All I can say for sure (since I have smoked a total of maybe 10 cigars before) is that the X easily formed an inch of nice ash, was smooth and a not as spicy as a Hemingway or short story, medium body smoke, and burns forever. It took me 45 minutes of constant attention. I really enjoyed it and gifted one to a friend before who was very happy as well. I still believe I like the Padron 1964 maduro a little more, but they are different beasts. Opus X packed a little more punch, glad I didn't have to focus much on anything for a while that evening.