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Page 1 of 2  Plus: Tasting and grading newcomers Illusione and Roxor DeluxeLos Angeles, February 29 – “What do you like that’s new?” is the first question people ask each other at the annual Retail Tobacco Dealers of America (now IPCPR) trade show. One of the answers in 2007 was “Illusione.” A couple of years before, it was “Roxor.” Both are smaller-production brands, created to satisfy a specific taste and a specific concept. We wanted to see if they met their goals and both did: if you are ready to venture outside the familiar and favored brands to try something new, you can’t go wrong with either of these excellent newcomers. Illusione: [Honduras: available in 10 sizes] Dion Giolito was well placed to create a sensation with the introduction of his Illusione line in 2007. In addition to having an interesting cigar, his booth at the Retail Tobacco Dealers of America trade show was just steps away from the displays of two of the hottest distributors on the floor: Pete Johnson’s Havana Cellars, which distributes Tatuaje, and El Rey de Los Habanos, the distribution company owned by Pepin Garcia, the newest star cigar maker on the American market. That automatically assured attention, but Giolito’s cigars spoke for themselves. The Illusione line is designed to capture the unique flavor and texture of the Nicaraguan cigars made in the 1970s, before the country was torn apart by civil war. These cigars are made in Honduras of all-Nicaraguan tobaccos from Corojo ‘99 and Criollo ‘98 seeds and offer a memorable smoking experience. Beautifully constructed, the Illusione blend offered a medium-to-full body and has an inviting, toasty aroma that has a note of spice. The draw is easy, but the taste is startling in its subtlety, with a perfectly-balanced tang at the intersection of sweetness and spice, on top of an earthy undertone that marks the cigar as special. Sound too complex to be true? It gets better. As difficult as this flavor is to create, it remains the focus throughout the cigar. It burns rather evenly and leaves just a brush of spice on the tongue during the medium finish. But it is not so complex that it becomes a chore to enjoy; the balance of flavor is even and obvious and makes Illusione a cigar to be savored. It’s quite remarkable. The taste is clear and present, but not overly bright, so it’s a cigar you’ll want to pay attention. There is a bit more emphasis on the spicy notes at the very end, but never overpowering or aggressive. With 10 sizes to choose from, you can find your favorite and these cigars are reasonably priced – if you can find them – at $5.00 (before local tobacco taxes) for the ~68~ (4 inches by 44 ring) up to $8.35 for the ~4/2G~, a 7 1/2-inch by 49-ring double corona. There are some odd sizes which cost more, including a Culebras ($21.00) and an “A”-sized giant of 9 1/4 inches by 48 ring ($15.30). Overall grade: A: Exceptional. The Nicaraguan-made Roxor line was introduced by the Perseo Cigar Company of Euclid, Ohio in 2005. It features a wild green-and-black logo (shown above) and offers four sizes in three different wrapper styles: Connecticut, Cameroon and Maduro. We tried all three: |
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Did you know?
“Avo Uvezian, creator of the Avo line, helped write the 1960s smash "Strangers in the Night".
