Plasencia Alma Fuerte Generacion V
The Plasencia family has been growing tobacco for five generations, and to this day still provides high-quality leaf to a huge portion of the premium cigar industry. They also make cigars under contract for many clients. But, unless you were in the business, the name didn't resonate with cigar consumers. The father-and-son team of Nestor and Nestor Andrés Plasencia wanted to change that.
Previous attempts to create a brand with their name on it fell a bit flat, but in 2016, they released the Plasencia Alma Fuerte. This time, they got it right. Translated to "strong soul," the blend is indeed full bodied, and it's made with aged tobacco taken from Plasencia's vast library of vintage leaf. While the primary component is Criollo '98, Alma Fuerte is a blend of tobacco from four growing regions: Estelí, Condega, Jalapa and Ometepe. All the tobaccos come together quite cohesively in the Generacion V, a box-pressed Salomon-style cigar full of tapers and curves.
As you might expect, the Generacion V requires some time. Cigars of this shape normally take awhile to warm up and begin steady combustion. But once it does, it rewards the smoker with layer upon rich layer of cocoa powder, leather and toast.