What did you get today?

I am referring to the Opus X line. There are a few different types of Opus but they all have a Cuban seed wrapper. It’s what defines the brand.

Yes I know what New World means. I thought we were all supposed to be sarcastic! Haha the fact is you’re absolutely correct @Vision. All other cigar companies have a much better system. A lot of Cigars from Dominican, Nicaragua, and so on, I’ll have very reputable tobacco‘s and quality. I have never had an issue with New World Cigars. I may not agree with some of the flavors of Cigars, but their construction is always great and flawless. I have still yet to hear a recommendation of some Cigars from you. @ Vision!

For example the Opus 25 you mentioned. The wrapper is a hybrid of what Fuente calls the original corojo seed and another they developed. In 1999 the original corojo seed that was grown in Cuba was entirely destroyed. Blue mold destroyed the crop and the government ordered all seeds to be destroyed and it hasn’t been grown there since. The closest known descendant of that strain belongs to Julio Eiroa who smuggled seeds out of Cuba when he left. By his own admission, the hybridization and cross breeding done to make the plants less susceptible to disease has made it barely distinguishable to the original.

Now don’t get me wrong, Fuente makes a quality product, but don’t let the “Cuban seed”:marketing mislead you. The curing, aging, fermenting, and the rest of the process they do is great…but every other maker does the same process. All the other makers also use “Cuban seed” in their cigars. Fuente has mastered the art of creating the aura of luxury, rarity, and scarcity.

To each their own on what they like. Just don’t let marketing ploys give you the predetermined notion that one cigar is better than the other.

@Vision said:

@Ross_G89 said:
I am referring to the Opus X line. There are a few different types of Opus but they all have a Cuban seed wrapper. It’s what defines the brand.

Few…Nope, Many.

But I would like to get your opinion on this one. I know this is a core line Fuente cigar but what are your thoughts? I’m assuming that they have these on the shelf of your local B&M currently? Would you happen to know the cost?

That there is the AF Anejo. It’s a premium cigar for sure. One of there more tastier cigars. I can’t tell for sure but it looks like the shark. I have had many Anejos, they are on my A list for sure. Honestly if you were to buy it retail at a B&M it could go for $25-$35/stick. But you can get them online for much cheaper. Just not in a box.

Sorry I’m using voice text and it’s misspelling ****!

I admire your detail and history behind the cuban seed. Yes, the blue mold did wipe out the tobacco fields in the late 50’s, so you’re right, Cuban seed is not what it used to be and they had to find a more resistant plant. Meaning the Cubans we smoke today are not the true Cuban seed. Theirs is only a few boxes of Cuban cigars left in the world that were rolled pre 1959 which have been aging ever since.
I would love to have more conversations with you!

@Ross_G89 said:

@Rdp77 said:
Ok, just for reference, “Cuban seed” is a term used by almost every cigar manufacturer as a marketing ploy. Reason being that those of us that smoke more than twice a week and do research on the subject are in the 1% of cigar smokers. The other 99% just want a smoke whenever and correlate cuban and cigars to quality. Those 99% are also the ones that all the manufacturers go after because they already have the rest of us.

Any cigar that has a habano, criollo, or corojo wrapper, regardless of where it’s grown, is technically Cuban seed in the way that each strain was originally found to have been grown there. That’s where it ends though. Each of the seeds has been hybridized and crossbred so may times that the genetic makeup is nowhere near the original seeds.

Yes!!! So you just cleared up my point. Yes there are many “cuban seed” tobaccos grown all over the world so it has the genetic line that’s been crossbred so many times over the years. The thing about the “many” of the Opus X is the process from that seed until it is rolled into the cigars. The care and attention, the controlled conditions, plus the environment of where it was grown all plays a part in the cigar. In the 90’s AF did something new when growing Cuban seed and they accomplished something they didn’t think possible. So the Cuban seed is a part of the opus history and their story. That all I’m saying.

And then this…..