danthebugman
BoM Nov '10
Size: 5 1/8 x 42
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Cafe Colorado
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Price: $6-7
Intro: If you haven't noticed my change in avatar yesterday, it was my son's third birthday. Hard to believe that much time has already passed. Just not that long ago my wife and I brought him home...now he has conversations with you. Crazy. At any rate, it was also an unseasonably warm 68 degrees. Crazy. So I rummaged through the humidors while he was putting his shoes on. I had initially intended on burning the My Father Federal 91st Connie, but this cigar caught my fancy. I've had kind of a thing for Illusione lately...
Prelight: Admiring this cigar, it's elegant in it's simplicity. Beautiful, oily Colorado wrapper with a simple white band. Seams are tight, cap neatly applied. Wouldn't expect anything less from Illusione. Prelight aroma is a rich tobacco with a slight saltiness. Just a slight bit of give when pinched between the fingers. Quick snip from the Palio opens up an easy draw with a slight bit of resistance. Cold draw carries a familiar nutty, rich tobacco flavor with a delayed peppery tingle on the tongue. Fired it up with a Ronson, my son grabbed his tricycle and we headed down the street...
First Third: Immediatly I'm reminded that I really dig the Illusione flavor profile. Wonderfully rich tobacco flavor with a nutmeg spiciness to it. Creamy sweetness and then some pepper on the finish. Burning great, ash is holding strong and is a dark gray color. About halfway though the first third, I get a subtle reminder that this one is a notch above the rest of the line in the strength level.
Second Third: Much the same. The pepper died down leaving that rich, nutmeg, creamy profile. About half way through it started to make a transition to a more woody, creamy profile. Burn was a little errant here and there, but nothing that didn't correct itself. Strength is hitting me in the stomach a little, should have brought a coke with me...or eaten a snack before I left.
Last Third: In the last third the flavors became a slightly sweet, creamy, woody profile with hints of a fruit like dark cherries or prunes at times. Not in your face, just a subtle fruitiness from time to time. The strength is there, but not overpowering at all and the feeling in my stomach from earlier has subsided. When it was burning my fingers, I pitched it down a storm drain.
Final Thoughts: Well what can you say about Illusione other than they're great cigars? :dunno: The size of the MK is great for a shorter smoke and if you like the 88 or the 68, but wish they just had a bit more strength then you'll love this cigar. I still prefer the price point on the 88 or the 68 versus this cigar, but definitely something to have around if you're in the mood for something a little heavier. Glad I tried it and it was a wonderful celebratory cigar (although it could be smoked on a more mundane occasion, say...just because :grin
.Dan
