Plasencia Alma Fuerte Eduardo I vs. La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor: Three Perfect Scores Clinch the Top 16

Plasencia Alma Fuerte Eduardo I entered Match M47 at 1-1 after recovering from its Davidoff loss with a victory over Rocky Patel Year of the Horse. A second win would secure the remaining Group H advancement berth behind undefeated Davidoff. La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor arrived at 0-1 and needed a victory to preserve its own path.

The matchup paired Plasencia's 6 1/4 x 54 box-pressed Eduardo I Toro with Mi Amor's 5 1/2 x 54 Belicoso. Plasencia used Nicaraguan tobacco throughout, including a Jalapa wrapper and fillers from four growing regions. Ashton and My Father Cigars combined a Mexican San Andrés wrapper with Nicaraguan binder and filler for Mi Amor.

Draw, burn and balance tied at 4.5. Plasencia won construction, flavor complexity and finish with perfect 5.0 scores against Mi Amor's Outstanding 4.5 marks. Those three half-point edges produced a 28.5 to 27.0 victory, a 2-1 group record and the final Group H place in the Top 16.

Matchup at a Glance

Plasencia began with cocoa, cedar, pepper and dark sweetness. Dark chocolate, earth and black pepper formed a rich, creamy opening. Espresso, leather, molasses and roasted nuts added depth before oak, coffee and pepper intensified while cocoa remained underneath.

Mi Amor opened with cocoa, cedar, coffee and mild pepper. Dark cocoa, earth and measured spice established the first third. Espresso, roasted nuts and light sweetness made the center creamier before coffee and charred oak strengthened while pepper remained in the background.

Both cigars built around cocoa, cedar, earth, espresso, roasted nuts, coffee, oak and pepper. Mi Amor stayed smooth and classic, emphasizing dark cocoa, cream and charred wood. Plasencia created greater full-strength movement through black pepper, leather, molasses and dark sweetness.

Where the Matchup Was Decided

Draw and burn tied at 4.5 to 4.5. Plasencia's controlled airflow and steady combustion matched Mi Amor's good draw, substantial smoke and reliable burn. Balance also tied at 4.5 as both cigars integrated sweetness, cocoa, coffee, earth, wood and pepper through their different levels of intensity.

Plasencia won three categories; La Aroma de Cuba won none; three categories tied.

Construction produced Plasencia's first 5.0 to 4.5 advantage. The Eduardo I combined precise box pressing with excellent smoke production and consistent physical performance. Mi Amor remained Outstanding, but the exceptional Plasencia build established the first half-point of separation.

Plasencia won complexity and finish by the same 5.0 to 4.5 margin. Its movement through chocolate, earth, pepper, espresso, leather, molasses, nuts, oak and coffee created more definition, and its long, powerful, darkly sweet conclusion outlasted Mi Amor's dark, smooth, medium-to-long close.

Official Result: Plasencia Alma Fuerte Eduardo I Wins Match M47

Plasencia Alma Fuerte Eduardo I defeated La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor 28.5 to 27.0 and completed Group H at 2-1. The victory secured second place in Modern Luxury and the Top 16 berth behind 3-0 group champion Davidoff Year of the Horse Limited Edition 2026.

Plasencia advanced to face E.P. Carrillo Encore Majestic in M53. That Top 16 loss ended its tournament at 2-2 overall, but the Eduardo I remained an Elite 28.5 cigar and an official Top 16 finisher whose perfect construction, complexity and finish carried it through group play.

Mi Amor fell to 0-2 and was eliminated before its Group H finale against Rocky Patel Year of the Horse. It would finish at 0-3, yet six Outstanding 4.5 category scores and a Premium 27.0 evaluation reflected a consistent cigar competing in a demanding division.

Final Ashology Verdict

La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor delivered a dark, satisfying progression through cocoa, cedar, earth, espresso, nuts, sweetness, coffee, charred oak and pepper. Three ties showed that its draw, burn and balance matched a Top 16 opponent even though the final score did not.

Plasencia Alma Fuerte Eduardo I advanced because its exceptional qualities occupied the three categories that remained. Perfect construction supported deeper transitions, and the perfect finish extended cocoa, oak, coffee, pepper and dark sweetness. Three decisive half-points clinched M47 and a Top 16 berth.

Tasting notes reflect the cigars and vitolas evaluated during the 2026 competition. Flavor, strength and burn performance may vary based on storage, age, vitola and individual palate. Tobacco products are intended only for adults of legal smoking age.