Wrapper: Ecuadorian
Binder: USA
Filler: Dominican, Nicaraguan, USA
Size: 5.5 x 54 Robusto Extra
Strength: Medium
Price: $10.00
Date Released: July 2024
Quantity Released: 1,000 Canisters of 12
Factory: Undisclosed
My cigars received 5 months of naked humidor time.
The Fratello website claims that the blend is undisclosed but wily Ben Rotem of LCC discovered the secret.
BACKGROUND:
From Luxury Cigar Club:
“The Fratello Concealed Carry Detroit River marks the second chapter in Fratello’s exclusive small-batch Concealed Carry program, paying tribute to one of the most iconic moments of America’s Prohibition era. Released in July 2024 and limited to only 1,000 canisters of 12 cigars, this edition embodies the spirit of defiance and resilience that defined the Detroit River’s notorious history as a smuggling route.
“Each 54 x 5 ½ Robusto comes in striking packaging adorned with imagery of law enforcement dumping confiscated alcohol into the Detroit River—a symbol of both the crackdown on bootlegging and the unyielding determination of those who defied the 18th Amendment.”
THE WHOLE MEGILLAH:
First, with only 1,000 canisters of 12 cigars released in 2024, my review sticks have over one year of box aging. I love it when one doesn’t need to tap your fingers waiting for your babies to grow into nicely balanced cigars. Most cigars, if they are lucky, get 6 weeks of rest after being rolled before they are inserted into boxes.
As I’ve stated many times, I prefer to leave reviewing the bad cigars to others who have more patience than I. It is heartbreaking that nearly two thirds of the cigars I buy do not become worthy my time. But the other third are gems. It’s an expensive process to venture into reviewing.
This is a fat cigar with solid girth and height. There are bulbous veins that give the appearance of an angry red planet.
The wrapper gives off the expected aromas from an Ecuadorian leaf: honey, floral, milk chocolate, soft caramel, warm milk, and a touch of barnyard.
My PerfecPunch works flawlessly. I prefer the small circular hole in the cap in lieu of the off-with-their-head version. There is no right or wrong way…it’s about personal preferences. The cold draw is simple with a résumé of sassafras, cool mint, malt, and a perfect example of S’mores with dark chocolate, marshmallows, and graham cracker.
A sweet start with chocolate sparingly touching the palate, black plums, and toffee. On the savory side: black coffee, malt lager, and black pepper. I smoked two sticks early and I decided they need more time. I was right. Cigars need to breathe. Often, instead of entirely removing the cello, I cut the frivolous end of the cello which exposes the foot. This works well while protecting a cigar’s fragile flesh from unclipped fingernails. This would be my only complaint of naked sticks…being careful, and I don’t enjoy being careful. I’m not a patient man.
The construction is excellent. The cigar plumps from the heat. The char line is sharp. And I find humor in naming a cigar line Concealed Carry.
A trace of lemon snickerdoodles appears at half an inch burned. Cinnamon makes forced entry. I received my first conceal carry permit in 1998. Arizona required that I take 16 hours of classroom and practical time on the range. Now, you just need to be able to breathe to get your permit. I loved getting a dispersal of knowledge from so many instructors that I signed up for two more permit classes so I’d have the benefit of different instructors. Gun owners shouldn’t be so persnickety about learning. When you think you know everything, you’re SOL.
The first inch was about the intake of Ecuadorian leaf and its sweet floral notes. Slowly, the influence of Dominican took shape with its warm roundness and stylish mouth feel. The Nicaraguan influence is minimal as I normally expect some real punch from those leaves. But this blend is about delivering a medium strength cigar to the buyer which is perfect for that first cigar of the day. The USA influence is nebulous at this time. Is it Broadleaf? Maybe, as there is a nice toasty earthiness in play typical of that leaf.
I introduced my 11-year-old daughter to gun safety and range time. It’s never too young to teach your children. I took her to classes and she was truly interested…even in the laborious legal stuff. We went to an indoor range and she excelled. I learned that women, while in the learning process, have a natural skill when it comes to target practice above that of men. My daughter proved that as she embarrassed the men who loved to brag about their tricked-out pistols.
The blend shifts to a simple earthiness. Complexity is minimal. But it is a charming blend. I remind myself that after promo codes, this is an $8.50 cigar. These days, that’s inexpensive. I have 4” to go. Often, an inexpensive cigar will not blast off in that first inch but will take itself seriously further on down the road.
The maltiness takes off. It’s very nice. Creaminess begins which elevates the blend. The fruitiness kicks in deeper and the toffee is accentuated. It took an inch and half to get going. Do I wish it started this way? Sure. But this is at least a 90-minute smoke so if I can get 75 minutes of enjoyment from an $8.50 cigar, I’m good.
In the early 2000’s, we lived in NorCal because of a new job. I still carried my Glock in my briefcase despite no longer having a permit. Once, exiting the freeway, I got rear ended and the woman took off. My company car was totaled. I was shaken up and hadn’t noticed that my .45 had been thrown from my briefcase and sat on the floor of the passenger side. The cops showed up. One officer walked with me to inspect the damage on the inside of my car. My eyes did an Alley Oop when I saw my gun laying naked and exposed. I bent over, grabbed it, shoved it into my briefcase, turned around and saw the cop not paying attention. I don’t know if he saw it or not. But this was California. I waited for my ride back to work along with the cop and no mention of my illegal carry came up. I stopped carrying until we moved to Chicago 4 years later. It was like going from the frying pan into the fire. For work, I had to travel through some seedy areas as I was project manager for what would become the largest convention center on the planet. I began to carry again. In my eyes, it was better to be arrested for carrying without a permit then be dead. I am not advocating illegality on your part. It was wrong to carry in states who will prosecute the shit out of you. It’s a terrifying choice. Other countries look upon the citizens of the USA as a bunch of cowboys. Maybe they’re right, but we can’t stuff Pandora back into the box and most gun owners abide by the law. We are a gun society and nothing will ever change that. It’s a shame that the bad apples ruin things for the law abiding and responsible gun owners.
The best I can say about this Fratello is that it was pleasant. It didn’t shake the earth and my palate wanted more. Sometimes Fratello can hit it out of the park with their Arlequin series or their Lunar Cameroon. But I’ve had experiences with other blends like the Bianco Nero Riserva, the Vice Versa, and the Oro that were merely OK. The Concealed Carry Detroit River may be in the latter category. This is my third stick for the review. One was exceptional, one was not so exceptional, and this morning’s cigar is in between.
I expect a lot from the second half. I am being let down. Normally, the first half is a precursor to good things to come. But this blend is dying on the vine. It could be any blend out of a million catalog blends with similar leaf stats. It started with such hope that I am left dazed and confused.
Strength remains at medium. The body of the blend remains at medium. I will give it another inch and if the blend doesn’t perk up, I’m calling it.
This is a bummer that all the proselytizing in the world won’t help. This was a swing and a miss for Fratello. The cigar was released over a year ago and it seems like I’m the first knucklehead to review it. Honestly, if I had seen a couple reviews giving me a heads up, I may not have spent time on this cigar. I’m going to eat breakfast, Waterpik, and light up a Casdagli.
You can purchase Fratello Concealed Carry Detroit River from sponsor Luxury Cigar Club. Take 15% off with promo code KATMAN15.
RATING: 86
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Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS
Can’t put Pandora back in the box is exactly right. The only reason I’ve got the small arms collection I do is because I know there are plenty of totally unhinged and bad people out there with bigger collections. That said, I refuse to be part of the problem and never carry in public. I made that decision after an 8 year old girl was murdered in a road rage incident in my city. And if my convictions put me at a disadvantage one day I’ll just have to live with it, or possibly die for them. In the meantime I just try to drive defensively. And thanks for reminding me I’ve got some gran marevas and basilica petit robustos that should be nice and ripe, plus a reason to celebrate this afternoon. Too bad this stick is mediocre I love prohibition imagery despite being a teetotaler haha.
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I grew up in Detroit and don’t think I would buy anything named after the Detroit River… let alone put it in my mouth. No need to go into why.
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I completely agree with you about this one. It was so dull, I struggled with staying awake while smoking it. To me, it tasted like Honeycomb cereal combined with pork lard and buttermilk, with a hint of croutons evolved from a vaginal yeast infection. You know what I mean, right? I’m anxious to see if you’ll review the blood medicine cigar.
-Aaron
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