Mr Peat
Rich Perelman, "Loren you have a Godlike Presence.
- Joined
- Nov 4, 2005
- Messages
- 4,512
Opus X Reserva d'Chateau 2008 CFCF Fun box:
On 24th Feb 2009, I decided it was time to start this box review as I have been wanting a Opus X and what better way to get my Opus fix than do these reviews.
I visually inspect the cigar while it was still in the cellophane and I noticed a little tear in the wrapper. It wasn't a cause for concern knowing how the Opus X handle with just minor and major tears in the wrapper. I cut the cigar at 11:15pm and inspected the cigar again out of the cellophane and I confirmed the tear wasn't something to have any concerns over. My poor old Xikar cut a nice cut across which I was happy with. You will understand my concern once I post the results of the Cigar Band Contest 2009 and see it has cut a few cigars over the course of time.
I took an initial draw off the cigar before lighting it and it was a nice, easy draw. I first thought it might be a tight draw, but that changed once the flame hit it. Naturally, it really opened up after lighting the cigar at 11:24pm and I did get a hint of raspberry notes. Nothing that was in your face, but a subtle hint is all. After it was lit, I exhaled some smoke out of the nasal passage so I get get some idea how this cigar is standing. I got a little grassy/young taste to it. I expected this as many Opus X start out this way and after all, this is from the common line of Opus. At 11:27pm, there seemed to be an herbal note to it which was surprising to me and at 11:32pm, this is when the Opus opened up and started to reveal itself which is generally at the first 1/2" mark.
The ash is really compact like the sand on a beach after the tides move out to mark the low tide. Nice wavy patterns in the ash which was between a dark and light notes to it. The smoke at this point is more rich and complex than the initial 1/2" of this cigar. Again, not a real surprise here as they tend to be this way for me. I can tell its a Opus without a doubt and the young taste slowly fades, but still remains throughout the cigar. Just not as noticeable as when its first lit.
At 11:43pm, the characteristics of a woody notes appear with a slight alcohol texture to it. I snapped a photo with the cigar having a 1 1/4" ash on it and yes, I used a tape measure on it. The burn has been perfect at this point with no corrections needed. The ash was still pretty compact and peppery notes come out in the smoke at this time. Even the smoke made the nasal passage burn a little. My friend also observed this as well as I like others to input what they notice and sometimes they pick up stuff I do not. Since he isn't subjected to Opus X, I will take his opinions seriously. I also noticed what was going as well so thats 2 of us picking up on the transitions going on.
I took another picture when the cigar had a 1 1/2" ash on it and the same profile listed above is still going on with this cigar. Not really a raspberry notes with this one. Just a slight hint here and there. This was a 11:54pm and I did the first ash which did not want to drop off. I had to press it lightly against the ceramic ashtray someone made in a pottery class. At this point, I am taking a guess at the alcohol taste I've picked up on which reminds me of a Bourbon and I am not a fan of Bourbon. Its not hurting the cigar either so I press on like a good little soldier and continue my review.
Now at 12:02am, the peppery/spiciness comes out once again and my poor nasal passage burned a little from the smoke. Even made the eyes tingle a little bit. Its still pretty much the same cigar qualities I have noted up to this point so no real changes going on here. It definitely is a young Opus as the grassy, woody characteristics come out with that slight alcohol taste I pick up on. Its not the first time in all my reviews to find this in them and I always say its a young cigar. I have no idea the age of it as well. But I've smoked enough Opus that has been aged over a course of a few years and this is my impression at this point. I've concluded that the cigar has a sweet, dry, peppery smoke and is the direct result of the Bourbon taste I've picked out.
The burn has been perfect all the way through the cigar and plenty of smoke off each puff and this is noted at 12:06am. I decided to ash at 12:10am in hopes that it isn't being muted by it. I did another ash at 12:17am and was hoping more of the traditional Opus qualities would come out and to my dismay, it didn't. But the draw was fantastic and no touch up required on this great cigar. I couldn't have been more content with my surroundings while smoking a Opus and watching a movie with a friend. Definitely a great way to end the day off while it was still 50+ degrees outside.
I had to finally take the first band off which is was replaced with a X, instead of the year on this little band. It came off without a single tear or rip in the band. I noticed on my inspection that the band wasn't completely glued to the wrapper like if it was a pop tab. That was a nice feature I hadn't seen before and I haven't confirmed if all the bands on this box is the same way or not. I took a photo of it so you will appreciate what I am talking about. This was done at 12:27am and the cigar has pretty much stayed the same. The smoke seemed a little different as if it mellowed out a little but was on the richer side. Finally at 12:44am I had to take off the big Opus X band and again, it came off like the little one without tearing or ripping the band or wrapper. Woohoo!!! The Fuente Super Glue didn't strike this cigar band and wrapper.
At 12:50am, a slight hint of tar taste peeked through and it wasn't hurting the cigar taste at all. Unlike some other Opus which ruins the experience, this was just mild form of tar. Its still pretty much the same notes I've written above and thus, this cigar didn't seem overly complex in nature which is normal for the Reserva d'Chateau from my experiences. Again, no corrections needed on this cigar and plenty of smoke off each puff. Even the smoke seemed to be on the cool side and never once got hot. I ashed again at 1:03am and the cigar still tastes the same till I finish at 1:36am where the cigar was physically to hot to hold any more and was tossed with a 1/4" left on it.
My overall impression was that it was a typical Opus X Reserva d'Chateau and would need a few years of resting before it would smoke like a traditional Opus with the raspberry notes. I had them here and there to the end of the cigar, but nothing that stuck around long enough to really take notes about it. I guess if I gave it a rating a good solid 80 out of 100 would fit the bill for this cigar. It is from the common Opus X line after all.
I will post pictures later today once I get up and get them in Photobucket for your viewing pleasure. So let the Fun Box Review ride start up once again where this time its not aged like my 2005 box was. :thumbs:
Edit to add: Just head to this link to see the other photo's of this review installment.
http://s8.photobucket.com/albums/a18/Mr_Pe...n%20Box%202008/
On 24th Feb 2009, I decided it was time to start this box review as I have been wanting a Opus X and what better way to get my Opus fix than do these reviews.
I visually inspect the cigar while it was still in the cellophane and I noticed a little tear in the wrapper. It wasn't a cause for concern knowing how the Opus X handle with just minor and major tears in the wrapper. I cut the cigar at 11:15pm and inspected the cigar again out of the cellophane and I confirmed the tear wasn't something to have any concerns over. My poor old Xikar cut a nice cut across which I was happy with. You will understand my concern once I post the results of the Cigar Band Contest 2009 and see it has cut a few cigars over the course of time.
I took an initial draw off the cigar before lighting it and it was a nice, easy draw. I first thought it might be a tight draw, but that changed once the flame hit it. Naturally, it really opened up after lighting the cigar at 11:24pm and I did get a hint of raspberry notes. Nothing that was in your face, but a subtle hint is all. After it was lit, I exhaled some smoke out of the nasal passage so I get get some idea how this cigar is standing. I got a little grassy/young taste to it. I expected this as many Opus X start out this way and after all, this is from the common line of Opus. At 11:27pm, there seemed to be an herbal note to it which was surprising to me and at 11:32pm, this is when the Opus opened up and started to reveal itself which is generally at the first 1/2" mark.
The ash is really compact like the sand on a beach after the tides move out to mark the low tide. Nice wavy patterns in the ash which was between a dark and light notes to it. The smoke at this point is more rich and complex than the initial 1/2" of this cigar. Again, not a real surprise here as they tend to be this way for me. I can tell its a Opus without a doubt and the young taste slowly fades, but still remains throughout the cigar. Just not as noticeable as when its first lit.
At 11:43pm, the characteristics of a woody notes appear with a slight alcohol texture to it. I snapped a photo with the cigar having a 1 1/4" ash on it and yes, I used a tape measure on it. The burn has been perfect at this point with no corrections needed. The ash was still pretty compact and peppery notes come out in the smoke at this time. Even the smoke made the nasal passage burn a little. My friend also observed this as well as I like others to input what they notice and sometimes they pick up stuff I do not. Since he isn't subjected to Opus X, I will take his opinions seriously. I also noticed what was going as well so thats 2 of us picking up on the transitions going on.
I took another picture when the cigar had a 1 1/2" ash on it and the same profile listed above is still going on with this cigar. Not really a raspberry notes with this one. Just a slight hint here and there. This was a 11:54pm and I did the first ash which did not want to drop off. I had to press it lightly against the ceramic ashtray someone made in a pottery class. At this point, I am taking a guess at the alcohol taste I've picked up on which reminds me of a Bourbon and I am not a fan of Bourbon. Its not hurting the cigar either so I press on like a good little soldier and continue my review.
Now at 12:02am, the peppery/spiciness comes out once again and my poor nasal passage burned a little from the smoke. Even made the eyes tingle a little bit. Its still pretty much the same cigar qualities I have noted up to this point so no real changes going on here. It definitely is a young Opus as the grassy, woody characteristics come out with that slight alcohol taste I pick up on. Its not the first time in all my reviews to find this in them and I always say its a young cigar. I have no idea the age of it as well. But I've smoked enough Opus that has been aged over a course of a few years and this is my impression at this point. I've concluded that the cigar has a sweet, dry, peppery smoke and is the direct result of the Bourbon taste I've picked out.
The burn has been perfect all the way through the cigar and plenty of smoke off each puff and this is noted at 12:06am. I decided to ash at 12:10am in hopes that it isn't being muted by it. I did another ash at 12:17am and was hoping more of the traditional Opus qualities would come out and to my dismay, it didn't. But the draw was fantastic and no touch up required on this great cigar. I couldn't have been more content with my surroundings while smoking a Opus and watching a movie with a friend. Definitely a great way to end the day off while it was still 50+ degrees outside.
I had to finally take the first band off which is was replaced with a X, instead of the year on this little band. It came off without a single tear or rip in the band. I noticed on my inspection that the band wasn't completely glued to the wrapper like if it was a pop tab. That was a nice feature I hadn't seen before and I haven't confirmed if all the bands on this box is the same way or not. I took a photo of it so you will appreciate what I am talking about. This was done at 12:27am and the cigar has pretty much stayed the same. The smoke seemed a little different as if it mellowed out a little but was on the richer side. Finally at 12:44am I had to take off the big Opus X band and again, it came off like the little one without tearing or ripping the band or wrapper. Woohoo!!! The Fuente Super Glue didn't strike this cigar band and wrapper.
At 12:50am, a slight hint of tar taste peeked through and it wasn't hurting the cigar taste at all. Unlike some other Opus which ruins the experience, this was just mild form of tar. Its still pretty much the same notes I've written above and thus, this cigar didn't seem overly complex in nature which is normal for the Reserva d'Chateau from my experiences. Again, no corrections needed on this cigar and plenty of smoke off each puff. Even the smoke seemed to be on the cool side and never once got hot. I ashed again at 1:03am and the cigar still tastes the same till I finish at 1:36am where the cigar was physically to hot to hold any more and was tossed with a 1/4" left on it.
My overall impression was that it was a typical Opus X Reserva d'Chateau and would need a few years of resting before it would smoke like a traditional Opus with the raspberry notes. I had them here and there to the end of the cigar, but nothing that stuck around long enough to really take notes about it. I guess if I gave it a rating a good solid 80 out of 100 would fit the bill for this cigar. It is from the common Opus X line after all.
I will post pictures later today once I get up and get them in Photobucket for your viewing pleasure. So let the Fun Box Review ride start up once again where this time its not aged like my 2005 box was. :thumbs:
Edit to add: Just head to this link to see the other photo's of this review installment.
http://s8.photobucket.com/albums/a18/Mr_Pe...n%20Box%202008/
I may wait 4 years to smoke the extremely rare ones so everyone will just have sit back and wonder when I will smoke mine. But the fact is I will smoke mine long before anyone will smoke theirs. I have been entertaining the idea of smoking the rare ones while in Russia so that I can sit down in the Red Square and enjoy the scenery while smoke some crazy cigars. Which means that it will take a year+ to finish the reviews. :laugh:
