Cigars

Quai D'orsay No 52, lets see if its on smoke or not

Can one cigar really deliver elegance without feeling overcomplicated?

BY SHAHN DURRANI

Well, when I first smoked one of these bad boys, I thought, what should I write about? But after a few of them, I understand more about this cigar. Now let's delve first into the history, because the most important factor when it comes to what we preach about, whether that is cigars, fashion, fitness, and wine, the start is important.

History

Quai d’Orsay was established in the 1970s, not in Havana, but in Paris. The French government, through its state owned tobacco monopoly SEITA, wanted a Cuban cigar that reflected French taste: lighter, refined, and sophisticated. The brand was named after the famed street in Paris that houses the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, anchoring it firmly in a sense of national identity and diplomacy.

From the very beginning, Quai d’Orsay distinguished itself from the heavier, earthier Cuban profiles. Instead, it leaned toward a milder, aromatic style that paired beautifully with French wines, cognacs, and even the country’s café culture. For decades, it remained a niche label, almost exclusively available in France, giving it a sense of exclusivity that made it something of a hidden treasure for cigar lovers abroad.

The reason I love this particular style of cigar is because it has elements of Cuban cigars in it without the heaviness. I highly recommend this cigar for new smokers as it captures a Cuban cigar’s style. I can guarantee you, as a first time smoker, you probably have heard of the likes of Cohiba, Monte Cristo, and the rest, but for me, introducing people to cigars they wouldn't have had before is what I love, and this one I would strongly recommend for beginners.

Taste

Now to the main factor that matters: Taste! It leans more toward medium bodied, opposed to full, with notes of a creamy cedar wood and some spicy yet sweet characteristics of honey. A fun fact for you: when I was in a lounge with Matthew, we paired our cigars with biscuits and f*uck me, that combination tasted so good I think my cigar got hard.

But the most prominent notes for me were the nutty characteristics of the cigar, almost like toasted almonds or walnuts. It has a distinct taste that, when I think of other cigars I have had, like Nicuraguan, Hondurian, and Cuban cigars, nothing really reminds me of it. The No. 52 is its own stick at the end of the day.

Construction

Let's go into the boring stuff now. I'm going to keep this very brief and short because, to be quite frank, we are only here to know about taste, heritage, and the best ways to enjoy your fine cigar.

Size: Robusto Extra (6 1/8″ x 52)Origin: CubaStrength: Light to MediumWrapper: Corojo

Care

Now, given that you're not a pus*sy and that you are going to smoke your cigar as soon as you get it, you won't need to read further than this part. But if you are truly interested, be my guest.

Now, if you don't have a humidor and you will be smoking it in a few days, the best thing to do is get a plastic ziplock bag with a Boveda pouch and stick it in there just to keep the correct humidity control. Always remember to keep your cigars in a dark, cool place for ideal storage conditions.

However, if you have a humidor, make sure it is seasoned correctly; otherwise, it will draw all the moisture out of your cigar and dry them out. Always use distilled water, as tap can cause mould and mineral build up. If your cigar feels brittle or dry, the humidity is too low; if it feels soft or spongy, it’s too high. White powdery bloom can be brushed off gently, it’s usually a harmless plume, not mold.

Editors Pick

In my personal opinion and in the eyes of others, this is hands down one of the best cigars. I have smoked everything down to build quality, burn, ash quality, and the draw is perfect. It has a lovely finish, and to be honest with you, we would all love to have that at some point eh?

The only factor I dislike about this cigar is that it's not big enough. Now, the recommended smoking time is 75 minutes, but my gosh, it only lasts me 35 minutes tops. I think a slight increase to the length and ring gauge would be perfect for this cigar to have a much more enjoyable smoke time.

Matches or Dupont?

You can't smoke a cigar without lighting it duh, it's one of the main factors that comes after cutting the cigar. What's the best way to do it eh? You may be wondering. How you do it plays a crucial part in how your cigar will taste, but it's mainly down to the occasion and personal preference.

The most traditional way is to use matches. They burn cooler, allowing the cigar to toast gently without scorching the tobacco. Use long cedar or wooden matches rather than short paper ones, and let the sulphur tip burn off before bringing the flame to the foot of the cigar. The downside is convenience; matches struggle outdoors and can take longer to get an even light.

But like anything, it has pros and cons, the main being the conditions you are in. If you're at the golf course or at a wedding on a windy day, unless you take cover, there is no way that cigar is getting lit. That is why man created jet flame lighters and Duponts. Now yes, it is nice to light a cigar with a jet flame lighter, but when you pull out a Dupont at a function, that is next level. Once that ping sound happens, heads turn, as if having a cigar in a suit isn't enough.

But the main thing you are wondering: well, if that's the case, why not just use one at all times? Well, for me personally, a cedar wood match is the way to go. As it's burning slowly and toasting, it allows for all the oils in the wrapper and filler to warm gradually. This helps preserve the intended flavour profile, smoother, rounder, and less harsh on the first puffs.

Compared to using a jet flame, especially powerful ones, it can overheat the tobacco if you’re not careful. That can slightly char the leaf and give a bitter or ashy taste at the start, which usually fades after a few draws. But soft flame butane lighters like the ST Dupont Ligne 2 strike a nice balance: clean, odourless flame, steady control, and no chemical interference, as long as you use refined gas.

The real key is the temperature of the flame and your technique. If you take your time and keep the flame just below the cigar’s foot (not touching it), you will get the same clean, rich flavour whether it is a match or a good lighter. At the end of the day, it's up to personal preference. There is no right or wrong, it is what you want.

On Smoke or Not?

Hell Yes! This cigar is indeed on smoke. Reason being is it is so versatile. From a first time cigar smoker to an aficionado, I would 100 percent recommend this cigar. Although it is a tad bit spenny, I think it is well worth the price because at the end of the day it all comes down to value, and I think they have done an exceptional job on this particular stick. I always look forward to smoking it. There has never been a day I have rolled my eyes back seeing or smoking this cigar.

So my final score and rating out of 10 for this cigar is going to be a solid 8.