Cigar Details: Fuente Fuente OpusX Reserva d’Chateau 2010
- Vitola: Churchill
- Length: 7″
- Ring Gauge: 48
- Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
- Wrapper: Dominican Chateau de la Fuente Sun Grown Rosado
- Binder: Dominican Chateau de la Fuente Sun Grown Rosado
- Filler: Dominican Chateau de la Fuente Sun Grown Rosado
- Factory: Tabacalera A. Fuente y Cia
- Blender: Undisclosed
- Price: Undisclosed
- Released: 2010
- Source: Developing Palates
Jiunn Liu
Pre-light Experience
The Fuente Fuente OpusX Reserva d’Chateau from the 2010 charity box has a beautiful and rustic Sun Grown Rosado wrapper. The Churchill sized cigar shows its age as evidenced by a slight uniformed layer of plume throughout the cigar. The veins are relatively well pressed and seams tight. The cigar feels well rolled as there is proper give and no soft spots. The head is finished off with a well adhered triple cap. The pre-light experience of nosing the wrapper provides strong barnyard and sweet plums. Nosing the foot provides sweet raisins, cedar and white pepper spice. Cold draw tells faint sweet raisins and sawdust.
First Third
The first third starts off with namely a balanced sweet and spicy flavor profile. Specifically, notes of charred wood, buttery burnt sugar, sharp cedar, dry white pepper spice and bread. On the retrohale, intensified charred wood, dry white pepper and buttery burnt sugar. The finish consists of lingering charred wood and bread. Roughly 1.5 inches in, the sharp cedar intensifies as well as an introduction of sweet cream, under-ripe stone fruits (perhaps plums) and refreshing mint. The mint is also realized on the finish, providing an almost palate cleansing, refreshing finish. The body and strength throughout the entire first third is a consistent medium.
Second Third
Second thirds flavor profile for the most part is a continuation of the first thirds flavor profile. Still distinct notes of charred wood, buttery burnt sugar, sharp cedar, dry white pepper, bread, sweet cream and mint. The stone fruit quality is no longer tasted. About an inch in, the once dry white pepper transitions into a sharp and dry black peppercorn. Through the retrohale, still amplified charred wood and buttery burnt sugar. But instead of the white pepper, a dry black peppercorn spice. Further, the cigar starts to taste salty on the front palate and lips. The strength towards the middle of the second third reaches to a close medium plus while body stays at a solid medium.
Final Third
Last thirds flavor profile shows less complexity, leaving mainly cream and wood (charred wood and non-sweet cream being the dominating flavors). The once tasty buttery burnt sugar and bread I enjoyed so much is non-existent. About a quarter into the last third, the dry black peppercorn spice intensifies, at times slightly irritating the back of my throat. On the retrohale, just a lingering charred wood. The finish tells charred wood and cream. Strength and body continues to be at a medium.
Jiunn | |
Pre Light | Very Good |
First Third | Very Good |
Second Third | Very Good |
Final Third | Average |
Burn | Amazing |
Draw | Very Good |
Overall | Very Good |
Draw
The draw, for the most part, caused no issues. Just a tad tighter than I prefer, but this is just me being incredibly picky.
Overall
When staring at my 2010 Fuente Charity Box, I ask myself one question, “Is the box finally ready to be smoked?” The answer is, not quite yet for this vitola and blend. Although the first two thirds proved complex and tasty, the last third still needs time to meld into what the first two thirds provided. I find new OpusX, for the most part, unbearable as often times there is too much pepper and strength for me. This cigar is past that given the first and second third smoking experience but not quite yet for the last third. I’ll give this another year or two to meld but am glad I lit it up today to gauge where the cigar is at.
3 comments
Join the conversationShlomo - January 3, 2019
Do you take requests for reviews? In 2019, can you please do a review and check how good the palate is on the Arturo Fuente 8-5-8 Rosado Sun Grown?
Aaron Loomis - January 4, 2019
We try to fulfill requests when we can. We typically are smoking new release cigars except for when there is an older release that we have a desire to. If we come across some of the 8-5-8, then we may do a review of it.
Shlomo - January 4, 2019
I only found one place that still has the 8-5-8 Rosado still in stock but I don’t know if it is a limited release since it is hard to find them as it is. Everyone in my lounge says the Rosado is even better and blows the 8-5-8 Sun Grown out of the water. I wish the team gets a chance to do a head-to-head on the palates of the two 8-5-8s even if they are not newer offerings since they seem to have a cult-like underground following.