This past weekend on The Cigar Authority podcast we lit up and smoked the Sixto which is a 6 x 60 hexagon shaped cigar. It was the second size of the cigar that I smoked with the first being our review of the Nestor which is a traditional toro.
Today we review another non-traditional size the 7 x 58 box pressed Salomon.
Cigar Review: Plasencia Alma Fuerte
Wrapper: Nicaragua (Jalapa)
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Length: 7
Ring Gauge: 58
Vitola: Box Pressed Salomon
The Look: Packaged in 10 count boxes, each box features a piece that separates from the packaging and serves as an ashtray. It’s complete with 4 cutouts for cigars and a metal Plasencia logo at the center. As for the most important part, the cigars feature three bands. The first being a thin band of black and gold with the letter P in a circle repeated. The second band uses the same colors and sees Plasencia boldly stated with Alma Fuerte in a smaller font. Finally, the foot band is reversed with letters of black on gold denoting Alma Fuerte. It’s a bit repetitive, but it works on this box pressed cigar. The box pressed Salomon is more rustic looking then the other sizes, and a bit less oily though compared to many cigars it is excessively oily if that makes sense.
The Notes: Maybe because Jonathan said it on the show, but the cold draw reminds me of a grape pixie stick. The aroma off the small foot is non-existent. I’ve seen a trend on social media where people choose to cut the nipple off the foot to give the cigar a better draw and a greater chance at burning better, but I never opt to do that. If you take the time to carefully light it up it should burn perfectly as was the case for this one.
Once we light the cigar the first puff reveals an abundance of pepper that pulls back rather quickly showcasing the wonderful sweet chocolate notes with a touch of toast and earth. As we move passed the tip, the cigar begins to open up and the chocolate notes really begin to show with a slightly floral retrohale.
The second part of the cigar develops a bit of a citrus note though it lingers in the background. The chocolate sweetness remains dominant with a touch of earth and toast. The pepper that was experienced when we first lit up is there on the retrohale and the aroma of this smooth and balanced cigar.
The last third of the Alma Fuerte becomes considerably earthier though the chocolate notes linger in the background with a slightly floral finish. The retrohale is almost without pepper and adds some sweetness to the finish.
The Finish: This is a cigar where size matters because all three smoke differently. The Sixto was more complex and sweeter than the Nestor while the Generación seems to pull the profile from the other two sizes and merges them into one fantastic cigar. If I was to suggest which box to purchase I would lean toward the box pressed Salomon but you can’t go wrong with any of the three sizes.
Score: 94
Price: $21.99 / $197.99 (Box of 10)
Plasencia Alma Fuerte Generación V
Plasencia Alma Fuerte Generación V Foot
Plasencia Alma Fuerte Generación V Burn
