2019 Cigar of the Year Countdown #8: David P. Ehrlich PLM Series Robusto by MLB Cigar Ventures

“Over the past few years, Bellody has built an excellent portfolio of cigar offerings and with the PLM Robusto, he has taken things to the next level. It’s also as good a San Andres cigar as I have had out of Tabacalera La Alianza.”

Wrapper: San Andres Maduro
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan, Dominican
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Factory Tabacalera La Alianza
Robusto: 5 x 52
Price: $10.40
Review: David P. Ehrlich PLM Series Robusto by MLB Cigar Ventures (2/11/19)
Appearances on Countdown (By Year/Brand): 3 (2016, 2017, 2019)

Coming in at #8 is the David P. Ehrlich PLM Series Robusto by MLB Cigar Ventures. In 2018, MLB Cigar Ventures introduced the David P. Ehrlich PLM Series. The PLM Series is the second blend under David P. Ehrlich. More importantly, the PLM Series introduced the first maduro offering by MLB Cigar Ventures to date. David P. Ehrlich was the name of a historic tobacconist whose eponymous shop was located in the city of Boston. The store traced its history back to 1868. For Bellody, it happened to be the place where he purchased his first cigars over two decades ago. It also turns out that MacDonald’s family owned Ehrlich’s for almost 40 years. While the store is no longer in operation, MacDonald was able to work with Bellody to bring back the brand – this time to be used for a line of premium cigars. As for the name PLM Series, it pays homage to Paul L. MacDonald, Barry’s father.

The maduro wrapper used on the PLM Series is from the San Andres region of Mexico. The remainder of the blend utilizes a Nicaraguan binder as well as both Nicaraguan and Dominican tobaccos in the filler. The Robusto size which lands on this Countdown measures 5 x 52. Consistent with the original David P. Ehrlich Tremont, production for the David P. Ehrlich PLM Series comes out of Ernesto Perez-Carrillo Jr’s Tabacalera La Alianza in the Dominican Republic.

The David P. Ehrlich PLM Series gives MLB Cigar Ventures its third appearance on a Cigar Coop Countdown. It also is the second David P. Ehrlich branded cigar to land on a Cigar Coop Countdown (The Tremont landed on the 2017 Series). For those keeping score, this is the second cigar from Tabacalera La Alianza to land on the 2019 Countdown. Finally, it’s also the highest placement for MLB Cigar Ventures on a Countdown.

The David P. Ehrlich PLM Series Robusto delivers notes of coffee, chocolate, earth, and a combination of red and white pepper. For the most part the flavors delivered are medium to full bodied countered by medium to full strength.

This is perhaps the finest release by MLB Cigar Ventures to date – in an already strong portfolio. I’ve also said this many times, this is also as good a San Andres Maduro I had from Tabacalera La Alianza to date. It’s this body of work of the PLM Series Robusto that lands on the 2019 Countdown.