Graycliff Espresso Review

[Throb]

I won a 5er of these for about $55 2 weeks ago so I have been drooling for a week while they rested after their long voyage from PA to FL.

It has been unseasonably cold in FL for the last few days and I have noticed my humi has dropped from its usual 70rh to about 68. I thought this was OK since I just ordered some 65% beads. I have felt my sticks would benefit from the dryer atmosphere.

Tonight I poured myself my usual Ketel One dirty martini and went out to the car to smoke (no smoking in the house and since it was 45 outside, my thinned out FL blood couldn't take the back porch)

Took a sip and removed the cello. Really great pre-light aroma. Dark, oily and earthy.

Fired up the torch and warmed it up then took a few puffs. I was first struck by the lack of smoke. Very little flavor. Oh no, I thought. Maybe I just FUBAR-ed the light. Sure enough, I got a very uneven burn. I spent the next 25 minutes trying to get this puppy to burn right, but alas, it never did.

Dark gray ash and still no real quantities of smoke. It burned like it was wet, dare I say, like a BACKWOOD. I never got any real flavor out of it. Sure, there were a few puffs where it burned and felt like a real good cigar, but it never had that smooth, "almost hallucinogenic" maduro flavor that was so highly touted in every catalog I've received.

After 45 minutes I abandoned the smoke with about 2 inches left. Needless to say I was very disappointed.

I still have 4 sticks left and will try one another night. I usually smoke in my car while at work (I work out of my car), but I had been saving this one because I did not want to be interrupted.

I will withhold a rating on this one until my second stick, but I would like to hear others opinion on this one.

[icehog3]

I got one as a gift, smoked it and absolutely loved it. Great draw with lots of smoke, good even burn, and rich complex flavors...thought it was one of the best NCs I'd ever smoked, so I won two 5'ers from the Devil. I hope your second experience is more like this.

[c2000]

You got off to a bad start , 45 degrees ,,having to smoke in the car,,the only good part was the martini,,maybe next time will be better..


Jerry in Minnesota

[Charles]

Never tried these before. If the second one smokes like the first, I would let them sit for a while before smoking the third. You spent too much money on these to give up.

[palm55]

I hope your next one burns better for you! I can appreciate the frustration of babysitting a stick, though the Graycliffs are a bit outiside my economic range.

HOWEVER... Since I need to go into town this morning to obtain a cooler... And since my B&M is on the way... Well, maybe I'll collect all the empty coke and beer bottles in the garage, cash them out for the refund, and pick up joust ONE Graycliff Espresso.

Onward & forward!

[ezthefix]

Burn problems are a personal pet peeve of mine. Not getting enough smoke out the cigar is like slapping me in the face... tough break. Maybe the next one will be better...

[horrorview]

I've only had three different kinds of Graycliffs (all gifted 'cause I'm po' damnit, po'!) and enjoyed 'em all!! I think it was Smitty who sent me a Salamone. That thing...wow...damned fine smoke.

I have a general rule that, when driving, I never smoke anything that cost me more than five bucks. My car smokes are FDO's, Private Stocks, and any other assorted bundle stuff I've got.

[FpDoc77]

I have gotten quite a few graycliff through Cbid. I have never had a tight draw issue. I think you just might have got a dud.

[tadams17]

I have been trying to buy a fiver of one of these on CB but seems like I can never catch a great deal...But I'm going to have to try one real soon...Hopefully it will be a little better on the second one that you smoke..

[WetExit]

I would love a 45 deg. night The past few smokes I've had have been in sub 30s. This car thing sounds like a winner though...compared to freezing balls on my porch. Sorry to hear about the dud, would love to hear about the others when you get to them.