Illusione ~hl~ Culebra

[tx_tuff]

As soon as Dion came out with the ~hl~ Candela and that made the ~hl~ line complete with 3 different wrappers I knew I wanted to make a Culebra out of them. So Sunday I took some out and did the dirty deed. Here it is.

http://i643.photobucket.com/albums/uu154/tx_tuff/Illusione%20Culebra/IllusioneCulebra017-1.jpg

http://i643.photobucket.com/albums/uu154/tx_tuff/Illusione%20Culebra/IllusioneCulebra006-1.jpg

[Adriftpanda]

That's pretty cool.

[HollywoodQue]

I like the appearance and contrast of the wrappers....great grab.

[kelmac07]

Very nice.

[68TriShield]

Pretty cool Frank :tu

[jmsremax]

Looks cool, but I never understood why companies did this. Does it have any effect on the cigar? Just curious :sh

[stearns]

Looks cool, but I never understood why companies did this. Does it have any effect on the cigar? Just curious :sh

to cause curiosity :tu plus some do it to preserve tradition

stearns

[T.G]

That's cool.

[issues]

That looks awesome!!!

You should send those pics to Dion. :tu

[Skywalker]

Sweet!!!:tu

[Bunker]

In a word - Why?

[guitar4001]

to cause curiosity :tu plus some do it to preserve tradition

stearns

my general understanding is this, and maybe more myth than fact, I dunno:

Back in the day, cigar rollers were allowed only one cigar to take home at the end of the day. In order to get the most out of the rule, they made culebra cigars, or three cigars tied together into a braid. This stayed within the factory's rule. Another explanation is that culebras simply look cool.

I have heard that they are usually made with a lightly packed bunch or with mixed or short filler which allows them to bend in the way that they do.

[T.G]

my general understanding is this, and maybe more myth than fact, I dunno:

Back in the day, cigar rollers were allowed only one cigar to take home at the end of the day. In order to get the most out of the rule, they made culebra cigars, or three cigars tied together into a braid. This stayed within the factory's rule.

That story is 100% myth.

Another explanation is that culebras simply look cool.

I have heard that they are usually made with a lightly packed bunch or with mixed or short filler which allows them to bend in the way that they do.

This is all correct.

Culebras are simply a gimmick that works and still yields a good cigar. Typically, yes, they are slightly underfilled when compared to the same blend in a "normal" cigar. Also, culebras are braided immediately after the capas are applied, so all of the tobacco in the cigar is still quite moist and pliable.

[tx_tuff]

Just to make things clean I put 3 cigars together, this is not from the factory. I did it because I think its cool, I sent Dion a pic of it on Twitter and he said that he is working on a 3 wrapper Culebra right now that will not be the ~23~ format. So guess he thinks its cool too LOL. I'm giving Dion the cigar in the pictures when he is in Houston next month.

[Brooks W]

Dion is in Houston next month? What for (and when), if you don't mind me asking?

Thanks!

~brooks

[kaisersozei]

Looks cool, and yet.... slightly painful. :lv

[tx_tuff]

Dion is in Houston next month? What for (and when), if you don't mind me asking?

Thanks!

~brooks

He is going to be here for the Texas Cigar Festival at www.seriouscigars.com Gave website so you can look it up. Its April 16th and there are 20 plus manufacturers there, including Dion, Pete Johnson, Jonathan Drew, the Pardon family, the Pepin family, Eddie Ortega, the Fuente family, Xikar, Davidoff, and many many more. A great event.

[AUguy]

Thats cool. Nice pics.

[Bill86]

I'm a sucker for Culebra. If that was a real cigar I would definitely buy a box. The Partagas Culebra are fantastic. I really need to set aside like 3-4 boxes of them.

[TBone]

I got a back ache looking at it...though very cool

[thebayratt]

Good job!

How moist did you have to get them before you could twist them?
How did you get them moist enough to twist them?

[tx_tuff]

Good job!

How moist did you have to get them before you could twist them?
How did you get them moist enough to twist them?

Pretty wet. Easiest way is to get the wrappers wet and remove them, then get the binder really wet without removing it. Put everything back together while still wet.