I was so dissapointed I just had to share. Saturday night a buddy of mine came over for some Great Lakes brew and a holiday cigar. I gave him his choice from my hummidor to which he selected an Ashton VSG that I had aging for about 5-7 years. I decided to try my first Opus X. I bought 3 of these about 4 or 5 years ago and had them aging. While he enjoyed a fantastic smoke I on the other hand was stuck with this "thing". Terrible burn, one dimensional taste that was full bodied and nothing else. I'm hoping this was a fluke and that the other 2 sticks will be much better. Although I can't expect much from the Fuente family. I just wanted to share since this was such a dissapointing smoke. This could be the bigget let down since I tried a Perdomo Tabacalera a few years ago. I've heard the Opus was over-hyped but Hoped it wasn't true. Can anyone else share their Opus experience?
There's nothing more exhilarating than pointing out the shortcomings of others, is there?
Posts: 107 | Location: Cleveland | Registered: January 23, 2003
You cant expect much from Fuente? While your friend had a fantastic smoke? That does not make much sense at all given that those are both Fuente cigars...anyhow...maybe Opus X is not your thing...I myself am a huge fan and always fall back to one when I am in need for a great smoke...the same can be said for the VSG, ESG, Chateau, etc...
False guardian I will compel false as the fear of heaven and hell I should have known its all a mirage just as well
Posts: 1446 | Location: CA | Registered: June 02, 2008
From my own experience, an Opus X is best with no more than two-years of age on it, and I prefer one-year. They seem to get very mellow/mild after about a year.
I have to give my two cents here. I'm new to the site but I think this is agreat place to vent. For me, it's always a hit or miss with OpusX. They never seem to be reliable for me and everytime I get my hopes up, they let me down. Not so much flavor wise but construction wise. I've never had an OpusX that doesn't have issues and I've had every single size, bought them in OK, NY, MD, FL, PA and NJ. in person and online so it's not the retailer. I have also smoked them right at the cigar shoppe and also aged them. They are always a hit or miss. If I'm paying all this money for a cigar I shouldn't be sucking until my face turns red or relighting it 5 times. Now as far as Fuente's other stuff, the Ashton VSG's are amazing they never ever let me down. OpusX is ok but not as amazing as everyone claims. If you want a great cigar that ages well, try the Padron 1926 Maduro or the Graycliff Crystal those cigars are always perfect. Thanks and I wish everyone and their families a great New Year!
which size of the opus did you smoke? I've had the xXx, Perfecxion no.4 and no.5, as well as a Petitie Lancero and a Robusto, I have some larger sizes (Reserva, double corona...) aging for later. But the smaller sizes that I've smoked have always been superb, wonderful flavors and very strong, too.
"Is that a Churchill cigar in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?"
Sorry for my ignorance on Ashton being Fuente. I still pretty much dislike every other Fuente and I've tried alot. Anyways I'm hoping the other 2 Opus I have will be better but Like Rob said for the price paid these should great smokes and consistent. I still understan a flop every once in a while. Although its nice to se eI"m not crazy and others have had issues with the Opus. The size btw was Robusto.
There's nothing more exhilarating than pointing out the shortcomings of others, is there?
Posts: 107 | Location: Cleveland | Registered: January 23, 2003
i have had about 15 opus x's and never had a problem with construction, draw, consistency, etc. Every single stick I've smoked has burned evenly and taste has been fantastic.
I belive high humidity has alot to do with burn issues on Opus X. These cigars tend to smoke best at the 65% range. Very rarely di they smoke great out of the box although I've had success with #4's and Petit Lanceros right out of the box. Letting them settle under 68% does wonders as does dry boxing them a night or two before smoking. I've found the thicker the ring gage the lower you want your humidity to be. JMHO.
i can't believe you bought a pack of opus 4-5 years ago and never smoked one in your life til now. what patience. I love opus, but due to the limited release there is hype. i prefer anejo over opus
"Cuban seed tobaccos grown in Nicaragua and Cuba. The wrapper would be from Cuba. The binder leaves would be from Nicaragua. For the ligero tobacco in the filler, he would use two types, one from Esteli and the other from Jalapa in Nicaragua. The other filler components, seco and viso, would come from Cuba, the former from Villa Clara, the latter from Pinar del Rio. That Cigar, he says with pride, would score 100 points." -Don Pepin Garcia
Originally posted by littoines: I belive high humidity has alot to do with burn issues on Opus X. These cigars tend to smoke best at the 65% range. Very rarely di they smoke great out of the box although I've had success with #4's and Petit Lanceros right out of the box. Letting them settle under 68% does wonders as does dry boxing them a night or two before smoking. I've found the thicker the ring gage the lower you want your humidity to be. JMHO.
This is good advice on all counts. The first Opus I ever smoked was young, and stored at 70%. It tasted so bad that I put it down after a couple of inches. I quickly learned that an Opus with six months to a couple of years on it stored at ~65% RH-- sometimes dry boxed prior to smoking, sometimes not-- is a delight.
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"The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins." (H.L. Mencken)
Originally posted by Superfly: Like Rob said for the price paid these should great smokes and consistent. I still understan a flop every once in a while. Although its nice to se eI"m not crazy and others have had issues with the Opus. The size btw was Robusto.
I tend to agree. For all the money and hassle associated with tracking some down, they can be more trouble than they're worth. I have had some amazing Opus and just as many crummy ones. Even after aging them. And carefully tracking the humidity. Then dry boxing them a day prior to smoking.
At the end of the day, an Opus X Double Corona costs a lot more than a Cuban Hoyo DC or Partagas Lusi. Makes my buying decision very easy.
I was like you Superfly. Sorry you had to wait so long to find out.
I too found the robusto to be less flavorful. My favorites are the #5 right out of the box (and I normally dislike little cigars). For a nice size smoke, I like the Perfecxion X the best. The Chateau is great with a year on it, but I didn't enjoy it at all out of the box. Neither did I like the Petit Lancero, Super Beli or #4 right out of the box either.
I keep my humi around 65%-68% and 65F in a wine cooler. All my Opus, whether I enjoyed the flavor or not, have burned perfectly. Recently I remember saying to myself I wish all cigars burned so well and had such a consistently good draw.
They are meant to be smoked and I notice if I'm puffing less than once every 45sec, especially towards the end, they'll go out. I don't mind as that's how I enjoy my cigars, but those puffing every 1-2 minutes will have issues.
As I mentioned in another thread, try a size. If its harsh or overpowering, let it rest a year and try again. Try many sizes as I feel they are substantially different. I really didn't care for these either initially. After finding sizes, humidity levels and aging I like, I've enjoyed them much more.
Right out of the box, I loved the Perfecxion #5 and Perfecxion X. I've smoked them straight from the local as well as after stabilizing in my humi. All times there were excellent. I can't recall a bad #5 and I had over 20+ in the last few months.
If you don't want to go through the hassle or feel they're not for you, that's OK too. Its the beauty of the hobby. Smoke what you enjoy!
Great advice icall. I remember your posts questioning the Opus, then your experience with the #5.
In the last year, I too have had a bit of an Opus revelation, and now generally enjoy each cigar to the point that I consider them special in their own right. Each size does have a bit of a different personality, and the storage method of them can determine some of your experience.
BTW, my VSG collection has taken a back seat to other smokes. I find my tastes change over time, which is just part of the enjoyment!
I got 10 Opus Robustos about 6 months ago...i have smoked 4 of them...i keep all cigars in Vinotemp 62-66%rh....the construction was very good but the first 3 tasted like a Sungrown Chateau nothing special...the last one i smoked was very,very good...
I also got a tin last year of the Reserva D Chateau...smoked the first 2 within couple months and they were great...smoked the last one with a year of age and it sucked...
I'll go thru the ones i have now and if not impressed my days of buying Opus are over....
Posts: 2113 | Location: THE BUCKEYE STATE | Registered: June 24, 2007
Originally posted by cigdogg: the first 3 tasted like a Sungrown Chateau nothing special... I'll go thru the ones i have now and if not impressed my days of buying Opus are over....
I agree, the basic flavor profile is similar. I always suggest that people try the Sungrowns...from about $4 for a Chateau Fuente to about $5 for a Cuban Beli...at those prices, burn issues are less if a killer. Hey, $7 for a King B, too.
The Opus Robusto I am now smoking has been resting for at least 7 months and sitting at 65%. She's burning like a champ and the flavors are rich and complex. Not as much power as other Opus (less bold pepper/leather), but more creamy, smooth leather and spice with a little grassy/meaty flavor. I find it very different than a Sungrown, King B, etc. However, when I smoked the same cigar when I first got them, they were flat, and little to speak about.
It's not for everyone looking for an instant fix, but to have this experience, you have to be willing to play the game with this cigar. The flip side is if your palette is ready to enjoy these flavors (there was a time I didn't look for this profile), and you have patience to age and taste them over time, you will likely be rewarded.
I have a few I am aging and hoping that my tastes will change to enjoy them as much as others seem to. I had a fuente fuente with about a year on it and I did not enjoy it one bit. The spice at the beginning was overpowering but at least it settled down after about an inch.
I also had an Anejo #46 which I thought was even worse. This had about a year of age on it.
I love the Hemingway series, the Don Carlos series, and the one Casa Fuente that I had.
At this point, I would take a Padron or a Don Carlos any day over an Opus or Anejo.
But, to each his own.
Power always thinks it has a great soul and vast views beyond the comprehension of the weak. - John Adams
At this point, I would take a Padron or a Don Carlos any day over an Opus or Anejo.
That's exactly what you should do as your palette is yours and only yours. Those are all great cigars! Maybe once or twice a year, try an Opus again to see if your tastes have changed.
