Quai d’Orsay No 54 TOU DIC 19 (12DCRC)

[karp]

This is the last cigar from the Christmas sampler I will try this winter, and the first Quai d’Orsay cigar I’ve ever tried. Looking forward to this! I initially paired this with a local IPA, but since it was cold out I switched to an Auchentoshan Three Wood to warm up at halfway.

Cigar seems well made, but wrapper is nondescript. I used a punch and the draw of this large ring gauge was surprisingly firm. Too firm, so PerfecDraw helped out. First third was mild: woody, very slight coffee/cream, and a bready-buttery flavour overall (maybe doughnut is one way to describe it). Not bad. Second third the bread/butter is still present, wood becomes more distinct - cedar, and ginger is on the retrohale. Cream is gone (sobs) and the ginger taste is dominant at the end of second third. The draw is still too tight, I have to use the poker to fix this a second time. The ash is flaky and ugly looking, and overall construction could be better as a split in the wrapper appears at this point. Last third - ginger and cedar are dominant, perhaps some nutmeg and nuttiness as well. The wrapper split on me completely in the last third, which I attribute chiefly to the cold environment competing with the heat of the large ring gauge cherry. Looks like HUHC, de Depute, and Reyes from now to April! 

About 1h time from start to finish: I give this a 4 out of 5. The cigar is mild and you really have to focus on the flavour to distinguish the changes. I enjoyed it despite the cold weather, and I think that it has more potential for my palate in the right conditions. I will try this one again down the road.

Cheers and Happy New Year!