The elegant heritage and innovative revival of the Quai d’Orsay cigar brand, celebrating its cultural roots from Paris to Havana and its transformation into a globally recognized name in the luxury cigar market.
Hello again, my esteemed companion in literary escapades, the moment has come once more to cast our gazes, with a touch of ceremonious anticipation, upon a brand of exquisite distinction nestled within the embrace of the Habanos SA repertoire. Picture, if you will, an enthralling rendezvous between two cities of unparalleled romance and intrigue: Paris, the luminous City of Light, and Havana, the heart of the Caribbean. It is in this fascinating interplay of cultures, this electrifying confluence of old-world charm and new-world vivacity, that the remarkable brand Quai d’Orsay has been conceived.
Behold, the Quai d’Orsay, an emblem of sheer elegance and refined taste, anchoring its presence firmly within the realm of light-bodied enjoyment within the Habanos portfolio.
In the early 1970s, the narrative unfolds with Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, at that juncture comfortably sitting in the lofty office of Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs for the French Republic, directing an intriguing request towards SEITA, France's sovereign tobacco enclave. The commission was as audacious as it was sophisticated: to orchestrate the creation of a cigar, not merely as a commodity, but as a diplomatic overture, a gift of state from France to the world. And, as whispers from the corridors of history would have us believe, this was no ordinary cigar. No, this was to be a creation that danced harmoniously with the effervescence and grace of champagne.
Thus, in the year 1973, a year that sang with the promise of innovation and the allure of new beginnings, emerged a marque of singular distinction, Quai d’Orsay. Despite its relatively recent foray into the lexicon of luxury, this name carries with it the echoes of a rich and multifaceted heritage. Indeed, the genesis of this name is shrouded in layers of urbane mystery.
At the heart of this enigmatic narrative lies the majestic Quai d’Orsay Avenue, a ribbon of Parisian elegance stretching along the left bank of the Seine. This is where the inspiration for the name came from. Yet, as with all tales of great import, there exists not one, but a triad of compelling theories that fight for the honor of true inspiration.
The first theory champions the idea that it is the avenue's sheer picturesque allure, its quintessentially Parisian aura, that lent its name to the illustrious cigar brand. Meanwhile, another faction insists that the nomenclature was inspired by the venerable French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, an edifice of diplomatic gravitas, which presides with stoic grace upon this very boulevard.
The final hypothesis says that SEITA, the ex titan of French tobacco, offered the name, since their headquarters stood proudly along the same venerated stretch of road. Thus, the origins of the Quai d’Orsay label remain tantalizingly elusive, cloaked in the mists of romance.
Yet, regardless of the true origin of its name, one element remains irrefutably clear: from the moment of its inception, Quai d’Orsay has unfailingly captured the hearts and palates of the French cigar aficionado elite, establishing themselves as a beacon of refined pleasure and sophisticated leisure.
Today, the esteemed Quai d'Orsay stands as a proud jewel within the Habanos S.A.portfolio. Originally, the brand's creations were meticulously crafted under the attentive guardianship of the Cuba Tobacco Cigar Co. and SEITA. However, as the wheels of time turned and the tides of industry shifted, a momentous transformation occurred. The fusion of Tabacalera and SEITA created the formidable titan known as Altadis S.A., a conglomerate whose influence spans the globe. It was within this seismic shift that Quai d'Orsay was seamlessly integrated into the family of Habanos S.A., aligning it with the esteemed lineage of Cuban cigars.
The saga of the Quai d'Orsay Coronas, a narrative as rich and layered as the tobacco leaves themselves. There exists, within the pages of this esteemed brand, a chapter dedicated to the illustrious Coronas, a lineage of cigars that once danced between the delicate hues of clarity. In the beginning, the Quai d’Orsay Coronas were crafted with a meticulous selection of two distinct wrapper shades – the nuanced Claro and the light Claro Claro.
Take, for example, the venerable Quai d'Orsay Coronas Claro Cigar, a paragon of the brand's celebrated Coronas Claro line. Envision a cigar of harmonious proportions, stretching to 142 mm and a ring gauge of 42, each one a symphony of flavor and tradition, encapsulated in the sumptuous tan embrace of the Claro leaf. These cigars were a reminder of a bygone era, where lightness was equated with elegance, and subtlety with sophistication.
The sands of time shift invariably, bringing with them changes in tastes and trends. The Quai d’Orsay's relationship with light shades continued under the limelight until the onset of the 1980s, a period marked by darker wrappers becoming more popular. This shift in consumer preference cast a long shadow over the once-revered Coronas Claro Claro, leading to its gradual decline from the preferences of French connoisseurs.
The darker wrappers ascended the throne of public favor, leaving behind the light-hued legacies of the past. Yet, the story of the Quai d'Orsay Coronas remains a testament to the brand's rich heritage and its adaptive journey through the evolving landscapes of taste and time.
The chronicle of Quai d’Orsay seemed poised on the brink of closure as the year 2016 unfolded, marked by the brand's diminishing prominence. With the production whittled down to a singular regular vitola, the Corona Claro, casting a shadow over the future of this once-celebrated brand.
Thanks to Habanos S.A., and the dedicated custodians of Quai d’Orsay’s legacy within the French shores, there brewed a desire for innovation and revival. Unwilling to let the grandeur of the past dissolve into the mists of indifference, they envisioned a renaissance, a bold reimagining of the Quai d’Orsay brand.
It was amidst the grandeur and revelry of the 19th Festival Del Habanos, a gathering that celebrates the epitome of cigar culture, that a new chapter for Quai d’Orsay was unveiled. Habanos S.A. proclaimed with resounding confidence the rebirth of Quai d’Orsay, not as a relic of yesteryears but as a standard-bearer for global cigar aficionados. The introduction of two novel sizes – the Quai d’Orsay No. 50 cigar and the Quai d’Orsay No. 54 Cigar – marked the advent of this transformation.
Thus, from the ashes of decline, Quai d’Orsay rose, phoenix-like, its spirit rekindled with vigor and ambition. It was a declaration that the brand would not merely survive but thrive, transcending borders and tastes to etch its name into the hearts of cigar enthusiasts worldwide.
On the 20th of October, 2022, an evening steeped in festivity unfurled within the illustrious confines of the Hôtel de La Marine, situated at the heart of Paris on the majestic Place de la Concorde. It was here that a new chapter was penned for the esteemed Quai d'Orsay brand. The revelation of the No. 52 vitola marked a significant milestone, boasting a robust ring gauge of 52 paired with an elegant length of 156 mm. This momentous unveiling occurred a stone's throw away from the legendary Avenue Quai d'Orsay, lending a poetic resonance to the event, bridging past and present, heritage and innovation.
Habanos S.A., the guardian of this revitalized legacy, has adeptly infused the brand with a vibrant new spirit. Once a treasure known predominantly within French borders, Quai d'Orsay has undergone a remarkable transformation. Through the introduction of diverse new formats in recent years, the brand has captured the imaginations and palates of aficionados across the globe, ascending to new heights of international acclaim.
In a commemorative tribute to this enduring legacy, Habanos S.A. unveiled the Quai d’Orsay Especial d’Orsay to mark the brand's 50th anniversary, again at the Festival del Habano. This exquisite offering, a Sobresalientes vitola, measuring 153 mm in length with a 53 ring gauge, epitomizes the pinnacle of cigar craftsmanship. Available in opulent boxes of twenty, as well as in exclusive gift sets comprising five cigars, the Especial d’Orsay represents the zenith of celebratory luxury. While Habanos S.A. has alluded to the rarity of this edition, the precise scale of its limited production remains shrouded in an aura of mystery, enhancing its allure and desirability among connoisseurs and collectors alike.
While our journey has traversed the landscape of Quai d’Orsay's five regular productions, the narrative unfolds further into the realm of limited and regional releases, each distinguished by their unique vitola. Among these, a few illustrious examples command particular attention for their exceptional craftsmanship and regional homage.
Foremost, allow me to introduce the Quai d’Orsay Seleccion Royale, a creation tailored exclusively for the discerning tastes of the Swiss market. This splendid specimen is presented in the remarkable 109 format, measuring 50 by 184mm, and is distinguished by the iconic Cabeza Tumbada, a hallmark that bestows upon the 109 its revered status. 
The Seleccion Royale, with its majestic stature and refined complexity, encapsulates the spirit of Swiss precision and luxury.
Equally noteworthy is the Quai d’Orsay Clemenceau, a Regional Edition dedicated to France. This remarkable cigar, a Julieta No. 2, unfurls at 47 by 178mm, offering a symphony of flavors wrapped in elegance and tradition. It stands as a tribute to the French fondness for sophistication and the finer things in life.
An honorable mention must also be accorded to the Quai d’Orsay Imperiales, another incarnation of the Julieta No. 2. Launched initially in the year 1974 and subsequently discontinued in 2015, this iconic cigar was resurrected in 2022 as a travel exclusive humidor offering, weaving together the threads of history and exclusivity. The Imperiales is a testament to the enduring legacy of Quai d’Orsay, bridging past and present in a celebration of craftsmanship and heritage.
For those yet unacquainted with the distinguished elegance of Quai d’Orsay, I extend a heartfelt recommendation to explore its offerings. Beyond its light-bodied charm lies a depth of flavor that promises to enchant and satisfy, a true testament to the brand’s commitment to excellence and the art of cigar making.