Graycliff Cigar and Rum Experience

[CigarNut]

I am going to be in the Bahamas in a couple of weeks and have an opportunity to do an excursion called the "Graycliff Cigar and Rum Experience"; the description is:
Upon arrival at the world-renowned Graycliff Hotel and Restaurant, be escorted on a short tour of the property. The Graycliff Hotel and Restaurant is located in the heart of Nassau amid lush tropical gardens, just steps away from the bustling life of the pier. The Five Star Graycliff Restaurant is recognized as one of the top dining establishments in the world and serves delicious Continental cuisine with touches of Bahamian flavor. Graycliff's Grand Award-winning wine cellar is one of largest private collections of fine and rare wines with over 250,000 bottles from more than 400 vintners in 15 countries.

The Graycliff Cigar Company was established in Nassau in 1997, with Master Torcedore, Avelino Lara, once Fidel Castro's personal cigar roller, in charge of blending the tobacco for Graycliff's original blend. The award winning company now has 16 master rollers, each an expert at his craft. They create a selection of blends from the Graycliff Professionale to the G2, pleasing a variety of palates, with a range from the buttery to the smooth and silky to the powerful.

Learn from the masters how to sort, clean and roll a cigar. Discover the history and secrets of where the best tobacco leaves come from and what blends of select leaves make the award- winning Graycliff Cigars. Paired with the art of world class cigar making is the appreciation of some of the Caribbean's finest rums including Mount Gay, Barbacourt, Bacardi and many more. All participants will receive a cigar and cigar cutter and are able to keep the cigar they've rolled. At the conclusion of your experience, you may choose to enjoy a meal at the restaurant at an additional cost.
Does anyone have any experience with this tour? Is it worth $190?

Thanks!

[Powers]

never went on an excursion when i was there but Graycliff was awesome :banger!

they gave me a tour of the facility and the cigar factory for free. i also heard that if u call ahead and tell them the time of ur arrival and that u're a cigar aficionado and u'll get a more VIP tour

Either way have fun :tu!

[kelmac07]

Sounds look a good time to me...but WOW for $ 190??? Cigar, cutter, tour, roll your own stick, and a drink...sounds very nice.

[WildBlueSooner]

I dont know how long you are going to be in Nassau but I would see if you could not pay for the excursion and just go to there on your own...just look around online and see if you can just show up for the tour and what not. Thats an option anyways.

[dubnick]

FWIW, on my recent trip to the Dominican Republic, I went on a tour of the Don Lucas Cigar Factory. (Small potatoes compared to Graycliff, I know)

Anyway, the tour was free. They even picked us up. The goal for them is to sell items in their gift shop.

Seeing how the cigars are made, and how the tobacco is aged, is really worth the trip. This is actually what pushed me down the slope. With that said, I would definitely look into the trip.

[floydpink]

I walked into Graycliff when I was frustrated at all the fake cigars on Market Street.

We walked off the cruise ship and paid the 15 bucks to use the Hilton's facilities. Greycliff is a short walk up the road.
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc266/rastapete69/gray3.jpg

Walked into the rolling room and watched the small team rolling up some cigars. Besides them, the place was empty

The lady I was standing next to was rolling expressos and I smoked one fresh off the table.

It would have been great to meet Avelino Lara, creator of Cohiba's blend, but he doesn't come around much I was told.

There was a guy who helps out there was mentioning the 3 pm Cubana flight from Nassau to Havana had empty seats and if my wife not been on the beach at the Hilton, I woulda hopped it with him in a heartbeat.
I would spend my money in the casino before paying for a tour and have heard that at night the restaurant and lounge are great.

[Barteur]

never went on an excursion when i was there but Graycliff was awesome :banger!

they gave me a tour of the facility and the cigar factory for free. i also heard that if u call ahead and tell them the time of ur arrival and that u're a cigar aficionado and u'll get a more VIP tour

Either way have fun :tu!

I followed that tip and they are waiting for me when I will be there in a couple weeks, can't wait. Enjoy your trip, not sure it worth spending 190$ to visit this facility, when you can do it for free.

[Graycliff Cigars]

Hello everyone - just wanted to clarify some details on touring the Graycliff Cigar Company in Nassau.

Anyone is welcome to come during opening hours and observe the cigar rollers and make purchases. We're open Monday to Saturday 9am to 6pm, except holidays.

We offer cigar rolling lessons (where you actually learn to roll your own cigar) for $75 by appointment. You keep what you make and more... You can book by emailing cigars [at] graycliff.com or calling +1-242-302-9150.

And, The Cigar and Rum tour (which is the one that CigarNut originally posted about) via Disney Cruise Lines - this tour is ONLY currently available through them, we do not offer it directly. It is an exclusive deal we have with the cruise line. So if you want to do the Rum Tasting along with your cigar demo then you must book via Disney...

Either way, we hope to see all of you soon in The Bahamas!

[bigloo]

Welcome to the site. I am in sudden Graycliff overload. Smoked one last night for the first time in a long time, buy a fiver this morning now this... I think someone is trying to steer me toward Graycliff.

[captain53]

I also bought some Graycliffs this morning on the CM, they are some fine Cigars. Now as to value, Rum/cigar is probably not close to being worth $190 but the pleasure and memory will be worth much more than the $190 if you enjoy the experience. I would have to give it a try and if you do Please Give Us A Report!

[winecliffboss]

well you can visit the factory most times and also the wine cellar but here you have at least 20 of the finest vintage rums to taste, a cigar lesson and a lot of fun....but you must book it from a Disney Cruise Tour Desk and includes also the transfers...if you are not on a ship then is different and can try so many things..from a 3 hour cooking lesson..and you eat the preparations.. to a fabulous wine luncheon to an artisanal cheeses and wines and cigars tasting.... cheaper than 190.00......

[mosesbotbol]

I really want to spend a vacation at Greycliff. It sounds wonderful.

[Blueface]

I have been to Nassau so many times in the last few years and have never made it to Graycliff, although I have passed right by it.
It has usually been due to the cruise stopping by on Sunday when all is closed or being with folks that had things considered more important for the group to do than what I enjoyed.
HOWEVER, that is all about to change.
I will be there the week of 5/3 for a day on Royal Caribbean.
The moment I get off the ship, I know where I am headed.
Wife already knows my plans and knows I am looking forward to it.

So, will finally get to go to Graycliff in three weeks.

[newlifetaxidermy]

Ditto what the others said. A cabbie wanted $20 to drive us there. It took all of 30min to walk there and that was with my wife going in to different stores along the route. They will show you around for free. I would not bank on buying a bunch of cigars there...their prices are much higher than what you pay at other retailers. I had a great time and the place is beautiful.