OpusX changed the cigar industry in the Dominican Republic, if not the United States. It’s a pretty bold statement, but I stand by it. This new brand helped spark limited releases and it helped the cigar industry transition from tired old brands that a dying generation were smoking. This new brand along with Diamond Crown lit the fuse to what would become the cigar boom of the mid 90’s.
In the early 1990s the Fuente family set out on a mission to prove that high quality wrapper can be grown in the Dominican Republic. Until then the Dominican Republic wasn’t know for wrapper, instead the wrapper was sourced from places like Cameroon and the Connecticut River Valley in the United States.
In 1995 that changed when Fuente launched the Opus X east of the Mississippi. The cigar was distributed by JC Newman who decided to limited Fuente to the East, and their own Diamond Crown to the West.
In 2015 the company would release the Oro Oscuro OpusX featuring a darker wrapper and it is the subject of today’s review.
Cigar Review: Fuente Fuente OpusX Oro Oscuro
Size: 4 5/8 x 49 (Belicoso XXX)
Wrapper: Dominican Republic
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
Debut: November 2015
Box Count: 42
The Cigar: The OpusX band might be one of the most recognized bands in the cigar industry with its X front and center. It’s a brand that is vigorously protected by the Fuente Family. The secondary band denotes Destino del Siglo Oro and the cigar has a gold foot band. The wrapper is darker than the original OpusX and more attractive with virtually no visible vein structure and an abundance of oils.
The Taste: The cold draw serves up a rich sweet molasses that becomes more intense when aging an Opus and the same can be said about the foot which is wonderfully sweet. There are additional notes of raisin and cedar present on both the cold draw and foot. The result is a cigar with a distinct and taste pre-light experience.
After the cigar is toasted and lit the initial notes are earthy with nuances of caramel sweetness and pepper. As we settle in the first third of the cigar notes of cinnamon begin to emerge with a subtle molasses that struggles to make itself known.The retrohale is nutty with a woodsy finish.
In the second third the sweetness still struggles to show itself as the cigar remains earthy with elements of leather and coffee. Occasionally wood notes appear but the come and go. The retrohale adds wisps of vanilla while the finish is fairly long with some spice and coffee.
Moving into the last third of the Belicoso XXX OpusX Destino del Siglo Oro not much has changed. The cigar remains overly earthy lacking any sweetness on the palate. There are notes of leather that grow with intensity as the cigar comes to a close with occasional notes of coffee. The retrohale is spicy with elements of red pepper and the finish is overly earthy.
Conclusion: Since its release the OpusX has been somewhat polarizing with many swearing by them and others lamenting how you need to sit on them to age and reach their potential. The rare availability has also caused a lot of price gouging when it comes to the OpusX market, so finding one at a reasonable price can be a difficult find. There is a major online retailer that currently has these at $50 each which I have a huge issue with.
As far as the cigar in hand, it would have done better with age and that’s my problem. When I spend north of $20 on a cigar I want it ready to smoke now, not in a few years. As a result I think Opus X is the most overrated cigar in the industry today. Now give me an aged Opus and my mindset makes a full 180.
Score: 87
Price: $26.00 (Before any local or state taxes)
