Before starting this thread I searched the first 5 pages to see if anyone was talking about these, couldn't find any so here goes. Bought a 5 pack of the PG Robustos, one of each blend, this one is the blue label. Having the man who first blended Cohiba for Castro is a major find, especially if he can get good tobacco, and he did. The Professionale is a blend that to me mimics the Cohiba exactly. Know how a good Cohiba robusto tastes, this cigar is almost an exact copy, except for that earthy strength. The first hit off this beauty really didn't give me much, but about an inch into it, the rich tobacco started giving off this delicious honeyed aroma, especially when taking nose hits and I love to smell my cigars this way. In fact, the aroma got so strong with rich tobacco and honey that I started rushing it and had to check myself, for fear of overheating her and losing that flavor. The cigar is on the medium side, but very flavorful and rich tasting. The cigar drew and burned perfectly with large volumes of smoke coming with little effort on my part, and the solid light grey ash finally fell at about 2 inches.
Now, into the middle, the cigar never changes, awesome aroma filling the room and bathing me in honey and some spice starting to kick in, a little twinge on the nose, and a finish that never goes away. I'm thinking "BOX", and nothing else, this cigar IS my new daytime, first of the day, mild cigar. Heck this cigar would be great any time of the day or night. Now into the homestretch, very pronounced honey aroma, with spice still very present. I would not call this cigar complex, but it doesn't need to be. This is a pure enjoyable smoking experience, and a welcome change from"NicPuros" overload, where strength and not flavor is pre-dominant. Never needing touchup, I don't want this to end, but alas, last inch. The cigar is still delicious, never needing purging, the sign of a very well made, well aged tobacco blend. Do yourself a favor and pick up a 5er like I did or just buy a box of these, you won't be disappointed. The cigar is obviously made with high grade Dominican tobacco, not sure of the wrap, but it's milk chocolate in color, anyway, what a great cigar experience.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Tonito,

I just realized this morning that this thread is in the wrong room, should be in the "Group Cigar Reviews Room". Sorry, noob mistake, won't happen again, hopefully. While posting, I have a little more info on the Professionale. It is made with an Indonesian wrapper, and Brazilian, Nicaraguan, and Dominican long filler. The cigar is so smooth, I would never have guessed this blend for that cigar. While being one of the most expensive premium non-cubans, it is still in line with other super-premiums and well worth the coin.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Tonito,

Just finished the PG Robusto Crystal, which is the White Band, and I must say Graycliff is really onto something with these cigars. As intense a flavor, spice bomb of honey/vanilla the Professionale (Blue Label) was this one was just as much an intense spice bomb of pepper/cayenne, maybe more. To begin with the wrap on this one was much more oily and smooth, probably due to time in my humidor allowing the oils to come out. It took about 1 and 1/2 inches for the "sweet spot" to appear but when it did, WOW. Such intense pepper spice is not common in any other cigar I have smoked even CCs. The cigar burned perfectly with only minor touchups and drew as the Professionale with large volumes of smoke with little effort. The sweet spot continued well into the last 1/3 virtually almost to the last inch. Another very enjoyable smoking experience from Graycliff and Avelino Lara. No wonder, listen to this blend....."Ecuadorian sungrown wrap, with Nicaraguan, Dominican, and Brazilian tobacco with a special leaf of Grecian tobacco for that added full-bodied, flavorful spice". I say again, pick up a 5 pack of the different blends in this line, they keep getting better with each one I try.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Tonito,

I am a Graycliff fanatic, My favorites are the Double Espresso, Espresso, Profesional, and Gran cru in that order. The Le Gran Dame's are also excelent.

Glad to see another fan of the Graycliff blends rrg. I've never seen the Double Espresso or the Le Grand Dame, but I have favorites too. They are the Professionale, Crystal, and Espresso in that order. Not fond of the Red Label or the Grand Cru. So, today I finished off my 5er smoking the Espresso. I thought I could not be impressed more after smoking the Professionale and Crystal, but I was. The Espresso is a more full-bodied blend than the other two, but it had what I tasted was a combo of them, tasting some honey/pepper spice when I hit the "sweet spot". Halfway through the honey dropped off leaving me some dark, rich spice till I finished it off. I did have some minor burn issues having to touch it up a bit all the way down, a small problem when compared to the delicious and satisfying flavor it produced. The blends in all of them are so unique, with the Brazilian leaf giving it depth and spice, the Dominican leaf giving it rich and somewhat creamy texture and the Nicaraguan leaf giving them it's strength, these cigars are truly a cigar lover's dream. Some of the blends also include Grecian leaf which adds a very unique taste. I also like the fact that all of them are ready to smoke NOW, not needing any humidor time. All these factors make them indeed a one of a kind smoke. The only problem I have now is which box or boxes to buy. The PG Robustos in each blend run around $300, not an inexpensive cigar by any means, but IMHO worth every penny.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Tonito,

Did you happen to catch Famous Smoke's Cigar Monster yesterday? They had the Espresso PG Robusto 5 packs for $30. I snagged one in a hurry when I saw that!

Well, I'm glad you enjoyed it. Personally, I think the blue label Greycliff is the ultimate dog rocket and shouldn't cost more than a dollar or two.