Quai d'Orsay Corona

[DWC]

Last night I smoked my first QdO corona. It was fresh from a box MUR ABR '13 so I wasn't expecting too much. I just wanted to see about what they are like.

I got the mild citrus/floral sweet tobacco flavor that I like, but it had an underlying bitterness to it from start to finish. Is this usual for this marca/vitola? I often get that same bitterness from Nic. grown tobacco but almost never from CC's regardless of their age.

I'm positive of the pedigree of the cigars so that's not the issue. I'm wondering if I just picked an 'off' stick or is this what I can expect from the rest of the box? I hope the bitterness goes away because if it does, these could be exceptional smokes.

Dan

[LeafLover]

Just young. Smoked one from an 11 box recently...sans bitterness. But it did have some bitterness in the first year.

[drockspang1]

One of my favorite cigars! I only started with these over the past year, so I'm no authority by any means. I've gone thru about 2 boxes so far, and have 2 more currently(LRE MAR '10 & MUR ABR '13). Most guys on the boards seem to like these with some age on 'em, and I can speak to that a little bit. While I've had 3-4(I think?) of the '13 box, the '10 box is a 'killer' ! Easily one of the top 5 reg production sticks that I've ever had.(just me)... Suits my liking very well. A good medium bodied smoke, with good flavor & a classy looking stick to boot. I love the corona size as well.

However, the few cigars I've had from the '13 box were still pretty good. Still good flavor, but a 'little' more edge to them. Same box code too. And these have roughly a year on them already. So to answer your question, in my experience the cigar you had is not indicative of the Qdo Corona.(just my opinion) But what I may deem as a tad more 'bite', you may think is 'bitter'? I wouldn't give up on them just yet. You may have just had a 'dud'? Smoke 1-2 more & give them more time in the humi. They'll probably come around or you may ultimately find that this cigar just isn't for you.

Have you had this box long? Has it 'traveled' recently?

[DWC]

Yes, it's only a couple of days off the truck. I usually put 1 or 2 cigars in a quarantined Tupperware drybox with a hygrometer to bring them to 65%. I've found in the past that even suffering from jet lag, cigars will usually smoke 'close enough' to get an idea if the humidity is correct.

Patience is not one of my strong suits. I'll try one more , then let the rest rest. Thanks for the input.

[Wallbright]

I bet it is probably just due to their age and the humidity. I have found that a lot of cigars have that bitter edginess to them when young and ROTT. I think you are on the right track to let the rest uh rest and revist them in the future. Let them acclimate and rest and you will be rewarded.

[drockspang1]

Yes, it's only a couple of days off the truck. I usually put 1 or 2 cigars in a quarantined Tupperware drybox with a hygrometer to bring them to 65%. I've found in the past that even suffering from jet lag, cigars will usually smoke 'close enough' to get an idea if the humidity is correct.

Patience is not one of my strong suits. I'll try one more , then let the rest rest. Thanks for the input.

Not one of mine, either! I smoke at least 1 cigar on almost every new box that comes in either that day or the following, especially if it's a marca and/or vitola that I haven't smoked before. I too think that 'most' cigars are decent enough ROTT. Like I said, they'll probably come around? They really are a great cigar!

Although sometimes when cigars thru the different temps & humidity as a result of shipping, ect... they can take a week or so to settle in. Even longer for some I suppose? I bought a box of Monte 4's a couple years ago(my 1st box of the 4's), and thought they were very rough. Waited a month or so to smoke another and they were still bitter. I can remember thinking to myself, "this is the #1 selling CC in the world"? Put them in the bottom of my humi and totally forgot about them until last year. I have none left.........lesson learned.

[coronacigar]

I had the pleasure of smoking a QdO Corona (2007) the other day. I really enjoyed it! Now I just need to find some more, LOL!

Super smooth, the bitterness was non-existent, so 7 years of aging seems to have done justice to this cigar! I am looking forward to adding it in my rotation of daily smokes!

[Skyfall]

Love these! But Young and Fresh off a truck/plane/boat. Sometimes uncharacteristic bitterness has a lot to do with unstable humidity and lows and highs during shipping and needing time to rest and get a little age.

[CUBANO]

these are great cigars. Get you another box for aging and smoke these as much as you like.

[sheppsea]

I tried my first one of these recently and really enjoyed it - I thought it was a great smoke and certainly worthy of getting a box

The cigar was 2 1/2 years old

[Ginseng]

@DWC,

I corrected the name of the marca in the title of your opening post. Hopefully that should make this thread available for searches on the QdO marca in the future.

Wilkey

[Ghabanos]

I have probably only smoked two boxes of these. Never had bitterness. My guess is youth too, but can't say for sure unless u send me one. Send me one? Lol.

[stogieluver]

Have never tried one, but have them on my wishlist. Rob always says these are for putting away for a few years.

[Guyman1966]

Have never tried one, but have them on my wishlist. Rob always says these are for putting away for a few years.

I bought a box to put away. Had them less than two months and only 14 are left. So much for letting them sit. They taste nice to me young. I doubt the box will make it to the summer. Next time I'll probably buy 2-3x and hide one box from myself.

[DWC]

Just a quick follow up:

I just smoked my 2nd from the same box and it was great. All that background bitterness was gone even after just a short 'settling in' period.

I like these smokes a lot. I see more of these in my future.

Dan

[mf83]

I just had my first one courtesy of a sampler. Quite a tight draw but a light and comfortable smoke I may get more.

[Optic101]

Just a quick follow up:

I just smoked my 2nd from the same box and it was great. All that background bitterness was gone even after just a short 'settling in' period.

I like these smokes a lot. I see more of these in my future.

Dan

There you go ... congrats to your NEW box.