Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Illusione cg:4

PLEASE NOTE: This blogger and blog has moved to his new home: http://covetry.net

Wrapper: Nicaraguan
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan

Cigar Stars Rating: 9.4

Tonight's cigar was like jazz; smooth, sweet, and unpredictable. It is the Illusione cg:4. A new cigar by a new company. They are unlike any others out there right now and boy is it refreshing. Created by Dion Giolito, this boutique brand is made in small batches. The tobacco used is from first generation Corojo ’99 and Criollo ’98 seeds and Cafe Colorado leaf. They are made at the Raices Cubanas factory in Honduras and are finished with a beautiful cuban style triple cap. All the tobacco is aged for about three years prior to rolling.

Lets start with the wrapper: One word comes to mind immediately: aged. The wrapper is a silky smooth texture and a beautiful dark brown color. No blemishes on mine. It smells suspiciously like a cuban. But of course it’s not. Or is it?

Pre-Light: As all cigars should be it is triple capped and it guillotined without a shred or tear. Draw is perfect and I know I say this about alot of cigars because I’m really not that picky, but with this cigar it truly is as smooth and easy as ever. Before lighting it tastes of heavy tobacco, maybe hints of nutmeg.

Taste: The first inch or so is strong tobacco and spice right out of the gate. But then, almost instantly, it hits you with this sweet, caramel taste for a bit. Around the halfway point heavy tobacco notes come back framed by that same candied sweetness. You really don’t want it to end. The finish is long and spicy, coming back full circle to the taste of the cigar at first light.

The ash is not strong at all, it can and probably will fall into your lap if your not careful, but really who cares? This cigar is really something special. Just after burning my fingers on the nub I ran upstairs and ordered myself a box from the place I ordered the samples: New Havana Cigars. I love this company, the cigars came completely sealed in plastic with a humidipak for freshness. Great guys there, always ship my order same day. After smoking this cigar I am not one bit surprised it was rated up in the top ten cigars of the year by Cigar Aficionado.

6 comments:

Jesse Nachtigal said...

I've smoked quite a few of the Illusione cigars, but haven't gotten around to reviewing them yet. Great review and you are right on about this cigar.

Anthony Rocco said...

thank you brother.

vudu9 said...

Thanks for your kind words. I'll work on the ash.

Dion

WHBaker said...

I'm more of a pipe guy than a cigar guy, so you folks may not care what I think. I do, however, enjoy the occasional cigar; and I enjoy none more than this one. I can't tell you why and I can't scientifically or even qualitatively tell you why, but I just "like this cigar." And when it comes down to it, isn't that what it's all about?

jellis said...

I recently became a part of this hobby due to a avid cigar smoking friend. The cg4 was one of the first boutique smokes I had ever tried, instantly I was hooked and wanted to buy a sampler and get my own humidor. I have been trying to discover the palet for cigars and your review perfectly described what I was tasting while smoking the cg4. Awesome review!

Unknown said...

Thank you so much for that nicely written piece of text.

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