Cigar Reveal #139
The most unique cigar company on the planet decided to make a cigar completely unique to their own portfolio of brands. The Garagiste was named after a collection of winemakers in Bordeaux in the mid-1990s producing "garage wines" to oppose the traditional style of Bordeaux wine-making. This isn't the first time Dion Giolito has taken inspiration from French wine, as the Epernay takes it's name from the town of Epernay in the heart of France's Champagne region. But this is a much different smoking experience than the Epernay.
The blend uses an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, and corojo and criollo viso wrappers from tobacco fields owned by AGANORSA. It's made in the TABSA factory (Tobaccos Valle de Jalapa SA), who makes some of our best cigars including some for Warped, Viaje, HVC, and Foundation. The result is a strong cigar with dense smoke and dark chocolate and earth flavors. It's not the usual flavor profile from Illusione, but it's a welcome addition to one of the best cigar companies in the world, and an underrated cigar in their line of brands.