Mike Bellody of MLB Cigar Ventures took to Facebook late Thursday night to announce his sophomore cigar release, an extension of his debut Imperia line that he is calling the 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 told halfwheel it is a very full-bodied and strong blend, intense in both strength and flavor, noting a natural sweetness that stands out particularly well.
Bellody is currently planning on releasing the cigar in April and in the same five sizes as the Imperia: Gordo (6 x 60), Toro (6 x 50), Robusto (5 x 52), Pita (5 1/2 x 44) and Fundador (7 x 50/33). The Fundador will come in 10-count boxes just like the version in the Imperia line that was released in December, while the other sizes will be packed in 20-count boxes. Quesada Cigars will once again handle the production for Bellody.
Pricing for the new regular production line is still to be announced as Bellody is working on the band and box designs, but said he doesn’t expect it to be much different than the Imperia’s pricing, which ranges from $8-10, before taxes. The Imperia debuted in October 2014.
Bellody is also finalizing details on his third release, another extension of the Imperia line that will be called the Imperia Aventador. It will be released at the 2016 IPCPR Convention & Trade Show in July, with more details to be released in the coming months.