Cigar Info
Omar de Frias announce last year his third blend would arrive in 2016. The original Fratello line was introduced in 2013 and Fratello Bianco in 2015. Fratello Oro is the company’s first time working with an Ecuador Connecticut wrapper. “We wanted a mild to medium cigar with a creamy after taste but that it also embodies the true nature of our company which is full flavor cigars.” Said de Frias. Fratello Oro is available in 20 count boxes and six sizes with prices ranging between $7.00 and $10.00: Corona 5 ½ x 47, Robusto 5 x 50, Robusto Extra: 4 x 58, Toro: 6 ¼ x 54, Gordo 6 x 60, The Boxer Oro: 6 ¼ x 52.
This cigar was reviewed blind (no bands) by a panel of at least 4 reviewers. They did not know what they were smoking beforehand. The scores are an average of all the reviewers' scores with outliers removed. All of our cigars reviewed are shipped to the panelists with Boveda packs to ensure optimal smoking experience.
“We decided to take this project back to my homeland the Dominican Republic and work with La Aurora, one of the oldest cigar factories in the country.” I met last year with Guillermo Leon and Manuel Inoa and discussed some of my plans and interest in using some of the amazing tobaccos that factory has to offer.” “They opened their doors to their tobacco and manufacturing facility giving me free rein to explore and blend with their amazing inventory.” Said de Frias. Fratello Oro was blended with a Connecticut Ecuador wrapper, Cameroon Binder with Nicaraguan and Dominican Filler. Fratello Oro will be making its official debut at this year’s IPCPR show in Las Vegas.
Vital Stats:
Vitola: Robusto
Length: 5″
Ring Gauge: 50
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut
Binder: Cameroon
Filler: Nicaraguan and Dominican
Factory: La Aurora Cigars S.A.
Blender: Omar de Frias
Number of reviewers: 4 – Eric (smalls29) Matt C. (Big Matt) Jason H. (Jokey Smurf) Matthew T. (A Huge Nerd)
Price: $8.25
Age: 2 Months
Release Date: July 2016
Contributed by: Fratello Cigars
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 88
“Not a bad looking robusto sized cigar. It has a light brown wrapper that is slightly dry with a light tooth. Some visible seams and a slightly uneven color.” –Matthew T. (A Huge Nerd)
Aroma: 88
“There is a sweet wet grass smell. Even hints of berry in the pre light aroma.” –Eric (smalls29)
First Third
Flavor: 88
Strength: Mild-Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“There is an immediate flavor of wood and other earthly tones. A nice peppery flavor is in the background but the woody, bark flavor is up front and very pleasant. I also notice hints of nuts and other woody spices in the background as well.” –Eric (smalls29)
“The initial flavors are heavy with cream and grassy tea notes. There is a slightly bitter aftertaste, but not unpleasant…it actually reminds me of the bitterness of a good IPA but is lacking the citrus notes of the cold draw. Through the nose there is just the slightest bit of white pepper and tea.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
Second Third
Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“””In the 2/3 there is an increased pepper zing on the tongue, floral notes are up.
Exhale still has the sharp cedar and grass with various nuts. Burn is perfect. This cigar while flavorful is a little out of balance. “” –Matt C. (Big Matt)”
“The sweetness continues, but gets some nice additions. Some roasted nuts and an interesting dry mineral note joins in. Also some leather and charred wood notes come into the profile.” –Matthew T. (A Huge Nerd)
Final Third
Flavor: 86
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“Unfortunately this one has grown bitter. There are still hints of nuts and other woods, but the predominant flavor is that of burnt wood. Not much to enjoy at this point.” –Eric (smalls29)
“The final third of this pleasant, mild cigar remained heavy in cream and developed a bit of a peanut taste…sort of like smooth and creamy peanut butter on toast. I say toast because there is just a bit of a bread note that developed as an after taste. The flavors through the nose have tamed a bit as the pepper has lessened and a yeasty risen bread note has developed.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 85
“The draw on this one was pretty tight and refused to open up regardless of how I massaged it, or tried to open the head. Unfortunately this undoubtedly affected the smoke output and made me puff more vigourously, resulting in hotter than normal smoke.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
Burn: 89
“While the wrapper appeared suspect before lighting, it burned very well.” –Eric (smalls29)
Construction: 88
“The light color of the wrapper makes this a tough one. It is difficult to find a leaf with zero blemishes, but this one was not bad. Just a few discolorations. It was packed well and mostly burned well.” –Matthew T. (A Huge Nerd)
Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Experience Overall: 86
“The beginning was very nice and enjoyable. The predominant flavors were wood and nuts. There were hints of sweet cherry wood and some earthy tones. The flavors remained nicely balanced up unto about the final third. At this point it became bitter and sour. I consider this one an old fashioned cigar. I think it would pair nicely with a scotch or spiced rum.” –Eric (smalls29)
“Ladies and gentlemen I think I got a dud cigar however, with some of the flavors in the first and final third which were cedar, cream, grass ,nuts and a pleasant woodiness.. I would bet my next experience with the premium cigar would be a better one.” –Matt C. (Big Matt)
“I’m not normally a fan of mild cigars bit this one was just what the doctor ordered. After working hard all day I was ready for something that was just plain enjoyable. The flavors were pleasant and interesting while never becoming strong enough to blast me with nicotine or overpower my palate. The ash was strong, and the first ash fall wasn’t until the second half of the cigar. The remaining ash held until I let the cigar extinguish itself…never landing on my lap, which is always appreciated. I can comfortably say I’d recommend this to anyone, beginner or experienced.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
“For a mild smoke, it had some nice flavors and interesting changes. I would be willing to try this one again to find out what it is, and possibly to sample other vitolas.” –Matthew T. (A Huge Nerd)
Smoking Time (in minutes): 70
|
Reviewer
|
Appearance
|
Aroma
|
1/3
|
2/3
|
3/3
|
Draw
|
Burn
|
Constr.
|
Overall
Experience |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eric | 85 | 87 | 87 | 88 | 85 | 90 | 90 | 87 | 87 |
| Matt C. | 87 | 87 | 87 | 85 | 85 | 85 | 90 | 87 | 83 |
| Jason H. | 90 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 85 | 97 | 87 | 95 |
| Matthew T. | 87 | 87 | 87 | 90 | 87 | 85 | 88 | 87 | 87 |
To view the complete scores and notes, click here.