A Fuente Fuente OpusX Shrouded In Gold And Secrecy

[JohnS]

A Fuente Fuente OpusX Shrouded In Gold And Secrecy

A new OpusX called Templo de Oro arrived unannounced for the holidays, and retailers know next to nothing about it

Jan 9, 2026 - By Gregory Mottola

Photos/Arturo Fuente 

As if the Fuente Fuente OpusX brand wasn’t mysterious enough, there’s a new version appearing on store shelves, and its creator, Carlos Fuente Jr., isn’t saying much about it. Called the ForbiddenX Templo de Oro, the cigars came to retailers in late December as an end-of-year surprise. 

The name Templo de Oro translates to “temple of gold” in Spanish, a reference to the wrapper’s light, golden hue and the golden sleeve wrapping each cigar. Fuente hasn’t confirmed the origin of the wrapper (or any other details of the blend) but every cigar bearing the OpusX label has historically been made with the company’s signature wrapper grown at Chateau de la Fuente in the Dominican Republic.

Connecticut retailer Michael Cafagno, who owns Tobacconist of Greenwich, was certainly not expecting the cigars when they arrived. 

“We were not given any information about the release or blend,” Cafagno tells Cigar Aficionado, “but when we received them, we were absolutely blown away, not only by the beauty of the cigar and box but by the addition of another legendary line to the OpusX collection.”

There’s no mention of these cigars on the Fuente website either, but here’s what we do know:

The ForbiddenX Templo de Oro is offered in four sizes: No. 1, measuring 6 1/8 inches by 50 ring gauge, with a suggested retail price of $29.50; No. 3 (5 1/2 by 52, $28); No. 8 (6 1/8 by 55, $32) and No. 13 (6 by 58, $32.50). All come in decorative 20-count boxes heavy on the gold. The cigars are made in the Dominican Republic at Tabacalera A. Fuente y Cia.

When Cigar Aficionado asked company CEO Ciro Cascella about the cigar, and the wrapper in particular, he answered: “It’s beautiful, aged tobacco. That’s all I can say.” 

Source: https://www.cigaraficionado.com/article/a-fuente-fuente-opusx-shrouded-in-gold-and-secrecy

[WestCoastSmokin]

Wonder if Fuente saw the Bolivar New Gold Medal and thought “I can do that”. That’s what I see when I see these. 

[NYGuido]

I'm just going to leave this link here to remind everyone the insanity of the Opus series...

https://halfwheel.com/review-opusx-pussy-juice/28625/

[westg]

15 hours ago, NYGuido said:

I'm just going to leave this link here to remind everyone the insanity of the Opus series...

https://halfwheel.com/review-opusx-pussy-juice/28625/

They are now seriously flattering themselves. That said, I came across some Rare Pink Happy Endings here in Aus yesterday. I had to remind myself I am by no means a fan of there cigars. 

[Çnote]

16 hours ago, WestCoastSmokin said:

Wonder if Fuente saw the Bolivar New Gold Medal and thought “I can do that”. That’s what I see when I see these. 

Fuente used gold wrap on the RSG 6x60 limited a few years ago. If you look hard, some more of those were released without fanfare this year.

But yeah, more bands, more rg, more shiny, more $$$.

[WestCoastSmokin]

13 hours ago, Çnote said:

Fuente used gold wrap on the RSG 6x60 limited a few years ago. If you look hard, some more of those were released without fanfare this year.

But yeah, more bands, more rg, more shiny, more $$$. 

And that’s what it’s come down to with these cigar makers, how much more crazy can they get on the presentation so they can charge more $$$.

[Çnote]

12 hours ago, WestCoastSmokin said:

And that’s what it’s come down to with these cigar makers, how much more crazy can they get on the presentation so they can charge more $$$.

I'd say the market dynamics are a little more complicated, but that is a direct correlation. Packaging does effect price, and consumers have shown willingness to accept packaging as value. Fuente is only giving their fans what they have a history of demanding.

These are selling out as soon as they drop. No coronas tho, so I'll sleep in.

[vinnyvega]

Yeah, I'll stick to my Don Carlos and Hemingways. Still the best bang for your buck as far as NC brands go.  

[alloy]

My B&M have three boxes of these. I tried one and they are very mild for a $40 stick. Especially an Opus. Oh, did I mention that he had them at $40-$45 per stick?

[Çnote]

23 hours ago, alloy said:

$40-$45 per stick

Still under street value.