Brand:Fuente OpusX
Name: Belicoso xXx (Power Ranger)
Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper/Binder/Filler: Dominican Puro
Length: 4.625"
Gauge: 49
Well, I saw a few of these beauties in a Cigar store in St. Louis (reportedly the only one in the area with any OpusX in stock), and decided to pick a few up. I am by no means experienced with cigar smoking, this being maybe my fifth or sixth cigar. This is the first one I took the time to write a proper review on, having paid (for me) a considerable ammount of money on this cigar. I got 2 of these for 9.xx ea, as well as the last four PerfX's in St. Louis for 12.xx ea.
I was at work, and was anticipating an exciting night of staring at the shopping center across the street, so I clipped one of my Power Rangers, and here we go!
Pre-light draw was fantastic. Wrapper was like silk, very oily. Georgeous Rosado color, with darker, pronounced veins. Very little, fine tooth. Barely noticed. Construction was flawless, with the wrapper helixed into a georgeous cap.
The X3 was difficult for me to light correctly. Had to touch it up a few times within the first couple of minutes. This could have been the slight breeze outside, or maybe the humidity, but oh well. First couple of puffs were unremarkable, pretty much a warm tobacco taste. Medium-to-Full bodied.
Ten minutes in, I noticed an abundance of spice, as well as a strong earthy/cedary core. A slight hint of coffee as well. 1" into the cigar, the bottom was burning slower (?). I rotated 180 degrees, touched it up, and continued. Copius ammounts of smoke produced with a few deep draws.
Halfway in, I decided to blow some out my nose (a friend said you get more flavor via this method), and there was definately more flavor to be had. I noticed something I thought was quite strange - Raisin. Wasn't ready for that one. But is was definately there. Ended up sneezing a few times, the power ranger was getting pretty full-bodied at this point. Still producing clouds of smoke, and cedar core still present. Slightly sweet on the palate (Maybe I've been reading too much CA...). Burn has become more even with appropriate rotation. Haven't had to touch it up after 2". Burning suprisingly cool.
3/4" from wrapper (removed it at this point), flavor returns to a pure cedar/earthy core with a hint of spice. Still sweet, but no more raisin. Large ammounts of smoke doing a good job of keeping flying insects away (It's 58 degrees in the middle of January...). Halfway through wrapper, it's burning noticeably hotter. I'll take it to the nub.
Conclusion: Well-rounded, complex, full-bodied cigar. Strong cedar core with spice prevailing throughout. Raisin noted in the middle two inches. Cigar starts out slow, quickly picks up. Packs a One-Two nicotene punch. :whistling: Walking was a bad idea when I got to the wrapper. Long, tasty finish.
Smoking Time: 1.5 -1.75 Hours
Rating: 9.5/10
Worth it? Definately. If you like Fuente, go get one, and smoke it. Have a sugary tasty beverage ready, however. Don't say I didn't warn you.
~Phil
Name: Belicoso xXx (Power Ranger)
Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper/Binder/Filler: Dominican Puro
Length: 4.625"
Gauge: 49
Well, I saw a few of these beauties in a Cigar store in St. Louis (reportedly the only one in the area with any OpusX in stock), and decided to pick a few up. I am by no means experienced with cigar smoking, this being maybe my fifth or sixth cigar. This is the first one I took the time to write a proper review on, having paid (for me) a considerable ammount of money on this cigar. I got 2 of these for 9.xx ea, as well as the last four PerfX's in St. Louis for 12.xx ea.
I was at work, and was anticipating an exciting night of staring at the shopping center across the street, so I clipped one of my Power Rangers, and here we go!
Pre-light draw was fantastic. Wrapper was like silk, very oily. Georgeous Rosado color, with darker, pronounced veins. Very little, fine tooth. Barely noticed. Construction was flawless, with the wrapper helixed into a georgeous cap.
The X3 was difficult for me to light correctly. Had to touch it up a few times within the first couple of minutes. This could have been the slight breeze outside, or maybe the humidity, but oh well. First couple of puffs were unremarkable, pretty much a warm tobacco taste. Medium-to-Full bodied.
Ten minutes in, I noticed an abundance of spice, as well as a strong earthy/cedary core. A slight hint of coffee as well. 1" into the cigar, the bottom was burning slower (?). I rotated 180 degrees, touched it up, and continued. Copius ammounts of smoke produced with a few deep draws.
Halfway in, I decided to blow some out my nose (a friend said you get more flavor via this method), and there was definately more flavor to be had. I noticed something I thought was quite strange - Raisin. Wasn't ready for that one. But is was definately there. Ended up sneezing a few times, the power ranger was getting pretty full-bodied at this point. Still producing clouds of smoke, and cedar core still present. Slightly sweet on the palate (Maybe I've been reading too much CA...). Burn has become more even with appropriate rotation. Haven't had to touch it up after 2". Burning suprisingly cool.
3/4" from wrapper (removed it at this point), flavor returns to a pure cedar/earthy core with a hint of spice. Still sweet, but no more raisin. Large ammounts of smoke doing a good job of keeping flying insects away (It's 58 degrees in the middle of January...). Halfway through wrapper, it's burning noticeably hotter. I'll take it to the nub.
Conclusion: Well-rounded, complex, full-bodied cigar. Strong cedar core with spice prevailing throughout. Raisin noted in the middle two inches. Cigar starts out slow, quickly picks up. Packs a One-Two nicotene punch. :whistling: Walking was a bad idea when I got to the wrapper. Long, tasty finish.
Smoking Time: 1.5 -1.75 Hours
Rating: 9.5/10
Worth it? Definately. If you like Fuente, go get one, and smoke it. Have a sugary tasty beverage ready, however. Don't say I didn't warn you.
~Phil
