In 2006, Dion Giolito decided to release limited quantities of a cigar that he deemed had not met the standards he had set for his Illusione brand. The cigar was a stronger version of his ~mk~ Corona that was part of The Original Document. Dubbed, MKULTRA, Dion once again turned to his clichés for naming.

Says Giolito:

As with my 88, I sampled a few to you in the forums for review when I was re-working on the blend in ’06. I did the same with the mk. There were two versions, the ~MK~ and the MKULTRA. MKULTRA was much stronger than I wanted it to be. I called Paul Palmer which in turn relayed my information to the factory to correct the issue. They have a gold band along with the ~hl~ because they’re more of an artisan blend better represented in those particular sizes. They’re 20% different than regular illusione black and white bands. As some of you know, I let out my stock of MKULTRAS because I just wasn’t pleased with the blend. You guys ate them up! Thanks. Project MKULTRA was a government experiment in creating “zombie soldiers” if you will, through experimentation with LSD and subconscious suggestion when under the influence. MKULTRA was also referred to as the “teaching machine.” The classic corona size is the teaching machine vitola. It is the perfect vehicle for delivery of flavor, if the blend is right.

The MKULTRA was sold exclusively through Dan Welsh’s New Havana Cigars, although Dion was known to send a few to various people. NHC described the cigar:

If you dare to try an even fuller blend than the new -mk-, give this one a try! This is not the production -mk-, but a different version of it. Not for the faint hearted, or to be smoked on an empty stomach!

A classic petit corona, 5 1/8 x 42, an even stronger blend than the new -mk- vitola in the Illusione line-up.

– mk ULTRA – (5 1/8″ x 42) – petit corona Made at the Raices Cubanas factory in Honduras from 100% Nicaraguan tobacco.

The cigars were packaged in plain paper bundles, think Tatuaje Pork Tenderloin.

Here’s a picture of the MKULTRA next to the ~ultra~ MKULTRA.

Cigar Reviewed: Illusione MKULTRA

Illusione MKULTRA Country of Origin: Honduras

Honduras Factory: Fábrica de Tabacos Raíces Cubanas S. de R.L.

Fábrica de Tabacos Raíces Cubanas S. de R.L. Wrapper: Nicaragua

Nicaragua Binder: Nicaragua

Nicaragua Filler: Nicaragua

Nicaragua Size: 5 1/8 Inches

5 1/8 Inches Ring Gauge: 42



42 Vitola: Petit Corona

Petit Corona MSRP: $6.45

$6.45 Date Produced: 2006

2006 Number of Cigars Released: n/a

n/a Number of Cigars Smoked for Review: 3

Wrapper colors aren’t consistent, but I’ve yet to find a regular ~mk~ that has come close to the darkness of the MKULTRA. It’s just a dark heavy brown hue that features small veins on a clean roll. Aroma from the wrapper is sweet nuts, earth, a touch of coffee and heavy aged leather and as far as uncelloed cigar from 2006, it’s quite strong. The foot shows more fruits, clean leather and some earth. It’s short, but rather complex and concentrated. Cold draw tastes Cuban. Plain and simple, it’s pretty much a medium-full sweet tang.

As far as first draws go, the MKULTRA is special, real special. It starts with a rich full coffee that transitions to a sweet cocoa and cedar note, it then begins to bitter as a black pepper develops around the lips before the creaminess emerges for the full finish. Three puffs into the First Third and the Corona changes. There’s a blast of white and black pepper up front with spicy cedar in the middle and red pepper on the finish. The flavor is very much in your face, but it’s also smooth. On the rare times in which the retrohale is doable, there’s actually some citrus underneath the obvious pepper.

Into the second third and the dry herbal transition which has been sort of a signature of MKULTRAs of the past year takes effect. Five minutes in and it’s a rich molasses cedar with some sweet earth and a bit of berries. Outside of the retrohale, the pepper is all but gone. Speaking of the retrohale, I get an odd bbq note with a bit of sourness. Thirty minutes in and the strength (full) is creeping on you.

Once again, the final third is greeted by the herbal transition. The flavor of the Illusione continues to bitter with some underlying sweetness helping to provide contrast. The dominant note is bitter nuts over sweet cedar and earth. Herbs and a mild pepper go in and out.

Final Notes

At the 2011 IPCPR, Dion introduced a new line of ~ULTRA~ cigars including a ~mk~ size. The additional sizes are expected to make their debut later this year. It is almost certain that the blends are not identical.

This is probably the strongest production Corona outside of the Liga Privada Dirty Rat. Unlike the Dirty Rat, the strength is regulated to the final two thirds nearly exclusively. In addition, this comes up to bite you, whereas Dirty Rat is in your face from the start. Also, five year-old Dirty Rat (prototypes) are generally not strong at this point.

As mentioned above, there is no real way to tell the difference. I was talking to Dan Reeve of Cigar Explorer about the cigar and I told him it is much like the same as the is this Cuban test. Bottom line, the only real way to tell is to smoke it, because the MKULTRA and the ULTRA are not close. The wrappers of the MKULTRA are supposed to be darker, but wrapper variation is so common I wouldn’t rest on that.

Construction was incredible. Tons of smoke flowing and a perfect draw. A bit tight, but smooth.

Final Smoking Time is generally one hour and 20 minutes.