halfwheel

Icons of Cigars™ — Dion Giolito

Dion Giolito has always been an enigma to me. Physically large (quite tall), seemingly socially aloof—something he seems to wear with honor—and immensely talented when it comes to anything having to do with tobacco. While I was in Nicaragua earlier in the year, I found out that Giolito was in Estelí and on a lark, [...]

Review: Illusione *R* Rothchildes (Prerelease)

In late 2012, murmurs started that Dion Giolito would have a new Illusione, the Illusione *R* Rothchildes. It was supposed to be a completely separate project from the La Grand Classe release, which at the time had just shipped. But there were a lot of similarities from the initial details: Nicaraguan filler and Mexican San [...]

Redux: Illusione ~eccj~

Sold exclusively through New Havana Cigars back in 2008, the Illusione ~eccj~ was released to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the European Cigar Cult Journal magazine, now known simply as Cigar Journal. Only 300 boxes of 15  were sold of a special 5 5/8 x 46 Corona Gorda with tobacco all from Nicaragua. Here is [...]

Weekly News (January 14, 2013)

Editor’s Note: My pride and joy, here. Light news week Illusione’s Rothchildes Nears Release — Here. El Centurion to Return in 2012 — Details. Quesada Releases The Blender’s Sampler — Story and review. Civil Cigar Lounge Gets Exclusive Tatuaje — Details here. Villiger Launches Discovery Tour — Exclusive here. Georgia Reviews Tobacco Purchasing Bill — [...]

News: Illusione’s New Rothchildes Near Release

Illusione’s newest cigar should be appearing soon according to Dion Giolito. Earlier this year, a post by Giolito indicated the 4 1/2 x 50 Illusione Rothchildes would be available in “the Ides of March,” but a new post today hinted they might be available “sooner than you had planned.” News of the cigar first appeared late [...]

News: FUMARE Releases La Grande Classe

Dion Giolito of Illusione Cigars has released La Grande Classe, an exclusive for Fumare in Reno, the store that he also owns. Fumare’s home page was changed recently to indicate that the cigars are now on sale, though little is known about their specifics. Fumare is selling them only by the box, which contains 25 [...]

Weekly News (September 10, 2012)

Editor’s Note: As will be the case with halfwheel, the post-IPCPR lag seems to have settled down and the industry seems to be getting back into a pace of normalcy. This includes both the shipping of cigars that were introduced at IPCPR, as well as the overall state of the news. Oliva Takes Over Padilla [...]

News: Illusione to Add Epernay L’Excellence

Dion Giolito is adding the tenth size to the Illusione Epernay line, L’Excellence—a Churchill that he claims is his favorite size in the line. As first reported by Gregory Mottola, Epernay L’Excellence will debut in November with a retail price of $9.50. The news comes after an IPCPR show where Giolito introduced nothing new, despite [...]

Review: Illusione Singularé 2012 Vimana

A week ago Brooks reviewed the 2011 version of the Illusione Singularé, and today’s review is of its accompanying and subsequent release, the 2012 Vimana. We’ve already covered most of the history, here’s what Brooks had to say: In August of 2010, Illusione cigars released their first limited edition cigar, a 6 x 50 Toro dubbed the Singularé Phantom. Only 1,000 boxes [...]

Review: Illusione Singularé 2011 Vimana

In August of 2010, Illusione cigars released their first limited edition cigar, a 6 x 50 Toro dubbed the Singularé Phantom. Only 1,000 boxes of 15 were released, and Dion Giolito announced then that he was planning to release a new version every year, each with a new blend. Fast forward to early December 2011 and [...]