1st Opus = letdown . . . need some insight

[Gramdacious]

Wow, I must be the only one around who like Opus. Don't get wrong, I have had one burn issue, but the majority I have smoked have been awesome smokes. More for me I guess.?

 

[SilverFox]

What I would say here is the huge hype around Opus sets up an expectation that can't be met on a regular basis. I have several boxes of Opus and have to say that my Opus X Belicosa's are an 06 box and they are smoking very nice right now, Opus is by far my favorite NC cigar but I won't touch the box of Opus X Robustos I just got from the last release for at least a year, don't know what it is about them but I have never had one with less than a year age on it and won't start now.

There are many good points in this thread that have been said that some people may have missed.

Any cigar can be overhyped and over priced. I love Cohiba CC but I have had Robusto's that were so plugged you couldn't draw them with a vacum, I had a Sig VI that burst on me within the first third or so (no it wasn't a humidity issue) and I have had countless cohibas that need to be relit, but I love them so I work with them are they overpriced for the brand........maybe but I am willing to pay the cost to have the cohiba.

Think about A Fuente they are some of the most overhyped cigars out there, now don't get me wrong they make some great cigars but they also make some shit.

People rave about Rocky Patel me i haven't found one that was good.

Illusione is the next greatest things ever..............to me they are like smoking vacuum cleaner bags.

The one things that I have learned in trying hundreds of different cigars is that taste is a fickle thing and each persons is different and even your own tastes can be different in different circumstances. I had a post about smoking a PSD2 by the campfire about a month ago and about a 3rd of the way through the stick I tossed it in the fire..............it just wasn't tasting right to me at that time who knows why, bad stick, wrong environment, my tastes where off who knows.

I guess my bottom line is this for those that like em smoke em for those that don't like em don't smoke em. Keep putting up your opinions as I love to read them and see what others think, but remember it is just that your opinion.

Having said all that, I do really like Opus, but I wouldn't pay some of the crazy prices that you see out there. I am patient and wait for the releases, I have good relationships with a couple of retailers and I can typically get a box or two when the releases come out and pay a reasonable price..............30 a stick well I don't think I would pay that for anything..........

 

[Brad]

I've never had any burn issues, even with farily fresh ones. I keep them in a 67% humi. They aren't bad cigars, but I don't pay the rape prices many want for them. I paid $9 each for the Fuente Fuente size. I think it's about 5.5 inches by 46 ring. I've never paid more than $10 for any size.

 

[terrantheman]

I love the opus fresh or aged I think it is the most unique cigar ever made!

 

[Zoomschwortz]

Age can make all of the difference in the world as far as flavor goes. Last month when I was in Germany I had an 07 PSD4 that was terrible. I also had an 05 or 06 (sorry can't remember for sure) PSD4 that was Nirvana. I wouldn't have traded four 07's for the aged PSD4 unless I planned on saving them for a while.

I tossed the very high priced (damn Euro) 07 PSD4 at about the half way mark.

I have found that Opus X is much better with age.
About 2 months ago I found an Opus X Lancero in my humidor. I had no idea that it was there and it had to have been there over a year. Only God knows how old it was before going into the humidor.

That Opus X Lancero was one of the very best cigars I've ever had. Yesterday while emptying my coolerdor, humidor and Vinotemp to put everything in my new tower cabinet, I really was hoping to find at least one more, but I had no such luck.

How I wish I could get more Opus X Lanceros.

As far as the problems smoking you cigar goes, is there a chance that your hygrometer calibration could be off? I don't remember having a problem with my Opus X's since I've started keeping them in the 63%-65% RH range. It was a different story when they were in the 70% range.

 

[Gov]

A CS member sent me one a year ago, Should I smoke it or keep it??

NO...Don't smoke it! Send it to me for a very thorough investigation. I will then smoke it and send you the results!!!! :r

Let it age and then smoke it when you are ready.

 

[NCRadioMan]

I've had around 15-20 Opus and only two of them were, what I consider, good. They both had four years on them so I agree that aging makes a huge difference. On the whole, I am not a big fan of Opus or AF in general, sans Anjeo. I buy them to gift for trade.

If you didn't like them, you are not alone.

 

[D. Generate]

Aw hell, like any smoke you're going to get guys saying they suck and guys saying they're the dog's bollocks.

Personally I've never had a burn issue with them. However, I must say that they are the most underwhelming smoke I've had. Perhaps if I bought mine at $8 as some fortunate poster did, that wouldn't be an issue.

I bought a few, I received a few in trades and gifts and none of them were that spectacular. I thought the construction was spot on, but the taste just wasn't for me. YMMV, but I can think of quite a few cigars I would rather spend the money on.

I hope the rest of yours give you a better experience.

 

[Addiction]

Age can make all of the difference in the world as far as flavor goes.....

I have found that Opus X is much better with age........

If you like that flavor profile that is probably true. However I've only smoked one new one, a 2007 in 2007. Everything else I smoked was late 90s and 2000 and those just didn't suck as much.

 

[TDockUSC]

Thanks for all the replies. There are quite a lot of STRONG opinions on this issue.

I'll try another and hope for the best.

 

[Zoomschwortz]

WARNING

If you have or find any of the Lanceros, don't smoke them, sell them to me and you can avoid the risk of being disappointed:ss

 

[Firridge]

I've had around 15-20 Opus and only two of them were, what I consider, good. They both had four years on them so I agree that aging makes a huge difference. On the whole, I am not a big fan of Opus or AF in general, sans Anjeo. I buy them to gift for trade.

If you didn't like them, you are not alone.

I'm with Greg on this one. I usually buy several Opus and Anejo to gift or trade, and the few that I keep usually underwhelm me. I would much rather have a TAT brown label(any size) or PAM 64 any day of the week over the much hyped Fuente cigars. That being said I was in Florida last week and bought several Opux for $8-10. They can be found, and this particular retailer will mail order them to your front door.

 

[floydp]

The X is not a favorite of mine, by the same token I haven't smoked more than a dozen and they have never made me say WOW!. I love the Anejo's though. Anita has had more than me and loves em. Construction has never been an issue, burn and draw have been spot on for us. If you like the flavor then I'd give em another chance. At a reasonable price of course.

 

[Blowin' Smoke]

Deep breath here - deep breath. :ss

Since we are taking exceptions here - I'd like to comment on your price points. I'm certainly glad to hear that someone is buying Opus at MSRP - because in reality most of the cigar buying population is not. I'd invite you to come to Northern Virginia and find one B&M selling at MSRP - heck let's just extend that to Maryland and DC also. For that matter find me an online retailer doing the same that actually has them in stock.
And just for fun - show of hands - how many can actually walk into their local B&M and find boxes of Opus on display? Hmmmmm - yeah, me neither.

And so while Opus may be a great $8 to $15 smoke - most of us just are not as fortunate as you are.

As for the OP - yeah it sucks but it does happen with any cigar. Did you smoke them outside? How humid was it? That can certainly have an effect on re-lighting.


Ron

My B&M gets them at least twice per year and ALWAYS sells them at MSRP. I haven't paid over MSRP for an Opus yet. If you are, its the fault of the B&M not Fuente.

 

[CigarmanTim]

And so while Opus may be a great $8 to $15 smoke - most of us just are not as fortunate as you are.

Ron

With the exception of 1 cigar, I have never ever paid over $16 for an opus. I have 4 b&m's I buy them off of. I guess I am a lucky one also.

 

[CigarmanTim]

If you are going to try an opus for the 1st time...go with the #4. For some reason that size is better new than any of the other sizes I've tried...by far.

 

[DriftyGypsy]

There are far too many better cigars out there... if you want to spend that much for a cigar, try an AVO 80th or if you can find one a LE05. I have tried many Opus and always found them wanting for the price point.

let's see an AVO 80th for $15.00 or an Opus X for $13.00, I spent the extra $2.00 for something I will enjoy a whole lot more.

 

[adsantos13]

That is exactly my point. I understand that I am lucky to be able to buy them at MSRP. However the point of price is not a Fuente issue it is a B&M issue.

Im not so sure the blame doesn't ultimately lie with Fuente. It is my understanding that Fuente strictly limits the supply, which in turn is exactly the reason why their is a veritable feeding frenzy over acquiring them whenever they are released. Most places have them marked up to ridiculous prices because people will pay for something perceived to be limited (and also going to be flying off the shelved). This is their right just as its Fuente's right to "hype" their limited smokes (I dont mean to imply the cigars are bad and all hype, obviously they are high quality). This is capitalism, right?

It may very well be because they don't have enough tobacco every year to make a ton of Opus X, but it is still technically a function of their business practice IMHO. Correct me if I'm wrong here, by all means.

 

[Pampero]

I take serious exception to this comment. Opus X are NOT $30; MSRP ranges from about $8 to $15. Anything above this is simply gouging by your B&M. As far as the ads go , what do you suggest mud all over their faces? Have your ever looked at a new SUV ad lately: an impecably clean black SUV with not a speck of dust or dirt on it even it is designed to go off roading. Or how about an ad for a new casino: people laughing and having a great time winning money hand over fist even though the casinos make BILLIONS on lost gambling revenue. They are an awesome $8- $15 smoke ( and I have smoked about 100 per year since '96 so I think 1200 qualifies me as knowledgeable on Opus)and when was the last time you had an inconsistent Cohiba or other CC? Cohibas/LEs/REs aren't hyped at all are they? The same cigar wth a second band at 50% higher cost! I won't even go into the Tat Black(or should I say Tat Crap)! I have visited and personally met Carlito and I'll tell you that there is no one out there to rival his passion about cigars! Bottom line is this: what isn't hyped in today's marketing world? Opus are a great moderately priced smoke and if you have to pay more than MSRP go find a new B&M.

I'm here in Washington State, and I barely find them locally and can't find them with any ease at retail prices on line, so for me, they are expensive cigars.
I can't wait until I can buy CCs locally and legally, (and Fuentes at retail) and nowhere in my post did I even mention the Cubans. In fact, I believe it's impossible to determine exactly what kind of hype the Cubans might bring to the party because for American smokers that question is moot.

Of course your opinion is perfectly valid, and no offense was meant to be issued but if anything I said is untrue as opposed to not in accord with your view, please correct me. The stuff about their ads was meant a bit tongue in cheek, but really, have you ever seen anything more airbrushed and hand painted than a Fuente Opus X ad? I'm sure the Fuentes are great folks, I have nothing against them and I smoke their gars from time to time, but that's my read on their promotional efforts.

I made the point, and stand by it, and it was made again by Silverfox that for whatever reason, the Opus X phenomenon is a setup for disappointment. If it isn't in fact the greatest cigar you ever smoked, the claims and all the noise are going to land like a lead weight right on one's foot. Just an observation, more in respect to human nature than a comment on the smokes.

With many CC vitolas available variously around the world at $225 a box, you're looking at 8 or 9 dollar sticks for many premium corona gordas (say, the classic Punch Punch as but one example) and robustos. That's the average going rate plus or minus for a lot of really classic CC vitolas. Sure, Esplendidos are $500 a box and so they match the top prices for the top of the market, but these days, they're pretty damn good too. In a real, free market economy, who knows what the Cubans would sell for here? Let's hope we can find out someday, but until then, comparing CC prices to legal product is pointless for Americans. I'm just glad I don't pay English prices. CCs are cgeaper to smuggle in illegally than they are to walk in and buy there. The value and comfort equation doesn't work properly with ISOM product; I'd contend that on a practical basis it's impossible to really assess their stuff accurately from our vantage point. Maybe someday.

If I knew you'd take personal offense at my post I probably wouldn't have put it up. It was intended to provide a slightly different persepective and, in a manner of speaking, to comment on what I think are the pompous ads that are part and parcel not only of the Fuente style, but equally of many cigar vendors today. I probably could have said the same of a dozen advertisers in CA. I mean, the whole magazine scene that CA (and their imitators) have promoted is a bit stuffy and pompous, don't you think? In another world, we'd be goofing on the cigar ads for being way over the top. Who looks like these people? Not me! Not most of the guys with beards and tats I see reveiwing the cigars on these pages! I find the cigar ads a bit out of my league as a rule...alll of them. It just happens that the Fuente ads are among the most posed and unnatural. YMMV, nothing against the Fuentes (though possibly against their Madison Avenuse folks) and all other disclaimers applied and taken umberage in.
Hey....I'm not here to pick a fight. Just to enjoy a good smoke with some buds and yak up the scene. Smoke what you enjoy and I'll do likewise.

I do have to agree with this though:

Im not so sure the blame doesn't ultimately lie with Fuente. It is my understanding that Fuente strictly limits the supply, which in turn is exactly the reason why their is a veritable feeding frenzy over acquiring them whenever they are released. Most places have them marked up to ridiculous prices because people will pay for something perceived to be limited (and also going to be flying off the shelved). This is their right just as its Fuente's right to "hype" their limited smokes (I dont mean to imply the cigars are bad and all hype, obviously they are high quality). This is capitalism, right?

It may very well be because they don't have enough tobacco every year to make a ton of Opus X, but it is still technically a function of their business practice IMHO. Correct me if I'm wrong here, by all means.

Bottom line is it's their brand. If they are opposed to having their cigars sold at twice retail, they can ship them to people who don't do that. I wonder how they allocate shipment on Opus X in any case. Please enlighten me if you know.

 

[rockyr]

Hey TDock - Sorry those didn't work out. Were you smoking outside or inside? I have found that high outside humidity can cause burn issues, especially the last couple of weeks. Even though you are using 65% in your humi, you might want to dry box the Opus for several hours or more at 60% or less before smoking.

Glad to hear you are coming back to S.C. Keep a look out for PSHC herfs. :ss