ILLUSIONE EPERNAY CIGAR REVIEW 2024
Illusione Epernay cigars are completely made by hand with premium tobacco leaves, and are blended by Dion Giolito’s genius.
They’re Nicaraguan puros, grown from Cuban seed tobaccos, and manufactured in Honduras.
The result is a medium-full cigar that puts out plenty of rich, flavorful smoke, and it’s easy to see why so many cigar connoisseurs keep this stock readily available.
This Illusione Epernay L’Alpiniste Cigar Review takes a look at the torpedo-shaped 6.75 x 56 L’Alpiniste but also gives an overview on the other shapes and sizes that fall under the Illusione Epernay cigar family hence you will know what to expect regardless of which vitola you buy.
AN INTRODUCTION TO ILLUSIONE CIGARS
Dion Giolito owned a cigar shop but wanted to have his own line of pre-Sandinista style Nicaraguan puros. He teamed up with the Casa Fernandez Company to create Illusione cigars that capture some of those characteristics present in these pre-revolution 70s Nicaraguan smokes that were so popular in the US back then.
Over time, since its establishment, the Illusione Cigars portfolio has grown, however Giolito has never taken his eyes off bringing back Nicaragua’s best tobacco from Esteli and Jalapa Valley and blending it for superior quality hand-rolled cigars this side of Sandinistas’ reign.
There is a minimum of ten vitolas in the series which may include very small ones like Le Petit (4.5 x 44) or classic “A” sized Le Voyage one (9.25 x 49). According to Giolito – Le Voyage will be the last size in this series as well as he created it just because I could.”
L’Alpiniste and Le Vie are included. With both measuring 6.75 x 56 you could argue that there are only nine different sizes in the Epernay line up. The difference is in shape. L’Alpiniste has a bullet-like Torpedo shape, whereas Le Vie is a traditional Double Corona.
HOW IS THE CIGAR CONSTRUCTED?
Illusione Epernay cigars are made from a blend of Corojo ’99 and Criollo ’98 long fillers and binders, which use Cuban seed tobaccos.
The blend is rich and satisfying, delivering perfect balance right through the stick.
Each handmade cigar is rolled in Honduras at the Raices Cubanas factory (Nicaraguan puros), but these can be a real connoisseur’s delight.
HOW IS THE COLD DRAW?
Illusione Epernay cigars are packed with higher density than most of the others, as a result they have some resistance to cold draw. Gently roll it between your palms if you want to get softer draw. The flavors are hay; sweet honey and citrus with some earthy tones and that famous Nicaraguan taste.
FLAVORS I ENJOYED FROM THE EPERNAY
All over Epernay there is a hint of creaminess that meets coffee and leather richness that are best suited with iced tea if you want to have a smoke nearby.
FIRST THIRD
Epernay, within no time, establishes its taste profile. From the initial few puffs, you should perceive some of the flavors which will last throughout this well-balanced blend. The mouthfeel is enriched by a mixture of coffee and cream as the flavors woodsy with teas on its retrohales.
SECOND THIRD
Through the middle third, one gets more of tobacco flavor reminding them this is Nicaraguan puro. It also has hay but the coffee remains in the background. You will observe an almond-like floral nutty taste emerge along with white pepper spice above it all.
FINAL THIRD
The end of Epernay is sweetened. This complex profile gets accentuated by fruit tea and spices while overall strength leans toward medium-fullness. Flavors include milk chocolate and baking spices (especially a dash of nutmeg). And though they do not produce any burning sensation in your mouth while smoking, these densely packed leaves remain till the very last puff.
HOW STRONG IS THE EPERNAY?
Medium bodied and medium-full strength for Epernay; burn it inside and fill up every room or go outside where it can be drifted away by wind like smoke. For even more Corojo sweetness which tastes so good on every exhale draw; remember to focus on the retrohales after each pull take a couple of extra seconds.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Ilusione epernay series is definitely impressive as it brings back Nicaraguan tobacco flavors and aroma from 1970s beat out most cigars currently in stores today.
Especially when you decide to go for Big Le Voyage which has giant size?, rich deep smoke takes you places. Keep any of the ten vitolas around and you’ll never have to be without a friend for about an hour or two.
