IPCPR 2016: MLB Cigar Ventures

Mike Bellody has been working on and talking about a number of new releases since the spring, but it looks like we might not see them due to FDA’s requirement that new products become commercially available before Aug. 8. He began launching his two newest cigars throughout the northeastern United States in recent weeks, with the trade show giving him the opportunity to show them off to retailers from the rest of the country and beyond.

Bellody also noted that while it wasn’t at the show, he is still working on the launch of Imperia Aventador, while a second release in the David P. Ehrlich isn’t as certain.

David P. Ehrlich Tremont

If you’re familiar with Boston, and in particular Boston tobacco retailers, the name David P. Ehrlich likely means something to you.

Named for a historic pipe and tobacco manufacturer as well as prominent Boston retailer, the line is being made at Tabacalera La Alianza S.A. in Santiago, Dominican Republic, the factory owned by Ernesto Perez-Carrillo. It’s a true story of a cigar born of personal relationships: Bellody began smoking cigars at the Ehrlich store and his current national sales manager, Barry Macdonald, had been both sales manager and general manager for the David P. Ehrlich Company.

At last year’s trade show, MLB Cigar Ventures’ booth was located conveniently close to that of E.P. Carrillo, which sparked yet another connection for the project, as Barry’s father, Paul, who was managing the Ehrlich retail shop in the early 1990s, had been one of the first retailers in the country to bring in an upstart new brand called La Gloria Cubana, made by none other than Ernesto Perez-Carrillo.

Bellody bills it as being medium to full in both body and strength while being full in flavor.

• Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra
• Binder: Nicaragua (Estelí)
• Filler: Dominican Republic (La Canela) & Nicaragua (Estelí and Condega)

• David P. Ehrlich Tremont Churchill (7 x 47) — $9.90 (Box of 20, $198)
• David P. Ehrlich Tremont Corona (5 1/2 x 44) — $7.60 (Box of 20, $152)
• David P. Ehrlich Tremont Gordo (6 x 60) — $10.50 (Box of 20, $210)
• David P. Ehrlich Tremont Robusto (5 x 52) — $8.90 (Box of 20, $178)
• David P. Ehrlich Tremont Toro (6 x 50) — $9.30 (Box of 20, $186)

Launch Date: Currently shipping with full shipment of show orders within 3-4 weeks

Production: Regular production

Imperia Islero

Named for a powerful Miura fighting bull, the new cigar uses an Ecuadorian habano 2000 wrapper with a Dominican criollo ’98 binder and filler made up of Dominican criollo 98 and Pennsylvanian tobacco. Bellody calls it full body, full strength and full flavor, with a natural sweetness that stands out as well. It’s made at Quesada Cigars in the Dominican Republic, which also produces the company’s debut line, Imperia.

• Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano 2000
• Binder: Dominican Criollo 98
• Filler: Pennsylvania Ligero and Dominican Criollo 98

• Imperia Islero Fundador (7 x 50/33) — $14 (Box of 10, $140)
• Imperia Islero Gordo (6 x 60) — $11 (Box of 20, $220)
• Imperia Islero Pita (5 1/2 x 44) — $8.50 (Box of 20, $170)
• Imperia Islero Robusto (5 x 52) — $9.90 (Box of 20, $198)
• Imperia Islero Toro (6 x 50) — $10.50 (Box of 20, $210)

Launch Date: Currently shipping

Production: Regular production