Fratello The Lunar Connecticut (Toro)

Today, we review “Fratello The Lunar Connecticut.” This is one of three cigars released in the “Fratello The Lunar” series. The Lunar is a series of cigars that were introduced in 2023 and commemorate the NOVA-C IM-1 Lunar Landing Project. Fratello Cigars founder Omar de Frias spent many years working for NASA. In the past, he has incorporated space themes into his releases, including the Navetta, Navetta Inverso, and Space Fresh Pack. The Lunar is being done in collaboration with Steve Altemus, the former NASA Deputy Center Director for Johnson Space Center and founder of Intuitive Machines. Intuitive Machines designed, launched and built the Nova-C Lunar Lander. De Frias got to know Altemus when both were at NASA, leading to the collaboration.

The Lunar Collection consists of three blends: Connecticut, Cameroon, and Dominican Puro. The Cameroon and Connecticut units are packaged in units similar to the NOVA-C IM-1 Lunar Lander design. The Dominican Puro comes in a larger commemorative humidor, also reminiscent of the NOVA-IM-1 humidor.

Fratello The Lunar Collection. Left to Right: Cameroon, Dominican Puro (Humidor), and Connecticut. Photo Credit: Fratello Cigars

Without further ado, let’s examine The Lunar Connecticut and see what this cigar offers.

Fratello The Lunar Connecticut – Cigar Review

SPECIFICATIONS

Blend and Origin

Wrapper: Connecticut Shade
Binder: Mexican
Filler: Dominican, Nicaraguan, Cameroon
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Factory: La Aurora S.A.

Vitolas Offered

The Lunar Connecticut is a limited-production cigar in one size: a 6 x 50 Toro. As mentioned, the cigars are packaged in 15-count units.

Opened packaging of The Lunar Connecticut

Appearance (*)

The Connecticut Shade wrapper of the Lunar Connecticut was butterscotch in color. It was not oily but more silky in complexion. The surface of the wrapper had some visible veins and seams.

PERFORMANCE

Pre-Light Draw (*)

Before lighting the Lunar Connecticut, a straight cut was used to remove the cap. Once the cap was clipped, it was time to begin the pre-light draw ritual. The cold draw delivered notes of cream and wood. Overall, this wasn’t the most exciting pre-light draw. Given the pre-light draw is not factored into the numeric merit score or value rating, there was no loss of points here. At this point, it was time to toast up the footer of the Lunar Connecticut and move into the smoking phase.

Tasting Notes

The Lunar Connecticut started with cream, cedar, earth, cocoa, and mineral notes. It took a little while, but by midway through the first third, the cocoa notes settled into the forefront. The cedar, cream, earth, cocoa, and mineral notes settled in the background. Meanwhile, the retro-hale delivered a layer of light black pepper notes.

As the Lunar Connecticut entered the second third, the earth and cedar notes increased. Before the midway point, the earth and cedar displaced the cocoa notes as primary. During the second third, the earth and cedar notes alternated in intensity. Meanwhile, the cream, mineral, cocoa, and mineral notes remained in the background. During this portion of the smoking experience, some black pepper surfaced on the tongue. The black pepper also increased on the retro-hale.

The final third saw the earth and cedar remain grounded in the forefront. Neither the earth nor cedar had an edge over the other. The pepper notes increased, but they remained secondary. The mineral and cocoa notes rounded out the flavor profile. As for the creamy notes, they dissipated. This is how the Lunar Connecticut came to a close. The resulting nub was soft to the touch and cool in temperature.

Burn

While the Lunar Connecticut had a straight burn path and a relatively straight burn line, this cigar needed frequent touch-ups—particularly in the second third—to maintain it. Overall, more touch-ups were needed than I preferred. The resulting ash was firm—a light gray ash with a few dark spots. Meanwhile, the burn rate and burn temperature were both ideal.

Burn of the Fratello Lunar Cameroon

Draw

On the three samples smoked, two of the Lunar Connecticuts had an open draw. I usually prefer a slight resistance on the draw. The third sample had more resistance on the draw than I liked. Despite the resistance, this didn’t result in any re-lights on the Lunar Connecticut. None of the draws were terrible, but none of the draws hit the sweet spot, either.

Strength and Body

The Lunar Connecticut started out in the mild to medium range for both strength and body. Around the midway point, strength and body crossed the threshold into medium territory. There was still a slight increase in strength and body in the second half, but the cigar remained in the medium range of the spectrum for both attributes.

Regarding strength versus body, both attributes balanced each other nicely, with neither attribute overshadowing the other.

BANDING AND PACKAGING NOTES (*)

The following is the same comment as when I assessed the Lunar Cameroon. These comments apply equally to the Fratello Lunar Connecticut.

I really liked the packaging of the Lunar Dominican Puro humidor because it had the lunar lander legs. That being said, I also liked the Lunar Cameroon and Connecticut packaging. The units might not be very friendly to retailers, but I think they are a nice keepsake for consumers. The bands of the Connecticut feature a holographic center. The rest of the band keeps to the spirit for Fratello’s signature zig-zag effect.

Packaging of the Fratello Lunar Connecticut

OVERALL ASSESSMENT

Final Thoughts

In many cases, put a Cameroon and Connecticut Shade-wrapped cigar in front of me, and I’m reaching for the Cameroon. However, when comparing the Lunar Cameroon and Lunar Connecticut, my vote goes to the Connecticut. This isn’t a flashy Connecticut Shade cigar, but it does the job well. It’s more traditional, starting mild to medium and progressing to medium by the second third.

I could recommend the Fratello Lunara Connecticut Shade cigar to just about every cigar enthusiast. The packaging is nice, but this is a cigar I would buy and smoke again.

Summary

Key Flavors: Cocoa, Earth, Cedar, Cream, Pepper
Burn: Very Good
Draw: Excellent
Complexity: Medium Plus
Strength: Mild to Medium (1st Half), Medium (2nd Half)
Body: Mild to Medium (1st Half), Medium (2nd Half)
Finish: Very Good