Opus X power ranger

[maverickdrinker]

Decided to fire up an opus x power ranger while I watch my duaghter's last game of her soccer tournament. Haven't had one of these in awhile. Crap!!! I forgot my camera in the car. Oh well!!

Don't know the year of this as it was gifted to me last year.

Beautiful chocolatey Colorado brown wrapper. I love the look of the rosado wrapper. Smooth, silky, just a sight to behold. The wrapper itself emits a sweetness that I can't place right now.

The band is intricate and ornate. A sense of regal ness to the presentation. Makes the anticipation grow by the second. A little package of goodnes waiting to be smoked.

The construction is first class. A little give throughtout the cigar. Just perfect level of firmness. The foot is dense and packed.

A quick snap from my palio provides a nice draw surface. Cold draw reveals a sweet raisiny flavour, bordering on honey and pancake syrup.

Time to take this to flame.

[maverickdrinker]

The cigar takes to the flame easily. Man, this is a white ash. Draw is firm. Perfect level of resistance. Burnt sugar, like the top on a creme brûlée, honey, raisins and cedar come over to introduce themselves. Very nice.

There is a bit of strength here that complements the sweetness. Just a dollop. Some cedar notes in every 4th or 5th puff to keep it interesting.

[maverickdrinker]

Burn line gets a little wonky on me as I enter the 2nd third. Draw has gotten firmer. Might have to cut off a bit more. The strength and cedar notes have picked up. Almost equal to the raisiny sweetness flavours now. Not much smoke coming off this.

A quick touchup and another snap of my Palio rectifies everything. Better draw and smoke production now. This cigar is very mellowing...

[maverickdrinker]

Strength starts to pick up considerably. A blast of pepperyness starts to make its way to the front of the bus. Reminds my of Thai chili sauce with the sweetness tones.

Some coffee and earhy notes starting to become more prominent. The sweetness had dies down, in favour of the pepperiness of the cigar.

Increasing in strength, almost too much. An element of harshness and bitter chocolate. The flavours aren't working together. Each draw is dominated by an individual flavour. The flavour changes with each draw too. Wierd.

[canadianbeaver]

Love the Power Ranger XXX! Glad you like it too.

Edit: now that I am back at my computer, off my iPhone:

Sorry you guys don't like this one. I have a bunch and I know it can be hit and miss... I gave one to Garfield at a herf one time and it was a dud. But when it is on, I love the XXX!

[maverickdrinker]

Final impressions

Not sure of the age of thismstickmbut needs to sleep a bit more. The first 2 thirds were very enjoyable however the final third was quite harsh. Tough to get through. The pepperiness was overwhelming.

I have to say that I am not used to this level of strength that NCs are known for. Too much power is not a good thing. Wasn't able to distinguish the flavours past the pepper in the final puffs of the cigar.

[Lotusguy]

My last one was like your last third, but all the way - boo!

[Cohiba Stevie]

I can never smoke a cigar that is actually called a power ranger...

And im serious.

I did like your review though...

[pjansen]

The only one I tried burnt badly and flavor was overly spicy and harsh. Maybe it was a dud...

[smk819]

I had one a few years ago. I was not impressed. My limited experience with Opus is that they are nicotine delivery systems. When I started to sweat I put it out.

[Eltoasto]

I had one a few years ago. I was not impressed. My limited experience with Opus is that they are nicotine delivery systems. When I started to sweat I put it out.

I bought two of these. Smoked one and made the mistake of smoking through the sweat...big mistake as I was near fetal position for the rest of the night. Might let the other one rest a few decades.

[Orion21]

Hence the name "Power Ranger" they are notoriously "arse kickers"

I enjoy the Opus line, but some of them need serious aging.

[Dozerhead]

This is definitely not a cigar that you want to smoke on an empty stomach! The power ranger was the very first Opus that I ever smoked some 5 or 6 years ago. I got so nauseated and lightheaded smoking that cigar. I was so naive that I didn't even realize at first that it was the cigar that was making me ill.

[canadianbeaver]

The cigar is actually not called a Power Ranger for the record. It is the Opus X Belicoso XXX.

Just Sayin'.

L

[ChanceSchmerr]

They can be seriously strong sticks, it's true!

I traded a Monte Sublime to a great BOTL in New Orleans for a Opus X Double Corona that he'd had for a few years.....I am waiting a few years yet before smoking it, I'd like to see what some serious age does for it!

[mk05]

It has many names. XXX, power ranger, the cat piss...

This cigar as hutch mentioned is endearingly called as such for its unforgiving strength in its youth. I have smoked one with some age, I think 7yrs, and it was just coming around.

As Orion opined, the opus needs to be locked up in a cellar for a good part of a decade before it is alloeed to run rampant on your palate. I personally find the only passable size to smoke young is the Petit Lancero.

[canadianbeaver]

Cat piss? Never heard that one! Meeooow!!

[Charltonc]

The petit lancero is a great smoke.

[lonsdaleto]

Even though it was a bit tough-going, I'm still deeply grateful for Lisa's help in busting my Opus X cherry.

Love the Power Ranger XXX! Glad you like it too.

Edit: now that I am back at my computer, off my iPhone:

Sorry you guys don't like this one. I have a bunch and I know it can be hit and miss... I gave one to Garfield at a herf one time and it was a dud. But when it is on, I love the XXX!

[canadianbeaver]

... for Lisa's help in busting my Opus X cherry.

That just did not sound right!!!!

[fishinguitarman]

I'm not a huge fan of the OPUS (and I LOVE Fuente stuff), but this vitola, when aged a little while, is excellent!

[maverickdrinker]

I was reflecting on my review and how much I liked Opus X cigars when I came back into seriously collecting/smoking cigars in 2008. I used to enjoy the power and strength of them.

Now, I find that they are way too strong for my palate. I will let them age for a good 5 years before touching them again. It's amazing how similar this journey was to when I first started to collect/drink wine.

I now enjoy the subtle complexities of an aged cigar much more than when I first started. Having said that, I find the fresh production CCs much more approachable now vs. a fresh NC.

[canadianbeaver]

^^^^^ this.