Illusione culebra

[Don Fernando]

Two years ago I was in a trade with an Bao, I would send him some Partagas Culebras and he would send me the Illusione Culebra. Soon after I got it I smoked one with two friends at an Amsterdam herf and made a quick review. As I didn't took pictures back then I decided to light another for some pictures and write another review while I was at it.



I love the box, the logos and especially the stamp of a box code, so you know when this cigar is produced, just like with Cuban cigars. I wish all non Cuban cigarmakers would do that. These specific 6½x33 Illusione Culebras are made in august of 2008.

The cigars come, unlike the Partagas, without a band and with little pieces of rope instead of the red ribbon which leave a mark in the wrapper. The wrapper is mocha colored with some pimples and veins. The construction feels good and I have a flawless predraw that leaves a salty tobacco flavor on my palate. This cigar is too thin to punch so I have to grab my palio to cut it.



I taste a full and spicy coffee flavor with some wood. After an inch the coffee disappears. I get a strong pepper taste on my tongue with a smooth woodflavor on the background.

After puffing for a while I only taste herbs and spices, the wood has disappeared. Even though the flavors are spicy, they are still smooth. The wood flavor makes a comeback as a support of the herbal flavors. The flavors are mild creamy and the spices bite a little on my tongue.



A little passed the middle I taste a mild minty flavor with the herbs and spices and far far away on the background even a little hint of chocolate.



The chocolate disappears almost immediately again and the herbal flavors are getting stronger. Then suddenly after two thirds I get a dominant wood flavor that sticks until I have to lay the nub to rest in my ashtray.


The smoke time of this culebra is about one hour and twenty five minutes. The draw is fine and the burn is straight as an arrow. This full flavored medium bodied cigar gives me a nice amount of medium thick smoke. The ash is light colored and not firm at all.



Would I buy this cigar again? I might just have to get myself a new box.

Appearance: 7 / 10
Construction: 8 / 10
Draw: 8 / 10
Burn: 8 / 10
Smoke & ash: 7 / 10
Aroma first part: 8 / 10
Aroma second part: 8 / 10
Aroma third part: 8 / 10