rectifythis
CP; may cause dependency
- Joined
- Oct 24, 2006
- Messages
- 1,082
I am not 100% on the full name of this cigar since I am not too familiar with all of the lines but I think it was the Graycliff Profesionale Pirate (blue label torpedo/pyramid). I was not planning on reviewing this cigar nor actually smoking it but it was such a delight I thought I'd share from a still semi-newbie point of view.
I met my best friend at the cigar shop to wish him well with a stogie as he is moving away this weekend. I splurged on the Graycliff because I've been dying to try one and this shop was the first I'd seen with it (50 miles from my house) and it was 25 friggin' dollars! (My wife would kill me if she knew). I smoked it right from the shops' humidor which I would guess to be in the high 60's for humidity based on the feel of the cigar.
(Sorry for the bad picture, it was with my phone)
Graycliff
Size: 6x52 (pyramid/torpedo)
Handmade in Bahamas
Med to full bodied
Construction: Very good to excellent, draw was a bit looser than I'm used to but it made for an easy smoke with plenty of thick white clouds accompanying.
I toasted and was immediately surprised that I didn't really get the first 1/2 inch nasties with this one. The first few minutes had my attention but I still didn't think it was worth 25 bucks. As the cigar progressed, it seemed to get better and better. More strength, more character. The aroma was amazing. I let my buddy take a few puffs and he kept wanting more. I still have a hard time describing flavors so I will do my best: to me it was bursting with flavor...I wanted to eat this cigar it tasted so good. Started off mildly earthy, maybe a bit leathery, and a touch of wood. As it progressed, It became more wood/cedar with the earthiness becoming more herbally and the strength intensifying. I have only had a few ISOM's so far in my life but I would definately say this is the closest domestic cigar that tastes like a cuban so far in my experiences. In fact, I would go as far to say that I would probably buy a box of these before I would buy a box of cubans (maybe I just haven't had the right cuban?). This cigar was quite possibly the smoothest smoke I've had to date also. I exhale throught the nose to enhance the flavor and this had no bite and no burn whatsoever. I liked that. The store owner said they'd been in the humidor for 3 months. This tells me Graycliff makes a great smoke right out of the box. Still, a box is close to 400 bucks, and while this is now my current favorite cigar, the price is too steep for me to buy anytime soon. But the thought is in my back pocket. The box price breaks down to about 14.70 a stick which I would be willing to pay as this cigar was just that good. I have read some other people's thoughts on these and a nominal amount of people were dissapointed to which I don't understand why. Maybe it's just a palate thing. I must also say that I did not have the 'cigar band syndrome'...I don't like a cigar just because it's a certain cigar-I am very objective and not swayed by hype or perceived grandeur.
I would rate this a 95 and recommend it for any special occasion or if you just want to have a really good cigar to mix it up.
I met my best friend at the cigar shop to wish him well with a stogie as he is moving away this weekend. I splurged on the Graycliff because I've been dying to try one and this shop was the first I'd seen with it (50 miles from my house) and it was 25 friggin' dollars! (My wife would kill me if she knew). I smoked it right from the shops' humidor which I would guess to be in the high 60's for humidity based on the feel of the cigar.
(Sorry for the bad picture, it was with my phone)
Graycliff
Size: 6x52 (pyramid/torpedo)
Handmade in Bahamas
Med to full bodied
Construction: Very good to excellent, draw was a bit looser than I'm used to but it made for an easy smoke with plenty of thick white clouds accompanying.
I toasted and was immediately surprised that I didn't really get the first 1/2 inch nasties with this one. The first few minutes had my attention but I still didn't think it was worth 25 bucks. As the cigar progressed, it seemed to get better and better. More strength, more character. The aroma was amazing. I let my buddy take a few puffs and he kept wanting more. I still have a hard time describing flavors so I will do my best: to me it was bursting with flavor...I wanted to eat this cigar it tasted so good. Started off mildly earthy, maybe a bit leathery, and a touch of wood. As it progressed, It became more wood/cedar with the earthiness becoming more herbally and the strength intensifying. I have only had a few ISOM's so far in my life but I would definately say this is the closest domestic cigar that tastes like a cuban so far in my experiences. In fact, I would go as far to say that I would probably buy a box of these before I would buy a box of cubans (maybe I just haven't had the right cuban?). This cigar was quite possibly the smoothest smoke I've had to date also. I exhale throught the nose to enhance the flavor and this had no bite and no burn whatsoever. I liked that. The store owner said they'd been in the humidor for 3 months. This tells me Graycliff makes a great smoke right out of the box. Still, a box is close to 400 bucks, and while this is now my current favorite cigar, the price is too steep for me to buy anytime soon. But the thought is in my back pocket. The box price breaks down to about 14.70 a stick which I would be willing to pay as this cigar was just that good. I have read some other people's thoughts on these and a nominal amount of people were dissapointed to which I don't understand why. Maybe it's just a palate thing. I must also say that I did not have the 'cigar band syndrome'...I don't like a cigar just because it's a certain cigar-I am very objective and not swayed by hype or perceived grandeur.
I would rate this a 95 and recommend it for any special occasion or if you just want to have a really good cigar to mix it up.
