Handmade at J.C. Newman’s PENSA factory in Nicaragua, Quorum Shade cigars are named after their silky, golden-blonde Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper.
The line also comes in Classic and Maduro varieties. While they all use the same satisfying blend of Nicaraguan filler and binder leaves, the different wrappers give each cigar its unique aroma, identity, and taste.
The Ecuador Connecticut Shade leaf uses a traditional shade covering method to give the wrapper leaf a lighter color and delicate texture. This creates a pleasant and mellow smoking experience that the everyday cigar lover can enjoy.
However, the proof is in the profile. Let’s find out just how impactful a wrapper can be in our Quorum Shade cigar review.
Brand Overview
It wasn’t until 2003 that J.C. Newman introduced Quorum to their extensive portfolio, which includes other Nicaraguan smokes such as the Brick House, known for its rich and savory notes.
Quorum cigars are only sold in bundles, meaning you can completely refill your humidor with every purchase. Producing affordable, all-day cigars that don’t sacrifice quality or flavor, it’s little surprise they’re the world’s number one selling Nicaraguan cigar.
At the start of 2021, J.C. Newman released what it describes as the “cousin” of the Quorum brand — the Havana Q. It’s still very much in line with the brand’s passion for delivering a reliable everyday cigar for smokers on a budget. However, they boast larger ring sizes than the three original varieties to fulfill the modern cigar smoker's contemporary preferences.
Cigar specs
- Country of Origin: Nicaragua
- Strength: Mellow-Medium
- Wrapper: Ecuador Connecticut
- Binder: Nicaraguan
- Filler: Nicaraguan
- Smoke Time: 70-80 minutes (Toro)
- Sizes Available:
- Quorum Shade Churchill (7 x 48)
- Quorum Shade Corona (5.5 x 43)
- Quorum Shade Double Gordo (6 x 60)
- Quorum Shade Robusto (4.75 x 50)
- Quorum Shade Toro (6 x 50)
- Quorum Shade Torpedo (6 x 50)
- Quorum Shade Tres Petite Corona (4.5 x 38)
Cold draw
As I pinched the Quorum Shade Toro between my forefinger and thumb, I noticed the uneven roll, visible seams, and some lumpiness beneath the wrapper. To say it has a rugged look is quite an understatement, but it’s still rather endearing. “Bundle cigars” will never throw loads of dollars at their packaging, but it still warmed me to see the creamy yellow variation on the Quorum Shade band.
Wet hay and wood were my first thoughts after a quick whiff of the wrapper. The dry draw is sweet and musty with notes of cedar, earth, and a heavier dose of hay.
Flavor profile: first third
Kicking off with a classic Connecticut profile, the cigar is a pleasant mix of cedar, nuts, earth, and a shade of vanilla sweetness. I’m surprised at how well the Quorum Shade maintains its construction — the ash is far more solid than I expected for a bundle stick.
At an inch and a quarter, I started to taste fuller flavors in the profile and impressive smoke output. Sweet tobacco notes developed alongside the Connecticut combination while delectable black pepper spice zinged through the nose.
Flavor profile: second third
The flavors remained consistent as I rolled into the second third. Even though the profile isn’t explosive in complexity, there’s still plenty for the palate to appreciate. Some walnut wood added a light bitterness to the profile, but the increase of rich Nicaraguan pepper and earth balanced beautifully with the smooth shade wrapper.
As the third came to a close, some creaminess began to inch its way in with notes of cocoa and Brazil nuts.
Flavor profile: final third
Nicaragua’s rich volcanic soil is renowned for producing tobacco with a subtle earthy flavor, but there was nothing subtle about the earthiness in the last third. The flavors started to pop, with compelling hits of black pepper, toasted wood, and musty hay joining the earth.
A grassy overtone from the lush wrapper comes through on the retrohale in white pepper and light spice. My stogie bumped its way to medium strength in the final third, but it still felt like a stick you can have in your hand when focusing on other things.
Conclusion
Quorum Shade cigars fit the bill for a great everyday smoke. They have no overwhelming flavor characteristics, making them an easy morning smoke to enjoy with a coffee or a nice evening bourbon fix.
It offers a solid smoking experience from start to finish, with natural, earthy flavors and an even burn. If you’re new (or know someone new) to cigars, you won’t find many as easygoing and enjoyable at a price that’s hard to argue with (less than $2.50 a stick).
Pick up your box of 20 Quorum Shade Toros for just $49.35 from cigars.com today.