Opened today's Cigar Insider and saw the vertical tasting. Only one vitola scored less than a 90. They're supposed to be strong and tasty and especially appealing to those who like DPG stuff, which I do. They don't have any distribution in the east right now but I did a web search and members at other forums seem to love them.

Anyone had one?

quote:

Originally posted by Extensioncord:
Opened today's Cigar Insider and saw the vertical tasting. Only one vitola scored less than a 90. They're supposed to be strong and tasty and especially appealing to those who like DPG stuff, which I do. They don't have any distribution in the east right now but I did a web search and members at other forums seem to love them.

Anyone had one?

I was suprised when I opened this issue of cigar insider at the scores for a cigar that I had never heard of before. I expected that if anyone had tried them before that it would be you. I did find them for sale at Tower cigars though. I was checking out their current selection of Tatuajes and notice that they had the Illusione in stock as well.

Thanks, Creech. That was my feeling, too. People have been raving about them on the Fuente and Club Stogie forums and two people (who sounded legit) gave them an excellent review on Top25cigar. The looks, packaging and reported flavor profile seem very appealing given my individual tastes. I ordered a box of the corona gorda from Mark @ Tower. Normally, I wouldn't go "all in" but given the near-universal praise for these things, I figured if they suck I can pass some out to CA members to try for themselves...and if they're great,I'll hoarde 'em!

Ecord...I was thinking the same thing. I was going to order a box of the Robustos but they're sold out already.

I'll pick up the Corona Gorda instead and give them a shot.

Awesome cigars, we can hardly keep them in stock.

Mike M.

Looks like we may have found another "sleeper." Can't wait to try them. On looks alone, they score big points.

Just curious, which vitola scored the highest?

The 4"x40 "68" and 5 5.8" x 46 "CG:4" tied for top score but only one vitola, the A-sized "1," scored below 90.

Thanks. After seeing this post, I really want to try the figurado.

The names that they use are kind of funky, but here is the list:

• 92 - 68, CG:4
• 91 - 4/2G, 888, M7
• 90 - 2, 88, F9
• 89 - 1

You can see what they look like at www.illusionecigars.com. The top rated '68' is a 4"x44 parejo.

quote:

Posted August 08, 2007 09:11 AM Hide Post
Looks like we may have found another "sleeper." Can't wait to try them. On looks alone, they score big points.

I agree went to the site www.illusionecigars.com.
They look awesome triple cap and all.

what's the deal with these guys? it seems like they popped up out of nowhere

As I type I'm puffing on an 88, a robusto. I picked up two sticks yesterday for less than 6 bucks each.

how is it?

quote:

Originally posted by pittsmoker2:
what's the deal with these guys? it seems like they popped up out of nowhere

What I found out so far is that the brand owner, Dion Giolito, owns a small cigar shop out west and this was the private label brand for his store. He's since tweaked the blend and expanded production and distribution. From what I saw on other message boards, he offered pre-production samples to members of those boards and they provided feedback through the process; apparently, the cigar started out with a lighter wrapper and it was a little rough.

Here's the thread:

http://www.cigarpass.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=21736

Judging by his reponses, he seems like a good guy genuinely interested in producing a superior and distincitve product -- and, unlike some of the a-hole brand owners who post on this board posing as Regular Joes ("Hey everyone...gotta try this cigar!"), he was upfront and put it out there that he was starting a new brand and needed some focus groups.

To me, anyway, Dion Giolito would be a welcome addition to this community. If he's out there, I'd love to see him introduce himself, whether I end up liking his cigar or not.

quote:

Originally posted by Extensioncord:
Looks like we may have found another "sleeper." Can't wait to try them. On looks alone, they score big points.

You know what else scores big points?

quote:

Originally posted by mytyt:

quote:

Originally posted by Extensioncord:
Looks like we may have found another "sleeper." Can't wait to try them. On looks alone, they score big points.

You know what else scores big points?

Y--- B----

Nice cigar. Sort of peppery, a bit rough at times, but all in all a good cigar. Seems very well-constructed and burns very evenly.

quote:

Originally posted by Tommy Boy:
Nice cigar. Sort of peppery, a bit rough at times, but all in all a good cigar. Seems very well-constructed and burns very evenly.

How does it compare to, say, Tatuaje or Opus X? From what I read in Cigar Insider the flavor profile is similar in many ways.

No shilling here guys, just wanted to say thanks for all of the great comments about my cigars.

The RTDA/Aug.7th issue really caught me off guard. These are the style of cigars that I like to smoke. I blended them myself, occasionally using my fourm buddies as guniea pigs! I love the cigar culture and wanted nothing less than the bold, true and clean profiles of Nicaraguan tobacco to comprise the blends of my cigars. I truly believe that Nicaragua is growing the best tobacco in the world - Padron, Joya de Nicaragua and others have known this for years. I'm very blessed to have such good friends that are "straight shooters," to put it mildly, when it comes to helping me validate my blends. As of right now, I'm in 103 top-notch Tobacconists across the states. If you don't have them in your neck of the woods, drop me a line and I'll see what I can do. Thanks again.


Later - Dion Giolito