Quai d’Orsay Senador EL 2019 TUA MAR 20 12DCRC

saltbox · December 31, 2020

I finished the 9 regular production smokes of the Christmas sampler and decided to go ahead and finish out the sampler. Rested at 62RH for just over 2.5 months.

Was curious about ELs (or LEs) and came across this thread and the accompanying article, which were informative reads:

First third: Opens up quickly and goes straight into basically pancakes and syrup, with a light floral sweetness. It's the same flavor notes of the No. 54 from the sampler I smoked previously, but accompanied with a deeper, fuller richness that reminds me of Trinidad. The richness is almost an earthy ground coffee. It really does remind me of the Trinidad Esmeralda, but less donut and more buttery shortbread. Towards the end of this third, there's a couple puffs of strong bitterness but it passes. I definitely wasn't puffing more quickly or anything, seemingly just an oddly fermented patch of tobacco.

Middle third: More of the same tasty pancakes, maple syrup, and rich black coffee, but the richness continues to ramp up and is accompanied by some nice sweet baking spices.

Last third: The richness continues to increase. The maple syrup takes on more of a dark caramel note, and there are touches of lemon zest and floral notes on the back end of the finish.

Overall: I was quite pleased with this cigar, moreso than the other reviewers seemed to have been. The richness of a Trinidad but the flavor notes of a Quai d'Orsay. No construction issues or harshness. A much better experience than my No. 54. 92/100

My running scoreboard for the sampler:

Romeo y Julieta Churchill GEL FEB 20: 93

Partagas Lusitania EBO JUN 20: 93

Bolivar Belicoso Fino LTO JUN 20: 92

Quai d'Orsay Senador EL 2019 TUA MAR 20: 92

Trinidad Esmeralda BSM ABR 20: 92

Cohiba Siglo VI MOL MAY 20: 91

Partagas Maduro No. 1 TUE ABR 20: 90

Montecristo No. 2 RAT JUN 20: 88

Quai d'Orsay No. 54 TOU DIC 19: 87

Cohiba Robusto SOV DIC 19: 85