Thanksgiving Cigar: Fuente Fuente Opus X Destino al Siglo

Originally published at Tiki Bar Online

Lancero, 7.5” x 38 ring gauge / $23.99, Burns Tobacconist

This cigar is a culmination of several things. First, and perhaps most importantly, is the fact that the Destino al Siglo (“Destiny of the Century” or “Century Destination”…depending on who’s translating, apparently) Opus X was made to celebrate 100 years of operation for the Fuente Family’s cigar company. The dates shown are 1912 – 2012, although the celebration was a little late with these sticks not showing up until late October 2013. Second, is the fact that Burns had these Opus X sticks in stock at all. The owner, Phil, loves Opus X and most of the stock allotted to the store ends up in his personal collection. I was told he didn’t care for this blend, although from what I’ve read this is just a slight tweak of the regular Opus X. Whatever…I actually got a chance to try this one without going elsewhere. Last, this is only the second “true Lancero” Opus X I’ve ever actually seen. The first was obtained at the Las Vegas Big Smoke several years back and I smoked it that Thanksgiving; so I thought I’d continue that tradition this year by firing this Destino al Siglo on Turkey Day.

As usual with the Opus-es (Opi?), the presentation is fantastic. The satin ribbon around the foot of the cedar sheath, the exquisite regular band joined by the Destino al Siglo secondary band (which matches the regular band for style and color as if it were designed at the same time 15 years ago), the oily wrapper that showed above the band, and the tight fantail finishing off the cap. Removing the cedar revealed no flaws or damage to the wrapper underneath…not exactly a foregone conclusion in my experience, which is why I tend to hate the practice of cedar sheaths. Giving the Opus a sniff, I picked up notes of earth and dried fruit on the wrapper, along with a stronger sweet and fruity aroma on the foot.

Once fire was applied to the Destino al Siglo, I got a solid earthiness, mixed with cedar and molasses-y sweetness. I noticed a subtle black pepper on the palate, as well as a stronger pepper spice on the nose. In just a few puffs, this was shaping up to possibly be the best Opus X experience I had had since the other Lancero, 5 years past. The body on this was medium to full right from the start. The last several Opi I have had seemed to be very smooth and sweet…refined but lacking bite. This one was not so…it had body, some bite, a little pepper, while still maintaining an underlying sweetness. This is more like I remember the blend being 7 or 8 years ago. Overall, a great way to start out my Thanksgiving. Hope you all had a great holiday, too, and got a chance to smoke something special.