Quai d'Orsay No. 54 ARS SEP 19 (FRW)

benfica_77 · May 13, 2022

First Q'Dorsay I've ever had. It's from a 10 count box I procured a couple years ago. It's from box code ARS SEP 19. I've had good luck with this box code / factory, quite a bit of my stock is from ARS. I remember when I got the box the cigars had a very pronounced sheen/oil on them. I find that there's a higher probability of it being a good smoke when I see those lovely oils. I would say it's my biggest indicator I will choose a box for purchase more so than the shade of the wrapper i.e. darker vs lighter wrapper. I could be wrong but the way I see it is that those oils turn into flavour when given time to rest. What do you look for when buying cigars?

Definitely a medium-bodied cigar with no rough edges. Smooth smoke, getting that almondy/nutty sweetness that I get from a good Connie A. A bit of cream you get from certain Hoyos and finally hints of toasted tobacco. Very pleasurable smoke.

Pairing it with a great bottle of Port I procured in Toronto a couple of weeks ago at the flag ship LCBO store. Here in Canada/Ontario alcohol is state controlled and sold at LCBOs, finding good Port can be challenging at times. This from 98 has been excellent, a pleasant sweetness that's not overpowering with dried fruit being the prominent flavour.

Great construction with the cigar self correcting itself, not needing any touch ups. Long ashes. No need to join Ken's class on lighting a cigar loll

Overall verdict is a very solid 93. If it had cranked up the sweetness it could have been a 95. When this cigar came out it got a bunch of hype but then it kind of slowed down. I wouldn't sleep on them, a 10 count is worth getting to see if it tickles your fancy.

I'm curious to try the QDO 50, the 50 ring gauge is ideal but the cigar is shorter than I would like. In an ideal world I would have the QDO 54 length but the QDO 50 ring gauge.

What have your Q'Do experiences been like?