Cigar Aficionado

Cigarmaker and tobacco grower Nestor Andrés Plasencia is writing a love letter to Ometepe, the volcanic island in Nicaragua whose soil produces very distinct tobacco. The letter is coming in the form of a new brand called Alma del Fuego, which is the third installment in the five-part Alma series. According to Plasencia, this brand represents his most profound expression of Ometepe to date.

Most of the tobacco in Alma del Fuego is from Ometepe, though Plasencia has aged these tobaccos for seven years—longer than he has treated Ometepe leaf in the past.

“I love tobacco from Ometepe,” Plasencia tells Cigar Aficionado, “but you really need to age it well if you want it to reach its full potential.”

While the wrapper is from the Jalapa region of Nicaragua, one of the two binders are from Ometepe, as well as half the filler. All the tobacco was grown by Plasencia in Nicaragua.

The name Alma del Fuego means “soul of fire” in Spanish.

“Fire from the ground, as the soil is volcanic,” explains Plasencia. “And fire from the sky because the tobaccos are sungrown. Finally, fire from the smoker when he lights the cigar. Alma del Fuego. In Spanish, alma is a very strong word.”

Packaged in 10-count boxes, Alma del Fuego comes in three sizes: Candente, measuring 5 inches by 50 ring gauge ($15); Concepción, at 6 by 54 ($16); and Flama, a 6 1/2 by 38 panetela with a retail price of $17.

All three sizes are box pressed, and like the other two brands in the Alma series, the heavy, wooden lid of the box also serves as an ashtray.

The new cigar will be showcased at the IPCPR trade show at the end of this month and will ship shortly after.