Plasencia Alma Fuerte Colorado Claro Robustus II

Plasencia

• Country of Origin: Nicaragua
• Factory: Plasencia Cigars S.A.
• Wrapper: Nicaragua (Jalapa)
• Binder: Nicaragua
• Filler: Nicaragua
• Length: 5 1/8 Inches
• Ring Gauge: 55
• Shape: Round
• MSRP: $21.50 (Box of 10, $215)
• Release Date: Nov. 15, 2023
• Number of Cigars Released: Regular Production
• Original Score: 91

The Alma Fuerte line, which debuted in 2016, was the first line brand from the Plasencia family’s eponymous cigar company. In 2020, it got a new variant, Alma Fuerte Colorado Claro, that used the same filler blend but with a wrapper from Nicaragua’s Jalapa region that had been aged for 10 years. This new version debuted with one size, added a second in 2022, and then added this size, the Robustus II, in November 2023. While the first two sizes were box-pressed, this one was round, and that just might have been the difference needed to push this cigar onto this list, scoring a 91, while the other two sizes both scored 90 points.

This vitola delivered a profile that earned points for its complexity and balance, particularly in the first third of the cigar, which got the cigar off to start that was consistently recognized. It may have been a bit too good of a start as the other two thirds struggled to keep up, but clearly not enough to keep the cigar from ending up where it did on this year’s list. As Charlie noted in his review, the Plasencia Alma Fuerte Colorado Claro Robustus II starts with a profile led by pretzel, grains, dough and nuttiness, transitioning to a spicy nuttiness that is the central profile of the final third.

It seems that no matter which vitola of the Plasencia Alma Fuerte Colorado Claro you select, you’re in for an enjoyable experience, with this one delivering what Charlie called “a medley of complementary but diverse flavors that clearly change from start to finish.” — Patrick Lagreid.