Illusione Rothschilde 2021(FRCSW3)

[bishop532]

The Rothschilde was the first Illusione I ever tried, and I fell in love immediately when I brought it home from Iwan Ries. $5-6 a pop for a stick that’s top quality and has plenty of Cuban characteristics? You can’t go wrong. 

This particular example has a Maduro wrapper, is nicely finished with a triple cap, and has a delicious aroma coming from the foot - licorice, leather, and sweet tobacco, with a hint of smoke like it sat in a cigar lounge for a few years. The cold draw had a touch of citrus and some honey. The construction seems dead on, with just right amount of give. 

The first third begins with a floral note with plenty of creaminess and a dollop of honey. The retrohale is earthy. It’s very tasty. The strength is right around medium. 

The second third begins to add notes of milk chocolate. The floral note hangs around for this third too, but the honey fades part way in and is replaced by a nutty note. The earthiness also joins the main show. The retro is earth and pepper. 

Heading into the home stretch, many of the key elements from the first 2 thirds remain: cocoa, hazelnut, cream, earth, and that signature illusione floral note. The earth begins to take center stage, however, shifting towards something like mushrooms (maybe?). There’s also a bit of pepper, but nothing too much beyond what I find in a (Cuban) Partagas most of the time. There is a small run in the burn line, but it’s manageable and it recovers on its own. Strength tops out at medium-full while body is full. 

Definitely one of my favorite Illusione cigars, and one of my favorite NCs, this is one I go back to again and again. I’d recommend this without reservation to any Cuban cigar lover who thinks there are no good NCs. 

Total Smoking Time: 1 hour 6 minutes

Score: 92/100

 

[Juliano88]

Illusione is a powerhouse brand. Dion has a great palate and it doesn’t hurt that he’s working with Aganorsa tobacco. 

[Huckleberry]

Awesome review, I think I will try one

[Kaptain Karl]

I used to smoke a lot of these before my CC baptism! 

[MrBirdman]

I’ve think Illusione is the closest I’ve found to a “NC maker for CC smokers who don’t like NC cigars.”

We’ll see if Nudies can grab that ring tonight when I light up my first N1.

[Carrie Nation]

Good value smoke but a bit crude and rustic like a table wine. For more complexity and richness, you have to look to the other Illusione brands like Cruzado, Garagiste, Fume d’Amor, etc.

[JC67]

Ive been wanting to try the Haut 10 range... are they worth the price?

[bishop532]

12 hours ago, Carrie Nation said:

Good value smoke but a bit crude and rustic like a table wine. For more complexity and richness, you have to look to the other Illusione brands like Cruzado, Garagiste, Fume d’Amor, etc.

They are crude and rustic but I disagree about the lack of complexity and richness. These are just as rich and complex as all three of the lines you mentioned above. I actually prefer the Rothschilde to each of those. 

 

8 hours ago, JC67 said:

Ive been wanting to try the Haut 10 range... are they worth the price?

It’s been quite a while but from what I remember they are delicious and worth trying out 1 or 5 at the very least. 

[Jonboy4074]

Big fan of almost all of Dion's offerings. Had this Holy Lance from 2018 today. Very tasty with lots of aging potential left.

[Juliano88]

8 hours ago, Jonboy4074 said:

Big fan of almost all of Dion's offerings. Had this Holy Lance from 2018 today. Very tasty with lots of aging potential left.

One of my favorite cigars. Just snagged a box with an ABR 21 code. 

[Skypilot]

This is one of my favorite sticks and the price point is superb. Thanks for the review. 

[bishop532]

7 hours ago, Juliano88 said:

One of my favorite cigars. Just snagged a box with an ABR 21 code. 

 

8 hours ago, Jonboy4074 said:

Big fan of almost all of Dion's offerings. Had this Holy Lance from 2018 today. Very tasty with lots of aging potential left.

hell yeah I love that one too. I’m trying to remember, is that the same size as a fundadore? 7 1/2 x 40? 

[Jonboy4074]

hell yeah I love that one too. I’m trying to remember, is that the same size as a fundadore? 7 1/2 x 40? 

That's right.