Arturo Fuente OpusX

Cigar Name: Arturo Fuente, OpusX.
Cigar Size: Fuente Fuente, 5.6"x46.
Wrapper Type: Rosado.

Nothing much to say... Just a lazy Tuesday and I feel like having a cigar. Summer is officially at its end, all the kids are back in school, weather is starting to get a bit cooler (finally). I look forward to this fall. It's always my favorite time of year.

I enjoy the OpusX line. Maybe not to the extent as some of the others on this board, but I think it is a well rounded cigar. Undoubtedly it does receive quite a bit of hype. Its hard for anything to live up to a reputation once hype is involved. Never the less, here we go.

Construction: 10/10

A solid cigar. No visible cracks or dents in the wrapper and it is firm to touch. There was a single some what large vein running through the back of the cigar, but that has no effect really. Fuente cigars usually have top notch construction, especially with their prized OpusX.

Flavor: 22/25

This cigar packs quite a punch. The flavors are very defined, though you may have some difficulties actually defining what you are tasting. Starts off with a kick, spice and sweetness. It becomes more toasty and nutty with a creaminess throughout. Spice from time to time, picks up more near the end. There is a very unique flavor I cannot put my finger on. Some describe it as licorice, some say raisin? Whatever it is, its pleasant and not overwhelming like actual licorice or raisins. The wrapper gives a nice bit of saltiness and a bit of leathery flavor as well. There is no substitute for an OpusX.

Draw: 9/10

Exceptional draw. Take very little effort to draw smoke.

Burn: 8/10

Started burning uneven. Became around 3/4" uneven at one point, required a touch up with the lighter. Other than that it stayed lit fine and there were no other major issues.

Ash: 5/5

As usual not much to say here. The ash held fine well after 1" and it had that nice salt and pepper color to it.

Smoke: 5/5

This cigar produces a significant amount of smoke. Luckily no one called the fire department.

Impression: 31/35

A fantastic cigar. There is quite a bit of hype over the OpusX line as well as other Fuente premiums. There are few cigars that look as luxurious as an OpusX. Pre-light it has one of the prettiest aroma's around, sort of smells like a caramel with a little spice. The price point is a joke online for the majority of internet retailers. You can find these at most reputable smoke shops, though they only come out a couple times a year. They are priced much better, but still carry quite a high price tag of around $11.00 a cigar. Its well worth the money paid though I wouldn't say worth much more, though I could probably count all the cigars I consider better with an $11.00+ price tag on a single hand.

Overall Rating: 90

I'm not a big spender. So I seldom get the opportunity to enjoy such an exceptional high end cigar. Luckily we have some great children of the leaf on here who are generous enough to share the experience with those of us who live pay check to pay check. This particular cigar (along with a few other OpusX I have) was given to me by none other than GlockG23 (as always Bill, you the man).

Is it worth the hype? I don't know. Its hard for any cigar to live up to the reputation of infamous OpusX. It's kind of hard to explain how it "isn't worth the hype" when I rate the cigar a 90. All that means is the hype usually seems to be describing 95+ cigar. Like I said, those are very high standards. Never the less, great smoke.

If you haven't tried an OpusX... GO GET ONE! Christmas time is coming around, which means they should be coming in stock at your local smoke shop... along with its evil cousin the Anejo. But that's a story for another day.