Illusione Singulare Phantom
The Phantom is the first size in Illusiones new Singulare line. Every year, Illusione will release 1,000 boxes of the Singulare blend in a different size. Illusione is one of the top boutique cigar manufacturers, and Ben and I both appreciate the fact that they do not put out a ridiculous number of limited releases like many other brands. Too many manufacturers are creating minute variations of regular-production cigars and releasing them as limited editions, exclusive blends, etc., but Dion Giolito, owner of Illusione, has yet to employ this absurd tactic. Dion doesnt have to rely on constantly creating hype in order to sell his product he simply makes outstanding cigars that people come back for again and again.
Pre-Light: A subtle hay and a slightly muted cedar are what we get out of this pre-light.
First Third: The Phantom starts out with a very mild cedar and chili pepper flavor. A strong graham cracker soon picks up and sends the other flavors to the background. As the chili pepper fades, nice floral and clove notes move in. These go very well with the graham cracker, and we are thoroughly enjoying this cigar right now. Ben notices some hints of caramel in his, and I am actually hit with some subtle vanilla notes on the exhale. Little bits of almond seem to be mixing in with the rest of the flavors toward the end of this first third.
Second Third: Graham cracker and clove are still the dominating flavors throughout this third. The caramel and almond have gone away. Ben mentions that this might be the best example of graham cracker flavors in a cigar that he has tasted in a while, and I must agree with him on this. The flavors, although unchanging through the second third, were incredibly strong. We are both huge fans of the clove and graham cracker.
Final Third: We are both lucky, as the graham cracker sticks with us until the end of the cigar. The clove turns into cinnamon, which I actually like better than the clove. Cinnamon is unique, and pairs well with the graham cracker. The Phantom gets sweeter at the very end Ben likens his to a molasses, but I would call mine more of a caramel. Final smoking time was 2 hours and 40 minutes.
Illusione has yet again amazed us with a delicious, quality cigar. Their no-bullshit approach to making cigars has gained our loyalty no gimmicky, hyped-up, one-off releases coming out every two weeks from these guys. Dion puts out solid cigars at great prices. Ben and I both value this cigar at $13, but I would easily pay up to $15 for it. I love these things so much that I smoked three of them during my shift the other night! I would also like to add that they are going to age incredibly well. With light floral notes already, they will only become more prominent with time. Those, added to the graham cracker and clove, will make for an epic cigar down the road. I speculate that in three years they will be my favorite cigar in the humidor!
where to find: Newhavanacigars.com
expect to pay: $12 per cigar
The Phantom is the first size in Illusiones new Singulare line. Every year, Illusione will release 1,000 boxes of the Singulare blend in a different size. Illusione is one of the top boutique cigar manufacturers, and Ben and I both appreciate the fact that they do not put out a ridiculous number of limited releases like many other brands. Too many manufacturers are creating minute variations of regular-production cigars and releasing them as limited editions, exclusive blends, etc., but Dion Giolito, owner of Illusione, has yet to employ this absurd tactic. Dion doesnt have to rely on constantly creating hype in order to sell his product he simply makes outstanding cigars that people come back for again and again.
Pre-Light: A subtle hay and a slightly muted cedar are what we get out of this pre-light.
First Third: The Phantom starts out with a very mild cedar and chili pepper flavor. A strong graham cracker soon picks up and sends the other flavors to the background. As the chili pepper fades, nice floral and clove notes move in. These go very well with the graham cracker, and we are thoroughly enjoying this cigar right now. Ben notices some hints of caramel in his, and I am actually hit with some subtle vanilla notes on the exhale. Little bits of almond seem to be mixing in with the rest of the flavors toward the end of this first third.
Second Third: Graham cracker and clove are still the dominating flavors throughout this third. The caramel and almond have gone away. Ben mentions that this might be the best example of graham cracker flavors in a cigar that he has tasted in a while, and I must agree with him on this. The flavors, although unchanging through the second third, were incredibly strong. We are both huge fans of the clove and graham cracker.
Final Third: We are both lucky, as the graham cracker sticks with us until the end of the cigar. The clove turns into cinnamon, which I actually like better than the clove. Cinnamon is unique, and pairs well with the graham cracker. The Phantom gets sweeter at the very end Ben likens his to a molasses, but I would call mine more of a caramel. Final smoking time was 2 hours and 40 minutes.
Illusione has yet again amazed us with a delicious, quality cigar. Their no-bullshit approach to making cigars has gained our loyalty no gimmicky, hyped-up, one-off releases coming out every two weeks from these guys. Dion puts out solid cigars at great prices. Ben and I both value this cigar at $13, but I would easily pay up to $15 for it. I love these things so much that I smoked three of them during my shift the other night! I would also like to add that they are going to age incredibly well. With light floral notes already, they will only become more prominent with time. Those, added to the graham cracker and clove, will make for an epic cigar down the road. I speculate that in three years they will be my favorite cigar in the humidor!
where to find: Newhavanacigars.com
expect to pay: $12 per cigar
