The Plasencia Alma del Cielo Celeste debuted in 2025 as a truly unique offering, earning its place as the world’s highest elevation cigar, grown at 1,300 meters above sea level on the Plasencia family’s Finca San Julián in Condega, Nicaragua. This Nicaraguan puro carries a sense of place from the very start, with its high-altitude origins seemingly influencing both its complexity and refined character.
Visually, the cigar is stunning. A smooth, caramel-tinged brown wrapper stretches seamlessly across the body, with only faint veins and no distracting seams. There’s a light oily sheen that catches the eye, and the construction feels firm and well-packed in hand. The wrapper texture is exceptionally smooth, giving the impression of a perfectly handled leaf applied with precision and care by a highly skilled roller.
The first third opens with a bold blast of black pepper and cedar, immediately establishing a medium-plus profile. As the smoke settles, medium roasted coffee comes into focus alongside a unique sweetness reminiscent of chocolate marshmallow cereal. Notes of cedar and baking spices like nutmeg and cinnamon layer in, while a nutty, citrusy brightness keeps things lively. A creamy caramel undertone ties it together, and the retrohale reveals an intriguing mix of umami and floral notes, almost like a latte dusted with chocolate powder, accented by cedar and almonds.
Moving into the second third, the profile evolves as the chocolate note fades, but the sweetness remains, shifting into a nougat-like character paired with a growing nuttiness. It brings to mind the inside of a candy bar without the chocolate, supported by creamy textures and faint caramel. White pepper replaces the earlier intensity, while a subtle saltiness balances the lingering sweetness. There’s a savory turn as well—hints of beef, BBQ sauce, and cheese emerge, grounded by cedar that now feels more mature. Leather and coffee return, joined by touches of mustiness, honey, paprika, and even a crème brûlée-like richness.
In the final third, the sweetness pulls back significantly, allowing the cigar’s strength and spice to take the lead. Nuts remain prominent, now paired with a sharper pepper kick. Roasted coffee returns with an amaretto-like nuance, while deeper savory notes develop—think the char of a well-done filet and the smokiness of bacon. Leather becomes more pronounced, complemented by subtle nilla wafer sweetness and a steady presence of almonds, all wrapped in a more intense, full-flavored finish.
Overall, this cigar delivers a dynamic experience that starts like a dessert smoke and transitions into a hearty, savory profile by the end. The construction is excellent throughout, with a smooth draw, solid ash, and even burn that highlight the quality of its aging and craftsmanship. The strength remains consistently in the medium-plus range, offering enough body for experienced smokers while maintaining balance and complexity. With its seamless transitions and refined flavor profile, this stands out as a truly elite cigar. One that feels special from start to finish and is absolutely worthy of box-worthy status.
Overall Score: 92.80 out of 100 (The Highest STARS Score To Date!)
Overall Strength Score: 6.20 out of 10
This Blind Review (Cigar #33-E) was a Special Review conducted by STARS Review Team A comprising of: Paul Nabs, Joe Hallett, Scott Treptow, Brett Y, Rob Smith, Dan Johnson, Chris Leblanc, My Cigar Pilgrimage, Tripp, Dr. Stogie -Blake Epling, Jay Stanley & Sean Martin
