Illusione Epernay Gran Corona

[Rockestone]

Well Matt from Tex Cigars has sent me another batch of stogies to review and all I can is thank you. When he sends cigars to review, they are always well worth my time. Today I'm reviewing the Illusione Epernay Gran Corona. It measures in at 6 x 46. Don Giolito, owner of Illusione Cigars, named this cigar after the Epernay region in France....which is the area that bottles, stores and sells Champagne. Don thought these cigars would go great with Champagne. I think this cigar will go great with a Bud Light.

The cigar is all Nicaraquan tobacco. It lit fine and showed an immediate burst of spice. This, however, only lasted for a breif moment. Then it quickly mellowed. It had a great draw from the start with lots of smoke. The innitial ash broke off at just under an inch.
Before I reach the halfway point, this cigar has totally lost the spice and now is showing signs of a sweet caramel flavor. Full of flavor not on strength.
Moving into the second half and the flavors are consistant with only a hint of leather. This cigar is smoking like a champ. This would deffinately go well with a cup of Joe....Not so sure about the Champagne!
I do have to say, make sure your wearing you smoking jacket while smoking this cigar...the ash is very flakey and does not hold on very long.
Moving into the finish and it's starting to burn a little hot. It has also developed an uneven burn which I did have to even out.
Overall, I really liked this cigar. This would be a great cigar if you want to gift someone who can appreciate a good cigar but doesn't smoke alot. Creamy, sweet and mild cigar.

Rockestone's Rating: 85

http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/picture.php?albumid=63&pictureid=2097

http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/picture.php?albumid=63&pictureid=2098

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http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/picture.php?albumid=63&pictureid=2100

http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/picture.php?albumid=63&pictureid=2101

[Rockestone]

http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/picture.php?albumid=63&pictureid=2102


Last picture of the uneven burn.

[kelmac07]

Great...great review and nice pics. Thanks!!

[scooter]

Great review, thanks.

[dentonparrots]

Fab pics. Love that band too

[NickyTeen]

Thanks for a great review.:tu

[G G]

Thanks for a great review.

[tuxpuff]

Thanks for the great review and pics!

[Bruzee]

Thanks for the review. I really want to smoke one of these. I am an Illusione wh0re! :tu

[mash]

Thanks for the review. I had one of these 2 nights ago and my thoughts were similar to yours. Very pleasant, smooth cigar. Wish it had a bit more strength, milder than what I typically smoke, but I would try another one if offered.

[troutbreath]

Nice review. Great pics!

[TomHagen]

He sends you FREE cigars? Illusiones:dr

I just picked up the Epernay Le Elegance and it was phenomenal!!!

[dubnick]

Thanks for the review.

[Mr B]

Very nice Review. Great pics too. Thanks

[Ratters]

Great review and pics. Had a smaller one a couple weeks ago. My thoughts were it was pretty meh. Not bad, but no reason to ever smoke another.

[kaisersozei]

Great review and pics. Had a smaller one a couple weeks ago. My thoughts were it was pretty meh. Not bad, but no reason to ever smoke another.

I'm a big illusione fan, so I was very excited to try this new line. Had the le Ferme (robusto) as the first cigar of yesterday's Tulip Twin herf. Very nice looking cigar, but the construction was subpar (windtunnel-loose draw, uneven burn,) and the flavors didn't wow me. It had some decent complexity: nuts, woody, a chocolatey sweetness, but I was expecting more from this. I have to give it credit for being a milder cigar than the typical illusione line, so points for that. But at $8+ per stick, I'll look for something else to buy.

[Lensjockie]

That is as with all illusiones, a bit on the pricy side.
Would love to see them down in the 5-6 dollar range for the standard corona type sizes.

[Trace63]

Looks tasty

[vudu9]

Thanks so much for the review.

[groogs]

Thanks for the review. NickyTeen giften me one last weekend, I can't wait to try it. I am a big fan of the Illusione MK, HL and 68.

[longknocker]

Thanks for the review, Greg! I love the Illusione line. Had the same smoke, myself, yesterday & agree that the Epernay is a little milder than the "Standard" Illusione, but tasty, nonetheless!:tu