Quai d'Orsay Corona Claro - TUA OCT 20 (JBWP3RW)

[ChangBang]

Been meaning to smoke a QdO CC since I got a box back in April, with the review week it seemed like a good time for it!  Didn't put it in the dry box, but I think I found a spot in my wineador that stays at 60% that I've been monitoring.  Def makes it easier to toss some cigars in that spot and then they're ready to smoke without having to worry about them getting too dry.  QdO has been in that spot for a few weeks now and it looks to be in great condition.  Gave it a cut and I have a good draw.

1 - Flavors start off pretty light.  Like really light, only get a light tobacco and maybe some earth for an inch or so.  Then flavors start coming through - getting cookie and butter?  It hits me that I'm getting the Lindens butter crunch cookie that's in the yellow packaging.  Flavors are still light but I enjoy that flavor for most of the remaining 3rd.  In the last few puffs, I get a tinge of orange liquor, like orange plus that gas/alcohol burn finish.

Construction on this cigar is just wonderful, ash held on solidly and after ashing I have that cone which to me indicates the cigar is burning perfectly.  No touchups with a sharp burn line.

2 -  After that orange liquor passed, I'm left with a tobacco flavor that's bolder than the lightness of the first 3rd.  Faintly pick up some bready notes.  Kind of like a dinner roll - bland with just a little breadyness.  For the rest of the third, that breadyness just intensifies.  No cream or sweetness at all, just bread.

3 - It's youth is showing, started getting a little ammonia on the finish and some bitterness.  Forcefully ash and give it a purge.  Still no corrections on the burn line or relights.  After the purge, I get a nutty bready tobacco taste to finish it up.

Overall - 4.8/10 - Just missed average with the last third bringing down the score a bit.  Also the lightness of the cigar in general really made me have to focus on trying to find any flavor in the cigar.  Cigar took about 1hr and 10min and the construction was maybe the best I've ever seen!  Zero relights and no touchups, the cigar just smoked perfectly.  Hope with some age the flavors intensify a lot more.

[RDB]

Thanks for the review. This sounds quite recognisable to me as QdO, and just doesn’t sound like your kind of thing! Too light and not enough flavour, and whilst the youthful edges will smooth out, it’s not going to gain intensity with age. Maybe a good option for a trade? Plenty of people want them…

[ChangBang]

Haha I'll give it 3yrs and if there's no improvement I try to trade or sell em on BR

[Rhinoww]

Thanks for the review. QdO has been on a roll with many. I just don’t seem to be the target for the blend. 
I bought two 10ers of the 50’s last fall. Gave one to a buddy. He’s in heaven. Has burned through at least one more box of 25’s. I’m still dabbling in the box of 10 waiting for that magic moment.