Quai D’Orsay no. 50 SMA MAY 18 (PRRRW)

[nsills]

Been a long weekend. My best friend got married, but no chance to smoke so really looked forward to this one!

The cigar is has a beautiful color and sheen. Barnyard scent. Love the aroma of these young. Straight cut reveals a smooth draw, just a touch of resistance.

First third gives the impression of underlying complexity that perhaps need age to come through, but I can certainly pick up notes of toasted tobacco and and light sweetness, something akin to a drier cornbread. I pair this with a single gran scotch from North British distillery (yes, single grain!) hoping it might coax these flavors out a bit.

I was not disappointed! The scotch itself is said to give notes of dried fruit, background coffee grounds and brazil nuts per the label, and I concur on this assessment.

Second third wow! The sweet and nutty flavors indeed bled through pushing the cigar along to what it was meant to be. It has an almost “baked” presentation something like a fresh crumble pie from the oven.

There has been a minimal amount of touch up needed but I’m not complaining. This cigar has performed.

Final third the body has slowly crept up from a solid medium body to full as some of the sweetness has been replaced with a doughy thickness and consistency. Not quite as complex and flavor bomb as the previous third but a strong finish nonetheless.

I'm very impressed with this cigar at such a young age. Especially being an odd format. It’s not quite as solid a performer as the 54 but with time could see it easily surpassing its bigger brother. I would give it an 89 if the 54 were a 92 at the moment, although that could flip very soon the next couple of years.

Either way, consistency is key and this marca clearly has it right now if my current experiences with it and the sales of the new releases have any indication. Sometimes HSA just gets it right. Bravo. 

[HopeUgood]

Great review !

[TheMonk]

Great review, and great pairing!