IPCPR 2019: Fratello

While Omar de Frias’ Fratello usually has at least one new product every year for the IPCPR Convention & Trade Show, this year features more than usual for the brand. In addition to a new Navetta Inverso release, there is a new smaller size in the Classico line as well as a special Space Fresh Pack sampler that includes four 6 x 50 toros, two of which are new blends rolled at Joya de Nicaragua in Estelí, Nicaragua.

Although some elements from past years remained, the Fratello booth was virtually all new for this year’s show, featuring more room for support staff to do their jobs behind the scenes while de Frias worked his magic. There is also some new swag items for the steady stream of customers, including an interesting crab mallet.

Fratello Arlequin

One of the two new blends that are only available in the Space Fresh Pack, Arlequin—also known as Harlequin—gets its name from a comedic servant for the Italian theatre Commedia dell’arte.

• Wrapper: Mexico
• Binder: Ecuador
• Filler: Nicaragua & Peru

• Fratello Arlequin (6 x 50) — $6.25 (Sampler of 4, $25)

Production: Regular Production

Release Date: July 2019

Fratello Sorella

The second of two new blends that are available exclusively in the Space Fresh Pack, Sorella translates to Sister from Italian.

• Wrapper: Ecuador (Habano)
• Binder: Indonesia
• Filler: Dominican Republic & Nicaragua

• Fratello Sorella (6 x 50) — $6.25 (Sampler of 4, $25)

Production: Regular Production

Release Date: July 2019

Fratello Classico Toro

While this is an existing blend, the 6 x 50 vitola is currently only available in the Space Fresh Pack.

• Wrapper: Ecuador (Habano)
• Binder: Ecuador (Sumatra)
• Filler: Nicaragua & Peru

• Fratello Classico Toro (6 x 50) — $6.25 (Sampler of 4, $25)

Production: Regular Production

Release Date: July 2019 

Fratello Navetta Inverso The Boxer

After introducing the Navetta Inverso blend last year, the newest addition to the line is in the company’s signature 6 1/4 x 52 box-pressed torpedo size known as the Boxer.

• Wrapper: Nicaragua
• Binder: Ecuador
• Filler: Dominican Republic & Nicaragua

• Fratello Navetta Inverso The Boxer (6 1/4 x 52) — $13 (Box of 20, $260)

Production: Regular Production

Release Date: July 2019

Fratello Classico Piccolo

Finally, the company introduced the smallest vitola in its Classico line to date, the 4 x 34 Piccolo. While it shares the same name, this vitola’s blend is different: the Piccolo incorporates an Ecuadorian habano wrapper while the rest of the Classico line is covered in a Nicaraguan habano leaf.

• Wrapper: Ecuador (Habano)
• Binder: Indonesia
• Filler: Dominican Republic & Nicaragua

• Fratello Classico Piccolo (4 x 34) — $3.30 (Box of 100, $330)

Production: Regular Production

Release Date: August 2019