Dion Giolito has built Illusione on passion and good tobacco, and Epernay is the line that best shows what that produces. Named after the Champagne region, and blended with the same idea of elegance.
Refined rather than powerful — cedar, cream, a light sweetness and a dry, clean finish. The vitola names run to Le Elegance, Le Monde and Le Matin, from a 40-ring petit lancero to a bench-pressed 6.5-inch.
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Café Rosado
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan long-filler
Strength: Medium
Sizes: Le Elegance - Petit Lancero (5.7" x 40), Le Monde - Toro Gordo (6.2" x 52), Le Matin - Bench Pressed (6.5" x 46), L'Alphiniste - Bench Pressed Torpedo (6.7" x 56), La Vie - Bench Pressed (6.7" x 56)
Le Elegance at 5.7 by 40 is the purist's choice. Narrow ring, maximum wrapper.