Today, we are reviewing the Fuente Fuente OpusX TGS 2026 from Arturo Fuente. TGS stands for “The Great Smoke,” and Arturo Fuente released this cigar for Smoke Inn’s The Great Smoke event. TGS 2026 is special because it commemorates the event’s 20th anniversary.
The Great Smoke event took place on March 14, 2026, in West Palm Beach, Florida, but the cigars were available for purchase beforehand. The OpusX TGS 2026 was offered exclusively to ticket holders starting on February 4, 2026. A total of 600 ten-count boxes (6,000 cigars) were produced. Because of their rarity and limited release, Arturo Fuente’s head, Carlos “Carlito” Fuente, called them “Xicorns.” Given the collectible nature of OpusX cigars, it was no surprise they sold out quickly after their February 4 release.
This is the third release Arturo Fuente has done for Smoke Inn. The first was Solaris, a release for the Smoke Inn MicroBlend series. Five years ago, Arturo Fuente did an exclusive release for TGS 2021. TGS 2021 was the year COVID-19 canceled the live TGS event, and Smoke Inn opted to do a virtual event.
- Arturo Fuente Solaris
- Fuente Fuente OpusX TGS 2021
- Fuente Fuente OpusX TGS 2026
OpusX is known as an ultra-premium brand. This release carried an SRP of $599.00 per ten-count box. However, Smoke Inn proprietor Abe Dababneh presented a $30,000 check to Carlito Fuente at TGS 2026 in support of the Cigar Family Charitable Foundation.
Without further ado, let’s break down the TGS 2026 release and see what this cigar brings to the table.
SPECIFICATIONS
Blend and Origin
For most OpusX releases, Arturo Fuente doesn’t disclose details about the wrapper, binder, and filler. It’s safe to assume the wrapper is Dominican, since the OpusX line is built on the fact that the wrapper is grown in the Dominican Republic at Chateau de la Fuente. Production comes from Fuente’s factory in the Dominican Republic.
- Wrapper: Not Disclosed
- Binder: Not Disclosed
- Filler: Not Disclosed
- Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
- Factory: Tabacalera A. Fuente y Cia
Vitolas Available
Carlito Fuente said the TGS 2026 cigar is a 6 1/8 x 55. However, he pointed out the cigars were originally made in a 56 mold. The “shrinkage” actually occurred during the aging process. There also was a very slight pressed shape to the cigars – this is common on many Arturo Fuente offerings.
Appearance (*)
The TGS 2026 cigar’s wrapper has a near cinnamon-like color. The wrapper had a silky complexion, and there wasn’t much oil on the surface. The wrapper surface had some prominent visible veins. Any wrapper seams visible on the surface were minimal.
PERFORMANCE
Pre-Light Draw (*)
Before lighting up the TGS 2026 cigar, a straight cut was used to remove the cap of the TGS 2026 cigar. Once the cap was detached, it was time to commence with the pre-light draw. The cold draw delivered notes of natural tobacco, baker’s spice, and hay. Overall, this was an excellent pre-light draw. Next, it was time to remove the footer ribbon, toast up the TGS 2026, and head into the smoking phase.
Tasting Notes
Once lit, the TGS 2026 picked up where the pre-light draw left off, with more notes of natural tobacco, baker’s spice, and hay. It also had notes of black pepper, cedar, and cream. Early on, the natural tobacco and baker’s spice became the primary notes. Meanwhile, the hay, pepper, cedar, and cream settled in the background. On the retrohale, a layer of black pepper and sweetness emerged.
As the TGS 2026 moved into the second third, both the cedar and black pepper increased in intensity. Cedar moved to the forefront, joining the natural tobacco and displacing the baker’s spice. The cedar and natural tobacco alternated in intensity. Close to the midway point, bread notes joined the natural tobacco and cedar. In the background, the baker’s spice settled in with the hay, cream, and pepper notes, although by the second half the cream dissipated.
The cedar and the bread notes remained primary during the final third. The natural tobacco notes receded into the background, joining the pepper, hay, and baker’s spice. This is the way the TGS 2026 came to a close. The resulting nub was soft to the touch and slightly lukewarm.
Burn
Overall, the TGS 2026 cigar maintained a straight burn path; however, it needed many touchups to do so. While the touchups did the trick, the cigar needed more touchups than I preferred. This wrapper was also prone to scorching, so touchups needed to be done carefully. The burn line was relatively straight. As for the ash, it wasn’t the firmest, but it wasn’t loose or flaky either. The ash had light and medium grays mixed in. The burn temperature remained ideal, but at the end, when the nub got a little lukewarm, it was time to put the cigar down. This was a slow-burning cigar. Smoking time averaged 2 hours 39 minutes.
Draw
The draw to the TGS 2026 was excellent. The draw itself had a touch of resistance, which is my personal preference. At the same time, this was a low-maintenance cigar to derive flavor from.
Strength and Body
Overall, the TGS 2026 was an OpusX on the bolder side. This cigar started with medium to full strength and medium to full-bodied flavors. Strength and body increased slightly, but both remained in the medium-to-full range of their respective spectrums.
In terms of strength versus body, the strength had a slight edge over the body.
Banding and Packaging Notes (*)
The TGS 2026 has two bands. The first is the standard red, gold, orange, and white OpusX band found on the core line. A secondary “XXX” band in the same colors has appeared on several other OpusX bands. The box is a sleek red-and-white box custom-made for this event cigar. The circus tent represents the TGS 2026 theme, which was the circus.
The box also had a custom seal with the circus theme. The seal (and the outside of the box) both leverage the theme “The Greatest Show” – which is a nod to Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus.
OVERALL ASSESSMENT
Final Thoughts
If you have read my reviews, you know that when it comes to the store exclusive and event-only cigar market, many of these cigars are simply overvalued and underperform. The OpusX TGS 2026 doesn’t fall into that category. This is an enjoyable cigar that delivers in the most important category – flavor. In fact, the first third is extremely good. It also has enough complexity to keep you satisfied. I would say this might be an OpusX for the more experienced cigar enthusiast. In the end, this is a cigar I would buy and smoke again. Coming in at 90 points, it earns a Cigar Coop Standard of Excellence. While it’s not cheap (at $60.00), if you can find it (it’s sold out), this cigar is definitely worth a splurge.
Summary
- Key Flavors: Natural Tobacco, Cedar, Baker’s Spice, Bread, Hay, Cream, Pepper
- Burn: Very Good
- Draw: Excellent
- Complexity: Medium Plus
- Strength: Medium to Full
- Body: Medium to Full
- Finish: Very Good
Rating
Value: Splurge
Score: 90
Cigar Coop Standard of Excellence
REFERENCES
(*) Indicates this is not factored into the score or value rating
Photo Credits: Cigar Coop
