Dion Giolito believes that there is a lot more to our world than meets the eye. Regarding world control, Dion notes: “We are fed the ideas that certain countries and heads of state are in control and run things. That's the furthest from the truth. They're smoke and mirrors, puppets, figureheads, ‘illusions.’ The real power is far deeper and, much darker than we see.”

Dion, who refers to himself as the “Dark Overlord of the Leaf,” has a measured interest in the Illuminati, the Rothchilde’s, the Trilateral Commission, and other such organizations, which reveal a world brimming with hidden truths. Illusione, the name of his cigar company, takes it’s meaning from the conspiracy culture and lends us a glimpse into the mind of the man who heads it.

After 15 years in the cigar retail business and 2 years since the creation of the Illusione brand of cigars, Dion is ready to catapult to the outer regions of the cigar galaxy. His fledgling company has already cranked out 185 thousand cigars this year, but Giolito is determined to keep a focused product and has indicated he will limit his production to no more than 500 thousand cigars per year.

It doesn’t take a genius to realize that Dion Giolito is not your typical cigar brand owner. But then, his cigars aren’t typical either. Having recently garnered some impressive reviews, the Illusione lineup of cigars are Honduran-made, Nicaraguan puros, with a reputation for being powerful, flavorful and balanced.

DOC: What led you into the cigar business and what were the major factors that caused you to startup Illusione Cigars?

DION: I worked part-time in a local cigar store, which is now my competition, since I've opened my own store just about 4 years ago. It was a good way to make money doing nothing. It also afforded me time to tour with a band I played in. I always had a job when I came back. They finally offered me a full time gig with benefits, so I stuck around there for about 11 years.

DOC: What is so special about Nicaraguan tobacco these days and, what is it about Nicaragua that compelled you to go to this country for your cigar tobacco?

DION: Nicaraguan tobacco has ALWAYS been my favorite above all other countries, including Cuba. The Clean, bright, bold, no bullshit taste profiles really hooked me early on through manufacturers like Cuba Alliados, Joya de Nicaragua, etc. It wasn't until my friend in the business was blowing out  (well, not blowing, more like moving some boxes of private label Nicaraguan cigars) that I really began to think about creating a line that I like to smoke. I asked him where they were coming from and I couldn't believe it. The place they were coming from wasn't known for producing very a good product. The cigars weren't constructed all that great but, the flavor was there in spades. Quality is WAY better nowdays.

DOC: As of today, you have 10 different cigars in your lineup, with unusual names like “888,” “4/2g” and “cg4.” Can you give us a quick summary of your cigars and some insight on what the names mean?

DION: They all relate in some aspects to conspiracy and world domination via our outer-space savior. All of the information is out there; you just have to drill for it. [Doc notes: I have been “drilling” for this information since having this interview and so far, I have broken three drill bits!]

DOC: The Stogie Fresh web site is devoted to the art and science of storing and aging cigars. We believe that, given the right conditions, there is tremendous potential for successfully aging some cigars. Can you tell us about how your cigars are made that would make them great candidates for successful aging?

DION: My cigars are very structured and component-driven. They are very good right off the table. They are however, built to live a minimum of 10 years box aged, and even longer. I don't put my cigars in cedar boxes. The drying (aging) room time (35-90 days depending) is just about all of the cedar I want on my cigars. Cedar over time tends to lend too much to the overall profile of the cigar, especially cigars with lots of age on them. It gets in the way and in many cases, won't let the delicate flavors and nuances of aged tobacco shine through.

DOC: Huh? “Component driven”?

DION: Much like good young wines, [my cigars] are very structured. In youth, you can taste certain bold notes on the palate: cherry, leather, earth, coffee, etc. These flavors, with age, marry and mellow into a cohesive and harmonious smoke, one flavor not particularly standing out from the rest. You can really taste the individual "components" (i.e. Seco, Viso, Ligero, Volado, etc.) if you teach your palate to do so. Certain tobaccos will have certain characteristics that stand out more in their youth. I personally love "fresh" cigars for lack of better terms. They tell me immediately what they're about and what their potentials are.

DOC: Today’s cigar consumer may not smoke as many cigars as during the boom, but they are more intelligent smokers and are looking for more information about the cigars they intend to buy. What “scoop” can you provide our readers that the average person might not know about you or your cigars?

DION: I blend Illusione cigars from the ground up using the techniques of Heindrik Kellner - Master Blender for Davidoff. I studied as much as I could of his approach to flavor and the way the smoke hits the palate. Like his product of not, he knows how to blend and construct a cigar to perfection.

I also have taken many pointers from Zino Davidoff with regards to retailing and, Paul Garmirian in a more philosophical sense. Paul said something in an interview that sums up my sentiments exactly; "I'd much rather have cigars in the humidor than money in the bank." That speaks volumes to me. He's truly passionate about what he does.

Me personally, I don't care about the money part. I've never had it, don't know what it's like to have real evil, old European, "rich-like-Nazis" money! Mike Ness wrote a song called "state of mind" and that's exactly how I approach it. I know miserable bastards with all the money in the world. I also have friends that don't have a pot to piss in and they're constantly scraping up enough money to travel – anywhere; that's, rad. They have that, “don't give a fuck” attitude, and they ALWAYS find a way to keep it together, eat, and find a place to live. I've kinda applied the same principles to my cigar line. I made a cigar that I want to smoke, one that I like. I'm very blessed that so many others feel the same about them as I do!

DOC: What new and exciting things can we expect to see from Illusione Cigars over the next year or so?

DION: Well, I (we) don't have that much time left. The world as we know it will end or, at the very least, depart dimensions in late December 2012. That doesn't give me a lot of time to really get creative…

I'll keep my production "small-batch." I don't use the word "boutique" because it's become too cliché lately. CAO considered themselves a "boutique" cigar company and sold for an estimated 42 million. "Boutique," at this point, is completely out of my league!

I would like to put more of an emphasis on the "traditional" sizes i.e. smaller formats like Almuerzos, Cosacos, Petits, Perlas, Coronas, Lonsdales and so forth. Inside the U.S., these are largely neglected sizes and, in my opinion, are the best vehicle for flavor. These sizes really need to be emphasized more. The 6x60's are a fad I wish would disappear from the face of the earth. I don't have one. I thought about it, got samples and, hated them. It's very difficult to blend a cigar over a 50 ring. Cuba, until recently, NEVER considered it until they saw a market for them in the eventual American arena. Hell, there wasn't even a Robusto until Joya de Nicaragua made it back in the 70's.

I'll keep my production small and manageable. I crack open random boxes out of every factory order to make sure no one slips one past the goalie. I've sent entire orders back and, I'll do it again if need be. I'll be going back to Nicaragua/Honduras in November to validate (smoke and grade) the raw materials set aside for my blends for the '08 production year. I only plan on having a max of 200 stores carry my cigar. I'm right around 110 retailers now, so, HURRY UP!!!

Contact Information:

Name: Dion Giolito

Title: Dark Overlord of the Leaf, Illusione Cigars

http://www.illusionecigars.com

Email: info@illusionecigars.com

Mailing address: 907 W. Moana Ln. Reno, NV 89509