Cruzado Avalitos (Dion's Firecracker)

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?

Ratters · 11-26-2008, 12:41 AM

Nice review Darrell.

Yeah, I wish these weren't so pricey, I'd definitely smoke a lot more of them.

kaisersozei · 11-26-2008, 06:14 AM

You're killing me, man

Great review & great pictures! I keep pestering my B&M about these, but no luck yet

Sooner or later, though...!

vudu9 · 11-26-2008, 05:44 PM

Damn fine cigar you nubbed there.

11-26-2008, 05:51 PM

Nice review and pics! This sounds like a good pick...

11-26-2008, 06:03 PM

One of my favorites from the line

11-26-2008, 07:51 PM

You are making me have to smoke yet another Cruzado tonight...and probably an Illusione as well...NICE REVIEW Darrell

Skywalker · 11-26-2008, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vudu9

Damn fine cigar you nubbed there.

Thanks for checking out the review Dion!!!

I hope you didn't mind me calling it a Firecracker???

This one is another winner!!!

gnukfu · 11-27-2008, 05:45 PM

Nice review Darrell. And your fingernails are clean and manicured too! I loved the Cruzado you sent me! Thanks again!

elderboy02 · 02-06-2009, 09:14 PM

Nice review. I just finished one of these and I found it to taste the same as an Illusione.

Ratters · 02-06-2009, 10:37 PM

Wow, I didn't find that to be case at all. I thought it was much fuller flavored and much more complex. Which size did you have?

elderboy02 · 02-07-2009, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ratters

Wow, I didn't find that to be case at all. I thought it was much fuller flavored and much more complex. Which size did you have?

The Avalito. I found it to be just as strong as the Illusione. I thought it was supposed to be a toned down Illusione b/c they use less ligero.

mcmoyer · 02-07-2009, 08:04 AM

Great review! I've tried the Marelas & like them a lot.

02-07-2009, 08:17 AM

I'll have to get some of these smaller ones. Cruzados are already a "must have" in my collection.

groogs · 02-07-2009, 09:55 AM

Nice review, I have one of those in the humi, I may have to go dig it out. Now I just have to remember what humi it's in.

NickyTeen · 02-07-2009, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by groogs

Nice review, I have one of those in the humi, I may have to go dig it out. Now I just have to remember what humi it's in.

Hope you don't stress over it too much.

Next time we herf at your house I'll be glad to help you look for it.

shvictor · 02-07-2009, 09:15 PM

Nice review MOBD

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!!!

11-26-2008, 12:41 AM	#2
Ratters Have My Own Room Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 1,848 Trading: (2)	Re: Cruzado Avalitos (Dion's Firecracker) Nice review Darrell. Yeah, I wish these weren't so pricey, I'd definitely smoke a lot more of them.

11-26-2008, 06:14 AM	#3
kaisersozei The Homebrew Hammer Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Gerard Location: Midlothian, VA Posts: 3,183 Trading: (40)	Re: Cruzado Avalitos (Dion's Firecracker) You're killing me, man Great review & great pictures! I keep pestering my B&M about these, but no luck yet Sooner or later, though...! __________________

11-26-2008, 05:44 PM	#4
vudu9 Just in from the Storm Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Reno, NV. Posts: 38 Trading: (0)	Re: Cruzado Avalitos (Dion's Firecracker) Damn fine cigar you nubbed there.

11-26-2008, 05:51 PM	#5
scooter Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Cruzado Avalitos (Dion's Firecracker) Nice review and pics! This sounds like a good pick...

11-26-2008, 06:03 PM	#6
dmoby Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Cruzado Avalitos (Dion's Firecracker) One of my favorites from the line

11-26-2008, 07:51 PM	#7
ScottishSmoker Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Cruzado Avalitos (Dion's Firecracker) You are making me have to smoke yet another Cruzado tonight...and probably an Illusione as well...NICE REVIEW Darrell

11-27-2008, 05:45 PM	#9
gnukfu I like cigars Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: George Location: Massholia Posts: 1,466 Trading: (27)	Re: Cruzado Avalitos (Dion's Firecracker) Nice review Darrell. And your fingernails are clean and manicured too! I loved the Cruzado you sent me! Thanks again! __________________ Curious George

02-06-2009, 09:14 PM	#10
elderboy02 Lets Go Buckeyes! Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Dan Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 12,496 Trading: (133)	Re: Cruzado Avalitos (Dion's Firecracker) Nice review. I just finished one of these and I found it to taste the same as an Illusione.

02-06-2009, 10:37 PM	#11
Ratters Have My Own Room Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 1,848 Trading: (2)	Re: Cruzado Avalitos (Dion's Firecracker) Wow, I didn't find that to be case at all. I thought it was much fuller flavored and much more complex. Which size did you have?

02-07-2009, 08:04 AM	#13
mcmoyer Adjusting to the Life Join Date: Jan 2009 First Name: Michael Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 255 Trading: (25)	Re: Cruzado Avalitos (Dion's Firecracker) Great review! I've tried the Marelas & like them a lot. __________________ Not an Aficionado...

02-07-2009, 08:17 AM	#14
BC-Axeman Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Cruzado Avalitos (Dion's Firecracker) I'll have to get some of these smaller ones. Cruzados are already a "must have" in my collection.

02-07-2009, 09:55 AM	#15
groogs Have My Own Room Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Grant Posts: 1,945 Trading: (62)	Re: Cruzado Avalitos (Dion's Firecracker) Nice review, I have one of those in the humi, I may have to go dig it out. Now I just have to remember what humi it's in.

02-07-2009, 09:15 PM	#17
shvictor Instigator Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Steve Location: Lathrop, CA Posts: 2,846 Trading: (40)	Re: Cruzado Avalitos (Dion's Firecracker) Nice review MOBD __________________