PCA Magazine Winter 2020

24 PCA The Magazine | WINTER 2020 PREMIUMCIGARS.ORG The Blend his new releases (Fratello, Oro, Bianco and now the Navetta Inverso) into a box-pressed torpedo and making them stronger than their counterparts by using a higher priming of tobacco; he then calls it “the boxer.” Additionally, the tobaccos that de Frias uses in the Navetta Inverso are aged for four years, which makes the cigar incredibly smooth on the palate, boasting a notably long finish. Not every blend will go to every shop, with roughly 100 shops getting each particular blend. The reason behind this, de Frias says, is that it’s great for production and especially helpful for keeping the quality consistent. “I know the making of it all sounds a little complicated,” de Frias admits, “but from conception to finished product, it only took about three months. It’s actually the easiest thing I’ve ever done. All I did was inverse everything—and then voila!” “Plus, we’re using 70 percent ligero on this,” de Frias says. “It’s insane!” T H E R E V I E W Fratello Navetta Inverso Boxer Atlantis 6 1/4 x 52 (box-pressed torpedo) Wrapper:   Habano Nicaragua) Binder: Habano Ecuador Oscuro Filler: Dominican Republic and Nicaragua Manufactured in Nicaragua at Joya de Nicaragua $260 MSRP  for a 20-count box; $13  retail for single Smoking time: 1 hour, 10 minutes ho can resist the gorgeous shape of a box-pressed torpedo? Certainly not I, which is why I decided to review the Boxer vitola of the Navetta Inverso, released July 2019, instead of the original, which was released at the 2018 IPCPR Trade Show.  This slightly veiny, milk chocolate colored cigar is very attractive, and the pre-light cold draw is excellent. The initial notes feature bread and wood; a welcome indicator of what’s to come.  I use a wooden match and it’s one and done.  Cinnamon and cedar immediately explode to the forefront in the first few puffs. Thick bluish smoke rises from the foot. Just as de Frias promised, this stick is heavy and smooth.  About 15 minutes in, I begin to taste a bit of creamy chocolate making its way in. The draw continues to be wonderful and there is a scrumptious amount of cedar in the retrohale. The cigar is full-bodied; the 70 percent ligero is definitely making itself known. Going into the middle third I had to fix up the burn line a little. The ash holds for a little over an inch.  Along with the cedar, there is some more creamy chocolate W