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Skywalker · 11-26-2008, 12:21 AM

I picked a couple of these up at an Illusione/Cruzado Event last month!

This one has been resting in my cooler since the event!

Length/Ring: 4 X 46
Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Natural
Strength: Medium

I have been a big fan of the Illusione cigars for almost a year now, but as soon as I tried my first Cruzado Marelas I became a bigger fan of this new line!!!

The Avalitos is very similar in size and shape to the Illusione ~68~ Bambone! The pigtail cap is unique to this line!

The pre-draw, after cutting the cap, was very nice with no blockage whatsoever! After toasting the foot I took my first couple of draws and found a strong bitterness but plenty of white smoke. This was starting to remind me of Illusiones that I have smoked!

The bitterness soon gave way to some sweetness and coffee notes. The white smoke from this cigar was incredible. The burn was even and I was detecting some of the flavor profile I remembered from the Marelas!

I must say that the construction on these, as with the Illusione are almost flawless. I really enjoy the dark natural wrapper with the smooth well-cared-for leaf!

I really don't like comparing cigars when I do a review but the dark zebra striped ash is very similar to the Illusione line. At this point I needed to pair this cigar with a drink and I decided on D' Art Port. I needed something sweet to help me find the sweet notes I remembered from the Marelas as more spice was coming though than I was expecting!

The spice was not bad! It was more reminiscent of black pepper than red! This cigar at the halfway point was reminding me of the strength of the ~68~ and I really like the ~68~ a lot! I removed the band at this point!

The Port helped me again find the sweetness that is locked away in this vitola! I found myself purging a little to push some of the bitterness out! At this point the cigar became hot and was almost going out! It was very soft. I let it cool!

I am renaming this cigar - Dion's Firecracker! This cigar is not "strong" in the nicotine sense but is a powerhouse of flavor and black pepper on the tongue. I know what cigar to select from my humi when I want to enjoy black pepper!

Total smoke time took 55 minutes.

Construction/Appearance: 9 out of 10 (I like the pigtail cap)
Flavor Balance: 8 out of 10 (Plenty of black pepper spice)
Strength: Medium/Full (Flavorful without a nicotine buzz) )
Over all experience: 7 out of 10 (this is because I was expecting the Marelas)
Value: I paid around $10.00 (California Prices). I would like to pay less! Who wouldn't?

11-26-2008, 12:21 AM	#1
Skywalker BABOTL Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Dice Location: Galaxy Far Far Away Posts: 10,168 Trading: (18)	Cruzado Avalitos (Dion's Firecracker) I picked a couple of these up at an Illusione/Cruzado Event last month! This one has been resting in my cooler since the event! Length/Ring: 4 X 46 Origin: Nicaragua Wrapper: Natural Strength: Medium I have been a big fan of the Illusione cigars for almost a year now, but as soon as I tried my first Cruzado Marelas I became a bigger fan of this new line!!! The Avalitos is very similar in size and shape to the Illusione ~68~ Bambone! The pigtail cap is unique to this line! The pre-draw, after cutting the cap, was very nice with no blockage whatsoever! After toasting the foot I took my first couple of draws and found a strong bitterness but plenty of white smoke. This was starting to remind me of Illusiones that I have smoked! The bitterness soon gave way to some sweetness and coffee notes. The white smoke from this cigar was incredible. The burn was even and I was detecting some of the flavor profile I remembered from the Marelas! I must say that the construction on these, as with the Illusione are almost flawless. I really enjoy the dark natural wrapper with the smooth well-cared-for leaf! I really don't like comparing cigars when I do a review but the dark zebra striped ash is very similar to the Illusione line. At this point I needed to pair this cigar with a drink and I decided on D' Art Port. I needed something sweet to help me find the sweet notes I remembered from the Marelas as more spice was coming though than I was expecting! The spice was not bad! It was more reminiscent of black pepper than red! This cigar at the halfway point was reminding me of the strength of the ~68~ and I really like the ~68~ a lot! I removed the band at this point! The Port helped me again find the sweetness that is locked away in this vitola! I found myself purging a little to push some of the bitterness out! At this point the cigar became hot and was almost going out! It was very soft. I let it cool! I am renaming this cigar - Dion's Firecracker! This cigar is not "strong" in the nicotine sense but is a powerhouse of flavor and black pepper on the tongue. I know what cigar to select from my humi when I want to enjoy black pepper! Total smoke time took 55 minutes. Construction/Appearance: 9 out of 10 (I like the pigtail cap) Flavor Balance: 8 out of 10 (Plenty of black pepper spice) Strength: Medium/Full (Flavorful without a nicotine buzz) ) Over all experience: 7 out of 10 (this is because I was expecting the Marelas) Value: I paid around $10.00 (California Prices). I would like to pay less! Who wouldn't? __________________ Smoke what you like!!!