20 Years ago, Mike Bellody made a purchase from a historic tobacconist in Boston named David P. Ehrlich. This historic store, with roots dating back to 1868, was known simply as Ehrlich’s throughout the industry, and is the second oldest tobacconist in America. Barry Macdonald (whose family owned Ehrlich for almost forty years) became not only friends with Mike Bellody, but joined MLB Cigar Ventures as his National Sales Manager. Through this relationship, Mike and Barry decided to bring the David P. Ehrlich brand into the forefront once again; this time, as a premium cigar brand. Today we are reviewing the MLB Cigar Ventures | David P. EhrlichTremontToro
This cigar was reviewed blind (no bands) by a panel of at least 4 reviewers. They did not know what they were smoking beforehand. The scores are an average of all the reviewers' scores with outliers removed. All of our cigars reviewed are shipped to the panelists with Boveda packs to ensure optimal smoking experience.
At the 2016 International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers Trade Show in Las Vegas, MLB Cigar Ventures announced the release the David P. EhrlichTremont. The Tremont is the first blend under the Ehrlich brand, and is named in honor of the street in Boston that the Ehrlich store was most prominently associated with. Bellody worked directly with Ernesto Perez-Carrillo to create this blend. The company says it is medium-full in body and strength.
Vital Stats:
Vitola: Toro
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 50
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan, Dominican Republic
Factory: Tabacalera La Alianza S. A.
Blender: Mike Belody
Number of reviewers: 5 – John A. (John A.) Mickey T.(irratebass) Jason H.(Jokey Smurf) David F.(dfafjf) Ryan H.(Ryan H.)
Price: July 2016
Age: 6 Months
Release Date: July 2016
Contributed by: MLB Cigar Ventures
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 90
“This Cigar is ruggedly handsome and is sporting a slightly bumpy and moderately veined dark reddish brown wrapper leaf. The seams are tight but visible and the cap is evenly applied.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
Aroma: 90
“Most likely the most floral cigar i have ever smelled.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“On the cold draw there is a sweetness along with walnuts and some barnyard. There is a nice sweet tobacco flavor to start out this cigar. Nice and smooth with mild to medium + strength. Turning into a really lovely smoke. Pleasant fist smoke of the day with coffee. There is a really nice ash forming. ” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
“The first puffs of this cigar are loaded with sweet earth and a hint of compost…. Also just a hint of barnyard, which for me is much like compost. The strength is light but the flavors long lasting and a bit exotic. Through the nose the smoke has a bit of a pepper zing but not much and it really adds to an already pleasurable experience.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
Flavor: 92
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“The cigar seems to be getting sweeter with each puff, and maybe a hint of some molasses or syrup in there. Strength is still at the mild to medium Plus. ” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
“The second portion remained pleasingly similar to the first… Predominantly sweet and earthy with a bit of prior heat and a hint of exotic curry spice. The smoke had intensified slightly through the nose but still is enjoyable and the long finish is helping me to enjoy the flavors between puffs. I’m really enjoying this at this point.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
Final Third
Flavor: 93
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“The final portion of this sample took a significant turn by developing a sharp charcoal note to replace the sweetness that had been in the front of the flavor profile. There is still the earth flavor but the spice and curry has faded and nearly completely been replaced. Through the nose the smoke the pepper has lessened and is able to be retrohaled on every puff.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
“The final 1/3 of this cigar has been the most enjoyable for me. Not as strong as the cigar began but still a good amount of spice, hay, nut, and a tiny bit of cream enters in. The funky pepper taste was picking up has gone away. A very balanced smoke at this point. ” –David F. (dfafjf)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 91
“Very nice draw…..just a little bit of resistance, but there was plenty of smoke. ” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
Burn: 94
“Burn performed wonderfully with no corrections or wavyness.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
Construction: 93
“Very well constructed cigar. Wasn’t the prettiest cigar I’ve seen but performed flawlessly. Good smoke output as well. ” –David F. (dfafjf)
Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Experience Overall: 93
“Disappointment was the trend that was going for this smoke. The flavor was alright during the first third but it was downhill from there. Burn and construction were not reliable with the touch ups required and cracking throughout the cigar. I can’t say I’d recommend this at all sadly. ” –John A. (John A.)
“This was a really nice cigar. Definitely a fist cigar of the day while sitting out on your deck with your morning coffee as the sun rises up. There was plenty of walnut flavors and just a touch of spice and black pepper. I would say this was a mild to medium plus cigar, and there was just enough sweetness that kept popping up and wasn’t in your face. ” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
“This was a very good cigar that had done unusual flavors and took some nice twists and turns. I was interested and enjoyed the cigar very much from light up to ash out. I’m ready for another one right now!” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
“With the cold weather stretching longer than it should, I haven’t been able to smoke as much as I would prefer. It was great to relax and light up a cigar and this was a good smoke overall. I loved how spicy this cigar started and how it transitioned into a medium body smoke. Sadly I was distracted by the weird taste I can’t describe throughout most of the smoke. Nothing horrible just seemed to take away from the full potential this cigar had. ” –David F. (dfafjf)
“Very interesting cigar definatly finished better than it started out. I am interested to find out what it was. I would smoke it again.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
Blind Cigar Review: MLB Cigar Ventures | David P. Ehrlich Tremont Toro
Summary
"This was a really nice cigar. Definitely a fist cigar of the day while sitting out on your deck with your morning coffee as the sun rises up.
There was plenty of walnut flavors and just a touch of spice and black pepper. I would say this was a mild to medium plus cigar, and there was just enough sweetness that kept popping up and wasn't in your face. " -Mickey T. (irratebass)
