Blind Cigar Review: Fratello | Arlequín Prensado Toro

Cigar Info – Fratello Arlequín Prensado Toro

The Fratello Arlequin was first released as a part of the Space Fresh Pack back in 2019 which was a humidified back with their current lines as well as two new lines. The two new lines were Arlequin and Sorella. The strategy was to get consumer feedback and see which new blend they would prefer to become a regular release. Arlequin ended up winning in the US market, and Sorella won over in international markets. Each would be released to the respective regions with the Alrequin coming bacK as the Arlequin Prensado.

The regular production Fratello Arlequin Prensado is the same blend as the Fresh Pack, but with a slightly different look. It now comes in two sizes: a 5 ½ x 52 Robusto $9.50 and a 6 ½ x 54 Toro $10.50. Each come in 20-count boxes. Arlequin is rolled at Fabrica de Tabacos Joya de Nicaragua S.A., in Esteli, Nicaragua. The blend uses a San Andres Mexico wrapper, Ecuador Habano binder, and filler from Peru and Nicaragua.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Toro
Length: 6 1/2″
Ring Gauge: 54
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Mexican San Andrés
Binder: Ecuador Habano
Filler: Nicaragua & Peru
Factory: Fabrica de Tabacos Joya de Nicaragua S.A.
Blender: Omar de Frias
Number of reviewers: 4 – Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi) Isaac M. (The Nothing) Jason H. (Jokey Smurf) John I. (John I.)
Price: $10.50
Age: 6 Months
Release Date: September 2020
Contributed by: Fratello Cigars

Initial Impressions – Fratello Arlequín Prensado Toro

Appearance: 90

“This is a long and box pressed cigar showcasing a wrapper with some dark and light color spots making me think of a brindle coat of a dog. Smooth to the touch with some thick veins. Seams are tight yet visible and is finished with a double cap.” –Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)

Aroma: 90

“Really nice sweet fragrance. Not terribly strong of fermentation.” –John I. (John I.)

First Third

Flavor: 90
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“This cigar opens much different then I would have thought with soft notes of cedar. The smoke feels washed out and really doesn’t show much in the way of flavors. When I push some smoke through the nose there is no initial flavor profile but as it builds the hickory note starts to shine through. There are slight profile changes, with the introduction of peanuts with the skin on it, but that is fleeting. Nothing to write home about early. There is a lot of smoke but the finish is super short and the body is light.” –Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)

“The initial flavors on this cigar are thick with charred wood and black pepper. Surprisingly the smoke is strong enough to make my tongue tingle with every puff. Through the nose the smoke is exactly the opposite and has a smooth and mild texture. The burn is all over the place early on, requiring two touch ups in the first third. I’ll attribute this at least partly r to the ocean breeze.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

Second Third

Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“A savory grilled meat flavor came in the second third; complete with Montreal steak seasoning. The burn went quite wavy and required touching-up. I was noticing the strength ramping through this portion of the cigar.” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)

“Into the middle portion the smoke is beginning to soften a bit and I’m getting more roasted wood versus charred wood. There is a bit of a mossy note at the end get the puff as well. Through the nose the smoke has remained soft and pleasant.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

Final Third

Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“Into the final portion the flavors are bring to mute and are mainly just simple tobacco and a hint of leather. There is still a sharp tongue tingle after every puff.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

“The sweetness diminishes throughout the final third. Leather notes, dry, dusty leather, become more prominent. The draw continues to be a hindrance.” –John I. (John I.)

Overall Impressions – Fratello Arlequín Prensado Toro

Draw: 89

“The draw is a little open on this cigar. Maybe a little to open for my liking. This makes for lots of smoke with each puff.” –Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)

Burn: 86

“After the first ash fell, the cigar went wavy and required more than a couple of touch ups till the finish.” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)

Construction: 88

“From the outside this cigar looked like it was constructed well. Once it was lit, it started to show that there might have been some bunching issues. It wasn’t a problem early but as we reached the final third this caused one side of the wrapper not to burn. From there on out I felt like I was chasing it till the very end.” –Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)

Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Experience Overall: 88

“For me, this was a one-dimensional cigar with some bunching issues causing a labored smoking experience. There are few high points to this cigar and it is not one that I would reach for. With all that being said I would give it another shot to see if this was a one-off issue or a larger problem with the line. I find it hard to recommend this cigar to anyone at the moment.” –Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)

“Other than a loose draw, I rather enjoyed this cigar. The flavor changes were great and I appreciated each section that this cigar had to offer.” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)

“This cigar started off well but never managed to attain anything other than just ok for me. I’d smoke another one of I could but I wouldn’t go out of my way to find this.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

“Fairly one dimensional with a flavor profile hovering around sweet and leathery. All of that was nice enough, but definitely a milder cigar than I generally prefer. I wouldn’t be to quick to seek out more of these, but it would serve as a decent enough experience for a cigar novice.” –John I. (John I.)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 95

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

Blind Cigar Review: Fratello | Arlequín Prensado Toro