When I first heard the name Illusione ~eccj~ I thought "isn't that confusing" because of the European Cigar Cult Journal uses that acronym but then I read that this corona gorda was created to commemorate the 15 year anniversary of the magazine. ECCJ commisioned Illusione to make a cigar blended for the European palate, and Illusione tried to do that with 100% Nicaraguan tobacco, including a corojo wrapper leaf from Rosado claro shade that gives the cigar a reddish glow. Even though the cigars are Nicaraguan puros, they were made in Honduras. The ~eccj~ is a limited production, only 300 boxes of 15 were made.

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As I said, the cigar has a reddish glow due to the rosado leaf. The band is just like the other Illusione bands, small and white with golden letters. There are lots of small and thin veins on the wrapper. The construction feels good, although the cigar feels a bit oval instead of round or box-pressed. The predraw is on the loose side and I taste some wood.

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I taste a quite strong earth flavor with a pleasant metallic feel too it and a hint of chocolate. After half an inch the metallic flavor is gone and I taste earth and toast. The earth becomes less strong while the chocolate gains some power.

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Halfway the chocolate becomes dominant with earth and herbs on the background. After ⅔ the chocolate loses some of its strength and makes a nice mix with the herbal and earth flavors.

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The smoke time of this cigar is a bit disappointing, only 75 minutes. I got a reasonable amount of thick white smoke. The draw is on the loose side, but it's not so loose that it bothers me. The ash is quite firm and has a salt & pepper color. This cigar is full flavored and medium bodied. I only got a small flame when I purged the cigar.

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Would I buy this cigar again? I wish, this was a limited edition and sold out everywhere

Appearance: 7 / 10
Construction: 7 / 10
Draw: 7 / 10
Burn: 8 / 10
Smoke & ash: 8 / 10
Aroma first part: 8 / 10
Aroma second part: 8 / 10
Aroma third part: 7 / 10
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Do you get manicure's Ferdie? Your finger nails are always flawless!

:-)

Nice review on a limited edition cigar!
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I am a metro man :-)
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This is how behind the loop I am. I didn't even know this cigar existed. Looks great bro :-)

Will have to track one down and try one one of these days.
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Great review Ferdie...I have enjoyed the two that I was able to find. :-)
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Never had the eccj but the other illusiones I've had I enjoy a ton. Thanks for the review Don.
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Thanks for the review. These are great cigars.
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Nice Ferdie.....had 2....smoked one and enjoyed it...gave the other to a friend to try, not realizing it was "limited production"....at least he enjoyed it too!
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Nice review, my B&M has a few of these. I will need to try it before they are gone.
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Awesome review, I have a few bands off of those from my cigar band donations for my humidor project, this explains why I've never seen them!
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Thanks for another great review, with pictures!! I always enjoy your reviews.
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Fantastic Review, Ferdie!:-)
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Great review Ferdie! I love me some Illusiones
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Nice review! I've enjoyed the ones I've had.

Isn't the Epernay supposedly the same blend?
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Thanks for the review Ferdie.
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These are a great cigar.
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the Epernay is based on this blend, but not exactly the same as far as I know.
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Still got an unopened box from January 2009 I'm waiting to open and enjoy!
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I don't usually negative out on a review, but I found the eccj to be poop.
I was really shocked, cause I love a nic puro. Go figure?
It had zero nic puro balls, and smoked like a Casa Torano Ecuadorian Connie. Blech.
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.....definitely not a balls on strong nic puro. That is what makes it unique
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