AF Opus X Power Ranger

[Bageland2000]

I now know why we age cigars: A review of my wedding Cigar, the AF Opus X Power Ranger.


This is actually my “I got married cigar” as I’m smoking it a month after I married my wife, Lauren. I was gifted this cigar three years ago by Ranger_B and I’ve kept in in my humidor for almost three years.
Cigar paired with: A Manhattan, M&Ms, (Chocolate is the BEST for a palate cleanse) and popcorn.
Pre-light draw: Easy with a bit of resistance, I was worried a little too easy at first, but upon lighting realized it is perfect.

Pre-light Aroma: This from a very novice smoker. Peppery sweet with a bit of spiciness. Very powerful and distinct. I realize that’s a bit subjective, but it’s the best I can do right now.
I effortlessly lit with my butane Zippo insert. Very complex flavors with a bit of peppery power, but not in the lingering way most powerful cigars I’ve had have presented their power. Very pleasant and for me, this experience is new. Cream, cherry, pepper, nutty, earthy, this is incredible. The oily salt from the popcorn and the flavors of the bitters in the Manhattan are just having a blast together. Normally I don’t personify my palette, but it seems appropriate here. I’m attributing all of the flavors (of the cigar) working so well to the aging process. I’m absolutely loving this. At the end of the first third, the flavors are intensifying, and the power is waning. The sun beyond the shade of my house is increasing, and some blue skies are starting to wink at me beyond the clouds. Good, the rain decided to ruin someone else’s experience.

About two fifths of the way through a little bitterness/harshness begins to come through. I off-gas (blow through the cigar for about 30 seconds, then let it rest for the same amount of time). I’m starting to feel a little nicotine kick. Another puff and the flavors are back and the harshness has dissipated- justice is served. Cream and pepper are now at the forefront. Has my palette been numbed or have the flavors retreated? Who knows? Then all of the sudden, the normally determined cigar goes out, I relight and get floral and harsh notes. Well, this is awkward. I find a lot of success with more frequent, much lighter draws. I think I was pulling way too hard on the cigar. Lessons learned I guess.

The flavors are abandoning me a little past the halfway mark and the stick keeps trying to go out on me. You’re a fickle lover Opus X, but I’m still fighting for our love.
Last Third: I decide that I’m in for the long-hall until this thing goes out again. Sadly this happens immediately and I’m forced to call it quits early. I thought this was a rare nub experience, sadly this isn’t the case.
Final Thoughts: Regardless of the last third fiasco, this has been an incredibly enjoyable cigar. This smoking session only reinforced my opinion that cigars aren’t really made to be nubbed. When your lips are wrapped around tobacco and the ember is an inch away, I think this generally lends to a bad time. Someone once told me regardless of the cigar’s price tag and reputation, when it stops becoming enjoyable it’s time to put it down. I’ve whole-heartedly subscribed to this paradigm and it’s paid off in my experience. Besides, it kind of looks like rain…