AshMap
Overview
There is a particular kind of quiet that settles over a room when a cigar refuses to shout. The Illusione ~Eccj~ 20th is that quiet — a Lonsdale drawn from Dion Giolito's scripturally inspired line, named for the twentieth chapter of Ecclesiastes and built at the NACSA factory in Estelí from tobaccos that have already waited three to five years before a torcedor ever touches them. In a portfolio increasingly defined by limited-release spectacle, the ~Eccj~ 20th sits unassumingly in the core lineup, a slender 6.75 x 44 that disciplines a muscular Nicaraguan blend into something contemplative. This is not a cigar that announces itself. It rewards the smoker who leans in.
The cold draw offers the first hint of that restraint: dark cocoa powder, dried cherry, and a faint floral sweetness that recalls the aroma of a cherry cordial left open on a sideboard. Once lit, the opening third surges with rich espresso and toasted cedar, the kind of cedar that has spent time in a humidor rather than a lumber yard. A smooth black pepper builds gradually — never aggressive, always measured — and the retrohale carries a distinct creaminess that softens the Nicaraguan bite into something almost pastoral. The first inch establishes the cigar's thesis: power held in reserve.
The middle third is where the ~Eccj~ 20th finds its voice. Leather and dark molasses emerge alongside roasted nuts and an earthy loam that tastes like rain on Estelí soil. The pepper settles into a warm, sustained tingle on the palate, allowing dried fruit complexity to push through — fig, raisin, a hint of prune. Chocolate tones deepen from milk to a semi-sweet baking cocoa register, and the smoke thickens into dense, creamy columns that coat the mouth without cloying. Construction is characteristically excellent from NACSA: the draw is firm but effortless, the burn line tracks with minimal touch-ups, and the ash holds in firm salt-and-pepper stacks that reflect well-sorted leaf.
The final third tightens into a focused, full-bodied conclusion. Concentrated espresso and charred oak take the lead, with dark leather wrapping around the palate. A lingering sweetness of dried fig and dark caramel rounds the edges, preventing the finish from turning harsh. The last inch is long, slightly peppery, and deeply satisfying — the kind of finish that makes you set the cigar down and stare at the wall for a moment. At $14–$18 per cigar, the ~Eccj~ 20th is criminally underrated relative to the hype surrounding Illusione's limited releases. It is Dion Giolito at his most philosophically sincere: a slender, elegant format that proves restraint can be more rewarding than bravado.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Nicaraguan Corojo — Colorado |
|---|---|
| Binder | Nicaraguan Criollo |
| Filler | Nicaraguan long-filler blend — Estelí and Jalapa primings, aged tobaccos |
| Country of Origin | Estelí, Nicaragua |
| Vitola / Shape | Lonsdale |
| Size | 6.75 x 44 |
| Strength | Medium-Full |
| Price | $14–$18 per cigar |
| Tier | Premium |
| Aging | Tobaccos aged a minimum of 3–5 years prior to rolling; the ~Eccj~ line is known for using well-rested Nicaraguan leaf |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The cold draw opens with dark cocoa, dried cherry, and a whisper of floral sweetness. Upon lighting, rich espresso and toasted cedar dominate early, underpinned by a smooth black pepper spice that builds gradually. The retrohale carries a distinct creaminess that softens the Nicaraguan bite.
Second Third
The middle third is where this cigar finds its voice — leather and dark molasses emerge alongside notes of roasted nuts and earthy loam. The pepper settles into a warm, sustained tingle, allowing dried fruit complexity to push through. Chocolate tones deepen toward a semi-sweet baking cocoa register.
Final Third
The final third tightens into a focused, full-bodied conclusion with concentrated espresso, charred oak, and dark leather. A lingering sweetness of dried fig and dark caramel rounds the edges. The finish is long, slightly peppery, and deeply satisfying without becoming harsh.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction is characteristically excellent from NACSA — draw is firm but effortless, producing dense, creamy smoke. The burn line tracks with minimal touch-ups needed, and the ash holds in firm, salt-and-pepper columns reflecting well-sorted Nicaraguan leaf.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
Aged Nicaraguan rum — Flor de Caña 18 Year or Ron Centenario 25 — or a lightly peated Scotch like Oban 14 Year
Wine
Amarone della Valpolicella or a structured Malbec from Mendoza — something with dark fruit depth and tannic backbone
Non-Alcoholic
A single-origin Nicaraguan cold brew or a double espresso with a light brown sugar note
Who Should Smoke This?
Picture a smoker who has been at this for a decade — someone with a humidor full of Padrón Anniversary and Tatuaje Reserva, who has learned that the best cigars are not always the loudest. It is a Tuesday evening in late October, the windows are cracked, and there is no game on, no guests expected, no reason to rush. They pour two fingers of Flor de Caña 18, settle into a worn leather chair, and clip the ~Eccj~ 20th with the deliberate pace of someone who has nowhere else to be. This cigar will give them 70 minutes of evolving complexity that rewards attention without demanding it — a smoke that matches their mood rather than dictating it. They will finish it, ash the last inch, and immediately wish they had bought a box instead of a five-pack.
Bottom Line
The Illusione ~Eccj~ 20th is the rare medium-full Nicaraguan that values nuance over muscle, delivering a 70-minute arc from cherry cordial to charred oak with flawless construction throughout. At $14–$18, it embarrasses cigars costing twice as much. Buy a box before the rest of the hobby catches on.
Similar Cigars
Explore all Illusione cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Illusione ~Eccj~ 20th a strong cigar?
It is rated Medium-Full (4/5), which means it delivers a noticeable nicotine presence without crossing into full-bodied territory. Physically, you will feel a gentle warmth in the chest and a slight tingle on the palate by the second third, but it never becomes overwhelming. The aged Nicaraguan leaf smooths out the rough edges that younger Estelí tobaccos can carry, so the strength arrives as a sustained hum rather than a spike. If you regularly smoke medium-bodied cigars, you will handle this comfortably; if you are sensitive to nicotine, eat first and keep a sweet drink nearby.
What does Illusione ~Eccj~ 20th taste like?
The first third opens with rich espresso, toasted cedar, and a smooth black pepper that builds gradually, with a creamy retrohale and undertones of dark cocoa and dried cherry. The second third shifts into leather, dark molasses, roasted nuts, and earthy loam, with the pepper settling into a warm tingle and chocolate deepening toward semi-sweet baking cocoa. The final third concentrates into espresso, charred oak, and dark leather, rounded by dried fig and dark caramel on a long, slightly peppery finish.
How long does Illusione ~Eccj~ 20th take to smoke?
Expect 60 to 75 minutes. The Lonsdale vitola at 6.75 x 44 is a slender format that burns slowly and evenly, and the dense, creamy smoke production means you will not be tempted to puff aggressively. If you smoke faster than average, you might finish in 55 minutes; if you sip slowly and let it rest between draws, it can stretch to 80. The firm draw and excellent burn line mean you will not lose time to touch-ups.
What is the best pairing for Illusione ~Eccj~ 20th?
An aged Nicaraguan rum such as Flor de Caña 18 Year or Ron Centenario 25 is the ideal companion — the caramel and vanilla notes in the rum mirror the cigar's dark caramel and dried fig finish while complementing its espresso core. If you prefer Scotch, a lightly peated expression like Oban 14 Year works beautifully, as the gentle smoke and honeyed malt bridge the cigar's charred oak and leather notes. For wine, choose an Amarone della Valpolicella or a structured Mendoza Malbec — both have the dark fruit depth and tannic backbone to stand up to the final third without being overwhelmed.
Is Illusione ~Eccj~ 20th good for beginners?
Honestly, no — not as a first cigar. The Medium-Full strength rating means it can catch a new smoker off guard, and the $14–$18 price point is steep for someone still learning whether they even enjoy cigars. The flavor progression is also subtle enough that a beginner might miss the dried cherry and floral sweetness entirely, tasting only the pepper and leather. That said, if you have smoked a dozen or so medium-bodied cigars and want to step up, this is an excellent graduation cigar — just eat a full meal beforehand and keep a sugary drink on hand.
Where can I buy Illusione ~Eccj~ 20th?
This is a premium, hand-rolled cigar sold through authorized Illusione retailers, which means you will find it at dedicated brick-and-mortar tobacconists and select online cigar shops that carry the brand. It is not a mass-market product, so big-box liquor stores and convenience shops will not stock it. If your local shop does not carry Illusione, ask them to order it — most reputable tobacconists can special-order from their distributor. You can also check Illusione's official website for a dealer locator.
What is the price of Illusione ~Eccj~ 20th?
Expect to pay $14–$18 per cigar before tax. The exact price depends on your state's tobacco taxes and the retailer's markup, but anything within that range is fair market value. If you see it for under $12, be suspicious of authenticity or poor storage; if it is over $20, you are likely paying a premium for a scarce vitola or a shop with high overhead. Box purchases typically bring the per-cigar cost down slightly.
Is Illusione ~Eccj~ 20th worth aging?
Yes, but with a caveat. The tobaccos inside are already aged a minimum of three to five years before rolling, so the cigar is ready to smoke the moment you buy it — you are not going to unlock hidden potential by waiting. That said, another one to three years in your humidor at 65–68% RH will further marry the flavors, soften the black pepper on the retrohale, and deepen the dried fruit and caramel notes. The Nicaraguan Corojo wrapper is already silky and well-rested, so the risk of it turning flat is low. If you have space, buy a box, smoke one now, and revisit every six months.
What wrapper does Illusione ~Eccj~ 20th use?
It uses a Nicaraguan Corojo wrapper in a Colorado shade, which presents as a medium-dark toffee brown with a silky texture and a subtle sheen. Corojo is known for contributing spice, cedar, and a distinctive earthy richness, and in this blend it provides the backbone that supports the espresso and leather notes without dominating them. The Colorado shade indicates the leaf was harvested at a point of full maturity, giving it both color depth and flavor complexity.
Where is Illusione ~Eccj~ 20th made?
It is hand-rolled at the NACSA factory in Estelí, Nicaragua. NACSA is one of Nicaragua's most respected factories, known for precise construction and consistent quality control, and the ~Eccj~ 20th benefits from that reputation — the draw is firm but effortless, the burn line tracks cleanly, and the ash holds in firm columns. The filler tobaccos are drawn from Estelí and Jalapa primings, both aged before rolling.