kmckinn3
Learning from the best
Illusione Epernay
Le Ferme- Robusto Extra- 5 1/4 x 48
Nicaraguan Puro
Smoke time: ~1 hour
Drink: Founders Centennial IPA and water
So now that I've settled in my new place, I thought I'd start a little tradition and review a stick once a week (or so) on my deck. Tonight I chose the Illusione Epernay Le Ferme because I've never had one and have heard only good things.
Last bit of sunlight
Appearance: The rosado Crojo wrapper is flawless. Medium brown, oily, smooth, minimal veins, very clean, beautiful triple cap. The foot looks very well packed and the cigar has a little more heft to it than I expected. After a quick cut, the pre-light draw is perfect and has hints of sweet tobacco and spice.
1/3: Right off the bat I get hit with some pepper but there are notes of caramel and sweet tobacco that mellow it out. Lots of smoke!! The first third remains spicy up front but finish with sweet caramel flavor. The ash is tight, white, with bits of light gray. (I would love it if someone made a thread about what ash can tell you!)
2/3: Entering the second third, the ash held strong after a tap but after another it fell in one big clump leaving the cigar cherry in a perfect cone (top left pic below). The spice has started to fade and more sweet flavors are coming through. I haven't trained my palate well enough to pick up on certain flavors but there is definitely still caramel. There seems to be a nuttiness replacing the spice. The draw is still perfect and the smoke is still abundant. I have had no burn issues.
3/3
Entering the last third, the cigar started to have an unpleasant taste. With about 2 inches left, I wasn't going to bail on it so I gave it a minute. Thankfully it got back to the sweet/nutty flavor it had strayed away from. I think the lack of spice in the 2/3 lead to me smoking a bit quicker so letting it rest did the trick it seems. With everything back to normal, I nubbed this sucker.
This cigar was more complex than I lead you to believe but I'm trying to get better at that. It has the characteristics of a cigar that will do very well with age. It was spicy, woody, nutty, caramelly (yeah I said it) and sweet while staying amazingly smooth the entire time. It would be great at any time of the day. I'll be getting more but would like to try the other sizes. I would recommend this cigar to anyone who enjoys medium-full bodied smoke with excellent construction, flavor profile, and finish. Which should be all of you!!!
Thanks for your time and keep an eye out for the next
Le Ferme- Robusto Extra- 5 1/4 x 48
Nicaraguan Puro
Smoke time: ~1 hour
Drink: Founders Centennial IPA and water
So now that I've settled in my new place, I thought I'd start a little tradition and review a stick once a week (or so) on my deck. Tonight I chose the Illusione Epernay Le Ferme because I've never had one and have heard only good things.
Last bit of sunlight
Appearance: The rosado Crojo wrapper is flawless. Medium brown, oily, smooth, minimal veins, very clean, beautiful triple cap. The foot looks very well packed and the cigar has a little more heft to it than I expected. After a quick cut, the pre-light draw is perfect and has hints of sweet tobacco and spice.
1/3: Right off the bat I get hit with some pepper but there are notes of caramel and sweet tobacco that mellow it out. Lots of smoke!! The first third remains spicy up front but finish with sweet caramel flavor. The ash is tight, white, with bits of light gray. (I would love it if someone made a thread about what ash can tell you!)
2/3: Entering the second third, the ash held strong after a tap but after another it fell in one big clump leaving the cigar cherry in a perfect cone (top left pic below). The spice has started to fade and more sweet flavors are coming through. I haven't trained my palate well enough to pick up on certain flavors but there is definitely still caramel. There seems to be a nuttiness replacing the spice. The draw is still perfect and the smoke is still abundant. I have had no burn issues.
3/3
Entering the last third, the cigar started to have an unpleasant taste. With about 2 inches left, I wasn't going to bail on it so I gave it a minute. Thankfully it got back to the sweet/nutty flavor it had strayed away from. I think the lack of spice in the 2/3 lead to me smoking a bit quicker so letting it rest did the trick it seems. With everything back to normal, I nubbed this sucker.
This cigar was more complex than I lead you to believe but I'm trying to get better at that. It has the characteristics of a cigar that will do very well with age. It was spicy, woody, nutty, caramelly (yeah I said it) and sweet while staying amazingly smooth the entire time. It would be great at any time of the day. I'll be getting more but would like to try the other sizes. I would recommend this cigar to anyone who enjoys medium-full bodied smoke with excellent construction, flavor profile, and finish. Which should be all of you!!!
Thanks for your time and keep an eye out for the next
