Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Ecuadorian
Filler: Dominican / Nicaraguan
Vitola: Robusto (5 x 50)
Purchase Link: Fratello DMV Series
FRATELLO DMV D.C. REVIEW – CALIFORNIA
Summary: Appearance-wise, this cigar starts out on the right foot. Redwood and pepper. Sage. I'm giving the burn line a quick touch up while picking up vanilla and chocolate. It could be a result of the colder temperatures, but the voluminous smoke lingers as it pours out of both ends.
Second third and this cigar continues to make its way through the spice cabinet with the introduction of cinnamon. Horchata, baby! Orange.
There's a bit of funkiness in the final third that I can't quite pin down. Walnut brownies. Vegetal notes and chocolate at the finish.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Baked goods around Christmas time.
Pairing Suggestion: Chocolate Stout.
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Fiver.
FRATELLO DMV D.C. REVIEW – WISCONSIN
Summary: This cigar brings notes of cream, hickory, cereal grain, dark chocolate, coffee, and pecan - lots of pecan. There are times this cigar reminds me of butter pecan ice cream. It wins points for being an interesting and uncommon flavor experience in addition to being very enjoyable.
The burn and draw gave me no trouble at all.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Butter pecan.
Pairing Suggestion: Coffee.
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Box.
FRATELLO DMV D.C. REVIEW – OREGON
Summary: Nice smooth cold draw on this cigar but wow, it has a bitter taste at the cap. Let’s hope that’s not foreshadowing the profile. Lighting up... and yep, bitterness; like fresh cut oak and pencil eraser. Just, not good. There are some nice baking spice notes in the mix, but the bitterness is simply overpowering. Holding out for some saving grace and hope the, so far flawless, construction isn’t the only highlight.
Middle section features fresh cut grass and some generic wood flavors all surrounded by a blanket of bitterness.
End section really offers nothing redeeming at all.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Stubbing your toe on the bed at night.
Pairing Suggestion: Bourbon.
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Single.
Participants in this blind review were completely unaware of the cigar they were evaluating until all submissions were received and processed. Each participant was asked to answer a summary paragraph, an if/than statement, a pairing suggestion, and a purchase suggestion. Cigars were provided by Small Batch with only the expectations of candid responses. All pictures, information, and formatting were completed by a Coordinator outside of the reviewing process.
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