Fuente Fuente Opus X Cigar Review
One of the most important reasons to become a cigar smoker is that you get to know other cigar smokers and other cigar smokers are generous people. That is the case with the person who gave me this cigar, John Jackson (JJ). He was one of my MBA professors and we now do business together. At a cigar dinner recently he gifted me this Opus X and now I’m going to do a review on it. (Incidentally, JJ’s new book, which I edited, Déjà New Marketing, has just been published – so check it out!)
One of the more surprising things about Opus Xs, at least the ones that I have had, is that they generally are not the prettiest looking cigars. In no way does that mean they aren’t expertly made, because they most certainly are, but the wrappers definitely tilt towards the rustic.
They are very oily however. Nicely packed with few veins and no major problems like holes in the wrapper or anything like that. Well, lets find out how good this puppy tastes!
Cigar Stats
Robusto
Length: 5 1/4″
Ring Gauge: 50
Wrapper: Dominican Republic
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
Price: don’t ask
30 Horses Light!
Fuente Fuente Opus X cigars definitely have a unique flavor to them and this one is a prime example of that uniqueness. Very spicy in the beginning, definitely full bodied and a dark sweetness that reminds me of a constrained anise. There are also meaty and leathery flavors as well.
This cigar is a perfect example of spiciness and, if memory serves, I don’t remember previous Opus Xs being this spicy. Part of me is hoping that the spice moderates as I get further into the cigar but a bigger part of me is mesmerized by it. The other flavors are there and, if not for the overpowering spiciness, they would be very strong flavors on their own. Complex cigar.
Near the beginning of the second third there is a notable change from full throttle spiciness to a more balanced menu of flavors. Oh, the spice is still aggressive but the anise and leather are more noticeable now and I must say that I am grateful.
Surprisingly, the spice transforms after the halfway point. Heretofore, it had been like a chili pepper delightfully punishing my tongue with each draw and now it is more like peppermint. A salty meatiness comes on stronger at around this point as well. Very complex cigar.
I can honestly understand why some people don’t like Opus X cigars: when they are at their best Opus Xs can be an assault on your taste buds. But, to me at least, there is a lot of nuance in that assault. At least when Opus Xs are at their best (more on that later).
At the end of this cigar the spice is all but gone and the leather and anise are the main flavors. It’s a great cigar and my biggest thanks to JJ for gifting it to me.
94 points
Now onto the “more on that later” segment of this review. Fuente Fuente Opus X cigars can sometimes be magnificent, as was the case here. Sometimes they are merely average or somewhat above average. If you don’t like spice and full bodied cigars then you should wait until a point in time when you do like those things in a cigar before you buy some. That being said, eventually you should at least try one to see if you like them or not. It is just one of those iconic brands that deserves a try.
Arturo Fuente Cigar Review
From Travis: I hope that everyone had a great Labor Day weekend. Today I am going to change things up a little bit and have Josh from Cigar Rants do a review. What follows is his review of the Arturo Fuente Spanish Lonsdale. Enjoy!
- Ring Gauge: 6.5 x 42
- Tobacco:
- Wrapper: Connecticut Double Claro
- Binder: Dominican Republic
- Filler: Dominican Republic
- Bought Sept. 2nd 2010
- Smoked Morning of Sept. 3rd 2010
- Price: ~$5.95 /stick
- Beverage: None
- Cut Method: Punch (about 1/4 of 1″ diameter)
- Puff Rate (estimate): 1 – 3 puff approx every 20 seconds
- Method of lighting: Cigar Matches
- Smoke Time: 70 min (+ or -)
Initial Thoughts:
First off, hello! And thank you for allowing me to come onto your website and give you my rants on this great cigar. If you have any questions regarding this review or my story you can contact me here.
Arturo Fuentes has been making cigars since 1912. They started off in Cuba but eventually, due to political events moved to the Dominican Republic. Today Arturo Fuentes’ Son and grandson run this huge operation which generates 30 million cigars a year.
Today I will be smoking the 6.5×42 Double Claro. The Double Claro has a light green tint to it, this is perfectly normal. The Double Claro was a very popular cigar wrapper from the 1850′s all the way to the 1970′s. However, for one reason or another, it fell out of favor and now only a few manufactures still make it. The green hue comes from the aging process. The Double Claro cigars are artificially heated. This heating process traps Chlorophyll (the green part of leaves) thus causing the green hue. Generally considered to be a very light smoke I’ve decided to take one on and let you know about it.
The good thing about Arturo Fuentes is the flavor consistency; generally speaking. A. Fuentes does a great job making one stick in the same line taste just like the other. The Double Claro is no exception. I have smoked several of these sticks and have found them all to be consistent. A look at this cigar, like I said before, shows a green wrapper leaf. The wrapper leaf is uniform green with only one minor defect (tear) noticeable. This small tear did not effect the smoking of the cigar. The cigar was smooth, even, and virtually without veins. The cap construction was near flawless and expertly made. In addition, the density was uniform and without soft spots.
The Smoke…
I used my trusty punch to open this cigar up. A cold draw produced no remarkable flavors. However, the draw was even and smooth, with a medium pull. The draw would open up as the cigar burn line progressed. The first quarter was very light and marked with smooth wood and light spice on the retro-hale. Flavors of hay were also present. The burn was even and would stay even throughout the smoke. The cigar’s ash was more or less firm and toward the medium end of brittle. The ash color was an off gray. The cigar was aromatic with a very clean finish.
The second half the cigar does increase in strength a little bit. The cigar opens up and becomes more robust and flavorful. However, I would still judge this as a light bodied cigar with medium flavor. Hints of grass and vanilla also poke through the complexity that is cigar smoke. I was able to smoke this entire cigar to the cap without issues. No harshness or bitterness became apparent. This is just a good light cigar perfect for those situations where all you want is a nice relaxing, not knocking you out, smoke. Plus it is always fun to smoke something exotic and new. I bet you if you show up at your cigar lounge with a green cigar at least one person will be shocked — if not more.
The results are in!
It’s fun every once in awhile to smoke something different. This cigar fits the bill. This cigar, construction wise, smokes excellent. The Double Claro is not meant to be a strong cigar so that too was spot on. This is a perfect breakfast cigar. It’s flavorful in the right ways without being overpowering enough to upset an empty stomach. Furthermore, those who say that Double Claro’s are bland are misguided. A cigar wrapper does contribute about 40%-60% of the flavor (depending on who you ask) however, the other 60% to 40% is coming from the binder and filler. This cigar has regular Dominican filler and binder. It does have flavor. Also, you can taste the difference between the Double Claro vs. a Natural vs. a Maduro, etc. It’s not that it is flavorless it’s just unique and different. My recommendation is to try one I think you will like it.
Cigar Rant’s Rating: Very Good
CAO Cx2 Cigar Review
First off, thanks to Famous Smoke Shop for supplying the stogies for this cigar review.
One of the good things about this cigar is that it’s pretty easy to figure out what is in it. The “Cx2″ refers to the fact that both the wrapper and the binder are from Cameroon. If for no other reason the fact that there is so much Cameroonian tobacco in this cigar should make you want to try it out. How else will you get to know what Cameroonian tobacco tastes like?
It’s a decent enough looking cigar. There are a couple of pin-sized holes on the wrapper but other than that I don’t see any problems with it. Not very oily, not veiny, nicely packed, smells spicy at the foot and the prelight draw is open.
Cigar Stats
Robusto
Length: 5″
Ring Gauge: 52
Wrapper: Cameroon
Binder: Cameroon
Filler: Columbia & Nicaragua
Price: $100.00/box of 20 | $5.70/single
Civic Flame!
This sample from the stable of CAO Cx2 Cigars starts off very earthy. Lurking in the background is a little bit of spice – just a pinch for flavor – but the secondary flavor to the earth is a mildly sweet woody flavor.
Actually, this is a very relaxing cigar. There is just enough spice in there to give the earthy and woody core an extra kick. Medium bodied for sure.
Comfortably into the second third now and there have been some changes in the flavor profile. That earthiness has faded a great deal. In it’s place the wood and spice have melded together quite nicely.
The final third of the cigar transitions back to the sweet wood flavor. The earthiness is still sticking around but isn’t a major flavor. The spice is all but gone. A new sweetness, basically a floral sweetness, comes on a little nearer the end.
It is a tasty cigar with some good flavors. The draw and the burn are both excellent. Very good cigar.
89 points
Quesada Tributo Cigar Review
This is a very special cigar from the Quesada family. According to Cigar Aficionado “…the Tributo brand was made by Quesada and his team of daughters, nephews and nieces—known as the “Fifth Generation”—at Matasa (Manufactura de Tabacos S.A.) in Santiago.” Before I jump headlong into the review I would like to thank Cigars Direct for this wonderful cigar.
It’s a great looking cigar; well-made and feels solid to the touch. The wrapper is oily. The only drawbacks I can see (and feel) is that there are a couple of discolorations on the wrapper and the cigar may be a little too tightly packed.
Doing some research on this cigar I found out from A Cigar Smoker’s Journal that the wrapper is unique. According to the indispensable Barry, the cigar “utilizes a special hybrid wrapper which was created using the seeds of the Corojo, Habano 2000, Habano Vuelta Arriba and Sumatra in Ecuador.” So lets see if this is a hybrid that we can all like.
Cigar Stats
Robusto
Length: 5″
Ring Gauge: 50
Wrapper: Ecuador Heinz 57
Binder: Honduras
Filler: Dominican Republic & Nicaragua
Price: $6.50/Single
10 Light!
It is definitely an interesting mix of flavors right out of the gates. Instead of the spiciness that I was expecting the flavor profile is much more tame. Sure, there is some spice but there is also sourdough, darkly mild fruitiness and something else that I can’t quite pin down yet. It’s a seemingly minor flavor yet it slices through the other flavors like a light saber through a Jedi. The best I can come up with is something like a tangerine or some other kind of exotically fruity flavor.
The draw requires the slightest of tugs to get a good amount of smoke coming at your taste buds. Good burn and, after about the first third is through, I’m going to go out on a limb and peg this one as a medium bodied smoke.
As the burn line migrates from the first to the second third the flavors are meshing together very well. It is an interesting cigar. There are a good amount of flavors but I cannot say that any one of them stands out as being amazing. What I am willing to say is that these flavors are great when combined. Plus, it is just an interesting cigar. This may sound stupid but this cigar is actually making me think about it.
I’ve let it burn down quite a bit, nearly to the beginning of the final third, and here is what I’m getting. Basically a bunch of heavy but good flavors. The sourdough flavor is gone, it’s more like toast now. Burnt wood, that dark fruity flavor I mentioned earlier and some wheat. Still like it.
The only other mentionable change is in the strength of this cigar; it moved from being a medium bodied cigar to a medium-full bodied one. Thanks again to Cigars Direct.
89 points
