sensed in the pre-light. I let this one go with about an inch left and it was starting to get bitter but I know I was smoking too fast as the sun had gone down and it was starting to get cold on the deck.
My overall impression of this stick was that it's a wonderful large cigar with a surprisingly balanced flavor profile. The sweetness balances the tobacco and the nicotine power of this cigar beautifully. While i haven't been smoking much lately, I don't consider myself a lightweight but this cigar definitely let me know who was in charge! I'd say this would be an after meal smoke. I paid about $11 local (we have high taxes here:X) and felt it was worth it - or at least I didn't feel disappointed and ripped off. I highly recommend this cigar for anyone who prefers full bodied large cigars. I'd give it a 9 and plan to get a box to lay down as I see some aging potential in these guys. Anyone who can balance strength and flavor this well in a large stick knows what they're doing! Can't wait to see how these will mature.
- Happy Smoking
- MaytagMan - 11-05-2007
Thanks for the review - I have liked the samples I have tried, and may have to pick up a box as well...
- fishhound - 11-05-2007
Great review, Mac. I think everyone knows what I think of this cigar. I have not tried that viola as of yet, it is not really my choice of size. However I think this is such a good cigar that I will try every size they make.
- tafdom - 11-06-2007
Doc Interview
http://www.stogiefresh.com/journal/Cigar_Journal/Interviews/Entries/2007/9/6_Dion_Giolito:_Illusione_Cigars.html
- Skipper the cigar aFISHinodo - 11-18-2007
to each his own. I thought the cigar was only marginally better than a drugstore cigar. Just the thought of the bitterness in that thing, 3 days later, gives me a headache.
- Bluesman455 - 11-23-2007
Skipper the cigar aFISHinodo Wrote:to each his own. I thought the cigar was only marginally better than a drugstore cigar. Just the thought of the bitterness in that thing, 3 days later, gives me a headache.
hock:hock: John,have you had the Old Henry from Holt's? if not,shoot me a PM.[italy][rob]