While hanging out with some friends down in south Florida this past week, I had the opportunity to sit down with Allen Sanabria, Co-Founder of Family By Loyalty Cigars. I have known Allen for years and most recently spent some time with him at this year’s PCA. Of course, PCA is all business, whereas this was just a relaxing afternoon on the back deck of Ismael R. Olivan’s home with fellow Brothers of the Leaf. If you don’t know, Ismael (Ish) is the owner of B.A.M.F. Cigars another small premium cigar company. Before Allen departed the gathering, he gifted me a couple of samples of his company’s newest cigars to hit the market – box pressed toro versions of his famed FREKI and FENRER lines.
As for the Freki Box Pressed, Allen told me:
“I always wanted to make a box pressed cigar and when the factory presented me with samples of the new vitola, I knew it lived up to its opulent name and I feel the Freki Box Pressed unequivocally earns its place as a must-have in any discerning aficionado’s humidor.”
The bold blend is basically the same as the original with a slight tweak to allow it to be box pressed:
- Wrapper: Mexican San Andres
- Binder: Criollo 98
- Filler: Criollo 98, Corojo, Nicaragua, Pennsylvania
They are expressed in a (6 x 52) Box Pressed Toro and comes packaged in 10-count boxes with an MSRP of $14.26.
As with all Family By Loyalty cigars, this one is handcrafted at the Blackbird Dominicana factory, in Tamboril, DR.
For this review I sampled one of the Freki Box Pressed Toros and as you will read, it only took one for me to be impressed.
Pre-Light Examination
Right out of the cellophane, I was impressed with the Freki Box Press construction. It has a toothy dark brown wrapper that exhibits all but invisible seams and practically no veins. There is a slight oily sheen to the wrapper. The cigar has a crisp pressing from head to foot. It has a slight give along the barrel. A well applied cap finishes the construction.
The Freki Box Pressed is adorned with two bands. The primary black, gold, and grey band boldly displays the company’s logo in the center. This is the same band that is used on all the company’s cigars. A secondary blue and white band is placed just below the primary and declares this as the FREKI San Andres.
Moving from the visual inspection it was time to move onto to some aromatherapy. I ran the barrel along the nose and was treated to a light floral note while the foot exuded a richer floral and sweet tobacco notes.
Using my double blade Xikar cutter, I sliced the cap straight across the shoulder of the cigar and proceeded to give it some cold draws that I found to be perfect in restriction and offered a medium peppery note that slowly grows and tantalizes the palate the more I drew on it. A few more cold draws and sweet tobacco notes start to unfold on the palate.
I warmed the foot to an even orange glow and drew in the first puffs of pepper and caramel smoke to start the journey. Follow along as I burn this one to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- White pepper and caramel notes start the journey
- Gentle floral notes evolve in the background
- A light grey ash forms on top of a thin char line
- Sweet vanilla cream joins the mix, balancing things out nicely
- The draw is smooth with full volume of smoke
- Rich chocolate notes enter deep in the first third
- Tantalizing mint nuance brightens the profile starting the second third
- Natural sweetness forms in the core
- Mouthwatering citrus rind adds to the already pleasant profile
- The early chocolate morphs into a darker chocolate note midway
- A sweet lingering nut rests on the palate
- Gentle spice graces the palate deep in the second third
- The extreme ash finally gives way revealing a well-formed and centered burn cone
- Moving in and through the final an earthy note evolves to the finish
- Medium in Strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 40 minutes
Final Analysis
The Family By Loyalty Cigars – Freki Box Press Toro journey begins with subtle notes of white pepper and caramel, laying a flavorful foundation. In the background, gentle floral hints gradually unfold, adding a delicate complexity. A light grey ash forms atop a thin char line, marking the cigar’s steady progress. Sweet vanilla cream enters the mix, providing a harmonious balance to the developing flavors. The draw remains smooth, offering a full volume of smoke with each puff. Rich chocolate notes make an appearance deep in the first third, adding depth to the profile. As the cigar progresses into the second third, a tantalizing hint of mint brightens the overall experience. Natural sweetness emerges at the core, complemented by the addition of mouthwatering citrus rind, which enhances the already pleasant profile. Midway, the initial chocolate transforms into a darker, more robust chocolate. A sweet, lingering nutty note rests gently on the palate, while a subtle spice graces the taste buds deep into the second third. Moving through the final, an earthy note evolves, bringing the experience to an extremely satisfying finish. This is by far an amazing cigar and should be in everyone’s rotation. It should be approachable to all cigar enthusiasts with its complex yet balanced medium strength profile. Most certainly a box buy, if you are looking for a flavorful and satisfying experience. The extreme ash is just an added bonus overall. I rate this a rock solid 98.
Point Deductions – NONE
Bonus Points: (+1) Box Buy; (+1) Extreme Ash; (+1) Pristine Burn; (+1) Balanced and Pleasurable Complexity
