Opus X Perfexion #5 (my first Opus)

[Bigtotoro]

I was gifted this by a very generous brother. I've read the hype about these was anxious to try one out.

Pre Light: Obviously she has a bit of age as there is plumage at several points. Some slight yellowing on the cello wrapper as well. She smells of good honey (not the kind that comes in the bear shaped squeeze bottle but the kind you can buy here in Texas on the side of the road).

1st Third: WHAM! I am immediately hammered with a blast of black pepper. She comes on very strong at first light and I am a little worried she might be too much for me. Voluminous columns of smoke are billowing all around, just hanging in the air. An inch or so in and the sweetness pops up with hints of honey and toasted cinnamon.

2nd Third: Has mellowed a bit (thank goodness) with notes of cedar, almonds, coffee, chocolate, the aforementioned sweet and pepper (although the pepper is not as pronounced. This is an extraordinarily deep well of flavor. Very clean finish, though. I am thinking I should have a stronger drink than the glass of water I have brought. A nice scotch or cognac would open it up even more. Speaking of open, this has the most open draw I have ever experienced. Also, I notice that I am mildly buzzed from the nicotine.

Final bits: Still very complex flavor. Very cool in the hand. Really buzzed now. I finish at about the 70 minute mark.

After thoughts: Yeah, those are really, REALLY good. When compared to the other high line Fuente, the Anejo, I'd have to say I prefer the Anejo. But thats like saying you prefer a blonde with a great ass to a red head with big boobs. They are both bloody fantastic. It's a shame that Fuente feels the need to play games with their distribution cause they have single handedly created the markup on these by only shipping them to triple gold star Fuente approved dealers. The other 80% of the tobacco world pays retail and then marks them up. The production run of 750k a year makes this not especially rare, no matter what the market tells you. Would I pay $20 for this stick? Sure. But even at $10, this would not be a really regular smoke for me. But it is a truly outstanding special occasion treat. Also, after you finish this stick, sit still for another 10 minutes. This has a whole way bunch of nicotine. If you stand up too fast, you might fall and hurt yourself. It is an hour later and I am still buzzed.

Note to Newbies: You are not ready to appreciate the depth of flavor this girl offers. If you see them for close to MSRP, buy a few and let them sleep for a year while you refine your palette.

[Cigary]

Yes sir,,,that is an Opus Cigar for sure. I love these things with at least a year on them and when you pay sticker price for them it's a great cigar.

[holmes711]

Great review Patrick. I have an Opus waiting patiently, I can't wait. Thanks.

[Shriner4cigars]

Nice review,
I agree.. to newbies never rush an Opus no matter how much you want to smoke it. Let it age (a year) and when it's time to light it up, make sure you have time to enjoy it at least an hour and a half. Then you will see what the hype is about.

[5point0]

Thanks for the great review and the word for the noobs.....refine tha pallette.....Im workin on it and I am looking forward to getting some of the "special" sticks for later.



Just another reason I am really diggin' this board!!!!!

[Shaz]

I've just purchased a fiver of d'Chateau and a fiver of Perfecxion #4. Never tried Opus X before, but really liked the AF's I've had. Anxiously awaiting these. They apparently already have some age on them, so will try one after a bit of aclimitization time in my humi.

[GoonerMD]

Great review...I;ve got 3 d'chateaux sitting...gonna keep letting them sit until I'm ready for them

[commonsenseman]

Originally Posted by Bigtotoro

Note to Newbies: You are not ready to appreciate the depth of flavor this girl offers. If you see them for close to MSRP, buy a few and let them sleep for a year while you refine your palette.

This is very true, I know from experience. When I was a noob I thought smoking a opus was the coolest thing ever. First of all I paid WAY too much for it on cbid, then I smoked the crap outta it not bothering with proper lighting procedures or anything else. I thought "what's the big deal with these?" Now that I've been smoking for several years, I'm able to appreciate the true beauty of these great cigars.

They are over hyped quite a bit, but if you can pick them up for a reasonable price, & let them rest for a while, they're an excellent cigar.
Great review.

[Esoteric]

Great review!! I will be on the lookout for these so hopefully I can find a couple for decent prices. I really want to try an Anejo as well as I hear they are great!

[Supercomp]

I enjoyed reading your review. Having smoked 4 or 5 boxes of the #5's over the years, I would have to say that your comments are spot on. I hope you try all of the vitola's, many are a unique experience.

Last box I bought was retail -10%, find a reasonable source brick and mortar and take care of them. Although I live in South Dakota, mine is in New Hampshire!

I gave one of these to my boss a couple of years ago during a company golf tourny. He smoke it fast and I kicked his ass even though he is a much better golfer. He was stoned!

Second day here so I hope not to offend anyone but in my humble opinion, 3-4 years plus is magic. 1 year is great but 3-4 years plus makes a big difference.

[wharfrathoss]

shouldn't have to age a cigar this pricy to make it smokeable.

[SMOKE20]

Originally Posted by commonsenseman

This is very true, I know from experience. When I was a noob I thought smoking a opus was the coolest thing ever. First of all I paid WAY too much for it on cbid, then I smoked the crap outta it not bothering with proper lighting procedures or anything else. I thought "what's the big deal with these?" Now that I've been smoking for several years, I'm able to appreciate the true beauty of these great cigars.

They are over hyped quite a bit, but if you can pick them up for a reasonable price, & let them rest for a while, they're an excellent cigar.
Great review.

I am sure many many people have done what you did first out.

These are real good cigars. My first opus was great and I think of the experience all the time. I tend to smoke them on christmas. So man i am looking forward to it

[Supercomp]

Originally Posted by wharfrathoss

shouldn't have to age a cigar this pricy to make it smokeable.

Who said that you had to age an Opus to make it smokeable?