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Last post 8 years ago by rfenst. 21 replies replies.
Illusione and Cao
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QMPASH Offline
#1 Posted: Wed, Sep 16 2015, 5:17 AM EST
Joined: 03-15-2011
Posts: 897
Just popped a couple of Illusiones and Cao's (Italias) from C-Bid. The construction on the Illusione was the stuff of dreams-absolutely perfect. The construction on the CAO was a little less so but still not bad. I preferred the taste of the CAO but I could easily live with the Illusione. My last experience with CAO was not good, but this time, they came through thumbs up. Maybe I just got a bad batch last time. I can also see why the Illusione consistently gets high ratings.While they are not cheap by any means, they are a much better "value" than most Padrons and Fuentes.
NapalmMan67 Offline
#2 Posted: Wed, Sep 16 2015, 9:50 AM EST
Joined: 05-22-2015
Posts: 2,514
While I've never smoked an Illusione, been smoking CAOs for a long time. I'm partial to the Anniversary Cameroon and the Gold. Never found the Brazillian, Italiana etc... much to my liking and haven't tried any of the new offerings yet.


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dstieger Offline
#3 Posted: Wed, Sep 16 2015, 9:55 AM EST
Joined: 06-22-2007
Posts: 10,889
Which Illusione?
sd72 Offline
#4 Posted: Wed, Sep 16 2015, 10:22 AM EST
Joined: 03-09-2011
Posts: 9,600
the Illusione are very good smokes, a little lighter, and unique flavor. The HL and HL Maduro are my two faves.
CAO is another house brand for general/swissmatch. You never know.
stinger88 Offline
#5 Posted: Wed, Sep 16 2015, 2:14 PM EST
Joined: 05-29-2012
Posts: 6,574
Pretty big fan of the Illusione line too. The Rothchild is a nice little smoke.
DrMaddVibe Offline
#6 Posted: Wed, Sep 16 2015, 3:06 PM EST
Joined: 10-21-2000
Posts: 55,389
CAO....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRaoHi_xcWk


Um...yeah.
dstieger Offline
#7 Posted: Wed, Sep 16 2015, 3:12 PM EST
Joined: 06-22-2007
Posts: 10,889
^ wth happened at :08?
cacman Offline
#8 Posted: Wed, Sep 16 2015, 3:45 PM EST
Joined: 07-03-2010
Posts: 12,216
Would choose an Illusione over a CAO any day of the week!
They don't even compare, and shouldn't be mentioned in the same sentence.
bgz Offline
#9 Posted: Wed, Sep 16 2015, 3:51 PM EST
Joined: 07-29-2014
Posts: 13,023
Not a big fan of either.

I did like the CAO extreme though.

I used to like CAO Brazillia back in the day, haven't tried any recent ones.

As far as Illusiones go though, I've smoked a handful of them and they've all been meh for me.

The HL Maduro was alright I guess, but I wouldn't buy any more of them.

I did find out something from a smoke shop though about Illusiones. I went in just browsing, spotted a bug hole in a box of Illusiione, then I looked in there again and saw an infestation of bug holes. Told the shpo worker, he said they have problems with that brand all the time. He said the owner of Illusione won't refund the infested boxes either. He also told me they are one of the few manufacturers that don't flash freeze their cigars.

Anyway, I don't know how credible this shpo worker's info was, he's said some other things to me that drop his credibility score a bit, so take it with a grain of salt.
dstieger Offline
#10 Posted: Wed, Sep 16 2015, 3:57 PM EST
Joined: 06-22-2007
Posts: 10,889
First heard about the bugs. I've smoked dozens of boxes (mostly CG4's, MK's, HL's) and never had a problem. Dion seems a bit 'unusual', but, no doubt passionate about cigars and the story seems a bit off.
fiddler898 Offline
#11 Posted: Wed, Sep 16 2015, 3:57 PM EST
Joined: 06-15-2009
Posts: 3,782
Never had a problem with Illusione, which remains one of my favorite marques across the board.
bgz Offline
#12 Posted: Wed, Sep 16 2015, 4:50 PM EST
Joined: 07-29-2014
Posts: 13,023
dstieger wrote:
First heard about the bugs. I've smoked dozens of boxes (mostly CG4's, MK's, HL's) and never had a problem. Dion seems a bit 'unusual', but, no doubt passionate about cigars and the story seems a bit off.


Well, I did throw a disclaimer in there about his credibility. The shop is outstanding, and the owner is great. I just have doubts about this particular worker's credibility, so I was just relaying what he told me with the disclaimer because I thought it was an interesting story.

It is true though that I found the infested box, looked in the surrounding area, it was the only open box I saw that had a problem.
zody Offline
#13 Posted: Wed, Sep 16 2015, 9:59 PM EST
Joined: 05-03-2005
Posts: 1,149
cacman wrote:
Would choose an Illusione over a CAO any day of the week!
They don't even compare, and shouldn't be mentioned in the same sentence.


Have to agree with cacman on this, it should go without saying that CAO isn't in the same universe as Illusione. Have boxes of the 2, Eperay Le Petite, MK Ultra, Rothchilds. Phenomenal smokes I myself have yet to have any beetle issue or see one with beetle damage.
I'll certainly be on watch though I usually am. Had one incident with the little fuqqers about 15 years ago with kobo and and lost a ton of good cigars to them.ram27bat
clickbangdead Offline
#14 Posted: Wed, Sep 16 2015, 10:49 PM EST
Joined: 01-31-2009
Posts: 2,226
bgz wrote:
Well, I did throw a disclaimer in there about his credibility. The shop is outstanding, and the owner is great. I just have doubts about this particular worker's credibility, so I was just relaying what he told me with the disclaimer because I thought it was an interesting story.

It is true though that I found the infested box, looked in the surrounding area, it was the only open box I saw that had a problem.


Wait, so the shop had a beetle infested box and instead of freaking out and tossing it they just let it sit there? I'm confused...

On another note, have never had an issue with Illusione, HL Candela is one of my favorites.
shaun341 Offline
#15 Posted: Thu, Sep 17 2015, 6:04 AM EST
Joined: 08-02-2012
Posts: 8,826
clickbangdead wrote:
Wait, so the shop had a beetle infested box and instead of freaking out and tossing it they just let it sit there? I'm confused...

On another note, have never had an issue with Illusione, HL Candela is one of my favorites.



I was thinking same thing and would be worried about buying anything from that shop if so.
TMCTLT Offline
#16 Posted: Thu, Sep 17 2015, 9:38 AM EST
Joined: 11-22-2007
Posts: 19,733
fiddler898 wrote:
Never had a problem with Illusione, which remains one of my favorite marques across the board.



I concur....I just wish they were more " affordable " Alan.

Although the R's are certainly affordable and like CRACK......I could smoke them one after another. Now that I think about it, I may have to locate a cab of these!!!!!
QMPASH Offline
#17 Posted: Sat, Sep 19 2015, 7:38 AM EST
Joined: 03-15-2011
Posts: 897
cacman wrote:
Would choose an Illusione over a CAO any day of the week!
They don't even compare, and shouldn't be mentioned in the same sentence.



Illusione and CAO!!!!!
cacman Offline
#18 Posted: Mon, Sep 21 2015, 12:48 AM EST
Joined: 07-03-2010
Posts: 12,216
QMPASH wrote:
Illusione and CAO!!!!!

Phffft!
One less person bidding on Illusiones.
Thanks Applause
bassman45 Offline
#19 Posted: Mon, Sep 21 2015, 7:01 AM EST
Joined: 07-05-2009
Posts: 4,087
Love the Illusiones,but FRAGILE wrappers!As for the CAOs....keep em!Speak to the hand
bgz Offline
#20 Posted: Mon, Sep 21 2015, 1:21 PM EST
Joined: 07-29-2014
Posts: 13,023
clickbangdead wrote:
Wait, so the shop had a beetle infested box and instead of freaking out and tossing it they just let it sit there? I'm confused...

On another note, have never had an issue with Illusione, HL Candela is one of my favorites.


He didn't let it sit there, he took care of it when I told him about it.
rfenst Offline
#21 Posted: Mon, Sep 21 2015, 5:52 PM EST
Joined: 06-23-2007
Posts: 39,251
dstieger wrote:
Which Illusione?


The one you cannot see!
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