Dion Giolito, creator of Illusione cigars, created this cigar to pair well with a good champagne and named the line after a well known Champagne region, Epernay. This blend is created with the European palate in mind, the cigar has a lighter shade wrapper than other Illusiones and is less spicy and more floral according to Illusione. I got a few of the 5¼x48 Le Ferme and of the 6¼x52 Le Monde in a group buy on my Dutch website. They are not for sale in The Netherlands.

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The wrapper, even though it is a lighter shade than other Illusiones, is still reasonably dark and is quite oily. I see a few veins. The band is simple yet tasteful. The cigar has a mild barnyard smell. The construction feels good and I can't complain about the predraw, which is mild spicy.

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I taste a peppery coffee flavor and after half an inch I taste a lot of earth flavor. The flavors are sticky and creamy. After an inch and a half I taste wood, nuts and chocolate.

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Slowly the wood gets stronger and I taste some herbs too. The nut and chocolate flavors have gone. Little passed halfway I taste some chocolate again, very mild and a good amount of pepper. The pepper slowly loses some of its strength.

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This cigar has a smoke time of an hour and fifteen minutes. I got a lot of smoke that starts out reasonably thick and gray but it turns thick and white. The draw is great, but I had to correct the burn a few times. The ash is dark and reasonably firm. This cigar is full bodied and medium to full flavored.

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Would I buy this cigar again? Yes, I love these.

Appearance: 8 / 10
Construction: 8/ 10
Draw: 8 / 10
Burn: 7 / 10
Smoke & ash: 8 / 10
Aroma first part: 8 / 10
Aroma second part: 8 / 10
Aroma third part: 8 / 10
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Another superb review. I could not get into the two that I torched. Now, maybe throw a maduro wrapper on this bad boy. :-) :-)
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I like Dion's cigars, and the Epernay is probably my favorite. Good review!
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Smoked a few of these on New Years and with Dom they really blended very well and added to a realy special day
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Great review again. I really enjoyed the one that i had.
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Nice review.
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Thanks for the review, I love those:-)
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very good stick
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Nice review, Ferd, glad you like it. Of the two vitolas (5¼x48 vs 6¼x52,) you reviewed the better one. I find the Le Monde to be harsh and not as well blended.
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Thanks Ferdie for another great review with great pics.
I love the Epernay's also. I tend to prefer the smaller ring gauges though, in both the Epernay and Illusione lines. IMO they have a little more flavor and spice.

Thanks again.
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I like the Illusione cigars but have not tried this one -- sounds like I need to :-)

Thanks for the great review!
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I smoked that one too, review will be posted in the near future.
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Nice review . I love these smokes.

Mac you would smoke rolled newspaper if it had a maduro wrapper. :-)
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Nice review, thanks. Looks like I'll be seeking these out, but not till I get down the road, where tobacco taxes are a little easier to handle.
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Nice Review, Ferdie!:-) Still Haven't Found My Fav. Illusione; I Think I Liked The First "88" I Smoked Best 3 Years Ago!:-)
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I had just recently received this cigar from a friend and found the perfect time to burn it. Since we have a bridge out and I've been moving to work 2hrs early I thought I'd smoke this on the trip. Might not be a 6am type of cigar but it made my morning bearable.

This was my 1st Illusione though I'm sure I make my way through this brand.
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Very nice Review!
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