Quai d’Orsay No 54 - TOU MAY 19 (SMRW)

[Deeg]

It's a fat robusto - but it's still a robusto I think? 

This is from the Xmas Sampler, and the second Qd'O I've smoked - the other being the 50 from said sampler.  Wrapper was a lovely honey-colored Colorado, smooth and amazingly soft and supple to the touch.  Pre-light draw perfect, a bit of baking spice and honey cake.  No soft spots or knots, seems to be perfectly constructed.

I found the 50 to be a fascinatingly weird cigar - the palate had what I can only call a distinctly Asian (Thai, maybe) character.  The 54 is much more traditional and on balance, I think it was a better cigar.  First third started out a touch below medium, with gentle woody notes of cedar and wine cask.  A bit of chocolate, a bit of honey, and a distinct bakery element.  Some cinnamon and nutmeg. Perfect draw, creamy smoke.  Burned nice and cool but a bit uneven, requiring multiple touch-ups on the way.  Nothing major.

While there wasn't a ton of evolution here, the character was so pleasant that it didn't bother me.  All the way through was that sweet bakery profile, with some baking spice and cedar, and perhaps a bit of Earl Grey tea (floral/citrus). No pepper or leather notes, and while the body did pick up some in the final third it was never above medium.  While it's not a word I love to use as a tasting note, I have to say "smooth" really fits here - this was a velvet glove with no iron fist.  Gentle, elegant, easy to smoke and supremely pleasant.  No youthful harshness until just a hint past the band.  I'd say 89-90.