Wrapper: Mexican San Andrés
Binder: Nicaraguan Criollo ‘98
Filler: Nicaraguan Corojo ‘99
Size: 6.75 x 48 Churchill
Strength: Medium/Full
Price: $11.65
My cigars have had 6 months of naked humidor time.
BACKGROUND:
This is a regular production cigar.
Illusione changed the appearance of the cigar band this year. I am reviewing the previous version in motif only. It is the same blend. The new cigar band is more apropos to the whole concept Giolito has about the world and its perceived ribbon of conspiracies.
This blend is one of the original cigars released by Dion Giolito.
THE WHOLE MEGILLAH:
I almost gave up hope. It took every second of the 6 months of rest in my humidor before these cigars were ready for review. The cigars had an ah-ha moment and let me know they were ready to perform.
A stout peg leg of a cigar. But the draw is clear. My PerfecDraw is in the bathroom taking a leak. I say nothing when it returns.
The cigar is very perfumy. Lots of floral notes.
Initial outpouring of flavors acts like an aged cigar. Complex. Rich. Creamy. Black cherries. Espresso. Black pepper. Molasses. Cinnamon.
Strength begins at medium/full. A manly cigar. No girly men.
I read that Schwarzenegger regrets using that term on SNL. Fuck me. Woke hell.
The flavor profile is on the move. Dark chocolate. Sassafras. Carraway seeds. Raisins.
This is going to be a long smoke. 2 hours.
I swear I can taste Dr. Pepper. Zero sugar, of course. Aspartame and acesulfame potassium haven’t killed me yet.
Buttery and oily. The savory v. sweet balance is on point.
“Black Night.” Buddy Guy. In the early 2000’s, my band played at his ‘Legends’ club in Chicago. We briefly met Mr. Guy. The band leader tried to impress him with a futile association I had with drummer Stewart Copeland. Guy said he had never heard of The Police. I’m sure he was fucking with us. No deductions were taken out of our pay.
Nice construction. Sharp char line. I can shave my legs with it.
After promo codes, this cigar can be had for less than $10. I reviewed the La Gloria Cubana Serie S Maduro yesterday. Only $2 less. And a world apart from this cigar. You look around and you can find gems.
Sassafras becomes full bore root beer. While it is at it, cream soda is added. I get a quick trip in The Way Back Machine, and I am standing above the multi-flavored licorice choices at Knott’s Berry Farm. In the right hands, root beer licorice is a tasty treat…like the Big Kahuna Burger.
The power of the blend is in a calmative state. Yes, it is medium/full. But never overpowering. Smooth. Like my tushy on Saturday nights.
2” burned. 35 minutes. Long haul, Sally.
Creaminess moves into a position of power. Not a single flavor mentioned has gone to arbitration. Full sized flagrant flavors. Say that three times fast.
Speaking of Chicago…I auditioned for a band in an abandoned warehouse. A small office was used for rehearsal. The drummer played so loud that my eyes vibrated. When I offered the suggestion he might play to the size of the room, well…it didn’t go well. The chick singer had a massive cross on her chest. I was allowed to leave unscathed.
Nothing linear to look at here. A wonderful and gradual improvement with every puff. Subtleties and nuances appear in the shadows as this blend steers into flavor bomb profile.
Some cigars need the sleep of the dead before they can come to life.
Despite the strength, I am not hog-tied in the part of my brain I need for thinking. With every incremental push of the cigar’s strength, the smoother it becomes. A dichotomy worth praising.
My psychotherapist stayed fully awake during my session on Monday. I’m turning into Woody Allen. All I talk about is death.
The halfway point arrives a couple years later. The smooth ramparts and bulwarks keep the blend from getting out of hand.
Not a single flavor point has diminished. Just accentuated and improved. Sharp corners have relaxed.
A unique cigar blend. An oldie but goodie you should think about revisiting.
Bittersweet chocolate. Sassafras. Creaminess. Dried fruit. Molasses. Cinnamon. Espresso. Black pepper. The gang is all here.
Couldn’t ask for a better balance.
2” to go and strength is mind bending. But tolerable. Yesterday’s LGC was stronger but excoriatingly devoid of flavor. Anything is possible if you can’t turn your head away from the flavor profile. Song of the siren.
Ever get a piece of errant wrapper debris stuck to a finger and you can’t get it off. Me too.
Strength might be full tilt, but nicotine is held at bay making this cigar a luxury item for your palate.
Final smoke time is just shy of 2 hours. A pretty cool journey.
Three of my sponsors carry this cigar. Small Batch Cigar (10% off with promo code ‘katman’), Luxury Cigar Club (15% off with promo code ‘katman’), and Atlantic Cigar.
RATING: 94
Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS
Cigar Reviews by the Katman 
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