Illusione’s Group Of Five Appearing Now
Beetles in the humidor are normally cause for great concern, but in this case a beetle is at the symbolic center of the newest Illusione brand, which is arriving in stores now. Called The Group of Five, this new cigar only has one size so far, a robusto called RB. The company says that four more sizes will follow in the future.
The tobacco is all Nicaraguan, but there is (of course) a mysterious angle. The blend is made up mostly of Criollo ’98 and Corojo ’99—however company owner and founder Dion Giolito says that the filler has a “higher priming viso from a new varietal seed that hasn’t been grown in Nicaragua until recently.”
Measuring 5 inches by 52 ring gauge, each RB has a suggested retail price of $16. The cigars come in 15-count boxes, arranged in three layers of five cigars. They are made in Nicaragua at the Aganorsa Leaf factory.
As with most Illusione releases, there are shades of mysticism and cryptic intrigue attached to the brand. The beetle motif, for example, echoes the scarab amulets of ancient Egypt, while the name “Group of Five” is a reference to a cabal of high-powered executives whose decisions have global impact. If it all sounds a bit New World Order, that’s not by mistake. Giolito is an outspoken conspiracy theorist, and his packaging often alludes to everything from U.F.O.s to secret societies.
As to exactly who might be in that cabal, Giolito isn’t saying. They might be listening.
