Cigar Info
Omar de Frias added The Boxer to the Navetta Inverso line back in 2019. Fratello Navetta Inverso The Boxer is actually the third blend in the Navetta series. The original Navetta came out in 2017 and used an oscuro wrapper. Then, in 2018, came the Navetta Inverso, which used the same tobaccos, but in reverse order, so the tobacco previously used for the wrapper and binder were now the filler, and the filler were now the binder and wrapper. Then in 2019 came the Navetta Inverso The Boxer which is a tweaked, slightly stronger, version of the Inverso blend in their signature 6 ¼ x 52 Box Press Torpedo. Similar “The Boxer” releases have been done in the original Fratello Classico and Bianco blends.
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.
The blend for Fratello Navetta Inverso The Boxer uses Habano Nicaragua Wrapper, Habano Ecuador Oscuro Binder, and Dominican and Nicaraguan fillers. The fillers have been aged 3 years. Each cigar has an MSRP of $13.00
Vital Stats:
Vitola: Torpedo
Length: 6 1/4″
Ring Gauge: 52
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano
Binder: Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro
Filler: Nicaragua, Dominican Republic
Factory: Fabrica de Tabacos Joya de Nicaragua S.A.
Blender: Omar de Frias
Number of reviewers: 5 – Ryan H. (Ryan H.) Sean F. (fullermaine) Alan (Eulogy) Joseph S. (Bearded Bastard) James H. (Keikan Jim)
Price: $13.00
Age: 8 Months
Release Date: July 2019
Contributed by: Fratello Cigars
Initial Impressions – Fratello Navetta Inverso The Boxer
Appearance: 94
“Very handsome cigar. The brick-red wrapper is well applied with tight seams and has a uniform color. I like the very large triple cap, torpedo head, and soft box-pressed shape.” –Alan (Eulogy)
Aroma: 91
“On the nose, there is a nice hint of wet leather and sweet earth with a touch of wood.” –James H. (Keikan Jim)
First Third
Flavor: 92
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“It is certainly very interesting but strange in terms of flavors. There is a sort of green vegetal note with anise and stone fruit that reminds me a little of cough syrup. It pairs a little awkwardly with rich notes of tobacco and pepper.” –Alan (Eulogy)
“The cedar notes on the lighting give way to smooth tea notes.” –Sean F. (fullermaine)
Second Third
Flavor: 90
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“Approaching the second third I got a very brief charred note which was very off-putting. This apparently was an anomaly because it was very short-lived and the beautiful cedar and dark woodsy note came back nicely. The sweet syrupy note from this first third was still present, however, it was now in the back seat adding just the right amount of sweetness to offset the strong woody flavors.” –James H. (Keikan Jim)
“Woody and peppery, with a slightly sweet undertone and very nutty.” –Joseph S. (Bearded Bastard)
Final Third
Flavor: 92
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium
“Cream moves to the front. Aged tobacco and cinnamon mix all together through mid-palate. The finish is strange chalky note akin to a mixture of clay and ash.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
“Once again I had this little charred note flicker into the picture. It was very brief once again but it prevents what would otherwise be an excellent rating from me. The final third was very consistent with the first and second with a predominantly woodsy character followed by cedar zing and slight sweetness. Overall a great cigar.” –James H. (Keikan Jim)
Overall Impressions – Fratello Navetta Inverso The Boxer
Draw: 92
“Beautiful draw with just the right amount of resistance.” –James H. (Keikan Jim)
Burn: 92
“Even burn with a grey-white ash that hangs on for an inch or two.” –Sean F. (fullermaine)
Construction: 94
“Looked good with the torpedo cap, firm body, tight seams, and soft boxed pressed shape. There weren't any problems construction-wise.” –Alan (Eulogy)
Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Experience Overall: 90
“I was happy with both the cigar's performance and the profile was very enjoyable.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
“Another great cigar that made me want another. Excellent notes of cedar, cherry, tea, peanut, and black pepper. A nice strong ash, even burn, and the perfect draw made this a cigar I'd seek out. Great quick morning or late afternoon cigar.” –Sean F. (fullermaine)
“It is unfortunate when a tar build-up happens and affects the flavors. I've had it happen to a lot of different cigars and there never really seems to be a reason for it. I really didn't enjoy smoking this because of that. Hopefully, the other reviews did not have the same problems that I did.” –Alan (Eulogy)
“Very tasty and enjoyable smoke. Great draw and construction.” –Joseph S. (Bearded Bastard)
“Had it not been for the two very brief areas with the charred notes, this would have been an excellent cigar. I know it seems nitpicky, however, I would not let this detract me from smoking this cigar again.” –James H. (Keikan Jim)
Smoking Time (in minutes): 109
| Reviewer | Appear. | Aroma | 1/3 | 2/3 | 3/3 | Draw | Burn | Constr. | Overall Experience |
| Ryan H. | 93 | 88 | 88 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 88 | 90 |
| Sean F. | 95 | 95 | 95 | 95 | 95 | 100 | 100 | 95 | 95 |
| Alan | 95 | 90 | 90 | 88 | 83 | 90 | 95 | 95 | 88 |
| Joseph S. | 90 | 88 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 92 | 88 | 90 | 90 |
| James H. | 95 | 95 | 95 | 92 | 92 | 95 | 95 | 95 | 92 |
To view the complete scores and notes, click here.