Fratello The Lunar Cameroon – Blind Cigar Review

Cigar Info

Fratello cigars has the unique honor of having their logo aboard the Intuitive Machines Nova-C lunar lander. The lander was just transported to Cape Canaveral, Fla., in preparation for its upcoming launch aboard a SpaceX rocket on Jan. 12, 2024. Under a contract with NASA, Intuitive Machines is tasked with deploying five scientific instruments on the moon. This marks a significant event as it will be the first time an American spacecraft has touched down on the lunar surface since 1972.

Fratello Cigars was founded by Omar de Frias who has an extensive background and history in space and working at NASA. To celebrate Fratello logo gracing this spacecraft, the company introduced a trio of new cigars packaged in boxes resembling the Nova-C lunar lander, aptly named The Lunar.

Consisting of three 6 x 50 toro cigars crafted by La Aurora, The Lunar series includes two regular production offerings: The Lunar Cameroon and The Lunar Connecticut, each priced at $14 per cigar and packaged in boxes of 15. The Cameroon variant features a Cameroon wrapper, Dominican binder, and Nicaraguan fillers. In contrast, the Connecticut version boasts an Ecuadorian Connecticut-seed shade-grown wrapper, Mexican binder, and fillers sourced from Cameroon, the Dominican Republic, and Nicaragua.

For enthusiasts seeking a more exclusive experience, there's the Fratello The Lunar Limited Edition Humidor. Priced at $25 per cigar, this Dominican tobacco-made cigar comes in deluxe boxes with lunar lander model legs. Limited to just 200 humidor boxes of 18 cigars, 25 of these boxes will be reserved for Intuitive Machines. All three iterations of The Lunar series hit the market this past June through select events before becoming available nationwide at stores this past August.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Toro
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 50
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Cameroon
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Nicaragua
Factory: La Aurora Cigar Factory
Blender: Omar de Frias
Number of reviewers: 4 – Jessica (Stogie Sister) Sean F. (fullermaine) Chris M. (Chris) Lauren S. (Lauren S.)
Price: $14.00
Age: 3 Months
Release Date: June 2023
Contributed by: Fratello Cigars

Initial Impressions – Fratello The Lunar Cameroon

Appearance: 93

“This toro sports a light brown/dark tan wrapper. Some light veins and small lumps, but overall pretty even looking. It's slightly oily, with just a bit of tooth. Very nice, well-placed double cap up top.” –Chris M. (Chris)

Aroma: 93

“When raising this cigar up to check the aroma, I was blasted with milk chocolate and I loved it.” –Jessica (Stogie Sister)

First Third

Flavor: 92
Strength: Mild-Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“After the light up I get a nice mix of cedar, bread notes, and fruit sweetness up top. Peaty earth and a creamy light roast coffee in the background. A bit of white pepper works its way in around an inch down.” –Chris M. (Chris)

“The maple notes upon lighting give way to toasted marshmallow notes.” –Sean F. (fullermaine)

Second Third

Flavor: 91
Strength: Mild-Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“White wine is fading into the background now and I'm able to pick out walnut, cream, with leather entering the finish. The smoke is oily now and coats the mouth. Retrohale initially sweetens the white wine but fades fast.” –Jessica (Stogie Sister)

“Throughout the second third, the blend maintains a medium body and settles into a lovely mix of smoky, spicy, and sweet honey flavors, reminiscent of classic ham glaze.” –Lauren S. (Lauren S.)

Final Third

Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“The cedar is now quite a bit out front. Buttery bread and creamy coffee float around the middle, with fruit sweetness dropping back with the white pepper. The floral notes gain a little sweetness, and closing in on the nub, they pick up. White pepper and a newly joined cinnamon also pick up at this point.” –Chris M. (Chris)

“In the final third, the sweetness has mostly faded, and the musky taste has returned. There is also an edgier, smoky, charred taste, especially on the retrohale. It almost borders on becoming harsh at times but never quite gets there, and I smoked it down to the nub.” –Lauren S. (Lauren S.)

Overall Impressions – Fratello The Lunar Cameroon

Draw: 96

” I used a straight cut to remove just a sliver off the cap. The draw is a little on the firm side, but plenty of air comes through. After the light it opens up just a bit.” –Chris M. (Chris)

Burn: 93

“No relights or touch-ups required. The cigar wanted to go out before the nub in the last third, so I let it put itself out. I will say the ash flowered out and therefore flaked off. I found myself tapping it frequently to avoid wearing ash petals.” –Jessica (Stogie Sister)

Construction: 94

“The draw loosened to where I like it. It needed zero corrections and zero attention. I was a little surprised because a thick vein was curling up through the wrapper to start. No harm, no foul.” –Chris M. (Chris)

Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Experience Overall: 93

“I think this cigar is a good transitional cigar for those looking to go into a more full-bodied cigar. It's not too light, or too dark, but straddles a good in-between.” –Jessica (Stogie Sister)

“The only thing going for this cigar was the flavor notes. Tons of oak notes that mix with notes of maple, toasted marshmallow, and chocolate. Veiny appearance along with the hard construction lead to unraveling and cracking. The burn started half way up the cigar that required touching up later on. Not a cigar I'd seek out or try again.” –Sean F. (fullermaine)

” I had a pretty enjoyable time with this one. The flavor profile wasn't one I gravitate toward frequently, but it was still pretty pleasant. I'd be more likely to smoke something along these lines in the Spring or Summer. The construction was amazing, it had a decent level of complexity and the transitions were sensible. I could definitely recommend giving this a shot, and I'd probably even pick a couple up to rotate in on occasion.” –Chris M. (Chris)

“The blend's flavor was perfect for my palate. It began with a deep musk, then transitioned into a delicious smoky honey glaze flavor before returning to a slightly edgier musk at the end. The cigar smoked great, with only minor burn issues in the second half, and I enjoyed it so much that I smoked it down to the nub. I'm excited to discover what this blend is so I can purchase some.” –Lauren S. (Lauren S.)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 84

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Fratello The Lunar Cameroon – Blind Cigar Review