The "Graycliff: From Chocolate To Cigars" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Trying to remember who told us about the place called Graycliff which is on West Hill Street in Nassau, the Bahamas.  Told us not to miss it before we headed home from our vacation and they sure knew what they were talking about.  Easy to find as we take Shirley Street until it makes a sharp turn to the right, but we take the slight turn to the left at that intersection.  Graycliff is situated next door to Government House and a few blocks from the beautiful crystal-clear water of the Caribbean Sea.  The hotel is kind of tucked away from all the touristy type places along the waterfront on Bay Street.  It resembles an old fort or castle and houses twenty elegant guest chambers and cottage suites.  

Dressed for action!

The rooms feature the charm and romance of the tropics as well as sporting a gourmet chocolatier factory and cigar company which is the reason for our visit.  As we drive along West Hill Street we enter through a gate that features a massive wall around it.  Find a parking space and follow the signs toward the Chocalatier Boutique.  

Our guide showing us the molds that are
hand-filled and leveled for cooling.

The smell is heavenly as we enter the store that fronts the chocolate factory.  Dark, milk and white chocolate pieces are available in solid bars or bits, filled bonbons, truffles, barks and cocktail pops.  Carol and I inquire about a tour and we are met by a young man who offers us hair nets and a full body hygienic coverall.  The tour starts by showing us the grinding and roasting of the cacao beans, mixing the liquid chocolate and filling the chocolate molds.  All procedures are in small scale and all done by hand in this factory.  The tour is short and interesting, and the best part is the free bonbon at the end of it.  I selected a chocolate and peanut butter bonbon while Carol picked the chocolate and bacon bonbon.  

The Boutique with bonbons on display in the case.  All hand-made.

We naturally had to buy a few of their candy bars and our choices included the Milk Chocolate and Milk Chocolate with Rose.  That went along with the bottle of chocolate pills we bought.  As we exited the factory we found that we were within walking distance of the Graycliff Cigar Company.  We entered and immediately smelled the tobacco leaves used in the cigar making procedure.  

One of the torcedores finishing the Double Robustos.

The company's original blend - The Graycliff - was blended by Master Torcedore Avelino Lara.  He once held the title of personal roller for Fidel Castro.  Since his retirement he has been part of the staff at Graycliff where he has created the Graycliff Professionale as well as the G2 blend and the Bahiba which is available only in the Bahamas.  His blends run from the buttery to the smooth and silky.  

Another torcedore checking the ring gauge.

As we stood behind the window watching the torcedores rolling the cigars, I asked if I might enter the room for some photos.  They told me to help myself and I had the chance to photograph the craftsmen as they were finishing they work for the day.  Most rollers I could not understand, but one woman was more than willing to answer my questions.  I did ask if they purchased tobacco from Lancaster County, PA where the Amish grow acre after acre of tobacco.  

Samples of the labels that are used on the cigars.

Not sure if she understood my question, since she just shook her hear and smiled.   Their blends are labeled with different colored bands with the black label being the most potent.  I'm sorry to say I didn't purchase one, but can still appreciate the skill it takes to roll one.  We exited Graycliff Hotel through their restaurant area where I saw a sign stating the Humidor Churrascaria was Bahamas' Best Steak House.  That will have to wait until our next trip to the Bahamas.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. 

The entire line of cigars that are made by Graycliff.