Origin : Nicaragua
Format : Corona Gorda
Size : 5 5/8 x 46
Wrapper : Nicaraguan
Filler : Nicaraguan
Binder : Nicaraguan
Hand-Made
Price : $12+
ECCJ stands for European Cigar Cult Journal, which is a cigar magazine. Dion Giolito was asked to make this cigar for the celebration of the magazine's 15th anniversary. I have never read or seen the magazine, but I hear you can read it in both English and German, that’s pretty cool.
Origin : Honduras
Format : Lancero
Size : 7.5″ x 40
Wrapper : Candela
Filler : Nicaraguan
Binder : Nicaraguan
Hand-Made
Price : $8 each
More info about purchasing Illusione cigars...
I have to believe that this cigar is a first in the Modern Cigar Era. A Candela wrapped Lancero. I recently reviewed the Illusione ~88~ Candela which kindled a spark of interest for this wrapper that I largely ignored in the past. Like I said in that review of the ~88~, Candela wrappers seemed to be reserved for use on bad cigars. The regular Illusione ~hl~ sports a rosado wrapper and is probably my number one favorite Illusione cigar. The standard ~hl~ is the definition of elegance and balance. The Candela ~hl~ is a different animal.
I don’t know if the blend of this cigar was tweaked or just entirely different from the blend used for the standard Holy Lance but this green version tastes nothing like the original. The Candela is heavy on the palate with a strong spice. The Candela wrapper imparts a crispness with a slight grassy note and a subtle sweetness that is almost completely overpowered by the spice and tobacco flavors. The heaviness of the flavors is backed up by a fairly stout punch in the strength department. I found the ~hl~ Candela to be a bit rough around the edges but still a really good robust smoke. If you asked me to pick a favorite of the Candelas I think I’d have to give the nod to the ~88~. One I will certainly enjoy again. Still, I thought the Lancero was excellent and offers a different Candela experience. It is a cigar I will certainly enjoy again soon. My Local just got a bunch of boxes in so I should be able to stay in good supply.
Origin : Honduras
Format : Petit Corona
Size : 4 x 46
Wrapper : Nicaraguan Criollo
Filler : Honduran and Nicaraguan
Binder : Nicaraguan
Hand-Made
Price : ~$8 each
More info about purchasing Cruzado cigars...
The Encounter: I’ve been searching the country for this target since it appeared on our Most Wanted List. An informant on vacation in Florida tipped me off to its whereabouts. A plane ride later, I had sequestered the target for interrogation.
Origin : Nicaragua
Format : Robusto
Size : 5 x 50
Wrapper : Nicaragua
Filler : Nicaragua
Binder : USA
Hand-Made
Price : ~$8 each
More info about purchasing Illusione cigars...
The long-awaited Illusione Nosotros blend was released in 2009 in a joint venture between Jonathan Drew from Drew Estate and Dion Giolito from Illusione Cigars. These cigars are rolled in Drew Estate's factory in Esteli, Nicaragua. They come in eight vitolas with the Robusto been the subject of today’s review.
Origin : Nicaragua
Format : Petit Corona
Size : 4 x 44
Ring : 44
Wrapper : Nicaragua
Filler : Nicaragua
Binder : Nicaragua
Hand-Made
Price : ~$5 each
More info about purchasing Illusione 68 cigars...
The Bombone is the smallest vitola in Dion Giolito’s Illusione line, but looks can be deceiving!
I decided to partake in this little treasure while laboring away at the rituals of fall. Wisconsin is seeing the last days of warmth, and with that comes leaves and yard-work. The day was relatively warm and sunny, with temperatures in the 50’s, but my hedge trimmer was even hotter! While raking and trimming I decided to find a smoke that would be quick and wouldn’t require too much attention. The Illusione 68 fit the bill. Here’s my take…
Origin : Nicaragua
Format : Lancero
Size : 7.5 x 40
Wrapper : Nicaragua
Filler : Nicaragua
Binder : Nicaragua
Hand-Made
Price : ~$7-9 per stick
More info about purchasing Illusione Holy Lance cigars...
The following review comes courtesy of Robert (Twitter), a cigar lover from Central Ohio. Enjoy!
In the same league as the Holy Grail and Shroud of Turin, the Holy Lance is considered a relic of Jesus Christ. Believed to be the spear that pierced Christ's side as he hung on the cross, according to legend, Constantine the Great (the first Christian Roman Emperor) carried the weapon in battle. Some believe that Hitler pilfered the Holy Lance and ordered it to be hidden in Antarctica, where it remained until being retrieved by European Nazis in the seventies.
Since it is impossible to track down the current whereabouts of the Holy Lance, we will just have to examine the Dion Giolito blended Illusione ~ hl ~ the more user friendly Holy Lance.
Origin : Nicaragua
Format : Toro
Size : 6 x 54
Wrapper : Nicaragua
Filler : Nicaragua
Binder : Nicaragua
Hand-Made
Price : ~$7-8 each
More info about purchasing Illusione MJ12 cigars...
The naming conventions used by Dion Giolito for Illusione normally revolve around significant times in his life or Jesus Christ… the latter of which I think is awesome! I was a little puzzled in determining the origination of the name mj12 because it’s not listed on the Illusione website, so I googled onward. Well.. the Majestic Twelve happen to be a committee of scientists, military leaders, and politicians whom were charged with the investigation of UFOs. Based on Dion’s other names I’m guessing this isn’t it, but this is what stogiereview.com lean toward because the shiny foil wrapper makes it look like a UFO; I tried linking it to Christ. The only thing I could come up with was the original 12 disciples of Jesus. This makes sense, because Dion considers the Illusione mj12 a classic connoisseurs cigar, and the 12 disciples were true connoisseurs of Christianity. Let me know if I’m right Dion!
Much like the 68 I smoked the other day, I decided to enjoy a cigar while toiling with leaves and branches. A word of warning: a power hedge trimmer can cut through an extension cord while your concentrating on the flavors of a smoke! Though this did give me the opportunity to retest my soldering skills. I was leaning towards LFD Double Ligero Chisel Head, but I had a light lunch and was working with power tools… bad idea. I still wanted something medium-full bodied to match the crispness of Autumn, so I decided on the Illusione mj12 ‘The Majestic 12′. It had been staring me in the face for several weeks, because I haven’t tried this vitola yet. Here’s my take…
Origin : Nicaragua
Format : Petit Corona
Size : 4 x 44
Ring : 44
Wrapper : Nicaragua
Filler : Nicaragua
Binder : Nicaragua
Hand-Made
Price : ~$5 each
More info about purchasing Illusione 68 cigars...
The 68 is a Nicaraguan puro made by Dion Giolito the founder of Illusione cigars. There seems to be some kind of reported conspiracy or mysteries regarding the reasons behind the names of the Illuisone cigars. There need not be any mystery. All the information is available right on the Illusione site, http://www.illusionecigars.com. In the case of the 68, it is the year Dion Giolito was born. I received this cigar as a gift. It is the only 68 I have smoked, and it’s the only Illusione I have ever smoked.
