Introduced in 2016, the Fratello Oro was the cigar that completed the Fratello Cigars portfolio. Described as a Mild to Medium smoke it filled a void in the lineup. Now with its availability, Fratello Cigars has a complete line of cigars to fit the varied palates of the cigar market. The name Oro translates to “gold” and golden it is, from its golden tan Ecuadorian Connecticut shade wrapper to the gold, black, white band that adorns the cigar.
Of interest is the fact that Omar de Frias, owner of Fratello Cigars has chosen to use the La Aurora Cigar factory in his home country of the Dominican Republic. The two earlier releases of the Fratello products were made at the Joya de Nicaragua factory in Nicaragua.
The blend of the Fratello Oro is described as:
- Wrapper – Ecuadorian Connecticut
- Binder – Cameroon
- Filler – Dominican Republic and Nicaragua.
Omar certainly has knack of finding some amazing tobacco to blend his cigars and the Oro is no exception.
The Fratello Oro is available as a full production cigar with six vitolas and packaged in 20-count bright yellow boxes.
- Shorty (4 x 58) – MSRP $8.50
- Robusto (5 x 50) – MSRP $8.25
- Corona (5 1/2 x 47)- MSRP $8.00
- Gordo (6 x 60) – MSRP $9.50
- The Boxer Oro (6 1/4 x 52 Box Pressed) – MSRP $9.75
- Toro (6 1/4 x 54) – MSRP $9.00
Let’s start to break down this cigar beauty which I received from Omar at this years IPCPR for the purpose of reviewing on Stogie Press. For this review I sampled the Fratello Oro Rubusto.
Pre-Light Examination
After a week of stormy weather here in Florida, I awoke early on Saturday morning to a cool and dry day. My trusty smoking buddy, Ziggy joined me on the patio as the sun rose with a blue sky graced with puffy white clouds. It was a good day to start with a fine Connecticut cigar and the Fratello Oro was the choice.
The Fratello Oro has a golden tan wrapper that has a few veins running along it. There is a slight bumpy feel to the barrel but something I would describe as rustic. The packing is tight and it is finished with a simple cap.
There are two bands on the Fratello Oro; the primary is the standard Fratello band but in a bright Gold, Black,and White motif, instead of the traditional Red, Black and White of previous releases. I suppose this represents it as the Oro and maybe to distinguish it as being produced at a different factory and country. The secondary band is a footer band in the same motif as the original but has the word “ORO” centered in it.
Running the Fratello Oro along the nose I picked up sweet hay off the foot but not much along the barrel. I opened it up with a double blade cutter and the gave it a few cold draw puffs. There was some restriction in the draw while notes of pepper and fruit graced my clean morning palate.
So far so good. It was time to ignites the engine of the Fratello Oro and see how it performs.
Cigar Review Notes
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- Initial light has more than its fair share of pepper
- The pepper settles after a half-inch as my nasals are open we can begin second stage burn
- Creamy smoke with fruit and a touch of bitters
- Smoke volume picks up after an inch plus of burn
- Nutty sweetness develops end of first third
- Ash holds on tight, light grey with a touch of flake to it
- Straight even med burn line
- Nut aroma evolves
- Butter adds to the profile coating the palate
- A nice sheen develops on the wrapper
- Ash fell after two inches
- Perfectly centered burn cone
- Fruit picks up in the second third
- Spice enters final third
- More medium than mild in strength
- Total Smoking time was 1 hour and 10 minutes
Overall, the Fratello Oro was certainly a pleasing smoking experience though not overly complex the flavors were delightful. The burn was pristine offering no problems through the journey. I agree with Omar that this filled the void in the Fratello lineup. This is a cigar that would pair well with a coffee in the morning or a nice rum cocktail in the afternoon. If I experienced this cigar in 2016 it certainly would have placed in my top 25 Connecticut cigars for the year.
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