Illusione Nosotros Robusto
Size: 5 x 50
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Corojo 99
Filler: Nicaraguan
Binder: Connecticut Habano
Price: Approx. $8.00
Appearance & Construction:
The wrapper is flat with no oily sheen. Its caramel colored, toothy, and has very small veins. As I sniff the wrapper I get barnyard aroma.
When I sniff the foot I get pepper and more barnyard aroma. There are no noticeable soft spots and the cigar is firm to the touch.
Pre-light Draw:
I clipped the cap with my V Cutter, and I get more barnyard (only stronger) on the pre-light draw. Shall we say CC in the house? ;-)
1st 3rd:
I light the foot and flavors of leather, cedar, and spice are what I get on the initial draw. Through the nose flavors of leather, rich tobacco and spice are present. Surprisingly, the spice is not peppery ala ‘Pepin Style’. There is also a touch of cinnamon on the long finish. My light was out of fluid and kind of spotty so it required a few touch ups initially. The ash is flaky and grayish white.
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A half inch in the finish is still lingering and it has a drying effect on my mouth. This cigar is producing clouds of smoke! The draw is superb! Cedar has now taken its place at the table, the spice has died down and leather is dancing with cedar and rich tobacco. At this point the finish lingers but is still noticeably dry.
2nd 3rd:
Entering the 2nd 3rd I’m getting rich tobacco and leather with a dry finish. The burn line is semi-uniform. The ash is still grayish white and flaky. This stick is still producing tons of smoke too! I’d say the body of this cigar is medium at best which is a surprise because I was expecting it to be medium-full. We’ll see what happens in the final 3rd. In the retro-hale I experience a buildup of pepper, leather, and cedar. They blended well though the pepper was most dominant. On the next puff I noticed a floral essence. I haven’t experienced this since my first El Triunfador Lancero (OR). We’re halfway through the 2nd 3rd and still no buildup in body. It should be noted that leather and cedar really take turns shining in this stick. The burn line has kind of canoed to one side but it’s still burning quasi evenly. No need for a correction.
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Final 3rd:
Entering the final 3rd I had to relight this cigar for the 3rd time. Leather and cedar are in the forefront and the spice has completely died down. Pepper however is doing the tango with leather on the retrohale! *lol* I can feel a little pepper on the back of my throat as well. The finish consists of leather, faint pepper, and remains dry on the palate.
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Nub:
Leather is the “Big Dog” as we approach the Nub! The burn line has amazingly corrected itself as we enter the home stretch. For the first time I notice the body increasing to medium-full. The finish is long, and cedar creeps back into the picture. For a second there I thought the dry finish was gone but it’s still there. I paired this stick with a strong cup of Columbian coffee and it was a good choice. The ash has become tight as we approach the nub.
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Final Thoughts:
The flavors basically stayed consistent until the end. The main flavors were leather, cedar, with a little pepper on the finish. It’s been said that this cigar is currently being re-blended. The only problem I had with it was its dry finish. I think this stick would make a great start to any smoker’s day!
[Reply]
Great review Excel!
But alas, the reblend you speak of is actually now off the table as Illusione and Drew Estate has terminated their partnership.
Originally Posted by :
Effective immediately, Illusione cigars will no longer participate in the Nosotros brand project with Jonathan Drew DBA Drew Estate. After two and a half years, terms for a product delivery date still could not be negotiated. The Nosotros brand/trademark dies in the Drew Estate Factory as per Contractual agreement, and will not be made outside of the factory where it originated. – Dion Giolito, Illusione cigars
[Reply]
Originally Posted by kelmac07:
Nice review Excel. I haven't enjoyed the two that I have smoked.
Thanks Mac!
Originally Posted by AlohaStyle:
Great review Excel!
But alas, the reblend you speak of is actually now off the table as Illusione and Drew Estate has terminated their partnership.
Ryan don't know exactly what happened but I hear that Johnathan is a "tough cookie" to deal with. I've never met either of them in person, but I did speak to Dion recently on the phone. He's a nice guy and he know's his stuff!
Guess i'm glad i already had a box of these coming for nostalgia purposes!
:-)
[Reply]
