Illusione Holy Lance

Don Fernando · 10-15-2009, 08:05 AM

This 7 ½ x 40 lancero is the only Illusione lancero so far, and even though it is a Nicaraguan puro, it is produced in Honduras. The cigar is made from first generation Corojo ‘99 and Criollo ‘98 seeds and has a nice dark and oily Cafe Colorado wrapper. The cigar is a bit oval shaped, not round or box pressed. The construction feels good and the predraw is fine, with a mild spicy flavor. The cigar doesn’t produce a lot of aroma.

I taste a lot of spices, hot & spicy and a little bit of coffee. After about half an inch I also get some cacao as a supporting flavor, very mild and the spices are still the dominant flavors

The cacao flavor fades away and leaves room for sweetness. The sweetness fades away in a few puffs and I am left with the full spices that are persistent in staying the dominant flavor. Halfway I get some chocolate and even some coffee to support the spices

At 2/3rd the spice flavor suddenly drops in strength for just a few puffs and then returns in all its glory and power. The spices get so strong that I get a bit of a burning sensation on my tongue. At the end the cigar gives me a high chocolate boost and then reaches the turning point.

I get lots of smoke, the smoke isn’t thick but neither thin too. I had a bit of a crooked burn in the beginning but the burn corrected itself. The ash is light gray and crooked. This is a full flavored stick, medium to full bodied.

Would I buy this cigar again? I think so, I like this cigar but I am not a big lancero fan, although the vitola is growing on me a bit.

Appearance: 8 / 10
Construction: 7 / 10
Draw: 7 / 10
Smoke & ash: 8 / 10
Burn: 7 / 10
Aroma (first part) 7 / 10
Aroma (middle part) 7 / 10
Aroma (last part) 8 / 10

elderboy02 · 10-15-2009, 08:29 AM

Nice review! I have one of these that I need to smoke. By the way, what movie were you watching? That girl looks kind of like Halle Berry

Don Fernando · 10-15-2009, 08:35 AM

Gothika, and Halle Berry is the most beautiful woman alive. Smoking a good cigar and looking at a beautiful woman, I know worse ways to spend a day.

Skywalker · 10-15-2009, 08:36 AM

Very nice review!!!

The title should be changed to "Illusione Yummy Goodness"!!!

68TriShield · 10-15-2009, 08:40 AM

Thanks for the review,these are one of my favorites!

pfm721 · 10-15-2009, 08:45 AM

Great review thanks.

tuxpuff · 10-15-2009, 09:24 AM

Great review...looks like a tasty stick.

MedicCook · 10-15-2009, 09:27 AM

Thanks for the review & pictures Ferdie.

kaisersozei · 10-15-2009, 10:35 AM

Illusione is one of my favorite lines, and the hl is my second favorite vitola. Glad you didn't have the burn/ash problems I generally experience with these.

Nice review, thanks!

kelmac07 · 10-15-2009, 10:38 AM

Another fine review Ferdie!!

10-15-2009, 11:03 AM

One of my faves. Nice review, Ferd!

Adriftpanda · 10-15-2009, 12:37 PM

This is hands down on my top 3 favorite lanceros, if you would even call this thing a lancero due to how big it is. Thanks for the review and pics, always a pleasure reading your reviews.

OHRD · 10-15-2009, 12:46 PM

Thanks for the post!

Azpostal · 10-15-2009, 12:48 PM

Thanks for the great review and pics.

akumushi · 10-15-2009, 12:58 PM

I love Illusione, but I still haven't tracked one of these down. The B&M I usually get my Illusione singles from won't carry them.

10-15-2009, 08:05 AM	#1
Don Fernando Postwhore Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Ferdinand Location: Singapore Posts: 10,070 Trading: (29)	Illusione Holy Lance This 7 ½ x 40 lancero is the only Illusione lancero so far, and even though it is a Nicaraguan puro, it is produced in Honduras. The cigar is made from first generation Corojo ‘99 and Criollo ‘98 seeds and has a nice dark and oily Cafe Colorado wrapper. The cigar is a bit oval shaped, not round or box pressed. The construction feels good and the predraw is fine, with a mild spicy flavor. The cigar doesn’t produce a lot of aroma. I taste a lot of spices, hot & spicy and a little bit of coffee. After about half an inch I also get some cacao as a supporting flavor, very mild and the spices are still the dominant flavors The cacao flavor fades away and leaves room for sweetness. The sweetness fades away in a few puffs and I am left with the full spices that are persistent in staying the dominant flavor. Halfway I get some chocolate and even some coffee to support the spices At 2/3rd the spice flavor suddenly drops in strength for just a few puffs and then returns in all its glory and power. The spices get so strong that I get a bit of a burning sensation on my tongue. At the end the cigar gives me a high chocolate boost and then reaches the turning point. I get lots of smoke, the smoke isn’t thick but neither thin too. I had a bit of a crooked burn in the beginning but the burn corrected itself. The ash is light gray and crooked. This is a full flavored stick, medium to full bodied. Would I buy this cigar again? I think so, I like this cigar but I am not a big lancero fan, although the vitola is growing on me a bit. Appearance: 8 / 10 Construction: 7 / 10 Draw: 7 / 10 Smoke & ash: 8 / 10 Burn: 7 / 10 Aroma (first part) 7 / 10 Aroma (middle part) 7 / 10 Aroma (last part) 8 / 10 __________________ check out my reviews on my blog.

10-15-2009, 08:29 AM	#2
elderboy02 Lets Go Buckeyes! Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Dan Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 12,509 Trading: (133)	Re: Illusione Holy Lance Nice review! I have one of these that I need to smoke. By the way, what movie were you watching? That girl looks kind of like Halle Berry

10-15-2009, 08:35 AM	#3
Don Fernando Postwhore Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Ferdinand Location: Singapore Posts: 10,070 Trading: (29)	Re: Illusione Holy Lance Gothika, and Halle Berry is the most beautiful woman alive. Smoking a good cigar and looking at a beautiful woman, I know worse ways to spend a day. __________________ check out my reviews on my blog.

10-15-2009, 08:36 AM	#4
Skywalker BABOTL Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Dice Location: Galaxy Far Far Away Posts: 10,168 Trading: (18)	Re: Illusione Holy Lance Very nice review!!! The title should be changed to "Illusione Yummy Goodness"!!! __________________ Smoke what you like!!!

10-15-2009, 08:40 AM	#5
68TriShield Got Torque? Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Dave Location: Maryland Posts: 7,194 Trading: (40)	Re: Illusione Holy Lance Thanks for the review,these are one of my favorites!

10-15-2009, 08:45 AM	#6
pfm721 I bleed Orange and Blue Join Date: Aug 2009 First Name: Patrick Location: Naples, FL Posts: 101 Trading: (7)	Re: Illusione Holy Lance Great review thanks.

10-15-2009, 09:24 AM	#7
tuxpuff Feeling at Home Join Date: Feb 2009 First Name: Luke Location: Austin Posts: 877 Trading: (2)	Re: Illusione Holy Lance Great review...looks like a tasty stick.

10-15-2009, 09:27 AM	#8
MedicCook Mila smoked my cigar Join Date: Jan 2009 First Name: Ryan Location: Schaghticoke, NY Posts: 10,946 Trading: (7)	Re: Illusione Holy Lance Thanks for the review & pictures Ferdie. __________________ 27 World Series Championship's "If your wife doesn't like the aroma of your cigar, change your wife.", Zino Davidoff

10-15-2009, 10:35 AM	#9
kaisersozei The Homebrew Hammer Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Gerard Location: Midlothian, VA Posts: 3,183 Trading: (40)	Re: Illusione Holy Lance Illusione is one of my favorite lines, and the hl is my second favorite vitola. Glad you didn't have the burn/ash problems I generally experience with these. Nice review, thanks! __________________

10-15-2009, 10:38 AM	#10
kelmac07 Resident Maduro Whore!! Join Date: Apr 2009 First Name: Mac Location: Newport News, VA Posts: 27,322 Trading: (218)	Re: Illusione Holy Lance Another fine review Ferdie!! __________________ Dom in the MLB thread "I could probably get you to wear a Yankee hat for a Maduro!"

10-15-2009, 11:03 AM	#11
Wanger Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Illusione Holy Lance One of my faves. Nice review, Ferd!

10-15-2009, 12:37 PM	#12
Adriftpanda Peter's Daddy Join Date: May 2009 First Name: Huy Location: No one wants me Posts: 10,313 Trading: (74)	Re: Illusione Holy Lance This is hands down on my top 3 favorite lanceros, if you would even call this thing a lancero due to how big it is. Thanks for the review and pics, always a pleasure reading your reviews. __________________ Who eats plantains when they can eat placenta.

10-15-2009, 12:46 PM	#13
OHRD Garage w/ couch & ashtray Join Date: Sep 2009 First Name: Matt Posts: 1,377 Trading: (39)	Re: Illusione Holy Lance Thanks for the post! __________________ Did I tell you my garage has a couch and an ashtray? My wife doesn't let me sleep or smoke inside.

10-15-2009, 12:48 PM	#14
Azpostal Feeling at Home Join Date: Jun 2009 First Name: Don Location: Arizona Posts: 511 Trading: (9)	Re: Illusione Holy Lance Thanks for the great review and pics.

10-15-2009, 12:58 PM	#15
akumushi Habanos Apologist Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 1,298 Trading: (11)	Re: Illusione Holy Lance I love Illusione, but I still haven't tracked one of these down. The B&M I usually get my Illusione singles from won't carry them.