Bold. And covered in gold. That is Dion Giolito’s own description of the Cruzado — two words that capture both the visual identity and the flavor philosophy of the blend that earned a 93-point rating and the #6 Cigar of the Year from Cigar Aficionado in 2021, the highest single-year recognition in the Cruzado family and a placement that confirmed Dion Giolito’s most gold-adorned blend as one of the finest cigars reviewed that year.

The Cruzado is Dion Giolito’s most farm-and-lot-specific construction in the regular production lineup — a blend of Criollo and Corojo tobaccos selected not simply from Nicaraguan farms, but from specific farms and lots within those farms — a level of agricultural specificity that goes beyond the standard single-farm sourcing of the Singulare and Fumé d’Amour into individual lot selection. The result is a medium-to-full-bodied profile of leather, wood, cocoa, and honey that delivers complexity and balance with every draw — espresso and hickory announcing themselves from first light, black pepper developing through the middle third, and nuts and cocoa powder emerging in the finish that closes a profile as elegant and layered as the gold packaging that covers it. All tobaccos personally selected, graded, and blended by Dion Giolito with a level of farm-and-lot precision that defines the Cruzado as the most agriculturally specific expression in the Illusione portfolio.

Why You’ll Love It

Farm-and-Lot Specific Selection: The Cruzado’s construction philosophy — selecting Criollo and Corojo tobaccos from specific farms AND specific lots within those farms — is the most granular level of tobacco sourcing Dion Giolito practices in any regular production Illusione blend, producing a flavor specificity and consistency that multi-lot blending can never replicate.

93 Points and #6 Cigar of 2021: Cigar Aficionado’s recognition placed the Cruzado among the finest cigars reviewed that year — a farm-and-lot-specific Criollo and Corojo blend earning Top 10 of the Year honors is the most direct possible confirmation that specificity in tobacco selection produces results that the critical world stops to notice.

Bold and Covered in Gold: The Cruzado’s visual identity — bold gold packaging that announces itself on any cigar shelf — is as deliberate as every tobacco decision Dion Giolito makes. The gold is the promise. The 93-point rating is the delivery.