Origin : Nicaragua
Format : Lancero
Size : 7.5 x 40
Wrapper : Nicaragua
Filler : Nicaragua
Binder : Nicaragua
Hand-Made
Price : ~$7-9 per stick

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.

Read the full review of Illusione ~ hl ~ Holy Lance…

Origin : Nicaragua
Format : Toro
Size : 6 x 54
Wrapper : Nicaragua
Filler : Nicaragua
Binder : Nicaragua
Hand-Made
Price : ~$7-8 each

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…

Read the full review of Illusione MJ12…

Origin : Nicaragua
Format : Petit Corona
Size : 4 x 44
Ring : 44
Wrapper : Nicaragua
Filler : Nicaragua
Binder : Nicaragua
Hand-Made
Price : ~$5 each

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.

Read the full review of Illusione 68…

Origin : Honduras
Format : Perfecto
Size : 5 5/8 x 46
Wrapper : Nicaragua
Filler : Nicaragua, Honduras
Binder : Nicaragua
Hand-Made
Price : ~$8 each

In this review, Tim A.K.A. Handypilot draws a comparison between Cruzado and Illusione flavor profiles. Enjoy!

This stick is part of Cruzado series of smokes from Dion Giolito’s Illusione brand. Similar to the Illusione, though a slightly lower price point, they incorporate blends of Criollo and Corojo. However, the Cruzado line is 2 parts Criollo and 1 part Corojo, as opposed to Illusione’s 1 part Criollo and 2 parts Corojo. This stick was gifted to me from a fellow BOTL and was my first Cruzado. I was somewhat anxious to smoke the Marelas as I’m a big fan of Illusione. Here’s my take…

Read the full review of Cruzado Marelas…

Origin : Honduras
Format : Lancero
Size : 7.5″ x 40
Wrapper : Nicaraguan
Filler : Nicaraguan
Binder : Nicaraguan
Hand-Made
Price : $9 each

Since Illusione cigars burst on the scene they have been well received and its creator Dion Giolito has reached near rock star status in the cigar community. I shared some details on Dion and his cigar company in my review of the Illusione ~cg:4~ if you are interested.

Read the full review of Illusione ~hl~ (Holy Lance)…

Origin : Nicaragua
Format : Petit Corona
Size : 5 1/8 x 42
Ring : 42
Wrapper : Nicaragua Café Colorado
Filler : Nicaragua
Binder : Nicaragua
Hand-Made
Price : ~$6 each

I recently bought a box (AUG07) of these cigars solely upon the recommendation of several Brothers of the Leaf, and certainly do not regret the purchase. Originally the MK was only available at trade shows where Dion Giolito used them to show off his cigar blending and rolling genius. More recently they have become available in limited regular production. This is the first Nicaraguan Puro I have ever had the pleasure to taste. In my 15 years of cigar smoking I have almost exclusively smoked Cuban cigars until now. All I can say is that I got taught! I am reviewing the 5th cigar I have smoked in the box, but they have been all consistently the same.

Read the full review of Illusione MK Teaching Machine…

Origin : Nicaragua
Format : Petit Corona
Size : 4 x 44
Ring : 44
Wrapper : Nicaragua
Filler : Nicaragua
Binder : Nicaragua
Hand-Made
Price : ~$5 each

This is one of those little sticks that make you wonder how they pack so much in without overpowering the smoke or burn. I’ve smoked a few Illusiones in the past . . . enjoyed them all. However, this is my maiden voyage with this vitola.

Read the full review of Illusione 68 Bombone…

Origin : Honduras
Format : Perfecto
Size : 5 5/8″ x 46
Wrapper : Nicaraguan Criollo
Filler : Nicaraguan and Honduran
Binder : Nicaragua
Hand-Made
Price : $9 each

The Cruzado is brought to us by the same people who make the Illusione line of cigars. I previously reviewed the Cruzado Elitas which I found to be an amazing smoke. In that review I laid out all the details of the Cruzado line so rather than repeat all that in this review, just click here if you’re interested in those details. Today I am smoking the Marelas. The Marelas is a perfecto and a skinny one at that. I mentioned before one of the things about the Cruzados is that not a single stick in the entire line tops a 48 ring size and that includes this perfecto, which at its thickest is just a 46 ring. I am partial to the thinner ring gauges. In my opinion the 42-48 range for ring size is an ideal size for a cigar allowing for the best balance of flavors between wrapper and blend.

Read the full review of Cruzado Marelas…