Hello Editors,
I read the Top25 cigars of 2007 and OpusX PerfecXion No. 2 is rated the #2 cigar of the year. Cool. I love OpusX.

There's an interesting quote in the review however: "At one time OpusX cigars seemed to be sacrificing balance for strength -- they were undeniably powerful, but they seemed to be missing the stabilizing sweetness that the brand first exhibited when it debuted in 1995. Those days appear to be over."

In the 2005 Top 25, the Opus Double Corona gets the top honor, and in that review there is this sentence: "And current releases of the brand suggest that its quality is at a level not seen since its debut."

So my question is this: When were the bad years for the Opus? And what were the defining characteristics of the "bad" OpusX compared to the "good" OpusX?

I know cigars are a variable product from batch to batch, year to year (bad Cubans from like 1999-2001), etc. But this is the second time that Cigar Aficionado has made a subtle mention of product variability with the Opus. It is especially intriguing to me since almost no one talks about "bad years" for non-Cuban cigars, especially not a ultra-premium like the OpusX.

Just wanted to satisfy my curiosity...

Thank you for your time and I'm looking forward to your response!

Good question.
Very interesting.

I'd be interested to know as well. I honestly can't say because I tend to age Opus X for at least a year before smoking them.

I smoke a decent amount of Opus, but the way CA briefly touched on the topic the first time got me thinking. The 2nd time really got me curious.

It would be great to hear from the hardcore Opus smokers out there on this topic as well.

Any thoughts Editors?

quote:

Originally posted by Extensioncord:
I tend to age Opus X for at least a year before smoking them.

That is a big key. The difference between most fresh-from-the-store Opus and those that you've aged for a year or more is a stark one.

quote:

Originally posted by minalpharetta:

quote:

Originally posted by Extensioncord:
I tend to age Opus X for at least a year before smoking them.

That is a big key. The difference between most fresh-from-the-store Opus and those that you've aged for a year or more is a stark one.

I agree aging them for 1-3 years after buying them makes these great smokes amazing.

Which makes me wonder if the "bad Opus" that the Editors mentioned were due to insufficient age or bad blending, etc etc.

I also enjoy Fuente Fuente OpusX with some additional age on them, but remember that Fuente ages the cigars for one year before releasing them, so the new release cigars aren't that fresh.

And I'd like to clarify--we didn't use the term "bad" to describe the cigars. We said there was a time when they were more linear, powerful without the stabilizing sweetness the original and current release OpusX cigars had and have. I wouldn't go as far as to call the others bad, but they weren't as good as the ones we're smoking now.

If you have a Cigar Insider membership, you can see all 86 ratings we've given the Fuente Fuente OpusX brand over the years. (Click here to see them.)

If you look at the period from around 2001 to 2005, you see a lot of ratings in the upper 80s. These are fine ratings, but they're not as high as the current ones, which are almost all in the 90s.

This year it was the first time the #4's were great right out of the box. IMO anyway. In years past I had to let most Opus X line sit. Last years Researve De Chateau Are smoking great and the recent release are smokng like they have a year of age on them.
Great year for most Opus X this year.
IMHO.

I spoke with Carlos Fuente Jr. about this very subject, first in the Dominican Republic on my last trip, and again yesterday. He welcomed me to share some of his insights with you.

The Fuente Fuente OpusX blend has not changed over the years, but the Fuentes have changed the way they mstore the cigars. About 3 1/2 years ago, the Fuentes changed the humidity at which they store Fuente Fuente OpusX, going from 70 percent humidity (the level at which all other Fuente cigars are made and stored) to 58 to 60 percent. (The cigars are made in a separate room in the main Fuente factory, and stored separately from the other cigars.) They are shipped with 65 percent level Humidipaks. After making the adjustment, Fuente had to add more tobacco to the blend to compensate--the changes reduced the quickness of the draw and cut down the peppery taste, getting it back to that original level where it had more balance.

That's the big reason Fuente feels the cigars taste different today than 3 or so years ago.

Wow, that is very interesting; thanks, David. Did Mr. Fuente share what went into the decision to store at a drastically lower RH? Personally, I think almost all cigars smoke better at 65% than at 70% RH, and hence tend to store them at 65%, but going from 70% to 58% is a big jump.

Very interesting.
I enjoy most Dom. Puros. I will say that the Dom. wrapper smokes better at the lower RH.

Wow they had to add more tobacco at the lower RH.

Great information David. It is nice to know that we, meaning through you, have access to this sort of information directly from the Fuentes themselves.

Thanks again!

Very cool thread.

thanks for the great info!

I'm about to purchase half a box soon, with all this new info, I can't wait!!

Thanks for the great posting, David. Very interesting information for us to learn! My Opus #4's, bought last year, definately still needed some age and are resting in the #4 humidor with some Bolivar and MC #4's.