Beneath the Band: Quai d'Orsay 50

[El Presidente]

This series to explore whether a particular cigar is humidor worthy. Cost these days is an issue for many so let's see if we can highlight some absolute standouts. This should particularly assist those new to the cigar world.  

To be fair, most of the cigars we have featured to date have scored exceptionally well. Surprisingly well! 

Scoring is: 1-3 (Poor)   4-6 (Average to good)   7-10  (very good to excellent)  Use the Poll. 

You are more than free to comment away 

Quai d'Orsay 50.  This Petit Robusto is a mainstay cigar for many on FOH. They are regularly available and I have found them remarkably consistent. Light/medium bodied with that QD bakery and milk coffee profile. Young, and they are good without being spectacular.  Age them a few years (3-5) and I find them to really develop some extra complexity with ginger spice/cedar and burn't sugar coming into play. 

 

Quai d'Orsay 50 .....Let's kick off the discussion 

 

[Çnote]

A favorite. One of the few things I have multiple boxes squirrelled away. They definitely need a few years to open up.

[KCCubano]

I much preferred the old QdO blends. Its not a bad cigar but its just not QdO to me.

[JohnS]

I think the original release 2017/18 were better. I have a few of these in 10 counts and I would more likely replace these at current pricing than I would my Cohiba stock. That being said, these are not on my radar currently as there's a number of other Quai d'Orsay vitolas that definitely have my interest right now (like the Quai d'Orsay No.52 and the Imperiales Travel Humidor). 

[KCCubano]

14 minutes ago, JohnS said:

I think the original release 2017/18 were better. I have a few of these in 10 counts and I would more likely replace these at current pricing than I would my Cohiba stock. That being said, these are not on my radar currently as there's a number of other Quai d'Orsay vitolas that definitely have my interest right now (like the Quai d'Orsay No.52 and the Imperiales Travel Humidor). 

I had heard they tweaked the blend a bit after the OR. 

[WestCoastSmokin]

I’ve been severely disappointed in my box. Have left the last ones to age for some time. It’s unfortunate because I really wanted to like the QD50 but I don't know if it’s just that box or what, but it’s not there for me. 

[Mike Mecklenburg]

My experience is limited to my OER February 2022 box which is decent. At this time, I would not buy another box but would buy singles.  

[BrightonCorgi]

I'm indifferent to the 50. Plenty of other similar size cigars I'd rather have.

[gormag38]

I like this cigar. Approachable when young and can still develop into something more after being down for some years. Think I'm left to just a single or two left from a 2020 box. If I see the opportunity to re-up then I certainly will 

[Fugu]

Not for me, as it seems. The few singles I had, out of different boxes from B&M here and there, were leaving me wanting.

[Puros Y Vino]

I like these. They're not QdO Coronas or Panatelas mind you. But they're a pleasant surprise. The 54 though, IMO, is way better. Very zesty, savoury smoke. I would trade the 50's for the 54 everyday.

[MrBirdman]

Haven’t had as much consistency as some - the box I’m working through now is five years old and all the cigars have a persistent bitterness. When they’re on they’re very nice, but it’s unacceptable for an entire box to have blend issues. 

Shame too, because the wrappers are gorgeous and the construction spot on. 

[Ford2112]

They aren't bad per se. I just don't find these particularly interesting. 

[Fugu]

15 hours ago, JohnS said:

as there's a number of other Quai d'Orsay vitolas that definitely have my interest right now (like the Quai d'Orsay No.52 and the Imperiales Travel Humidor). 

Slightly off-topic, but as for the Imperiales, John…. As a long-standing fan of Quai d’Orsay, it makes me sad that they overdid it there with the New-Imperiales pricing. Another victim to the dreaded Habanos marketing strategy - kill off an excellent, but under the radar flying (read fair-priced) cigar and bring it back a few years later with much fanfare in a luxury box and charge at 4 to 5-times original pricing (looking at you TREX). The No. 52 is much more in line with the old pricing. Good value, still today. Last pricing of the original Imperiales brings tears to one’s eyes …

[Li Bai]

1 hour ago, Fugu said:

Not for me, as it seems. The few singles I had, out of different boxes from B&M here and there, were leaving me wanting.

Same here, I don't get it.

[unaslob]

I don’t like this line initially. It took some time to realize their strength is in balance. Not powerhouses. Great am with coffee smoke. Or afternoon. Very stackable IMO. If you can find the secretos enjoy. The QD50 I like to stack and age. The Clemenceau are amazing. Again hard to find. 

[chasy]

I have a few boxes and have had very average experiences to-date. Hoping they evolve into something I enjoy.

[Bords]

Very consistently great daytime smoke for me.


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[Allroz]

These are just meh to me. Not bad, not great. I probably won’t buy more when I’m out.

[JohnS]

19 hours ago, Fugu said:

Slightly off-topic, but as for the Imperiales, John…. As a long-standing fan of Quai d’Orsay, it makes me sad that they overdid it there with the New-Imperiales pricing. Another victim to the dreaded Habanos marketing strategy - kill off an excellent, but under the radar flying (read fair-priced) cigar and bring it back a few years later with much fanfare in a luxury box and charge at 4 to 5-times original pricing (looking at you TREX). The No. 52 is much more in line with the old pricing. Good value, still today. Last pricing of the original Imperiales brings tears to one’s eyes …

I totally agree. The same goes for the Bolivar New Gold Medal. If Habanos S.A. marketed that and the Quai d'Orsay Imperiales Travel Humidor at a more reasonable price, I'd easily have twice as many of them in my inventory, right now!

[Chibearsv]

A decent cigar in a terrible size. Not for me.  

[BrightonCorgi]

Had two boxes of Imperiales over the decades and neither one was something to get excited on. About 15 years apart in box codes. Both had fantastic looks and construction, but both were just too light tasting despite darker wrappers (not that should make a difference).

[Tunkat92]

I love the 50’s when they are on, a good box is good fresh and great in 3-4 years. They just mellow out with some butter and sometimes citrus. I'm just confused with the all the high scores in construction and consistency. I have at least 15 boxes of them and there is almost no consistency with blend or construction. 

[PuroDiario]

They are fine. Just fine. 

[Greenhorn2]

I've only tried a few, and they all seemed weak/bland to me. Y'all have at them.