Andy and I smoked a couple of these tonight. A smaller one, maybe Andy can chime in with a size if he remembers.
Maybe it's just me, (well, us), but I am unimpressed.
Drew like a hollow shake straw. As in, no resistance whatsoever.
We both had initial light problems, mine wouldn't toast for a damn, and I spent a couple minutes simply getting an even burn. Spicy as hell of the bat, and being my first Opus of any kind, I imagine these are damn near unsmokeable fresh. More than a couple relights were required and Andy ended up lopping an inch or so off his to get an even burn going. The spice mostly left in the first third.
Flavor? uh.. nothing really there. I was waiting for something, and it never materialized.
13 bucks a stick retail and all I could think about is how many much more consistent and more flavorful smokes 13 bucks would buy. I think both of us let the last 2-3 inches in the ashtray. They weren't wet at all, because they seemed to draw almost too easily, maybe they were too dry, even?
With all the hoopla surrounding these, I am pretty sure that either they don't agree with me, or perhaps we just ended up with a couple of duds.
I did have a little nicotine gremlin visit me about a third of the way through, a bit nauseous and sweaty, which happens to me extremely rarely, but this is the second time in a few weeks that I have had that happen. Both with smokes from Andy... (coincidence? Poison, perhaps?:-):-):-) )



In any case, herfing with a friend is always good, so there is a bright spot for all of us when we spend time with our BOTLs.
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I am still waiting to try one of these and so far from what I have seen here it is about a 50/50 reaction to Opus.
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If I am mistaken this almost sounds like a review! :-)

I have nothing to add here. Yah these are strong! Yippee

Opus X $13
Bottle of Pepto $4
Herfing with a great BOTL Priceless
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I'm just trying to fit in, I can be a douchebag, but I'm trying to overcome my deficiencies.
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Update - It was a Fuente Fuente Opus X.. Size: 5.675 x 46 And the site I checked for sizing has them in stock for $26 each.. :-)
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These can be hit or miss. One of if not the best stick I've ever had was an Opus X and then I've had a few that were just ok.

I don't see the harm in picking up a few each year.
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Odd that so many feel the same way about many cuban cigars and never complain about them. Just an observation.
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Just one question. What RH were they kept at and smoked at? If the answer is 70% it was too wet. This is the reason it wouldn't toast for you and most likely a little harsh. Try keeping and smoking between 60 - 65% rh for Opus.
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Don't give up on opus. I had a fresh power ranger that was awesome this year as well as a 07 robusto that was superb. I've had one a few years back that was plugged but I've never had a loose draw.
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I'm pretty sure that Andy keeps his smokes at 65% with beads. It wasn't harsh, really, just a blast of pepper at the beginning.
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