Illusione ~hl~ (Holy Lance) Cigar Review

Posted in Cigar Reviews, Illusione | 1 comment

Today, we have another guest review, this time from our friend Pat Fumador.

Here is what the retailers are saying about the Holy Lance:

ILLUSIONE CIGARS

Rated one of the top 10 cigars of 2007 by Cigar Aficionado, Illusione cigars are made only from the finest tobaccos grown in the prized fields in the Jalapa Valley and Esteli Nicaragua. Using only first generation Corojo ‘99, Criollo ’98 seeds and wrapped in grade one Cafe Colorado wrapper, these triple capped cigars are made in small batch quantities to maintain quality and consistency. Illusione Cigars deliver a taste and quality of smoke rarely found in today’s market.

CIGAR BLEND BREAKDOWN
Country: Honduras, Filler: Nicaraguan, Binder: Nicaraguan, Wrapper: Nicaraguan, Strength: Full Bodied

Having said that, here is my opinion of the cigar.

Prelight was good. Aromas were consistent and rich, no ammonia present, represents the aged tobacco that all cigar manufacturers want us to believe in. Medium, though not obvious, veining, great color to the maduro wrapper, and beautifully wrapped. Pre-light draw was really nice. Flavors of Christmas candy, an almost cloviness though not sweet, and very pleasant. First draw was clean, but spicy, as most Nicaraguan tobaccos are. It took about ½” for the cigar to settle down into a flavor profile that could be indentified besides the strong ‘first light’ issues with a full strength tobacco heritage that this one bears. Strong, almost harsh, but still smokable.

First third ran the gambit between great depth of woodsy flavors and that rich, dark coffee we have come to expect. Full flavored boutique cigar, and I’m betting that a major contributor to this was the fact that it was a lancero, long and thin, leaving the wrapper to be a much more defining contributor to this. Second third was still full, strong and smokable, but toward the end it was beginning to show it’s youth. Tangy, acidic, more harshness beginning to show it’s ugly head. I didn’t finish this Lancero. It took on a life of it’s own, one that I didn’t want to follow. Only had to re-light once, that’s always nice, but in the end, the age of the cigar was it’s only downfall. It is a thin, articulate, striking cigar that has already determined it’s life’s intention was not to be the favorite of a the beginning smoker, but entice those that want defined, robust taste.

Would I buy this cigar again? Yep, with the intention of laying it down for a year. I can see amazing potential for this thin, striking cigar.

Would I recommend it to friends? Yep, if they want to lay it down for a year.