Size: 7″ x 48
Vitola: Churchill
Wrapper: Brazilian Aripiraca
Origin: Honduras or Nicaragua
Age: fresh
The Bratalia is another of the limited Edition Escaparate cigars from CAO, that are sold to one or two select retailers across the country. The Bratalia, although initially release in a gift set is only available now from Old Virginia Tobacco Company which has seven location in Virginia. It is available only in the robusto and churchill sizes.
The Bratalia is a blend of the Italia and Brazilia lines, with the Brazilian Aripiraca wrapper from the Brazilia line.
The cigar is not what I would consider a “pretty” cigar. It has a dark almost dirty looking wrapper with visible veins that are rough and rumpled. The pre-light draw seems nice and easy.
One thing that I like immediately after lighting this is that I don not get that horribly acrid bitter taste that is present on both the Brazilia and Italia lines.
As I puff away, it is quickly evident that the Bratalia is milder combined , than each of the lines individually.
It is earthy and sweet, with a little cocoa on the finish, which is short. There is not much complexity throughout the smoke.
The draw tightens up midway, and the burn is uneven for most of the smoke.
As I get to the end, I get a few charry flavors, and a little pepper, not quite what I would call hitting the sweet spot.
Overall, the cigar was pretty good, but not great. For the price and the limited nature of the cigar, I was expecting much more.
Rating: 84 (B)
