Alma Fuerte

While the Plasencia family has been involved in the tobacco industry for over 150 years, their name is best known by players behind the scenes – rather the end user. This is due to the family’s fondness for the tobacco itself. Through their multiple tobacco fields across Nicaragua, the Plasencias have become one of the two largest producers of Nicaraguan tobacco. This, in conjunction with their three famed cigar factories, has made them one of the biggest names in Nicaraguan cigars… again, with industry insiders.

But Plasencia has now launched Plasencia 1865, a new brand that brings the family’s rich heritage front and center. The first line in a slew of releases is Alma Fuerte – an ultra-premium blend that incorporates select tobaccos from the family’s vast storage of aged leaf. Alma Fuerte showcases a fittingly Nicaraguan puro blend, using tobaccos from all four major regions of Nicaragua (Jalapa, Condega, Estelí, and Ometepe).

The cigars introduce a bold and modern look, complete with collectable packaging – where the cigar’s box lid can be converted to be used as an ashtray. Three vitolas were rolled at launch, each showcasing unique sizes and shapes, such as the Generacion V (7 x 58 box-pressed salomon) and the Sixto II (6 x 60 hexagon-pressed). And to coincide with the cigar’s bold look and medium/full profile, the price is equally bold – beginning in the $20 range – making the statement that the Plasencia’s have some of the world’s best tobaccos in their possession and the prowess to make good use of it.