Reviews by Billy

EP Carrillo is a name we all know and love. Even before entwining myself in the cigar world, Casa Carrillo rang a bell. I’ve heard of Dark Rituals in the past but was intrigued by the new iteration. I love comeback stories and Dark Rituals emerged like a Phoenix from the ashes.

The first thing I noticed was the sleek band sitting atop the dark Pennsylvania Broadleaf Maduro wrapper. It instantly grabbed my attention and was just the beginning of what would be a wonderful journey. After a quick cut I was excited to experience what was to come.

The cold draw left a little taste of dark chocolate on my lips. I’ll admit, I’m not always the best with a lighter, but to my pleasant surprise Dark Rituals lit up nice and evenly for me. The first third was filled with nuances of dark chocolate and even a little taste of black licorice. A salt and pepper ash started to build with each smooth draw.

It’s a common misconception to think that a Maduro wrapper equates to a full-bodied profile. As I got to the second third, Dark Rituals was proof that Maduros can be quite smooth. The dark chocolate made way to a more earthy and charred oak vibe. As I puffed away, I realized that even light was a precursor to the even burn that I am enjoying.

The final third gets a little spicy, bringing out notes of black pepper. It was like a subtle nudge to make sure I was still paying attention. Dark Rituals provided a well balanced and layered journey that allowed me to appreciate the aged tobaccos and expert craftmanship that went into blending this bad boy.

After a little more than an hour of taking this medium-bodied journey, it was time for the final ash. From the initial toasting down to the final nub, Dark Rituals did not disappoint. A return from a hiatus can lead to a bit of let down, but EP Carrillo Dark Rituals nailed this return!

I’m not typically a fan of box-pressed cigars. I like the freedom of rolling around a premium handmade as I enjoy what it has to offer. But hey, when something comes across my desk, I’m going to give it a try. Fratello Arlequin’s sleek blue band around its Mexican San Andres wrapper make it immediately eye-catching.

I was familiar with Fratello in the past. Omar De Frias decided to walk away from a job at NASA to follow his heart and start blending cigars. I figured, hey if Omar was good enough for NASA, of course I’ll give Fratello a try.

After giving it a quick cut, Arlequin surprised me with a smooth, earthy cold draw. The box-pressed toro held firm and was quick to toast. The initial puffs gave a subtle cocoa sweetness with an almost floral like aroma filling the room. It burned evenly as I worked it down, and I was pleasantly surprised as my box-pressed trepidation was alleviating.

As I arrived at the second third of this medium to full-bodied trip, nuance of oak and leather took over with each smooth draw. The flavor transition was subtle, but unmistakable. The white gray ash held strong showing off the solid construction, to about an inch and a half before finally falling to the ashtray.  

The final third continued with the smooth oak but added a touch of dark chocolate on the retrohale. It was a slow burn, but one that didn’t need a touch up. The flavor profile didn’t waver as I approached the nub and Arlequin stayed through to itself the whole way through.  

For 90 minutes Fratello Arlequin played the role of a great coworker. It was there to support when needed without being overbearing. All in all, I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed this box-pressed treat. Whether paired with a morning coffee, or an after work stiff drink, Arlequin will answer the call. Like a role player on a championship team, Arlequin doesn’t need the spotlight to prove its value. But when given a shot, it delivers.