My weekend cigars: Fuente Fuente Opus X Double Robusto

Monday, October 24 2011

Saturday night I was supposed to meet up with a friend from work, but unfortunately he got sick and I was getting bored watching the World Series at home. I'd been in the house all day and wanted a cigar, so I drove over to Leaf to watch the game there and have a cigar I don't smoke all that often: the infamous Fuente Fuente Opus X. In this case, an Opus X Double Robusto. I don't know how long it had been in my humidor, but I figured at least a couple of years or more.

I've always thought that Opus X cigars were overrated and overpriced. To be fair, you could say that for a lot of other luxury class smokes. However, though there are plenty of cigars just as delicious and more complex for less, this one lived up to its advertising.

As expected, the cigar had an attractive, coppery wrapper leaf and was well packed. The cap clipped off perfectly and offered an excellent draw. The pre-light flavor was earthy and woody. Once lit, the first few creamy puffs offered flavors of sweet cedar. As things rolled along, nutmeg presented itself and that was pretty much it in terms of flavor. I expected it to be much more spicy, complex and full-bodied. Maybe it was due to the aging, but this cigar never wavered from it's sweet cedar and nutmeg base. Moreover, the ashes were all at least an inch or more in length. I puffed on the cigar only about once a minute, letting it smoke itself, and even down to the nub, it never became harsh or bitter.

During the latter stages of the cigar, I did notice darker tobacco flavors sneaking in and a little more strength, but the balance of flavors was so dead-on center, once it had rounded out again, it was pure joy.

I've still got a couple of other Opus X cigars in my humidors, which I'm now looking more forward to. If you have the means, and always wanted to try an Opus X, the Double Robusto is a great cigar to start with. Get one for a special occasion like your birthday, anniversary or a bonus from the boss. At about $14/stick, you'll get your money's worth out of it.

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