Illusione · Original Documents
New WorldAficionadosIllusione Original Documents ~68~
The Illusione ~68~ is a deceptively potent 4 x 44 petite corona — one of the brand's original sizes and a benchmark for small-ring-gauge full-strength Nicaraguan blending.
The short answer
The Illusione Original Documents ~68~ is a bold, full-bodied cigar — a Nicaragua petite corona with a Nicaraguan Corojo Rosado wrapper. Expect dark chocolate, espresso, and cedar.
Flavor profile
Sweet · Roast · Earthy · Spice
The verdict
The Illusione Original Documents ~68~ is a bold, full-bodied cigar from Illusione's Original Documents line. It's a Nicaragua (New World) petite corona wrapped in Nicaraguan Corojo Rosado at 4 in × 44.
On the palate, expect dark chocolate, espresso, and cedar, leaning sweet. Plan on roughly 40 minutes from light to nub.
It pairs naturally with espresso, single malt scotch, and dark beer. If you're newer to cigars, work up to this one rather than starting here.
The 68 (originally called the Bombone) was one of the first vitolas Dion Giolito released when Illusione launched in 2005. It's tiny — just 4 inches long with a 44-ring gauge — but don't let the dimensions fool you. This is a full-bodied smoke packed with concentrated Nicaraguan tobacco that punches far harder than its size suggests.
What it tastes like
The oily Colorado-shaded Corojo Rosado wrapper carries a complex load: dark chocolate and espresso up front, followed by cedar, black pepper, and an earthy backbone that deepens as you smoke toward the nub. Because the ring gauge is so tight, every draw is dense and flavorful. Retrohaling brings genuine pepper and leather. This is not a gentle cigar.
Who it's for
The 68 is for aficionados who want maximum flavor in minimal time — or who want a cigar to fill a 20-minute window without sacrificing complexity. If you're coming from lighter smokes, check our cigar strength guide before reaching for this one. It rewards a slow, contemplative pace.
A piece of boutique history
The 68 predates the Original Documents branding; it was born as a house blend and grew into a cult favorite before boutique cigars were a mass-market category. For context on how Nicaraguan leaf became the gold standard for full-bodied blending, our Cuban vs. Nicaraguan cigars deep-dive explains the geography and terroir behind it.
Log your vintage 68 smokes and note flavor changes across box dates at Casa DNC.
Curious how it stacks up? See Cuban vs Nicaraguan cigars.
Illusione Original Documents ~68~ — frequently asked
- Is the Illusione Original Documents ~68~ a good cigar for beginners?
- Not as a first cigar. Full-bodied smokes are intense and high in nicotine — save it until you're comfortable with strength.
- How strong is the Illusione Original Documents ~68~?
- The Illusione Original Documents ~68~ is Full-bodied — bold and high in nicotine. Strength is about body and nicotine rather than flavor, so eat something first and take it slow if you're sensitive.
- What does the Illusione Original Documents ~68~ taste like?
- Expect dark chocolate, espresso, and cedar, leaning sweet. Tasting notes are a guide — your palate may pick up more or less.
- What pairs well with the Illusione Original Documents ~68~?
- It pairs well with espresso, single malt scotch, and dark beer. As a rule, match the drink's intensity to the cigar's full body.
- How long does it take to smoke the Illusione Original Documents ~68~?
- Plan on about 40 minutes for the petite corona — longer if you smoke slowly, which keeps it cool and tasting its best.
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Illusione Original Documents ~68~ head-to-head
See how Illusione Original Documents ~68~ stacks up against similar cigars — strength, flavor, and ratings.