Plasencia 1865 – IPCPR 2017

Despite being one of the oldest, continuously active families in the premium cigar industry, the Plasencias made their first official appeance at IPCPR 2017. The Plasencias began growing tobacco in Cuba in 1865, when family patriarch Don Eduardo Plasencia planted his first crop in the famed Pinar del Rio region of Cuba. In 1985, the Placencias produced their first cigars and have since become known as a top manufacturer, producing cigars for notable brands such as Rocky Patel, Alec Bradley, Nat Sherman, and many more. This is in addition to the family’s massive empire of tobacco growth in Central America, operating as the largest grower of Nicaraguan and Honduran premium leaf.

So it may come as little surprise that the addition of a Plasencia booth at IPCPR was groundbreaking—potentially the biggest attraction/story of the show this year. The Plasencias have actually produced their own cigars before, but the new direction is more of a complete effort, with the family also handling their own distribution under the name Plasencia 1865 (in a nod towards the year the family began growing tobacco). Under this new name, the brand’s first cigar debuted in October, 2016—Plasencia Alma Fuerte—which was quick to receive critical acclaim and has become one of the most talked-about ultra-premium cigars since its release (SEE: The Most Exciting New Cigars from the First Half of 2017). When launched, the cigars were said to be the first of a series known as the Alma Series, with each cigar including the “Alma” nomenclature, which is Spanish for “soul.” The complete series was announced as being: Alma Fuerte, Alma del Campo, Alma del Rio, Alma del Fuego, and Alma del Cielo.

Plasencia showcased the popular Alma Fuerte cigars at their booth, along with the cigar’s followup, Alma del Campo. In addition, there were two other cigars outside of the Alma Series—Cosecha 146 and Reserva Original. The booth itself was of an impressive size for a newcomer, focusing on open space—which was put to good use with a live band, full coffee station, and plenty of seating. Altogether, this was one of the most buzzed-about booths and a top spot for IPCPR guests to set up camp, due to both the modern/new feel, ultra-premium cigar status, and amenities.

Alma del Campo

This is the second cigar in the Alma Series, pulling back the reins on strength and tobacco age for a more subdued blend. Indeed, where Alma Fuerte was strong and utilized nine-year-aged tobaccos, Alma del Campo is billed as having a medium-plus body and seven-year-aged tobaccos. Like its predecessor, the blend is not only a Nicaraguan puro but a Plasencia puro, showcasing the family’s vintage collection of Criollo ’98 leaves. The cigars offer a similar look to Alma Fuerte as well, including the extravagant ashtray box and three-piece bands—albeit in a different, gray/white color scheme.

Alma del Campo is available in more sizes than the Alma Fuerte (expanding from three to five) and is being offered at lower price points. The cigars were said to begin shipping one week after the show and are now available at some online retailers.

Cosecha 146

Cosecha 146 derives its name from the 146th crop since the Placencia family began growing tobacco in 1865. Cosecha is Spanish for “harvest,” and the blend focuses on the Placencia’s Honduran and Nicaraguan leaves from 2011. The cigars are not part of the Alma Series and showcase a different look from the Alma Fuerte and Alma del Campo, although they do retain the three-band look, including the same meta/pre-band seen on the aforementioned cigars. The blend is billed as medium-plus in body and will begin shipping in September.

Reserva Original

Plasencia Reserva Original is not technically a new cigar, as fans of Plasencia will remember this brand better for its former name—Plasencia Reserva Organica. Reserva Original is described as “the cigars Columbus would’ve smoked when he discovered Nicaragua.” This is because the cigars are the first and only fully organic blend in the world, according to Plasencia. The Plasencias began their project of organic tobacco growth in 2001 and have the tobaccos used for Reserva Original certified by OSHA each year. The cigars now feature packaging in line with other Placencia 1865 cigars and are said to be mild/medium in body (it is the same blend as Plasencia Reserva Organica, only using a new name/look). These cigars are now available at some online retailers.

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