Wrapper: Nicaraguan Criollo Rosado
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan Corojo
Size: 4 x 46 “Avalitos”
Body: Medium/Full
Price: $8.00

The first creation of the Cruzado came in 2008. It was a combination of the original Illusione line. And both are Nicaraguan puros.

Construction is rustic. Seams are not well hidden and lots of spider veins. The pigtail cap is beaten up a bit due to it being close to two years old. The wrapper is a common brown with a reddish hue….due to the Rosado wrapper. There is some nice oiliness and it feels smooth to the touch.

I sniff for aromas and detect spice, brown sugar, cinnamon, dark coffee, and cedar. I find it easier to detect these aromas after I’ve cut the cap. The freshly cut cigar gives off much more aroma than the already exposed foot.

I use a backstop cutter and light up.

The first puffs are loaded down with black pepper. The draw is easy. And the body is immediately medium.
This will be a short review as this is a 4” stick. So I will wing it.
The char line is wavy. No idea if it will correct itself.

This is a very small batch cigar that shows up and disappears. If you find it for sale, but as many as your wife will allow you to without being served divorce papers.

A massive dose of cocoa arrives tamping down the pepper. And then the coffee, or espresso…it is very dark and just shy of bitter. The cedar lies in the background.

The ash comes off at the half inch mark. The cigar now has a lot of give to it now…not spongy, but almost soft.

I don’t think there will be time for a lot of flavors to show up. Plus Illusione cigars are not known for myriads of flavor. They usually stick to just a few and surprise you with their balance and richness.

The cigar does become very well balanced early on. A deep, rich earthiness appears that is a trade mark of Illusione. Their blends harken back to Cuban cigars. Not a lot of flash, just solid cigar blending.

The first quarter ends and the cocoa supersede the coffee. The pepper continues to be strong but not obtrusive. Some creaminess appears that I can only see as something that extensive aging would bring to the table. The body is still medium but wanting to make that leap to full on, knock your socks off body.

The cigar’s body is warm. Which makes me wonder if I can nub it? Will it be too hot to handle? I’m guessing this is a 20 minute ride.
The flavors don’t change as I approach the halfway point. But the strength does. It is now full bodied. It always amazes me how small cigars can be so potent.

The cocoa and creaminess are way out front. The espresso is there but not showing off. And the spice level has not changed.

And as I wrote that last sentence, the spice level does change. It is now red pepper and whipping the shit out of my tongue. Habanero in the sunset. I am breaking tradition and writing a review early evening instead of my usual first thing in the morning review.

I won’t have the sunlight I usually get from the morning but I am crossing my fingers that the photos come out alright.

The stick is becoming a little bitter. It takes away the edge of the creaminess. It has no effect on the cocoa.

Time to remove the medieval design band. It comes off easily. With an extensively aged cigar, that band can be real trouble getting off in one piece.

The creaminess is making a comeback. The nicotine level is pumping iron.

I can no longer taste coffee. I grab my nub tool hoping the cigar doesn’t get too hot to really finish it off. The cigar is really soft now. Almost spongy.

The cigar is in cruising mode now. The small size is just an aperitif for this blend. I would like to smoke a robusto or larger to see what additional tobacco would taste like.

This cigar is pleasant enough. I wouldn’t pay $8 for it. That’s where hype hits the pavement. It’s a $4 cigar, at best.

Just a little bit left and the cigar gets a musty taste. If this continues, I’m not sure I want to nub it. The creaminess is completely gone. The coffee is gone. The pepper has really slowed down. And all that is left is the cocoa.

This was a noble experiment on my part but I’m not that impressed. There are 6 bigger sizes. Those would have my interest. I think that this size should be discontinued.
I decide not to nub it. That musty flavor ruins the finish.

Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS