Illusione Haut 10 Toro (2021) YBC2023

[Capn_Jackson]

Throughout these last couple of years, I’ve been looking to save more and more of my Habanos stock, as I think many others have. There are many NC alternatives that I’ve enjoyed, and some have really proven their worth with a couple of years age on them. I think my favorites have been Viaje Oro Perfecto, Illusione Fume d’Amour and Haut 10, AF Don Carlos, and of course NUDIES!! The MOFOH Spada Gorda has evolved into, without a doubt, one of my favorites as well. But tonight, for the third time in the past month, I chose a Haut 10 toro. After much Christmas shopping and some delicious Chinese takeout, I felt like this would really hit the spot.

It’s cold in Ft Worth tonight, with high humidity because of the rain. This cigar has been stored around 65%, so we’ll see what happens. As usual, drinking some sparkling water. 

Haut 10’s always have superb construction, and this one is like a fine ‘64 Aston Martin. Smooth texture, and a delicious chocolate brown. Just a tiny bit of tooth, and a great sheen on the wrapper, with some nice mottled oily spots. The aroma and cold draw both give off some nuts and hay, with a little bit of damp earth on the excellent draw. The opening light smacks me with some twang and a tiny bit of dried fruit. Creamy as can be, with a faint bit of pepper in the retro.

The first third is dominated by nuts, maybe cashew and peanut, without much salt, and also some damp earthy qualities. I’m not getting any of that dried fruit from the cold draw at this point, mostly sweet nuts and hay. Maybe just a little floral or vegetal quality, too, and I swear there is a hint of popcorn on the oh-so-creamy finish. I can tell right away I picked the right cigar this evening. Kinda sad this is my last one, but I’ve got more coming soon. Let’s see if they make it past their second birthday, as this one has.

The strength is a touch under medium with no signs of increasing, and the smoke output is plentiful. A little wonky burn for the first third, but it corrects itself without touch up. The texture is all cream, complimenting the nutty vibes well.

Second third:

The cigar evolves very slowly, and no extreme changes to start the second third. That burn has corrected itself to a ruler-straight line, and the strength holds right at the medium point, if that. I’m a constant retrohaler, and the smoke is divine through the nose. The occasional puff with no retrohale has less of the nuts, and more of a buttered sourdough, with a little bit of nutmeg. I still prefer the retrohale, but it’s darn good even without it!

Around the halfway point, some salt works its way into the blend, along with some nice hot cocoa and marshmallows. A little sweet blueberry joins in the fun as well, but the nuts and cocoa cream still dominate. The temperature outside is steadily dropping, but the humidity is 94% out here!

i actually do have to relight at one point, but this cigar takes it all in stride. Never gets too hot, never burns bitter. Excellence, defined! The long finish at this point is starting to give me some Ramon Allones vibes, just the slightest bit of tangy “stewed fruit” on the front corners of my tongue. Getting near the final third, there’s also a sweet corn kernel coming into play, and the faintest touch of cayenne pepper. Gives a good halo to everything that has come before.

Final third:

The humidity is doing a number on this cigar, and the draw seems to tighten up, but this stick is a trooper! Never burns too hot, and like the great Dustin Hoffman, never breaks character. Everything from before is still sticking around, and very briefly I get some mint leaves as well, just at the edges of thought. The Ramon Allones vibes have amplified, at times reminding me of an Allones Superiores, but just a fraction saltier. Honey has also been jumping in occasionally, and now it’s joined by some caramel notes. At first they’re just bouncing in here and there, kinda like seeing the neighbor on a trampoline, poking their head over the fence every now and again. Closer to the end, they open the gate and join the festivities in the yard. The humidity is making me puff more often than I’m used to, to keep lit, but once again, it never gets too hot and never even approaches bitterness. The finish near the end has become less creamy and a bit more dry, sort of like dark, rich cocoa powder.

What a treat! At my pace, this was a two-hour event, leaving me with the impressions of salted pralines and cream. Glad there are more of these headed my way, but I don’t know if I have the willpower to let them get to the two-year point. Bury them and forget them, if I can, and the rewards will be stupendous. I wish there were a slightly smaller Haut 10, perhaps a Hermoso 4 or robusto, but not at the sacrifice of this blend. What a knockout!

My score: 96

[Juliano88]

This blend is a masterpiece. Had one from a 2018 box the other day and it was amazing. 

[GVan]

Nice review. Bought 4 boxes of 12 each that arrived on 1/23/23.  Only 4 have been smoked with only one by me on the golf course. I wasn't exactly focused on the flavors - just remember it was smooth. Guess I'm going to have to break one out with a little water for a true tasting on the second floor porch. Thanks - hope mine are as good as yours. I believe these were HalfWheel's cigar of the year in 2018 - sounds like your review is a good reason why.

[MrBirdman]

Nice review - both this and the Haut 10 Churchill are top notch NC and worth a try for any CC smoker, even in the countries where taxes make them similarly priced (if you can find them). Like many Illusione, they have an elegance and complexity that is rare in the NC world at any price. 

[Lamboinee]

Love me some Haut 10. Been smoking them for years. Definitely a go-to CC and one I often recommend to CC enthusiasts looking for an NC to try.  I believe the blend is heavy on Aganorsa Corojo, but I would love to know if anyone has more detailed info. 

[Ford2112]

How do these compare to an epernay?

[Capn_Jackson]

5 hours ago, Ford2112 said:

How do these compare to an epernay?

Similar, I think, but to me the Haut 10 is more rich. More cream, too, at least to my palate. I don’t get the Allones-style fruit as much from Epernay, but I do from Haut 10.

I had an Epernay L’Excellence today, also from 2021, and it was great. The Haut 10 just seems to be more flavorful, but still around medium strength. I love the blend.

I mentioned in the review that this reminded me of an Alllones Superiores, but actually I got some RyJ Churchill Añejado vibes as well.

10 hours ago, Lamboinee said:

Love me some Haut 10. Been smoking them for years. Definitely a go-to CC and one I often recommend to CC enthusiasts looking for an NC to try.  I believe the blend is heavy on Aganorsa Corojo, but I would love to know if anyone has more detailed info. 

The wrapper (great wrapper!) is Cafe Claro Corojo. The filler is mostly seco leaves, Criollo ‘98 and Corojo ‘99. You’re correct, it is Aganorsa tobacco, and they’re very selective with the leaves. Excellent blend!

[MrBirdman]

15 hours ago, Capn_Jackson said:

Similar, I think, but to me the Haut 10 is more rich.

Yep, I agree. Richer and less floral compared to the Epernay blends. 

[vvvendo1969]

Thank you for your great review.

Reading your review, I decide to purchase this Illusione Haut 10. ^o^