Is it possible that these XXX are.....

[stepthirteen]

Hello Brothers,

I have a couple of questions, but to clarify (and follow Tone-ny's advice) I reviewed all of the threads here to try and get an answer to my specific question, but struck out, so here goes. I was hoping that someone (maybe moki) could tell me if these XXX "Power Rangers" could be Original release based on this box presentation below. I realize that the #4s pictured are not, but I know the XXX where released at a later date. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Again any help is much appreciated .

Jim

 

[Petthefish]

Wow I want one of each lol sorry I am no help what so ever just had to say thanks I drooled all over my keyboard rp

 

[PunchLibertad4Me]

A few weeks ago I had no idea what a Power Ranger was (in terms of cigars) and now you have me drooling on the monitor as I want to smoke one of those sticks.

I have to remember the Fiscal Responsibility posts and just hope that the wifey goves me a Visa Gift Card for Christmas!

 

[Rebel Herfer]

If memory serves correctly, the boxes do not indicate OR or any specific release date, they are Shipping Boxes only. ORs were then placed in slide top boxes by the "wholesalers" or retailers. I honestly don't remember if the ORs were ever shipped in Shipping Boxes or if that was 2nd year development. Hope that partially helps.

 

[stepthirteen]

Thanks Jeff. I do know from Moki's website that the initial line released in 1995 primarily on the East cost, but that the XXX did not release for the first time until 1998, so hopefully someone will chime in with more info. I do realize the info I have provided is limited, but I really just want to know if the box they are in makes it a no go for sure.

Jim

 

[tone-ny]

Those are the boxes that they use to fill up the presentation boxes. I forget the exact term for them, but I'm sure Moki can tell you their name. I've purchased Opus in those type boxes before. Moki has pictures of what the original boxes look like for the original Opus release. Hope that helps you out.

Edited to add: I see Rebel Herfer called them shipping cases.

 

[Petthefish]

Crap Stepthirteen I just noticed you are in SW Washington So when do you want me to come over and take a hands on look at those boxes for you hahaha

 

[souldog]

Hey Jim,

I'm not sure if you looked at this page or not, and I'm sure you have, but just in case you missed it dude:

http://www.vitolas.net/displayimage.php?pos=-134

If memory serves correctly, the boxes do not indicate OR or any specific release date, they are Shipping Boxes only. ORs were then placed in slide top boxes by the "wholesalers" or retailers.

Hope the above answers a portion of your question Jim. I'm not even going to ask where your source is from on this one... :whistling:

 

[Goalee1]

Yup, those are the shipping boxes that Fuente uses to ship to the dealers. I've actually not seen any of the presentation boxes in quite some time. The last few years my B&M's gotten their opus in, its always been in the shipping boxes. The original release opus were in slide lid boxes. Just as a teaser, original PL's were with a pigtail and not the pointed tip that they have now G1

 

[northernmoris]

My B&M received about 6 boxes over the last 4 months, all have been in the presentation boxes.

 

[souldog]

Just as a teaser, original PL's were with a pigtail and not the pointed tip that they have now G1

WHA-BAMM!!!!

http://www.vitolas.net/displayimage.php?pos=-238

Taken from Andrew's website:

"This is a prototype of what would become the regular production Opus X Petit Lancero. This petit lancero with a pig-tail was given out to approximately 100 people at CFC 2001."

 

[stepthirteen]

Thanks much for all the help with and feedback. I think it is just simply impossible for anyone to tell by a pic alone whether they are OR. So I will just smoke them like I intended on doing anyway. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!

Jim

 

[moki]

Thanks much for all the help with and feedback. I think it is just simply impossible for anyone to tell by a pic alone whether they are OR. So I will just smoke them like I intended on doing anyway. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!

Jim

Not true... I can tell you with absolute certainty that these are not OR -- these are just restock boxes. They aren't supposed to ever be sold to end customers, but sometimes they are. There's nothing special about the cigars inside, either in terms of blend or in terms of age.

There also really isn't any such thing as "OR xXx" cigars... they were not part of the original release of Opus X cigars.

It's sort of like buying bulk food at BJ's Wholesale...

 

[stepthirteen]

Thanks much for all the help with and feedback. I think it is just simply impossible for anyone to tell by a pic alone whether they are OR. So I will just smoke them like I intended on doing anyway. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!

Jim

Not true... I can tell you with absolute certainty that these are not OR -- these are just restock boxes. They aren't supposed to ever be sold to end customers, but sometimes they are. There's nothing special about the cigars inside, either in terms of blend or in terms of age.

There also really isn't any such thing as "OR xXx" cigars... they were not part of the original release of Opus X cigars.

It's sort of like buying bulk food at BJ's Wholesale...

Andrew thanks much for the feedback, however I would like you to clarify two things if you could please-

1) Are you saying that XXX "Power Rangers" and #4s where not shipped in these boxes in 1998?

2) I think we have discussed the Original Release phrase before and it seems that you are splitting hairs with this phrase because 1st release would be Original Release of a particular size wouldn't it?

I guess what is most important in my mind is the age of the cigars and I do not think that you or anyone for that matter can determine the age of a cigar without actually examining them in person. So maybe you can explain, if you would, how you can be so certain about age? To me if an Opus X has 10 years of age it is pretty special . Maybe you can expand on how you so easily determined this.

Thanks again .

Jim

 

[tone-ny]

Andrew can verify this for all of us but those re-stock boxes came out in late 03 or early 04. So the oldest those cigars can be are 5 years old. Hope that helps.

 

[stepthirteen]

Andrew can verify this for all of us but those re-stock boxes came out in late 03 or early 04. So the oldest those cigars can be are 5 years old. Hope that helps.

That was the answer I was looking for thank you very much Anthony!! Thanks for your feedback as well Andrew . This place rocks as usual .

Jim

 

[moki]

Andrew thanks much for the feedback, however I would like you to clarify two things if you could please-

1) Are you saying that XXX "Power Rangers" and #4s where not shipped in these boxes in 1998?

They were not. Fuente did not start using restock boxes until 2004 I believe.

2) I think we have discussed the Original Release phrase before and it seems that you are splitting hairs with this phrase because 1st release would be Original Release of a particular size wouldn't it?

Not really. What counts as OR is that it comes from the original Opus X crops, especially the original Chateau d'Fuente wrapper that came from the "seeds of hope". The original release of the xXx cigars is exactly the same as regular production Opus in other sizes from that year.

I guess what is most important in my mind is the age of the cigars and I do not think that you or anyone for that matter can determine the age of a cigar without actually examining them in person. So maybe you can explain, if you would, how you can be so certain about age? To me if an Opus X has 10 years of age it is pretty special . Maybe you can expand on how you so easily determined this.

Okay... they are from 2004 or later, based on the restock box packaging. I am not 100% on that... closer to 95%... but the restock boxes definitely were not used until early to mid 2000's.

 

[stepthirteen]

Andrew thanks much for the feedback, however I would like you to clarify two things if you could please-

1) Are you saying that XXX "Power Rangers" and #4s where not shipped in these boxes in 1998?

They were not. Fuente did not start using restock boxes until 2004 I believe.

2) I think we have discussed the Original Release phrase before and it seems that you are splitting hairs with this phrase because 1st release would be Original Release of a particular size wouldn't it?

Not really. What counts as OR is that it comes from the original Opus X crops, especially the original Chateau d'Fuente wrapper that came from the "seeds of hope". The original release of the xXx cigars is exactly the same as regular production Opus in other sizes from that year.

I guess what is most important in my mind is the age of the cigars and I do not think that you or anyone for that matter can determine the age of a cigar without actually examining them in person. So maybe you can explain, if you would, how you can be so certain about age? To me if an Opus X has 10 years of age it is pretty special . Maybe you can expand on how you so easily determined this.

Okay... they are from 2004 or later, based on the restock box packaging. I am not 100% on that... closer to 95%... but the restock boxes definitely were not used until early to mid 2000's.

Andrew thanks again for the fantastic info. It has expanded my perspective alot. Again thank you I have much to learn and you have alot of the knowledge that I seek . Thank you!!

Jim