Pre-light Experience

The cigar has a strong aroma on the foot and it is showing rich earth, heavy spice and black pepper notes. There is a strong tobacco quality to it and as someone who is aware of the old Cruzado offering, this is quite different than before. The wrapper is showing leather and tobacco notes as well and is somewhat similar to the foot. The cigar has a wrapper coloring that is around Colorado Maduro overall and is marbled in coloring overall. There are some veins present throughout and it is fairly smooth in texture with a nice triple cap on the finish.

First Third

The first third begins by showing a great bit of spice and it is a nice red and black pepper spice. There are some earthy notes with the cigar and on top of that are some damp wood and leather notes. It has a natural richness to it and there is a very faint sweetness with that. The finish has a nice spice kick to it and it shows that black pepper flavor again. I would classify the cigar as being medium-full in terms of body and flavors, and the strength is around a medium level. It is a balanced cigar and smoking well so far in the first third.

Second Third

I am in the second third of the cigar now and finding that the spice and pepper profile has calmed down some. It is showing more of those earthy and woody qualities and while the pepper notes are still there, they are not what they once were. The leather profile is still present as well and it is a more rounded out third. It is still smoking at a medium-full level in body and flavors, and I would say the strength is still at a medium level as before. The first third was balanced and the second third is as well, just more elegant.

Final Third

When I get into the final third of the cigar it becomes a little rough and showing more of the first third profile but at a lower quality. It has strong pepper notes, lots of black pepper and there is a mineral and earth quality on top of that. Touches of wood are present and it is a little harsh on the finish. Very little earth qualities and no richness in this third compared with the first two thirds. Medium-full in terms of body and flavors, the strength picks up to that medium-full level as well in this third. The cigar has lost its balance and elegant qualities.

Burn

In terms of construction, the cigar was rolled well and presented no problems from beginning to end. The burn line was always even and it had a nice draw with that. The ash held on firmly as well and it had a nice charcoal coloring to it. Like nearly all Illusione cigars, and others from TABSA, it was well made.

Draw

From beginning to end, the cigar had a great draw. It was not too loose or tight and it allowed the smoker to get a great bit of smoke with each draw and the ability to pickup the flavors presented in the cigar. While the flavors were not that enjoyable in the end, the cigar did not smoke hot in the end.

Overall

As a cigar, the Cruzado is not the best release from Illusione and is nowhere near the best release from last year. It may improve with some time but as of right now it is not a great blend. With the other Corojo wrapper offerings Illusione has, I would pass on this one. But, if you didn’t care for the original Cruzado then maybe this version will speak to you. With that being said though, if you were a fan of the old Cruzado releases, you will find this to be completely different and lacking that quality which you loved in the original Cruzado line. It just lacked that awesome sweet spice from the Criollo tobacco in the original blend.

Seth Geise

SCORE

5.33

Cost/Point

$1.57

Scoring System

Personal Cigar Review: Illusione Cruzado Short Robusto