Quai d'Orsay Imperiales (ULA ABR14) Review

[Habana Mike]

Quai d'Orsay Imperiales - ULA ABR14

Julieta No. 2 (Churchill) 7x47

First one I smoked from this box a couple of months ago was an excellent cigar. Very rich and full flavored for a Q d'O. Was so good I've already had another box placed in the locker for future.

This the second from this box.

Rich and oily brick-colored colorado wrapper with a nice sheen.

Solidly constructed with the quintessential Cuban draw - would be considered plugged if an NC

Draw opens up perfectly on the light.

Delicious sweet cream and orange citrus notes, toasty oak on the retrohale.

Razor sharp burn with a perfect cone. Steel gray striated ash, magic dots.

Lighter side of medium in body and strength.

Approaching the middle third a subtle sweetness begins to come into play. Caramel and biscuit. This cigar is a joy to smoke.

More toasty oak moves to the forefront in the center of the cigar, burn remains near perfect until anbout 2/3 in - quick touch-up.

Picking up some black walnut now and the woodiness strengthens, more a medium smoke now. Sweetness subsides.

Turned a bit rough coming through the finish. Muddled and some bite on the tongue, perhaps smoked a bit too fast.

At any rate should mellow out within the year I believe.

Lingering finish of orange peel and cedar.

[ramon_cojones]

Nice review Mike, desperately need a box of these instead of singles.

[DoubleDD]

Very nice! I'm glad that I decided to have Rob scout a box of these for me after exchanging several emails with him on cigar suggestions for Julieta No 2s. Can't wait to try one.

[jvel79]

Great review! Look forward to picking up a box from the Prez. Hopefully an HQ or PSP will come around. Although I thought any he puts here is of great quality.

[Optic101]

Great review Mike. An '14 Imperiales smoking so well is great to hear.

Always happy to have Magic Pearls while smoking

[bradbrennan]

Sounds great, Mike, what did you drink with it?

[Carts]

Thanks for the review. That box looks great, enjoy it.

[MashTea]

Great another cigar I can't afford but have to try haha.

Thanks for the review!

[Habana Mike]

Sounds great, Mike, what did you drink with it?

Actually just water for this one.

[tjhernandez34]

Actually just water for this one.

When you normally have these do you drink water with them? I have one resting in my humidor. I know they are on the lighter side and I don't want to overpower it with a drink. What do you recommend?

[Habana Mike]

When you normally have these do you drink water with them? I have one resting in my humidor. I know they are on the lighter side and I don't want to overpower it with a drink. What do you recommend?

Generally when I plan to do a focused review I just drink water so as not to interfere with my palate.

I'd think anything on the lighter side that wouldn't overwhelm the cigar would be fine. A coffee, tea, less hoppy beer, sweeter whiskies (read no Islay Scotch or heavy Bourbon), tawny port, or rum typically work for me.

If it's your first you should make sure the cigar is the focus IMO.

Of course that's just me, your mileage may vary so best thing is to experiment.

I'm smoking a recent Q d'O Corona right now with a Highland Scotch and the flavors from the smoke are nicely coming through.

[Rye]

Great review, and very good advice on pairings!

[CanuckSARTech]

Awesome review, Mike, thanks for sharing! Similar experiences of my own with this cigar lately. Definitely amazing on the progression of the tobacco improvement to the blends over the last few years, and just how approachable and flavourful these all are, in a much shorter timeline compared to previous years.

[cliff]

Caramel And biscuit...

That is why The imperiales is one of my favorite Cigars.

I've smoked them Aged but to long aging doesn't improve (very) much