had an opus x for the first time last night and I am very unhappy to report that it really didnt impress me too much. it was very bold and at times overpowering. I actually made me woozy for a moment. Really though I am very disappointed. I was a good cigar but not something wonderful like the hype. To be honest, and I know someone out there is going to say BS, but I would compare it to the cuban belicosos sungrown by fuente. Or maybe the vsg, although, I liked the vsg better. Maybe it needed more time. I just dont know if Id spend that kind of money on it when I can get something just as good with the cuban beli or a vsg. any comments?

Cigars are a matter of personal taste. I think your reasoning for not liking it is perfectly understandable.

I do think there are a few things you should consider, though:

(a) If there hadn't been so much hype, you might not have had such high expectations, and if you had more reasonable expectations, you might have enjoyed the cigar more

(b) Opus X is a strong cigar -- too strong for some folks. Some people would suggest you just aren't ready for it yet. I'm not sure that's true in your case but maybe re-try one again in a year or two.

(c) The law of diminishing returns applies to cigars as well as anything. Is a $400,000 Ferrari really ten times better than a $40,000 Porsche Boxster? No way. Is every $1,000 bottle of wine 100 times better than every $10 bottle? Nope. Opus X is a connoiseur's product for people who are willing to pay, say, three times the price of a Cuban Belicoso for a cigar that's not necessarily three times better.

By the way -- I have three boxes of Cuban Belis on hand right now. After a year or two of aging, they get even closer to that VSG/Opus sort of flavor as they begin to lose their rough edges.

Anyway, Opus X is a great cigar but it's not the end all, be all.

If you get a chance, try the Fuente King B. Nice middle ground between the Cuban Beli and Opus. Price: $6.75.

In addition to Ecord's comments, which I agree with, you might try aging a couple of sticks of Opus for a year or so; you will be amazed at how different this cigar will taste if you do so. IMO no cigar changes more in a year, including CCs.

Also, an overhumidified Opus X can be a rank smoke; again, just IMO, but these are best stored at 65-67% RH, and dry-boxed for at least a few hours before smoking.

Since you like VSG, I'd really urge you to try aging some Opus. Not that they will taste like VSG, but the fact that you smoke VSG would indicate to me that strength and full body are not the problem with Opus for you, but rather youth (of the cigar )

You are not alone sptcigars. I've had two Opus and an Anejo and weren't too impressed for the same reason; too much spice. Since then, I've thrown the rest of my Opus and Anejos into the coolerdor and won't try another one for quite a while.

Hey Spt where you been long time no see.Sorry to here about your disappointment.I only got sick from a cigar once in like 30 years of smoking.The culprit a fresh rolled opus X that cigar kicked my ass lost my lunch and everything.

I very rarely smoke a fresh Opus. If you can wait at least a year it will make a huge difference.

On the next nice day in NY I'll have my first Opus. A XXX...I'm afraid my opinions will be the same.

I couldnt stand Fuente tell the Opus X came out. I smoke mainly cubans but no cuban can match the X; its a totally different cigar. Great ciar in its own; but you must let it age. Now when I say it cant be matched; its a different type of smoke.

I have to agree with mialpharetta, and the others who suggest the aging of Opus'. I had purchased a few Opus No.2's and Reserve d' Chateau's, tried them, and almost swore them off. Too much! So I let the rest age for awhile (almost two years now), and have tried one again recently...

Man what a difference! It's a totally different cigar. Still full flavored, but oh, so good.I highly recommend aging them before you try another. I don't think you will still be dissappointed.

thanks to all for the comments. You all seem to have said what I am thinking. TIME. that and dont fall to the hype. i'm glad to hear that those cuban beli's get even better with a year or two under them. I thought they were killer after just 5 months. I'll put another cigar out there that bought fresh isn't all that but gets pretty damn good after 5-6 mos. the coronado. what you all think of that smoke after some time in it??

It mostly comes down to whether you prefer Nicaraguan (i.e. Padron, DPG, Tatuaje) or Dominican (i.e. Opus X, Anejo and all AF) tobacco.

it definitely does but im just asking the general question regarding what smokers think about the coronado fresh and with some time on it.

I had a Coronado this past Friday night and I have had it in my humi for two months, no idea how long it was at my B&M but we had to open the box to get a few singles out. IMHO they were pretty good. Granted, this was at the tail end of a RASS and H Upmann 46 so that may have had some impact. Everything was great with it (draw, burn, aroma) but the flavor left me wanting more. I have a few more I am planning on pulling out this summer to check up on them so I hope it will earn its #2 ranking from 2006.