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The needle drops on a gritty blues track, the room fills with raw guitar riffs, and I pull a Plasencia Alma del Fuego Candente from my humidor. Crafted in Nicaragua by Plasencia Cigars S.A., this 5-inch robusto, with its Jalapa wrapper and Ometepe-rich filler, hums with energy, matching the vinyl’s pulse. As the music lifts my spirits, I light this cigar, ready for a night of soulful reflection.

Let’s see if it can keep up with the rhythm.

The Roots

From the heart of Nicaragua, the Plasencia Alma del Fuego Candente is born at Plasencia Cigars S.A., a fifth-generation family operation weaving tradition into every leaf. Its Jalapa wrapper and Ometepe-heavy filler, grown in volcanic soil, carry a bold, earthy spirit, like the blues riffs filling my room tonight. This cigar feels like a tribute to craft and land, ready to sing its own tune.

In terms of availability, the Alma del Fuego Candente is generally pretty easy to find, thanks to Plasencia’s large-scale production. But being from Nicaragua, a country known for its volcanic soil which gives the tobacco a unique, robust flavor, also means that the availability can sometimes be affected by the weather conditions there. So if you see it, grab it. These aren’t limited edition, but you never want to risk missing out on a good smoke.

Let’s step back to the year it debuted, when the world had its own rhythm.

A Moment in Time: 2019

In July 2019, when this cigar hit shelves, the world spun fast. The U.S. women’s soccer team won their fourth World Cup, the Area 51 meme sparked wild dreams, and a solar eclipse awed South America. Meanwhile, the Notre-Dame fire shook hearts, and the first black hole image captivated minds.

This cigar joined a year of fire and wonder, and tonight, it’s part of the groove.

The Experience: From Start to Finish

First Look: Pre-Light Impressions

The Alma del Fuego Candente, a compact 5 inches with a 50 ring gauge, feels solid in hand, its Jalapa wrapper a warm, clay-red hue, faintly oily with subtle veins. The construction is tight, with a clean cap and near-invisible seams, a nod to Plasencia’s craft, though a slight firmness hints at a bold core. The aroma blends white pepper and coffee, with a faint apple sweetness, and the cold draw, smooth and easy, offers earthy notes and a cayenne spark, setting the stage for a lively night.

It’s ready to join the music’s rhythm—let’s light it up.

Foot to Cap: The Flavor Journey

The first third kicks off with a surge of white pepper, grounded by earthy coffee and a sweet apple note, like a crisp bite on a fall night, with creamy smoke filling the air. The burn is steady, the ash a firm gray, holding strong as the flavors dance. It’s a bold opener, matching the music’s energy with soulful depth.

In the middle third, the pepper mellows, blending with dark chocolate and toasted almonds, like a late-night dessert, while red chili flakes add a tingly spark, keeping the smoke vibrant. The creamy texture holds, and the ash stays solid, though the flavors shift smoothly, with a mineral earthiness emerging, like the blues’ gritty undertone. It’s a rich, evolving track that keeps me hooked.

The final third builds to a crescendo, with cayenne pepper and earthy coffee intensifying, joined by a faint aloe sweetness, like a soothing chord amid the fire, and the burn remains true, with thick smoke and a steady finish. The flavors, now concentrated, hold their balance, ending with a chocolatey warmth that lingers like the last note of a favorite song, making it hard to set down.

Build & Burn: The Craftsmanship

The Alma del Fuego’s construction is a masterwork, its Jalapa wrapper smooth and rich, with minimal veins and a flawless roll, feeling balanced and firm, a testament to Plasencia’s legacy. The cap is precise, the seams tight, and the cigar’s weight promises a full experience, like a record pressed with care. It’s built to perform, and it shows.

The burn is nearly flawless, with a steady pace and a solid, medium-gray ash that holds firm, while the creamy, voluminous smoke stays cool, carrying the flavors effortlessly. The draw is perfect, offering just enough resistance to feel satisfying, making every puff a pleasure, like hitting the right groove on a track.

Flavor Deep Dive: What’s Cooking

The Alma del Fuego Candente plays a symphony of flavors, opening with bright white pepper and earthy coffee, like a blues riff with soul, softened by an apple sweetness that recalls nostalgic desserts, though the pepper’s spark keeps it lively. The creamy smoke carries each note clearly, and the balance is impeccable, with no flavor overpowering.

Midway, dark chocolate and toasted almonds join, with red chili flakes adding a fiery tingle, while a mineral earthiness grounds the profile, and the retrohale, sharp with cayenne, adds depth, like a rock solo cutting through. In the final stretch, cayenne and coffee surge, with aloe sweetness smoothing the edge, creating a rich, harmonious finish that sings until the end.

Strength & Body: The Power Within

This Candente is medium-to-full in strength, its Nicaraguan core delivering a warm, steady buzz, growing smoothly without overwhelming, perfect for a lively night. The pepper’s surge adds spark, but the finish stays balanced, keeping the experience approachable yet bold.

The body is full, with creamy smoke and dense flavors—chocolate, coffee, almonds—that coat the palate, while the apple and aloe notes add lift, ensuring the cigar feels robust but never heavy. It’s a powerful performance, perfectly tuned.

Perfect Pairings: Elevate the Experience

Aged rum, with its caramel depth, complements the chocolate and coffee, while a dark roast coffee cuts through the pepper’s fire, and a bold red wine lifts the earthy notes. Dark chocolate or sharp cheddar enhances the almond and cayenne, making this cigar a perfect match for a music-fueled evening, its energy soaring.

Value: Worth the Price?

At $15 a stick, the Alma del Fuego Candente is not the cheapest smoke out there, but its flawless construction, creamy draw, and vibrant flavors make it worth every penny, rivaling top-tier cigars. For a special night, it’s a sound investment, though beginners might try a single before a box. This cigar delivers a performance that justifies its price.

Our Rating:

The Plasencia Alma del Fuego Candente earns a Refined, its pepper, chocolate, and coffee notes soaring like a blues anthem, with flawless construction and creamy smoke. At $15, it’s a premium treat, delivering soulful depth.

Final Thoughts

As the vinyl spins its final track, this Plasencia Alma del Fuego Candente, delivers a symphony of flavors—white pepper, dark chocolate, coffee, and a cayenne spark—that matches the music’s soulful energy. The creamy smoke and steady burn make every puff a joy. At $15, it’s a special smoke, one that turns a night of rock and blues into something unforgettable.

It’s a cigar with fire that can lift your spirit.

Own the Smoke: Make It Yours

This Alma del Fuego Candente suits intermediate to experienced smokers who crave a full-bodied, spicy smoke, its 60-minute burn felt perfect, though its intensity may challenge novices. Widely available due to regular production, it’s a great pick for those seeking bold flavors, especially on lively nights. Light it, let the music play, and savor its depth.

Enjoy every moment.

Catch you on the next one.