Illusione Cruzado Domenicos Extra (toro gordo) Review

Cigar: Illusione Cruzado
Size: Domenicos Extra (toro gordo) 6" x 56
Wrapper: Criollo '98
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua/Honduras
Price: MSRP ~$9.50

Initial Impression/Prelight
The Illusione Cruzado Domenicos Extra came completely wrapped in gold foil. After I peeled off the foil, I was greeted by a very nice looking golden-brown, slightly oily Criollo wrapper that was almost veinless aside from one moderate vein which you can see in the photos. The roll was very nice and the edges were hard to see, and the cigar was firm throughout the length with one slightly soft spot in the middle which I doubt will cause any issues. I got a heavy, sweet barnyard aroma from the wrapper. I clipped the end, the the draw was perfectly firm with just a bit of resistance with some light leather and lip tingling red pepper on the cold draw.

I bought this cigar about a month ago on the recommendation of one of the guys at my local B&M, and I've gotten to the point I trust him so much I didn't even ask him anything about the cigar - because it was completely covered in foil, I really didn't know if this was a maduro or natural until I unwrapped it, let alone anything about the profile. I've never heard or read anything about this cigar on the interwebs, and it was fun going in with no preconceived notions. It's been resting in my humidor at 65% since I picked it up.

http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...psqeb8gxfh.jpg

http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...pslpzdb6xv.jpg

1st Third
The Cruzado was pretty sweet right off the bat, with mostly chocolate flavors and brown sugar with some light leather and pepper around the edges. It gave off plenty of blue-white smoke, which I got to enjoy on a wind-free day, FINALLY. It's been blowing 20MPH+ here for the last week or two, and the big lingering clouds of smoke were a pleasure. The ash hung on a good 1.5" until I tapped it off, and the first section ends med+ flavor and medium strength to me.

http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...pso8na3pf8.jpg

2nd Third
The sweetness diminished greatly in the second third, and I got a lot more leather, cedar and rough earthiness along with a heavier dose of tingly peppery goodness. The smoke was still thick and plentiful, and the burn was perfect. I could feel the strength edging up a hair, but not much.

http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...ps23liime3.jpg

Final Third
Some of the sweetness reappeared in the last couple inches of the Cruzado. The leather and smooth cedar hung around on the periphery, but the predominant taste reminded me of kettle-corn - buttery and salty with just enough sugary sweetness to give a nice counterpoint. The smoke stayed thick and rich, with a nice mouthfeel. I'll still call the flavor med+, but the strength really snuck up on me at the end and felt pretty full by the time I nubbed the cigar.

http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...psllahqrls.jpg

Overall Impressions
This cigar was a pleasant surprise for me. The flavors were complex and changed from section to section, and they were all smooth and good.

• This is my second Illusione cigar ever, and just like the first one, the strength seemingly just cruised along at medium all the way until the last inch or two when it really ramped up. My head was swimming by the end, despite having eaten lunch right before and nibbling a little piece of chocolate as I smoked.
• The flavors went nicely with a home brewed German-style kolsch that was just ready to sample today.
• The band was kind of cool and different I guess, with silver script on a black background trimmed with gold. I liked the relief on the gold dots too. I still prefer a more 'classic' band like Arturo Fuente, but this one was well done for something more modern and different. The gold foil was kinda cool too, and it felt almost like unwrapping a present, especially since I didn't know what I was getting.
• Speaking of, the Illusione website says the cigars come 'non-cellophaned to promote box aging.' I guess that settles the old "cello or no cello" debate for us.. lol.
• That makes me wonder how this one would do with some age on it. I don't know anything about aging first-hand, but maybe I'll come back and tell you in a few years.
• This cigar never needed a single touch-up. Love it.
• My pics suck today...
• Smoking time was around 1 hour 50 minutes.


I'm going to make an admission - I've gotten to be a little bit of a ring gauge snob lately. "Snob" might be a little much, but I've been really into lanceros the last 6 months, and I've posted here on Puff about staying away from anything much over 50-52 RG. Well, this 56 RG was a real pleasure, and reminded me not to skip a cigar based solely off RG. It put off a TON of smoke especially compared to the little coronas, lonsdales, and lanceros I've been smoking lately, and the flavors were solid and smooth without being overpowering at any point. It was also fun having a more substantial cigar that I didn't have to worry about or baby at any point.

This is easily worthy of a 5-er if not a box.

http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4zuignwt.jpg