Illusione Nosotros
Dec 12, 2009 Cigar
Tonight’s review is the Nosotros from Illusione.
Although listed as an Illusione brand cigar, the Nosotros is actually a combined effort by Illusione creator Dion Giolito and Drew Estate’s Jonathan Drew.
Dion says that the Nosotros started with a meeting between himself and Jonathan Drew on a trip to Nicaragua. Jonathan Drew had introduced him to some interesting tobaccos and blends that Dion was interested in experimenting with.
That led to the Nosotros partnership. He describes it as full-bodied and rich with a sneaky strength that gradually hits you with a velvet hammer.
He expects Nosotros to be on shelves very shortly. The cigars debuted at the 2009 IPCPR in New Orleans. MSRP should be between $8-$13 with a variety of vitolas.
Now, on to the review.
FULL DISCLOSURE: Dion sent me the Nosotros as part of a trade he and I had made. We are friendly on twitter and he has agreed to do an interview with SmokeScore.com early next year.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Size: 5×50 (Robusto)
Origin: Nicaraguan
Wrapper: Nicaraguan
Binder: Connecticut Habano
Filler: Nicaraguan
APPEARANCE and CONSTRUCTION – (19 of 20 pts.)
Wrapper is very clean with a medium brown color and has some darker splotches in some areas. No veins or blemishes on the wrapper or foot. Firmly packed with no soft spots to speak of. Cap is well applied and overall construction appears to be very good.
SMOKING CHARACTERISTICS – (23 of 25 pts.)
The wrapper has an aroma of cedar along with a slight barnyard smell. The foot was a whole other story. The foot had one of the most interesting aromas I’ve picked up on a cigar in a long time. There was a very distinct aroma of sweet bran or breakfast cereal. Not a sugary kids cereal, but more like a honey, nut, bran type cereal. The aroma was delicious. Cut perfectly with my standard punch cut. Draw was perfect. Ash was a nice white and held firm through the first third. Middle third had a slight wave to the burn, but I let it correct itself and by end of second third, it was fine. Rest of burn was normal.
FLAVOR – (27 of 30 pts.)
The Nosotros started out with a blast of toasty wood flavor along with some hazelnut. There was also a slight spiciness that increased into the second third. Second third introduced a sort of gingerbread flavor that reminded me of what I smelled on the foot prior to lighting. A faint sweetness, but with a nice spice balance. Final third brought back the wood flavors and an increase in strength.
OVERALL IMPRESSION – (23 of 25 pts.)
This stick had some very interesting flavors early on that I found enjoyable and unique. It was medium to full body which is exactly the profile I enjoy. The flavor profile of this cigar in unlike anything else I’ve tried from within Dion’s portfolio which includes Illusione, Cruzado, Epernay and others. Cigar’s that capture my attention as I’m smoking them are always something I enjoy. This cigar did that for me. It’s a very good cigar and one that I will be picking up more of.
TOTAL SCORE – 92
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Tags: Dion Giolito, Drew Estates, illusione
December 15th, 2009 at 8:00 am
[...] Tony #2 at Smoke Score takes on the Illusione Nosotros, a joint effort between Dion Giolito and Jonathan Drew. With multiple flavors picked up, such as gingerbread, toasted wood, hazlenut, and spice, this one looks promising. Toast it here. [...]