Illusione Original Documents Habano Gordo

Today, we review the Illusione Original Documents Habano in the Gordo size. One could argue that the Illusione Original Documents Habano is one of the most significant releases in the history of Illusione Cigars. From day one, Illusione Cigars worked with Casa Fernandez/Aganorsa Leaf in either Nicaragua or Honduras. This has involved either using Aganorsa tobacco or working through Aganorsa’s factory for the cigars made in Nicaragua. For the Illusione Original Documents Habano, owner Dion Giolito has opted to go with AJ Fernandez and not only work with his tobaccos but produce the cigar at his San Lotano factory.

The Illusione Original Documents line was the first line produced by Giolito when he launched Illusione Cigars. This was a Corojo-wrapped cigar. In 2022, Illusione announced a major revamping of its portfolio. This included repackaging and rebranding several lines. As a part of this project, many lines were moved under the Original Documents line. At the same time, the Illusione Original Documents Habano was added. The Original Documents line now includes:

Illusione Original Documents Corojo
Illusione Original Documents Maduro
Illusione Original Documents Candela
Illusione Original Documents Ultra
Illusione Original Documents Habano

As a part of the revamping, the numeric/numerology vitola names were changed to more traditional names. One of those names was the ~mj12~. This was a 6 x 56 vitola initially introduced in the Corojo line. One thing that distinguished the ~mj12~ from the other vitolas is that it was covered with foil. The foil concept has carried over into the revamped line as the Gordo sizes in the Corojo, Maduro, Ultra, and Habano lines utilize a foil covering. Each line features a different color foil, and the Habano uses a baby blue color.

Foil wrap of the Original Documents Habano Gordo

Illusione Original Documents Habano Gordo – Cigar Review

SPECIFICATIONS

Blend and Origin

The Illusione Original Documents Habano is produced by AJ Fernandez’s San Lotano factory in Ocatel, Nicaragua. The cigar is made with 100% Nicaraguan tobacco.
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Factory: San Lotano

Vitolas Offered

The Original Documents Habano is available in six sizes. Each is presented in 25-count boxes.

Corona Minor: 4 x 44
Lancero: 7 1/2 x 40
Robusto: 5 x 52
Corona Gorda: 5 5/8 x 46
Gordo: 6 x 56
Churchill: 6 3/4 x 48

Appearance (*)

The Colorado color of the Nicaraguan Habano wrapper of the Original Documents Habano Gordo did not surprise me. Dion Giolito has shown an affinity for Colorado wrappers. This wrapper had a slight amount of oil on the surface, and some visible veins and most of the wrapper seams were well hidden.

PERFORMANCE

Pre-Light Draw (*)

Prior to lighting up the Original Documents Habano Gordo, a straight cut was used to remove to cap. Once the cap was detached, it was time to move on to the pre-light draw experience. The cold draw delivered a mix of nut, wood, and cream. Overall, this was not the most exciting of pre-light draws. Since the pre-light draw is not included in the numeric score or value rating, there was no loss of points here. At this point, it was time to toast up the Original Documents Habano Gordo and proceed into the smoking phase.

Tasting Notes

The Original Documents Habano Gordo opened up with notes of cream, wood, natural tobacco, nut, and a mix of red and black pepper. Right out of the gate, the natural tobacco grounded itself in the forefront. The natural tobacco notes had a blend of sweet and bitter components that balanced nicely. Meanwhile, the cream, wood, nut, and pepper notes settled in the background. The pepper notes were the most prominent of the secondary notes On the retro-hale, there was an additional layer in the background.

The second third of the Original Documents Habano Gordo, didn’t see radical changes. The natural tobacco notes remained primary in the forefront, while the cream, wood, nut, and pepper notes remained in the background. The one big difference is that the creamy notes decreased.

The final third of the cigar experience saw the pepper notes join the natural tobacco in the forefront. The nut and wood notes remained secondary, while touches of cream were present as well. This is how the Original Documents Habano Gordo came to a close. The resulting nub was slightly soft and cool in temperature.

Burn

In general, the burn of the Original Documents Habano Gordo performed quite well. There was a slight amount of jaggedness occasionally, but the cigar didn’t require many touch-ups to maintain a straight burn path. The resulting ash wasn’t overly firm, but it wasn’t loose either. There was some occasional flaking along the way. The burn temperature was ideal. The burn rate seemed a little quick. This 6 x 56 averaged 92 minutes per smoke – which I consider a little fast based on my smoking experience.

Burn of the Original Documents Habano Gordo

Draw

Overall, the Original Documents Habano Gordo had a little more openness to it than I prefer. Normally, I prefer a draw with a touch of resistance. At the same time, the draw of the Original Documents Habano Gordo had no adverse effects on the smoking experience. It’s also worth noting that this cigar produced a nice amount of smoke.

Strength and Body

The Original Documents Habano Gordo started out with medium strength and medium-bodied flavors. Around the midway point, the intensity progressed into medium to full territory for both attributes. In terms of strength versus body, the body seemed to have a slight edge throughout the smoking experience.

BANDING AND PACKAGING NOTES (*)

There has been considerable debate about the repackaging of the Illusione portfolio. While I liked the original bands, I like the revamped bands better. In particular, I like the use of the Eye of Providence in the band. In terms of the color blue for the Original Documents Habano, I think it works well with the band and with some of the box accents. The only place I wouldn’t say I liked using the blue was on the foil of the Gordo. The blue foil on the Habano Gordo made it look too much like an “It’s a boy” cigar.

OVERALL ASSESSMENT

Final Thoughts

I think Illusione needed something new to the Original Documents line, and Original Documents Habano is just what the doctor ordered. Over the past few years, many brands have turned to AJ Fernandez to handle production. In this case, the Habano still very much felt like an Illusione cigar to me, as opposed to an AJ Fernandez cigar. It’s a cigar that also performed quite well in the 6 x 56 format. This is a cigar that I would easily recommend to any cigar enthusiast – especially those smokers looking to graduate to something in the medium to full range. As for myself, this is a cigar I would buy and smoke again – and I look forward to smoking some of the other vitolas.

Summary

Key Flavors: Natural Tobacco, Nut, Wood, Cream, Pepper
Burn: Excellent
Draw: Very Good
Complexity: Medium
Strength: Medium (1st Half), Medium to Full (2nd Half)
Body: Medium (1st Half), Medium to Full (2nd Half)
Finish: Very Good