Smoked a Graycliff Crystal President the other day that was gifted to me at my local shop. For those who don't want to read further, the synopsis is good overall quality and better than average flavor but I would say poor value based on price and other available smokes.
This is a 7", 48 ring gauge blend of Nicaraguan, Dominican and Brazilian tobaccos
with an Ecuadorian sungrown wrapper. The company claims that "A leaf of Grecian adds an unusual spice." If that's true I can't validate the "unusual" spice claim based on my experience.
Prelight aroma was full, tobacco, nothing unusual. I double guillotined the tip and pre-light taste was a bit tangy while draw appeared firm but not too tight. The baby sparked up immediately. Construction appears quite good with these, if not a razor burn then at least a descent consistent burn with only 1 relight (my fault for getting preoccupied with a passing conversation). The firmness I noticed in the pre-light draw remained throughout the smoke; not too tight, but almost.
Early taste (first third or so) was very reminiscent of a Cuban. Big, bold, hearty. A heavy round feel to the smoke. Lot's of coffee and leather flavors. Very earthy. Full-bodied smoke. To its credit, the stick held its flavor fairly well as she and I rode through the middle third. Here, however, she began to loose her edge. The last third of the stick began getting flat, but deteriorated from there. By the last 1" she was tasting very harsh with only hints of the previous flavors. I tried slowing my smoke and easing on the draw, but she got nearly nasty toward the end, really bucking and giving a bitter sharp aftertaste. I persevered and finished her off but she did not get better.
In the end, she was a pleasant full-bodied ride for 4.5" - 5", though not extraordinarily complex as one would expect from a nearly $20 smoke. The end was disappointing. With PAMS and Davidoff Millenniums at a few dollars cheaper I am not swayed to actually purchase one of these in the future.
This is a 7", 48 ring gauge blend of Nicaraguan, Dominican and Brazilian tobaccos
with an Ecuadorian sungrown wrapper. The company claims that "A leaf of Grecian adds an unusual spice." If that's true I can't validate the "unusual" spice claim based on my experience.
Prelight aroma was full, tobacco, nothing unusual. I double guillotined the tip and pre-light taste was a bit tangy while draw appeared firm but not too tight. The baby sparked up immediately. Construction appears quite good with these, if not a razor burn then at least a descent consistent burn with only 1 relight (my fault for getting preoccupied with a passing conversation). The firmness I noticed in the pre-light draw remained throughout the smoke; not too tight, but almost.
Early taste (first third or so) was very reminiscent of a Cuban. Big, bold, hearty. A heavy round feel to the smoke. Lot's of coffee and leather flavors. Very earthy. Full-bodied smoke. To its credit, the stick held its flavor fairly well as she and I rode through the middle third. Here, however, she began to loose her edge. The last third of the stick began getting flat, but deteriorated from there. By the last 1" she was tasting very harsh with only hints of the previous flavors. I tried slowing my smoke and easing on the draw, but she got nearly nasty toward the end, really bucking and giving a bitter sharp aftertaste. I persevered and finished her off but she did not get better.
In the end, she was a pleasant full-bodied ride for 4.5" - 5", though not extraordinarily complex as one would expect from a nearly $20 smoke. The end was disappointing. With PAMS and Davidoff Millenniums at a few dollars cheaper I am not swayed to actually purchase one of these in the future.
