Illusione 88 maduro

03-19-2014, 10:31 AM

Short review on this Robusto size stick...
Had this in my Humidor for about 6 months and decided time was to give it a try. Really nice construction with a deep, dark, mottled wrapper. With the understated band, it looked like a man's cigar! Not much aroma from the untorched stick, but after cutting and lighting it up, there was a very appealing, classic cigar note present. Initial flavors were dark tobacco, bitter chocolate and unsweetened expresso. Very strong flavors with no sweetness I could detect at all. This one was for me, very different from a classic maduro flavor profile. Burn was wavy, but always self corrected and was resilient in keeping a good burn, despite a fairly stiff breeze outside. Unfortunately, the taste went quite flat around the half way point and actually became almost tasteless, except for an occasional slight bitter note. I tossed the stick at the 2/3 point. Not terrible, but for my taste, will not buy again. Just my

RR

Porch Dweller · 03-19-2014, 10:43 AM

Thanks for the review. I enjoy these and can't remember ever having a similar issue. chalk it up to getting a bum stick, I guess.

kelmac07 · 03-19-2014, 10:55 AM

I too have never had an issue with these "losing" flavor, and I have smoked about 3/4 of a box. My favorite Illusione stick, hands down. Maybe you just got a "dud".

mahtofire14 · 03-19-2014, 12:56 PM

Too bad about the flavor loss. These are one of my "go to" sticks.

Remo · 03-19-2014, 12:58 PM

Try the 888

maninblack · 03-19-2014, 12:59 PM

I've always loved these maduros. One of the finest out there.

Django · 03-19-2014, 01:03 PM

Didn't even know they made these with Maduro. Absolutely loved the regular ones. Unfortunately not available on this side of the pond

dave · 03-19-2014, 02:03 PM

I'm curious, BadB, how you do with other San Andres maddies? I don't get any satisfaction from these, either, but I chalked it up to being a SA, which I don't typically like very much.

03-19-2014, 10:31 AM	#1
badbriar Guest Posts: n/a	Illusione 88 maduro Short review on this Robusto size stick... Had this in my Humidor for about 6 months and decided time was to give it a try. Really nice construction with a deep, dark, mottled wrapper. With the understated band, it looked like a man's cigar! Not much aroma from the untorched stick, but after cutting and lighting it up, there was a very appealing, classic cigar note present. Initial flavors were dark tobacco, bitter chocolate and unsweetened expresso. Very strong flavors with no sweetness I could detect at all. This one was for me, very different from a classic maduro flavor profile. Burn was wavy, but always self corrected and was resilient in keeping a good burn, despite a fairly stiff breeze outside. Unfortunately, the taste went quite flat around the half way point and actually became almost tasteless, except for an occasional slight bitter note. I tossed the stick at the 2/3 point. Not terrible, but for my taste, will not buy again. Just my RR

03-19-2014, 10:43 AM	#2
Porch Dweller Life is for living Join Date: Oct 2012 First Name: James Location: Mississippi Gulf Coast Posts: 8,154 Trading: (24)	Re: Illusione 88 maduro Thanks for the review. I enjoy these and can't remember ever having a similar issue. chalk it up to getting a bum stick, I guess. __________________ A 1911 in the hand is faster than 911 on the phone

03-19-2014, 10:55 AM	#3
kelmac07 Resident Maduro Whore!! Join Date: Apr 2009 First Name: Mac Location: Newport News, VA Posts: 27,322 Trading: (218)	Re: Illusione 88 maduro I too have never had an issue with these "losing" flavor, and I have smoked about 3/4 of a box. My favorite Illusione stick, hands down. Maybe you just got a "dud". __________________ Dom in the MLB thread "I could probably get you to wear a Yankee hat for a Maduro!"

03-19-2014, 12:56 PM	#4
mahtofire14 Chillin in the Aging Room Join Date: Oct 2012 First Name: Pete Location: St. Paul, MN Posts: 1,588 Trading: (16)	Re: Illusione 88 maduro Too bad about the flavor loss. These are one of my "go to" sticks. __________________ Saving basements in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

03-19-2014, 12:58 PM	#5
Remo C.I.A Join Date: Feb 2011 First Name: Mike Location: Palm Harbor, Florida Posts: 12,597 Trading: (122)	Re: Illusione 88 maduro Try the 888 __________________

03-19-2014, 12:59 PM	#6
maninblack Will smoke for food Join Date: Jan 2010 First Name: Kevin Location: Where the hoot owls f$ck the chickens Posts: 10,637 Trading: (80)	Re: Illusione 88 maduro I've always loved these maduros. One of the finest out there. __________________ Proud member of the GMCGTPWHAFA

03-19-2014, 01:03 PM	#7
Django Still Watching My Back Join Date: Nov 2008 First Name: Django Location: The Hague, Holland Posts: 139 Trading: (1)	Re: Illusione 88 maduro Didn't even know they made these with Maduro. Absolutely loved the regular ones. Unfortunately not available on this side of the pond __________________ Django

03-19-2014, 02:03 PM	#8
dave Have My Own Room Join Date: May 2011 First Name: Dave Location: Northern VA Posts: 1,180 Trading: (15)	Re: Illusione 88 maduro I'm curious, BadB, how you do with other San Andres maddies? I don't get any satisfaction from these, either, but I chalked it up to being a SA, which I don't typically like very much. __________________ I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than to those attending too small a degree of it. Thomas Jefferson