physiognomy
From a land down under...
From the Illusione website: The f9 is a 6 1/4" x 44 - Described as a medium to full bodied, perfectly balanced smoke. I hadn't heard about this brand before D'watch Dale suggested I pick some up last weekend. It seems they are Nic. puros blended as a house brand (not by Pepin) for Fumare in Reno, NV.
I picked these up last Sat from Barlows… The f9 is 2nd from the top.
In size, the f9 is close to a lonsdale, and looks very cubanesque with its simple band & triple cap. The wrapper was a light caramel colour & appeared a little dry & toothy. It drew well after cutting & had a sweet prelight draw… If I were more confident putting names to flavours I would say that grass/hay & earth dominated. Reminded me of the Padilla 8&11 corona I smoked yesterday, but less grassy & more barnyard, although not exactly like the cc 'barnyard’
The first inch definitely reinforced the resemblance. Maybe I was a little off in saying this, but the 8&11 reminded me of a spicy Curly Head ??? The f9’s flavours smoothed out & became very creamy through the rest of the first 3rd. I was also tasting something else, but couldn’t put my finger on it. Smoke was plentiful & the ash was a mottled charcoal colour, but didn’t hold much past ¾”. The first deposit nearly missing my chest & landing on the floor ☹
2nd third introduced some subdued spice & burnt wood flavours that complimented the smoothness nicely. As I puffed more there was definitely a mild leather taste that added to the sweet undertone. The ash was uncooperative again & didn’t gain much length, but this may have been because I touched it up after leaving to refill my drink. I must admit it was a little annoying that the floor won out over my ashtray in collecting the remains of this cigar.
Maybe it was because this was a pre-lunch cigar, but I noticed a little nicotine in the last third… The strength definitely increased & the wood & leather flavours started to dominate, overpowering the sweet creamy tones. I had to purge a couple of times when the burnt wood flavour was a little harsh, & it balanced out. The last inch ramped up the spice & wood flavours until I decided to put it down. Nothing harsh flavour wise, but it let me know it was time. The finish was pleasant, & while spicy, kept the smoothness on my tongue I experienced while smoking.
Overall, would I buy more? Definitely! For a nc <$8 it was a really enjoyable smoke & I look forward to trying the darker Illusione 88 robusto sitting in my humi. I recommend this cigar highly to anyone who stumbles across these in your local b&m.
I picked these up last Sat from Barlows… The f9 is 2nd from the top.
In size, the f9 is close to a lonsdale, and looks very cubanesque with its simple band & triple cap. The wrapper was a light caramel colour & appeared a little dry & toothy. It drew well after cutting & had a sweet prelight draw… If I were more confident putting names to flavours I would say that grass/hay & earth dominated. Reminded me of the Padilla 8&11 corona I smoked yesterday, but less grassy & more barnyard, although not exactly like the cc 'barnyard’
The first inch definitely reinforced the resemblance. Maybe I was a little off in saying this, but the 8&11 reminded me of a spicy Curly Head ??? The f9’s flavours smoothed out & became very creamy through the rest of the first 3rd. I was also tasting something else, but couldn’t put my finger on it. Smoke was plentiful & the ash was a mottled charcoal colour, but didn’t hold much past ¾”. The first deposit nearly missing my chest & landing on the floor ☹
2nd third introduced some subdued spice & burnt wood flavours that complimented the smoothness nicely. As I puffed more there was definitely a mild leather taste that added to the sweet undertone. The ash was uncooperative again & didn’t gain much length, but this may have been because I touched it up after leaving to refill my drink. I must admit it was a little annoying that the floor won out over my ashtray in collecting the remains of this cigar.
Maybe it was because this was a pre-lunch cigar, but I noticed a little nicotine in the last third… The strength definitely increased & the wood & leather flavours started to dominate, overpowering the sweet creamy tones. I had to purge a couple of times when the burnt wood flavour was a little harsh, & it balanced out. The last inch ramped up the spice & wood flavours until I decided to put it down. Nothing harsh flavour wise, but it let me know it was time. The finish was pleasant, & while spicy, kept the smoothness on my tongue I experienced while smoking.
Overall, would I buy more? Definitely! For a nc <$8 it was a really enjoyable smoke & I look forward to trying the darker Illusione 88 robusto sitting in my humi. I recommend this cigar highly to anyone who stumbles across these in your local b&m.
