The Illusione Singularé release has been somewhat of an annual release since the first size came out in 2010. Yes, somewhat. There are now six Singularé releases, each attached to contiguous years from 2010 to 2015, however the actual dates they were released were, well – somewhat inconsistent. The first release was in August 2010, the second and third both being released in July 2012, the fourth in December 2013, the fifth in November 2014 and the latest one in March of this year.

For this latest version, it was shown off at the 2015 IPCPR Trade Show and Convention, with the expectation that it would show up sometime later that year. While the year closed out and a new one started, the people waiting for the latest Singularé finally got it in March of 2016.

illusione-singulare-vitolas

*The 2011 and 2012 versions were released at the same time and in the same box, with boxes featuring seven of one cigar and eight of the other, depending on the box you got.

**Not Pictured.

At the 2016 IPCPR Trade Show and Convention in July, Illusione announced that we would be seeing another new size added to the Singularé line up, and then three of the previous popular sizes—Phantom, Anunnaki and Miserere— would becoming back and going into regular production.

One of those sizes includes the Miserere, the 2015 release that I’ll be looking at today.

illusione-singulare-2015-miserere-1

  • Cigar Reviewed: Illusione Singularé 2015 Miserere
  • Country of Origin: Nicaragua
  • Factory: Tabacos Valel de Jalapa S.A.
  • Wrapper: Nicaraguan Corojo
  • Binder: Nicaragua
  • Filler: Nicaraguan Criollo 98 & Corojo 99
  • Length: 6 3/4 Inches
  • Ring Gauge: 48
  • Vitola: Churchill
  • MSRP: $13 (Boxes of 15, $195)
  • Release Date: March 23, 2016
  • Number of Cigars Released: 900 Boxes of 15 Cigars (13,500 Total Cigars)
  • Number of Cigars Smoked For Review: 3

The medium brown wrapper of the Singularé Miserere is almost completely seamless and is smooth and slightly oily to the touch. There is a little bit of give there, though not much to speak of. Coming off the wrapper is an aroma of cedar shavings, grains, graham crackers and very light hay. The cold draw offers a much different profile, with light notes of chocolate, cherries, a bit of hay and some sweet spice.

Starting into the first third, the sweet and mild spice leads the profile, where it was the background note of the cold draw. Following that is some dry cocoa, a light fruit note and in the background some wafty leather and a hint of black pepper. It is interesting to note that while all these flavors are quite distinct, the profile is fairly mild and nuanced, certainly not bold or overpowering in any way. The draw is a little on the tighter side of things, but still well within the acceptable range, still producing plenty of smoke with each draw. The burn line is impressive, starting out razor sharp and staying extremely even so far. While the profile started out mild and nuanced, it has started to grow, but only becoming more present, while still containing the same sweet spice, dry cocoa, fruit, leather and black pepper that it did before.

illusione-singulare-2015-miserere-2

The second third continues with the profile, though the fruit note has taken on a more floral characteristic and it mixes well with the spice, cocoa, leather and black pepper. Mixed in there seems to be hints of cedar as well, but it’s not quite a distinct note yet. The burn continues to impress, not needing any help or encouragement from me to continue on, sharp and even all the way around the circumference cigar. The sweet fruit note is back, one that is very reminiscent of cherries and dried apples and it was almost as if that floral characteristic was a fleeting figment of my imagination.

illusione-singulare-2015-miserere-3

As I move into the final third of the Miserere, the cocoa has turned into more of a chocolate note, the cedar that was very mild before has grown and the spice, fruit, leather and black pepper are all mixing together well. The burn still hasn’t wavered, staying true all the way into this final section. In the final inch and a half, the profile does die down in intensity a little bit, not necessarily getting harsh, but not as enjoyable as it had been. Taking it as a good place to stop, I take one last draw and set the remainder down.

illusione-singulare-2015-miserere-4

Final Notes

  • Miserere is Latin for have mercy or have pity.
  • If you are wondering about the name, its likely related to the Chapter of Clermont, a masonic chapter. More information can be found here.
  • Stepping away from my back porch to grab something, as I was returning the aroma this cigar produced filled the entire area with a delightful smell. It was enticingly pleasant, and certainly a cigar that I would appreciate being around as somebody else smoked it – though I would probably be aching for my own.
  • With something as limited as the Singularé usually is, seeing it go into regular production definitely makes me think that we’re seeing the affects of the new FDA rules. If the same tobacco continues to be used, I’m sure the regular production will be limited production – which is still good news for Singularé lovers, since that’s better than one-and-done releases.
  • Each sample I smoked performed almost identically, with the exception of the one I photographed. Right when I was photographing the cigar, the shorter time between draws was definitely causing some slightly uneven burn lines, however it immediately corrected itself after I slowed back down.
  • Cigars for this review were purchased by halfwheel.
  • Illusione advertises on halfwheel.
  • Final smoking time averaged right around two hours.
  • Site sponsor Atlantic Cigar Co. has the Singularé 2015 in stock.
93 Overall Score

When doing a search for the Illusione Singularé Miserere, many of the results were people wanting to know when it was being released and where they could buy it. If I knew how enjoyable it was, I would certainly have been chomping at the bit too. Having said that, I’m glad that Illusione took the extra time to release it, as whatever wasn’t ready about it certainly got resolved and the released cigar is something quite special. The perfect burn is something I love experiencing, because every time it happens it reminds me of just how pleasant an experience that is to not have to worry about touch ups and just get to enjoy the cigar. Without a good profile though, construction wouldn’t mean anything—but lucky for me, the Miserere delivers a fantastic profile full of flavors that work together very well. If all stays the same, I’m really happy that the Miserere is going to be a regular release, but in the meantime, if you do come across these, I can easily recommend picking them up.

Avatar photo

Brian Burt

I have been smoking cigars since 2005 and reviewing them as a hobby since 2010. Initially, I started out small with a 50-count humidor and only smoking one or two cigars a month. Not knowing anybody else that smoked cigars, it was only an occasional hobby that I took part in. In March of 2010, I joined Nublive and Cigar Asylum, connecting me with many people who also shared an interest in cigars. Reading what they had to say about brands I had never heard of, I quickly immersed myself in the boutique brands of the industry and it was then that cigars transformed from a hobby into a passion.