Arturo Fuente questions

[tjhemp]

Okay, I'm pretty well versed on most of the major brands of cigars but AF is the one that I am not so much. I have mostly had their what I call standard or affordable line. I have also had a couple of Anejo's but recently have become very curious about the OpusX, Angels share, and Destino al Siglo lines of cigars. I dont know much about them and they are all very pricey which makes me hesitant to purchase because of that. Not to mention some confusion as I have seen opusx lost city, forbidden x, and others and I dont know the difference. I was wondering what opinion you bums may have on those cigars and if you think any of them are worth the prices they garner.

[six10]

If you like coffee, earth and spice definitely try the Opus X. To me they are worth it. I usually get the No.4 or No.5 that are petite corona sized.

[dinoa2]

my .02. opusx, opus lost city and destino are pricey in my opinion. only one of those I have had is the opus. I like it, think it is a very good smoke but you can pay an arm and a leg depending on where you buy. Anejo is also very good and a little lower in price than opus, not much but enough . Rumor is that the Anejo has some of the same blend as opus. Another line is the Hemingway. The Hemingway maduros are very good and the Hemingway sun grown is very good, hard to find but good. All my opinions but Hemingway is a good line and a little lower in the price line if you want to explore FUente. . My thoughts for what they are worth.

[jhedrick83]

The prices you see some places are crazy marked up. Depending on local taxes and how much a B&M wants to gouge you can get a lot of the regular Opus line for $10-15 a stick. Granted that's still expensive for most but it's not nearly the markup you see some places. There should be a batch out around Father's Day (I know some places already have their allotments) so keep your eyes peeled. Also, sign up for the Atlantic Cigar email list, they usually have a decent selection available online for a short time when they get released. They are marked up some but not crazy bad. Usually they limit you to two per vitola but if you are looking to try them it's a good place to start.

Keep in mind too, some people love them fresh, some say they have to be aged. It's all personal preference so you may want to stash a few for a couple years and see what happens.

As for differences between regular Opus X, Angels share, Forbidden and Destino, they don't share much on blend details. The only real difference that I recall ever seeing Fuente discuss is that each uses a different wrapper. Someone please correct me if I am wrong.

Now the Lost City, IIRC, came about thanks to Andy Garcia (the actor). He was making a movie about a Cuban family and wanted tobacco fields to film in but he was going to be filming after the harvest season. So as a favor, Fuente grew him a small plot in the off season and the tobacco ended up with unique qualities (so they say). From that crop the Lost City was born.

I've never had a Lost City but the rest are excellent in my book. However, I am a bit of a Fuente fanboy so take it with a grain of salt.

[dinoa2]

another thought, you can go to Fuente web site, TampaSweethearts and browse their samplers. some of their prices there are as good as other retail sites and B&Ms

[OnePyroTec]

I have always been a fan of the "Hemingway" series more over than any of the other lines. I have had many Opus and MANY of the original Anejo line. IMHO the original was a really good cigar while the second attempt failed to compare. Being cigars are a personal indulgence, they are worth the price (no matter what the cigar or price) if YOU thoroughly enjoy it.

If you never shopped at Tampa Sweethearts, it is worth a browse. You can usually find a little bit of everything you want, and even more than you planned on getting.
BTW, if you submit questions there, chances are a Fuente will reply. :cool:

Tampa Sweethearts - Home (http://www.tampasweethearts.com/index.aspx)

[dinoa2]

when I was in Ybor City about 5 years ago, I went to their store and met 2 of the Fuentes, one of the older ones and Carlos or Carlito, not sure now which it was but it was fun to see them. Very nice and answered any questions

[Tombstone]

I think that it is worth dabbling in the high end Fuente a bit. Its like the Liga Unico series. They are pricey and may not please everyone, but I think any person who likes cigars enough to be chatting about it on a forum should at least give it a shot.

[FidelCastro]

There is a reason as to why people say...let your experience be your guide. Nothing worse than having somebody else tell you what you should like or buy or anything else for that matter. Cigars and their brands are varied and some command some pretty hefty pricing but if you love them and can afford them then enjoy them. There are so many good brands of cigars in the $3 - $8 range that you could swing a dead cat around and find something you love without feeling that you got ripped off by buying a $20 cigar that was marginal.

[Old Smokey]

I love some of the Fuente cigars I have smoked and have been trying to stock up when I find them fairly priced. I think a person who enjoys premium cigars should smoke a few and see what they think.

[Cool Breeze]

The Anejo is my favorite cigar period, but you've tried those.
I've had 1 OpusX Angel's Share and while it was good, it was nothing to write home about.

I'd much rather have a Don Carlos, a Hemingway or an 8-5-8 maduro than the Angel's Share.
All 3 of those are great.

[OnePyroTec]

I think that it is worth dabbling in the high end Fuente a bit. Its like the Liga Unico series. They are pricey and may not please everyone, but I think any person who likes cigars enough to be chatting about it on a forum should at least give it a shot.

Did you mean the Fuente line La Unica? I am not familiar with the Liga Unico series. EDIT NEVER MIND that is the D.E. cigar, not Fuente...didn't put 2 & two together being the topic...LOL

The La Unica used to be a goto cigar for me when they were a $40 & less bundles. Now they are a $100+ box and nothing has changed except the packaging.

[dinoa2]

was just looking at Tampa Sweethearts page and they have samplers of Hemingway 3 each of natural, maduro and the sungrown. classic is about $80. nine of them total so about $9 which isnt bad cause you get the sungrown which is a great hemingway. sampler of the signature is about $76, nine total. also samplers of Anejo and Hemi maduros. just passing on, I unfortunately dont get any commission for sales

[Chad Vegas]

If you like coffee, earth and spice definitely try the Opus X. To me they are worth it. I usually get the No.4 or No.5 that are petite corona sized.

Im a sucker for coffee flavors so if I smoke AF it's going to be an Opus X.

[cheaphumidors]

I've never had a Lost City but the rest are excellent in my book. However, I am a bit of a Fuente fanboy so take it with a grain of salt.

I have...I am glad I tried it because it was an experience and I want to try every cigar blend that I can get my hands on, but I was disappointed to have paid $22 for a cigar that was, in my humble opinion, mediocre. But again, still glad I had the experience. You never know until you try, you may love it.

BUT, you have to ask yourself, are you sure you WANT to fall in love with a $20 stick?

I always have that terrifying thought in the back of my head that, what if this is the most amazing cigar you've ever smoked and all other cigars then pale in comparison? Am I going to keep spending $20/stick whenever I want to smoke? No. Then am I just going to be disappointed with every other cigar I smoke for the rest of my life? What if this cigar RUINS the rest of my cigar smoking life?! I can't take the pressure! But, happily, I haven't yet met the cigar that tears a hole in my universe.

[droy1958]

Did you mean the Fuente line La Unica? I am not familiar with the Liga Unico series. EDIT NEVER MIND that is the D.E. cigar, not Fuente...didn't put 2 & two together being the topic...LOL

The La Unica used to be a goto cigar for me when they were a $40 & less bundles. Now they are a $100+ box and nothing has changed except the packaging.

Used to love the La Unica cigars back 15_20 years ago for a morning/afternoon smoke....

[Merovius]

Okay, I'm pretty well versed on most of the major brands of cigars but AF is the one that I am not so much. I have mostly had their what I call standard or affordable line. I have also had a couple of Anejo's but recently have become very curious about the OpusX, Angels share, and Destino al Siglo lines of cigars. I dont know much about them and they are all very pricey which makes me hesitant to purchase because of that. Not to mention some confusion as I have seen opusx lost city, forbidden x, and others and I dont know the difference. I was wondering what opinion you bums may have on those cigars and if you think any of them are worth the prices they garner.

I think the MSRP on Opus is in line with most premium tobacco. The Fuente Fuentes can be had for $12. Theyre actually one of the few manufacturers that prices controls their product to keep retailers from playing mark up games. Its also why you never get "points" rewards at retailers that offer these sorts of incentives.

They all employ premium Dominican tobacco grown at Chateau De La Fuente. The blends of the cigars you mentioned are all different, Destino is branding that commemorated the 100 year anni. In order of increasing strength and body I would say the scale might look something like:
Angels Share
Don Arturo Gran Anni
Lost City
Casa Fuente
OpusX
ForbiddenX
ForbiddenX Maduro

You also have all the Prometheus cigars, Hemingway, Don Carlos and odd OpusX releases like the 13 Belicoso and Arturo Fuente '13 (white label) etc. There is a lot to explore and discover and every year the Fuentes offer something new to keep their rabid fans interested.

Theyre not for everyone, particularly to those who got their start smoking heavy Nicaraguans but if I were to suggest a starting point the Fuente Fuente at MSRP would be my recommendation.

[Cardinal]

I think the MSRP on Opus is in line with most premium tobacco. The Fuente Fuentes can be had for $12. Theyre actually one of the few manufacturers that prices controls their product to keep retailers from playing mark up games. Its also why you never get "points" rewards at retailers that offer these sorts of incentives.

They all employ premium Dominican tobacco grown at Chateau De La Fuente. The blends of the cigars you mentioned are all different, Destino is branding that commemorated the 100 year anni. In order of increasing strength and body I would say the scale might look something like:
Angels Share
Don Arturo Gran Anni
Lost City
Casa Fuente
OpusX
ForbiddenX
ForbiddenX Maduro

You also have all the Prometheus cigars, Hemingway, Don Carlos and odd OpusX releases like the 13 Belicoso and Arturo Fuente '13 (white label) etc. There is a lot to explore and discover and every year the Fuentes offer something new to keep their rabid fans interested.

Theyre not for everyone, particularly to those who got their start smoking heavy Nicaraguans but if I were to suggest a starting point the Fuente Fuente at MSRP would be my recommendation.

Great post, thank you. I love the Anejos and Hemingways but really haven't gotten into the Opus line. Thats partially due to the price and partially because I don't know one from the next.

And to back up your recommendation, I noticed last weekend that my shop had Fuente Fuentes at I want to say $11.85 or something like that that. Not an ungodly price point at which to dabble, says I.

[Old Smokey]

The last 2-3 months my local has gotten the following Opus X:
Petit Lanceros
xXX Power Rangers
FF #4
FF #5
Love Affairs
I like them all.

[tjhemp]

I wish my local B&M had them but alas they refuse to carry the Arturo Fuente line. It seems like all the Opus cigars I am finding online are in the $20 and up range is this the going rate? I'm also not seeing any in the $12-$13 range that some guys here are seeing in their B&M's.