I was sitting at my desk in the back office at Two Guys Smoke Shop when I was contemplating what to light up for a review today. Just as I finished lunch which I promptly shared with my shirt, I received a press release that Omar de Frias would be leaving NASA to focus on his cigar company full-time even with looming FDA regulations that could wipe out his brand as it did not come out before 2007.
In searching through The Cigar Authority archives, I noticed outside of The Boxer which is a box pressed version of the original line, I hadn’t reviewed any of the other sizes. I figured the man who decided to lay everything on the line and focus on his passion surely deserved to have his cigar smoked, so I went into the humidor and pulled this one out.
Cigar Review: Fratello
Factory: Fabrica de Tabacos Joya de Nicaragua S.A.
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaragua Habano
Binder: Ecuador Sumatra
Filler: Nicaragua & Peru
Length: 5″
Ring Gauge: 46
Vitola: Corona
Cutter: Lotus Jaws
Lighter: Black Label Domininator
The Pre-Light: Fabrica de Tobaccos Joya de Nicaragua S.A. has been busy lately making cigars for others. While I am sure there are others they produce cigars for, the two that instantly come to mind are Steve Saka and the owner of Fratello, Omar de Frias. The cigars come packaged in wooden cabinet style boxes and each cigar is encased in cello. Featuring one of my favorite bands in the industry with its unique appearance on the cigar. The Habano wrapper has a few thin veins and is seamlessly rolled.
The Smoke: With the cap clipped it is time to take a cold draw of the cigar and open up my palate to the experience ahead. The first notes are slightly nutty with hints of cedar and earth. Under the nose the cigar reveals a subtle manure (considered the ultimate compliment in the cigar industry) and cedar.
Once the cigar is toasted and lit the notes remind me a lot of oregano especially after you take in the aroma of the spice. After about a 1/4 inch, the oregano transforms into hints of black pepper with an abundance of strong espresso on the palate. The finish of the cigar reveals notes of cedar and a bit of leather that lingers.
Moving on to the center part of the cigar, the notes become predominantly cedar with a bit of leather, and nutmeg on the finish. The aroma continues to serve up black pepper but a subtle cinnamon begins to emerge as well.
In the last third the cinnamon notes that began to emerge at the end of the previous third begin to shine on the Fratello as they mingle with cedar, leather and nutmeg. The retrohale is spicy and helps enhance the cinnamon on the palate. The cigar has a long leathery finish.
The Finish: Leaving NASA to concentrate on an industry that some feel is doomed is a risky move from an outsiders perspective. However, when your product is as good as Fratello then maybe it is a risk to be taken. That is if you can get the substantial equivalence to keep it on the market for longer than two years. My advice, grab them now and hope the good guy, in this case Omar de Frias wins.
Score: 91
Price: $8.19 / $143.99
Fratello Corona
Fratello Corona Foot
Fratello Corona Burn
