Ilusione Epernay Le Grande 21 (XNYRW4)

[bishop532]

I love Ilusione cigars. I think Dion Giolito does an amazing job creating what I would consider to be 90-plus cigars every single time. Yesterday, I decided to smoke the Epernay Le Grande - which is 6 inches with a 46 ring gauge.

The stick is pretty solid, but looking at the foot I can tell it’s well rolled. The wrapper is a light rosado, with just a hint of red. The smell off the foot is cedar and earth, and fairly light. I find most of my cigars tend to have lighter aroma off the foot in the winter. Not sure if it’s me or the cigars. 

 

After clipping the cap (straight cut, I don’t generally mess around with v cut or punch), the cold draw is cedary and tannic with a little sugar, I think. Heading out into the garage and lighting up the cigar, that sugar flavor becomes honey. The tannic flavor mixes with the cedar and becomes something like a white wine. It’s interesting, and delicious. 

The second third incorporates an earthier flavor, while continuing the sweet note. Maybe a touch of leather on the retro. Construction is nearly perfect, IMO, with a straight burn line and a nice slow burn. I was walking the dogs for much of the first half of this cigar, and it didn’t affect the burn at all even though it was a windy night. As you can see in the photo below, the ash even held on for well over an inch while I walked. I was pretty impressed. 

As the final third started, the honey/sugar note faded and a floral note came on strong. There was also cedar and earth. A touch of white pepper was also present.

This was a quality cigar; no complaints about anything. It produced loads of smoke, which is nice, and the flavors and transitions kept things interesting throughout.
 

Total Smoking Time: 1 hour 10 minutes 

Score: 92/100

[JoshD]

Thanks for the review.  I haven't tried Ilusione but have only read good things about them.  Is the Epernay the best of the bunch in your opinion?

[Juliano88]

Great cigar from a great brand. Love Aganorsa Tobacco. The Haut 10 is my favorite from the catalogue. 

[rjake100]

@JoshD I think the Fume D'Amour is worth trying.  I like Epernay and FDA equally.

[bishop532]

2 hours ago, JoshD said:

Thanks for the review.  I haven't tried Ilusione but have only read good things about them.  Is the Epernay the best of the bunch in your opinion?

I like Epernay a lot, but I think I like the MK and Haut best so far. Also, the rothschildes are delicious and pretty inexpensive. 

 

1 hour ago, rjake100 said:

@JoshD I think the Fume D'Amour is worth trying.  I like Epernay and FDA equally.

I prefer the Epernay, but Fume D’amour is still pretty tasty. Different strokes for different folks…

 

2 hours ago, Juliano88 said:

Great cigar from a great brand. Love Aganorsa Tobacco. The Haut 10 is my favorite from the catalogue. 

I love Aganorsa too. I really like the Siboney Reserve. One of my favorite under the radar cigars. 

[BlueRidgeFly]

The Epernay Le Petit might be my favorite Illusione. I’ve had a few of the larger vitolas, but for some reason that little one is always a little better to me. Rothschilds are also really good.

[Juliano88]

17 minutes ago, bishop532 said:

I love Aganorsa too. I really like the Siboney Reserve. One of my favorite under the radar cigars. 

Closest flavor to Cuban tobacco outside of Cuba. Love the fact Dion barely uses ligero in his blends. Mild yet complex. 

[moneyneversleeps]

Great review.  I enjoy these as well.