OpusX ReXilient
UPDATE 9/2/26:
Fuente is donating roughly 120–125 boxes plus extra cigars for a Hope for Heroes event in New York (VIP guests who donate $1,000 each receive a box and two cigars; proceeds support families of fallen first responders).
Two ReXilient boxes were auctioned at a Havana Nights charity event and brought $20,000 each for a veterans foundation associated with Joe Mantegna.
Arturo Fuente is releasing OpusX ReXilient this week to mark the 25th year since September 11 attacks. The 20 count boxes sell for $535 and contain sixteen Churchill sized cigars along with four box pressed, flat capped cigars said to represent the Twin Towers. From each box, the company is donating $11 to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
The donation is better than nothing. But on a $535 box… I don’t think thats enough. I can’t help but wonder why the contribution couldn’t have been larger, or even the full proceeds from a portion of the run. The numbers would still be impressive, and to me it would carry more weight.
There is another approach that might have landed better. What if a meaningful number of these cigars were just given to firehouses in New York City? No fanfare required. Just delivered to the men and women who still carry the memory of that day in a way most of us never will. It would have cost the company something, but it would have improved the way the whole project looks and feels.
It is possible, of course, that something along these lines is already happening behind the scenes and has not been publicized. If that’s the case, kudos to them, and it would be good to know. I sure hope that’s happening…
As it stands, the release arrives with the usual OpusX scarcity and a price that puts it well out of reach for most people. A solemn anniversary paired with a high priced limited edition always invites a certain amount of scrutiny. The intention may be sincere; but in my opinion, the execution leaves room for improvement.
I chose to include this image because I want to remember them how they were: Not only a New York icon, but an American icon, that was larger than life.
If you would like to donate to Tunnels To Towers go here https://t2t.org/