Opus X Fuente Fuente

[weak_link]

Opus X Fuente Fuente 5.25x50-ish

9:00 pm start
47 degrees Fahrenheit
Paired with water and a good dogs company
10:45 end





Just about everything I've read about Opus X cigars says they are best after 3 to 4 years. Generally speaking, I'm not a huge Opus X fan but I'm going into this with an open mind. The stick I'll be smoking this evening is closer to 5 years old, possibly even six. It wasn't marked with a date and the friend who handed it to me wasn't quite sure. He knew it was more than 5 but less than 7 so, really, who knows. As far as what size or series this is, maybe someone can help me out. It's 5.25x50ish, maybe a 52? The cello is developing a lovely amber tint and is labeled 'Fuente Fuente Opus X.'

The cigar's wrapper is nearly flawless and the cigar is well packed. It's got a firm feel and is weighty in the hand. Cold draw reveals what I would consider a perfect draw with an aged tobacco and light, sweet spice coming through. Dare I say raisins? Yikes, maybe I am in for a treat. Lets get the party started and fire this thing up.

It opens with a distinctive Dominican flavor but no fireworks right off the bat in the flavor department. It immediately produces a full mouth of smoke that's easy to roll around and is smooth on the retrohale. No problems at all retrohaling in fact, no burn just smooth through the sinuses all the way. The pepper blast I was expecting is nowhere to be found in the opener. The ash is what I would expect from an Opus X, that is to say light gray and holding firm.


Second third has picked up in body and the pepper I was expecting is starting to creep in. What's nice is that it's balanced and compliments the woody, aged tobacco flavors nicely. It's quite mild actually. I'm not being blown away with a complex array of spices or flavors which is a bit of a disappointment. The smoke remains easy to retrohale while nicotine has kicked up a notch or two. This is a slow burning cigar, I'm gunna be here a while. A quick touch up with the flame and we're burning even again. Honestly I hope something changes because this is actually a little boring. If I'm going to smoke a cigar of this caliber I'd rather be enjoying a Davidoff Aniversario #3. We'll have to see what's in store for the final third. If this wasn't an Opus X it would probably be in the bushes about now. I feel some strange obligation to stick it out and see if something happens. Smoke went out, maybe I need to pick up the pace after the relight.



I wouldn't say my dreams have come true but things have changed for the better. This must be the 'sweet spot' Sam Leccia worked so hard to tell us about. It's built up to a medium-full bodied smoke. The smoke itself feels thicker and heavier but still smooth as it ever was through the sinuses. While the flavors have improved, it's very subtle. The pepper has faded which is fine by me. It's got a creamier flavor with the aged tobacco being the dominate flavor. I'm having a hard time picking out particular flavors. I can tell you it's not grassy, not especially spicy, not sweet, just sort of woody. As it's winding down past the band the middle of my tongue is detecting a spice and the tip tingling a bit. The smoke is still thick and easy to blow rings with. The finish is long and pleasant.

Yes my ash tray is disgusting.


Buy this again? No There are many other sticks I'd rather spend almost two hours with that I enjoy much more. On a 1-10 scale I'd give this a 6.5. Smoke what you like and like what you smoke, this one just isn't for me.