Fratello Vice Versa (Full) – Blind Cigar Review

Cigar Info

Omar de Frias' Fratello Cigars introduced an innovative cigar last year, Vice Versa, exclusive to PCA attendees in celebration of its 9th anniversary. First shown off during the PCA trade show on second week in July last year, Vice Versa embodies a unique concept in the cigar industry. De Frias describes this project as one of his most challenging endeavors, featuring a cigar that is triple-capped at both ends, offering smokers a choice to start with a mild and creamy or strong and spicy profile. In the case of this review, we had our reviewers start with the “Full” end, and we will follow up with another review form the “Mild” end.

Vice Versa is offered in a singular size, 7 x 52, with an MSRP of $15.00 per cigar, and is limited to 2,000 boxes of 12. The blend is crafted with a Habano Ecuador HVA wrapper, Indonesian binder, and fillers from Pennsylvania, Nicaragua Esteli, and Nicaragua Condega. Produced at the La Aurora Cigar Factory in the Dominican Republic, this project not only showcases Fratello's innovative blending skills but also contributes a portion of its proceeds to the PCA.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Churchill
Length: 7″
Ring Gauge: 52
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Ecuadorian HVA
Binder: Indonesia
Filler: Nicaragua, USA (Pennsylvania)
Factory: La Aurora S.A.
Blender: Omar de Frias
Number of reviewers: 5 – Mickey T. (irratebass) Alan (Eulogy) Jason H. (Jokey Smurf) Doug S. (Unpossible_1) John A. (Bostoneo)
Price: $15.00
Age: 7 Months
Release Date: February 2023
Contributed by: Fratello Cigars

Initial Impressions – Fratello Vice Versa (Full)

Appearance: 94

“This cigar is presented in a Churchill or double toro size and looks really interesting with a medium brown shade wrapper leaf. The cap is Maduro shade while the foot is Connecticut… like I said interesting!” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

Aroma: 88

“Very strong leather and fresh rubber notes come from a rather loose cold draw. On the nose, faint scents of leather & cream give a neutral profile.” –John A. (Bostoneo)

First Third

Flavor: 89
Strength: Mild-Medium
Body/Complexity: Light-Medium

“The cold draw was a bit tight and gave me some nice black tea notes. Upon lighting the first flavors continue with sweet black tea and light black pepper through the nose. As the cigar warms a burnt sugar note comes into play and lasts well into the next puff. As a side note: the people around me stated the cigar smelled great and wanted to know what I was smoking!” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

“There is a huge tunnel that appeared and this has become a chore to even get smoke to develop. The favors aren't bad with notes of brown bread, baking spice, and mild pepper but it is taking way too much effort to even keep it lit.” –Alan (Eulogy)

Second Third

Flavor: 91
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“Picking up a little bit of leather in the beginning of this third. The leather has taken a back seat and cream is arriving to this party. The caramel is mixing with the cream quite nice, but it's only on the retrohale for now.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

“Halfway through the red pepper tightens up and takes over things, leaving the sweet and earthy notes behind. It really is heating things up for me, but I'm not complaining. Much like when you're eating something with some heat in it, but it is so good, you can't stop eating. That delicate balance of pain and pleasure permeates as you realize it isn't as hot as you first thought.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)

Final Third

Flavor: 90
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“Picking up more wood notes than before, but still tasting the nuttiness as well. The sweetness has returned, but it's a different sweetness this time… like cream and cinnamon mixed together good combo. Picking up lots of leather and wood as I near the end. The strength did go up to a medium because of the leather and wood.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

“The last portion of this cigar has become very different with a significant increase of the charred oak flavors and a total disappearance of the caramelized sugar sweetness. The cigar is still very good but is not hitting the spot like it did in the middle portion. Through the nose, the pepper has increased to the point where I no longer retrohale every puff. Overall this portion is my least favorite as the finish of each puff is a bit harsh and leaves my palate feeling a bit dirty.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

Overall Impressions – Fratello Vice Versa (Full)

Draw: 87

“Cigar appeared to have the right amount of draw, slightly looser.” –John A. (Bostoneo)

Burn: 84

“Burn is uneven and requires touchups but evened out in the final third.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)

Construction: 89

“This was a finely constructed cigar. It was visually attractive with the three different wrapper leaves and performed very well. I was particularly pleased with the ash strength which never fell off on my lap!” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Experience Overall: 90

“Overall this was a great cigar with plenty of flavor notes such as wood, cream, nuts, cinnamon, leather, and floral. The cigar was never boring as the transitions kept coming. I would gladly smoke this again and I'd say this at least a fiver worth.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

“Pretty terrible overall. It looked pretty but performed horribly. There were several tunnels that caused a wildly uneven burn that not even several touch-ups could resolve. The worst part was the draw that required constant puffing or it would go out and even when it would produce some was thin and burned tasting.” –Alan (Eulogy)

“The first two portions of this cigar were as fine as any I've had in a long time..: really damn good! The final portion, however, didn't carry that through and left me wanting to brush my teeth. The middle section was so good that I will buy some more to try after the reveal in the hope the next one finishes better. I'll recumbent this to others based on the beginning and middle…it was Just too good not to share. Honestly, based on price I'd consider buying these and tossing the final third if it didn't improve. Definitely something I want to try again!” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

“I wanted to really give high praise for this cigar. When doing a blind review and coming across something so familiar, it almost gets your hopes up too much. The anticipation and buildup can end up having the opposite effect of one you'd expect. Fortunately, this wasn't completely the case for me. Sure, there were some issues related to construction, but I do feel like it was able to overcome them and give me an experience I would not mind repeating. With flavors like salt, sweet tobacco and marzipan blending together in harmony, this worked out well for me.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)

“This is my shortest cigar review ever. Upon lighting up this sample, things seemed to be taking off, however the cigar kept stalling out and becoming unlit no matter how much fire or puffing was put to it. Unfortunately, this sample was a lost cause.” –John A. (Bostoneo)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 111

To view the complete scores and notes, click here

Fratello Vice Versa (Full) – Blind Cigar Review