Backstory: The ForbiddenX 13 collection was created to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Arturo Fuente brand (founded 1912). The collection consists of six vitolas, each named for a significant year in Fuente family history. "God's Whisper 1924" refers to the birth year of Carlos Fuente Sr., the patriarch who rebuilt the company after a devastating factory fire. The "1924" pays homage to his legacy. All six vitolas share the same blend, grown on a specific 13-acre plot of tobacco — the same plot used for the Arturo Fuente Destino Al Siglo 13.

Backstory: The ForbiddenX designation (red-on-black band) was historically reserved for cigars sold exclusively at Casa Fuente in Las Vegas or distributed at private events — never through normal retail channels. The ForbiddenX 13 was the first widespread ForbiddenX release shipped to multiple accounts across the country, making it a landmark in Fuente history.

Release: First shipped to retailers in mid-December 2011 with almost no advance warning, causing a frenzy on cigar forums and social media as collectors scrambled to identify the mysterious boxes. Officially cataloged with a release date of December 14, 2012. Re-released to TAA (Tobacconists' Association of America) stores in September 2018. Packaged in boxes of 13 cigars ($208 per box). Total production numbers were never disclosed.

Tobacco: Fuente has never officially disclosed the wrapper, binder, or filler tobaccos for any OpusX blend. The industry consensus is that all components are Dominican-grown — OpusX is famous for proving that world-class wrapper-quality tobacco could be cultivated in the Dominican Republic, a feat previously considered impossible. The ForbiddenX 13 blend uses tobacco from a specific 13-acre plot with significance to the Fuente family.

Color: The wrapper is described as dark with purple and red hues — darker than standard OpusX but with characteristic reddish undertones. A slight box press develops from the cigars resting in the box.

Fun Fact: The number 13 holds deep significance for the Fuente family: the tobacco is grown on a 13-acre plot, Carlos Fuente Sr. was born on 13th Street, Arturo Fuente (the founder) died at age 85 (8+5=13), and the company headquarters is at 1310 N. 22nd St. The secondary band features the number "13" inside a clock face rendered in Roman numerals.

Fun Fact: The God's Whisper was erroneously listed in the official Fuente price sheet as a 7 1/5 x 41 Lancero-like vitola, but the actual cigars that shipped to retailers were 7 x 48 Churchills — matching the existing OpusX Reserva d'Chateau size. Each of the six ForbiddenX 13 vitolas corresponds to an existing OpusX size.

Fun Fact: Despite an MSRP of $16 per stick, some retailers reportedly charged as much as $50 per cigar during the initial release due to extreme scarcity and demand.