A Fundraiser From Fuente Raises More Than $500,000
The Fuente Fuente OpusX is a rare and expensive cigar. It’s covered in an unorthodox Dominican wrapper grown at Chateau de la Fuente and made in very small quantities. OpusX is also aged for longer periods of time than typical cigars from Arturo Fuente Cigar Co. But let’s not forget that brand owner Carlos Fuente Jr. also uses his most prized cigar brand as a way to raise money for charity via special events. One of those charitable events happened last month in Connecticut, raising more than $500,000 for the Cigar Family Charitable Foundation, an organization that serves underprivileged children and families in the Dominican Republic. The charity was started in 2001 by the families behind Arturo Fuente Cigar Co. and J.C. Newman Cigar Co.
It was a distinguished, cigar-friendly evening at the Tamarack Country Club in Greenwich, Connecticut. Dubbed “The Opus Xodus,” the gala evening was orchestrated by Michael Cafagno, owner of The Tobacconist of Greenwich, and Fuente Jr. Also in attendance was Fuente’s son, Carlos Fuente III, his sister, Cynthia Fuente, Bobby Newman, co-owner of J.C. Newman Cigar Co. and Fuente president and CEO Ciro Cascella.
“Each year, the Opus Xodus reminds me why we do what we do,” Fuente Jr. said, addressing the crowd of 250 cigar enthusiasts, most of whom were puffing on a Fuente product. “It’s about love, family and the bonds that bring us together through this beautiful craft. My heart is filled with gratitude for Michael and The Tobacconist of Greenwich team, whose passion and integrity embody everything our family stands for.”
In addition to the cost per ticket, much of the money for the charity was generated from an auction of rare and aged Fuente-made cigars. There were 16 lots, all of which included unusual and, in some cases, commercially unavailable items such as Purple Rain ForbiddenX Lanceros; Purple Rain ForbiddenX BBMFs; “Opus Blue” 20th Anniversary Blue Phantom Lanceros; a chest of OpusX PerfecXion As; custom OpusX-branded sneakers; and even a peculiar set of cigars called OpusX Destino Al Siglo “911.” The top lot of the evening was an Elie Bleu humidor filled with 60 OpusX Angel’s Share cigars. It closed at $30,000.
The evening also served as a release party of sorts for a set called The Fuente Fuente OpusX 25th Anniversary Rare Finds, and the new OpusXXX 10 Year Bourbon.
Rare finds is a set of OpusX 25th Anniversary cigars (casually known as “Opus Green”), some of which have not been commercially released. This particular 10-count set was created exclusively for The Tobacconist of Greenwich and consists of three Churchill-sized Tributos, two Toros and two Lanceros. It retails for $2,400, which averages to $240 per cigar. Every guest received a box.
Drawn from a 2015 cask, the 10-year-old OpusXXX Bourbon is a limited-edition, single-barrel expression made in partnership with First Cut Barrel Company. It retails for $600. Only 120 bottles were created. Bottles were for sale that night, and one was won in a raffle.
“The Opus Xodus experience is so much more than an event,” Cafagno said. “It’s a celebration of the friendships, passion and generosity that define our cigar family.”
This was The Tobacconist of Greenwich’s third Opus Xodus evening. Look for the event to return in October 2026.
Read Next: J.C. Newman Cigars To Have Official Branding Commemorating America’s 250th Anniversary
