Vitola: Anunnaki
Size: Double Robusto, 5.50″ x 54 ring gague
Price $11.99
Obtained From SmallBatchCigar.com as a review sample
Background
Today I’ll be taking a look at the most recent release of the yearly release from Illusione cigars, the Singulare Anunnaki 2014. This year’s release is the shortest and biggest around of these releases so far. As with almost all of Dion’s stuff it is a Nicaraguan puro comprised of unnamed Nicaraguan fillers, a double binder of Jalapa Criollo 98 & Estelí Corojo 99, and all covered by a Corojo 99 wrapper. These come packed in boxes of 15 and there is a total production of 30,000 cigars. This was the second one of these I smoked.
Prelight
The band is exactly the same as I’ve seen on the other Singulare releases. I know it is a small simple band, but a year mark on it would greatly help in knowing what year it is. The wrapper was a nice, even peanut brown with some fine veins, some tooth, and some oils. When I gave the cigar a squeeze I noted a slight amount of give without any soft spots. When I put my nose to the wrapper I could detect the aroma of curry and hay with some barnyard coming from the foot. After clipping it and taking a cold draw on it I tasted some balsa and sweetness with a good draw.
Flavor
It starts off with a good amount of spice especially on the retrohale. After a few puffs on it I started to get flavors of cinnamon, sugar, leather, wood and copper. After a short while the spice did tone down, but didn’t go completely away. Towards the end of the first third I started to get some notes of green herbs, cream and salt. The cigar started off at the upper end of medium strength. As I moved into the second third the cigar changed flavors to leather, wood, curry, sugar and salt. The strength built as well, into the medium-full range. The final third didn’t see much change in flavors other than the spice did start to come back on the tongue and retrohale. I did get a slight nicotine hit from it as well towards the end.
Construction
The draw was perfect throughout and it produced a large volume of smoke. The burn was slightly wavy but didn’t cause problems.
Value
While $12 is a little more than I normally like to pay, this cigar can definitely hold its own against the competitors.
Conclusions
Overall I really enjoyed this cigar. It was definitely more full strength than I remember seeing from the Illusione lines. I will definitely be on the lookout for more of these. Remember to check out our sponsor SmallBatchCigar.com and use the code ‘leafenthusiast’ for an extra 10% off your order!
By-The-Numbers
Prelight: 2/2 Construction: 2/2 Flavor: 4.5/5 Value: 1/1 Total: 9.5/10
I have always enjoyed one of Dion’s sticks. Even ones that might not have been my cup of tea, I could always tell he makes a quality product! I respect Dion and will always try his blends!
Great review, I have always liked Illusione and it is one of the few brands I am willing to spend a little more than I normally would on a cigar.
Illusione does not disappoint!
I’ve smoked less than a handful of Illusione’s, but I’ve enjoyed them. I recall a candela wrapped Illusione being quite enjoyable.
9.5/10? I’m adding this to my shopping list as well.
Never had any from lllusione but with a rating like that then I’m willing to spend the $12 just to try it. Thanks for the review Keith.
Cigars, guns and Kindles Keith is living the life
Agree with Pat, living the dream. Looks like a quality smoke. I have smoked a few of the Illusione and have enjoyed them. Nice write up.
Never had an Illusione, but man, with that score I guess I need to.
A little pricy, but it sounds well worth a try!
I have enjoyed everything Dion has put out and agree totally with your review. Thanks
Thanks for the discount code, as I shop there often. I agree with this review, and it is a very good cigar. Tough to bet against Illusione at this point
The moral of the story is don’t sleep on Illusione, really. I often forget how much I have loved smoking Illusione, but when I think about it other than Crowned Heads there’s not a brand out that I have literally tremendously enjoyed each one I’ve smoked. I don’t know if so many people agree with me on the Singulare 2011 Vimana but hands down my favorite Illusione up to this point.
Have a few Illusiones but have yet to try them. I guess I’ll need to add this one as well.