Match M46 brought two 0-1 cigars together after both opened Group H against Davidoff Year of the Horse Limited Edition 2026. Plasencia Alma Fuerte Eduardo I had lost by only half a point, while Rocky Patel Year of the Horse entered after a 2.0-point defeat. Both needed a recovery to stay on a clear advancement path.
The matchup paired Plasencia's 6 1/4 x 54 box-pressed Eduardo I Toro with Rocky Patel's 7 x 48 box-pressed Churchill. Plasencia used Nicaraguan tobacco throughout, including filler from Estelí, Condega, Jalapa and Ometepe. Rocky used a Mexican San Andrés wrapper, Nicaraguan binder, and Honduran-Nicaraguan filler.
Draw, burn and balance tied at 4.5. Plasencia separated itself with perfect 5.0 scores for construction, flavor complexity and finish against Rocky Patel's Outstanding 4.5 marks. Three half-point advantages created a 28.5 to 27.0 victory and returned the Eduardo I to the Group H advancement race.
Matchup at a Glance
| Category | Plasencia Alma Fuerte Eduardo I | Rocky Patel Year of the Horse |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Plasencia | Rocky Patel |
| Origin | Nicaragua | Nicaragua |
| Wrapper | Nicaraguan Jalapa | Mexican San Andrés |
| Binder | Nicaraguan | Nicaraguan |
| Filler | Nicaraguan: Estelí, Condega, Jalapa and Ometepe | Honduran and Nicaraguan |
| Factory | Plasencia Cigar Factory, Estelí | TAVICUSA, Estelí |
| Vitola | Eduardo I Toro, 6 1/4 x 54, box-pressed | Box-pressed Churchill, 7 x 48 |
| Strength | Full | Medium-Full |
| Ashology score | 28.5/30 - Elite | 27.0/30 - Premium |
| M46 result | Winner | Loss |
Plasencia began with cocoa, cedar, pepper and dark sweetness. Dark chocolate, earth and black pepper produced a rich opening. Espresso, leather, molasses and roasted nuts added depth before oak, coffee and pepper intensified while cocoa remained underneath.
Rocky Patel opened with cedar, cocoa, dried fruit and spice. Toasted cedar and pepper led into rich earth. Espresso, leather, raisin sweetness and baking spice filled the center before coffee, oak and pepper strengthened as the fruit sweetness gradually faded.
The cigars shared cocoa, earth, espresso, leather, coffee, oak and pepper, yet Plasencia developed greater weight and contrast through molasses, roasted nuts and dark sweetness. Rocky Patel remained flavorful and energetic, with dried fruit, raisin and baking spice distinguishing its San Andrés-led progression.
Where the Matchup Was Decided
Draw and burn tied at 4.5 to 4.5. Plasencia's controlled airflow and steady combustion matched Rocky Patel's comfortable draw, generous smoke and mostly dependable burn. Balance also tied at 4.5 as both cigars kept sweetness, earth, coffee, wood and pepper integrated through their different levels of strength.
Plasencia won three categories; Rocky Patel won none; three categories tied.
Construction gave Plasencia its first advantage, 5.0 to 4.5. The Eduardo I combined precise box pressing with excellent smoke production and physical consistency. Rocky Patel remained Outstanding, but its mostly dependable combustion stopped one step short of Plasencia's exceptional craftsmanship.
Plasencia also won flavor complexity and finish 5.0 to 4.5. Its darker movement through chocolate, earth, espresso, leather, molasses, nuts, oak and coffee created more definition, while its long, powerful, darkly sweet conclusion outlasted Rocky Patel's rich, spicy and moderately long finish.
Official Result: Plasencia Alma Fuerte Eduardo I Wins Match M46
Plasencia Alma Fuerte Eduardo I defeated Rocky Patel Year of the Horse 28.5 to 27.0 and improved to 1-1 in Group H. The victory restored Plasencia's position behind undefeated Davidoff and left Rocky Patel at 0-2 with one remaining opportunity to record a group-stage win.
Plasencia next defeated La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor to finish Group H at 2-1 and advance in second place. Its tournament ended against E.P. Carrillo Encore Majestic in the Top 16, producing a 2-2 overall record and confirming the Eduardo I as an Elite tournament cigar.
Rocky Patel later defeated La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor to close Group H at 1-2 and place third. It did not advance, but six Outstanding scores and a Premium 27.0 evaluation showed a consistent limited edition whose two losses came against both of the group's qualifiers.
Final Ashology Verdict
Rocky Patel Year of the Horse delivered depth through cedar, cocoa, earth, espresso, leather, raisin, baking spice, coffee, oak and pepper. Three ties proved it could match Plasencia in airflow, combustion and balance, even though it could not create a category advantage.
Plasencia Alma Fuerte Eduardo I won through its three exceptional qualities. Perfect construction supported a more defined full-strength progression, and the perfect finish carried cocoa, oak, coffee, pepper and dark sweetness beyond Rocky Patel's close. Three half-points produced the decisive 1.5-point victory.
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.