Tonights smoke is the elusive Fuente Fuente Opus X. This is marketed as (and is) a cigar that isnt easy to get, at least for a reasonable price. The Opus X is Arturo Fuente's super premium line of cigars and are a very sought after cigar. They are a Dominican Puro and showcase a stellar Rosado wrapper, supposedly the first wrapper successfully grown in the Dominican Republic. The size im smoking is called the xXx, but is more commonly known as the "Power Ranger" due to its repuation of being a complete ass kicker of a cigar in a small package. It measures in at 4.625 x 49. Im not sure the age of this cigar as it was a gift, but i think it has at least 3 years of age on it.
The unlit aroma on this cigar is powerful and full of spice and cedar. The wrapper is very oily and absolutely flawless. Upon lighting, the palate is bombarded with loads of rich spices, cinnamon and leather, tons of leather. The Opus X has a very unique flavor profile, very rich but very well balanced. I think these do very well with a few years age on them to round out the flavors. These can be a little overwhelming when young, and tend to get a bit smoother as they age. This is a solid full bodied cigar right from the start and not for beginners. The further i get into this cigar, the more developed the flavors get. Notes of cedar and almost a sweet spice cake are present at the halfway point. The strength of these tends to sneak up on you as well. This cigar is an end of the night smoke to have after a big meal with your favorite spirit. I am drinking a glass of Pyrat XO Rum, and the sweetness of the rum really compliments the sweet spice characteristic of the Opus X.
The Opus X has a lot of hype behind it, and for some smoking one is a bit of a status symbol. Since they are made in small batches and shipped to stores very sparingly, there tends to be quite the mark up on this line. This cigar retails for $9.50, but ive seen them for sale for more than $30 bucks a stick. Most shops that sell Opus have a limit to what you can buy, usually 2 cigars per visit. I think for some people, to be seen smoking an Opus X shows that they are doing very well and have great taste. Yeah, thats fine but thats not why i smoke cigars! I sure as hell am not going to spend 30 bucks for one of these. If i can get them for around the retail price ill pick them up.. That being said, this is a special cigar that is worth buying if you can find them for a reasonable price (for these, i would say anything under about $15 is reasonable due to how hard they are to get).
Overall, the Fuente Opus X Power Ranger is an excellent cigar, but certainly not an everyday type smoke. This is a special occasion cigar for me (in this case the special occasion IS smoking this cigar!) and one that i always enjoy and am never disappointed with.
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