Illusione Cruzado - Cigar Review

Illusione Cruzado in Robusto (5 1/4 x 50)

NOTES:

I

Oily and warm in both mitt and mouf. Draws some-hollow hither and thither; some soft spots occur -- neither egregiously-so. Burns straight. Ash drops frequently and displays a tick a' aeration. Seams and shoulder hold fast. Smooth delivery of a straight-forward, though not linear per se, experience. Nicely balanced and fleshed-out. 

II

Cools-some now. Burnt-offerings start stacking dimes, loosely-so. Pack density firms and draw smooths. Body grows lush and velvety smoov. Nuances and complexities each flow. Sweetness ups on draw as balance holds. Retro-hale is enjoyably spiced. Finish is bitter-sweet and moderately legged. Nubs out tepidly, firmly. Strength up-ticks casually into richnesses.

• Oak
• Espresso
• Red pepper
• Cinnamon
• Nutmeg
• Clove
• Leather
• Molasses
• Brown sugar
• Pumpernickel
• Anise
• Cola
• Barnyard

FINAL GRADE: A-

A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79 D 60-69 F 0-59

WRAPPER: Nicaraguan Corojo 99 Rosado

BINDER: Nicaraguan
FILLER: Nicaraguan

STRENGTH: Med.-Full
ORIGIN: Nicaragua

Via the Illusione website: "A blend of Nicaraguan Criollo '98 Dominant blend along with Corojo '99, and finished with a AAA Grade Corojo Rosado wrapper. Medium to full-bodied and very complex and lush." I miss the old website, where you were required to enter a 'password.' I really let Dion Giolito have it with my QWERTY, I did.

Ring writer, William Cooper, from his Cigar Coop site: "Just prior to the 2016 IPCPR Trade Show, Illusione Cigars announced its Cruzado line was getting an [sic] makeover. The new revamped Cruzado line remains a Nicaraguan puro, but now features a streamlined set of sizes, and new packaging."

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