Illusione was on the list of companies that wasn’t supposed to have new products, and yet, Dion Giolito has two new cigars at the trade show.Like Giolito indicated yesterday, the booth itself is the same as last year, though there’s now a screen that I don’t think was there last year. It features a few different seating areas, a bar where product is shown off and a storage area.Illusione Singularé 2018 Turin

There’s a new Singularé, though it says 2018 and is shipping in November. Dion Giolito told me it will be the smallest Singularé release in the series history, which means less than 900 boxes.

  • Wrapper: Nicaragua
  • Binder: Nicaragua
  • Filler: Nicaragua
  • Illusione Singularé 2018 (7 1/2 x 50) — n/a

Launch Date: November 2017

La Grande Classe

In 2012, Giolito released a cigar for his FUMARE retail store in Reno, Nev. called La Grand Classe. It was part of what was once planned as a very ambitious product of small batch cigars released to his store, something that has happened frequently, albeit not with the name.

In 2013, he released the Illusione Rex for FUMARE, an exclusive made for his friend, customer and attorney. Turns out, Rex wanted a new cigar and here it is. It measures 4 7/8 x 40, the same size as the La Flor de Cano Petit Coronas, and will come in gold bundles of 50. Both Brian Burt and Brooks Whittington enjoyed smoking it yesterday.

  • Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
  • Binder: Nicaragua
  • Filler: Nicaragua
  • La Grande Classe (2017) (4 5/8 x 40) — $5.50 (Bundles of 25, $137.50)

Launch Date: Now

Davidoff is the official sponsor of halfwheel's coverage of the 2017 IPCPR Convention & Trade Show.
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Charlie Minato

I am an editor and co-founder of halfwheel.com/Rueda Media, LLC. I previously co-founded and published TheCigarFeed, one of the two predecessors of halfwheel. I have written about the cigar industry for more than a decade, covering everything from product launches to regulation to M&A. In addition, I handle a lot of the behind-the-scenes stuff here at halfwheel. I enjoy playing tennis, watching boxing, falling asleep to the Le Mans 24, wearing sweatshirts year-round and eating gyros. echte liebe.