Illusione Gigantes Review

Gigantes
Made by: Illusione
Country: Nicaragua
Vitola: 6.5 by 56

This is a great company that is under recognized in my opinion. Illusione has put out several great blends but for some reason they tend to fly under the radar. The Rothchildes is a great example of one of these blends, the MJ12, the Epernay. In this Illusione Gigantes Review, I will be covering the bigger bother of the Rothchildes. Lets get it started.

Prelight

There is one thing to immediately note, the Rothchildes and the Gigantes are not on a mission to impress aesthetically. Very big veins, toothy, wrapper imperfections, and an excessive amount of rollers glue categorize the looks of this cigar. That doesn’t sound like a great start, but I know that if the Gigantes is anything like the Rothchildes there is a surprise in store. The foot gives off cashew, cedar, oak, and a lightly sweet cocoa note. That is further confirmation that this is going to be on a similar page as the Rothchildes. Firm pack with a couple of soft spots. The cap fell off as soon as I cut it, but no unraveling due to the excess of rollers glue. There is a very open draw, and the prelight flavors are a dry mix of cedar and cocoa with a black pepper on the finish.

1/3

Extremely easy to light, there is a mix of dry cocoa and cedar on the front (cocoa holding more power). A cashew and macadamia nut finish with black pepper lingering in the mouth. There is some leather in the center of the profile that helps balance the transition from the primary flavors to the finishing notes. Medium to full body and low strength. Wonderfully thick smoke production, and the burn is getting underway great. There is no cream playing into the profile because the flavors are very strong holding back influence of the smoke. As the first third burns down the leather comes up in the profile overtaking the mixed nut finish which has fallen. The dray mix of cocoa and cedar is still on the front. Great burn, great smoke production, and overall great experience so far. Toward the end of the first third leather dominates the profile, and there is a light finish of white and black pepper. Great transitions and complexity so far.

2/3

As I get into the second third the strength has come up slightly to a low-medium. The body is holding at a medium-full. The front has change significantly and now has the cashew and macadamia notes that were on the finish alongside the leather. The finish has more power in the profile now with the mixed white and black pepper notes. This has been a very well balanced cigar. No issues with the burn, still solid smoke production. Great cigar and it is well rounded and well balanced, a hidden gem. As I reach the end of the second third the dry cocoa returns on the front and the pepper finish retreats. The leather and mixed nuts have been pushed back to the center of the profile. No further changes to body or strength in this third.

3/3

As the last third got underway the nuts came back up to overpower the cocoa on the front. the mixed pepper finish held and the leather seems to be rising again. The body is holding constant as is the strength (at a low-medium). There have been no burn issues throughout the cigar. No draw issue, no problems, the only deductions really occur in the area of appearance which is significant. Good complexity, left some room for improvement in that area. The transitions were well presented but could have taken place more distinctly. As I reached the nub the flavors came back to match the second thirds profile. A heavy leather controlling the front and the center, with a mixed white and black pepper finish.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 35 minutes

Conclusion: 87

Well the flavors and performance of the cigar were wonderful, but the aesthetics hurt the score. And I believe that is part of the reason this cigar fly’s under the radar. I could easily smoke these once or twice a week and not get tired of them. However, I would not bring one of these to an event. Its not beautiful but it is very enjoyable. Worth buying a couple to test out for yourself and have for the end of a busy day. It carries that feel to it, the “accomplished hard work” feeling.

Click on the picture to find this cigar at anthonyscigars.com