Illusione Maduro ~mj12~ (toro gordo) Review

[Cardinal]

Cigar: Illusione Maduro
Size: ~mj12~ 6"x54
Wrapper: Mexican San Andres
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Price: MSRP ~$10.00

Initial Impression/Prelight
The Illusione Maduro was a beauty, and after peeling off the black wrapping paper I found a fine sheen to the San Andres leaf wrapper. The wrapper itself was dark brown with black charcoal-brushed streaks and only tiny veins and no visible seams. I got some spicy and barnyard from the wrapper and foot, and a heavy leather from the slightly firm cold draw.

The cigar was in my humidor for a month or two at 65%, and I actually smoked it last weekend. Unfortunately I lost my entire write-up the first time when I clicked the 'submit' button on here, and I was aggravated enough that I decided to walk away. Still have my notes though, so here goes.





1st Third
I got a fairly strong leather flavor, not surprising after the cold draw. I also picked up some light cocoa, and hints of red pepper and cinnamon. Fairly moderate smoke output, but a nice clean gray color, and the whitish ash hung over an inch. Given the darkness of the wrapper I expected a little more punch, but the first section rounded out at a pleasant mild-medium flavor and strength.



2nd Third
Where the first part of the cigar mostly lacked sweetness, the second section gave more chocolate and warm cooking and maduro spices with a little dash of spicy sweetness. I picked up some pepper on the retrohale, but otherwise there wasn't a lot of kick. Flavor and strength both ticked up to around medium, and while the burn was good I did have to double-puff a little bit to get good smoke output. The ash blossomed a bit in the section, and stayed a little flakier until the end.



Final Third
There was a little shift back away from the sweet profile in the final third. The predominant flavors were leather, dark earth, and some nuttiness, while cocoa and warm spices remained secondary flavors. The smoke output picked up a little and become noticeably more thick, and the finish lengthened as well. I had to retouch the burnline a couple times, but nothing unacceptable.

Overall Impression
Nice cigar, definitely. It sure started off right - the packaging and appearance of the cigar were absolutely top of the line, and I really liked the contrast of the maroon and gold band against the dark wrapper. The flavors weren't exactly mind-blowing, but I did enjoy them throughout the entire cigar, and then particularly in the final section. I went in with preconceived notions of sweetness, I guess from the appearance of the wrapper, but I wasn't disappointed by the basically savory profile. I'd been wanting to try one of these for a long time but my B&M doesn't carry them, so I was able to enjoy this one courtesy of @OldSkoolTarHeel from the allegedly 'easy' version of the MAW thread when he basically gave me about 10 of the nicest cigars now in my humidor. Thanks again Rob!

Final judgement, I'd definitely nab another 5er, but probably not quite a full box yet. I'm grateful to have had a chance to smoke this one, and I look forward to having a few more.

[MattyMatt]

Great review! That wrapper reminds me of a granite countertop (random thought of the day).

[Tatuaje]

Nice job. If you haven't tried the HL Maduro, and that size is in your wheelhouse, it's my favorite illusione.

[Tobias Lutz]

That is a great cigar! Nice review.

[Tgs679]

Great review, thanks

[Jordan23]

Thanks for the review, Tim. I love your pics.

[Cardinal]

Nice job. If you haven't tried the HL Maduro, and that size is in your wheelhouse, it's my favorite illusione.

I love lanceros, and I actually do have one of these in the HL. With Pxxx gone, once again I can't look back and see who gave it to me..Maybe HIM. Either way, I'm looking forward to that one.