Based upon all of the ravings on this board about Opus X I purchased two last week. I smoked my first one on Saturday and boy did it kick my a$$. However, I wasn't really impressed with the actual smoke. If it was a $2 cigar instead of a $10 cigar I might have tossed it half way through.

So my question is, how much better will this cigar get with aging and what's the minimum amount of time that it needs to age?

I had a similar experience with the ISOM Bolivars. They were unsmokable when I first got them, but after 6 months to a year of aging these cigars turned out to be fantastic.

Can I expect the same from the Opus X?

My first suspicion, as with the Bolivars, is not just aging, but an overly damp environment at the dealer. Or too many humidity and temperature changes over the recent past. So time lets it all resettle.

I'd always recommend a month of time, even from a good dealer, just to let the cigar settle humidity.

OpusX is damn good. Shame that it was disappointing! But let the other sit for a month or so and, I would guess, it will be ready to go.

John

For you to give an Opus such an aweful review, the problem must lie outside of the cigar's tobacco and construction......someone down the line dropped the ball (jb's prob. right).

2 scents. I've had great opus, I've had ok opus. I've never had an ok "aged Opus" from the ploomidoor. Granted, for those bux, they should come old and ready, my advice, zzzzzzzzzzzzzz. It's a sun groan wrapper too which can have a bit of a bite if not properly aged.

Thanks for the feedback. I'll put the other one on the back burner for a while.

Funny, I had an Opus X this weekend that was very sour all the way through. If I hadn't paid $15 for it, I would have given it to my dog (he gives me his doggie rockets, so I figure I should return the favor). There were hints that it could be good, but it never got to where I felt it was worth even $5. I have a handful of others that I'm going to age carefully at 70/70.

You have to get a Humidipak to stabilize it. Try www.humidipak.com. It is more precise than your humidor. Fuente actually ships his cigars with a Humidipak in every box which maintains purity in shipping and storage for 6 months, so if the Fuente cigars you get don't have the Humidipak anymore, you're getting jipped by the retailer. You can lead the dealers to water, but you can't make 'em drink.

Earlier this year I recieved a sealed box of AF 858 SG's with no Humipak. X

Wish I could get an Opus X for $10.00! Aged or not. In this area we pay from $28.00 to $30.00 if you want one.

Osage - you just have to move ----made several purchases here in Greater North East Area of Opus X Double Corona for $13.50 per stick.....

Agree with different price ranges of Opus X cigars. I was in San Diego last October and saw the Opus going for $30-60 each depending on the size. Here in the East, prices are more realistic, like Docrks mentioned. Unfortunately, availablity is sporadic at best. My local dealers here haven't had Opus available for a while now...maybe I just missed out when they were available...they don't last long.

As far as aging is concerned, depending where I get the Opus from, e.g. mail vs dealer, I usually let them sit for 1-4 weeks, in order for them to settle. After that, there ready to fire up. A.Fuente cigars, especially the higher end Fuente's, are extremely well made and properly aged when they are shipped. Not much aging time is needed. Besides, I can't keep my hands off of them long enough to age.

Ed

I only smoke my Opus 3-4 times a year so they always have plenty of age on them. As for the price, I pay ~$2-$3 over suggested retail per any given size. They usually show up about 3-4 times a year. Thus far, I've only seen one shipment this year. They are due any time.

X I think those Humidipaks have only been around for like a year or two, so your box might have been made before they started putting them in. I went onto that website though and they reference Fuente. I sent them an e-mail and they said he is now using them in virtually every box he ships (although they may not know how many he ships, they just send them to him I guess). He probably has some exclusive on it, what else is new.

Osage,

If you want me to look for them next time around I would be happy to pick a couple up for you.

The store I go to only gets them every 3-4 months and they usually only get one or boxes.

rocco dot marrandino at equifax dot com