Opus fans?

[Hurltim]

It is hard to get past the price point on the "X"'s and even the Padrons. I love the Padron '64 series but once you start approaching the $25 range and higher, I would rather smoke two BBF's and/or a couple of Coros and I'm still a CC noob. 

The two things that stand out the most to me as differences between CC and NC is the superb draw (and resulting smoke volume) and the balance of the flavors. I just haven't experienced an NC that balances pepper with just the right amount of sweet quite like the Partagas I have tried so far. That hint of sweet that lingers forever on a BBF balances every draw you take. That's amazing blending right there. 

[Miller1985]

10 minutes ago, Hurltim said:

It is hard to get past the price point on the "X"'s and even the Padrons. I love the Padron '64 series but once you start approaching the $25 range and higher, I would rather smoke two BBF's and/or a couple of Coros and I'm still a CC noob. 

The two things that stand out the most to me as differences between CC and NC is the superb draw (and resulting smoke volume) and the balance of the flavors. I just haven't experienced an NC that balances pepper with just the right amount of sweet quite like the Partagas I have tried so far. That hint of sweet that lingers forever on a BBF balances every draw you take. That's amazing blending right there. 

I understand completely. I use to smoke 4-5 cigars a day, and decided, for several reasons, to slow down. One of those reasons was financial. I was smoking 4-5 $6-$12 cigars daily. That averaged out to around $30-$40 a day. I decided to pick out the cigars that I loved, no matter the cost, and smoke less, but smoke only those. I now smoke 2-3 a week. They range from $4-$35, and I'm still spending less than I was. That's the way I justify it.

[Vetteman]

I smoke probably 95% cc but Opus is one of the few non Cuban sticks I smoke on a regular basis or as regular as 5% can be. The others would be Ashton VSG and Padron 1926/64. Hutch mentioned the Angel Share which I like even better than the regular line.

[Miller1985]

59 minutes ago, Vetteman said:

I smoke probably 95% cc but Opus is one of the few non Cuban sticks I smoke on a regular basis or as regular as 5% can be. The others would be Ashton VSG and Padron 1926/64. Hutch mentioned the Angel Share which I like even better than the regular line.

Agreed wholeheartedly. Have you had the Lost City?

[spivey6690]

I try to get my hands on the Petit Lanceros whenever I come across them.  Great little stick that ages very well. 

[luv2fly]

Yes, the Petit Lancero is by far my choice if I were to buy more.

 

[BuzzArd]

I absolutely do enjoy Opus.  I have a collection of roughly 60-70 sticks from both singles purchases and triple tins ranging from 2006-2010 in my stash.  Dates penned on all of the cello o I can keep track.   They are definitely stronger when young, but I've found them to be delightful when aged.   While I really don't buy much of them any more due to price I would never get rid of them, rather enjoy them!!

[westg]

16 hours ago, SinfullyPatient said:

Honestly, I have like 8 opus x from 2010 and I still haven't smoked one because they were expensive and I can't justify it, so I'll never know.  I'm even thinking about selling/trading them as they're only a tease in my humidor.

You don't have to justify anything ...you have already purchased them.... if you didn't purchase them because you thought they were to expensive that would be okay. Smoke one today and if you like it smoke them all....I personally like the No 2 and the double coronas

[Miller1985]

1 minute ago, westg said:

You don't have to justify anything ...you have already purchased them.... if you didn't purchase them because you though they were to expensive that would be okay. Smoke one today and if you like it smoke them all....I personally like the No 2 and the double coronas

I agree fully. 

[cigcars]

On 8/28/2016 at 5:29 PM, Miller1985 said:

I've heard others that share your opinion about the Opus X. The Padron 45th is a fantastic smoke, but I'd advise you to not age them. I have a friend that bought a box five years ago, and just shared one with me... I've never smoked a cigar so tasteless. It didn't even taste poorly. It just didn't taste. I'd heard it from others about Padrons, but this was my first experience for myself. 

    Hmm...that could be because Sr. Jorge` insists on his cigars being already ready to smoke - without necessary aging before being wonderfully smokeable. I don't know, it's just a guess as far as you and your friends finding them tasteless after so long. But then...our wonderful hobby is based on our smokes being able to age and mature in our Spanish cedar lined humidors the same way fine wines age in casks and barrels. So...who can say. 

[Miller1985]

45 minutes ago, cigcars said:

    Hmm...that could be because Sr. Jorge` insists on his cigars being already ready to smoke - without necessary aging before being wonderfully smokeable. I don't know, it's just a guess as far as you and your friends finding them tasteless after so long. But then...our wonderful hobby is based on our smokes being able to age and mature in our Spanish cedar lined humidors the same way fine wines age in casks and barrels. So...who can say. 

It was actually a welcome change for me, when I realized that. I dearly love the aging process, but once in a while it's quite nice to buy a box of 1926, bring them home, and light one, knowing it is at, or very near, it's peak. Padron makes a wonderful smoke, and I assume it will always be one of the NC's in my collection. I am a "collector", and I use that term loosly, as I have no collection of any major value. I just enjoy the process of buying, and the feeling of having, more cigars than I need at any one moment. Therefore, it's quite nice to know that not all manufacturers have the same opinion as Padron. 

[Vetteman]

Have you had the Lost City?

I have smoked a couple LC over the years and liked them, but not nearly enough to pay the prices they go for.

[Merovius]

I do love CCs however, the people that say CCs are better than NCs across the board, always, without question & for every harvest are flat out fools and know nothing about grading & blending tobacco leaf. 

[Smallclub]

4 hours ago, Merovius said:

 the people that say CCs are better than NCs across the board, always, without question & for every harvest are flat out fools and know nothing about grading & blending tobacco leaf. 

 

I really can't see why one should be an expert in grading & blending to be able to acknowledge the superiority of a terroir over an other…

[Ethernut]

Never had an Opus. Not that I wouldn't want to, just don't think it's worth paying $30/stick for the elegantly embossed label. There are really only two things happening in cigars for the consumer (and whiskey for that matter amongst other things), marketing and tobacco. That's it. I kind of laugh when I see the huge labels on cigars taking up half the stick. (They scream, "Buddy you've been had") My BS'o'meter has gotten pretty accurate as I've gotten older. If one could guarantee me that an Opus class stick would provide smoking nirvana everytime I fired one up, I'd look no further. (Neither would anyone else) There isn't much in this world that can provide consistency of experience like that. Cigars certainly can't.

On value...

Some of us are looking for the absolute best and will pay anything for it. I'd wager that many of us are leaning more toward the best value for our dollar spectrum (which happens to be the camp I fall in). I've spent, I suppose, over 10 grand on cigars over the last 10 years. Truthfully, some of the most expensive cigars I've purchased have been the most disappointing (Yes I'm looking at YOU Cohiba). That pretty much damaged my trust of "brands" (marcas)  and "Vitolas". I no longer chase a certain brand, I trust my tobacconist). The house seemingly always wins when the value proposition decision surrounds the mystique of the brand (BS'o'meter at 100% about now)  (Couldn't help it, just wanted to use that emoticon)

The truth (or, more specifically, my truth, which doesn't have to be your truth. I'm cool wit dat)

With the butt hurt of so many wasted dollars on lack luster $20-$30 cigars I've found that an amazing, no, next level experience is possible with frequency and frankly common with sticks under $10/per. This is why I love me some FOH. The best tobacco the world is coming to us at less that $300/box of 25.  Yes, buddy, that what I'm a talkin' about!

Happy to try an Opus tho. Just haven't brought my self to drop the coin when I have so many amazing sticks already within arms length.

 

Enjoying reading the thread. Cheers!

[Miller1985]

27 minutes ago, Ethernut said:

Never had an Opus. Not that I wouldn't want to, just don't think it's worth paying $30/stick for the elegantly embossed label. There are really only two things happening in cigars for the consumer (and whiskey for that matter amongst other things), marketing and tobacco. That's it. I kind of laugh when I see the huge labels on cigars taking up half the stick. (They scream, "Buddy you've been had") My BS'o'meter has gotten pretty accurate as I've gotten older. If one could guarantee me that an Opus class stick would provide smoking nirvana everytime I fired one up, I'd look no further. (Neither would anyone else) There isn't much in this world that can provide consistency of experience like that. Cigars certainly can't.

On value...

Some of us are looking for the absolute best and will pay anything for it. I'd wager that many of us are leaning more toward the best value for our dollar spectrum (which happens to be the camp I fall in). I've spent, I suppose, over 10 grand on cigars over the last 10 years. Truthfully, some of the most expensive cigars I've purchased have been the most disappointing (Yes I'm looking at YOU Cohiba). That pretty much damaged my trust of "brands" (marcas)  and "Vitolas". I no longer chase a certain brand, I trust my tobacconist). The house seemingly always wins when the value proposition decision surrounds the mystique of the brand (BS'o'meter at 100% about now)  (Couldn't help it, just wanted to use that emoticon)

The truth (or, more specifically, my truth, which doesn't have to be your truth. I'm cool wit dat)

With the butt hurt of so many wasted dollars on lack luster $20-$30 cigars I've found that an amazing, no, next level experience is possible with frequency and frankly common with sticks under $10/per. This is why I love me some FOH. The best tobacco the world is coming to us at less that $300/box of 25.  Yes, buddy, that what I'm a talkin' about!

Happy to try an Opus tho. Just haven't brought my self to drop the coin when I have so many amazing sticks already within arms length.

 

Enjoying reading the thread. Cheers!

I fall into the camp of wanting what I enjoy, regardless of price. That can be a Monte 4 or a $30 Opus Lost City. I believe what we often refer to as "quality" of cigars is often more accurately described as "personal taste". Not always, but often. All that to say that we all have our ways of justifying lighting thousands of dollars on fire and blowing it out in smoke.  Mine is choosing to smoke fewer cigars, but smoking the ones that bring ME the greatest pleasure. If someone thinks that my $4 cigar is lame because of its price tag, screw em. I'm loving it, and that's all that matters. 

Thanks for everyone's input on the thread. I love hearing people's honest opinions. 

[Miller1985]

5 hours ago, Merovius said:

I do love CCs however, the people that say CCs are better than NCs across the board, always, without question & for every harvest are flat out fools and know nothing about grading & blending tobacco leaf. 

I think we often mistake "quality" for "personal taste". If you like a pepper blast, get a box of Liga Dirty Rats and die happy. In contrast if you like creamy and buttery get some aged Hoyo Epi 2 because you're gonna hate the Ligas. I personally find CC more enjoyable on a regular basis, but it's only because of my preferences, not because I dislike NC. I have friends that think the CC thing is all hype and dislike them . To each his own. 

[RijkdeGooier]

These Power Rangers are a great strong small cigar??

[Miller1985]

2 minutes ago, RijkdeGooier said:

These Power Rangers are a great strong small cigar??

Oh yes they are brother man!!

[spivey6690]

13 minutes ago, RijkdeGooier said:

These Power Rangers are a great strong small cigar??

Those pack a nice little punch every time I smoke one.  

[seamus]

I enjoy Opus, petite lanteros probably my favorite.

It's been an interesting cigar, once cool to say you liked them then cool to say you didn't. I love the new smokers that flock to all those NC overpriced nothing special limited releases but hate on Opus without ever having one.

Sent from my LG-H811 using Tapatalk

[eswary]

I find Opus and CC aging to be alike. But that's certainly only resemblance between the two.

I love Opus, smoked them for many years and still do. I appreciate them at the 5-6yr mark. Anything less is heavy on pepper and super strength.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Miller1985]

1 hour ago, eswary said:

I find Opus and CC aging to be alike. But that's certainly only resemblance between the two.

I love Opus, smoked them for many years and still do. I appreciate them at the 5-6yr mark. Anything less is heavy on pepper and super strength.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I thought you might show up here. You're the biggest Opus fan that I know, besides Meatfinger . It's good to hear your input. 

[earthson]

On August 29, 2016 at 3:05 PM, Vetteman said:

I smoke probably 95% cc but Opus is one of the few non Cuban sticks I smoke on a regular basis or as regular as 5% can be. The others would be Ashton VSG and Padron 1926/64. Hutch mentioned the Angel Share which I like even better than the regular line.

 

The Angel Share was an epiphany when I first tried one. If I could get those and the Don Arturo Aniversario whenever I wanted, I would never buy any other Fuente (OK, maybe the 858 sungrown)

 

On August 29, 2016 at 7:51 PM, cigcars said:

    Hmm...that could be because Sr. Jorge` insists on his cigars being already ready to smoke - without necessary aging before being wonderfully smokeable. I don't know, it's just a guess as far as you and your friends finding them tasteless after so long. 

 

It actually seems to me that Padrons have lost a lot of complexity over the past 5-7 years. In the past 2 years, almost all of the 64, 26, X000 and Family Reserves have given little more than hickory and cocoa. I seem to remember them all being much more complex and inspiring.

Change in blend? Change in yield? Change in my palate? Who knows?

[luv2fly]

With all this talk, going to smoke a #5.  It is about 3 years old and that is because i just have not reached for one.  Will report back.