First Smoke of 2025: A Vintage Fratello DMV

I began 2025 by revisiting a cigar that had been aging in my humidor for five or six years—a vintage 2018 Fratello DMV Virginia. I originally added these cigars to my collection during their release party at Hogshead Cigar Lounge in December 2018. A few months later, I picked up a few more at another shop while traveling. The stick I smoked today was the last one remaining from those early acquisitions.

I’ll admit I felt a bit reluctant to smoke this final DMV Virginia. I’ve always enjoyed this particular release, and part of me wanted to keep it as a memento. However, I knew the flavor profile had likely evolved over the years, and cigars are meant to be smoked, not just admired. So, with some anticipation, I decided it was time to enjoy it.

Since it was a holiday—and chilly outside—I poured a small glass of Maker’s Mark Hint O’ Chocolate II to accompany the occasion. The bourbon added a little warmth to the mid-afternoon experience.

The Fratello DMV Virginia was stunning in the midday sunlight. Its Ecuadorian Habano wrapper glistened with an oily sheen, encasing an Ecuadorian binder and a blend of fillers from the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and the USA. From the first puff, the cigar delivered thick, flavorful smoke with notes of roasted coffee, leather, and cedar. There was also a subtle pepperiness, though it was less pronounced than I remembered from earlier smokes of this blend.

The cigar burned flawlessly for about 75 minutes, producing a firm ash and consistent, rich smoke throughout. Despite its age, it remained an exceptional and satisfying smoke—a testament to careful aging and storage.

As for the Maker’s Mark Hint O’ Chocolate II, it’s a Virginia ABC store selection from 2022 that I revisit now and then. While it’s not my favorite pour, it has its charms. The bourbon offers aromas of fruit and oak, with flavors of fruit and cream on the palate and a dry finish. If I concentrate, I can detect a faint hint of milk chocolate, as the name suggests. At 107.9 proof, it provides a gentle warmth that was welcome on this winter day.

In terms of pairing, the Fratello DMV Virginia and Maker’s Mark Hint O’ Chocolate II didn’t create any particular synergy. Each was enjoyable on its own, but neither elevated the other. The cigar was undoubtedly the star of the afternoon.

As the winter sun dipped lower, it began shining directly, and uncomfortably, into my eyes, forcing me to relocate to the other side of the porch. I also turned on a propane heater at my feet, and the combination of the heater and the sun warming the back of my head made the chill quite bearable.

With the cigar finished and the warmth fading, I headed inside to resume the mindless but entertaining tradition of watching college football on TV.

Cheers!