Cigar Review: Fratello

Vitola: Corona
Size: 5.5” x 46 ring gauge
Price $7.99
Purchased at Burns Tobacconist

Background

A new arrival at Burns Tobacconist, I first became aware of Fratello sometime in the past year. I go into this review knowing essentially nothing about them so I’ll paste in some pieces from their website as I go so you can learn along with me. Here’s the introductory text:

Conceptualized 20 years ago when Don Rafael, manager of the small retail store next to my home in the Dominican Republic, brought me in to watch a torcedor (cigar roller) perform his art. The torcedor finished the cigar, handed it to me and said “Kid, welcome to the true gentleman’s club”. Brother in Italian, Fratello embodies the true nature of this industry Camaraderie, Family and Friendship. 

The initial release from Fratello came out in 2013. It is made using Nicaraguan and Peruvian fillers, an Ecuadorian Sumatra binder, and a Nicaraguan Habano wrapper, the combination of which is said to be very complex and well rounded. I smoked a Robusto previous to this review smoke; this is the first time I’ve smoked the Fratello in this vitola.

Prelight

The banding on Fratello is very different. It has a throwback look to it artistically, but cuts a diagonal line across the body of the cigar in a way that I’ve just never seen. It’s striking and stands out even though the actual design is simple and uses only 2 colors. The wrapper was oily in the light and under my fingers and it gave off a ripe, rich earthiness. The foot had a slightly more subdued earth, along with hints of cedar and chocolate. After clipping the head I tested the draw and found it to be excellent. The flavors on the cold draw were of hay, wood and citrus.

Flavor

Lighting up the Fratello brought out a rush of wood at first, not just cedar, but a little oakiness as well. Under that was earth and some creamy coffee, along with just a touch of citrus. The retrohale yielded more cedar notes, along with a little nuttiness and a pinch of black pepper. As the first third reduced itself to smoke and ash, I found the woody notes toned down, allowing a bit more coffee and citrus to come through.

The second third had a stronger earth note with overtones of leather and grilled meat, while the citrus was more of an orange rind rather than a sweet note.

At the end, the real complexity of Fratello shined with little hits of pepper, salt, sweet, leather, earth and meat diving in and out.

Construction

Build was very good on the Fratello. I had a solid ash, good draw, and decently straight burn line.

Value

Retailing well under $10 per stick, the Fratello is a good value for what has to be a pretty small production run.

Conclusions

The Fratello definitely fulfilled its purpose of being a unique and interesting entry into the cigar industry. It was medium to full in body but definitely full in flavor with several changes over the course of 45 or 50 minutes, showing a very nice complexity. I’d definitely put this one on your “gotta try it” list.

By-The-Numbers

Prelight: 2/2
Construction: 2/2
Flavor: 4/5
Value: 1/1
Total: 9/10