Illusione Epernay L’Excellence

The L’Excellence opens with a refined bouquet of pear, honey, and almond paste, supported by soft hints of earth and baking spice. The retrohale delivers gentle white pepper and floral accents with a creamy backdrop. In the second third, rich flavors of toasted nuts, stone fruit, and leather emerge, blending with floral-scented smoke. The final third deepens into mocha, cedar, and lingering honeyed sweetness, all while maintaining the cigar’s elegant, medium-bodied finesse .

For more detailed cigar and whisky pairing recommendations, explore our comprehensive guide to finding the perfect match for your smoking experience.

Lovingly box-pressed at Raíces Cubanas in Honduras, the cigar features a flawless Nicaraguan Corojo Rosado wrapper, binder, and filler blend of Criollo ’98 and Corojo ’99. The draw offers light initial resistance with pre-light notes of hay, citrus peel, and sweet almonds. It burns evenly and coolly, forming tight, creamy smoke and a sharp burn line, reflecting Illusione’s attention to construction and consistency

The ideal whisky pairing for the Illusione Epernay L’Excellence is Glenmorangie 18 Year Old Extremely Rare, whose orange blossom honey, dried apricot, and subtle oak spice perfectly complement the cigar’s floral, pear, and almond sweetness; alternatively, Glenkinchie 12 Year Old—with its grassy citrus brightness, floral notes, and gentle malt character—offers a softer, elegant contrast that enhances the cigar’s delicate complexity and creamy finish.

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This cigar offers excellent ageability over 3 to 5 years, during which its floral aromatics and pepper edges will mellow, while honeyed and nutty sweetness deepen. The floral spice will integrate into the profile, resulting in a smoother, more harmonious smoke with enhanced depth and balance

The Illusione Epernay L’Excellence is tailored for aficionados who appreciate elegance, balance, and nuanced flavor transitions. It shines in serene settings—morning coffee accompaniment, champagne brunches, or contemplative terrace moments—where its refined floral-creamy character can truly be savored. Cottonmouth pleasing and accessible yet sophisticated, it’s a standout medium-bodied smoke for veterans and newcomers alike seeking sophistication without intensity.