Graycliff Chateau Grand Cru Presidente Review

[Sancho Fuente]

I got these off of the devil site about 8 months ago. I paid less than $5 a stick so I figured I would give them a try. Gorgeous night out, on the balcony watching/listening to the redskins game.

Appearance wise the cigar is very nice looking. A 7" x 48 churchill that has 2 bands which make it look like a very expensive and sophisticated cigar. (which it is) Pre-light aroma is pleasant, just pure tobacco and some hay. There were some veins running through the wrapper, but not anything to big or distracting. The cap came off perfectly with my Xikar Xi cutter. Pre-light draw was perfect also, slight resistance and more of that tobacco taste. Unfortunately, thats where the pleasure stopped.

The cigar lit well and the first couple draws were pleasant. Just a little bit of spice, and a strong walnut flavor. It was the first time I had experienced this flavor so strongly in a cigar. The spice mellowed out into a caramel flavor, and for the first 1/3 of the cigar I was enjoying it.

Shortly after that, the cigar got a bitterness that never went away. The walnut flavor also disappeared, and turned into a strange floral taste. Every time I tasted it, I saw a huge funeral arrangement, it was not working for me at this point. I kept smoking though, hoping that the flavor would change again.

By the last 1/3 of the cigar, the flavor was just bitterness. Very disappointed, I put the cigar down with almost 2" left on it.

Overall, I was extremely disappointed by the whole experience. I got no real flavor other than the first 1" or so, and the bitterness never left. Sitting here, I still have a strong bitterness in my mouth that is driving me nuts. I am hoping some time in the vinotemp helps these out some. If they stay like this though, I will never buy these again.

Total Score: 76/100 (at least the burn was even)