Plasencia Alma Del Fuego Candente (RotR25)

[eaglebear29]

Plasencia Alma Del Fuego 

I’ve had this cigar resting for 2.5 years now. 

Size: Candente (Robusto) 5 x 50 

Wrapper: Nicaraguan (Sun Grown Jalapa Valley)

Binder:  Nicaraguan 

Filler: Nicaraguan (Ometepe) 

Initial light up: 

Black “peaberry” Kauai Coffee. No crème and ever so earthy and smooth. Hints of citrus undertones. After 7 draws add 1 teaspoon of creme with the hints of citrus undertones. 

End of First 3rd: 

So earthy and rich and incredibly smooth. A reminder of my love for well balanced Nicaraguan puros when done right. Little cashew and almond very faint in the cream. The citrus is popping a little more now. Flavors are building at the end here the citrus is now more prominent and you can really taste the richness of the soil in the coffee. Amazing. 

End of Second 3rd:

Amazing full coffee flavor, earthy and rich. Full of orange citrus notes while the cream is replaced every so often with 100% pure dark cocoa. Theres a ton of flavor. Slight cream comes back to balance it out again. Back and forth it goes. That orange coffee cocoa is amazing and bold while staying so smooth, its like having an orange chocolate with that Kauai Coffee. Medium in strength. 

End of Final 3rd:

The slight cream stepping in and out is here to stay now, with a delicious macadamia nut creamer. That along with the orange citrus is incredible. Touch under full in strength building to full at the end and ever so smooth.  

Nub/Pipe-worthy: 

Yes great into nub stage but will save the pipe for after dinner. I am satisfied. 

Final thoughts:

I was told the could be pepper bombs but the only slight pepper I noticed was on 2 slight retro-hales. With 2.5 years resting and who knows how long on a self; this cigar was phenomenal. Makes me skeptical of a fresh one but I’ll have to give it a go. The complex coffee and orange citrus notes with cacao paired very nicely. A truly well aged volcanic soil grown cigar can be a truly flavorful thing. Very unique earthy flavors that I’m sure, if younger, would not be as appreciated. I’m sure it would just be plain coffee, cocoa, and a slight orange citrus at the end. This wasn’t the case here, the flavors really came out and tasted full of flavor making them unique. Not just coffee but a special coffee with tons of flavor. As if you could taste the freshness of the soil. The best way I could describe it would be comparing store bought sourdough bread to some fresh homemade sourdough and this being that sourdough. So rich and smooth. Yet that being said, what do I know, for I haven’t smoked a “fresher” one. 

Score: 

95/100

Smoke time: 

1hr 21min in the S.E. Alaskan drizzle. 

Pairing for me: 

Now I know I would like to pair this with Kauai “peaberry” for its citrus and beautiful balance from their Estate Reserve coffee after a nice steak. 

Would be great with that SWC Late Hour Robusto as well.