There’s a new vitola being released in MLB Cigar Ventures’ Imperia line, as a size that brand owner Mike Bellody created for his own personal use is being added to the company’s regular production offerings.

Dubbed the Fundador, the cigar is a 7 x 50/33 salomon that is tapered at both ends and features a closed foot. Bellody told halfwheel that while the blend is the same as the rest of the Imperia line, this vitola provides a more complex smoking experience. While he had it made for his own consumption, he began handing it out on occasion at events and to store owners, which he said generated requests to have it made into a regular offering.

MLB Cigar Ventures Imperia Fundador 1

It is being presented in 10-count boxes that feature a slotted cedar tray so that each cigar has its own space, with single sticks priced at $12.70 and boxes coming with an MSRP of $127, before taxes.

The Fundador becomes the fifth size in the Imperia line, which debuted in October 2014, joining the 5 1/2 x 44 Pita ($7.98), 5 x 52 robusto ($8.30), 6 x 50 toro ($8.70) and 6 x 60 gordo ($9.40), all of which come in 20-count boxes. The entire Impreia line is produced by The Quesada Factory in the Dominican Republic.

Shipping of the Imperia Fundador will begin by the end of the week. Bellody also told halfwheel that he is planning on releasing two new blends in 2016, the first of which is due in April, with the second slated for release at the 2016 IPCPR Convention & Trade Show in July.

(Images courtesy of MLB Cigar Ventures)

Davidoff is the official sponsor of halfwheel's coverage of the 2016 IPCPR Convention & Trade Show.
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Patrick Lagreid

I strive to capture the essence of a cigar and the people behind them in my work – every cigar you light up is the culmination of the work of countless people and often represents generations of struggle and stories. For me, it’s about so much more than the cigar – it’s about the story behind it, the experience of enjoying the work of artisans and the way that a good cigar can bring people together. In addition to my work with halfwheel, I’m the public address announcer for the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks during spring training, as well as for the Salt River Rafters of the Arizona Fall League, the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury and previously the Arizona Rattlers of the Indoor Football League. I also work in a number of roles for MLB.com, plus I'm a voice over artist. Prior to joining halfwheel, I covered the Phoenix and national cigar scene for Examiner.com, and was an editor for Cigar Snob magazine.