The release of the first five Quai d\'Orsay cigars in 1973 was an important moment for the tobacco industry. There has never been a cigar brand before that should be given specific requirements by the national government to be conceived and established for exclusive distribution in a country. Others, such as SAN Luis Rey, were designed by the brand owner with marketing ideas targeted at specific countries. However, when SEITA (the then official Cuban cigar importer in France) presented their initial proposal to the Cuban government, they completely opened up new avenues. During its first 40 years of existence, Quai d\'Orsay could only be found in France, a new concept in the luxury cigar market.
