Opus fans?


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I know many of y'all are CC only, but how many Opus X fans are here? Also, do you find that they benefit from aging much like CC? I know many cigars do, but they remind me of CC's much more than other NC cigars, in that way. 

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*When the Fuente Fuente Opus X's came out I tried them - and several times. It's just at best "ordinary" for me. I mean I gave it more than one, two, three tries and was just not impressed. Like Bohn0

I hate them. Opus X is the marketing triumph. I have tried 3 sizes, plus a tin of 3 Reserva d'Chateau (churchill size) that I've patiently aged 5+ years, to discover there's nothing to age in such a p

I agree with what you say exactly. I prefer the milder, creamier, complexity of the CC. 

One of the only NC I like.  When I want that in your face kick that Opus gives I reach for one.  Don't do it much anymore but on occasion.  In the past, I always liked them fresh but have had aged ones (3-10 years).  They do develop and mellow with time.  I still have some that are at least 4 - 5 years old now.  May have to try one this week to see how they are.

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8 minutes ago, luv2fly said:

One of the only NC I like.  When I want that in your face kick that Opus gives I reach for one.  Don't do it much anymore but on occasion.  In the past, I always liked them fresh but have had aged ones (3-10 years).  They do develop and mellow with time.  I still have some that are at least 4 - 5 years old now.  May have to try one this week to see how they are.

When I started seriously on the CC journey a year ago, I swore I wouldn't give up on my beloved Tats, Padrons, Davidoffs, and Fuentes, plus all the others. I do still enjoy an occasional Padron 1926, and Davidoff Nicaragua, but with the aged stock that I've bought, and the new stock that I've had... Very few NC have the complexity and flavor profiles that many of the CC do. 

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I would second the Padron Anni, 1926 and Tats. Don't have anymore of those and I have not been to a B&M to buy in ages. My thought is CC's are not better (to me) just different and what I prefer.  Don't give up something you like unless you don't like it anymore.   Good luck on your continuing journey!  :ok:

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2 minutes ago, luv2fly said:

I would second the Padron Anni, 1926 and Tats. Don't have anymore of those and I have not been to a B&M to buy in ages. My thought is CC's are not better (to me) just different and what I prefer.  Don't give up something you like unless you don't like it anymore.   Good luck on your continuing journey!  :ok:

I agree with what you say exactly. I prefer the milder, creamier, complexity of the CC. 

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I smoke NC less and less for the reason that many state. Complexity and creaminess not found in NC cigars. Yesterday I smoked a 16 y/o Cohiba (see my review from yesterday) and then in the evening lit up a Davidoff Nicarauga box press and didn't even finish it. The burn was good and it had flavor but nothing subtle about it and almost harsh after the aged Cohiba. That being said, Fuente makes a great smoke although I prefer the Don Carlos line more. 

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4 minutes ago, Bohn007 said:

I smoke NC less and less for the reason that many state. Complexity and creaminess not found in NC cigars. Yesterday I smoked a 16 y/o Cohiba (see my review from yesterday) and then in the evening lit up a Davidoff Nicarauga box press and didn't even finish it. The burn was good and it had flavor but nothing subtle about it and almost harsh after the aged Cohiba. That being said, Fuente makes a great smoke although I prefer the Don Carlos line more. 

I agree completely. 

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Opus is easily my favorite NC. I'm still early in the CC game, so there's a bunch of no in the rotation still. 

I can see why a lot of people don't go back to me though. The power of nc can become overwhelming and you can't taste the subtle differences in flavor imo. 

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      *When the Fuente Fuente Opus X's came out I tried them - and several times. It's just at best "ordinary" for me. I mean I gave it more than one, two, three tries and was just not impressed. Like Bohn007 said earlier I do like the Don Carlos line MUCH better than the Opus X. And as far as NC's that can hold their own before a CC IMHO, the Padron 45th Family Anniversary Reserve blew me a To-Kingdom-Come rush of pure tobacco enjoyment!  WOW, what a fabulous smoke!!! :cigar:So whenever I was to end up with an Opus X I've been able to successfully trade it for some more beloved Habanas for my own enjoyment. 

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I find that Opus X needs to be aged a couple of years before they start to become more balanced. And as others have pointed out, not all Opus Xs are alike. I personally favor the Fuente Fuente. That said, if you've ever smoked a Don Carlos lancero, the sweetness of that cigar will be memorable.

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1 minute ago, cigcars said:

      *When the Fuente Fuente Opus X's came out I tried them - and several times. It's just at best "ordinary" for me. I mean I gave it more than one, two, three tries and was just not impressed. Like Bohn007 said earlier I do like the Don Carlos line MUCH better than the Opus X. And as far as NC's that can hold their own before a CC IMHO, the Padron 45th Family Anniversary Reserve blew me a To-Kingdom-Come rush of pure tobacco enjoyment!  WOW, what a fabulous smoke!!! :cigar:So whenever I was to end up with an Opus X I've been able to successfully trade it for some more beloved Habanas for my own enjoyment. 

I've heard others that share your opinion about the Opus X. The Padron 45th is a fantastic smoke, but I'd advise you to not age them. I have a friend that bought a box five years ago, and just shared one with me... I've never smoked a cigar so tasteless. It didn't even taste poorly. It just didn't taste. I'd heard it from others about Padrons, but this was my first experience for myself. 

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33 minutes ago, watches_whiskies_cigars said:

I find that Opus X needs to be aged a couple of years before they start to become more balanced. And as others have pointed out, not all Opus Xs are alike. I personally favor the Fuente Fuente. That said, if you've ever smoked a Don Carlos lancero, the sweetness of that cigar will be memorable.

I have not smoked one, but if I find one, I'll be sure to buy it. 

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I've got one left from a x3 tin of the Opus X Rare Estate Reserve I got a few (3 or4?) years ago. The first two were strong, heady smokes and I'm saving the third for my 50th birthday in October (I'll be with the friend that gave them to me) and I'm really looking forward to it. It's been sitting in the humi with my CCs these last few years so it'll be interesting, and hopefully enjoyable, to see how it's aged.

Sent from my HTC One M8s using Tapatalk

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I hate them. Opus X is the marketing triumph. I have tried 3 sizes, plus a tin of 3 Reserva d'Chateau (churchill size) that I've patiently aged 5+ years, to discover there's nothing to age in such a poor blend. Talk about a scam! bleh…

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2 minutes ago, Smallclub said:

I hate them. Opus X is the marketing triumph. I have tried 3 sizes, plus a tin of 3 Reserva d'Chateau (churchill size) that I've patiently aged 5+ years, to discover there's nothing to age in such a poor blend. Talk about a scam! bleh…

Very well then. :)

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5 minutes ago, Smallclub said:

I hate them. Opus X is the marketing triumph. I have tried 3 sizes, plus a tin of 3 Reserva d'Chateau (churchill size) that I've patiently aged 5+ years, to discover there's nothing to age in such a poor blend. Talk about a scam! bleh…

I understand that.  Marketing is of the chain.  I hate the hype myself.  That said, I do enjoy one from time to time but not a go to unless I want a kick in the face..:D Thanks for the straight talk Small Club!!! Honest opinions are welcome IMHO.

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2 minutes ago, luv2fly said:

I understand that.  Marketing is of the chain.  I hate the hype myself.  That said, I do enjoy one from time to time but not a go to unless I want a kick in the face..:D Thanks for the straight talk Small Club!!! Honest opinions are welcome IMHO.

Definitely so. :)

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As some others have said here, IMHO, the Opus is a nice cigar, but built up on marketing - much like the Anejo Shark.  A MUCH better cigar is the Hemingway Reserva Especial Signature Natural Perfecto.  Had one the other day at out shop and was amazed at the depth of flavors.  Superb draw and burn with no harshness at all.  I immediately noticed that it eas the most similar to a CC I've had in a NC cigar.  Hands down the best of the Hemingway line.  Interesting that these are often overlooked in favor of the Best Seller and Work Of Art.  The thinner perfectos have a much smoothr profile anf definitely a better draw and burn.  Price is superb for such a good stick.  This is one of only 5 NC's I decided on to stock in the humis.

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6 hours ago, Miller1985 said:

I've heard others that share your opinion about the Opus X. The Padron 45th is a fantastic smoke, but I'd advise you to not age them. I have a friend that bought a box five years ago, and just shared one with me... I've never smoked a cigar so tasteless. It didn't even taste poorly. It just didn't taste. I'd heard it from others about Padrons, but this was my first experience for myself. 

I agree on the Padron assessment. Jorge Padron doesn't believe that cigars should be aged and he strives to have his cigars ready to smoke straight out of the box and consequently they age horribly. The Padron 1926 No. 9 and the Padron 80th are standout cigars for me.

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Was quite the fan 15 years ago or so, in fact probably the cigar that got me totally into the game. Started smoking cigars since the early '90s, regularly so in the mid '90s.

After hearing all the hype about these when they came out, I still recall the night in Chicago around 1999 I managed to pick up a couple of the FFOX Belicoso xXx Power Rangers at Iwan Ries in the Loop. Staying at the Hyatt Regency on Wacker I fired one up at the Big Brass Bar with a Chimay Grande Réserve and was completely blown away by the total experience, one of the most fantastic smokes I recalled ever having up to the time, barring perhaps a small Cuban Partagas I smoked with a friend in the early '90s while fishing at Cape Hatteras.

Following that I wound up at Cigar Family (the Fuente/Newman forum) and discovered a whole world of cigar fans, these mostly dedicated to F&N smokes and Habanos. Went to a couple of the early CFC events - long weekends in the Tampa Bay area with the Fuentes and Newmans where several dozen fans congregated to smoke and celebrate our passion, primarily with lots of Opus X cigars along with their other marcas and plenty of Cubans. This is where I found, along with some great people, resources to procure Habanos over the internet. 

As such I've had the pleasure to enjoy a lot of great Fuente smokes over the years though found I drifted away over time as the Cuban leaf took hold of my palate and passion.

Hard to say I'm still a fan now as I rarely search them out, much less fire one up, but still think they can be some of the top non-Cuban smokes out there and I've smoked through a couple hundred other offerings in the interim.

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Honestly, I have like 8 opus x from 2010 and I still haven't smoked one because they were expensive and I can't justify it, so I'll never know.  I'm even thinking about selling/trading them as they're only a tease in my humidor.

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4 hours ago, SinfullyPatient said:

Honestly, I have like 8 opus x from 2010 and I haven't ever smoked one only because they were expensive and I can justify it, so I'll never know.  I'm even thinking about selling/trading them as they're only a tease in my humidor.

I understand. It'd be a shame to never smoke even one of them, but the price point on some of them are very high. Good luck in whatever you choose. 

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5 hours ago, Hutch said:

Opus do age quite well. I don't smoke many any more, so have ended up with more than I'll ever need that are 10-15 years old. They've mellowed quite a bit and the strength no longer covers up quite a tasty stick. If you can get your hands on them, the Opus Angel's Share line is much more approachable when young. But, as I said, my tastes have evolved, or at least changed, and 99% of what I smoke nowadays is Cuban.

I understand completely. I much prefer a Cuban in most circumstances. The Angels Share is a wonderful cigar while young, and the Lost City will blow your mind. They are pricey, but whether young or old they are my favorite cigars of all time. 

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5 hours ago, Habana Mike said:

Was quite the fan 15 years ago or so, in fact probably the cigar that got me totally into the game. Started smoking cigars since the early '90s, regularly so in the mid '90s.

After hearing all the hype about these when they came out, I still recall the night in Chicago around 1999 I managed to pick up a couple of the FFOX Belicoso xXx Power Rangers at Iwan Ries in the Loop. Staying at the Hyatt Regency on Wacker I fired one up at the Big Brass Bar with a Chimay Grande Réserve and was completely blown away by the total experience, one of the most fantastic smokes I recalled ever having up to the time, barring perhaps a small Cuban Partagas I smoked with a friend in the early '90s while fishing at Cape Hatteras.

Following that I wound up at Cigar Family (the Fuente/Newman forum) and discovered a whole world of cigar fans, these mostly dedicated to F&N smokes and Habanos. Went to a couple of the early CFC events - long weekends in the Tampa Bay area with the Fuentes and Newmans where several dozen fans congregated to smoke and celebrate our passion, primarily with lots of Opus X cigars along with their other marcas and plenty of Cubans. This is where I found, along with some great people, resources to procure Habanos over the internet. 

As such I've had the pleasure to enjoy a lot of great Fuente smokes over the years though found I drifted away over time as the Cuban leaf took hold of my palate and passion.

Hard to say I'm still a fan now as I rarely search them out, much less fire one up, but still think they can be some of the top non-Cuban smokes out there and I've smoked through a couple hundred other offerings in the interim.

Times change, tastes evolve, and what once was a unicorn, now lays ignored in a drawer in our humidors. No shame in that. 

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Very good after 10 years of aging or so, otherwise they're too strong and lack finesse. Also, they are WAY overpriced for what you get.

I'm a much bigger fan of the Anejo, which have similar age requirements.

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