Today, we review the Fratello Arlequín Connecticut in the Robusto size. Over the past decade, Fratello Cigars has produced numerous Connecticut cigars. This includes the Fratello Oro, Fratello Lunar, and Fratello Camo. There are two things those three cigars have in common. First, all three were produced at the La Aurora factory in the Dominican Republic. Second, all three releases (with the exception of the Fratello Oro Boxer) are parejo releases. Things were changed up when it comes to the Arlequín Connecticut. This is a line produced at the Joya de Nicaragua factory in Estelí, Nicaragua, and it’s an all-box-pressed line. Arlequín Connecticut is the second blend in the Arlequín series. In 2019, Fratello Cigars released a sampler known as the Fratello Space Pack. In that sampler were two unreleased blends: Sorella and Arlequín. The sampler pack included 6 x 50 versions of these new blends alongside two other 6 x 50 vitolas (Fratello Clasico and Fratello Bianco). Following the release and based on the feedback received, Sorella and Arlequín were added to the portfolio. Sorella would be launched in the international market, while Arlequín would focus on the U.S. market. Although the blend remained the same, the Arlequín would be adjusted into a box-pressed format. The Arlequín Connecticut made its debut at the 2025 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show. Now, let’s break down the Arlequín Connecticut Robusto and explore what this cigar has to offer.

Fratello Arlequín Connecticut Robusto – Cigar Review

SPECIFICATIONS

Blend and Origin

Fratello Arlequín Connecticut utilizes an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper, an Ecuadorian binder, and fillers from Peru and Nicaragua.

Wrapper: Ecuador Connecticut
Binder: Ecuadori
Filler: Peruvian, Nicaraguan
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Factory: Fábrica de Tabacos Joya de Nicaragua, S.A.

Vitolas Offered

Arlequín Connecticut comes in three sizes. The Robusto and Toro sizes come packaged in 20-count boxes. The soon-to-be-released (at the time of this press) Arlequin Edizione Di Carnevale is packaged with the Arlequin (Maduro), featuring ten cigars each in a box.

Robusto: 5 1⁄2 x 52
Toro: 6 1⁄4 x 54
Edizione Di Carnevale: 7 x 50

Appearance (*)

The Arlequín Connecticut Robusto features a smooth, golden-brown wrapper with a light sheen of oil. I would say this is one of the best-looking Connecticut Shade wrappers I have seen. There were visible veins. As for the wrapper seams, most were not very visible. The Arlequín Connecticut Robusto has a square-shaped profile.

PERFORMANCE

Pre-Light Draw (*)

A straight cut was used to remove the cap of the Arlequín Connecticut Robusto. Once the cap was removed, it was time to commence with the pre-light draw. The cold draw delivered notes of cream, wood, and cedar. This wasn’t a radically unique flavor profile for a Connecticut Shade pre-light draw, but the flavor profile was satisfactory. At this point, it was time to toast up the footer of the Arlequín Connecticut Robusto and see what the smoking phase would have in store.

Tasting Notes

The Arlequín Connecticut Robusto opened up with notes of cream, cedar, stone fruit, mixed pepper, hay, and earth. During the early phases, the stone fruit was the primary note. Notes of hay and cream complemented the sweetness from the stone fruit. The earth, cedar, and pepper settled in the background and were joined by a chestnut note. Meanwhile, the retro-hale produced a layer of black pepper.

As the Arlequín Connecticut Robusto entered the second third, the hay and cream remained primary. The stone fruit moved into a close secondary note. Meanwhile, notes of chestnut, earth, cedar, and pepper were also present. Moving through the second third, a baker’s spice note also emerged in the background.

The final third saw the earth and baker’s spice take control as the primary note. There were still touches of cream, hay, earth, cedar, pepper, and chestnut remaining. This is the way the Arlequín Connecticut Robusto came to a close. The resulting nub was slightly soft to the touch and cool in temperature.

Burn

Except for an occasional minor jag on the burn line here and there, the Arlequín Connecticut Robusto maintained a straight burn path and straight burn line requiring minimal touch-ups. The resulting ash was on the firm side. This was a mostly medium gray-colored ash with some darker streaks mixed in. As for the burn rate and burn temperature, both were maintained at ideal levels.

Draw

The draw to the Arlequín Connecticut Robusto was on the open side. Usually, I like a little more in the way of resistance on the draw. At the same time, this was not a loose draw. There were no adverse effects. The only negative is that I didn’t care for the open draw.

Strength and Body

The Arlequin Connecticut Robusto falls into the category of a bolder Connecticut Shade cigar. This is a cigar that offers more strength and body than a traditional Connecticut cigar, which tends to be on the lighter and milder side. The Arlequin Connecticut Robusto provides a medium strength and medium to full-bodied flavor profile. There is a nominal increase in the intensity of the strength and attribute as the cigar experience progresses. In the end, both the strength and body remain in the medium to whole ranges of the spectrum, respectively.

In terms of strength versus body, the body has the edge.

BANDING AND PACKAGING NOTES (*)

The packaging and bands of the Arlequin Connecticut feature a lot of golden yellow. While I appreciated the use of yellow on the box, I found it less appealing on the bands, as it clashes with the wrapper. Additionally, the bands for the Arlequin and Arlequin Connecticut do not include the marquis design seen on many other Fratello lines. Overall, I found the bands to be a disappointment.

Packaging of the Fratello Arlequín Connecticut (Toro size shown)

OVERALL ASSESSMENT

Final Thoughts

The Arlequin Connecticut was one of the surprise cigars of the 2025 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show, as it delivered an excellent experience. Two things really stand out with the Arlequin Connecticut Robusto. First up is the complexity of this cigar. This cigar was loaded with flavor nuances and flavor transitions that will keep you interested from start to finish. Second up is the boldness of this cigar. The medium to full-bodied profile helps the excellent flavors of this cigar stand out. Ultimately, this is a fantastic cigar by Fratello Cigars.

The Arlequin Connecticut Robusto is a cigar I would recommend to an experienced cigar enthusiast. Even though this is a bolder cigar, I wouldn’t discourage a novice from trying one. As for myself, this is a cigar I would smoke again and buy multiples of. Coming in at 90 points, the Fratello Arlequin Connecticut earns a Cigar Coop Standard of Excellence designation.

Summary

Key Flavors: Cream, Hay, Cedar, Stone Fruit, Baker’s Spice, Chestnut, Earth, Pepper
Burn: Excellent
Draw: Very
Complexity: High
Strength: Medium
Body: Medium to Full
Finish: Very Good