Opus X Lost City Robusto

[Montezüma]

I was in Paris last September and had the opportunity to visit a cigar shop around the St Honore area called Le Lotus. I came across a variety of cigars and one that caught my eye was an Opus X Lost City, this one coming in the Robusto vitola. I have always been an enthusiast of the Opus X, a Fuente cigar with a proud heritage of being a Dominican Puro. A remarkable craft that few have achieved, including of course Davidoff and given the differences in profile between them, it intrigues me the extent variation that Dominican Puros can deliver.

As most may already know, Opus X has since its creation, released many lines under its umbrella brand. I have been enjoying Opus X "original" since 2014 and have largely been disappointed with the extensive newer offerings that has been presented over the years. Yet somehow, the Lost City had always intrigued me, perhaps due to the fantastic visuals of the cigar or perhaps merely due to marketing. Nevertheless, the Lost City is a stunning cigar to look at and the pre-light aroma is evocative to say the least.

Somehow I had always assumed that the Lost City referred to the legend of El Dorado but my brief search on the internet suggests that in fact, the name comes from a movie that was filmed at the Fuente plantation. Paying homage to the film, came forth the Opus X Lost City. I was ready for a change of pace after a consistent rotation of Cubans and the pre-light draw was immediately so very loose. The first third of the cigar was a confusing blend of mochaccino and burnt ash. The burn had a pronounced bitterness that I don't associate with Opus X. Fortunately, the second half was what I had assumed the cigar as intended. An aromatic experience, one as distinguished as an Opus X. Further to its unique flavour profile with nuances of licorice and spice.

The band of the Opus X is always special. As I approach the final third, the cigar burns slower with more strength. Given the loose draw though, it made for a complicated ending. I suppose this may be the reason why Cuban heads tend to be harder or tightly rolled. Because despite the volumes of smoke, the loose draw made the ending harsher, intensifying flavours altogether towards havoc. In the end, its a cigar that I hoped to be much more that it was. I look forward to staying with the "originals" and regard this cigar as another Fuente novelty amongst many.