Illusione Cigars

Illusione cigars are all rated 90 and above in both Cigar Aficionado and Cigar Insider magazines. This is nearly unprecedented in today's market. Nicaragua was once home to some of the finest tobaccos in the world, though production had slowed after the Sandinistas took over the country in 1979. Illusione cigars set out to recreate a taste profile from these years past. To do that, they were going to need the finest Nicaraguan tobacco available, which they obtain from prized fields in the Jalapa Valley and Esteli reegions. The fields had been neglected for years, but the legendary grower Arcenio Ramos of Cuba recultivated them. He wouldn't do it by himself however, a relative “dream team” of tobacco producers was assembled that included Fernando Chandito and famed agronomist Jacinto of Cuba. Now these famous fields are once more yielding to their fullest potential. The tobacco itself is strong, bold and clean. Illusione cigars are made from first generation Corojo '99, Criollo '98 seeds. They are wrapped with a fine grade one Cafe Colorado wrapper and topped with a traditional triple cap in the permier Raices Cubanas factory. You won't find many cigars on the market today that capture the unique flavor of Illusione. The production continues in small-batches to maintain the highest quality. You will find these cigars have notes of leather, black cherry, earth and finish with a signature olfactory floral sweetness.

Rated 90. Richly hued, this torpedo shows an abundance of spice, leather, cedar and tobacco notes. The finish is nutty with a sweet snap.

Rated 90. Richly hued, this torpedo shows an abundance of spice, leather, cedar and tobacco notes. The finish is nutty with a sweet snap.

Rated 91. This dark, attractive cigar gives off a rich cocoa aroma as it burns. There are significant earth, leather and spice flavors accentuated by very strong tobacco notes.

Rated 91. This dark, attractive cigar gives off a rich cocoa aroma as it burns. There are significant earth, leather and spice flavors accentuated by very strong tobacco notes.

Rated 91. Well made with a chocolately complexion. Although the burn on this cigar is slightly uneven, it shows a rich balance of wood, earth and spice. The finish is nutty.

Rated 91. Well made with a chocolately complexion. Although the burn on this cigar is slightly uneven, it shows a rich balance of wood, earth and spice. The finish is nutty.

Rated 91. Gorgeous and dark with a near perfect draw. It delivers loads of rich coffee, roasted nut and cedar flavors. The wheaty finish carries wisps of leather and caramel.

Rated 91. Gorgeous and dark with a near perfect draw. It delivers loads of rich coffee, roasted nut and cedar flavors. The wheaty finish carries wisps of leather and caramel.

Rated 93. If you don’t read Cigar Insider, CIGAR AFICIONADO’s sister publication, you may have never heard of the brand Illusione. All nine cigars in the line were rated in an August issue of the newsletter, and all but one size scored 90 points or higher, about as impressive a debut as we’ve ever witnessed. The Central American cigars are powerful Nicaraguan puros with quirky names. The cg:4, which measures 5 5/8 inches by 46 ring, has balance as well as strength, with sweet leather, nuts and cocoa on the palate. The cigars are the brainchild of Dion Giolito, owner of the Reno, Nevada, cigar store Fumaré. Giolito doesn’t own his own factory, but the Illusione brand is small enough that he can visit Central America to testsmoke each batch of new tobacco before it is made into his cigars. Production was recently shifted from Nicaragua to Honduras. Consistency is the tough trick to the cigar business, so the real test is ahead for Giolito—maintaining the impeccable quality of these cigars so they live up to the early ratings

Rated 93. If you don’t read Cigar Insider, CIGAR AFICIONADO’s sister publication, you may have never heard of the brand Illusione. All nine cigars in the line were rated in an August issue of the newsletter, and all but one size scored 90 points or higher, about as impressive a debut as we’ve ever witnessed. The Central American cigars are powerful Nicaraguan puros with quirky names. The cg:4, which measures 5 5/8 inches by 46 ring, has balance as well as strength, with sweet leather, nuts and cocoa on the palate. The cigars are the brainchild of Dion Giolito, owner of the Reno, Nevada, cigar store Fumaré. Giolito doesn’t own his own factory, but the Illusione brand is small enough that he can visit Central America to testsmoke each batch of new tobacco before it is made into his cigars. Production was recently shifted from Nicaragua to Honduras. Consistency is the tough trick to the cigar business, so the real test is ahead for Giolito—maintaining the impeccable quality of these cigars so they live up to the early ratings

Rated 90. A dark cigar with an oily wrapper. Its core of profound tobacco flavor is framed by leather, spice and licorice notes. The finish is slightly sweet.

Rated 90. A dark cigar with an oily wrapper. Its core of profound tobacco flavor is framed by leather, spice and licorice notes. The finish is slightly sweet.

Rated 91. The Illusione MJ12 is wrapped in foal, but under it is a thick and dark cigar with consistent color to the wrapper. The cigar draws well, showing rich, sweet cedary notes and coffee and cocoa bean impressions on the palate.

Rated 91. The Illusione MJ12 is wrapped in foal, but under it is a thick and dark cigar with consistent color to the wrapper. The cigar draws well, showing rich, sweet cedary notes and coffee and cocoa bean impressions on the palate.

Rated 89. A dark little cigar that imparts plenty of smoke on the draw, leaving sweet, woody impressions, nougat notes and a cereal-like finish.

Rated 89. A dark little cigar that imparts plenty of smoke on the draw, leaving sweet, woody impressions, nougat notes and a cereal-like finish.