I’m poking around my humidor and pull out a San Cristobal Ovation Opulence, a 5½ x 50 Robusto I grabbed a few years back. Revisiting this smoke feels like greeting an old friend This Mexican San Andrés-wrapped stick, released in 2016, cost ~$13-$15 then, but now goes for ~$16-$20. I kick back with a bourbon, ready to see what this one’s got after some rest.
Let’s fire it up and dive in.
The Roots
A Moment in Time: 2016
In 2016, as the Ovation Opulence emerged, the world spun with bold shifts and fleeting joys. The U.S. elected Donald Trump as its 45th president, stirring waves of change, while the U.K.’s Brexit vote signaled a retreat from unity. Rio’s Summer Olympics dazzled, a first for South America. Yet, challenges loomed—Zika fears shadowed Brazil, and Syria’s conflict deepened. It was a year of resilience and reinvention, much like this cigar, its aged depth a smoky echo of a restless era.
What the Pros Say
Cigar Aficionado gave the Ovation line a 93 in 2014, praising its spice and balance. Halfwheel noted the 2016 Opulence’s earthy depth and creamy finish, scoring it 91. Cigar Dojo lauded its dark chocolate and leather, though some Reddit fans noted a late bitterness. 92
The Smoke Stats
Name: San Cristobal Ovation Opulence
Length: 5½ Inches
Ring Gauge: 50
Vitola: Robusto
Wrapper: Mexican San Andrés Oscuro
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Origin: Nicaragua
Release Date: December 2016
The Experience: From Start to Finish
First Look: Pre-Light Impressions
The Ovation Opulence, a 5½ x 50 Robusto, rests in my hand like a trusted tome. Its Mexican San Andrés Oscuro wrapper, dark as aged leather, gleams with a faint oil sheen, its toothy texture laced with fine veins. The roll’s firm, no soft spots, with a clean cap and near-invisible seams—My Father’s craft at its finest. The aroma weaves dark chocolate, damp earth, and sweet cedar, with a whiff of molasses. The cold draw, just right, offers black pepper, espresso, and dried berries, hinting at a rich tale.
I light it, bourbon in hand, ready for the journey.
Foot to Cap: The Flavor Journey
The first third opens with a bold earthiness, like forest soil after rain, laced with black pepper and dark chocolate. Sweet cedar and a creamy texture soften the spice, while molasses adds depth. The medium-full smoke’s dense, coating the palate. The burn’s even, with a gray-white ash holding an inch, firm as a ledger. Compared to San Cristobal Revelation, it’s earthier, less spicy.
In the middle third, the earth and pepper hold steady, but leather and espresso emerge, rich and warm. A sweet molasses note lingers, with hints of dried berries adding a subtle lift. The body deepens to medium-full, the smoke creamy and smooth. The burn slows slightly, but the ash clings tight, and the draw’s flawless. Against My Father Flor de las Antillas, it’s less sweet but more grounded.
The final third shifts gears. Earth and leather dominate, with pepper spiking the retrohale. Dark chocolate fades, replaced by a bitter espresso edge, though molasses keeps it balanced. The burn’s steady, ash holds to the nub, and the draw remains smooth through the 75-minute smoke. The late bitterness, a touch gruff, keeps it shy of perfection.
Build & Burn: The Craftsmanship
The Opulence’s construction is a masterclass from My Father Cigars S.A. The San Andrés Oscuro wrapper, dark and oily, wraps tightly, its rugged texture a nod to Nicaragua’s terroir. The roll’s solid, cap precise, seams invisible, built to last. Aged for years, it feels like a well-kept secret.
The burn’s near-perfect, with a gray-white ash holding firm, flaking only slightly. The draw’s smooth, delivering creamy smoke at a cool temperature, rich with earth and pepper. Combustion slows past halfway, adding depth to the 75-minute smoke. At ~$13-$15 in 2016, it’s a premium steal.
Flavor Deep Dive: What’s Cooking
The Ovation Opulence unfolds like a fireside tale, rich and layered. It starts with bold earth, black pepper, and dark chocolate, softened by sweet cedar and creamy molasses. The medium-full smoke’s dense, with leather and espresso adding warmth midway, plus a flicker of dried berries. The final third leans into earth, leather, and pepper, with a bitter espresso note dimming the sweetness. It’s smoother than San Cristobal Revelation’s spice but less sweet than Flor de las Antillas, a complex smoke with a gruff close.
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Strength & Body: The Power Within |
The Opulence is medium-full in strength, building a steady buzz best for seasoned smokers. The pepper and earth hit early, smoothed by aging, with a mild nicotine kick late.
The body’s medium-full, with creamy smoke carrying robust earth, chocolate, and leather. The late bitterness adds grit, but molasses and cedar keep it balanced. It’s a bold smoke that holds its own.
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Perfect Pairings: Elevate the Experience |
A barrel-aged bourbon like Blanton’s lifts the Opulence’s chocolate and leather, while espresso grounds its earthiness. Dark chocolate or smoked almonds echo the spice, perfect for a mellow evening.
Value: Worth the Price?
At ~$13-$15 per stick in 2016 (~$286 for a box of 22), the Opulence was a premium buy, now fetching ~$16-$20 loose due to its 66,000-cigar run. Its rich flavors and solid build justify the cost, outshining many in its class, though the bitter finish tempers its value. A box is a collector’s prize, but a single’s a worthy treat.
Our Rating:
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The San Cristobal Ovation Opulence earns a Refined. Its earth, chocolate, and pepper shine in a smooth, medium-full 75-minute smoke. At ~$13-$15 in 2016, it’s a premium gem, though a bitter close holds it back. Perfect for seasoned smokers craving depth. |
Final Thoughts
As I set down the nub, the Ovation Opulence leaves a lingering vibe. Pulling this 2016 stick from my humidor, after years of rest, feels like flipping through an old journal. Its earthy core, laced with chocolate, leather, and spice, delivers a solid medium-full smoke, though that bitter espresso finish clips its wings. My Father’s craft and the San Andrés wrapper make it a keeper, worth ~$13-$15 back then or ~$16-$20 now. A solid pick for a laid-back night.
A smoke that holds its own.
Own the Smoke: Make It Yours
The Ovation Opulence suits seasoned smokers craving a medium-full smoke with earth and spice. Its 75-minute burn fits a chill evening, but novices might find it heavy. With 66,000 made, it’s a rare find now—hunt it at select shops or secondary markets. Light it, sip bourbon, and let its story roll.
