Staff Reviews

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.  

I went into this cigar completely blind, not knowing a damn thing about what I was about to light up, and it paid off. It essentially felt like cracking open a mystery box, and what I got in return was a cigar that actually lived up to its lore.
Right away, what caught my attention was the licorice red band that twisted up the cigar like a snake, boldly carrying the name Fratello. Now I will be honest, the Habano wrapper really wasn’t a selling point for me. It’s just not my go-to preference. Still, that unique presentation and raw curiosity really were enough to get me to clip a little off the cap and torch the foot without reluctance.
From the initial draw, I was greeted with nutty and cedar notes that are great indicators for me. It was one of those moments when the stars aligned. Not only was there mystery behind this cigar, but it was already delivered on the type of profile I looked for early on. Naturally, I reached for my phone and started digging into the brand to see what I was dealing with here.
That’s when things took an unexpected turn. Lo and behold, the backstory was out of this world, literally. The man behind Fratello, Omar de Frias, actually came from NASA. That alone added a whole new layer to the experience. You’re not just puffing away on a cigar anymore; you’re holding a piece of something built by someone who helped explore the final frontier. It’s a wild crossover, and honestly, it made the whole thing even more enjoyable.
Back to the cigar itself, the burn was solid, holding a clean and impressive ash throughout. However, I did pick up on a slight bitterness during the first portion that didn’t click for my taste. It lingered just enough to bother me, though it wasn’t overwhelming. The good news is that as the cigar dwindled, it began to smooth out. By the second half, it settled into a more balanced state, bringing on hints of leather layered with a subtle creaminess that rounded out the rest of the cigar pretty well.
As I wrapped this cigar up, scrolling through articles, browsing through their website, and even watching a quick documentary, it all came together. Fratello isn’t just another cigar brand trying to make some noise. It’s genuinely fascinating, with a story that stands apart from the rest. 
Overall, this is worth trying, especially if you enjoy cigars that evolve and carry a story with them. While it wasn’t perfect from start to finish, it delivered a unique experience that I can look back too fondly. I’ll definitely be diving deeper with what Fratello has to offer, likely doing it the right way. With my feet kicked up, my head tilted back, and as puffs of smoke plume above into the starry night sky.

Listen up. I am not one to lean toward a Corojo wrapped cigar, heck, even a box-press, but let me tell you, the Liga Privada H99 Churrasco flipped my perspective. The first thing that grabbed my attention was the color of this wrapper, a rich crimson tint with a hue of deep chocolate brown. This, plus the beautiful cedar-lined box, had me entranced and ready to dive in and give it a shot. No regrets here.

The initial draw made me realize how toothy the wrapper was, which had me anticipating all the layers to those flavorful natural oils. Spoiler alert, the Churrasco smoothly delivers. Right from the start, I was puffing away on a variety of flavors like cedar, deep cocoa, and a slight peppery kick that lingered on the back of my tongue. After that I really didn't get notes of anything else, those several notes stayed consistent and pure. Which usually isn't my cup of tea, I prefer a creamy cigar with a spectrum of flavorful notes. But for some reason, I kept picking this bad boy up and have been craving my second cigar ever since. A small Corojo journey took me to a point where I have been now pining about Corojo wrapped cigars and even more so, the Liga Privada H99 Churrasco by Drew Estate.

This is one of those cigars an aficionado can appreciate, but it’s also approachable enough for someone who’s only had a couple cigars in their life. It layers nuanced flavors over a medium bodied profile, making it a standout cigar no matter where you are in your cigar journey.

Liga Privada H99 Churrasco. Delivered in a 6” x 50 box-pressed toro, Churrasco lands in the hand with the confidence of a steakhouse waiter who already knows what you’re ordering, and who can blame it whilst adorning the name Liga Privada. Heavy. Dense. Absolutely stuffed to the gills. I’ll admit, I braced myself for the dreaded tight draw - the cigar equivalent of trying to drink a milkshake through a coffee stirrer. But fear not. A few draws in and it opens up for a perfect puff.

The opening notes lean rustic: hay, barnyard, and a sweet spice that hangs around on the tongue. It’s earthy but polite - boots on, hat tipped. About a half inch in, things take a turn. The hay packs up and leaves town, the spice politely excuses itself, and suddenly we’re in dessert territory. Sweetness takes center stage, with creamy, vanilla bean-esque notes that feel more pastry shop than pasture.

From there on out, the H99 Churrasco cruises. It stays smooth, composed, and remarkably well-behaved. The spice never really makes a comeback, and the cigar never flexes harder than it needs to. For a Liga Privada, this is downright approachable - no chest-thumping, no palate punishment, just a medium-bodied, refined smoke that knows not every conversation needs to be shouted. The box-press shines, in both mouthfeel and performance. A few touchups were required, but nothing to fuss about.

In short: H99 Churrasco is Liga Privada wearing a silk shirt instead of a leather jacket...and it pulls it off beautifully.