Opus X 22 CFCF Fun Box 2005 Reviews...

[Mr Peat]

Wed, 24th Jan 2007 I decided to embark on a crazy journey through Chateau de la Fuente at 5:52pm. This journey has been thought about for some time before I even aquired the Opus X 22 CFCF Fun Box back in Dec 2006. I had planned to take this box down slowly and do a personal review of each stick. Its been some time since something on this scale has been done and you didn't have to twist my arm. I simply volunteered my time and beloved sticks for this grand journey I am about to take. A indepth look at these Opus X sticks from the eyes of your's truly.

Well, its time to light this bad boy up. What is on the chopping block you may ask yourself and its a simple answer. The Chili Pepper is the first victim of the 22 stick box that will be sacrificed for your viewing pleasure. I took some nice photos of it while it was still whole. I decided for this project of mine, a normal Xikar cutter wasn't going to be good enough to clip these sticks. I decided to use the Casa Fuente cutter that I purchased back in Sept 2006. Unfortunately, many great Opus X Forbidden X sticks was sacrificed without a review and this time, its going to be different.

So at 6:10pm, the beast is fired up. The initial taste off the wrapper had a little strenght to it which shows this isn't a typical Opus X. I tried to inhale the first puff and that was a huge ass mistake. Just way to much concentrated smoke off the initial first couple of puffs. Smelling the smoke at 6:13pm, I can tell this stick will be an interesting review. Granted I had smoked a Opus X Forbidden X Chili Pepper back in Sept 2006 when I visited Seadub, Rod, and the other SoCal Crew thatshowed up that night. With it being 6:14pm, as expected the smoke started to mellow out as the stick has slowly burned. But there is still a subtle hint that this cigar has a kick. Well, more than a subtle hint as it makes the nasal passage feel like I was snorting some rot gut Mad Dog 20/20 up my nose and then was torched by a gentle flame.

The first touch up was applied at 6:17pm as the burnt part creeps past the dome of the cigar. I expected this was going to be the first troubled area of this smoke and now its burning like it should. Each puff there is plenty of smoke to examine. Yep, as I expected the strength is still kicking strong at 6:21pm, but very impressed at the burn. As for the taste...This time it seems to be a completely different experience than my first Chili Pepper. Other than the strength, it tastes better. This one has seemed very mild to last year's one. Exhaling the smoke out the nose at 6:24pm it still seems to be very young. Completely burns the nasal passage and left me with the smell like I was standing out in a cattle field. Not a good impression if you ask me, but nevertheless, its a surprising smoke. Ahh ha...the first real taste of being a Opus slowly creeped out at 6:26pm and what a relief that had made me feel. Three sticks came to my mind just now. The Power Ranger, Perfecxion X, and the Petite Lancero is what I get from the stick at 6:27pm. I can easily detect the Power Ranger's strength and the subtle goodness of a aged Petite Lancero. But the taste seems of the Perfecxion X. I find this combination to be very rewarding as the first CHili Pepper didn't have these characteristics like this one. At 6:32pm I had the first tingle of my tongue like it wanted to go numb from the potency of this smoke. The smoke has been pretty gentle in the mouth the entire time. Rarely has the smoke been hot as I am taking my time with this interesting style of cigar.

Was sad at 6:40pm in that I had to do the first ash of it and only the 2nd touch up on this bad boy. The smell of the smoke seems to one of a light smoke but in reality, it isn't that weak. I had to take off the 2005 band part and the infamous Arturo Fuente Super Glue had to make an appearance. It tore the wrapper a tad, but hasn't hurt the cigar one bit which isn't a surpise with the quality of smokes they put out on their premium lines. The whole Opus X quality has retreated once again at 6:46pm. Really it probably started way back around 6:40pm but its ok. Now at 6:48pm I got the first taste of the tar building up within this smoke. Its not a heavy presence nor did it stick around for very long and that made me happy.

Being 6:51pm and well into this stick, just breathing in the smoke from a puff starts to make me cough as its simply just has one hell of a kick. Not that I mind since I do like cigars that have a kick. I can definitely tell a Opus X is being torched in my place. I'm getting a little head rush at 6:53pm and boy do I feel soooooooooo good right now. I just hit the relaxed mode I have sorely been needing since the last few days of November 2005. Alas, the band had to come off at this point and to my surprise, it came off flawlessly and that is a miracle indeed. Yes, I am happy that it came off with ease and not tear the cigar or band. I must have to say the burn has really surprised me this time considering the first Chili Pepper I smoked had a horrible burn. While typing that last sentence I had a brief lapse of bliss as a very mild and gentle raspberry taste came out at 6:57pm. All I can say at this point is simply, YUMMY!!!


I decided to do this review without any drink or snacks as I wanted to taste this cigar for what it truly represents. Naturally I am very thirsty but I do not want this review to be soiled by any outside influence. Now at 7:07pm I had to ash the smoke which I expect to see a change in the cigar and smoke. This has always been my experience while smoking any Opus X. And to my delight, the smoke has taken on a Opus smell once again and taste. The tar and strength taste is back at 7:11pm. Its not really distracting the experience of such a cigar as this. In fact, this is always the case for me on any Opus at this point of a cigar to take this taste. Naturally, the smoke has turned a little hot in the mouth so I'm just letting it cool down a little before I embark on the next puff. During this whole time I have taken what I think to be some nice photos and I hope you enjoy them as much as I did taking them. After a 2 to 3 min cool down period I took another puff at 7:14pm and the tar taste has vanished once again. Also the hotness disappeared a long with it and this makes me a happy cigar smoker once again. The smoke at this point has basically taken on a pure strength note and strong enough that my eyes burn a little. Plus a nice cigar buzz to go with it.

Now at 7:21pm the cigar has left a nice little after taste of Opus in my mouth and taste buds. Even the lips started to tingle at this point. Alas another time to ash the cigar at 7:23pm and its getting hard to hold the cigar while puffing on it. There just isn't much room to hold the nub. But I am continuing to smoke it down to as far as I can and the nub isn't even wider than my thumb at this point. Now I had made some Earl Grey tea when I started this and its now cold. I know it won't hurt the cigar review now at this point in time as the cigar is just pure strength. Like I thought the tea didn't hurt the taste of the smoke at all.

So onto my impression of this cigar. Considering I smoked a relatively young one back in Sept 2006 and again visited this same cigar in Jan 2007 with basically 2 years on it. Let me say this as these 2 different Chili Pepper's was a completely different experience. The first one being completely just raw strength and now balance to it. This time around the strength is still there, but has aged really nicely and balanced in my eyes. There were many different transitions with this cigar as well. The burn was awesome with only 2 touch ups. The first one was a lot of work as this version was not. I had to relight the nub at 7:32pm and when you see the pictures, it should say something for this smoke. If I would have given a rating for the first experience it probably what have been a 70 out of 100 points. This time its a different story being that I would give this one a 90 to 95 out of a 100 point scale. I would highly recommend to let this one take a long nap over a 2 to 5 year period before I smoke this one again as I feel it would be one great smoke. Pictures to follow once I am done with the nub as I have plenty to upload and edit in the review.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a18...CN04660001.jpg
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http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a18...CN04710001.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a18...CN04720001.jpg a Patch on the Chili P
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http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a18...CN04890001.jpg Is the Official Nub.

This is the first installment of many reviews of this box that is to come every month for a rare smoke out of this box.

[drew_goring]

Well done. That was an amazing review.

[8-5-8]

Man... I want a fun box

Nice review!

[597]

Wow! that is one hell of a review! Makes me want to get a fun box of my own.

[guado]

I have yet to see one priced normally. I would definitely be in for one.

[drew_goring]

I have yet to see one priced normally. I would definitely be in for one.

Opus 22

There ya go...priced at MSRP and in stock.

[guado]

Opus 22

There ya go...priced at MSRP and in stock.

oh(charity box)...well that would explain the price. n/m.

[maphic]

I don't have much experience with cigars but the review makes me want to go buy a box of these.

[BigMacFU]

Holy Guacamole, did Moki just come to this board? Great review, Moki's a big time Opus lover too and has had an amazing collection of Opus's over time. I wish I had the means to acquire a box like that. Enjoy the rest as well as you did the first and don't forget to fill us in and make us jealous.

[Mr Peat]

Holy Guacamole, did Moki just come to this board? Great review, Moki's a big time Opus lover too and has had an amazing collection of Opus's over time. I wish I had the means to acquire a box like that. Enjoy the rest as well as you did the first and don't forget to fill us in and make us jealous.

I am planning a huge review of all the sticks. They will all look like these even for the common sticks found in this box.

For those that don't know here is whats in it:

The Latin-Jazz CD
DvD about Opus X and the Chateau

FFOX SerieX X Square x2
FFOX BBMF x1
FFOX LBMF x1
FFOX Shark x2
FFOX Double Robusto x3
FFOX Chili Pepper x3
FFOX Forbidden X Lancero x2

FFOX Double Corona x2
FFOX Reserva d'Chateau x2
FFOX Perfecxion X x2
FFOX Perfecxion #2 x2

Its going to be a blast to review these and post about them.

[Mr Peat]

I took a poll on CP as to what should be the next victim and here it is. On Wed, 31st Jan 2007 at 4:11pm I decided to take some pictures of Opus X Shark and post them so I can relax a little more when I smoke it next month sometime. So without further ado, here is the Shark in all its glory after being landed by your's truly.

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I have a suspected target date set for this review so please stay tuned.

So on Thursday, 8th Feb 2007 I fired this smoke up. Definitely has a unique and young taste to it. I can't even tell that its a Opus X at this point. Not unusual for a Opus to be this way from my experience. Visual inspection of the cigar shows that it is flawless in my books. I then proceeded to cut the cigar and it went off without a hitch. A fine cut indeed thanks to the rarely used Casa Fuente Xikar I have.

I roared this smoke to life and it had some burn issues like every different type of Shark I've smoked before so I am not even surprised by this. At 7:12 pm the first initial puffs smells very unique and odd at the same time. Again, nothing unusual for a Opus to be at a stage like this. But the unidentifiable smell is driving me completely nutts and I haven't got to far in this cigar. There is a slight after taste that its an Opus, but it doesn't stick around long whatsoever. The smoke is very light at this point and still really cool in the mouth. I can easily exhale this smoke out my nose without a burning sensation. It reveals a very young taste and the unusual smell I can't identify yet. I was waiting patiently to make the first correction of the burn and it came at 7:16pm. It wasn't nothing major. I hoped it would correct itself like other Opus do, but alas, this wasn't the case.

Now at 7:18pm, the smoke decided to take a little change. I still don't know what to think of this cigar nor if this change was going to be good or bad. Its definitely something I have never encountered before in any Opus X or other high end Fuente cigars. Just for a brief moment at 7:20pm the aftertaste reminded me of a slight taste of walnuts. This was a strange appearance to me so I concluded that the cigar took on a nutty profile for a brief moment as it didn't last long. There is plenty of smoke off each puff and the draw is fantastic. But the odd taste is still troublesome to me. It still reminds me of a very young cigar in taste and smell.

I decide to drop the first ash at 7:24pm in hopes that the cigar would come to life and reveal itself as an Opus X. This was also the second touch up I had to do with this cigar. At this point, a person couldn't identify that an Opus was being smoked. Needless to say, I'm a little disappointed with this cigar. Yet, I still remain optimistic that it will reveal itself to be an Opus X in all its glory. Some smoke wisps off the cigar and I can smell a slight Opus hint to it but that is pretty much as far as it goes. I just wished at this point it would snap out of this funk I see this cigar stuck in. I want that Opus X taste that leaves me wanting for more. The burn has been better than I expected as past experiences with any Fuente Shark hasn't been the best.

So at 7:29pm, I get a slight Opus smell and taste which retreated as fast as it came to me. I wonder how long this will last. It definitely wasn't a life changing experience. But it lasted for around 2 minutes which isn't long at all. I've come to the conclusion this is one of the strangest smokes I've had in my 10 years of smoking. At this point, the cigar seems to be more mild than anything else. It doesn't even tip towards the medium scale as this cigar doesn't know what it wants to do or be at this point. I guess I expected more from this cigar and feel pretty cheated by it. I already know I will have to smoke another Opus X to make up for this experience which has let me down completely. All hopes for it to snap out has started to go out the window. Yet, I still remain to be optimistic about this smoke and pray it comes through. Even at 7:33pm, the smoke stays pretty cool in the mouth and light. Even when I exhale it out my nose. I'm really shocked that a cigar like this caliber at 2 years old could be this confused and young tasting.

The burn started to become pretty even at 7:35 pm when I had to ash it. That within itself is a miracle to me. Something about this cigar troubles me at this point. Unlike other Opus X, you can relate it to other smokes but this one I can't at all. It reminds me of nothing I have smoked before. I mean the young taste I've gotten off Avo's is something it reminds me of but this cigar doesn't even have a grassy note to it. Very unusual to me that I can't relate it to something I've smoked before. There has been a slight taste here and there all throughout the smoke that takes on a very subtle Opus taste but it retreats so fast its pretty disappointing to me.

Even at 7:40pm, the smell has been pretty consistent and hasn't really changed much at all. This was when a major touch up was required at 7:43pm. That in itself wasn't a shocker. It has been pretty good with the burn up to that point. I'm thinking at this point the cigar doesn't even know if its coming or going and I'm about 1/2 done with this smoke.

Time to ash this bad boy at 7:46pm which I had to take off the 2005 band. The infamous Fuente super glue made an appearance. After that was off, at 7:49pm I got a brief Opus X signature profile I have been looking for the whole time. It was pretty rewarding for the few puffs it lasted. I was so excited I forgot to think what other Opus it reminded me of. Needless to say, it was gone as fast as it came once again leaving me pretty disappointed. Not long after 7:50pm, the cigar required some attention to the burn. All i am thinking at this point is damn it I feel cheated so bad right now. Thoughts of tossing the cigar has entered my mind at this point and everyone should know me well by now if I give a Fuente a bad review, its not a good sign. But alas, tastes and reviews are very subjective. So in reality, my review is just my opinion and impression of this cigar. I hope that others have a better experience than I did.

Still at this point of time, the smell hasn't really changed at all. The cigar does seem to pick up some strength at this point but nothing that I would consider good. At 7:54 pm the cigar required a major touch up. I decided it was time to take the Opus X band off at 7:55pm and it came off flawlessly. It didn't hurt the band or the cigar wrapper. I was happy for that part of this disappointing experience I've embarked on. I decided another touch up was required at 7:56pm.

I managed to get a little smoke behind my glasses and wow. The smoke really has a nice potentency to it as it burnt the eyes and made the eyes water pretty good. I was writing my impressions at this point with my eyes closed. The smoke even cleared out my nasal passage. This was at 7:58pm. So at 8:00pm I got a alcohol taste and smell to it. It reminded me of some medicinal alcohol I smelled while working at the UofU Medical Center way back in the early 1990's. This wasn't a good sign either and after the initial blast, there was some after taste for a few puffs before it went away. At this point I was happy that it was gone because it wasn't pleasant whatsoever. So at 8:03pm another correction was required and needed a ashing. For a brief moment at 8:05pm I got a peppery burnt coffee taste and smell off this cigar. This proves to me that this cigar was a huge let down throughout the misfortune of smoking the Shark. I decided to take a sip of my Earl Grey tea that had gone completely cold at this point and was the first time I drank anything while smoking this cigar in hopes it would clear out that nasty after taste that was lingering in my mouth. Alas, it did the trick but it didn't help the cigar out whatsoever as the experience was a complete bust to me.

So my overall impression of this smoke as I decided on the last 1/3 of the cigar to stop writing my impressions of this cigar. The cigar was pretty bland and nasty from my experience. I don't even know if I could smoke another Opus X Shark after this experience. Its definitely has been the worst experience for me with any Fuente cigars and I mean the entire line of everything they do. I'm thinking back and think I would prefer to smoke the nasty ass ESG than the Shark again. And everyone remembers my kind review of the ESG that I did. laugh.gif The construction of this cigar was fantastic and the burn was pretty impressive I must say. But for the flavor profile, I would seriously knock this cigar down a peg or two or three or four. sad.gif So in retrospect, I'd give the Shark a rating on a 0 to 100 scale, a solid 60. maybe 65 on a good day. All I can hope is that anyone else that smokes it has a better experience than me.
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[Mr Peat]

The review of the Opus X Shark is done and above this post. I am just finishing uploading the pictures so that I can re-edit the post to include those that I took.

[boomshay]

i really like reading your reviews of these sticks, not that i'll ever have the cash to buy them, its still great to read about keep it up

[Mr Peat]

i really like reading your reviews of these sticks, not that i'll ever have the cash to buy them, its still great to read about keep it up

I'm glad you enjoy the reviews. I'm pretty set on the LBMF for March 2007 review. Its one of the few rare Opus X I haven't had before. Granted I have 2 of them. One is from the 2005 CFCF box and the other happens to have the Forbidden X band on it. I scored that while I was in Vegas and decided then I wasn't smoking that one till I had another.

[Mr Peat]

Well, just an update. I think I've got March 2nd set for a hot date with a LBMF. I haven't picked the time its going to be toasted, but its going to happen this Friday.

[drew_goring]

Looking forward to another great review. I will be interested to see how this compares to the BBMF.

[Mr Peat]

I decided to take some early snap shots of the LBMF before the big day. So I put the one from the CFCF 2005 Box next to a LBMF from Casa Fuente for a side to side comparison.





Enjoy these little glimpses before the one looses its brother.

[597]

looks like a great cigar, can't wait for the review.

[Mr Peat]

Drum roll please....On the 2nd of March 2007, a rare stick is hitting the chopping block. The Opus X LBMF aka Little Bad Mother Fucker was the next victim in the long and distinguished list of Opus that is getting reviewed. I cut the LBMF at 6:36pm. I had to include the Outlaw gang on this interesting review as I figured this would be the best Opus that will come out of the box. After a brief moment of looking the cigar, I came to the conclusion that it was a perfect construction. After I clipped it with my normal Xikar, I took an initial puff off the cigar to judge the draw. It had a very easy draw and that really pleased me. I decided to fire this bad boy up and the little tip of the Maduro wrapper that's on it was just heavenly bliss. Once the maduro tip was toasted and the thought that hit me first was that this is one interesting and unique smoke. In all my Opus X cigars I've torched, none even compared to this little gem.

The initial smoke revealed that this was going to be an in your face cigar. The smoke was so strong that it could bring tears to your eyes and you didn't have to be smoking it either to get it. One thing that was remarkable is that a little Opus quality peaked through really early. Nothing like a Lancero or Robusto, just subtle and teasing you to continue this journey. At this point, I had already judge this smoke to be the most potent I've seen off any Opus X and then at 6:42pm is when the real treat began. I held the smoke in the mouth to see what I could pick up as it was just to strong to exhale out the noise. To my surprise, Bourbon/wood characteristics was picked up on. Something I haven't experienced before. I could even smell these qualities off the cigar and that put a big smile on my face. This was what I have been searching for and it all came together in one blissful night of smoking.

Then at 6:45pm, is when the woody notes really made a presence in this cigar. I came to the conclusion that this was one hell of a nice transition the cigar had taken. One thing it did remind me of and thanks to OpusXKC aka Tony pointed out that it reminded him of a Petite Lancero. After thinking about it and I had to agree with him on this observation. Yes, I did let OpusXKC, Smokyballs, and OutlawD try this cigar as none of them have had it before. I had to share the love on this cigar. That was just a bonus for me as this cigar is just so damn good at this point. What was really interesting was at 6:47pm, a alcohol note came through as I took a puff. It wasn't overwhelming but just a slight hint.

Then at 6:51pm, another transition took place. A sweet characteristic had come through this power house of a cigar. At this point, the first thought that came to mind what this cigar is like liquid crack making me want my fix now. Just an amazing profile for an Opus X IMHO. Each puff the cigar got a little stronger and so did everything else that was taking place in this cigar. It raised the bar in a complete and unexpected quality that I haven't seen matched in any Opus X to date. Granted, I love the Lancero, but when I want something strong and balanced, this is the cigar I would turn too. The smell of the smoke is just so unique that I can't even place it.

Now a transition that takes place at 6:59pm, the smoke takes on a really mellow note to it. This is when the power of the smoke really becomes evident as it takes it up a notch on every buff. Not overwhelming either. Just simply balanced and complex. If you think the Power Ranger has a serious kick or another other Opus, then this stick will take you for a ride of your life and prove to you that this cigar is unmatched in the Opus X line up. Then at 7:02pm, a sweet spot was hit. This stayed for a little while until the next transition at 7:13pm which I finally decided to ash the cigar. The ash was a tad over 50% of the cigar. This cigar is just a delightful smoke and wrapped Heaven around it. Again, many others had took some sample smells of the smoke as I blow it to them. It literally will make you cry as it has a kick that is unmatched in my travels up to this point in time. Finally at 7:20pm, I felt the first signs of a world class buzz taking place. Not many cigars can do this to me and I was up for the challenge. Finally at 7:25pm, is the first signs of the tannin tar taste that peeps through. It wasn't overwhelming nor a distraction. The cigar rumbled on till 7:50pm pretty much the same as it was once the tannin taste hit. It did constantly pick up in strength and here is the nub. Pictures to follow shortly after I upload them and edit the post. SO on a scale of 1 to 100, I'd give this smoke a rock solid 100 as it hit the spot. Now this is just my subjective review and it may not be for everyone. But I will gladly give any LBMF a home.

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The Nub.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a18...CN05480001.jpg OpusXKC on CP taken a puff off the nub.

[drew_goring]

Awesome review. I wonder if after a few more years aging it would mellow out a bit. I may have to pick one up next time I am at Casa.

Did you take any pics?