Winter Reprieve: Fuente Maduro & Port-Finished Bourbon

Maybe we’re getting a small break from the deep freeze. Even if only temporary, an evening above freezing made for a relaxing stretch of time on the porch — aided by the propane heater of course. For this evening’s repast, I selected an Arturo Fuente Maduro Churchill that has been resting in the humidor since early August. At 7¼″ × 48, I figured the stick would deliver a couple of unhurried hours of relaxation.

The dark Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wraps binder and fillers from the Dominican Republic. The wrapper appears thick and dense, lending the cigar a somewhat rustic character. Deep, earthy notes of oak, coffee, and cocoa open the smoke. After a short while, dark chocolate and a sweet, toasted nuttiness round out the profile. A gentle sweetness gradually builds, eventually leaving a faintly syrupy coating on the palate.

To accompany the cigar, I brought out a bottle of Isaac Bowman Port Barrel Finished Bourbon. There was just a plus-sized pour left — fortunately, enough to carry me well into the smoke.

The 92-proof bourbon spends 4½ to 5½ years in new charred oak before finishing three to six months in port barrels. The port influence contributes a sweet, fruity layer — dark cherry and raisin notes come forward — while the familiar brown sugar, vanilla, and spice of the base bourbon remain intact.

I’ve become a fan of port- and sherry-finished bourbons alongside a cigar. The medium-bodied Fuente Maduro offered just enough sweetness to align nicely with the Isaac Bowman. I set the cigar down after about 110 minutes. Though my glass was emptied before the final inch, the lingering bourbon notes seemed to extend their influence over the remaining smoke.

Winter may not yet be finished — and the stubborn layer of “snowcrete” still dominates the landscape — but even a modest reprieve is a welcome gift.

Cheers!

Rye and Broadleaf Against the Cold

After nearly two weeks of resorting to the cigar lounge for a smoke — mostly due to bitter cold temperatures — I was finally able to spend some time enjoying a cigar and drink on the porch this past week. As enjoyable as the lounge is, I prefer selecting from my own humidor. As the sun was beginning its descent, the outside thermometer read 31° — “mild” enough to be counteracted by the propane heaters.

I grabbed a Mi Querida Triqui Traca No. 652 and a pour of Buzzard’s Roost Cigar Rye to accompany the cigar.

The Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust cigar had been sitting in my humidor for five months. A dark, USA-grown Connecticut Broadleaf maduro wrapper sits tight and smooth over a Nicaraguan binder and fillers from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. The blend includes some ligero leaf among the filler tobaccos.

The cigar comes in solidly full-bodied, with deep, rich notes of dark chocolate and espresso right off the bat. A bit of black pepper joins in as the cigar warms. Joined by a dark sweetness, the spice never dominates but instead adds depth to the profile. The bold, rich flavors remain steady and consistent throughout the smoke.

The Buzzard’s Roost Cigar Rye is a pour I’ve enjoyed on numerous occasions, as evidenced by the declining level in the bottle. Batch 2 of the line was released in the fall of 2022 and takes a different path from many so-called “cigar blend” whiskeys. Rather than relying on secondary finishes in cognac, port, or wine casks, this expression begins with a mash bill of 95 percent rye and 5 percent malted barley and is bottled at a moderate 105 proof. The whiskey is matured in specially treated barrels — including char #1 oak and finishing techniques designed to introduce subtle smoky and tobacco-like nuances — an unusual step that hints at the profile to come.  

The rye spice arrives first on the sip, followed quickly by notes of tobacco, char, and a touch of citrus brightness that keeps the whiskey lively. Caramel and citrus-tinged rye notes settle into the foreground, while gentle smoke lingers for quite some time on the palate. The smoky finish is mild, evocative of tobacco and seasoned wood rather than a campfire.

I initially had some apprehension that the potent flavors of the Mi Querida Triqui Traca might overpower the subtle smoky accent of the rye. However, I found the pairing to be quite delightful. There’s enough spice from the rye to stand up to the bold cigar, and its smoky accent is not lost. In fact, I felt that the charred wood notes in the Buzzard’s Roost were actually lifted somewhat by the cocoa and pepper of the cigar.

The nearly two-hour smoke was a relaxing and refreshing diversion from the bitter cold and ice-covered landscape we’ve been experiencing. The heaters did their work well, though I suspect the cigar and rye deserved most of the credit.

Cheers!

Saint José Sánchez del Río: A Martyr’s Faithful Witness

A repost.

Today, February 10, marks the anniversary of the martyrdom of Saint José Sánchez del Río. On this day in 1928, a 14-year-old boy was executed by Mexican government forces for refusing to renounce his Catholic faith during the Cristero War. This period of brutal persecution, led by Mexican President Plutarco Elías Calles, was poignantly depicted in the film For Greater Glory.

Saint José was beatified by Pope Benedict XVI on November 20, 2005, and canonized by Pope Francis on October 16, 2016. Despite his young age, his courage and unwavering faith have made him an enduring symbol of religious freedom and devotion.

Saint José’s story is tragically underappreciated, particularly among American Catholics. Yet many may unknowingly recognize his face. A famous photograph of the boy standing alongside Cristero fighters often adorns the walls of Mexican restaurants in the United States. Few diners realize that this young man, who fought and died for his faith, is now a canonized Saint.

After being captured by government forces, José was subjected to unspeakable torment. Forced to witness the execution of fellow Catholics, he was repeatedly pressured to denounce his faith and cry, “Death to Christ the King.” He steadfastly refused.

On the day of his execution, José was forced to walk barefoot to his grave after the soles of his feet were cut. Along the way, he was repeatedly stabbed with bayonets, yet he continued to proclaim, “¡Viva Cristo Rey!” (Long live Christ the King!).

When he reached his grave, the soldiers shot him. Even then, José drew a cross in the dirt with his own blood as a final act of faith and defiance. Enraged by the boy’s resistance, the commander shot him in the head.

The Cristero War, during which countless Catholics were killed for their beliefs, is a dark chapter often ignored in history books in both the United States and Mexico. It is a story of oppression and heroism that all freedom-loving people should know.

Saint José Sánchez del Río is a powerful model of faith, courage, and resistance against tyranny. His steadfastness in the face of unimaginable suffering is a challenge to all of us to stand firm in our beliefs, no matter the cost.

May we draw strength from his example when our own faith is tested.

Saint José Sánchez del Río, Pray For Us!

The Bitter Giuseppe Cocktail

The Bitter Giuseppe is a comparatively low-ABV cocktail that’s well suited to afternoon sipping. Although I generally prefer a bourbon- or rye-based drink, I’ve been turning to this one often lately, especially as a Sunday afternoon aperitif.

The Bitter Guiseppe 

• 2 oz. Cynar
• 1 oz. Sweet Vermouth
• 1/4 oz. fresh lemon juice
• 4 dashes Orange Bitters 
• 1 swath lemon peel
• Expressed lemon oil and peel for garnish

Combine all the ingredients in a mixing glass. Express the lemon peel and drop it into the glass. Add ice and stir well. Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube and garnish with another bit of lemon peel. 

This amaro cocktail shares a family resemblance to the Manhattan or the Negroni, but it is somewhat softer in flavor. Cynar, an artichoke-based amaro, lends a gentle vegetal bitterness to the drink. It’s a flavor I enjoy and one that also appears in the In Cold Blood cocktail. In warmer weather, it makes a fine accompaniment to a medium-bodied cigar — a pairing I look forward to once the winter deep freeze gives way to something just a little a bit warmer.

Cheers!

La Flor Dominicana Cabinet Oscuro: Ligero Before Noon

During a visit to Winchester, VA, I dropped into the John B. Hayes Tobacconist to enjoy a morning smoke. Lately, when I've visited this lounge, I’ve found myself lingering over the La Flor Dominicana section of the humidor cabinets. Despite the early hour, I was in the mood for something robust, so I grabbed a pair of La Flor Dominicana Ligero Cabinet Oscuro L-400s — one to enjoy on the spot, and one to take home.

The 5 ¾″ × 54 stick wears a very dark Ecuadorian Sumatra Oscuro wrapper, glistening with an oily sheen. The binder and filler are Dominican, including hearty ligero leaves grown at LFD’s La Canela farm. It had been a few years since I last smoked one of these, though it was once a favorite companion to a dark — often high-ABV — stout when visiting the now-fondly-remembered Olde Town Tobacconist Lounge at 1781 Brewing. This time, coffee was to provide accompaniment for the morning smoke.

The La Flor Dominicana Ligero Cabinet Oscuro starts off boldly, delivering a solid medium-to-full-bodied blast of flavor. Thick clouds of smoke pour forth, carrying notes of dark coffee with a touch of black pepper. As the cigar progresses, the profile deepens into an earthy, woody richness, underpinned by a subtle sweetness that keeps everything in balance. Though never harsh or excessively spicy, around the halfway point the ligero tobaccos begin to assert themselves. The strength is unmistakable — not overwhelming, and without ill effect — but certainly more noticeable in a morning smoke.

Unlike my last visit, the lounge this morning was busy and the shop keeper pulled out an extra chair to provide me a seat. After a week of the extreme cold dissuading me from smoking on the porch, the indoor smoke provided some welcome pleasure. 

Cheers!

A Great Lake of Beer: St. Brigid’s Feast Day

Today, February 1, is the Feast Day of St. Brigid of Ireland — a saint whose legacy is inseparable from both faith and tradition, and whose name is uniquely entwined with beer.

Our family has long held a particular affection for this great saint. In fact, Brigid is my lovely wife's Confirmation Saint. In Ireland, she is revered second only to St. Patrick in popularity.

St. Brigid Statue, Knock Shrine,
County Mayo, Ireland

According to legend, Brigid was once working in a leper colony when the community ran out of beer. In those days, beer was an important source of safe hydration and nourishment, so the shortage was no small matter. Brigid is said to have miraculously transformed her bathwater into beer to sustain the lepers and visiting clerics. In another miracle attributed to the saint, she provided beer to eighteen churches throughout an entire Easter season — all from a single barrel kept in her convent.

Brigid was inspired by the preaching of St. Patrick and, along with him, is recognized as a Patron Saint of Ireland. Throughout her life she was a fierce advocate for the poor. As a young woman she frequently gave away her family’s possessions to those in need, much to their frustration, until she was eventually permitted to enter religious life. Around 470 A.D., she founded Ireland’s first convent, which grew into one of the most important monastic centers in the country.

St. Brigid's Well, County Clare, Ireland

The historical details of St. Brigid’s life are difficult to separate from legend. Many accounts are woven together with miracles and elements of pre-Christian Irish folklore. Even so, her influence is undeniable, and she remains one of the most important figures in Celtic and Irish history.

One prayer attributed to St. Brigid begins, “I’d like a great lake of beer for the King of Kings. I would like to be watching Heaven’s family drinking it through all eternity.” A worthy wish indeed.

St. Patrick and St. Brigid,
The Black Abbey, Kilkenny, Ireland

Today, we’ll raise a toast to St. Brigid — her generosity, her compassion, and her enduring place in Irish tradition. Here’s hoping we all someday glimpse that great lake.

St. Brigid, Ora Pro Nobis!

The Saddest Sound a Humidor Makes

Those of a certain age will remember the Nestlé Quik commercial from the 1970s that gave us the line, “That’s the saddest sound I know.” That small lament comes to mind whenever I realize I’ve reached the final cigar in a favorite box.

The Oliva Serie V Melanio is very much one of those favorites. I almost always keep a box — or at least one of the Serie V variations — tucked away in the humidor. It’s a reliable, versatile smoke that seems to fit just about any occasion, whether paired with a drink or enjoyed on its own. So it was with some disappointment that, while perusing the humidor inventory recently, I discovered I was down to my very last Melanio.

All is not lost, of course. Sitting nearby is an almost full box of the Oliva Serie V 135th Anniversary, a worthy and celebratory cousin that softens the blow considerably. Still, there’s something about seeing that final Melanio resting alone that feels like a small ending.

Nonetheless, I suppose the solution is obvious — and inevitable. Another box of Serie V will be finding its way into the humidor soon enough.

Cheers!

Crowned Heads La Imperiosa on a Teasing Warm Night

As so often happens, the weather turned unseasonably warm in the days before an “historic” storm was predicted. That brief tease of warmth provided the inspiration for a warm-ish sip and smoke on the porch. Looking over the Cigar of the Month drawer in the humidor, I spied a Crowned Heads La Imperiosa. Received at the beginning of November, the cigar had been resting for about ten weeks — enough time to settle in.

Sporting an Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro wrapper, the cigar presents a rustic appearance, with visible veining throughout the roll. A Nicaraguan binder and fillers hint at a bold smoking experience from the 6 3/8 x 50 “Double Robusto” vitola.

When the cigar opened with a firm kick of pepper and spice, I suspected my bourbon selection — Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series BRT-01 — would be a fitting companion. Leather, dark chocolate, and espresso dominated much of the cigar’s length, while wood char, dried nuts, and a subtle sweetness emerged toward the second half of the smoking time.

The Maker’s Mark BRT-01 was released in 2022 as part of the distillery’s Wood Finishing Series. A cask-strength Maker’s Mark base was finished with ten virgin toasted American oak staves in a secondary barrel and bottled at 109.4 proof.

Baking spices and caramel greeted the nose upon pouring — and lingered while setting up the requisite photo. Warm notes of cinnamon and vanilla coated the palate, followed by lingering fruit and spice that put an exclamation point on the sip. After a few moments enjoying the cigar and whiskey pairing, I added a few drops of water to the glass. This opened up brighter fruit sweetness while muting the spice, resulting in a better-tuned balance with the cigar’s subtle sweetness and wood.

The Crowned Heads La Imperiosa Double Robusto delivered an enjoyable two-hour smoke as I sipped the bourbon, listened to music, and contemplated the colder evening smokes waiting just ahead.

Cheers!

Hermanos de Armas Descending Shadows — Notes from a Late Evening

I picked up a selection of cigars from Hermanos de Armas back in June of 2025. I’ve smoked several of them over time, but — with one lone exception — haven’t mentioned them here. That omission is due solely to a lack of effort on my part, not any shortcoming in the cigars themselves. Often, I enjoy a cigar without feeling compelled to “put pen to paper.” In that same vein, this essay sat for a week before I finally got around to putting the finishing touches on it.

On a recent evening, I fired up a Hermanos de Armas Descending Shadows. After eight months of rest in the humidor, it was more than ready to be lit. The 6 x 54 Toro is wrapped in a glistening Ecuadorian Sun Grown wrapper, with Nicaraguan binder and filler. The cigar is smooth, evenly rolled, and nearly seamless. Hermanos de Armas cigars are produced at the Oveja Negra factory in Nicaragua — the same factory behind Black Label Trading Company and Black Works Studio.

A solid medium-to-full-bodied smoke, Descending Shadows opens with earth and spice. As the cigar develops, notes of brown sugar, black coffee, and dark chocolate begin to emerge. An undercurrent of sweetness runs throughout the experience, keeping the darker flavors in balance. The burn was even from start to finish, and the well-constructed cigar produced plentiful clouds of flavorful smoke.

As it happened, we had plans for a late night watching the College Football Playoffs, so I opted for a cup of dark, hot coffee with my pre-game cigar. The coffee had a subtle mocha note, which proved to be an excellent complement to the smoke. Still, I very much look forward to enjoying another Hermanos de Armas Descending Shadows paired with a rich, sweet bourbon in the future.

Cheers!

When the Sun Lies: An Afternoon at the Cigar Lounge

I don’t mind sitting with a heater on the enclosed porch on a cool evening to enjoy a cigar. Sitting there with a heater running while the sun is shining in the afternoon, however, generally doesn’t excite me. Maybe my brain automatically equates sunshine with warmth and refuses to accept cold but bright days. To work around that disconnect, I headed back to Hogshead Cigar Lounge this week for an afternoon smoke.

For the occasion, I lit up a My Father Blue in the Toro vitola. I’ve smoked several of the Blues in Robusto and always enjoyed them, but a visit to the lounge calls for a longer, more leisurely cigar.

My Father Blue is something of a milestone for the brand, as it’s the first My Father cigar made in Honduras, and it has already found its way onto a number of “Top 25” lists. The Toro is a 6 x 54 box-pressed cigar wrapped in a dark, reddish Connecticut Broadleaf Rosado, with Honduran Corojo and Criollo tobaccos from the García family’s own Finca La Opulencia farm making up the binder and filler. After years of producing everything in Estelí, the García family opened a new factory in Honduras in 2024, finally putting that long-cultivated tobacco to use.

Flavor-wise, the cigar comes out swinging with cocoa and cedar, backed by a gentle sweetness and plenty of richness from the first draw. As the smoke develops, notes of espresso and roasted coffee join in, but the overall profile remains steady and satisfying all the way to the finish.

After roughly a 90-plus-minute smoke — though I wasn’t watching the clock — the cigar burned down to a warm nub, and it was time to head home. The flavorful cigar, the warmth of the lounge, and the easy conversations with fellow smokers all combined to make for a thoroughly pleasant afternoon.

Now, with the first major winter storm of the season apparently on the way, it’s time to make sure the propane heaters are topped off for some cold-evening smokes on the porch.

Cheers!

A Pour Too Cold

My disdain for the frosted beer mug, in most situations, is no secret. Recently, however, I encountered its lesser-known but equally misguided cousin: the frosted whiskey glass.

We were enjoying beer and pizza at a restaurant in Blacksburg, Virginia. The place also boasts a large and surprisingly interesting whiskey menu, with prices that are remarkably budget-friendly. I decided to order a pour of E.H. Taylor Small Batch. When I made my request, the server asked, “On ice, or on the rocks?”

My mind went blank for a second before I replied, “No ice. In either form.” He laughed, realizing his slip, and confirmed my request.

When the pour arrived, I could only stare in amazement.

The glass was neither on ice nor on the rocks — the glass itself was frosted, rimmed with ice on the outside.

After wiping it down and letting it warm, the bourbon was, thankfully, quite enjoyable. In hindsight, the bar menu does feature a wide assortment of “shooters,” so perhaps, in their world, all whiskey is meant to be consumed quickly — and cold, like a shot.

Still, good bourbons deserve better than a deep freeze.

Cheers!

A Good Day for an Indoor Smoke

It had been a while since I spent time at my local cigar lounge. I’d often intended to head over to Hogshead Cigar Lounge for some indoor smoking pleasure, but, if we’re being honest, convenience often won out. Why drive when I can simply step onto my enclosed porch and enjoy a cigar? Still, the simple luxury of smoking indoors — with other cigar lovers — is worth the extra effort now and then.

When I rolled in one early afternoon this week, a few patrons were already settled in with their smokes, even if the angle of the photo failed to capture them. Before long, the lounge filled and the room buzzed with lively conversation.

Since it had been a while since my last visit, I made a few leisurely circuits of the humidor before settling on an Aganorsa Leaf Supreme Leaf Toro. This Nicaraguan puro features a Corojo ’99 wrapper over binder and filler tobaccos also grown in Nicaragua. The 6 x 52 cigar had a satisfying heft without feeling over-packed, and the draw was spot on.

It opened with a touch of pepper, though the spice stayed on the milder side. As the cigar settled in, a pleasant sweet woodiness emerged, supported by abundant smoke production that only enhanced the full-flavored experience.

The Supreme Leaf delivered nearly two hours of relaxed smoking. When I finally stepped outside, the cold felt noticeably sharper than it had when I arrived. Sitting in my car as the wind rocked it gently, I was reminded just how welcome the warmth and comfort of indoor cigar smoking can be in the heart of winter.

Cheers!

Good Cigars and a Week That Forgot It Was January

What is one to do when January temperatures climb into the 60s? Spend time outside, of course. Last week’s weather offered a welcome break from the usual winter chill (yes, I know the real cold is still lurking). Along with some refreshing walks around the neighborhood, I took advantage of the mild evenings by spending time on the porch — often without the need for a supplemental heat source.

I decided it was a good opportunity to work through some of the Cigar of the Month selections I’ve received over the past few months from Cigar and Pipes. I enjoy these packages and have discovered some excellent new smokes, but the cigars do tend to “back up,” especially when I’m also adding to the humidor through regular purchases.

One of the cigars I smoked this week was the La Gloria Cubana Los Gloriosos. This 6 x 50 Toro, received last September, features an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper over a Nicaraguan binder and fillers from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. It was crafted by Ernesto Perez-Carrillo for the La Gloria Cubana brand he helped establish. The smoke delivered notes of leather, espresso, and cocoa, and its smooth, medium-bodied profile paired especially well with a glass of DOM B&B as an evening digestif.

As the warm spell continued, another evening found me lighting up a November COTM selection: the Partagás Y Nada Más Santiago. This 5 x 50 Robusto is part of a lineup introduced at the 2025 PCA Trade Show. It features a Habano 2000 wrapper, a Sumatra binder, and a complex filler blend of Piloto Cubano, Corojo, Ecuadorian, and Broadleaf tobaccos. The cigar was milder than I expected, drifting into the mild-medium range at times. The draw was very open and airy, which likely contributed to its muted profile, though there were pleasant notes of cream and cocoa throughout.

I paired it with a pour of Four Roses Small Batch Select, though I waited until about a third of the way in before sipping, hoping the cigar’s flavors might build a bit. The bourbon brought dark fruit, vanilla, and oak, along with lingering sweetness and spice, adding a welcome flavor boost to the pairing.

These two cigars were new to me, which is exactly why I maintain a COTM subscription. It’s fun to receive cigars I might not have tried otherwise. Occasionally one doesn’t quite click, and other times I enjoy a cigar so much that I end up buying more. From time to time, one arrives that I’ve already smoked before — such was the case when the Black Works Studio Killer Bee showed up in October. Still, seeing it in the package made me smile; it’s a cigar I truly enjoy.

The Killer Bee Robusto is a 5 x 50 stick wrapped in dark Ecuadorian Maduro leaf. The cap is accented with thin stripes of lighter tobacco, giving it the bee-like appearance that inspired its name, while the foot is neatly and tightly closed. Inside, aged Nicaraguan tobaccos make up the binder and filler.

From the first draw, the medium-to-full-bodied smoke delivers white pepper, dark roasted coffee, and cedar spice. The burn is razor-sharp and consistent, producing thick, aromatic clouds that fill the space around me. By the second half, the cigar has settled into a fuller expression without becoming harsh. Despite its strength, I stuck with water for this after-dinner smoke.

Those pleasant January temperatures gave me the chance to enjoy several good cigars over a few days and make a dent in my Cigar of the Month backlog. And yet, as I write this, the next shipment has already arrived on my doorstep.

Ah, the struggle continues.

Cheers!

A Morning of Smoke and Silence

Most of my enjoyment of cigars takes place at home on the enclosed porch. In the colder months, I am usually alone (not lonely). So when I found myself sitting by myself in John B. Hayes Tobacconist in Winchester this week, it didn’t feel all that odd — surprising, perhaps, but not unusual.

When I arrived for a morning smoke, the familiar early morning crowd was present. They lingered only briefly before heading out, right on schedule. I can be confident it wasn’t me; this group tends to disperse around the same time most mornings, though there’s usually at least one other patron who remains. Even the proprietor spent most of the hour tucked away in his office, leaving the shop unusually quiet.

I selected a La Flor Dominicana Air Bender in the distinctive 6½ × 54 “Chisel” format. I hadn’t smoked anything from the Air Bender line in five or six years and couldn’t recall ever trying the Chisel vitola, so curiosity won out. The dark, oily Ecuadorian Habano wrapper looked especially inviting, while the ligero-heavy Dominican binder and filler promised a suitably robust morning smoke.

The Chisel shape — flattened and wedge-like — does indeed resemble a woodworker’s tool or perhaps the mouthpiece of a reed instrument. The end comes already open, and I’ve read that some smokers simply pinch it to create a larger opening rather than cutting. I opted to cut it anyway, though airflow remained somewhat restricted. After a few minutes, I took a bit more off the tip. Even then, the thin, flattened mouthfeel never felt entirely natural — despite my brief stint with the clarinet in my youth.

The Air Bender delivered exactly what it promised: a bold, flavorful smoke that never crossed into overwhelming territory, despite it being several hours before lunch. Peppery spice led the way, joined by cedar, dark chocolate, and coffee notes in a well-balanced profile. I had stopped for a creamy, vanilla-flavored chain coffee on the way in and its sweetness paired surprisingly well with the cigar’s darker character.

After about seventy-five minutes, it was time to set the cigar down — though it easily had another fifteen or twenty minutes left — and head out for lunch with my wife and a friend before the long drive home. Sitting there in the quiet shop, cigar in hand, watching the steady rhythm of people and cars pass outside, I was struck by how refreshing the moment felt. No conversation, no distractions — just good tobacco, and a pleasant morning stillness. It was a pause that was memorable long after the smoke has cleared.

Cheers!

The Best Cigar Is the One in Your Hand

The personalized license plate on my car offers a subtle hint at my enjoyment of cigars. Recently, while pumping gas, the guy behind me called out, “What’s your favorite cigar?” I hesitated, then stumbled through a reply listing a few brands I’ve enjoyed lately. In truth, my usual answer to that question — whether it’s about beer, bourbon, or cigars — is simply, “The one I’m enjoying at the moment.” It may sound flippant, but it’s also the most honest answer I have.

In my 2025 year-in-review post, I went out on a limb and declared a couple “favorites” of the year: the El Pulpo by Artesano del Tobacco and a Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Wegmans Private Selection. If I could distinctly recall every cigar smoked and every whiskey poured over the past year, would I still choose those two? I’m not entirely sure — but they clearly left a lasting impression. Reflecting on that choice, I decided to enjoy them together as my first sip and smoke of the new year.

Somewhat surprisingly, the Woodford Reserve Double Oaked store pick doesn’t appear to have been mentioned previously in these Musings, though it has shown up more than once on my Instagram feed. Compared to the standard bottling, this pick leans less on peppery spice and more toward a sweeter profile of caramel and oak. It’s an easy, enjoyable pour — and since no trips back to New Jersey are planned (or desired), I’ll be savoring this bottle while it lasts.

The El Pulpo, on the other hand, has been mentioned here before. Although it debuted in January 2023, it wasn’t until the summer of 2025 that I picked up a five-pack — and promptly followed that with a full box in the Robusto size. It’s a balanced and flavorful cigar, offering notes of dark chocolate, coffee, roasted nuts, and earth, capped by a pleasingly spicy-sweet finish.

After revisiting these two “favorites” together, I’m comfortable standing by my 2025 declarations. Still, the next time someone asks, “What’s your favorite cigar?” I'll prepared to answer a bit more quickly — with my usual reply: “The one I’m having at the moment.”

Cheers!

2025: A Year of Recovery and Small Pleasures

It’s time for the requisite year-in-review post. Although 2025 marked my first full year of retirement, it was a low-key and, at times, frustratingly sedentary one. After a previous year marked by chronic pain and ineffective treatments, I underwent back surgery — including a spinal fusion — in February. Healing from the procedure and recovering from months of severely limited physical activity has been slow and, to some degree, remains ongoing. Only in the final months of the year was I able to be a bit more active, and even now there is some lingering pain and restricted movement.

Unsurprisingly, that reality is reflected in my shooting journal. In 2025 I managed a meager four trips to the range for practice and just two IDPA matches. On the bright side, that represents a meaningful improvement over the zero outings logged in 2024. I fired my first shots since December 2023 in August and finally made a tentative return to competition in October. With luck — and continued progress — I’m truly hoping for more shooting sports participation in 2026.

Travel plans were also shaped by recovery with most travel in 2025 limited to weekend or overnight outings. We did attend several Virginia Tech Hokies football games. Weekends in Blacksburg, joined by our son and daughter-in-law, were enjoyable, even if the final scores were seldom in our favor.

We did get away for a week centered around a horticultural-focused convention that helped feed my indoor gardening passion. The event was held in New Jersey, which isn’t typically high on my vacation destination list, but I was pleasantly surprised — and pleased — to do a bit of bottle shopping and return home with a couple of excellent store-pick bourbons. Among them was a Wegmans Private Selection of Woodford Reserve Double Oaked, a bottle that may well be my favorite find of 2025.

On the upside, one doesn’t need to be especially mobile to enjoy good cigars and fine whiskey. Despite other limitations, I’ve been able to maintain a fairly regular “smoke and sip” routine, usually on the screened porch that we renovated into a three-season room over the summer. That space has quickly become one of my favorite places to slow down and enjoy an evening.

The one true vacation of 2025 was a week at the beach, taking in the surf and sand, good food, and cigars by the sea. During our stay on North Carolina’s Outer Banks, I paid a couple of visits to the OBX Cigar Lounge. Being able to pair a cigar with a beer or whiskey — while smoking indoors — was a particular pleasure. Under Virginia’s nanny-state regulations, that combination is nearly impossible, save for a handful of exceptions.

We managed to squeeze in two very different musical outings this year. May brought Metallica to Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, while December closed things out with a Tab Benoit show in Leesburg, Virginia — about as big a genre shift as one could ask for.

On the blogging and social media front, I remained fairly active. Despite the limited activity, I managed 156 posts in 2025. In addition to these blog posts, I regularly share cigar and beverage pairings on Instagram. I also added an option for readers to receive these Musings by email, providing another way for readers who follow along to stay connected.

One final note for those who care about such things: my favorite cigar of 2025 was El Pulpo by Artesano del Tobacco. It’s not often I reorder a cigar while I still have some on hand — make of that what you will.

All told, 2025 wasn’t a year of big adventures or bold accomplishments, but it was a year of recovery, small pleasures, and quiet progress. If nothing else, it helped lay the groundwork for a more active and engaged 2026 — and I’ll gladly raise a glass and light a cigar to that hope.

Happy New Year!