This morning at work we were discussing some potential conspiracy theories regarding the FDA Regulations, and discussing if big tobacco was behind them to push the little guy out. If you listen to the show, you know my opinions on that; but the conversation made me think of Dion Giolito. Wether it be true or not, I always looked at him as someone into conspiracy and that led me to wanting today’s cigar.
According to their website, “Illusione cigars created by Dion Giolito set out to re-think the modern standard of cigar culture in the market today. Dion’s approach was “do the opposite from everyone else in the industry.” One subtle way was by putting the size descriptive front and center on the band, normally where the brand name would go. Another was a concept in blending a cigar that is “full in flavor,” but medium in strength was relatively non-existent when illusione was introduced into the market. Since 2005, illusione has garnered every award and accolade imaginable in the industry world-wide, and is looked to as a leader in the “new generation” of artfully handmade cigars.”
Cigar Review: Illusione Original Document No. 2
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Factory: TABSA
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Length: 5.5″
Ring Gauge: 52
Vitola: Belicoso
Strength: Medium
The Look: Packaged sans cello in cabinet style boxes, the simplistic black and white band denotes 2, with a tilde on each side of the number and the brand name Illusione. Simple packaging and simple bands allow the cigars to speak for themselves. The cigar features a dark looking wrapper from Nicaragua that has a lot of tooth to it, and is flawlessly applied. The foot of the cigar is slightly spongy, with no soft spots along the remaining length.
The Notes: The cold draw of the cigar has some subtle sweetness to it along with cedar and a slight spice. The foot of the cigar is earthy, with some soft cedar aromas. Once the cigar is lit the dominant note served is cedar with some subtle black pepper.
As we move into the first third of the ~2~ from Illusione, the pepper notes continue in the background but the primary note is cedar. Around a half-inch into the cigar the cedar starts to mellow out some as the pepper grows in intensity with a touch of leather and a slight hint of sweetness through the nose that lingers on the finish.
The second third of the Original Document sees notes leather and cedar remain dominant, but there is a slight zing that reminds me of orange/tangerine zest. Around the halfway point some hints of nuts and caraway seeds appear, over a canvas of cedar. Through the nose the pepper like notes are reminiscent of cayenne pepper with a subtle almost chocolate like finish that is moderate in length.
The final third introduces coffee notes with continue nuttiness. The pepper experienced on the second third of the cigar has dissipated and the sweetness on the finish which is moderate in length, really stands out.
The Burn: I smoked the cigar until there was a quarter-inch or so left, and I was amazed at how cool it burned. The cigar had an easy draw, but I wouldn’t call it loose. The combustion line was razor thin, and the cigar burned even with no touch ups needed or relights.
The Finish: One of the first boutique cigars I ever smoked was the Illusione 68 close to the time it was originally released. It was part of a cigar bomb, from the now defunct Cigar Live. The Illusione offers classic notes and superb construction that I often find myself turning back to on a regular basis. It’s one of those cigars that use to be “what’s new” and now falls into “what’s good”.
Score: 92
Price: $9.20 / $229.99
illusione ~2~
illusione ~2~ Foot
illusione ~2~ Burn
