Illusione Epernay le ferme

[Don Fernando]

Dion Giolito, creator of Illusione cigars, created this cigar to pair well with a good champagne and named the line after a well known Champagne region, Epernay. This blend is created with the European palate in mind, the cigar has a lighter shade wrapper than other Illusiones and is less spicy and more floral according to Illusione. I got a few of the 5¼x48 Le Ferme and of the 6¼x52 Le Monde in a group buy on my Dutch website (http://www.sigarenliefhebber.nl). They are not for sale in The Netherlands.

http://i1006.photobucket.com/albums/af186/cigarguide/reviews/illusioneepernayleferme1.jpg

The wrapper, even though it is a lighter shade than other Illusiones, is still reasonably dark and is quite oily. I see a few veins. The band is simple yet tasteful. The cigar has a mild barnyard smell. The construction feels good and I can't complain about the predraw, which is mild spicy.

http://i1006.photobucket.com/albums/af186/cigarguide/reviews/illusioneepernayleferme2.jpg

I taste a peppery coffee flavor and after half an inch I taste a lot of earth flavor. The flavors are sticky and creamy. After an inch and a half I taste wood, nuts and chocolate.

http://i1006.photobucket.com/albums/af186/cigarguide/reviews/illusioneepernayleferme3.jpg

Slowly the wood gets stronger and I taste some herbs too. The nut and chocolate flavors have gone. Little passed halfway I taste some chocolate again, very mild and a good amount of pepper. The pepper slowly loses some of its strength.

http://i1006.photobucket.com/albums/af186/cigarguide/reviews/illusioneepernayleferme4.jpg

This cigar has a smoke time of an hour and fifteen minutes. I got a lot of smoke that starts out reasonably thick and gray but it turns thick and white. The draw is great, but I had to correct the burn a few times. The ash is dark and reasonably firm. This cigar is full bodied and medium to full flavored.

http://i1006.photobucket.com/albums/af186/cigarguide/reviews/illusioneepernayleferme5.jpg

Would I buy this cigar again? Yes, I love these.

Appearance: 8 / 10
Construction: 8/ 10
Draw: 8 / 10
Burn: 7 / 10
Smoke & ash: 8 / 10
Aroma first part: 8 / 10
Aroma second part: 8 / 10
Aroma third part: 8 / 10

[kelmac07]

Another superb review. I could not get into the two that I torched. Now, maybe throw a maduro wrapper on this bad boy. :dr :dr

[jcruse64]

I like Dion's cigars, and the Epernay is probably my favorite. Good review!

[cigarlvr]

Smoked a few of these on New Years and with Dom they really blended very well and added to a realy special day

[lyle23]

Great review again. I really enjoyed the one that i had.

[G G]

Nice review.

[688sonarmen]

Thanks for the review, I love those:tu

[hscmit]

very good stick

[kaisersozei]

Nice review, Ferd, glad you like it. Of the two vitolas (5¼x48 vs 6¼x52,) you reviewed the better one. I find the Le Monde to be harsh and not as well blended.

[Mr B]

Thanks Ferdie for another great review with great pics.
I love the Epernay's also. I tend to prefer the smaller ring gauges though, in both the Epernay and Illusione lines. IMO they have a little more flavor and spice.

Thanks again.

[CigarNut]

I like the Illusione cigars but have not tried this one -- sounds like I need to :)

Thanks for the great review!

[Don Fernando]

Nice review, Ferd, glad you like it. Of the two vitolas (5¼x48 vs 6¼x52,) you reviewed the better one. I find the Le Monde to be harsh and not as well blended.

I smoked that one too, review will be posted in the near future.

[cobra03]

Nice review . I love these smokes.

Another superb review. I could not get into the two that I torched. Now, maybe throw a maduro wrapper on this bad boy. :dr

Mac you would smoke rolled newspaper if it had a maduro wrapper. :r

[BSB]

Nice review, thanks. Looks like I'll be seeking these out, but not till I get down the road, where tobacco taxes are a little easier to handle.

[longknocker]

Nice Review, Ferdie!:tu Still Haven't Found My Fav. Illusione; I Think I Liked The First "88" I Smoked Best 3 Years Ago!:D

[Ken]

I had just recently received this cigar from a friend and found the perfect time to burn it. Since we have a bridge out and I've been moving to work 2hrs early I thought I'd smoke this on the trip. Might not be a 6am type of cigar but it made my morning bearable.

This was my 1st Illusione though I'm sure I make my way through this brand.

[Sherlockholms]

Very nice Review!