Docbp87
Smoke Into Oblivion
OPUSX RESERVA D'CHATEAU
7x48
Well, it had to happen sometime. This is my first experience with the OpusX brand,
and I am really excited. I have obviously heard amazing things over and over,
and vacationing seemed an appropriate time to give one the death by fire. This
particular stick is from last year's release, so it has a decent amount of time
on it, which I have been told is crucial to the enjoyment of these.
This churchill sized stick has a gorgeous, oily, medium brown wrapper, with
a visible, but not tactile, vein structure. The aroma off the wrapper smells
strongly of cedar. The foot on the other hand is extremely rich, offering raisins,
nutmeg, and cinnamon. This is a famously full bodied smoke, so we'll see how
those flavors play out in terms of strength. The band, as I'm sure everyone reading
this review already knows, is ridiculously complex and gorgeous. The pack is
full, and heavy, making this a pretty firm stick, which is cool for what is also
a fairly large one. Oh, and it has a perfectly constructed triple cap, and very
tight seams.
The pre-light draw is pleasantly fruity, almost floral with a touch of the aforementioned
cinnamon, as well as a little bit of a zing over the palette.
Lit at 3:18pm.
The initial flavors are a really deep pepper, accompanied by a heavy tingling
burn that washes over the palette. The burn line is a little wavy, so we'll see
what happens with that. Through the nasal retrohale there is a smooth cedar
flavor that sort of offsets the heat from the pepper nicely. Smoke production is
good but nothing amazing. It certainly wants to burn, and smokes and smolders
away between draws. This is a good thing, so I doubt I will have any major burn issues
with it.
Just as I expected, 3/4 of an inch in, the burnline has gone razor sharp. At an
inch in, the flavors I can taste are sweet tobacco, cedar, a slight fruit through
the nose, and a good pepper wash on the finish. Very pleasant combination. Not sure that I'd
call the strength very full right yet, but the flavors are very rich. Ash fell for
the first time well over an inch and a half, and left a perfect slightly raised
center. Smoke production has greatly increased, with each draw producing massive
plumes of blue and white smoke. For all the hype this cigar gets, I think the flavor
profile is great so far, but the fruit flavor, which for some reason I am having
a hard time specifying any further, is really the thing that sets it apart for me.
Worth $30 or however much this large size goes for usually? Not so far, but definitely
well worth closer to MSRP. One thing worth noting is how slow the burn has become.
It is even, perfect even, but moving really slowly. So at this rate, the smoke
time will probably make it worth the cost alone. We'll see I guess.
There is a slight vanilla flavor that has appeared on the draw as well, which is
awesome, and goes fantastically with the cedar and fruit. The pepper is a little
milder now, around two inches in, producing more of a flavor than a sensation.
Mouthfeel is creamy, and coats the mouth with the sweet tobacco flavor.
Well I've figured it out right around the start of the second third. When Fuente
and Fuente blended this stick, they must have had "All American" in mind, because
this is like smoking apple pie. Fruit, cinnamon sweetness, nutmeg, and creamy vanilla
are all the dominant flavors, but with a wood and pepper finish that rounds it out
nicely. I'd call this a medium to full body so far, with a very full bodied flavor
profile.
A little bit into the last third, the flavors have gotten a little nutty, and the
pepper is back a little harder. The fruit flavor is gone, but the cinnamon and
cream are still there, and a bit deeper, and richer now, almost earthy. Body and
strength have also ramped up significantly. Not overpowering, but certainly
noticeable, making me a little dizzy even.
Ended at 5:35pm. Put it out a little sooner than I normally would end a cigar, only
because the strength was becoming unpleasant. It really kicked my ass in the last
inch and a half, leaving me sweaty and shaky. Total burn time was right around
two hours 15 minutes, so you definitely get your money's worth in length. The
flavors are also unique and delicious. I would like to try some of the smaller
sizes to see how they compare. I hear the smaller ring gauges are where the Opus
really shines, so I will definitely be trying those in the future. All in all,
I definitely see why this cigar has the reputation for quality that is does.
Great (expensive, special) cigar.
7x48

Well, it had to happen sometime. This is my first experience with the OpusX brand,
and I am really excited. I have obviously heard amazing things over and over,
and vacationing seemed an appropriate time to give one the death by fire. This
particular stick is from last year's release, so it has a decent amount of time
on it, which I have been told is crucial to the enjoyment of these.
This churchill sized stick has a gorgeous, oily, medium brown wrapper, with
a visible, but not tactile, vein structure. The aroma off the wrapper smells
strongly of cedar. The foot on the other hand is extremely rich, offering raisins,
nutmeg, and cinnamon. This is a famously full bodied smoke, so we'll see how
those flavors play out in terms of strength. The band, as I'm sure everyone reading
this review already knows, is ridiculously complex and gorgeous. The pack is
full, and heavy, making this a pretty firm stick, which is cool for what is also
a fairly large one. Oh, and it has a perfectly constructed triple cap, and very
tight seams.
The pre-light draw is pleasantly fruity, almost floral with a touch of the aforementioned
cinnamon, as well as a little bit of a zing over the palette.
Lit at 3:18pm.

The initial flavors are a really deep pepper, accompanied by a heavy tingling
burn that washes over the palette. The burn line is a little wavy, so we'll see
what happens with that. Through the nasal retrohale there is a smooth cedar
flavor that sort of offsets the heat from the pepper nicely. Smoke production is
good but nothing amazing. It certainly wants to burn, and smokes and smolders
away between draws. This is a good thing, so I doubt I will have any major burn issues
with it.
Just as I expected, 3/4 of an inch in, the burnline has gone razor sharp. At an
inch in, the flavors I can taste are sweet tobacco, cedar, a slight fruit through
the nose, and a good pepper wash on the finish. Very pleasant combination. Not sure that I'd
call the strength very full right yet, but the flavors are very rich. Ash fell for
the first time well over an inch and a half, and left a perfect slightly raised
center. Smoke production has greatly increased, with each draw producing massive
plumes of blue and white smoke. For all the hype this cigar gets, I think the flavor
profile is great so far, but the fruit flavor, which for some reason I am having
a hard time specifying any further, is really the thing that sets it apart for me.
Worth $30 or however much this large size goes for usually? Not so far, but definitely
well worth closer to MSRP. One thing worth noting is how slow the burn has become.
It is even, perfect even, but moving really slowly. So at this rate, the smoke
time will probably make it worth the cost alone. We'll see I guess.
There is a slight vanilla flavor that has appeared on the draw as well, which is
awesome, and goes fantastically with the cedar and fruit. The pepper is a little
milder now, around two inches in, producing more of a flavor than a sensation.
Mouthfeel is creamy, and coats the mouth with the sweet tobacco flavor.

Well I've figured it out right around the start of the second third. When Fuente
and Fuente blended this stick, they must have had "All American" in mind, because
this is like smoking apple pie. Fruit, cinnamon sweetness, nutmeg, and creamy vanilla
are all the dominant flavors, but with a wood and pepper finish that rounds it out
nicely. I'd call this a medium to full body so far, with a very full bodied flavor
profile.
A little bit into the last third, the flavors have gotten a little nutty, and the
pepper is back a little harder. The fruit flavor is gone, but the cinnamon and
cream are still there, and a bit deeper, and richer now, almost earthy. Body and
strength have also ramped up significantly. Not overpowering, but certainly
noticeable, making me a little dizzy even.

Ended at 5:35pm. Put it out a little sooner than I normally would end a cigar, only
because the strength was becoming unpleasant. It really kicked my ass in the last
inch and a half, leaving me sweaty and shaky. Total burn time was right around
two hours 15 minutes, so you definitely get your money's worth in length. The
flavors are also unique and delicious. I would like to try some of the smaller
sizes to see how they compare. I hear the smaller ring gauges are where the Opus
really shines, so I will definitely be trying those in the future. All in all,
I definitely see why this cigar has the reputation for quality that is does.
Great (expensive, special) cigar.
