Fratello Cigars is one company I grew accustomed to when I first started in this industry. Omar de Frias, the founder of Fratello, was one of the first manufacturers I ever met.
Omar, who stands at six feet and seven inches, was a former basketball player for the Dominican Republic. When he retired, de Frias worked with NASA from 2004 to 2012.
At NASA, Omar was offered a project management position, where his projects included launching space shuttles and satellites into orbit and beyond. Always known as the “cigar guy” at NASA, Omar decided that he had already concurred a professional sport and NASA, so why not go head-on into an industry he’s always admired and adored?
In 2013, Omar officially announced he was launching Fratello Cigars, and us cigar lovers were taken by surprise with every single one of his cigar lines.
Fratello Arlequin
The Fratello cigars review we're carrying out today is one of my all-time favorites. Released in 2019 as a part of the Fratello Space Fresh Pack, the Fratello Arlequin deserves a spot in your humidor as soon as possible!
“Arlequin”, translating from a 16th-century Italian theater character, this wild and unpredictable cigar was manufactured at the Joya de Nicaragua factory. When smoking this cigar, you’ll detect a plethora of different tobaccos on your palate that makes up this gorgeous-looking smoke.
Aged for six months, Omar released this gem alongside the Fratello Sorella, which was strategically released to gather the consumer's feedback and see which blend they’d prefer to become a regular release.
Low and behold, the Fratello Arlequin came out on top.
This was the seventh time I smoked this gorgeous stogie, but it is the first time I am reviewing it. So, let’s dive in as I share my thoughts on the Fratello Arlequin Robusto Prensado.
Cigar Specs
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Strength: Medium to Full
Wrapper: Mexican San Andres
Binder: Ecuador Habano
Filler: Nicaragua and Peru
Smoke Time: 65 Minutes
Sizes Available:
- Fratello Arlequin Toro Prensado (6.12 x 54)
- Fratello Arlequin Robusto Prensado (5.5 x 52)
Notes on the Cold Draw
The Aroma I detected before lighting this bad boy up was like a bonfire; a mixture of sweet wood, cedar, and charcoal.
As I took a straight cut to the Arlequin, I took a few cold draw puffs, and my taste buds instantly spotted the cedar and charcoal I smelled in the aroma test.
A touch of dried fruit, such as raisins also were very present on my palate as well.
Notes on the First Third
Fifteen minutes into the first third, all the tastes in the cold draw disappeared, and I was overpowered with some of my personal favorite flavors.
An abundance of cinnamon and dark chocolate came to the forefront and they were living rent-free on my taste buds throughout the entire smoke.
Notes on the Second Third
Once I got to the second third, I was very happy that the dried fruit note came back into play and balanced well alongside the chocolate and cinnamon.
Another note as I was getting closer to the final third was a touch of coffee. I was excited to see if I tasted more of that as I entered the final third of this gem from Fratello.
Notes on the Final Third
The coffee note lasted all but five minutes. The flavors from the previous two-thirds (chocolate, cinnamon, raisins) remained prominent throughout.
Although I did not get a coffee note on my palate, I did detect a mouthful of freshly cut grass. I’ve been detecting that taste in a lot of my cigars lately, and I’m wondering if that’s what a Mexican San Andres wrapper gives off.
But at the end of it all, the four prominent notes I tasted in the Arlequin were chocolate, cinnamon, freshly cut grass, and raisin.
Strength of Fratello Arlequin
At first glance, the darkness of the wrapper may be intimidating. It looks a lot more of a fuller-bodied smoke than it is. Once lit, it was harsh in the beginning. However, as I made my way through the first two-thirds, it evened out and became mellower and meeker.
One thing I’m finding out about myself is that I like the appearance of a darker cigar that may come off more full-bodied. But when I light it up and smoke it, I’m a total fan of a medium-bodied smoke now that I’m reviewing cigars throughout this wonderful industry.
Pairings
It took me some time to do so, but I finally got my hands on some Fratello beer. Yes, you heard that correctly. Not only does Omar make cigars, but he ALSO crafts beer.
I was able to snag a few cans of the Fratello Mexican Lager, which is more my speed. I don’t mind IPAs, but I feel like I need to be in the mood for them.
The light, crispness of the Mexican Lager paired deliciously with the flavor notes and dark wrapper of the Arlequin. I highly recommend getting a few cans of Fratello beer to pair alongside any Fratello cigar you’re thinking about lighting up.
My Final Thoughts
With the Robusto Prensado priced at $171.00 for a box of 20, and the Toro Prensado priced at $189.00 for a box of 20, you’re looking anywhere between $8.55 to $9.45 per cigar.
The MSRP on an individual stick of the Arlequin is extremely affordable for anyone looking for a delicious smoke to add to their collection.
Only available in two sizes, for now, I’d recommend going to cigars.com right now and getting a box of the cigar that is made with all the love and care in the world, the Fratello Arlequin!