INTRODUCTION
Last year, Plasencia introduced the Alma del Fuego Ometepe Edición Limitada to the market. This is notable for two main reasons. First, Plasencia joined a multitude of other companies who released a limited humidor containing special cigars marked well above the typical MSRP of others in their portfolio. Second and most unique, this is the first cigar on the market using a wrapper grown off the volcanic island of Ometepe, Nicaragua.
Plasencia has been working on tobacco from the small island Ometepe in Lake Nicaragua for awhile, most consumers would recognize its use in the Alma de Fuego line as filler tobacco. However, the Ometepe Edición Limitada marks the first time this tobacco is used as a wrapper. This unique tobacco has been named Hoja del Fuego by the Plasencia family which translates to “Blade of fire”.
I suppose a third point is warranted. The cigars are resting in glass tubes with a magnet bottom which are contained in a unique limited humidor. The bottom of the humidor has a small section that is lined by volcanic rock from Ometepe. Overall, I’d say the humidor is an ideal center piece for Plasencia fans, however I’m not sure if it would be better than other $2,000 humidors on the market.
UNDER THE LID
I will start by saying that I would put money that at least ten people dropped their cigar due to the magnet tube. Most people I feel will naturally hold the tube by the magnet seal to prevent fingerprinting the glass. However, this will immediately result in a “Oh (insert preferred swear word here)” moment and the cigar will fall. I am not speaking from experience, I promise. I will mention I discovered I have amazing reflexes still.
Enough about functionality. Looking at how the Ometepe Edición Limitada is presented visually, it is satisfying. The band is matte with a subtle shine. Tobacco is embossed on the lowee foot band. The color scheme and design is on point with the Habanos Partagas. The wrapper is a light caramel shade with tight seams that blend in the glossy shine of the oils. Construction wise, the Ometepe Edición Limitada has a consistent pack with a perfect amount of give upon slight pressure.
People that know me from the show or just smoking cigars in general are aware that there are strange characteristics of a cigar that I find special. One of those characteristics is when the dark maduro filler is centered and visible from the foot. Here, the dark filler is centered and bunched in such a way that it looks like a cinnamon roll.
- Wrapper: Nicaragua Hoja del Fuego (Ometepe)
- Binder: Nicaragua
- Filler: Nicaragua
- Vitola: 6 x 54 boxed pressed belicoso
- Factory: Plasencia Cigars S.A.
- Released: June 2024
- Box Quantity: 1,000 boxes of 20 cigars
- MSRP: $100 single, $2,000 box of 20 cigars
The wrapper has a faint mineral aroma which is followed by cedar, earth, and a salty spice. The foot is similar but adds a subtle red pepper. A straight cut removing just a few centimeters of the cap reveals a smooth draw. The cold draw has a timid spice, an herbal/floral sweetness, and a musty cedar in the background.
PERFORMANCE NOTES
FIRST THIRD
The first draw of the Ometepe Edición Limitada has a starchy creaminess. The texture is very thick. The sides of my palate taste a very mild vegetal. Shockingly, my palate does not detect any spice, something I’m unfamiliar with having smoked the core Alma del Fuego multiple times. A musty cedar lingers towards the back of my palate. The aroma of the smoke reminds me of the scent of an old, seasoned humidor. There is a faint sweetness, but its primary scent is matured tobacco. The retrohale is one of the smoothest I’ve had in a long time. There is an apple hickory sweetness with a spicy texture but zero bite. A dry earth follows with a sprinkle of espresso. However, there is zero bitterness. The espresso and spice can be best described as the texture of a Cafe Cubano. The flavor is still coffee, but the sugar replaces the bitter/spice bite of the coffee with a buttery creaminess which melts in your mouth. The finish is a musty oak and a salty/mineral. A more concise description would be redwood. The draw is pleasant and smoke production is above average. The ash is tight and consistent.
SECOND THIRD
The second third remains consistent with the first as to the palate. The starchy creaminess is more developed and has increased body. The oakwood has come forward and replaced the vegetal on the sides of my palate resulting in a dryness. Mineral still remains blended along the palate and there is a slight saltiness on the tip of my tongue. On the retrohale the spice has been kicked up a notch. The profile is still smooth but now has a slight red pepper that nips the nose. This is followed by that mild apple sweetness from the first third. A slight bitter earth and espresso settle towards the back of my palate. The saltiness comes late and causes my dry palate to salivate. Overall, the profile is very clean. Complexity is medium and body is slightly above medium.
FINAL THIRD
The beginning of the final third of the Ometepe Edición Limitada is established as a medium plus body and strength beginning. Red spice dominates the palate blended with a subtle sweet redwood. Earth and espresso take the secondary notes and the starchy creaminess have fully left the profile. The retrohale is full bodied black pepper that stings the nose. The palate is covered by a strong mineral note that is sprinkled with salt. The rich oakwood covers the palate for a full-bodied finish. The spice increased suddenly and remained for the last half of the final third.
Core Flavors: Starch, redwood, oak, cedar, salt, redwood, espresso, earth, black pepper, and apple.
- Strength: Medium plus
- Body: Medium plus
- Complexity: Medium plus
Smokin Experience
Overall, the Ometepe Edición Limitada was a great cigar. For your normal consumers, I do not think it will scratch the itch of expectations factoring in the price point. As mentioned in prior reviews, the price point plays no role in the score. However, from a recommendation standpoint, it does. Now, if you are a loyal Plasencia consumer and have taken any interest in crops they are cultivating I think this is a must try. The Ometepe wrapper introduces a unique refined mineral aroma among the familiar Nicaraguan blending that Plasencia is known for. It would be interesting smoking this next to a core Alma del Fuego and compare the differences from the Ometepe being the wrapper or filler.
Smokin Facts
The glass tubes are unique, but from a retail standpoint, uncomfortable to have consumers handle.
Now that Plasencia was able to cultivate a wrapper quality Ometepe leaf, I’m curious if a more core line cigar will enter the market utilizing it.
This cigar was smoked as a special review where Matt and I smoke hard to obtain cigars.
Smokin Wrap Cigars Smoked for the Review: One
Average smoking time: 2 hours 46 minutes
Purchase recommendation: Sample
