What Illusione should I try ?

[SeanGAR]

Frankly, I find the names and marketing weird.

Name the frickin wrapper and origins, jack, and drop the stupid BS.

Yeah, they're Nicaraguan ... wonderful, I love Nic smokes, but I don't feel the need to wade through the horsefeathers to decide which of the bunch is an actual good smoke.

So then .. which Illusione should I buy?

Wait a sec ... are they all the same wrapper etc just different vitolas? That would make my life simple, I prefer corona/PC/lancero sized smokes.

[massphatness]

If you like lanceros, the hl "Holy Lance" is a damn fine stick.

From the New Havana website:

"Dion Giolito blended these cigars using tobacco from first generation Corojo '99 and Criollo '98 seeds. They are beautifully constructed, featuring a Cafe Colorado wrapper and a cuban style triple cap.

Made at the Raices Cubanas factory in Honduras from 100% Nicaraguan tobacco."

They are the same blend.

Try the MK and the CG:4.

[Footbag]

CG:4 is best ratio of wrapper to filler for the blend IMO.


EDIT: OK you talked me into lighting up a CG:4!

[TomHagen]

smaller ring gauges in the Illusione are by far better. mk, cg;4 etc... the larger ring gauges loose focus/flavor.

ps. the marketing with death cult imagery is garbage - agreed.

I personally love the ~4/2g~ Double Corona and the '888' Churchill. The ~cg:4~ is a phenomenal introduction to the brand for sure. It has a little bit almost sweeter edge than the larger sizes. If you want the full on full-bodied ass kicking that Illusiones can sometimes provide...~m7~ Diadema....WAY WORTH THE EXTRA MONEY!

[renton20]

I just picked up a box of the 68s as those are my favs. Second favorite is the hl; I just can't say no to a good lancero.

Now they have a new blend, the Cruzado. Mostly criollo. You're almost getting me so smoke my ~mk~, but I have work to do....

[DKPRLP]

Originally Posted by ScottishSmoker

I personally love the ~4/2g~ Double Corona and the '888' Churchill. The ~cg:4~ is a phenomenal introduction to the brand for sure. It has a little bit almost sweeter edge than the larger sizes.

I ... 2nd this

[CigarDood]

The cg:4 is fantastic.

[Nimbus]

I prefer the Illusione 68. Below is my review on Feb 2008. Enjoy

Illusione 68 a.k.a Bombone

Wrapper: Nicaraguan
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Size: 4 x 44
Strength: Full bodied

This cigar is tiny, yet powerful. Do not be fooled by the size of this cigar. Luckily I ate a full meal before smoking this bad boy.

The wrapper is very oily, dark, rich, triple capped and has no blemishes. Smooth to the touch with a minute resistance when squeezed. I used a punch instead of my Palio because it seemed like the right size for this cigar. The pre-draw was a little deceiving because I did not taste any peppery spice.

Upon lighting the foot of this cigar; the solid construction held together very well. Moderately impressed, I kept torching the foot for about two minutes. The foot glowed red and the burn was even so I decided to take a snork and the first thing that hit me was the peppery spice. Like a Fuente, but a little less intense. This lasted for about 1/3 of the cigar and got stronger after each puff/snork.

At 2/3 of the cigar there was a mellowness that made it more enjoyable. Lots of gray and white smoke. The ash was unmovable as I tried to tap it off at the 1/3 mark. The transition between flavors was gradual and the leathery taste was pronounce with a minute hint of cocoa.

The ash fell of halfway and the burn was a little off. After a quick retouch it was perfect once again.

At the beginning of the 3/3 mark I noticed the flavor of earth. It was subtle yet very smooth and creamy. All the flavors at this point began to mix and marry but with individual characteristics still shining through. Near the end of the cigar I began to notice a cedar flavor and that was an added delight.

Overall I was very impressed with the buttery oil and the smoothness of this cigar.

Appearance: 9
Construction: 9
Flavor: 10
Value: 10
Overall Experience: 9
Overall Grade: 9.4

[bobarian]

New Havana has a couple of nice samplers. All of the line are the same blends, just pick a size and jump in. I like the HL and cg:4 as well.

SeanGar give the F9 (lonsdale) a try, its a good all around size for the PC Lancero fans. My favorite is the 888 (churchill) and don't worry about the comment that the bigger sizes have less focus and flavor because the 888 is great.

[Ratters]

I really enjoyed the #2. Seemed to me to be the strongest/most flavorful of the Illusiones I've had.

[vudu9]

Originally Posted by SeanGAR

Frankly, I find the names and marketing weird.

Name the frickin wrapper and origins, jack, and drop the stupid BS.

Yeah, they're Nicaraguan ... wonderful, I love Nic smokes, but I don't feel the need to wade through the horsefeathers to decide which of the bunch is an actual good smoke.

So then .. which Illusione should I buy?

Wait a sec ... are they all the same wrapper etc just different vitolas? That would make my life simple, I prefer corona/PC/lancero sized smokes.

At least I'm not annother guy standing in a field of tobacco, wearing a Guyabara, wearing a Panama hat and holding a large leaf pretending I know what I'm doing and looking like I've been doing it for my whole life - Boring sizes, same 'ol names for the vitolas. I played in punk-rock bands my whole life - not cover bands. My cigars reflect that music style in some ways. I won't change a thing.

Dion