Illusione

Illusione is a premium boutique cigar brand that has captured the attention of serious enthusiasts with its exceptional quality and mysterious allure. Created by Dion Giolito, a Reno-based tobacconist with an exacting palate and vivid imagination, Illusione cigars are known for their complex flavor profiles and conspiracy-themed branding that sets them apart in the premium cigar market. The brand has garnered critical acclaim and appeared on Cigar Aficionado's Top 25 list six times, establishing itself as a respected name among connoisseurs. Illusione represents the perfect fusion of artisanal craftsmanship and unconventional marketing, appealing to cigar smokers who appreciate both exceptional tobacco and intriguing storytelling.

Background

Dion Giolito established Illusione Cigars in the mid-2000s after opening his own cigar store in Reno, Nevada in 2004, launching the brand in 2006 as an in-house smoke for his store, Fumare. A pivotal 2004 Davidoff-sponsored trip to the Dominican Republic completely changed the course of his career, where he learned from master blender Hendrik "Henke" Kelner how different types of tobacco affect one's palate, serving as a starting point for his desire to understand the production side of the industry. Pete Johnson of Tatuaje Cigars introduced Giolito to Eduardo Fernandez of Tropical Tobacco (later Aganorsa), who would be instrumental in helping him create his own cigar brand. The first cigars were contracted from Tropical Tobacco and named "88," signifying the year he moved back to Reno, with this cryptic title later serving as inspiration for the Illusione brand, named after the illuminati and conspiracy-enshrouded coverups that Giolito has become enthralled with. In the decade since its commercial availability, the cigars have risen from a local brand known only to Reno's modest enclave of enthusiasts to a national cigar line with comprehensive U.S. distribution.

History

While Illusione cigars were originally rolled at the Raíces Cubanas factory in Honduras, the company began shifting production to Nicaragua in 2011, with nearly all Illusione cigars today made at the Fernández family's Tabacos Valle de Jalapa S.A. (TABSA). Since 2006, Illusione's blends have maintained a high level of quality and consistency, earning high ratings and becoming an "in the know" cigar embraced by blogs, social media and hardcore cigar connoisseurs who helped put the brand on the map. In 2017, Illusione hired Brian Mottola to spearhead U.S. sales, bringing fresh perspective from the commercial food industry to help with the brand's continued growth.

Reputation

Illusione cigars have appeared on Cigar Aficionado's Top 25 list an impressive six times, most recently in 2015. The Epernay line has garnered the most consistent and highest ratings amongst all cigars in the industry, with 5 sizes collecting Cigar Aficionado's top honors. Illusione cigars have become known for their strict attention to detail, with brand owner Dion Giolito often being credited as having "the best palate in the industry," and all cigars continue to be produced in small batches to maintain a strong level of consistency. The brand is highly respected among serious enthusiasts and industry professionals for its uncompromising commitment to quality and unique character.