Illusione MKUltra 2013
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Corojo
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
MKUltra (Petit Corona): 5 1/8 x 42
Price: $8.00

At the 2013 IPCPR Trade Show, the Illusione MKULTRA, the corona size of Illusione’s Ultra line was made available for another limited production run. This is the same cigar that was released (also in a limited production run) back in 2011.

The MKULTRA was the first size released of Illusione’s Ultra line. Back in 2006, there were two versions of this cigar floating around – the first official versions of the cigar – MK~ and the MKULTRA. It would be the latter that would be brought back in 2011, and now again in 2013.

In general, the Ultra line really never wow’d me, but that’s not a complete negative as I still found this to be an enjoyable cigar. The interesting thing is I have found the box-press versions of the Ultra to be powerhouses in terms of strength and the MKUltra to be dialed back. With the 2013 release, I definitely found this blend to be more mature. I found this to still be more dialed back than the box-presses as it is medium to full in strength to start before going to full. This is a cigar where strength has an edge over body as well (I found the flavors medium to start, medium to full in the second half).

The maturing of the blend eliminated some sourness I had detected on the 2011 version. It has a mix of pepper, wood, chocolate, earth, and some natural tobacco sweetness. Overall definitely a better serving of flavors this time. There are still Illusione cigars I’d reach for before this, but the improvements still warrant this to become a Fiver.