I picked a couple of these up at an Illusione/Cruzado Event last month!

This one has been resting in my cooler since the event!

Length/Ring: 4 X 46
Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Natural
Strength: Medium

I have been a big fan of the Illusione cigars for almost a year now, but as soon as I tried my first Cruzado Marelas I became a bigger fan of this new line!!!

The Avalitos is very similar in size and shape to the Illusione ~68~ Bambone! The pigtail cap is unique to this line!
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The pre-draw, after cutting the cap, was very nice with no blockage whatsoever! After toasting the foot I took my first couple of draws and found a strong bitterness but plenty of white smoke. This was starting to remind me of Illusiones that I have smoked!
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The bitterness soon gave way to some sweetness and coffee notes. The white smoke from this cigar was incredible. The burn was even and I was detecting some of the flavor profile I remembered from the Marelas!
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I must say that the construction on these, as with the Illusione are almost flawless. I really enjoy the dark natural wrapper with the smooth well-cared-for leaf!
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I really don't like comparing cigars when I do a review but the dark zebra striped ash is very similar to the Illusione line. At this point I needed to pair this cigar with a drink and I decided on D' Art Port. I needed something sweet to help me find the sweet notes I remembered from the Marelas as more spice was coming though than I was expecting!
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The spice was not bad! It was more reminiscent of black pepper than red! This cigar at the halfway point was reminding me of the strength of the ~68~ and I really like the ~68~ a lot! I removed the band at this point!
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The Port helped me again find the sweetness that is locked away in this vitola! I found myself purging a little to push some of the bitterness out! At this point the cigar became hot and was almost going out! It was very soft. I let it cool!
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I am renaming this cigar - Dion's Firecracker! This cigar is not "strong" in the nicotine sense but is a powerhouse of flavor and black pepper on the tongue. I know what cigar to select from my humi when I want to enjoy black pepper!
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Total smoke time took 55 minutes.

Construction/Appearance: 9 out of 10 (I like the pigtail cap)
Flavor Balance: 8 out of 10 (Plenty of black pepper spice)
Strength: Medium/Full (Flavorful without a nicotine buzz) )
Over all experience: 7 out of 10 (this is because I was expecting the Marelas)
Value: I paid around $10.00 (California Prices). I would like to pay less! Who wouldn't?
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Nice review Darrell. :-)

Yeah, I wish these weren't so pricey, I'd definitely smoke a lot more of them.
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You're killing me, man :-)

Great review & great pictures! I keep pestering my B&M about these, but no luck yet :-) Sooner or later, though...!
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Damn fine cigar you nubbed there.
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Nice review and pics! This sounds like a good pick...:-)
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One of my favorites from the line
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You are making me have to smoke yet another Cruzado tonight...and probably an Illusione as well...NICE REVIEW Darrell
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Thanks for checking out the review Dion!!!

I hope you didn't mind me calling it a Firecracker???

This one is another winner!!!:-)
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Nice review Darrell. And your fingernails are clean and manicured too! I loved the Cruzado you sent me! Thanks again!
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Nice review. I just finished one of these and I found it to taste the same as an Illusione.
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Wow, I didn't find that to be case at all. I thought it was much fuller flavored and much more complex. Which size did you have?
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The Avalito. I found it to be just as strong as the Illusione. I thought it was supposed to be a toned down Illusione b/c they use less ligero.
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Great review! I've tried the Marelas & like them a lot.

:-)
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I'll have to get some of these smaller ones. Cruzados are already a "must have" in my collection.
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Nice review, I have one of those in the humi, I may have to go dig it out. Now I just have to remember what humi it's in.:-)
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Hope you don't stress over it too much.:-) Next time we herf at your house I'll be glad to help you look for it.:-)
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Nice review MOBD
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