Illusione ~eccj~

Don Fernando · 09-23-2010, 04:49 PM

When I first heard the name Illusione ~eccj~ I thought "isn't that confusing" because of the European Cigar Cult Journal uses that acronym but then I read that this corona gorda was created to commemorate the 15 year anniversary of the magazine. ECCJ commisioned Illusione to make a cigar blended for the European palate, and Illusione tried to do that with 100% Nicaraguan tobacco, including a corojo wrapper leaf from Rosado claro shade that gives the cigar a reddish glow. Even though the cigars are Nicaraguan puros, they were made in Honduras. The ~eccj~ is a limited production, only 300 boxes of 15 were made.

As I said, the cigar has a reddish glow due to the rosado leaf. The band is just like the other Illusione bands, small and white with golden letters. There are lots of small and thin veins on the wrapper. The construction feels good, although the cigar feels a bit oval instead of round or box-pressed. The predraw is on the loose side and I taste some wood.

I taste a quite strong earth flavor with a pleasant metallic feel too it and a hint of chocolate. After half an inch the metallic flavor is gone and I taste earth and toast. The earth becomes less strong while the chocolate gains some power.

Halfway the chocolate becomes dominant with earth and herbs on the background. After ⅔ the chocolate loses some of its strength and makes a nice mix with the herbal and earth flavors.

The smoke time of this cigar is a bit disappointing, only 75 minutes. I got a reasonable amount of thick white smoke. The draw is on the loose side, but it's not so loose that it bothers me. The ash is quite firm and has a salt & pepper color. This cigar is full flavored and medium bodied. I only got a small flame when I purged the cigar.

Would I buy this cigar again? I wish, this was a limited edition and sold out everywhere

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

dwoodward · 09-23-2010, 04:53 PM

Do you get manicure's Ferdie? Your finger nails are always flawless!

Nice review on a limited edition cigar!

Don Fernando · 09-23-2010, 04:54 PM

I am a metro man

LasciviousXXX · 09-23-2010, 04:56 PM

This is how behind the loop I am. I didn't even know this cigar existed. Looks great bro

Will have to track one down and try one one of these days.

kelmac07 · 09-23-2010, 10:22 PM

Great review Ferdie...I have enjoyed the two that I was able to find.

DPD6030 · 09-23-2010, 10:54 PM

Never had the eccj but the other illusiones I've had I enjoy a ton. Thanks for the review Don.

mash · 09-24-2010, 12:05 AM

Thanks for the review. These are great cigars.

BigAsh · 09-24-2010, 10:12 AM

Nice Ferdie.....had 2....smoked one and enjoyed it...gave the other to a friend to try, not realizing it was "limited production"....at least he enjoyed it too!

BTcigars · 09-24-2010, 02:04 PM

Nice review, my B&M has a few of these. I will need to try it before they are gone.

09-24-2010, 03:04 PM

Awesome review, I have a few bands off of those from my cigar band donations for my humidor project, this explains why I've never seen them!

STEVE S · 09-24-2010, 03:45 PM

Thanks for another great review, with pictures!! I always enjoy your reviews.

longknocker · 09-24-2010, 08:49 PM

Fantastic Review, Ferdie!

Powers · 09-24-2010, 10:44 PM

Great review Ferdie! I love me some Illusiones

awsmith4 · 09-24-2010, 11:50 PM

Nice review! I've enjoyed the ones I've had.

Isn't the Epernay supposedly the same blend?

MedicCook · 09-25-2010, 12:04 AM

Thanks for the review Ferdie.

alwayslit · 09-25-2010, 02:10 AM

These are a great cigar.

Don Fernando · 09-25-2010, 05:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by awsmith4

Isn't the Epernay supposedly the same blend?

the Epernay is based on this blend, but not exactly the same as far as I know.

09-25-2010, 09:51 AM

Still got an unopened box from January 2009 I'm waiting to open and enjoy!

shilala · 09-25-2010, 10:01 AM

I don't usually negative out on a review, but I found the eccj to be poop.
I was really shocked, cause I love a nic puro. Go figure?
It had zero nic puro balls, and smoked like a Casa Torano Ecuadorian Connie. Blech.

alwayslit · 09-25-2010, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shilala

I don't usually negative out on a review, but I found the eccj to be poop.
I was really shocked, cause I love a nic puro. Go figure?
It had zero nic puro balls, and smoked like a Casa Torano Ecuadorian Connie. Blech.

.....definitely not a balls on strong nic puro. That is what makes it unique

09-23-2010, 04:49 PM	#1
Don Fernando Postwhore Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Ferdinand Location: Singapore Posts: 10,068 Trading: (29)	Illusione ~eccj~ When I first heard the name Illusione ~eccj~ I thought "isn't that confusing" because of the European Cigar Cult Journal uses that acronym but then I read that this corona gorda was created to commemorate the 15 year anniversary of the magazine. ECCJ commisioned Illusione to make a cigar blended for the European palate, and Illusione tried to do that with 100% Nicaraguan tobacco, including a corojo wrapper leaf from Rosado claro shade that gives the cigar a reddish glow. Even though the cigars are Nicaraguan puros, they were made in Honduras. The ~eccj~ is a limited production, only 300 boxes of 15 were made. As I said, the cigar has a reddish glow due to the rosado leaf. The band is just like the other Illusione bands, small and white with golden letters. There are lots of small and thin veins on the wrapper. The construction feels good, although the cigar feels a bit oval instead of round or box-pressed. The predraw is on the loose side and I taste some wood. I taste a quite strong earth flavor with a pleasant metallic feel too it and a hint of chocolate. After half an inch the metallic flavor is gone and I taste earth and toast. The earth becomes less strong while the chocolate gains some power. Halfway the chocolate becomes dominant with earth and herbs on the background. After ⅔ the chocolate loses some of its strength and makes a nice mix with the herbal and earth flavors. The smoke time of this cigar is a bit disappointing, only 75 minutes. I got a reasonable amount of thick white smoke. The draw is on the loose side, but it's not so loose that it bothers me. The ash is quite firm and has a salt & pepper color. This cigar is full flavored and medium bodied. I only got a small flame when I purged the cigar. Would I buy this cigar again? I wish, this was a limited edition and sold out everywhere Appearance: 7 / 10 Construction: 7 / 10 Draw: 7 / 10 Burn: 8 / 10 Smoke & ash: 8 / 10 Aroma first part: 8 / 10 Aroma second part: 8 / 10 Aroma third part: 7 / 10 __________________ check out my reviews on my blog.

09-23-2010, 04:53 PM	#2
dwoodward Gentlemen, you may smoke! Join Date: Jul 2010 First Name: Derrick Location: South Dakota Posts: 1,868 Trading: (26)	Re: Illusione ~eccj~ Do you get manicure's Ferdie? Your finger nails are always flawless! Nice review on a limited edition cigar!

09-23-2010, 04:54 PM	#3
Don Fernando Postwhore Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Ferdinand Location: Singapore Posts: 10,068 Trading: (29)	Re: Illusione ~eccj~ I am a metro man __________________ check out my reviews on my blog.

09-23-2010, 04:56 PM	#4
LasciviousXXX Team of 11...Always Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Týr Location: New Orleans Posts: 4,579 Trading: (8)	Re: Illusione ~eccj~ This is how behind the loop I am. I didn't even know this cigar existed. Looks great bro Will have to track one down and try one one of these days.

09-23-2010, 10:22 PM	#5
kelmac07 Resident Maduro Whore!! Join Date: Apr 2009 First Name: Mac Location: Newport News, VA Posts: 27,322 Trading: (218)	Re: Illusione ~eccj~ Great review Ferdie...I have enjoyed the two that I was able to find. __________________ Dom in the MLB thread "I could probably get you to wear a Yankee hat for a Maduro!"

09-23-2010, 10:54 PM	#6
DPD6030 Shepard of the sheeple Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Andrew Location: The Mitten Posts: 7,166 Trading: (151)	Re: Illusione ~eccj~ Never had the eccj but the other illusiones I've had I enjoy a ton. Thanks for the review Don.

09-24-2010, 12:05 AM	#7
mash Adjusting to the Life Join Date: Nov 2008 First Name: Kevin Posts: 435 Trading: (2)	Re: Illusione ~eccj~ Thanks for the review. These are great cigars.

09-24-2010, 10:12 AM	#8
BigAsh Don't knock the Ash... Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Keith Location: Yardley, PA Posts: 5,046 Trading: (46)	Re: Illusione ~eccj~ Nice Ferdie.....had 2....smoked one and enjoyed it...gave the other to a friend to try, not realizing it was "limited production"....at least he enjoyed it too! __________________ Keith

09-24-2010, 02:04 PM	#9
BTcigars Adjusting to the Life Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Sacramento CA Posts: 486 Trading: (1)	Re: Illusione ~eccj~ Nice review, my B&M has a few of these. I will need to try it before they are gone. __________________ Be sure to chek out my blog.

09-24-2010, 03:04 PM	#10
gijoey959 Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Illusione ~eccj~ Awesome review, I have a few bands off of those from my cigar band donations for my humidor project, this explains why I've never seen them!

09-24-2010, 03:45 PM	#11
STEVE S Have My Own Room Join Date: Jan 2010 First Name: Steve Location: Coconut Creek, Fl. Posts: 1,092 Trading: (1)	Re: Illusione ~eccj~ Thanks for another great review, with pictures!! I always enjoy your reviews.

09-24-2010, 08:49 PM	#12
longknocker Postwhore Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Greg Location: Mobile, Alabama Posts: 11,162 Trading: (82)	Re: Illusione ~eccj~ Fantastic Review, Ferdie!

09-24-2010, 10:44 PM	#13
Powers Swamp Ash member in exile Join Date: Feb 2009 First Name: Michael Location: Fayetteville, Arkansas Posts: 2,283 Trading: (17)	Re: Illusione ~eccj~ Great review Ferdie! I love me some Illusiones __________________ "There is true glory and true honor: the glory of duty done, the honor of integrity and principle" - Robert E. Lee

09-24-2010, 11:50 PM	#14
awsmith4 Simple Pleasures - 2oL Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Albert Location: Marietta, Georgia Posts: 4,602 Trading: (111)	Re: Illusione ~eccj~ Nice review! I've enjoyed the ones I've had. Isn't the Epernay supposedly the same blend? __________________ Its THIS easy to support our troops

09-25-2010, 12:04 AM	#15
MedicCook Mila smoked my cigar Join Date: Jan 2009 First Name: Ryan Location: Schaghticoke, NY Posts: 10,946 Trading: (7)	Re: Illusione ~eccj~ Thanks for the review Ferdie. __________________ 27 World Series Championship's "If your wife doesn't like the aroma of your cigar, change your wife.", Zino Davidoff

09-25-2010, 02:10 AM	#16
alwayslit Welcome to the madness Join Date: Jul 2009 First Name: Jim Location: DC/Tampa Posts: 487 Trading: (14)	Re: Illusione ~eccj~ These are a great cigar.

09-25-2010, 09:51 AM	#18
SkinsFanLarry Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Illusione ~eccj~ Still got an unopened box from January 2009 I'm waiting to open and enjoy!

09-25-2010, 10:01 AM	#19
shilala Dear Lord, Thank You. Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Scott Posts: 13,721 Trading: (252)	Re: Illusione ~eccj~ I don't usually negative out on a review, but I found the eccj to be poop. I was really shocked, cause I love a nic puro. Go figure? It had zero nic puro balls, and smoked like a Casa Torano Ecuadorian Connie. Blech. __________________