Illusione Holy Lance

[Don Fernando]

This 7 ½ x 40 lancero is the only Illusione lancero so far, and even though it is a Nicaraguan puro, it is produced in Honduras. The cigar is made from first generation Corojo ‘99 and Criollo ‘98 seeds and has a nice dark and oily Cafe Colorado wrapper. The cigar is a bit oval shaped, not round or box pressed. The construction feels good and the predraw is fine, with a mild spicy flavor. The cigar doesn’t produce a lot of aroma.

http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff347/cs_donfernando/reviews/Illusione%20Holy%20Lance/DSC02506.jpg

I taste a lot of spices, hot & spicy and a little bit of coffee. After about half an inch I also get some cacao as a supporting flavor, very mild and the spices are still the dominant flavors

http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff347/cs_donfernando/reviews/Illusione%20Holy%20Lance/DSC02516.jpg

The cacao flavor fades away and leaves room for sweetness. The sweetness fades away in a few puffs and I am left with the full spices that are persistent in staying the dominant flavor. Halfway I get some chocolate and even some coffee to support the spices

http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff347/cs_donfernando/reviews/Illusione%20Holy%20Lance/DSC02518.jpg

At 2/3rd the spice flavor suddenly drops in strength for just a few puffs and then returns in all its glory and power. The spices get so strong that I get a bit of a burning sensation on my tongue. At the end the cigar gives me a high chocolate boost and then reaches the turning point.

http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff347/cs_donfernando/reviews/Illusione%20Holy%20Lance/DSC02523.jpg

I get lots of smoke, the smoke isn’t thick but neither thin too. I had a bit of a crooked burn in the beginning but the burn corrected itself. The ash is light gray and crooked. This is a full flavored stick, medium to full bodied.

http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff347/cs_donfernando/reviews/Illusione%20Holy%20Lance/DSC02526.jpg

Would I buy this cigar again? I think so, I like this cigar but I am not a big lancero fan, although the vitola is growing on me a bit.

Appearance: 8 / 10
Construction: 7 / 10
Draw: 7 / 10
Smoke & ash: 8 / 10
Burn: 7 / 10
Aroma (first part) 7 / 10
Aroma (middle part) 7 / 10
Aroma (last part) 8 / 10

[elderboy02]

Nice review! I have one of these that I need to smoke. By the way, what movie were you watching? That girl looks kind of like Halle Berry

[Don Fernando]

Gothika, and Halle Berry is the most beautiful woman alive. Smoking a good cigar and looking at a beautiful woman, I know worse ways to spend a day.

[Skywalker]

Very nice review!!!:tu

The title should be changed to "Illusione Yummy Goodness"!!!;)

[68TriShield]

Thanks for the review,these are one of my favorites!

[pfm721]

Great review thanks.

[tuxpuff]

Great review...looks like a tasty stick.

[MedicCook]

Thanks for the review & pictures Ferdie.

[kaisersozei]

Illusione is one of my favorite lines, and the hl is my second favorite vitola. Glad you didn't have the burn/ash problems I generally experience with these.

Nice review, thanks!

[kelmac07]

Another fine review Ferdie!! :tu

[Wanger]

One of my faves. Nice review, Ferd!

[Adriftpanda]

This is hands down on my top 3 favorite lanceros, if you would even call this thing a lancero due to how big it is. Thanks for the review and pics, always a pleasure reading your reviews.

[OHRD]

Thanks for the post!

[Azpostal]

Thanks for the great review and pics.

[akumushi]

I love Illusione, but I still haven't tracked one of these down. The B&M I usually get my Illusione singles from won't carry them.:fl