No. 8 Cigar of the Year 2024 – The Group of Five

Based in Reno, Nevada, Illusione Cigars has long taken the local conspiracies of UFO sightings and Area 51 lore to heart. With The Group of Five release of 2024, the line may very well take the cake in terms of cryptic allure. For starters, the name itself remains a mystery, being joined by a peculiar sub-text that reads “whispering tongues are treachery,” listed in both English and Latin throughout the cigar’s presentation. Finally, the bulk of the tobacco recipe remain under wraps, most notably including a high-priming viso leaf that reportedly hasn’t been grown in Nicaragua until recently. This is joined by Nicaraguan Criollo ’98 and Corojo ’99 within portions of the blend, being crafted in an eventual lineup of five sizes. At launch, the cigar was only available in a 5″ x 52 robusto format, delivering a nuanced experience worthy of Illusione’s reputation. The flavor composition is complex and not overtly representative of the Nicaraguan profile, seeming to stand on its own with sweet, clean, floral characteristics. This includes notes of cedar, touches of citrus, sweet cashews, and Smarties candy.

The Group of Five Breakdown

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