Illusione Garagiste 3/19/17

 

Appearance 

A medium brown colored wrapper with a couple prominent veins. There is a little mottling(color variation) making the tight seams visible. It has a nice oily sheen and a bit of tooth. The cigar is well packed with filler as there are no soft spots. 

Aroma 

Earthy with barnyard, cedar and a hint of spice on the wrapper. Same at the foot with the addition of a faint cocoa. 

Prelight Draw 

Cedar, light dried fruit and cinnamon spice. 

1st

The initial draws yield notes of cedar, fruit and a leathery texture. The draw and burn are perfect. A dash of white pepper can be detected. The ash is light gray and stacked with a little flaking. The ash dropped at about 3/4". Some toast notes have joined the profile and when combined with the cinnamon spice it reminds me of cinnamon toast. 

2nd

Strength is medium as is the body. Oaky notes join the profile. The finish is long with notes of cedar, earth, dried fruit, leather, white pepper and cinnamon toast with a pinch of oak. The cinnamon which was getting warm has tapered back. The burn has developed a wave. Smoke production is at the high end of medium. Found the tunnel which was responsible for the wave in the burn line which is self correcting as I apply simple physics(rotate the cigar putting the unburned leaf on top and hold at about 30 degrees). The cinnamon is back to becoming warm.

Final/3rd

Strength moves to med/full. A dash of black pepper joins the profile. Burn has evened out. 

Overall

The Garagiste provides an enjoyable smoking experience. A complex and very flavorful profile with a perfect draw and mildly erratic burn. Definitely a cigar to give a go.