Cigar: llusione cg:4 The White Horse
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Corojo Rosado Oscuro
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Size: cg:4 (5 5/8 x 48) seems more like a 46 to me
Price: $170.99 per box of 25 from Tex Cigars
Sponsored by:
Initial Thoughts: The concept behind Illusione Cigars is quite interesting. The following information was taken from the Illusione website:
The concept behind illusione Cigars was to re-create a specific taste profile from years past. Before the Sandinistas took over Nicaragua in 1979, Nicaragua was growing some of the best tobaccos in the world. The cigars made from these prized fields in the Jalapa Valley and Esteli region were strong, bold and clean. After years of neglect, these old Somoza fields have been re-cultivated by the legendary master grower Arcenio Ramos of Cuba. Along with Fernando, Chandito and famed agronomist Jacinto, Arsenio has assembled the veritable “dream team” of tobacco production. They have re-grown these humble acres to yield their fullest potential once again. All illusione cigars are made from first generation Corojo ‘99 and Criollo ‘98 seeds, wrapped with a grade one Cafe Colorado wrapper, and finished with a triple cap in the Raices Cubanas factory. illusione cigars deliver a taste and quality of smoke rarely found in today’s market. All of the cigars are made in small-batch quantities to maintain quality and consistency.
Overall this is a beautiful looking traditional corona. Expertly crafted from head to foot, no visual defects and the band is nice and simple looking. Let’s fire up this cigar and see what happens.
Flavors: The cigar starts off with an oaky sweetness with a bit of pepper. Once the cigar settles down, notes of leather, nuts, and coffee bean are added to the sweet woody combination. The second third brings more of the same but with a little more finesse. As the second third concludes and the final third begins, there is a nice smooth transition to where the cigar becomes much more rich and bold. The coffee and leather flavors really pick up in intensity and it is a welcomed transition.
Smoking Characteristics: The draw is good on this cigar but the burn needed a little bit of help along the way. However, I am going to attribute the bad burn to the humidity outside because the Balls-to-Leg ratio is borderline dangerous out at this time. The ash was fairly solid and fell off at about the half inch mark.
Final Thoughts: Overall I thought this was a good cigar. It was a little lighter in body than what I was expecting but I did enjoy it aot. I think this woudl be a good cigar for the seasoned cigar smoker but also a cigar enthusiast trying to get into fuller bodied cigars.
Worth a Shot: Yes
Buy Again: Yes
Enjoyablitliy: High
Similar Cigars: Joya de Nicaragua, although the cg:4 is much more complex. Padron 64 for some odd reason, and Tatuaje
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Did you smoke the CG4 at the Grand Opening of Titletown Tobacco? This sounds like a cigar that I would enjoy. Might be a little strong for me but I have a feeling i’d enjoy the combination of the coffee bean and sweet woody combination.
This is one of my favorite sticks. I am glad to see that Titletown has these in their humidor. I made sure to bring a few home after the grand opening Thursday night.
Great review Adam…love the ball-to-leg comment. LOL
Just finished enjoying this cigar,definitely will purchase more!