Illusione Epernay Le Grande

tuxpuff · 10-05-2009, 11:40 PM

Wrapper - Nicaraguan Shade-Grown Corojo
Binder - Nicaraguan
Filler - Nicaraguan
Size - 6×46

Prelight has a soft feel...seemingly under-filled with a very easy draw. Love the size.

First third - Woody and cedar flavors with tons of smoke. The smoke is a bit on the dry side for the first 1/2 inch but quickly turns very smooth with a creamy and smooth mouth feel. Buttery nose exhale with toasted nuts on the aftertaste.

Second third - Hints of cinnamon, toasted nuts, tobacco, and cedar. Quite complex. Has a very smooth non-spicy aftertaste. Still lots of buttery feel on the palate.

Last third - Increases in the tobacco flavors while still maintaining a complex flavor. The spice in the aftertaste picks up near the finish.

This smoke started out a bit rough with dryness of the smoke but quickly turns into a consistent very buttery and smooth smoke with a good amount of complexity. A spicy aftertaste only became present near the end. All in all quite delicious. Recommended.

MedicCook · 10-05-2009, 11:45 PM

Thanks for the review & pictures. I am pro Illusione.

tuxpuff · 10-05-2009, 11:55 PM

Forgot to add...this smoke was gifted by RPguy in a contest he ran...thanks again Jaime!

Adriftpanda · 10-05-2009, 11:59 PM

Thanks for the review. I smoked the Epernay Elegence a couple days ago. Awesome smoke. Wish I had more

Ratters · 10-06-2009, 12:54 AM

Nice review. Love the size but didn't particularly care for the flavors of this stick.

kelmac07 · 10-06-2009, 03:48 AM

Nice review, thanks for sharing.

OHRD · 10-06-2009, 06:16 AM

Very nice, great pics...What's the price point on this one?

Smokin Gator · 10-06-2009, 06:28 AM

I picked one of these up on Saturday at Tampa Humidor on a suggestion from Jaimie. I can't wait to try it... thanks for the review!!!

pfm721 · 10-06-2009, 07:13 AM

I really enjoy all of Dion's other smokes. However, I have been reluctant to try this line because I didn't like the ECCJ which this line was based on. I will have to pick up a 5er and give it a shot though.

tuxpuff · 10-06-2009, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matthewjmichael

Very nice, great pics...What's the price point on this one?

These are right around $9/stick

10-06-2009, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pfm721

I really enjoy all of Dion's other smokes. However, I have been reluctant to try this line because I didn't like the ECCJ which this line was based on. I will have to pick up a 5er and give it a shot though.

I liked the ECCJ myself, got a box put away from January 2009. It came across as a much fuller smoke compared to the ECCJ to me. I enjoyed the smaller ring gauge Epernay's better too.

longknocker · 10-06-2009, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MedicCook

Thanks for the review & pictures. I am pro Illusione.

Me, Too! Great Smoke! Thanks For The Fantastic Review & Pics.!

10-06-2009, 03:00 PM

Thanks for the review, and nice pictures!!

I've only smoked one Eperany -- the corona size. It was AWESOME! Can't wait to find more of them.

Mr B · 10-06-2009, 03:25 PM

Thanks for the review. Super cool pics!
I love these too.

Adriftpanda · 10-06-2009, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ratters

Nice review. Love the size but didn't particularly care for the flavors of this stick.

Cause you're a hater Steve.

JJG · 10-22-2009, 09:17 AM

smoked one of these last night and loved it. There was nothing particularly unique about the flavor (doubt I could pick it out blind among other Nics) but it was very complex, balanced and tasty.

My thoughts were pretty much the same as the original poster. started out a little harsh, could hardly nose inhale at all, but after an inch or so it smoothed out and maintained a very nice complex flavor for the rest of the smoke.I only purged once but It never really got bitter either, which is a pet peeve of mine.

I will be buying more of these for sure.

OHRD · 10-22-2009, 10:14 AM

Haven't had these, excellent pics as always! Thanks for the post...

ThinkB4Umove · 10-22-2009, 11:06 AM

Thanks for the post. This cigar is in my top 3.

10-22-2009, 12:33 PM

Nice review! I've only had one Eperany (the corona), and I LOVED that cigar! Can't wait to try the rest of the line.

10-05-2009, 11:40 PM	#1
tuxpuff Feeling at Home Join Date: Feb 2009 First Name: Luke Location: Austin Posts: 877 Trading: (2)	Illusione Epernay Le Grande Wrapper - Nicaraguan Shade-Grown Corojo Binder - Nicaraguan Filler - Nicaraguan Size - 6×46 Prelight has a soft feel...seemingly under-filled with a very easy draw. Love the size. First third - Woody and cedar flavors with tons of smoke. The smoke is a bit on the dry side for the first 1/2 inch but quickly turns very smooth with a creamy and smooth mouth feel. Buttery nose exhale with toasted nuts on the aftertaste. Second third - Hints of cinnamon, toasted nuts, tobacco, and cedar. Quite complex. Has a very smooth non-spicy aftertaste. Still lots of buttery feel on the palate. Last third - Increases in the tobacco flavors while still maintaining a complex flavor. The spice in the aftertaste picks up near the finish. This smoke started out a bit rough with dryness of the smoke but quickly turns into a consistent very buttery and smooth smoke with a good amount of complexity. A spicy aftertaste only became present near the end. All in all quite delicious. Recommended.

10-05-2009, 11:45 PM	#2
MedicCook Mila smoked my cigar Join Date: Jan 2009 First Name: Ryan Location: Schaghticoke, NY Posts: 10,946 Trading: (7)	Re: Illusione Epernay Le Grande Thanks for the review & pictures. I am pro Illusione. __________________ 27 World Series Championship's "If your wife doesn't like the aroma of your cigar, change your wife.", Zino Davidoff

10-05-2009, 11:55 PM	#3
tuxpuff Feeling at Home Join Date: Feb 2009 First Name: Luke Location: Austin Posts: 877 Trading: (2)	Re: Illusione Epernay Le Grande Forgot to add...this smoke was gifted by RPguy in a contest he ran...thanks again Jaime!

10-05-2009, 11:59 PM	#4
Adriftpanda Peter's Daddy Join Date: May 2009 First Name: Huy Location: No one wants me Posts: 10,302 Trading: (74)	Re: Illusione Epernay Le Grande Thanks for the review. I smoked the Epernay Elegence a couple days ago. Awesome smoke. Wish I had more __________________ Who eats plantains when they can eat placenta.

10-06-2009, 12:54 AM	#5
Ratters Have My Own Room Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 1,848 Trading: (2)	Re: Illusione Epernay Le Grande Nice review. Love the size but didn't particularly care for the flavors of this stick.

10-06-2009, 03:48 AM	#6
kelmac07 Resident Maduro Whore!! Join Date: Apr 2009 First Name: Mac Location: Newport News, VA Posts: 27,322 Trading: (218)	Re: Illusione Epernay Le Grande Nice review, thanks for sharing. __________________ Dom in the MLB thread "I could probably get you to wear a Yankee hat for a Maduro!"

10-06-2009, 06:16 AM	#7
OHRD Garage w/ couch & ashtray Join Date: Sep 2009 First Name: Matt Posts: 1,377 Trading: (39)	Re: Illusione Epernay Le Grande Very nice, great pics...What's the price point on this one? __________________ Did I tell you my garage has a couch and an ashtray? My wife doesn't let me sleep or smoke inside.

10-06-2009, 06:28 AM	#8
Smokin Gator Just plain insane! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: The Swamp Posts: 6,237 Trading: (106)	Re: Illusione Epernay Le Grande I picked one of these up on Saturday at Tampa Humidor on a suggestion from Jaimie. I can't wait to try it... thanks for the review!!! __________________ Check out the Cigar Asylum Newbie Sampler Trade

10-06-2009, 07:13 AM	#9
pfm721 I bleed Orange and Blue Join Date: Aug 2009 First Name: Patrick Location: Naples, FL Posts: 101 Trading: (7)	Re: Illusione Epernay Le Grande I really enjoy all of Dion's other smokes. However, I have been reluctant to try this line because I didn't like the ECCJ which this line was based on. I will have to pick up a 5er and give it a shot though.

10-06-2009, 03:00 PM	#13
njstone Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Illusione Epernay Le Grande Thanks for the review, and nice pictures!! I've only smoked one Eperany -- the corona size. It was AWESOME! Can't wait to find more of them.

10-06-2009, 03:25 PM	#14
Mr B Livin' in a Van.... Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: North Bay Area, CA Posts: 3,233 Trading: (79)	Re: Illusione Epernay Le Grande Thanks for the review. Super cool pics! I love these too.

10-22-2009, 09:17 AM	#16
JJG Have My Own Room Join Date: Jan 2009 First Name: Jeff Location: Houston Posts: 1,260 Trading: (4)	Re: Illusione Epernay Le Grande smoked one of these last night and loved it. There was nothing particularly unique about the flavor (doubt I could pick it out blind among other Nics) but it was very complex, balanced and tasty. My thoughts were pretty much the same as the original poster. started out a little harsh, could hardly nose inhale at all, but after an inch or so it smoothed out and maintained a very nice complex flavor for the rest of the smoke.I only purged once but It never really got bitter either, which is a pet peeve of mine. I will be buying more of these for sure.

10-22-2009, 10:14 AM	#17
OHRD Garage w/ couch & ashtray Join Date: Sep 2009 First Name: Matt Posts: 1,377 Trading: (39)	Re: Illusione Epernay Le Grande Haven't had these, excellent pics as always! Thanks for the post... __________________ Did I tell you my garage has a couch and an ashtray? My wife doesn't let me sleep or smoke inside.

10-22-2009, 11:06 AM	#18
ThinkB4Umove The Good Life Join Date: Oct 2009 First Name: Bobby Posts: 2 Trading: (0)	Re: Illusione Epernay Le Grande Thanks for the post. This cigar is in my top 3.

10-22-2009, 12:33 PM	#19
njstone Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Illusione Epernay Le Grande Nice review! I've only had one Eperany (the corona), and I LOVED that cigar! Can't wait to try the rest of the line.