2006 Opus X Double Corona

Porch Dweller · 08-06-2016, 12:07 AM

This is a special occasion cigar for me so I thought I'd take some notes and post up a review.

Saturday is my wife and my ten-year wedding anniversary. Shortly after I joined this forum I bought a blind sampler (I believe it was from Gabe but can't recall for sure) and a 2006 Opus X Double Corona was included. I was originally tempted to set fire to it immediately but then realized "Hey, I'm still a relative noob to being serious about smokes and I don't have any cigars from 2006 in my collection. I should hold on to this for a few years and have it as my 10-year anniversary cigar." So that's what I did.

Smoke time: 1 Hour, 55 minutes
Drink: Water and a bit of Weller Special Reserve

The cold draw was perfect and tasted of raisin, cedar, and slight leather.

The burn was even as can be for about the first 1/3, then started getting a little wonky and needed the occasional touch-up.

Much of the assertiveness of a "fresh" Opus X has mellowed, as can be expected for one that's rested for a decade. Time has turned it into a smoke that leans to the medium side of mild-medium. There were hardly any noticeable spicy or peppery flavors, except for a mild pepper when retro-haling. Instead, through the first 1/3 there was a good amount of fruit - mainly raisin and a subtle, almost berry-like flavor that I can't categorize - along with leather, a touch of cinnamon, cocoa, and a wonderful creaminess that varied in intensity throughout.

In the second 1/3, the cocoa and berry disappeared for the most part, leaving raisin, leather, a much more subdued creaminess, and what would become the more dominant flavor, a woodiness that wasn't quite cedar, but was close.

In the final 1/3 it started losing the subtle flavors and was dominated by wood and leather. I'd really been enjoying it up until this point, but was a little disappointed in the flat finish.

Thoughts: I really enjoyed this smoke, but...and you might have thought there'd be a "but"...I wish I'd smoked it sooner. I'm not the most experienced Opus X smoker around, but IMNSHO there seems to be a sweet spot between two- to five-years of age in which they're still assertive but have also had time to develop a good amount of depth. Beyond about seven years or so, though, and to me they mellow a little too much. Still, I'm glad I kept this one waiting; it was a damned good smoke to mark a milestone occasion.

IlmProcess · 08-15-2016, 06:39 PM

Thanks for the notes and I'm glad you enjoyed such a special occasion with a fine cigar.

I've only had one of these and it was years ago in a bad setting which ruined the cigar, but the tasting notes are right up my alley. Sounds delicious.

G G · 08-15-2016, 07:40 PM

Great Review and congrats.

Doctorossi · 08-16-2016, 07:49 AM

Congratulations and thanks for the review!

An in-the-zone Opus X DC is a sublime stick.

08-06-2016, 12:07 AM	#1
Porch Dweller Life is for living Join Date: Oct 2012 First Name: James Location: Mississippi Gulf Coast Posts: 8,403 Trading: (24)	2006 Opus X Double Corona This is a special occasion cigar for me so I thought I'd take some notes and post up a review. Saturday is my wife and my ten-year wedding anniversary. Shortly after I joined this forum I bought a blind sampler (I believe it was from Gabe but can't recall for sure) and a 2006 Opus X Double Corona was included. I was originally tempted to set fire to it immediately but then realized "Hey, I'm still a relative noob to being serious about smokes and I don't have any cigars from 2006 in my collection. I should hold on to this for a few years and have it as my 10-year anniversary cigar." So that's what I did. Smoke time: 1 Hour, 55 minutes Drink: Water and a bit of Weller Special Reserve The cold draw was perfect and tasted of raisin, cedar, and slight leather. The burn was even as can be for about the first 1/3, then started getting a little wonky and needed the occasional touch-up. Much of the assertiveness of a "fresh" Opus X has mellowed, as can be expected for one that's rested for a decade. Time has turned it into a smoke that leans to the medium side of mild-medium. There were hardly any noticeable spicy or peppery flavors, except for a mild pepper when retro-haling. Instead, through the first 1/3 there was a good amount of fruit - mainly raisin and a subtle, almost berry-like flavor that I can't categorize - along with leather, a touch of cinnamon, cocoa, and a wonderful creaminess that varied in intensity throughout. In the second 1/3, the cocoa and berry disappeared for the most part, leaving raisin, leather, a much more subdued creaminess, and what would become the more dominant flavor, a woodiness that wasn't quite cedar, but was close. In the final 1/3 it started losing the subtle flavors and was dominated by wood and leather. I'd really been enjoying it up until this point, but was a little disappointed in the flat finish. Thoughts: I really enjoyed this smoke, but...and you might have thought there'd be a "but"...I wish I'd smoked it sooner. I'm not the most experienced Opus X smoker around, but IMNSHO there seems to be a sweet spot between two- to five-years of age in which they're still assertive but have also had time to develop a good amount of depth. Beyond about seven years or so, though, and to me they mellow a little too much. Still, I'm glad I kept this one waiting; it was a damned good smoke to mark a milestone occasion. __________________ A 1911 in the hand is faster than 911 on the phone

08-15-2016, 06:39 PM	#2
IlmProcess ¿Spectacle Join Date: Apr 2012 First Name: Trent Location: IL Posts: 117 Trading: (0)	Re: 2006 Opus X Double Corona Thanks for the notes and I'm glad you enjoyed such a special occasion with a fine cigar. I've only had one of these and it was years ago in a bad setting which ruined the cigar, but the tasting notes are right up my alley. Sounds delicious. __________________ Status-Quo Dissonance

08-15-2016, 07:40 PM	#3
G G BR549 Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Greg Location: Taylor, FL. Posts: 12,726 Trading: (10)	Re: 2006 Opus X Double Corona Great Review and congrats.

08-16-2016, 07:49 AM	#4
Doctorossi Have My Own Room Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Burlington, VT Posts: 1,684 Trading: (8)	Re: 2006 Opus X Double Corona Congratulations and thanks for the review! An in-the-zone Opus X DC is a sublime stick. __________________ Marvin Shanken is a terrific guy... for me to poop on!