Fuente Fuente Opus X Belicoso xXx

Origin : Dominican Republic
Format : Belicoso
Size : 4 5/8 x 49
Ring : 49
Wrapper : Dominican Republic
Binder : Dominican Republic
Filler : Dominican Republic
Hand-Made
Price : $20+ each?
More info about purchasing Arturo Fuente Opus X cigars...

First of all, I would like to thank Damien from DutyFreeCubanCigars.com for providing these beauties for review. He is based in Grand Cayman which gives him access to some rare Cuban and non-Cuban smokes, including the Opus X cigars.

The word alone makes my mouth water. I remember my previous experience with an Opus X and it seems like its strong and rich flavor is still somewhere near. Will this Belicoso xXx, also known as the Power Ranger, be on par with the Rare Estate Reserve or will it disappoint? I had absolutely no idea when I took this cigar from the humidor yesterday evening to dry-box it during the night. The weather is excellent, I am sitting outside in a park and getting ready to begin my short journey to the Dominican Republic.

Appearance :
This Dominican puro sports a shiny wrapper with very thin veins. Hard to the touch, it has no soft spots at all. You will probably agree with me that Opus X's bands are among the most beautiful ones out there. I don't really understand the role of the second red band (ribbon) on the foot, but it sure looks good. I knocked off 1/2 star because of a couple tiny discolorations that I spotted on the wrapper.

Construction :
I was afraid to experience some construction issues as I noticed that the humidity level in my humidor was higher than usual, that's why I decided to dry-box the cigar for one night. Fortunately, the construction was flawless. The draw was beyond reproach and the burn was slow, steady and regular, resulting in a beautiful, almost white ash that held for well over 2 inches.

Flavor :
Belicoso xXx is immediately complex with moderate amounts of spice, leather and the trademark flavor of Dominican puros that I often find in Fuente and Davidoff cigars - that sort of subtle sweetness with a toasty background. It is rather powerful from the very beginning. Beware of the nicotine kick - it will definitely make your head spinning a little (even if you had a hearty meal before playing with this baby). I do not recommend smoking this cigar on an empty stomach. At the end of the first third, one dominant flavor appears - leather. Although there are some other interesting notes, nuts and toasted bread in particular, they are really secondary. I think that leathery flavors are due to the fact that this is a young cigar and the bouquet will be richer with age. Progressively building power, Opus X remains full-flavored to the end, with notes of wood, nuts and earth complementing the leather.

Value :
It's quite hard to judge the value of this cigar. Browsing the blogosphere and this very website in particular, it appears that the Opus X Belicoso xXx can be found at $10-12 per piece, whereas some online retailers have a price tag of over $25. At $10 a pop, yes, this would be a steal. At $25, not so sure...

Overall Rating :
This review is based on only one cigar. I have two more left and I decided to store them and review another one in exactly one year. I am almost certain that there is considerable room for improvement in the flavor department. See you next year with a more balanced bouquet and at least 4.5 out of 5!