Description
Why the Quai D’Orsay Imperiales Deserves More Attention
I’ve been meaning to write about the Quai D’Orsay Imperiales for months now, and honestly? I’m not sure why it took me this long. Maybe it’s because this marca doesn’t get nearly the hype it deserves compared to the heavy hitters like Cohiba or Montecristo. But here’s my take: the Imperiales is one of those cigars that quietly does everything right without shouting about it. It’s smooth, elegant, and complex enough to keep you interested from start to finish – and I mean that in the best possible way. This isn’t a cigar for someone looking to get smacked in the face with strength. It’s for the aficionado who appreciates nuance and refinement. If you’ve been sleeping on Quai D’Orsay, the Imperiales is your wake-up call.
What Makes This Marca Special – And Why You Should Care
Quai D’Orsay has this interesting history that not everyone knows about. The brand was actually created specifically for the French market back in the 1970s – named after the famous street in Paris where the French Foreign Ministry sits. The French have always had refined tastes when it comes to, well, everything. Wine, food, and yeah, cigars too. So it makes sense that this marca was tailored to their preferences: lighter, smoother, more elegant than your typical full-bodied Cuban.
The Imperiales vitola is – how do I put this – it’s like the hidden gem in a lineup that already flies under most people’s radar. While everyone’s fighting over limited editions and special releases, you can actually find these. The wrapper comes from the legendary Vuelta Abajo region, which if you know your Cuban tobacco (and I assume you do if you’re reading this), produces some of the finest wrapper leaves in the world. That reddish-brown wrapper on the Imperiales has this almost silky texture to it. I remember the first time I picked one up, I was immediately impressed by the construction. No soft spots, firm but not hard, and that wrapper had this subtle sheen that just looked right.
This is a medium-bodied smoke – maybe medium-minus if we’re being precise – which makes it incredibly versatile. Morning cigar? Sure. After lunch? Absolutely. You’re not going to get knocked on your ass by nicotine, but you’re also not smoking flavored air. There’s real complexity here, real depth. Just not aggression.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Vitola | Imperiales (Churchill) |
| Length | 7 inches / 178 mm |
| Ring Gauge | 47 |
| Wrapper | Cuban (Vuelta Abajo) |
| Binder | Cuban |
| Filler | Cuban Blend |
| Strength | Mild to Medium |
| Smoking Time | 70-90 minutes |
The Smoke: From First Light to Final Draw
I’m going to walk you through this like I’m sitting next to you at the lounge. Cold draw first – and this is important because it tells you a lot. The Imperiales gives you these mild cedar notes right away, with just a hint of sweetness. Not sugar sweet, more like… I don’t know, dried fruit? It’s subtle. The draw is usually spot-on if you’ve stored it properly. Not too loose, not plugged.
Light it up, and that first third – oh man. You get this beautiful cream and cedar combination that just works. There’s a smoothness to it that makes you understand why the French loved this marca. Some cigars punch you in the mouth with pepper right from the start. The Imperiales? It introduces itself politely, shakes your hand, offers you a seat. But don’t mistake polite for boring. There’s complexity building underneath. You’ll catch these little notes of earth and maybe some cocoa if you’re paying attention. The aroma is fantastic too – my buddy at the cigar club always knows when I’m smoking one of these because the room fills with this sweet cedar smell.
Second third is where things get interesting. The flavor profile deepens. That cream and cedar base is still there, but now you’re getting some spicy notes coming through. Not pepper bombs – we’re talking about a gentle, refined spice. Like white pepper, maybe a touch of cinnamon? Actually, scratch that – more like baking spice. And the cocoa notes I mentioned earlier? They become more pronounced here. The construction stays solid throughout. I’ve smoked probably a dozen of these over the years, and I can’t remember having a single burn issue. The ash holds on for a good inch and a half, maybe two inches if you’re careful. It’s that light gray color that tells you the tobacco was aged properly.
Final third – and this is where some mild cigars fall apart, they just fade away into nothing – but not the Imperiales. The flavors actually intensify just enough to keep you engaged. You get more of that earth coming through, some leather notes join the party. The spice picks up a notch, but it’s still well-balanced. I like to retrohale in this section, and when you do, you get this wonderful combination of cedar and pepper that tingles your nose just right. The cigar smokes cool all the way down to the nub. No harshness, no bitterness. Just a smooth, satisfying finish that makes you want to light up another one – but you probably won’t because you just spent 90 minutes with this one and you’re content.
How Does It Stack Up Against Similar Cigars?
| Cigar | Strength | Smoking Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quai D’Orsay Imperiales | Mild-Medium | 70-90 minutes | Refined, nuanced experience without heavy strength |
| H. Upmann Magnum 46 | Mild-Medium | 60-75 minutes | Slightly sweeter profile, shorter smoke |
| Romeo y Julieta Churchill | Mild-Medium | 75-90 minutes | More traditional Cuban flavors, bit more earthiness |
I’ll be honest – the H. Upmann is probably its closest competitor in terms of strength and smoothness. But the Imperiales has this elegance that sets it apart. The Romeo Churchill is more traditional, more what people expect from a Cuban. The Quai D’Orsay does its own thing.
What to Drink With This Beauty
Pairing suggestions – and I genuinely mean suggestions, not rules, because you should smoke what you like with what you like. But if you want my opinion? A good aged rum works beautifully with the Imperiales. Something like Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva complements those cocoa and spice notes perfectly. The sweetness of the rum plays off the cedar and cream from the cigar.
Coffee? Absolutely. This is actually one of my favorite morning cigars with a strong Cuban coffee. The bitterness of the coffee and the smoothness of the cigar balance each other out nicely. For whisky drinkers – and I know you’re out there – try it with a lighter Speyside scotch. Something like Glenlivet 12 or Balvenie 12. You want something that won’t overpower the cigar’s subtle flavors.
Occasion-wise, this is incredibly versatile. Golf course? Perfect. Afternoon on the patio? Great choice. After a business dinner? Sophisticated without being intimidating. It’s not a celebratory cigar in the way a Cohiba Behike is, but it’s definitely special enough for important moments. I smoked one when my daughter graduated college – seemed appropriate for a milestone that deserved something refined and memorable.
Common Questions About the Imperiales
Is the Quai D’Orsay Imperiales too mild for experienced smokers?
I get this question a lot, and I’ll be blunt: if you equate strength with quality, you’re missing the point. The Imperiales isn’t about knocking you over with nicotine – it’s about complexity and refinement. I’ve been smoking cigars for over 25 years, and I still reach for these regularly. Strength doesn’t equal sophistication. Actually, it takes more skill to create a compelling mild-to-medium cigar than it does to just pack tobacco full of ligero and call it a day.
How should I store these in my humidor?
Standard Cuban storage rules apply. Keep them at 65-68% humidity and around 65-70 degrees Fahrenheit. These cigars benefit from aging if you have the patience – six months to a year can really smooth them out even more and develop those cocoa notes. I’ve got a box from 2019 that’s absolutely singing right now. Just make sure your humidor is stable. Quai D’Orsay wrapper leaves can be a bit more delicate than some other marcas.
What’s the best time of day to smoke an Imperiales?
This is one of the few Cuban churchills I’d happily smoke in the morning. The mild-to-medium strength means it won’t wreck your stomach or give you the nicotine spins before lunch. That said, it’s equally great in the afternoon or early evening. I wouldn’t necessarily choose it as my after-dinner cigar if I just had a heavy steak – I’d want something fuller-bodied for that. But after lighter fare? Perfect.
How does this compare to other Quai D’Orsay vitolas?
The Coronas Claro is probably the most famous vitola in the line – it’s shorter, bit milder, great for a quick smoke. The No. 50 is closer in size to the Imperiales but slightly shorter. Honestly? The Imperiales is my favorite of the bunch. That 7-inch length gives the tobacco time to really develop and showcase what this marca can do. The longer format just works better for this blend, in my opinion. More time for the flavors to evolve.
Can beginners enjoy this cigar?
Absolutely, and I actually recommend it for people new to Cuban cigars. It’s not going to punish you if you’re still learning how to smoke properly. The mild-to-medium strength is forgiving, but there’s enough complexity that you won’t get bored as your palate develops. This is the kind of cigar that grows with you – you’ll pick up new flavors as you become more experienced. Just pace yourself with a churchill this size if you’re new to cigars. Take your time, don’t puff too fast, and you’ll be fine.
Are Quai D’Orsay cigars hard to find?
They’re definitely not as common as Montecristo or Romeo y Julieta, but they’re not rare either. The marca isn’t hyped up like some others, which actually works in your favor – they’re usually available when you want them. I’ve never had to hunt for these the way I would for a limited edition or a discontinued vitola. They’re just quietly excellent and consistently available, which is honestly refreshing in today’s cigar market where everyone’s chasing the next impossible-to-find release.
Do these need to be aged, or can I smoke them right away?
You can smoke them fresh if you want – they’re good right out of the box. But if you’ve got the willpower to let them rest for six months or more, you’ll be rewarded. The flavors integrate better, that smoothness becomes even more pronounced, and those cocoa notes really come forward. I always try to keep some with age on them and some ready to smoke. That way I can compare and appreciate how they develop over time. If you’re patient, age them. If you’re not, don’t worry about it – they’re still excellent young.
Final Thoughts on This Underrated Churchill
The Quai D’Orsay Imperiales is proof that you don’t need aggressive strength or flashy marketing to create a memorable cigar. What you need is quality tobacco, expert construction, and a clear vision of what you want to achieve. This cigar achieves it – a smooth, complex, refined smoke that never gets boring over its 90-minute runtime. The cedar and cream base, the subtle spice, the cocoa notes, the perfect construction – it all comes together beautifully.
If you’ve been curious about this marca but haven’t pulled the trigger yet, stop overthinking it. Grab a few Imperiales, set aside an afternoon, and give them the attention they deserve. You’ll understand why some of us keep coming back to this understated classic. It might not make headlines, but it’ll definitely earn a permanent spot in your humidor rotation.
