Illusione mj12 Review

[Laynard]

5/11/2014

Cigar: Illusione mj12
Size: Toro Gordo, 6.0"x54
MSRP: $9.85
Strength: Full
Wrapper: Habano
Origin: Nicaragua



Prelight: The mj12 comes wrapped in foil and beneath it is an extremely smooth wrapper, darker than the Epernay. The wrapper smells like cardboard. Interesting. Maybe this is due to the close proximity of the paper coated foil. The foot is floral and chocolaty. A v-cut gives a perfect cold draw which tastes woody and nutty with a touch of chocolate.



1/3: I immediately get tons of earth on first light. After the cigar warms up however, pepper and chocolate are the main flavors. The ash is light grey and flakey, and surprisingly burns straight and hangs on for over an inch despite the gusty day. The flavors then take on a sweetness like apples. By the end of the first third, I taste cedar as well.



2/3: The second third calms down after the extremely complex first third. Pepper comes back strong and is matched with cedar. Honey develops as the cigar progresses and is a nice, sweet background character.



3/3: The final third is predominately honey mixed with leather. Black pepper is still there, but has taken a distant back seat. As I reach the finger-burning point, earth with just a hint of hay are revealed.

Overall: Another fine example of the complexity Illusione can produce. Absolutely fantastic construction, as even with insanely strong gusts of the San Joaquin winds the ash hung on firm and the burn line was straight. Flavors were incredibly complex and kept my interest. This is a great full-bodied and full-strength cigar.

[cakeanddottle]

I think this series does better in smaller than toro rg. The 888 Slam would be my first pick, but I haven't tried the corona or the lonsdale. I think the flavor profile of these, while it may not be complex, is one of the better non-CCs out there. Even if I go 100% dark side, I'll always have room for some of this series.