Acid Opulence 3
 

Okay, before you boo me off the stage, hear me out!

Earlier this year, I asked for one of these in a MAW, and I offered to review it here. Kelmac07/Mac granted that wish (and beat me with some other questionable sticks ;)) so I’m staying true to my end of the bargain. You may be surprised by the results of this little experiment...

The Acid Opulence 3 is one of the more recent blends from Drew Estates. Here’s how it’s being marketed:

Opulence 3 sports a jet-black, oily maduro wrapper from San Andres, Mexico that provides a rich and creamy character with a pronounced sweet nuance noticeable in the finish. This wrapper is perfectly balanced with a hearty blend of Nicaraguan tobaccos grown in Esteli, where some of the strongest Nicaraguan tobacco is grown. These tobaccos were harvested in three separate crop years including 2005, 2006, and 2007, making Opulence a rare, incredibly limited treat. Not only is the cigar infused with oils and botanicals chosen by Jonathan Drew himself, but also each individual leaf is infused to provide a full-flavored, uniquely enjoyable experience each time this cigar is lit.

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/i...pre_light2.jpg

For starters, this was as well constructed a cigar as I’ve smoked in a long time. Great roll, quality wrapper and cap, no hard or soft spots. The burn was sharp, never needed a touch-up or relight, put out a copious amount of smoke, and the draw was absolutely perfect. I typically don’t smoke straight from my 70/70% cooler, but this cigar didn’t have any of the problems I usually get when I don’t dry-box.

Like other Acids, the cigar has a sweetened tip. But it wasn’t overbearing like the Blue line, instead it was more like a Flor de Oliva. It’s hard to describe the individual flavors of the infused DE lines. But what was remarkable about the Opulence 3 is that the primary flavors seemed to come from the tobacco instead of the “alternative substances”--this is reverse of most DE blends I’ve tried. For example, I find the San Andres wrapper to be pretty distinctive, I like it very much and can usually pick it out pretty readily in most cigars using it. That was the case with this cigar, too--the infusion didn't overpower the wrapper's flavor.

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/i...lence/burn.jpg

Here’s how I would describe the first half of the cigar: chocolatey & fruity, no discernable spice, very easy to nose exhale, leaving a creamy, floral finish. It was definitely an infused stick but it was subdued and pleasant, not the kind that makes you feel like you swallowed your grandmother’s perfume bottle. In fact, the second half of the cigar seemed to lose its infused quality altogether, turning into a very good Nicaraguan similar to the Liga Privada: full-bodied & strong, earthy, with a peppery spice that suddenly appeared in the last couple inches.

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/i...ulence/nub.jpg

Yes, I nubbed it! Surprising, I know, but this was a very good Drew Estates blend, probably my favorite so far. The sweetness of the first half was still a little strong to make this an everyday smoke, but I can definitely see keeping some on hand. Especially if I want my wife’s company when I hit my smoking lounge—the aroma was very pleasant and wouldn’t run her off, like many of my other usual cigars. :r

Mac, thanks for sending one of these my way!

Re: Acid Opulence 3
 

Great review. Thanks for sharing. I have not tried a DE cigar in quite a while. Last one was an Acid One which was pleasantly different from their other offerings in that line. Your review has sparked some interest in trying these out.

Re: Acid Opulence 3
 

When you say this is your favorite DE blend, does that include the Liga line?

Re: Acid Opulence 3
 

You are right Gerard...very surprised at your findings. Might have to grab another and sample it myself. :tu

Re: Acid Opulence 3
 

Tom, I'd have to give the edge to the Opulence on this one. The Liga Privada is a good smoke, but to me it was similar to a number of other maduros. I think what makes it special is that it showcases Drew's ability to blend something other than an infused cigar. I smoke the Liga's, but they're pretty interchangeable with other cigars.

The Opulence is a unique smoke, so I'd favor it over the LP.

Re: Acid Opulence 3
 

I don't know why people get so uptight when talking about flavor infused cigars. Just because the taste and smells are not traditional does not mean the cigar is not worthy of a good smoke. I personally like Acid's, I do not smoke them regularly but they are good for something new from time to time.

Re: Acid Opulence 3
 

Thanks for the great review and photo's Gerard. Now I need to go out and purchase one. Nice looking cigar holder. Is the material brass or copper?

Re: Acid Opulence 3
 

Mark, it's actually tin with a copper powder coating. I redid our backsplash a couple years ago with sheets of the stuff, and had a few left over pieces that I used to make the holder. I don't have a cigar ashtray so this does the job holding those larger RG sticks

Re: Acid Opulence 3
 

Hmm, sounds like to me you just said you need an ashtray....

Re: Acid Opulence 3
 

:r Michael, I don't think I have an addy for Gerard yet...

Re: Acid Opulence 3
 

Interesting. May have to try one of these. Thanks for the review.

Note to self- Gerard doesn't have a cigar ashtray. :)

Re: Acid Opulence 3
 

Let me know if you need some help Mark!! :D

Re: Acid Opulence 3
 

-(P Who's taking care of this problem?

Re: Acid Opulence 3
 

Youse gots mail. :r

Re: Acid Opulence 3
 

-(P This is done.

Thread jacking is done. Back to review. :tu

Re: Acid Opulence 3
 

:)

Re: Acid Opulence 3
 

:bh I should know better. I step away from the thread for less than an hour and all hell breaks loose.

Re: Acid Opulence 3
 

I generally like a cigar flavored cigar and regard all else as abomination unto the Great God Nick O'Teen, but this is actually an intriguing review. Still not sure I could get past the gaggingly awful Acid perfumey scent and the sweetened tip, but it sounds like they at least started with good tobacco.

Re: Acid Opulence 3
 

As you rnot a Noob, don't you know any better than making a comment like that? :r

Re: Acid Opulence 3
 

I can picture you poking him with a stick.. :r

Re: Acid Opulence 3
 

Moi, as Miss Piggy would say....?

Re: Acid Opulence 3
 

Re: Acid Opulence 3
 

Mac always needs a little beat down. I mean he is sending 4 bombs a day out. A little of his own medicine would be good for him.

Re: Acid Opulence 3
 

poke poke.... ;)

Re: Acid Opulence 3
 

Good Smokes For The Acid Line!:tu

Re: Acid Opulence 3
 

POke - not me, no siree. I just like a BOTL getting what he deserves :D

Re: Acid Opulence 3
 

Nubbed on last night, great construction.
Dessert in a stick.
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6028/...86e5e344a9.jpg

Re: Acid Opulence 3
 

I find almost every Acid cigar I smoked so far, all two of em, have had the cold aroma of infusion, a sweet character
from the tip, but are otherwise completely normal in every way, and exceptional in that they are absolutely perfectly
constructed. I can hack on Acids as well as anybody, but it's almost like J.D. is going out of his way to make sure
that no one can ever accuse Acid of being an inferior cigar. I also notice that 1/3 or 1/2 way in, they go mostly
regular old cigar flavor, and again, in my limited experience, are fantastic smokes, well-blended.

Re: Acid Opulence 3
 

I experienced that same thing with a couple other DEs but with the O3 I had a hint of infusion to the nub.
But the sweetness wasn't overpowering the cigar after the initial burst of flavor.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6004/...d688c8d7f6.jpg

Re: Acid Opulence 3
 

This Stick Is Good For An Infused Cigar! Smoked A Few Myself. :)

Re: Acid Opulence 3
 

I couldn't agree more that the O3 from DE is the best infused smoke out there because it is not overpowering on the infused end. It really is a great quality smoke that will always have a place in my humi! Very well written review!

Re: Acid Opulence 3
 

This thread makes me want to go out and get one.

Re: Acid Opulence 3
 

LOL, for some reason that totally made me want to try one.

I think I might be asking for these for my birthday...cripes, which is next month!

Re: Acid Opulence 3
 

Never been into the infused sticks but might have to pick one up and give it a shot.

Re: Acid Opulence 3
 

I got a fiver on the way from the 'devil site'. I actually won 4 auctions this week....sorry honey. :r

This is one of the Acid's that I haven't tried and I'm excited to finally be able to give one a go.

Re: Acid Opulence 3
 

Can anyone compare the O3 to the "Acid One"?

So far, my best smoke ever was the Acid One, but I'm not sure I want to commit to a fiver till I work through their lineup and better narrow down what I like.

Re: Acid Opulence 3
 

Thanks for the review. This one is my wife's favorite Acid, but I never did try one while she was still smoking. I might have to give it a go at some point. My biggest complaint with Acid and most infused is the sweetened cap. It always tinges the flavor of the cigar for me and gives me a Nutrasweet-like aftertaste. I wish they would leave it off of there and just let me taste the tobacco with the infused flavors.

Re: Acid Opulence 3
 

A coworked gifted me one of these this week and asked me to try it.

Couldn't get past an inch. Just not my cup of tea.

I know JD makes quality cigars but the Acids just overpower me with sweetness. I guess I will stick to the occasional Liga Privada if I have a hankering for a DE cigar.

Re: Acid Opulence 3
 

I enjoyed an Acid Roam once; I found the infusion subtle and pleasant in flavor, although the fragrance was a bit much for my smoking companion.

A few years ago I was around someone who was smoking a Kub Kuba, however...THAT was a room-clearer. Nasty.

I'll try this O3 if I find one and I'm in the mood. I've been wanting to try one of JD's Tabak coffee-infused cigars, but the price always puts me off.

Re: Acid Opulence 3
 

The O3 was one of my first Drew Estates that I had, thanks to Ken aka SteelCityBoy, and we both agreed that it was a very tasty smoke! However now my pallet has changed entirely and I am into nothing but Maduros :tu.
Great Review :tu:tu