Today we review the Fuente Fuente OpusX Forbidden X El Trece Magistral 13. This was a release by Arturo Fuente that was first seen at the 2025 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show. As with many OpusX cigars, there is some mystery surrounding the El Trece Magistral 13. We do know this is an extension of the OpusX Forbidden X line in a Belicoso size using aged tobaccos (the secondary band indicates a 2015 vintage). Other than that, there isn’t much more being talked about with this one.
The Fuente Fuente OpusX ForbiddenX series is an extension of the OpusX line released to pay homage to the company’s history. The number “13” holds significant meaning for the Fuente family; it was the favorite number of Carlos Fuente Sr., who was also born on 13th Street. The address of Arturo Fuente’s U.S. headquarters is 1310 N. 22nd Street in Tampa, Florida. Notably, Arturo Fuente, the company founder, was 85 when he passed away, and the sum of the digits in that age equals 13. Officially, the name El Trece Magistral is Spanish for “The Masterful Thirteen.”
Without further ado, let’s break down the El Trece Magistral 13 and see what this cigar brings to the table:
SPECIFICATIONS
There has been no official blend disclosed for the El Trece Magistral 13. The Fuente Fuente OpusX ForbiddenX is known as a Dominican puro using tobaccos from Chateau de La Fuente. Arturo Fuente has not talked about the blend or how the El Trece Magistral 13 differs from the other ForbiddenX cigars. Production comes from Tabacalera A. Fuente y Cia in the Dominican Republic.
- Wrapper: Not Disclosed
- Binder: Not Disclosed
- Filler: Not Disclosed
- Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
- Factory: Tabacalera A. Fuente y Cia
- Figurado: 5 7/8 x 56 (*)
(*) A note on the size: Most outlets were reporting this as 6 7/8 x 56, including this one. A reader pointed out when we reported this story that this cigar was more along the lines of 5 7/8 x 56, which we have pretty much confirmed. The cigars come in 26-count boxes.
PERFORMANCE
The El Trece Magistral 13 opened up with notes of mocha, sweet rum, wood, earth, and black pepper. The mocha was a nice fusion of coffee and chocolate notes. Early on, the mocha notes became primary with the rum, wood, earth, and pepper notes secondary. There was an additional layer of black pepper on the retro-hale. During the second third, the mocha notes started to split into distinct coffee and chocolate notes. The coffee remained in the forefront with the chocolate, joining the rum, wood, earth, and pepper notes. The pepper notes also increased in the second third. By the final third, the pepper was one of the prominent secondary notes, but it never overtook the flavor profile. The El Trece Magistral 13 finished with a soft, cool nub.
The El Trece Magistral 13 delivered medium to full-bodied flavors from start to finish. There was a slight increase in body, but overall the flavors stayed in the medium-to-full range. As for the strength, it started medium before progressing to medium to full in the second third. The burn did require multiple touchups to maintain a straight burn path and straight burn line. As for the draw, it had a touch of resistance – which I like.
OVERALL ASSESSMENT
Final Thoughts
I have reviewed several OpusX ForbiddenX cigars, and I can confidently say that El Trece Magistral 13 is the best one to date. While you may find other cigars with higher scores, our scoring algorithm has evolved over the years. The El Trece Magistral 13 offers boldness that carries through to its flavors. Although its DNA is rooted in OpusX, the rich flavors and intensity truly make this cigar stand out. Determining the actual price of an OpusX cigar can be challenging, but we paid $54.00 for this one. It is definitely worth splurging on; it’s a home run.
Summary
- Key Flavors: Mocha (Chocolate, Coffee), Sweet Rum, Wood, Earth, Black Pepper
- Burn: Very Good
- Draw: Excellent
- Complexity: Medium Minus
- Strength: Medium (1st Half), Medium to Full (2nd Half)
- Body: Medium to Full
- Finish: Very Good
Rating
Value: Splurge
Score: 91
REFERENCES
Photo Credits: Cigar Coop
