Description
The amber light filtered through the tall windows of my favorite cigar lounge, casting long shadows across the leather armchairs as evening settled over the city. I’d been searching for something different that night—something lighter than my usual full-bodied selections, yet still distinctively Cuban. That’s when I reached for the Quai D’Orsay Imperiales, a cigar that represents both the elegance of French naming and the soul of Cuban tobacco craftsmanship.
This Churchill-sized beauty immediately caught my attention in the humidor. The Imperiales carries the distinction of being a recreation of a discontinued classic, originally part of regular production before becoming a coveted travel retail exclusive. What makes this particular smoke special isn’t just its heritage—it’s the way Quai D’Orsay has maintained its reputation for producing some of the most refined, lighter-bodied cigars in the Habanos portfolio.
Construction and Appearance
The wrapper on the Imperiales showcases the kind of light, golden-brown Colorado shade that Quai D’Orsay is famous for selecting. In my hands, this 7-inch Churchill felt substantial yet elegant, with a silky texture that suggested careful leaf selection and proper aging. Each cigar is meticulously hand-rolled at one of Cuba’s premier factories, and it shows in every detail.
The construction impressed me immediately. The seams were nearly invisible, the cap perfectly applied, and the overall firmness indicated excellent bunch density without being overpacked. I’ve found that lighter Cuban cigars can sometimes suffer from inconsistent construction, but the Imperiales demonstrated the quality control you’d expect from Habanos S.A. The pre-light draw offered subtle hints of hay and cedar—promising but not overwhelming.
What struck me most was the wrapper’s pristine condition. No prominent veins, no soft spots, just a smooth, oily surface that caught the lounge’s ambient lighting beautifully. The band itself, with its distinctive Quai D’Orsay branding, added an element of Parisian sophistication to the overall presentation.
Flavor Profile by Thirds
First Third: Gentle Introduction
The opening draws revealed why this cigar has such a devoted following among enthusiasts who prefer subtlety over power. The initial flavors were clean and refined—primarily cedar and cream with underlying notes of fresh hay. I detected some citrus notes lurking in the background, adding brightness without overwhelming the palate.
Honestly, if you’re expecting bold, in-your-face Cuban flavors from the start, the Imperiales might surprise you. This smoke is comparable to a fine French wine rather than a robust Spanish Rioja. The strength remained firmly in light-to-medium territory, making it accessible even during daytime smoking sessions.
Second Third: Building Complexity
As I progressed into the middle portion, the Imperiales began revealing more of its character. The creaminess intensified, joined by subtle vanilla notes and a touch of honey sweetness. The cedar became more pronounced, accompanied by gentle woody characteristics that added depth without heaviness.
This is where many reviews I’d read on various cigar forums started making sense. The progression wasn’t dramatic, but it was definitely present. The cigar maintained its elegant composure while gradually building flavor complexity—exactly what you’d expect from a brand created in 1970 and named after Paris’s famous Quai d’Orsay bridge.
Final Third: Refined Finish
The conclusion of the Imperiales stayed true to its character. Rather than ramping up to a powerful finish, it maintained its sophisticated restraint while introducing slightly more pronounced woody notes and a pleasant, lingering sweetness. Some smokers might find this final third lacking the intensity they crave, but I appreciated its consistency and refinement.
The floral undertones that had been hinting throughout the smoke became more apparent in the final inches, creating a complex but never overwhelming finish that lasted well after the final draw.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Length | 178mm (7 inches) |
| Ring Gauge | 47 |
| Vitola | Churchill/Julieta No. 2 |
| Strength | Light to Medium |
| Weight | Approximately 15.07 grams |
| Wrapper | Cuban Colorado |
| Smoking Time | 90-120 minutes |
Perfect Pairings
The Imperiales’ refined character makes it incredibly food and beverage friendly. I’ve had excellent results pairing it with aged rum—specifically something like Ron Zacapa 23 or Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva. The rum’s sweetness complements the cigar’s vanilla and honey notes without overwhelming its delicate profile.
For whiskey enthusiasts, I’d recommend a smooth Highland Scotch like Glenlivet 15 or a gentle Irish whiskey such as Redbreast 12. The goal is to match the cigar’s elegance rather than compete with it. Bourbon tends to be too aggressive for this particular smoke.
Coffee pairings work beautifully, especially with lighter roasts that won’t dominate the cigar’s subtle flavors. A quality Colombian single-origin or a well-balanced breakfast blend creates an excellent morning combination.
Wine lovers should consider a crisp Sancerre or a light Burgundy. The Imperiales also pairs surprisingly well with champagne during celebratory occasions—both share that refined, sophisticated character that makes them natural companions.
Cutting and Lighting Technique
Given the Imperiales’ construction quality, a straight cut works best to preserve the careful cap work. I prefer using a sharp guillotine cutter, removing just enough to create a clean opening without damaging the wrapper.
For lighting, take your time. This lighter-bodied cigar responds well to gentle, patient ignition. Use a butane torch or quality matches, toasting the foot evenly before taking your first draws. The goal is to awaken the tobacco gradually rather than shocking it with excessive heat.
Once lit, the Imperiales burns remarkably well. The draw typically remains consistent throughout, and the ash holds for impressive lengths. I’ve found that minimal touch-ups are usually necessary if you maintain a steady, moderate smoking pace.
The key with this cigar is patience. Let it develop naturally, and don’t try to force more smoke than it wants to give. Proper Cuban cigar smoking technique becomes especially important with subtle cigars like this one.
Who Should Smoke This Cigar
The Imperiales isn’t for everyone, and that’s perfectly fine. This is a cigar for smokers who appreciate subtlety and refinement over power and intensity. If you’re new to Cuban cigars and coming from stronger New World smokes, the Imperiales makes an excellent introduction to the Cuban style.
Experienced smokers looking for a sophisticated daytime cigar will find much to appreciate here. It’s perfect for morning coffee sessions, business lunches, or any occasion where you want to enjoy a quality smoke without overwhelming your palate or those around you.
I wouldn’t recommend this for someone seeking their first premium cigar experience—the flavors might seem too subtle to untrained palates. Similarly, if you’re a dedicated full-body cigar enthusiast who needs robust flavors to feel satisfied, you might find the Imperiales disappointing.
The cigar works exceptionally well for special occasions where elegance matters more than boldness. It’s also an excellent choice for smokers who want to enjoy cigars regularly without palate fatigue.
Authentication and Quality Assurance
As a travel retail exclusive, authentic Imperiales can be challenging to source outside of duty-free shops or authorized dealers. Genuine Quai D’Orsay cigars feature specific band characteristics and construction details that counterfeiters often struggle to replicate perfectly.
Look for the distinctive Quai D’Orsay band with its elegant typography and quality printing. The wrapper should display the characteristic light, golden-brown color with minimal veining. Construction should feel firm but not hard, with invisible seams and a perfectly applied cap.
The most reliable way to ensure authenticity is purchasing from established, authorized retailers. Reputable dealers will provide proper documentation and storage conditions that protect both authenticity and quality.
Be particularly cautious of online marketplace purchases or unusually low prices. Genuine Cuban cigars, especially limited releases like the Imperiales, maintain consistent pricing across authorized channels.
Storage and Aging Potential
The Imperiales responds beautifully to proper storage and benefits from aging. Maintain your humidor at 65-70% relative humidity with temperatures between 65-70°F for optimal preservation. Proper storage techniques become crucial for maintaining this cigar’s delicate flavor profile.
I’ve found that the Imperiales actually improves with 2-3 years of additional aging. The subtle flavors marry and develop more complexity while maintaining the cigar’s essential character. Setting up your humidor correctly ensures these cigars will continue developing properly over time.
Avoid storing the Imperiales with heavily flavored cigars, as their subtle profile can be influenced by stronger neighboring smokes. Cedar dividers or individual cellophane sleeves help maintain their delicate characteristics.
For long-term aging, consider the limited availability of this particular vitola. As a discontinued regular production size now available only through travel retail, the Imperiales may become increasingly collectible over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Quai D’Orsay Imperiales suitable for beginners?
The Imperiales can work for beginners who prefer milder experiences, but I’d generally recommend starting with something that offers more pronounced flavors to help develop your palate. The subtlety that makes this cigar sophisticated might be lost on newer smokers.
How does this compare to other Churchill-sized Cuban cigars?
The Imperiales is significantly lighter than most Churchill-sized Cuban cigars. While a Cohiba Esplendidos or Romeo y Julieta Churchill delivers bold, complex flavors, the Imperiales focuses on refinement and subtlety. It’s more comparable to H. Upmann Sir Winston in character, though even lighter.
Where can I buy Quai D’Orsay Imperiales since they’re discontinued?
As a travel retail exclusive, you’ll find them primarily in duty-free shops at international airports or from specialized retailers who maintain stock from previous releases. Some online dealers still carry limited quantities, but availability varies significantly.
What makes Quai D’Orsay different from other Cuban brands?
Quai D’Orsay specializes in lighter-bodied Cuban cigars with careful wrapper selection favoring lighter shades. The brand’s approach to tobacco cultivation in the Vuelta Abajo region emphasizes elegance over strength, making them unique in the Habanos portfolio.
Should I add this to my wishlist if I can’t find it immediately?
Absolutely. Given its limited availability and the fact that it represents a discontinued regular production size, the Imperiales deserves a spot on any serious Cuban cigar enthusiast’s wishlist. When you do find authentic examples, they’re worth acquiring for special occasions or aging projects.
