For years, Quai D'Orsay was considered a "beginner's" cigar...kinda like a Cuban Macanudo. Supposedly very light in flavor, bland and uninteresting. Nothing could have been further from the truth. We especially loved the Imperiales (Churchill) that we reviewed here but unfortunately by then it was discontinued. In fact, all sizes were discontinued except the corona.
Not that you'd know it by checking the Habanos website. Despite the fact that a reblended, repackaged and revamped Quai D'Orsay was announced early this year, the website still shows the old brand in its circa-2013 or so glory. Check out the screen grab below:
Not that you'd know it by checking the Habanos website. Despite the fact that a reblended, repackaged and revamped Quai D'Orsay was announced early this year, the website still shows the old brand in its circa-2013 or so glory. Check out the screen grab below:
Well, the corona is staying put but, like the entire brand, it has been tweaked with bolder filler tobaccos and a darker wrapper leaf. Joining it are two new, thicker sizes more in line with current tastes: the No. 50 (4 3/8 x 50) and the No. 54 (5 3/8 x 54). According to Cigar Aficionado:
The Corona Claro will retail for 10 euros (about $11.80) in France, while the new No. 50 and No. 54 will retail for 9.50 euros ($11.23) and 13.50 euros ($16), respectively. But Quai d’Orsay was not reblended for sale only to France—the Cubans expect this cigar to become a worldwide cigar brand.
Since France was Quai D'Dorsay's biggest market, they'll be getting the new line first. But while in the past these weren't available worldwide, the new line will be a global product available to every distributor.
We haven't seen or smoked these, but Cigar Aficionado got to try a few first back in March and also more recently and reported:
One thing is certain—these are not mild cigars like the old Quai d'Orsay. They had some kick. I imagine the final product will too.
I spent the most smoking time with the No. 54, a 54 ring gauge smoke known as an Edmundo Grueso, a new shape in the Cuban portfolio. It had a rough start, not surprising given its youth, but after warming up showed the promise of fine flavor that I hope it will have when it's officially sold on the market.
We have feelers out to grab some of the first boxes as they hit humidors this winter. More to come then.
The Corona Claro will retail for 10 euros (about $11.80) in France, while the new No. 50 and No. 54 will retail for 9.50 euros ($11.23) and 13.50 euros ($16), respectively. But Quai d’Orsay was not reblended for sale only to France—the Cubans expect this cigar to become a worldwide cigar brand.
Since France was Quai D'Dorsay's biggest market, they'll be getting the new line first. But while in the past these weren't available worldwide, the new line will be a global product available to every distributor.
We haven't seen or smoked these, but Cigar Aficionado got to try a few first back in March and also more recently and reported:
One thing is certain—these are not mild cigars like the old Quai d'Orsay. They had some kick. I imagine the final product will too.
I spent the most smoking time with the No. 54, a 54 ring gauge smoke known as an Edmundo Grueso, a new shape in the Cuban portfolio. It had a rough start, not surprising given its youth, but after warming up showed the promise of fine flavor that I hope it will have when it's officially sold on the market.
We have feelers out to grab some of the first boxes as they hit humidors this winter. More to come then.
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