QUAI D'ORSAY

[JC67]

Hi All,

Its a marca that we don't hear too much about apart from the occasional box of coronas on 24:24 (which always look very nice)

Just wanted some opinions on QUAI D'ORSAY Imperiales?

[NSXCIGAR]

The Imperiales are as dead as Caesar. If you can find them (14 production was the last seen) I've always found them to be excellent and a bit more enjoyable than the Coronas. It's possible that some can still be found in Cuba. Not really a big seller. 

Here's some recent threads on QdO:

 

[Shaunster]

They are revamping this marca, new bands and 2 new cigars coming out so you will hear more about them sometime in the future.

The 2 new cigars are predictable however, petit robusto sort of size and a 54rg fatty.

[Cigarjerk]

I had my last one in December 2016. There is a LCDH in Germany where it is available permanently. I know some fans of this cigar and I bought it because of their recommendations. Price-quality ratio is perfect. But it isn't my favorite cigar. Yes it is aromatic, but for me it's too mild. But it's definitely worth trying it.

[Luca]

1 hour ago, Cigarjerk said:

I had my last one in December 2016. There is a LCDH in Germany where it is available permanently. I know some fans of this cigar and I bought it because of their recommendations. Price-quality ratio is perfect. But it isn't my favorite cigar. Yes it is aromatic, but for me it's too mild. But it's definitely worth trying it.

Did this particular LCDH in Germany buy heaps of boxes in order to stock up since it was discontinued in 2015? Or was it just luck that they had it?

[godpheonix]

from what i heard, the imperiales is making a return!

[Cigarjerk]

1 hour ago, Luca said:

Did this particular LCDH in Germany buy heaps of boxes in order to stock up since it was discontinued in 2015? Or was it just luck that they had it?

Honestly, I don't know. But I guess that they built up a stock.

[Blakes]

48 minutes ago, godpheonix said:

from what i heard, the imperiales is making a return!

I hope so. Please tell us more?

[Guest Nekhyludov]

48 minutes ago, godpheonix said:

from what i heard, the imperiales is making a return!

Seriously? That would be fantastic. I thought they were gone for good and that I would have to overpay for a "vintage" box if I ever wanted one.

Is it supposed to be part of the new blend/new box launch?

[NSXCIGAR]

3 hours ago, godpheonix said:

from what i heard, the imperiales is making a return!

I think you heard wrong. If you're referring to the Imperiales being handed out at the QdO re-launch gala as an indication that it's still alive, that's discussed and dismissed in this thread:

If you have another source for your info please share it!

[PuffDaddie]

LCDH Knokke has the imperials check it out.

[bman75]

6 hours ago, PuffDaddie said:

************ has the imperials check it out.

Your post might need some editing.

[QuaiDorkay]

12 hours ago, godpheonix said:

from what i heard, the imperiales is making a return!

Never left!  Just a fantastic cigar with 5yrs on them, shame to run through sooner even though they may be smoking well ahead of their peak. 

[CdnLimitada]

Probably my favorite cigar.  I have a box and a half and rarely smoke them.  Love the mild flavors. 

[godpheonix]

never had any Quai D'Orsay myself.

[godpheonix]

17 hours ago, NSXCIGAR said:

I think you heard wrong. If you're referring to the Imperiales being handed out at the QdO re-launch gala as an indication that it's still alive, that's discussed and dismissed in this thread:

If you have another source for your info please share it!

that may be. information is not always correct. especially in the world of Habanos SA!

[Jauwels]

If  i understand the Imperiales is en mild  but flavor cigar.So not much aging potentieel? Or am i wrong?

[Puros Y Vino]

5 minutes ago, Jauwels said:

If  i understand the Imperiales is en mild  but flavor cigar.So not much aging potentieel? Or am i wrong?

I have a box from 2010 that has plenty of flavour.  I also have QdO Coronas from 2000 that are smoking great too. So, while the marca is somewhat mild/medium they do age well.  YMMV of course.

[Leopolis Semper Fidelis]

Interestingly, a late friend liked his cigars to be full-bodied and ultra-strong in whatever flavours they had - and yet one of his favourite Churchills was the Imperiales.

[RijkdeGooier]

There is a big differnece between pre98 and post98 Imperiales

[Puros Y Vino]

59 minutes ago, RijkdeGooier said:

There is a big differnece between pre98 and post98 Imperiales

Attributed to what? I assume the switch from Habanos 2000 to Criollo 1998 strains? Something else?

[NSXCIGAR]

On 5/9/2017 at 4:16 AM, godpheonix said:

that may be. information is not always correct. especially in the world of Habanos SA!

No, I suppose not, but there is a great deal of evidence that the Imperiales has been cut, with the only evidence I've seen suggesting it hasn't been being that they were present at the QdO re-launch gala. However, the Habanos article describing the gala, found here, states: Visitors at the evening event were able to enjoy the brand’s three vitolas: Coronas Claro (42×142 mm), and the new No 50 (50x110mm) and No 54 (54×135 mm), and also to delight in a vitola from its classic portfolio, Quai D’Orsay Imperiales (47×178 mm), reedited exclusively for this ceremonial dinner.

So we have two points of interest in that statement, the first being "the brand's three vitolas" with no mention of the Imperiales, and second, that the Imperiales were "reedited exclusively for this ceremonial dinner." Clearly, the word "reedited" here is key, and it appears a word somewhat lost in translation. My best guess is that the word has the same meaning as "reissued" in English. Either way, they are making it clear that the Imperiales' presence at this gala was specific and special. It would not have been difficult for HSA to procure half a dozen or so older boxes for the dinner, and since they had the old bands, that's probably what they did.

Could the Imperiales go the way of the Fonseca No. 1, an officially cut cigar that is still in production? Sure, however, the Fonseca No. 1 is the only cigar since 2000 to have this happen, and probably even further back than that. But the fact remains it appears the Imperiales is officially cut. 

[JohnS]

When it comes to Double Coronas and Churchill-sized regular production cigars, I fortuitously created a topic recently, prior to Cuban Cigar Website going down, highlighting the fact that there were only 12 left...

Now, this was only last November, so six months ago. In that time the Bolivar Coronas Gigantes and Vegas Robaina Don Alejandro are gone. So that makes 10. Has anyone seen any Saint Luis Rey Double Coronas, San Cristobal de La Habana El Morro or Quai d'Orsay Imperiales lately? My thoughts on the matter? I am grateful for what we currently have and I believe that if a Double Corona or Churchill-sized Habanos cigar hasn't been around, then it's safe to assume it won't return, unless it's a noted seasonal cigar such as the H.Upmann Sir Winston.

 

[RijkdeGooier]

18 hours ago, bundwallah said:

Attributed to what? I assume the switch from Habanos 2000 to Criollo 1998 strains? Something else?

I wouldn't want to speculate too much but all the great majority of my pre98 smokes were significantly stronger than those post98. 

This is also true for Imperiales

Personally I've always attributed this to the tobacco used. 

[BrightonCorgi]

I'd put QdO Coronas as one of the best coronas (for regular production cigars).  They are like a "poor man's Cohiba" with a toasty pleasant taste that everyone likes.  I have had a few boxes of Imperiales and they are just OK.  On the mild end of the range and not much to get excited about.  LGC Tainos are better for light bodied Churchill.  I believe those are the only vitolas from that marca I have any experience from.  I got box of the French regional QdO's recently, but haven't tried them.