Fratello Arlequin Toro

1 review for Fratello Arlequin Toro

1. 

   Rated 3 out of 5

   F******** P***

   – November 25, 2019

   Fratello Arlequin Toro. Fratello is an American cigar company, founded by former NASA employee Omar de Frias. And for his cigars, he either uses Italian names or bases them on his background in the space industry. For the Fratello Arlequin, both these subjects come together. The cigars are only available in the Fratello Space Pack. A fresh pack with 4 different Fratello toro cigars. The Space Pack draws its name from De Frias his years at NASA, Arlequin comes from the jester at the old Italian theatre. 

   The cigars come only in a 6×50 size for now. If the public response on the blend is good, De Frias might release the blend in more shape as regular production. For the production of this cigar, Fratello uses Joya de Nicaragua. That’s where most Fratello cigars are made, although some are made at La Aurora in the Dominican Republic. For the blend, De Frias picked Nicaraguan and Peruvian tobacco as the fillers. The binder comes from Ecuador. And the wrapper is Mexican.

   Name: Fratello Arlequin 
   Country: Nicaragua
   Factory: Fabrika de Tabacos Joya de Nicaragua
   Size: 6×50
   Vitola: Toro
   Wrapper: Mexico
   Binder: Ecuador
   Filler: Nicaragua, Peru
   Price: $ 6,25
   Cutter: Xikar X2
   Lighter: single flame
   Smoke conditions: indoors with ventilato
   Smoke time: three hours

   The review

   The cigar looks good. A nice dark, leathery-looking wrapper. The construction feels good. The ring is recognizable Fratello, yet with a colorful back that is clearly inspired by the harlequins from the Italian theatre. Without knowledge of the name and the harlequin history, the ring may seem a little childish though. But if you are in the know, it makes sense. The aroma isn’t too strong, and the cigar has the smell of old leather.

   The cold draw is good. The cigar gives a mixture of leather, spice and raw tobacco in the cold draw. Immediately after lighting, there is marzipan with coffee and leather. Then the flavors change to cinnamon toast with leather and pepper. Coffee appears too, with more pepper and fruity acidity. The flavors continue to develop. Wood and leather show up while toast, pepper, sweetness, and coffee remain. The mouthfeel is a bit buttery. Halfway the cigar is sweet and bitter, with old leather, charred wood, and caramel. The final third starts with wood, leather, and the pleasant bitterness of very dark chocolate. Then there are spices as well, the flavors pick up. The pepper is present yet not overpowering. 

   The draw is good. The ash is salt and pepper colored, and quite firm. The burn had to be corrected once. The smoke is decent in volume and thickness. The cigar is medium-full bodied and flavored. The smoke time is three hours.

   Strength: medium-full
   Flavor: medium-full

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