Illusione Garagiste offers something a little different from Dion Giolito, as for once the master deviates away from Nicaraguan puros to look further afield for his choice of the wrapper. These medium-body, medium-full strength sticks are packed with earthy flavors, and deliver a creamy finish thanks to the aged Aganorsa tobaccos.

My Illusione Garagiste review will take a look at the Garagiste series in full, from the vitolas available to the flavors and aromas you can expect in a single stick. We also have an Illusione Garagiste cigar review video available at the bottom of this article, so you can take a look at these premium handmade cigars for yourself.

What you need to know about the Garagiste Series

Illusione Garagiste launched in 2016 as the first Illusione cigar to use an Ecuador Habano wrapper. Other than the wrapper, the line continues the Illusione tradition of using fine Nicaraguan tobaccos, including Criollo '98 and Corojo '99.

Giolito wanted to produce something new, bold, and different. Garagiste delivers on that ambition, while still retaining the hallmarks of Illusione cigars: fine aged Nicaraguan filler and binder tobaccos, expert handmade construction, and a flavor profile that will have you coming back for more.

The debut of Garagiste coincided with the 10th anniversary of Illusione cigars, and there's no better way to celebrate a landmark date in the history of Giolito's modern-day success story, which began as one cigar shop owner's desire to produce pre-Sandinista style cigars of his own.

Cigar specs

• Country of Origin: Nicaragua
• Factory: Tabacos Valle de Jalapa S.A. (TABSA) Esteli, Nicaragua
• Wrapper: Ecuador Habano
• Binder: Nicaragua
• Filler: Nicaragua
• Sizes available:
  • Illusione Garagiste Short Robusto (4.25 x 50)
  • Illusione Garagiste Robusto (5 x 50)
  • Illusione Garagiste Toro (6 x 52)
  • Illusione Garagiste Gordo (6 x 56)

What I got from the cold draw

Garagiste offers that iconic Illusione sweetness on the cold draw, with hints of vanilla and cocoa, baking spices, and dried fruit. Expect a little more than the usual resistance on the draw, as Illusione cigars are typically packed quite tightly.

A look at the Garagiste construction and profile

The zesty, earthy Illusione Garagiste has an enjoyable flavor profile, which keeps on giving thanks to its tight hand-rolled construction. A smooth wrapper and tidy triple cap create a pleasing aesthetic, and this is a cigar that will look great in your humidor or in its elegant and minimalist wooden presentation box.

First third

On the first few draws, expect the unexpected as chili heat and strong pepper spices rush through the nose. These soon settle down into a creamy earthiness that will last throughout the remainder of the cigar, along with more of those dried fruit and baking spice flavors. Pungent smoke packs plenty of aromas and is well worth your attention on the retro-hale.

Second third

The middle third brings a transition of flavors, rather than completely new tastes. Sweetness recedes, the earth comes forward and the peppery spice lingers. There's an emergence of leather and a hint of anise on the retro-hale that nicely complements the heat in the smoke. It's a coming of age for this cigar as the sweet flavors take the background and the mature, earthy tastes step into the spotlight.

Final third

Garagiste ends with a swell of rich, deep, and dark flavors. Think of malt, rye bread, and espresso, and you're headed in the right direction. Earthiness remains the core character of the stick and those pepper notes return once again. Careful construction means you should have no problems burning Garagiste right down to the nub, so you can get every inch of experience from each stick.

What to expect from the strength

Illusione Garagiste is pretty strong - I have it down as medium-full with medium body, but after that initial hit of pepper, the strength is not overpowering. Instead, you get a fullness of flavor that remains reliably throughout the ever-changing profile. Transitions are smooth from one third to the next, and there's a real sense of maturity toward the end of the stick, leading to a satisfying finale.

Closing thoughts

Garagiste divides opinion among Illusione cigar purists, but that Habano wrapper makes it something new to try, if you're a fan of the brand, or even if you've never smoked an Illusione cigar in your life.

The 20-stick box size is a perfect middle ground so you can make savings by buying in bulk, but you're not committed to Garagiste alone for the next six months. And when you run out of sticks to spark up, there are three more vitolas to try next.