The Opus X Forbidden X TAA Keeper of the Flame was released this year in the 2018 Tobacconist’s Association of America (TAA) cigar releases for the TAA retailers. The Opus X Forbidden X TAA was, by far, the most anticipated release of the year and probably one of the most anticipated release since the Tatuaje 2014/2017. […]
IPCPR 2018: Arturo Fuente
In the always flashy and enticing Arturo Fuente booth, Liana Fuente and the perpetually dapper Manny Iriarte show us the new Carlos Fuente Commemorative Humidor, that features a clever “secret stash” compartment that opens from the back, decorated with Carlos Fuente’s fingerprint in gold. It’s a limited edition piece, only 858 were produced. We also […]
Ben’s Week in Smoke – No. 16
Warped Lirio Rojo Just one of my staples. I consider this one of the best, if not the best cigar from Warped. It’s a perfect size with a medium body and great flavor. It’s the Goldilocks of Warped….not too strong, not too weak, not too small, not too large, etc. I mean, it was my […]
Fuente Fuente OpusX Rosado Oscuro Oro (First Impressions)
As the minutes ticked by I found myself stuck. My notes weren’t ready for a Week In Smoke, and I didn’t feel motivated enough to do one of the reviews I planned for this week. But I really wanted to try one of my Fuente Fuente OpusX Rosado Oscuro Oros, a late Christmas present to […]
Brian’s The Week In Smoke, Issue 86
It’s once time again for another issue of Brian’s The Week In Smoke. In case this is your first Week in Smoke, be advised that it covers many (though not necessarily all) of the cigars I’ve smoked in the past week (or the past month, or however long it has been since the last issue), […]
Aging The Opus X: Do or Don’t?
A night or two ago I was smoking a well-aged Opus X Perfecxion No. 5. As is my custom, I spent a few minutes thinking about what I was tasting- grass, caramel, cedar, maybe a little white pepper. I also noticed it didn’t seem as robust a cigar as the last few Opus X’s I’ve […]
Brian’s The Week In Smoke, Issue 50
It’s once time again for another issue of Brian’s The Week In Smoke. This one’s a little out of the ordinary, as it includes a birthday, which is traditionally my High MSRP Cigar Day. I didn’t succeed in spending a day doing nothing but burning high-end cigars, even though I made several attempts, but I […]
Fuente Fuente Opus X Angel’s Share Robusto – Happy St. Patrick’s Day
In 2012, Fuente released the Fuente Fuente Opus X Angel’s Share in limited edition humidors made by God of Fire/Prometheus. In December 2013, a limited number of these cigars were released to Opus X account holders throughout the nation. These cigars have a different construction than the regular Opus X line. The difference is the […]
The Box-Worthies: Brian’s Top 10 Cigars of 2013
With 2013 now safely behind us it’s time for a top ten cigar list for 2013. I know what you’re thinking, “Top ten cigars? Whatever can that be?” Here’s how it works: What follows is a list of cigars that I most enjoyed smoking in 2013. I’ve numbered them for your convenience, but get this- […]
Brian’s The Week In Smoke, Issue 40
Happy New Year! If you’re reading this, you made it through another calendar. Nicely done. Whatever you thought of 2013, I hope 2014 is better year all around. Now, ideally I’d have my Top 10 list ready for your New Year’s Day enjoyment, but that’s not quite ready yet. Soon. In the meantime, I have […]