What can I say about Fuente and OpusX that has not already been said? The Fuente cigar empire is one of the best run and highest quality operations in the cigar world. The OpusX line is their flagship and one of the most sought after cigars made today.
Much of what I've learned about Fuente and their cigars has come from conversations with resident expert, Moki (Andrew), and from visiting his Rare Fuente Cigars webpage. He has immense knowledge about cigars in general and about Fuente products in particular. Some would say he has an obsession with Opus. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) When you visit his website, make sure you check out the pages of snapshots from his visit to the Fuente Cigar Factory in the Dominican Republic. It will give you a whole new appreciation for the production side of the cigar industry.
I need to preface this review by saying that I have never really been a fan of Fuente products. It's not that I dislike them, but at one point of another, I've tried cigars from all of their lines and there has not been that "special connection." I can certainly recognize the elements of their quality, the construction, the wrappers, the draw. But no bells ring, I see no stars and after I'm done, I don't feel the urge to have another. It's almost the complete opposite of my situation with things Padron. I enjoy everything they make and boxes from all their lines occupy places in my humidor. I guess it's a good thing that there is such a variety of smokes out there for each of us to enjoy.
Which brings us to this review. I obtained this stick, along with a few others in trade with Andrew. I mentioned my situation regarding Fuente and he packed up a selection to refresh my experience with this marque. My thanks to brother Moki for sharing of his knowledge and cigars.
Today's study smoke, the OpusX Fuente Fuente was accompanied by a cup of fresh-brewed joe and home-made apple crisp. For those who have never had apple crisp with three kinds of apples, topped by a crispy, buttery oat topping, you're missing one of the quintessential pleasures of Autumn (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) And so, taking advantage of what is likely the last 57-degree day of the season, I plunked down on the porch to do my business.
Prelight and Initial Stage
The construction was top notch. Perfectly rolled and perfectly filled with a nicely centered cap. The wrapper was a lovely Colorado-rosado that was finely toothy and lightly oily with fine veining. Just beautiful in all aspects. Prelight aroma was light and earthy. Very nice.
A quick snip and spark and the the game was on. Light-up was uneventful and the flame released wonderful peppery notes to tickle the nose. The draw was on the loose side of average, but still quite acceptable. The first half inch or so provided solid medium-bodied flavors of straight-up tobacco. Smoke volume was average and dry on the palate. Ash was an amazingly dense light grey with quite unusual fine dark specks. I suspect this cigar had a little age on it as it was not quite as aggressive as I was expecting. Peppery but not a pepper bomb.
Finish and Final Impressions
The cigar continued to deliver solid tobacco flavors throughout the first half with the pepperiness coming and going. There was also a nice undertone of earthiness and wood. Unfortunately, there was a quite persistent run on one side. About a quarter of an inch wide, it needed frequent tending. Perhaps because I was smoking outside in an occasional light breeze, but I can't say that the cigar really developed much complexity or changed much in character. For what it was delivering, it was doing that well and with power. What was most satisfying was the good balance of straight-up leaf, medium body and pure, clean aftertaste.
The cigar finished up pretty much exactly as it started. A consistent and admirable performance. At no point did it get harsh or bitter, even with insistent huffing. But when I got up to grab lunch before class, that's when things got funky. Whoa! Major nicotine buzz. My legs were wobbly and I had that fluttery feeling in my stomach. Not an entirely bad feeling, it felt like being drunk while ravenously hungry. Even 45 minutes later, I could feel the buzz as I got in my car to drive.
In summation:
A solid performer which delivers pure, true tobacco flavor with medium body. Deceptively strong, packing a potent nicotine punch that sneaks up on you as the cigar is smooth, earthy and not harsh at all. Recommended.
(IMG:http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h73/Gins...ws/OpusFF01.jpg)
Postscript
While the cigar had been in my humidor for a few weeks, it was in its original cello. Normally I remove the wrapper so sticks can come up to my preferred 67-69% RH. I suspect that had I done this, the experience could have been somewhat different. I prefer this range for all my smokes (ISOM as well as NC) because to me, cigars deliver a richer smoke with more depth.
Wilkey
Much of what I've learned about Fuente and their cigars has come from conversations with resident expert, Moki (Andrew), and from visiting his Rare Fuente Cigars webpage. He has immense knowledge about cigars in general and about Fuente products in particular. Some would say he has an obsession with Opus. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) When you visit his website, make sure you check out the pages of snapshots from his visit to the Fuente Cigar Factory in the Dominican Republic. It will give you a whole new appreciation for the production side of the cigar industry.
I need to preface this review by saying that I have never really been a fan of Fuente products. It's not that I dislike them, but at one point of another, I've tried cigars from all of their lines and there has not been that "special connection." I can certainly recognize the elements of their quality, the construction, the wrappers, the draw. But no bells ring, I see no stars and after I'm done, I don't feel the urge to have another. It's almost the complete opposite of my situation with things Padron. I enjoy everything they make and boxes from all their lines occupy places in my humidor. I guess it's a good thing that there is such a variety of smokes out there for each of us to enjoy.
Which brings us to this review. I obtained this stick, along with a few others in trade with Andrew. I mentioned my situation regarding Fuente and he packed up a selection to refresh my experience with this marque. My thanks to brother Moki for sharing of his knowledge and cigars.
Today's study smoke, the OpusX Fuente Fuente was accompanied by a cup of fresh-brewed joe and home-made apple crisp. For those who have never had apple crisp with three kinds of apples, topped by a crispy, buttery oat topping, you're missing one of the quintessential pleasures of Autumn (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) And so, taking advantage of what is likely the last 57-degree day of the season, I plunked down on the porch to do my business.
Prelight and Initial Stage
The construction was top notch. Perfectly rolled and perfectly filled with a nicely centered cap. The wrapper was a lovely Colorado-rosado that was finely toothy and lightly oily with fine veining. Just beautiful in all aspects. Prelight aroma was light and earthy. Very nice.
A quick snip and spark and the the game was on. Light-up was uneventful and the flame released wonderful peppery notes to tickle the nose. The draw was on the loose side of average, but still quite acceptable. The first half inch or so provided solid medium-bodied flavors of straight-up tobacco. Smoke volume was average and dry on the palate. Ash was an amazingly dense light grey with quite unusual fine dark specks. I suspect this cigar had a little age on it as it was not quite as aggressive as I was expecting. Peppery but not a pepper bomb.
Finish and Final Impressions
The cigar continued to deliver solid tobacco flavors throughout the first half with the pepperiness coming and going. There was also a nice undertone of earthiness and wood. Unfortunately, there was a quite persistent run on one side. About a quarter of an inch wide, it needed frequent tending. Perhaps because I was smoking outside in an occasional light breeze, but I can't say that the cigar really developed much complexity or changed much in character. For what it was delivering, it was doing that well and with power. What was most satisfying was the good balance of straight-up leaf, medium body and pure, clean aftertaste.
The cigar finished up pretty much exactly as it started. A consistent and admirable performance. At no point did it get harsh or bitter, even with insistent huffing. But when I got up to grab lunch before class, that's when things got funky. Whoa! Major nicotine buzz. My legs were wobbly and I had that fluttery feeling in my stomach. Not an entirely bad feeling, it felt like being drunk while ravenously hungry. Even 45 minutes later, I could feel the buzz as I got in my car to drive.
In summation:
A solid performer which delivers pure, true tobacco flavor with medium body. Deceptively strong, packing a potent nicotine punch that sneaks up on you as the cigar is smooth, earthy and not harsh at all. Recommended.
(IMG:http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h73/Gins...ws/OpusFF01.jpg)
Postscript
While the cigar had been in my humidor for a few weeks, it was in its original cello. Normally I remove the wrapper so sticks can come up to my preferred 67-69% RH. I suspect that had I done this, the experience could have been somewhat different. I prefer this range for all my smokes (ISOM as well as NC) because to me, cigars deliver a richer smoke with more depth.
Wilkey
