Kid Montana
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- Mar 28, 2010
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Manufacturor: Arturo Fuente
Line: Opus X Angel's Share "red band"
Vitola: Perfecxion X "toro" 6 1/4 x 48
Release: Christmas 2013
Wrapper: Dominican Sun Grown "top of the plant pairings"
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican
Cut: Punch
Light: Blazer Little Buddy single flame butane lighter
Weather: f'n beautiful
To view the full album of photos while I figure out how to embed them resized, see here: http://imgur.com/a/sSAdU#0
I recently hosted a box split for some Angel's Share Perfecxion X and Robustos. These were from the most recent release at the end of the year 2013. One thing I have noted about this release was they have a red background on the special, "Angel's Share" band instead of the cream color on previous releases that came with the 2012/2013 Opus 22, Prometheus Aged Selection humidors, Opus22 "6" etc. I do not have any information if this difference marks anything more than what it is; a color change. I will post a side-by-side and many other review photos after I get the all photographs organized. The Angel's Share differs from the regular production as the wrappers are aged much longer than regular Opus and come from select parings at the top of the plant as opposed to the middle.
The wrapper is beautiful, just a couple shades darker than Connecticut, with just the thinnest and lightest veins possible. The cigar feels firm, with almost imperceptible give, exactly how you'd want a cigar to feel. An examination of the foot shows well bunched filler with multiple colors revealing a bit of the blending that goes into the Angel's Share. After punching it the draw was perfect and the punch revealed a well constructed cap that will not come undone while smoking.
The cigar lights with a very familiar Opus taste and the first puffs do not reveal this is a tweaked blend. A quarter inch into it and the cigar begins to reveal the light, delicate profile that separates the Angel's Share blend from a regular production Opus X. The Angel's Share has none of the woodiness of a regular line, revealing a sweet almost floral note that is just strong enough to be noticed and enjoyed. After about 3/4" the ash falls off as I set the cigar back into my ashtray. The burn as you can see is excellent, with just a subtle wave of variation around the cigar. As the burn proceeds into the first third, I detected something of toasted almonds.
Through the entire first third the cigar produced a very satisfying, copious amount of creamy smoke. When I got up briefly about 1.5" into the cigar, I noticed from a bit of shakiness how strong the nicotine in this cigar; be warned, Opus are not to be smoked on an empty stomach. The light, delightful profile that began in the first third continued unchanged into the middle of the cigar with absolutely none of the wood and pepper than is commonly tasted in regular production Opus X. The wavy burn evened out nicely and because I'm smoking very slowly, twice when I set it down the medium grey ash fell with just under 1/2 inch of burn. The Angel's Share Perfecxion X is not a long-ash contender.
As I neared the first band I gave in to the nicotine and sought out some carbohydrates in the form of dried mission figs and a small mouthful of 12 y/o bourbon. This cigar is a strong one, for sure! The subtle change of palate helped reveal a pleasant, mellow earthiness that complements the floral sweetness. A few more puffs into the middle third and I removed the first band and am happy to report Arturo Fuente figured out how to affix it without taking a dime sized chunk of wrapper with it as so many Opus and AF aficionados have experienced.
Retrohaling a puff from deep into the middle third I detected a hint of the raisin which is often detected in well-aged AF cigars as well as a pleasant bit of light woodiness. That tasting was accompanied in following puffs with the barest hint of pepper showing the cigar changing from the heat and smoking process. In the middle third the ash began to show a bit of flakiness and some almost imperceptible black points along with the medium grey color and slightly wavy burn. As the middle third gained in strength the floral sweetness began to subside into creamy smooth earthiness and cedar. The second band came away with the wrapper un-molested as well.
The last third continued what began in the middle third, light creamy earthiness, cedar with lingering hints of floral notes and occasional hints of pepper. Retrohaling revealed more toasted almond as well as vanilla. The burn dipped precipitously along one side and the flaky ash fell consistently at around 1/2 inch while the cigar continued to produce volumes of smoke. The vegetable glue that held the cap on was finally overcome and it began to slide as I smoked, so I gently removed it and was pleased at the construction underneath. Wood and pepper began to become prominent in the profile as the cigar drew down past 2" remaining, though by smoking very lightly I was still able to detect the lighter profile from earlier in the cigar. By taking care to keep the cigar from burning hot the wood and pepper subsided slightly revealing more complexity and retaining the creaminess.
I set the cigar down for good with just over 1" remaining, reveling in how enjoyable this cigar was for the last 1 hr and 45 minutes.
When I smoked my first Angel's share last year, I immediately noticed the difference from other Opus X and knew it was destined to become my all time favorite Arturo Fuente blend and this cigar upheld that expectation. Thanks for reading.
Line: Opus X Angel's Share "red band"
Vitola: Perfecxion X "toro" 6 1/4 x 48
Release: Christmas 2013
Wrapper: Dominican Sun Grown "top of the plant pairings"
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican
Cut: Punch
Light: Blazer Little Buddy single flame butane lighter
Weather: f'n beautiful
To view the full album of photos while I figure out how to embed them resized, see here: http://imgur.com/a/sSAdU#0
I recently hosted a box split for some Angel's Share Perfecxion X and Robustos. These were from the most recent release at the end of the year 2013. One thing I have noted about this release was they have a red background on the special, "Angel's Share" band instead of the cream color on previous releases that came with the 2012/2013 Opus 22, Prometheus Aged Selection humidors, Opus22 "6" etc. I do not have any information if this difference marks anything more than what it is; a color change. I will post a side-by-side and many other review photos after I get the all photographs organized. The Angel's Share differs from the regular production as the wrappers are aged much longer than regular Opus and come from select parings at the top of the plant as opposed to the middle.
The wrapper is beautiful, just a couple shades darker than Connecticut, with just the thinnest and lightest veins possible. The cigar feels firm, with almost imperceptible give, exactly how you'd want a cigar to feel. An examination of the foot shows well bunched filler with multiple colors revealing a bit of the blending that goes into the Angel's Share. After punching it the draw was perfect and the punch revealed a well constructed cap that will not come undone while smoking.
The cigar lights with a very familiar Opus taste and the first puffs do not reveal this is a tweaked blend. A quarter inch into it and the cigar begins to reveal the light, delicate profile that separates the Angel's Share blend from a regular production Opus X. The Angel's Share has none of the woodiness of a regular line, revealing a sweet almost floral note that is just strong enough to be noticed and enjoyed. After about 3/4" the ash falls off as I set the cigar back into my ashtray. The burn as you can see is excellent, with just a subtle wave of variation around the cigar. As the burn proceeds into the first third, I detected something of toasted almonds.
Through the entire first third the cigar produced a very satisfying, copious amount of creamy smoke. When I got up briefly about 1.5" into the cigar, I noticed from a bit of shakiness how strong the nicotine in this cigar; be warned, Opus are not to be smoked on an empty stomach. The light, delightful profile that began in the first third continued unchanged into the middle of the cigar with absolutely none of the wood and pepper than is commonly tasted in regular production Opus X. The wavy burn evened out nicely and because I'm smoking very slowly, twice when I set it down the medium grey ash fell with just under 1/2 inch of burn. The Angel's Share Perfecxion X is not a long-ash contender.
As I neared the first band I gave in to the nicotine and sought out some carbohydrates in the form of dried mission figs and a small mouthful of 12 y/o bourbon. This cigar is a strong one, for sure! The subtle change of palate helped reveal a pleasant, mellow earthiness that complements the floral sweetness. A few more puffs into the middle third and I removed the first band and am happy to report Arturo Fuente figured out how to affix it without taking a dime sized chunk of wrapper with it as so many Opus and AF aficionados have experienced.
Retrohaling a puff from deep into the middle third I detected a hint of the raisin which is often detected in well-aged AF cigars as well as a pleasant bit of light woodiness. That tasting was accompanied in following puffs with the barest hint of pepper showing the cigar changing from the heat and smoking process. In the middle third the ash began to show a bit of flakiness and some almost imperceptible black points along with the medium grey color and slightly wavy burn. As the middle third gained in strength the floral sweetness began to subside into creamy smooth earthiness and cedar. The second band came away with the wrapper un-molested as well.
The last third continued what began in the middle third, light creamy earthiness, cedar with lingering hints of floral notes and occasional hints of pepper. Retrohaling revealed more toasted almond as well as vanilla. The burn dipped precipitously along one side and the flaky ash fell consistently at around 1/2 inch while the cigar continued to produce volumes of smoke. The vegetable glue that held the cap on was finally overcome and it began to slide as I smoked, so I gently removed it and was pleased at the construction underneath. Wood and pepper began to become prominent in the profile as the cigar drew down past 2" remaining, though by smoking very lightly I was still able to detect the lighter profile from earlier in the cigar. By taking care to keep the cigar from burning hot the wood and pepper subsided slightly revealing more complexity and retaining the creaminess.
I set the cigar down for good with just over 1" remaining, reveling in how enjoyable this cigar was for the last 1 hr and 45 minutes.
When I smoked my first Angel's share last year, I immediately noticed the difference from other Opus X and knew it was destined to become my all time favorite Arturo Fuente blend and this cigar upheld that expectation. Thanks for reading.
