Smoked my first Opus tonight and it was so good it inspired me to write all this:
Stuck my Opus Perfecxion No. 4 in a dry box this morning. Its a handsome cigar. Wrapper reminds me of the cubans I've seen: delicate, smooth and silky, oily, with those little wet spots that look like the cigar is oozing syrup from inside. Feels completely even between the fingers, with fairly little give when you squeeze. No spongy spots.
Is that a quad cap? Easy clip. Amazing pre-light draw. An almost completely open draw, but has just the slightest resistance, just the right amount to give you the feel of air going thru perfectly bunched tobacco.
Start: After a short toast and very easy light, the smoke just oozes out immediately. The first puffs are filled with flavors and smoke and its hard to pace myself. I get a lot of leather up front with a hint of creaminess. The finish is mostly clean and short with hints of smokey tea that seem to linger. The lingering begins increasing even after the first few puffs.
1/4 Very even light grey ash and even flavor. I can already tell this is a strong cigar, but the strength isn't getting in the way picking out flavors. Seems to have gotten a bit creamier now with the finish still mostly clean with a great background aftertaste constant now that wakes up a bit with a piece of dark chocolate or sip of iced tea. The nose is almost musty in an oddly pleasant way, reminds me of grilling fruit (yes I do that). The nose is way different from the general taste in my mouth.
2/4 The wrapper lights up brightly with each puff, even after sitting for close to a minute. Thin black line all the way around, burning nearly perfectly at this point. I notice how little sweetness this cigar has. The leather is now lingering. I feel the nicotine a bit now. Its very strong but not in an annoying way where it prickles my nose of leaves bitterness on my tongue. Just the slightest hint of red peppercorn. The wrapper is loose for a short part but it burns right thru it.
3/4 Wow the smoke jumps out of this thing. Stronger "pop" now with each draw. But still relatively clean finish. Less creamy now. Mostly straight leather, tea and tobacco. Barely a hint of bitterness where most cigars would have built up more by now. I almost think I'm getting a hint cognac or something. So good!
4/4 1hr and 30mins in. Slightly uneven burn. More bitter but still really good.
Overall: Strong but not bitter. Tastes great. Burns amazingly. Consistent flavors. The burn makes it easy to smoke, like when a car is easy to drive. I don't think I've seen so much smoke come from a cigar before. Amazing, feels and tastes luxurious.
This is actually the only Opus that I have had, and couldnt agree with you more on the amount of smoke that tiny little cigar produces. I made a rather large comment about that, in my own tasting notes. The strength that little sucker has is kind of slow to start and then BOOM! It is upon you. Although not an over powering strength, but definitely strength.
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"'Classic.' A book which people praise and don't read."- Mark Twain
Posts: 839 | Location: Oklahoma | Registered: December 27, 2007
Sometimes you can be the most honest when you're wasted. That was actually a pretty good review, and reminded me of my opus experiences! Makes me want to light one up tonight.
Posts: 613 | Location: Alabama | Registered: November 09, 2006
I smoked my first #4 yesterday. I agree with most of your write up and I personally gave it a 92 rating. My issue with most Opus is based on the price there are many cigars close to or equal in terms of my enjoyment that are less expensive. Also, I agree this gives off alot of smoke but it does not compare to the smoke I have gotten on the La Perla Black Morado Torpedo's.
Originally posted by SamuraiJack: holy crap i was wasted last night.
LOL, that's a pretty focused review for the mind state then. What was accompanying the smoke?
Oh... you know.... stuff.
Naaahh.. just a couple beers. I'm a lightweight
I have some other sizes I will be trying soon (xXx, Perf. X, 2, 5). I am hoping they stack up. But maybe I started with the winner for me, especially since I tend to love that general size.
