This was not a cohesive blend. The wood bitterness in itself as a flavor can give a cigar a boost in complexities, but with this cigar, it was a main focal point. On top of that, the Illusione Group of Five SE didn't really have anything else going for it. No doubt a pass for me.
The Illusione Epernay Tuonela Le Monde is a good cigar. The cigar delivers a complex profile that is balanced from start to finish. It is more earth, cocoa and coffee focused with the Mexican offering, but it is a balanced and complex blend. Lovely burn, draw and construction as well. I am interested in smoking the blend in other vitolas, but it is a blend I would come back to the in the future.
The Illusione Group of Five RB had some interesting and engaging flavor combinations in the first third. As it progressed, it was still pleasant, but not as complex for me as the first third. My overall takeaway is that I might return to this cigar, but that's balanced against the fact Illusione has a diverse portfolio of cigars that are less expensive and have a more enjoyable profile for me.
Best Habano that Illusione has ever released, and best Illusione in some time. While this Illusione Original Documents Habano Corona Gorda is not a breathtaking Habano, there are few of those, this will be a popular and high demand release from Illusione. The flavor profile was solid throughout and there was some complexity and transitioning throughout the thirds. I would definitely smoke again, and would definitely try all of the vitolas.
The Illusione Allegria Lonsdale had a nice flavor profile through the first two thirds and then dropped a level in the final third as the balance got off a bit. I think this cigar is a good fit under the OneOff umbrella as I enjoyed it similarly to those releases. This carries a bit of a lower price point than those offerings, and I'd be interested in trying some of the other vitolas in this line. If you're an Illusione fan, I'd suggest giving this one a try.
The Illusione Gigantes had a fairly average flavor profile throughout. Just simple flavor components that didn't do anything to elevate the cigar. The price point is fairly attractive for the size, so if you're a fan of larger ring gauges, this could be something to try. It didn't seem to translate the similar blend from the Rothchildes vitola and I'd go to that offering over this one.
The Illusione hl Candela started well, with a nice combination of flavors. The second third dropped a level as the flavor profile wasn't as dynamic as it was in the first third and maintained that level the rest of the way. This is probably one of the best candela offerings on the market, but with that said, it isn't a cigar I would come back to all that frequently.
The Illusione Jeremy Piven Collection PIV Robusto was a nice cigar, and it is a cigar I would come back to down the road. Really solid medium offering with good flavors. The core flavor profile had a nice level of complexity which kept the cigar entertaining throughout each third. There was not too much transitioning, but it wasn’t needed. The earth, cocoa, cream, spice and nut flavors were lovely.
The Illusione 2021 TAA Exclusive had a promising start with a complex and nuanced medley of flavors that you can often get from Illusione blends. The second third couldn't maintain the same level of complexity, and the last third was largely earth driven and monotonous. There are so many brilliant Illusione offerings that I would find myself reaching for instead of the 2021 TAA.
The Illusione PCA 2020 Exclusive is the first Illusione cigar released in the last few years in which I did not enjoy. There was no balance and complexities to the cigar. Being heavily charred red pepper spice and dry cedar oriented, it's not the typical DNA of Dion's masterful blending style that I'm accustomed to. I guess you can't win them all.