1 review for Quai d’Orsay Superiores (Regional Edition Pacific Asia)
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Quai d'Orsay Superiores (Regional Edition Pacific Asia)
Overall Score
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Yiorgos
Origin : Cuba
Format : Robusto
Size : 4.9 (124 mm) x 50
Released in : 2011
Hand-Made
Price : N/A
I have been trying to recall whether I have smoked a Quai d’Orsay and I am almost certain I haven’t. I have been trying to get my hands on one for a while, but they are not easy to come by. We have all heard how great the Quai d’Orsay Imperiales are, but they are almost impossible to find in the cigar stores; unless your local cigar store is in France. The brand was created in 1973 by Cubatobaco for the French distributor Keita. The brand’s initial lineup had five vitolas, two of which are still in production; the Coronas and the Imperiales. The 2011 regional edition series though came to bring a breath of life in the brand, with two new vitolas, the only additions in the brands portfolio since its launch. One of these two vitolas is the Quai d’Orsay Superior, a classic robusto that was released for Pacific Cigar and the Asia Pacific region and it is the cigar I will be smoking today.
Although I wouldn’t call it “ugly” the Superior does not look the best, as it has a few flaws in its appearance. The wrapper is rough, with plenty of veins and a few green spots. The bunch is normal, but inconsistent, with some looser spots on both ends of the cigar. The triple car is rounded and sloppy, but there is plenty of floral aromas present on the foot of the cigar. The prelight draw is also loose. Time to light it up…
The Superior kicks off with plenty of flavours; wood, coffee and hay are the most dominant, with a sweet and long finish. After the initial burst of flavours, it mellows down, becoming more soft and creamy. Smoking in the first third, there is flavours of hay and toffee dominating, with some added herbs on the background, while the finish is salty. The cigar produces clouds of smoke, but the burn is very uneven.
In the second third, the cigar continues in the same tempo. Rich and well balanced, with hay, toffee and some wood. The smoke has a lovely, creamy texture. The burn issues continue and the cigar needs some touch ups. The body is still medium and the finish is long and sweet, with a slight hint of ammonia, which is not enough to spoil the enjoyment. So far so good…
In the last third the Superior gets a little rougher. The sweet flavours give way to strong wood and earth flavours and the texture of the smoke is not as smooth and creamy as before. The burn is still uneven and at this stage the touch ups are more frequent. As a result, the cigar starts tasting a little bitter, but not unpleasant in any way, staying like that until the end.
Smoking a cigar from a brand you have never tried before is like walking in unknown territory. Without any reference point from previous experience, you don’t know what to expect. And when what you smoke exceeds your perceived expectations, it feels great! The Superior is a fantastic cigar, a flavorsome robusto with an interesting profile. Sweet and creamy, with a medium body, keeps you interested from start to finish. If it wasn’t for the construction flaws, I would have been happy to give it five stars, but even at that, I would highly recommend it. Now, where can I find the Quai d’Orsay Imperiales?
Overall Rating : [rating:4/5]