What Illusione should I try ?

[SeanGAR]

Frankly, I find the names and marketing weird.

Name the frickin wrapper and origins, jack, and drop the stupid BS.

Yeah, they're Nicaraguan ... wonderful, I love Nic smokes, but I don't feel the need to wade through the horsefeathers to decide which of the bunch is an actual good smoke.

So then .. which Illusione should I buy?

Wait a sec ... are they all the same wrapper etc just different vitolas? That would make my life simple, I prefer corona/PC/lancero sized smokes.

[massphatness]

If you like lanceros, the hl "Holy Lance" is a damn fine stick.

From the New Havana website:

"Dion Giolito blended these cigars using tobacco from first generation Corojo '99 and Criollo '98 seeds. They are beautifully constructed, featuring a Cafe Colorado wrapper and a cuban style triple cap.

Made at the Raices Cubanas factory in Honduras from 100% Nicaraguan tobacco."

[Darrell]

They are the same blend.

Try the MK and the CG:4.

[Footbag]

CG:4 is best ratio of wrapper to filler for the blend IMO.:ss


EDIT: OK you talked me into lighting up a CG:4!

[CigarDood]

The cg:4 is fantastic.

[TomHagen]

smaller ring gauges in the Illusione are by far better. mk, cg;4 etc... the larger ring gauges loose focus/flavor.

ps. the marketing with death cult imagery is garbage - agreed.

[ScottishSmoker]

I personally love the ~4/2g~ Double Corona and the '888' Churchill. The ~cg:4~ is a phenomenal introduction to the brand for sure. It has a little bit almost sweeter edge than the larger sizes. If you want the full on full-bodied ass kicking that Illusiones can sometimes provide...~m7~ Diadema....WAY WORTH THE EXTRA MONEY! :fl

[renton20]

I just picked up a box of the 68s as those are my favs. Second favorite is the hl; I just can't say no to a good lancero.

[BC-Axeman]

Now they have a new blend, the Cruzado. Mostly criollo. You're almost getting me so smoke my ~mk~, but I have work to do....:hn

[groogs]

I would vote for the Holy Lance and the MK. Those are the best Illusione's I have had so far.

[Skywalker]

If you like lanceros, the hl "Holy Lance" is a damn fine stick.

:tpd:

Try the MK and the CG:4.

:tpd:

CG:4 is best ratio of wrapper to filler for the blend IMO.:ss


:tpd:

The cg:4 is fantastic.

:tpd:

I personally love the ~4/2g~ Double Corona and the '888' Churchill. The ~cg:4~ is a phenomenal introduction to the brand for sure. It has a little bit almost sweeter edge than the larger sizes. If you want the full on full-bodied ass kicking that Illusiones can sometimes provide...~m7~ Diadema....WAY WORTH THE EXTRA MONEY! :fl

:tpd:

I just picked up a box of the 68s as those are my favs. Second favorite is the hl; I just can't say no to a good lancero.

:tpd:

I would vote for the Holy Lance and the MK. Those are the best Illusione's I have had so far.

:tpd:


What can I say? I love all of the Illusione line!!!

[Hudaddy]

CG4 and the F9 are both excellent introductions to the line.

[Mister Moo]

After the use of the Jim Jones images in their marketing I suggest finding another brand to try. That said, all those I've smoked have been pretty good.

[barbourjay]

i've been a really big fan of the tatuaje angeles and had smoked those on an almost daily basis while grilling. i've slowly started to shift over to the 68's just because i wanted something different and so far they have all been great.

[SeanGAR]

After the use of the Jim Jones images in their marketing I suggest finding another brand to try. That said, all those I've smoked have been pretty good.

I've thought about that as well, but I have chalked that up as the owner of the brand being immature (cf. stupid marketing/naming), which I can handle.

[Darrell]

I've thought about that as well, but I have chalked that up as the owner of the brand being immature (cf. stupid marketing/naming), which I can handle.

Dion is a good guy, I'm sure if you met him you would agree. The point of marketing is to show your product, generate hype, etc. The fact that you're talking about the JJ thing, means the marketing is working. :2

[DKPRLP]

I personally love the ~4/2g~ Double Corona and the '888' Churchill. The ~cg:4~ is a phenomenal introduction to the brand for sure. It has a little bit almost sweeter edge than the larger sizes. :fl

I ... 2nd this

[TomHagen]

Dion is a good guy, I'm sure if you met him you would agree. The point of marketing is to show your product, generate hype, etc. The fact that you're talking about the JJ thing, means the marketing is working. :2
there is such a thing as BAD publicity.... I have spoken to Dion numerous times.... still I can't support that JJ ad... myself and many others have cut down, or stopped buying Illusione all together. so much for ''hype'...

too bad, it's a great blend

[kwoody]

I love the 88 (Im a robusto fan and mostly smoke that and torps though) it is a great smooth cigar that leaves me with a clean pallet almost every time. Great cigar.

[Nimbus]

I prefer the Illusione 68. Below is my review on Feb 2008. Enjoy :ss

Illusione 68 a.k.a Bombone

Wrapper: Nicaraguan
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Size: 4 x 44
Strength: Full bodied

This cigar is tiny, yet powerful. Do not be fooled by the size of this cigar. Luckily I ate a full meal before smoking this bad boy.

The wrapper is very oily, dark, rich, triple capped and has no blemishes. Smooth to the touch with a minute resistance when squeezed. I used a punch instead of my Palio because it seemed like the right size for this cigar. The pre-draw was a little deceiving because I did not taste any peppery spice.

Upon lighting the foot of this cigar; the solid construction held together very well. Moderately impressed, I kept torching the foot for about two minutes. The foot glowed red and the burn was even so I decided to take a snork and the first thing that hit me was the peppery spice. Like a Fuente, but a little less intense. This lasted for about 1/3 of the cigar and got stronger after each puff/snork.

At 2/3 of the cigar there was a mellowness that made it more enjoyable. Lots of gray and white smoke. The ash was unmovable as I tried to tap it off at the 1/3 mark. The transition between flavors was gradual and the leathery taste was pronounce with a minute hint of cocoa.

The ash fell of halfway and the burn was a little off. After a quick retouch it was perfect once again.

At the beginning of the 3/3 mark I noticed the flavor of earth. It was subtle yet very smooth and creamy. All the flavors at this point began to mix and marry but with individual characteristics still shining through. Near the end of the cigar I began to notice a cedar flavor and that was an added delight.

Overall I was very impressed with the buttery oil and the smoothness of this cigar.

Appearance: 9
Construction: 9
Flavor: 10
Value: 10
Overall Experience: 9
Overall Grade: 9.4

[SeanGAR]

Dion is a good guy, I'm sure if you met him you would agree. The point of marketing is to show your product, generate hype, etc. The fact that you're talking about the JJ thing, means the marketing is working. :2

I have not personally seen an ad for illusione although I've read great reviews of these cigars.

The fact that people are talking about his use of a mass murder for marketing is hardly proof that marketing is working. I mean for God's sake, children were forced to drink poison that day by their parents. I remember the pictures of hundreds of bloated dead bodies in the news. Children killed by their parents is as putrid and disgusting as parents abusing their children. As a parent, I find this use of JJ in marketing deplorable, to be polite.

Nonetheless, I have seen pictures of Dion and he is a pup. Tell him to shave the sideburns. I attribute this marketing to his youth. Either that or the drugs. Because I haven't been personally exposed to this marketing, I'll let him slide. But for sure, this marketing isn't smart.

[UPHOTO]

Nonetheless, I have seen pictures of Dion and he is a pup. Tell him to shave the sideburns. I attribute this marketing to his youth. Either that or the drugs. Because I haven't been personally exposed to this marketing, I'll let him slide. But for sure, this marketing isn't smart.

The drugs? Shave his sideburns?

If I was Dion I would be okay with not having a client that say's things like that.

I think he's selling enough already.

:(

[Darrell]

The drugs? Shave his sideburns?

If I was Dion I would be okay with not having a client that say's things like that.

I think he's selling enough already.

:(

:tpd:

I've got NOTHING but respect for you Sean, but I need to agree with UPHOTO.

[SeanGAR]

The drugs? Shave his sideburns?

If I was Dion I would be okay with not having a client that say's things like that.

I think he's selling enough already.

:(

Oh, he is selling enough already, but one post in this thread said the marketing negatively impacted their buying and nobody said the marketing caused them to buy his cigars.

Proof of anything? Of course not ...

But side burns are YUKKIE ... sorry to break this to y'all .. you youngsters who think side burns are cool ... they died with disco.

If you like disco .... well .... there's no vaccine for that
.
.
..
yet

We're working on it and by gum one day we'll have it

[renton20]

Oh, he is selling enough already, but one post in this thread said the marketing negatively impacted their buying and nobody said the marketing caused them to buy his cigars.

Proof of anything? Of course not ...

But side burns are YUKKIE ... sorry to break this to y'all .. you youngsters who think side burns are cool ... they died with disco.

If you like disco .... well .... there's no vaccine for that
.
.
..
yet

We're working on it and by gum one day we'll have it

Whether you're a brother
Or whether you're a mother
You're stayin' alive
Stayin' alive
Feel the city breakin'
And everybody shakin'
and we're stayin' alive
Stayin' alive
Ah ah ah ah
Stayin' alive
Stayin' alive
Ah ah ah ah
Stayin' alive

Sorry, had to be done. Please return to your regularly scheduled programing now.

[bobarian]

New Havana has a couple of nice samplers. All of the line are the same blends, just pick a size and jump in. :tu I like the HL and cg:4 as well. :tu

[icantbejon]

there is such a thing as BAD publicity.... I have spoken to Dion numerous times.... still I can't support that JJ ad... myself and many others have cut down, or stopped buying Illusione all together. so much for ''hype'...

too bad, it's a great blend

What's the deal with the JJ ad? Who is this JJ?

[tsolomon]

Another vote for the hl as my favorite Illusione and the 68 as a very nice short smoke.

[rsamos]

What's the deal with the JJ ad? Who is this JJ?
Dion had (has?) an ad campaign that featured a photo of Jim Jones.

[drevim]

What's the deal with the JJ ad? Who is this JJ?

Two posts below your quoted post. Or maybe a google search of Jim Jones??


I have not personally seen an ad for illusione although I've read great reviews of these cigars.

The fact that people are talking about his use of a mass murder for marketing is hardly proof that marketing is working. I mean for God's sake, children were forced to drink poison that day by their parents. I remember the pictures of hundreds of bloated dead bodies in the news. Children killed by their parents is as putrid and disgusting as parents abusing their children. As a parent, I find this use of JJ in marketing deplorable, to be polite.

Nonetheless, I have seen pictures of Dion and he is a pup. Tell him to shave the sideburns. I attribute this marketing to his youth. Either that or the drugs. Because I haven't been personally exposed to this marketing, I'll let him slide. But for sure, this marketing isn't smart.

Finish reading the thread before replying, it works wonders to answering questions....:D

[dmoby]

SeanGar give the F9 (lonsdale) a try, its a good all around size for the PC Lancero fans. My favorite is the 888 (churchill) and don't worry about the comment that the bigger sizes have less focus and flavor because the 888 is great.

[Ratters]

I really enjoyed the #2. Seemed to me to be the strongest/most flavorful of the Illusiones I've had.

[vudu9]

Frankly, I find the names and marketing weird.

Name the frickin wrapper and origins, jack, and drop the stupid BS.

Yeah, they're Nicaraguan ... wonderful, I love Nic smokes, but I don't feel the need to wade through the horsefeathers to decide which of the bunch is an actual good smoke.

So then .. which Illusione should I buy?

Wait a sec ... are they all the same wrapper etc just different vitolas? That would make my life simple, I prefer corona/PC/lancero sized smokes.

At least I'm not annother guy standing in a field of tobacco, wearing a Guyabara, wearing a Panama hat and holding a large leaf pretending I know what I'm doing and looking like I've been doing it for my whole life - Boring sizes, same 'ol names for the vitolas. I played in punk-rock bands my whole life - not cover bands. My cigars reflect that music style in some ways. I won't change a thing.

Dion