Memories of Italy: Cigars and Spicy Cocktails in Venice

Venice was the final stop on our recent vacation in Italy. The group tour included a two day stay, and we extended our visit by another two. It was fun spending extra time exploring on our own, and we quickly grew surprisingly comfortable navigating the maze-like city.

An added benefit of the extended stay was enjoying two sunny days, as the first two had been plagued by intermittent rain — not unlike our previous visit, when our lone day in Venice was spent mostly taking cover from torrential downpours.

Of course, the pleasant weather also provided more opportunities to enjoy a cigar. Our hotel, the Palazzo Veneziano, was a beautiful four-star property that also boasted an excellent bar. Not only was it exceptionally well stocked, but the specialty cocktail menu was particularly impressive. What caught my attention most was the extensive selection of Negroni variations, several of which I happily returned to a few times during our stay.

The featured cocktail, however, was the Santa Margherita. The spicy drink is made with Altos Tequila Blanco, locally produced Select Aperitivo, lime and orange juice, agave syrup, and a Tajín-spiced rim. When the bartender first served one, he remarked, “There’s a straw, but I recommend you don’t use it.” Wanting the full experience, I followed his advice — and ended up enjoying several Santa Margheritas over the course of our stay.

On our final evening, the patio furniture at the hotel entrance had finally dried out after the earlier rains. After ordering another Santa Margherita from the bar, I settled in outside with a cigar. Fortunately, I had brought along a suitably spicy companion: the AJ Fernandez New World Decenio Robusto.

The Decenio opens with the rich, dark flavors typical of AJ Fernandez blends. Bold notes of dark cocoa and espresso, accented by a lively black pepper spice, remain consistent throughout the medium-to-full-bodied smoke. The cigar paired particularly well with the spicy cocktail, though I found myself using the straw for most sips, only occasionally drinking from the seasoned rim so as not to overwhelm the cigar’s flavors.

After finishing the flavorful pairing, we enjoyed one final sunset stroll through the streets of Venice. The evening light shimmering across the canals and the quiet, narrow streets provided a fitting finale to our visit. Though weary from sixteen days of touring, it felt bittersweet returning to the hotel for one final round of packing before our flight home the next morning.

It’s hard not to smile in Venice

Cheers!

Memories of Italy: Beer, Cigars, and the Alpine Charm of Bolzano

During our Italian vacation, we spent two nights in Bolzano, in South Tyrol. Situated at the gateway to the Dolomite Mountains, Bolzano has the look and feel of an Alpine village, with spectacular mountain views in every direction. Making the region even more intriguing is the strong German influence in its culture, food, and architecture — at times, it feels more like Austria or Bavaria than Italy.

The area was part of the Austrian Empire for centuries before becoming part of Italy after World War I. After the war, Mussolini’s Fascist government attempted to “Italianize” the region by encouraging Italian migration and suppressing the German language. Those efforts largely failed, and the people of South Tyrol still proudly maintain their German heritage and language today. The result is a fascinating blend of cultures where espresso bars and aperitivo traditions coexist alongside Alpine customs, German dialects, and Austrian-style mountain cuisine.

The bar in our hotel offered a couple of locally made, German-style beers, and naturally I was eager to try them. On the first evening, I joined some fellow travelers to enjoy pours of Felsenkeller Bier from Birra Forst. Served in a tall chalice, the cloudy, unfiltered, and unpasteurized beer delivered notes of sweet bread, yeast, and a touch of banana. It was remarkably refreshing and easy to sip.

On another late evening, after a day spent hiking wooded trails and wandering the city streets, I settled into the hotel’s outdoor garden to enjoy another local beer — this time paired with a cigar. I selected the V.I.P. Pils, also from Birra Forst. The crisp pilsner, brewed in the German tradition with a notably dry finish and refined bitterness, proved especially refreshing in the cool Alpine evening air. I paired it with a Las Calaveras Edicion Limitada 2025 LC52 that I had packed from home.

I’ve long enjoyed the annual Las Calaveras releases from Crowned Heads. The 2025 version features a mid-priming Mexican San Andrés wrapper that shows a lighter appearance than the darker maduro tones usually associated with San Andrés tobacco. Beneath that wrapper are Nicaraguan binder and fillers. The cigar treated the palate to notes of coffee and espresso, touches of cocoa, and mild pepper. Underlying it all was a gentle sweetness that softened the richer flavors.

Ideally, the cigar might have paired even better with a darker ale, perhaps a German Dunkel or Bock. However, that wasn’t an option at the time, and I found the combination thoroughly satisfying nonetheless. The crisp bitterness and clean, dry finish of the V.I.P. Pils highlighted the cigar’s cocoa and espresso notes without adding competing sweetness. The cool evening air and tranquil garden setting only enhanced the relaxing atmosphere.

The region’s German influence is readily apparent in the food as well. During a stroll through the market area of Bolzano, we stopped at a vendor’s cart to enjoy some Weißwurst. The sausages were served on paper with a generous dollop of spicy mustard and a hard roll — simple fare, but immensely satisfying.

One evening, we enjoyed dinner at Batzen Häusl, a local brewery and restaurant — not exactly the experience we had expected to find in Italy. I ordered a Batzen Bräu Bock alongside a South Tyrolean bratwurst platter. The beer was rich with dark caramel malt flavors and a mild sweetness.

The sausages were equally delicious, served with roasted potatoes and sauerkraut. I especially enjoyed the creamy sauerkraut, which struck a pleasing balance between sweet and sour flavors.

The food, the beer, the architecture, and the dramatic scenery of the Dolomites towering above the town — not to mention the ever-present German dialect — often made it easy to forget we were in Italy at all. Yet that unique blending of Italian and Germanic cultures is precisely what makes Bolzano and South Tyrol such a memorable destination. It’s a place where Alpine traditions and Italian hospitality coexist seamlessly, creating an atmosphere unlike anywhere else we visited during the trip. For this beer enthusiast, it was like two vacations in one.

Cheers!

The Celebration That Almost Slipped By

The day almost slipped by unnoticed. Monday marked the second anniversary of my retirement. Unlike that first year, which was heavily shaped by back problems and the surgery that followed, this past year has felt much more normal. The routines have settled in, and retirement has begun to feel less like an adjustment and more like a way of life.

To mark the occasion, I opened a bottle of Woodford Reserve Double Double Oaked Bourbon that I recently picked up. I’m a longtime fan of the standard Woodford Reserve Double Oaked, and this special expression takes an already excellent bourbon to another level. After the regular Double Oaked bourbon has fully matured, it spends an additional year in a second heavily toasted, lightly charred new oak barrel, creating a whiskey with remarkable depth and richness. Once available only as an annual distillery-exclusive release, this special bourbon now enjoys limited national distribution.

The bourbon’s deep, maple-syrup color immediately reflects the influence of that extended oak aging. Rich aromas of maple syrup and caramel rise from the Glencairn glass, while notes of butterscotch emerge as it opens up. The dark, inviting profile continues on the palate. Waves of caramel and maple lead the way, followed by hints of dark cherry and gentle spice. Taken as a whole, Woodford Reserve Double Double Oaked is dessert in a glass.

After savoring the bourbon for a while, I lit a Rocky Patel DBS. The 5 x 50 Robusto features dual Nicaraguan and Pennsylvania Broadleaf binders along with dual Honduran and Nicaraguan Broadleaf fillers. “DBS” stands for “Double Broadleaf Selection,” an appropriate name for a blend built around broadleaf tobaccos. Completing the package is a Mexican San Andrés Maduro wrapper.

The DBS opens with black pepper layered over bold cocoa and nut flavors, supported by subtle wood and vanilla sweetness. This cigar had been resting in my humidor for nearly a year, and while it remained full-bodied, it seemed slightly less intense than earlier examples I smoked closer to release. One characteristic that remained unchanged, however, was the draw. Although the cigar never appeared overly packed, every DBS I’ve smoked has drawn like a thick milkshake through a straw until about the first third, when airflow finally begins to improve. Draw issues aside, it remains a cigar I consistently enjoy.

The Woodford Reserve Double Double Oaked and Rocky Patel DBS proved to be fitting companions. From the start, the bourbon’s caramel and maple notes complemented the cigar’s vanilla and wood flavors. As the pairing progressed, espresso, cocoa, and dark fruit characteristics from both began to intertwine, creating seamless transitions across the palate. Near the finish, the cigar seemed to coax additional pepper and baking spice from the bourbon, adding another layer of complexity.

The evening of slow sipping and leisurely smoking provided plenty of time for reflection. It has taken a while, but it feels as though we’ve finally found our rhythm in retirement. The freedom to set our own schedule, whether for travel, social gatherings, household projects, or simply relaxing, is a reward earned through decades of work.

Perhaps the best indication that retirement suits me is that it took two days to find the time to sit down and write these thoughts. Boredom, it seems, is not a problem.

Cheers!

Spring Sunshine, a Spritz, and a Cigar

After a record-breaking streak of rainy days, the sun finally shone brightly this weekend. We spent a good part of it attending our 45th (!) college reunion. It was a blast seeing old classmates and even meeting a few people I hadn’t known back then. When Sunday rolled around, we recovered by enjoying the spring weather and an afternoon aperitivo on the back deck.

While Colleen prepared a selection of snacks, I mixed up a couple of Aperol Spritzes. A trip to the humidor yielded a Crowned Heads Blood Medicine Limited Edition 2026 B Positive Toro to complete the afternoon’s indulgences.

The Blood Medicine Limited Edition 2026 B Positive is a reimagining of the popular 2025 Blood Medicine release. It features a Nicaraguan Corojo wrapper, an Ecuadorian Connecticut-seed binder, and Nicaraguan fillers. The 6 x 54 Toro’s reddish-brown hue glistened in the afternoon sunlight.

The Blood Medicine B Positive had been resting in my humidor for just seven weeks. It probably could have benefited from a bit more time to acclimate after shipping. I’ve often found that newly released cigars, especially those shipped quickly from retailers, improve with additional humidor rest. Still, I was eager to give this one a try, and I have several more waiting.

The burn was somewhat wavy, requiring a few touch-ups, and the ash was a bit flaky. Those minor annoyances aside, I thoroughly enjoyed the cigar’s flavor profile. Starting out medium bodied, the Blood Medicine B Positive delivered a balanced array of notes, including dark cocoa, espresso, cedar, and black pepper. In the second half, the profile picked up in strength, pushing firmly into full-bodied territory.

The bright, bittersweet notes of the Aperol Spritz were somewhat overshadowed by the darker notes of the cigar, which took center stage on the palate. While the deeper vegetal bitterness of a Cynar Spritz might have made a more complementary pairing, the warm spring afternoon seemed to call for a lighter drink.

I found myself alternating slowly between smoking, sipping, and enjoying bites of food. That approach allowed me to better appreciate each element on its own rather than forcing the pairing to compete for attention.

An amazing chorus of birdsong filled the air throughout the afternoon, occasionally interrupted by the distant din of leaf blowers, lawn mowers, and pressure washers. Though the thick woods surrounding our home hide the neighbors from view, the sounds still detracted somewhat from the otherwise peaceful atmosphere. I’ve long believed that Sundays are meant for rest and relaxation, though that apparently isn’t a universally shared philosophy.

Our table was decorated with floral arrangements brought home from Friday evening’s reunion gathering. A visiting Swallowtail butterfly seemed to enjoy the flowers as much as we did, adding another touch to the bright spring ambiance.

Cheers!

The Cynar Spritz - An Italian Inspiration

I’ve been making a few cocktails lately using Cynar as an ingredient. The artichoke-based amaro has a gentle vegetal and earthy bitterness that I find especially enjoyable in an afternoon cocktail. During our recent trip to Italy, I spotted a sign outside a Venice café advertising a Cynar Spritz. This variation on the Italian spritz tradition is said to have originated in Northern Italy around Venice and Padua. Intrigued, I made a mental note to try one at the first opportunity, and I soon found myself enjoying the aperitif several times during our travels.

Like most Spritz cocktails, the recipe is simple.

Cynar Spritz

2 oz Cynar

3 oz chilled Prosecco

1 oz soda water

Lemon wedge or olive for garnish

Fill a wine glass with ice. Add the Cynar first, followed by the Prosecco and finally the soda water. Garnish with either a lemon wedge or olive.

In Italy, I enjoyed versions garnished with both lemon and olives, though I found I preferred the olive. The drinks there appeared to use Castelvetrano olives, which is what I used at home.

Like many Cynar cocktails, the presentation is not the most visually striking, with a color with a deep cola-like hue reminiscent of a ‘Jack and Coke.’ Compared to the more popular Aperol Spritz, the Cynar version is less citrusy and offers more herbal and savory notes.

To my delight, the Cynar Spritz paired exceptionally well with medium-bodied cigars, especially darker maduro blends. I recently enjoyed one alongside an Umbagog Bronzeback from Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust, accompanied by a platter of meats and cheeses as a late afternoon aperitivo.

The earthy, cocoa, and leather notes of the cigar complemented the drink beautifully. While the bitterness of the Cynar muted some of the Umbagog Bronzeback’s pepper notes, it seemed to amplify the cigar’s cocoa and espresso characteristics. Taking a sip immediately after a draw brought out even more herbal and root-like bitterness in the bubbly cocktail.

I have many fond memories from our trips to Italy, and enjoying this new-to-me cocktail helps bring back those wonderful experiences.

Cheers!

Memories of Italy: A Negroni Evening in Santa Margherita Ligure

It’s no secret to visitors to these Musings that I frequently enjoy pairing a Negroni with a cigar. Naturally, I sought out the same combination during our vacation in Italy.

We spent a few nights at the Hotel Metropole in ‎⁨Santa Margherita Ligure⁩. The hotel features a large outdoor dining area where I enjoyed the classic cocktail — with a cigar, naturally.

Among the cigars I packed for the trip was a Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust 10th Jubilee that had been resting in my humidor since mid-March. I had smoked one from the box a few weeks earlier and was looking forward to revisiting it.

The Negroni was excellent, crafted with a rich vermouth and local gin that made for an especially refreshing rendition of the classic cocktail. As daylight faded over the Ligurian coast, the leisurely pace of the evening seemed perfectly suited to the drink and cigar alike. The comfortable patio, bordered by a lovely garden setting, added to the relaxing evening ambiance.

The Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust 10th Jubilee commemorates ten years since Steve Saka launched the company in 2015. The 5 5/8 x 48 Corona Gorda is wrapped in a smooth, dark Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper. Beneath the wrapper is a Mexican San Andrés binder surrounding four Nicaraguan fillers sourced from the country’s major growing regions: Estelí, Jalapa, Condega, and Ometepe.

Though somewhat dark and foreboding in appearance, the 10th Jubilee delivers a medium-plus-bodied and nuanced smoking experience. The flavors are dynamic yet subtle, offering notes of baking spices, molasses, cedar, and earth, all occasionally accented by hints of black pepper. It is a cigar well-suited for quiet reflection.

The bitter cocktail added even more depth and enjoyment to the experience. The Jubilee’s balanced medium-bodied profile allowed the Negroni’s herbal complexity to remain expressive alongside the cigar. Combined with the warm evening air and birds singing in the garden, the pairing contributed to what felt like a quintessentially Italian evening.

Cheers!

Memorial Day and the Defense of Freedom

As we mark the unofficial beginning of summer, we should take a moment to reflect on and honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our freedoms. While many of us gather with family and friends to enjoy the holiday with food, fellowship, and celebration, we do so with gratitude and remembrance for the true meaning of Memorial Day.

The courage and selflessness of our fallen heroes played a vital role in securing the liberties we cherish today. As we pause to honor their memory, may we also reaffirm our commitment to upholding the values they fought to protect and remain vigilant in preserving the freedoms they so bravely defended.

It is a sobering reality that those freedoms are increasingly challenged by people who view our nation and its founding principles as flawed or oppressive. Here in our own Commonwealth, debates over constitutional rights and individual liberties continue to intensify, with career politicians at the highest levels of government pursuing policies that openly and knowingly infringe upon long-established protections guaranteed by the Constitution and Bill of Rights.

Whatever our political views, Memorial Day should remind us that the freedoms we debate so passionately were secured at a tremendous cost. Honoring the fallen means not only remembering their sacrifice, but also treating the principles for which they served with the seriousness and respect they deserve.

“The purpose of all war is ultimately peace.”

--Saint Augustine

Memories of Italy: Toscano Cigars

In early May, we spent 16 days touring several of Italy’s northern regions. Beyond the great food, historic sites, and stunning scenery, I always look forward to the relaxed attitude toward enjoying a cigar in Italy.

Naturally, I packed a travel humidor full of cigars for the trip. I always bring more than I expect to smoke — I never know what I’ll be in the mood for when the time comes to light up. Early in the journey, I also picked up a few Italian Toscano cigars to enjoy whenever the moment felt right.

A Late Afternoon Smoke in Stresa, Piedmont, Italy

The dry-cured cigars are ubiquitous in the many tabaccherie found along nearly every street. In addition to Toscano cigars, a typical tabaccheria sells cigarettes, pipe tobacco, lighters, bus and train tickets, postage stamps, and the occasional souvenir. A few I visited also carried modest selections of Cuban and New World cigars.

Toscano cigars are distinctive for their use of dark-fired Kentucky tobacco rather than the Caribbean-style tobaccos common in Cuban or New World cigars. Much of the tobacco is grown in Italy — especially in Tuscany, Umbria, Veneto, and Campania — with additional Kentucky tobacco sourced from North and South America.

The cigars require no humidor storage and are intentionally rustic in appearance — think Clint Eastwood in the old Spaghetti Westerns.

Prosecco in ‎⁨Piazza del Campo⁩, ⁨Siena⁩, ⁨Tuscany⁩, ⁨Italy⁩
 -- site of the famous Palio di Siena 

Toscano cigars provide a relatively quick smoke and pair wonderfully with a morning cappuccino, an afternoon espresso, or a pre-dinner aperitif. Their smoky, woody character delivers notes of earth, charred oak, and subtle sweetness.

During a tour of Lucca in Tuscany, our guide mentioned that the city was the home of Toscano Cigars. That bit of trivia sparked even more cigar conversation among my fellow travelers, many of whom had already become familiar with my cigar affections.

The Toscanos are rolled as slim panatelas, roughly six inches long and tapered at each end. They are often smoked “ammezzato” — cut in half — for a shorter session. Historically, they were frequently split and shared, earning them the nickname “friendship cigars.” Most of the Toscanos I enjoyed on this trip were smoked ammezzato alongside a coffee or aperitif.

Morning Coffee in ‎⁨Campo Santo Stefano⁩, ⁨Venice⁩, ⁨Veneto⁩, ⁨Italy⁩

Lighting up a Toscano — or any cigar — is a simple pleasure easily enjoyed in Italy’s outdoor cafés and courtyards. Most tables already have ashtrays available and, if not, one is quickly offered. People simply seem less bothered by the occasional waft of cigar smoke drifting through the air.

While in Venice, a cappuccino at a café in Campo Santo Stefano was especially memorable. The square bustled that Saturday morning with both tourists and locals. A brief rain shower passed through, but under the café umbrellas it caused little disruption. I lit a cigar as we talked and sipped our coffees, enjoying the lively rhythm of the café and the surrounding piazza. It made for a refreshing and relaxing pause during our morning stroll through Venice.

While we were in Bolzano, I stopped into a tabaccheria that offered an especially extensive selection of Toscano cigars. There, I picked up a box of Toscano del Presidente 20th Anniversario. The special edition commemorates the twentieth anniversary of the Toscano del Presidente cigar. These cigars are aged for 20 months instead of the usual 14 and come packaged in a commemorative box of 20 that includes a ceramic tray bearing the anniversary logo, which also serves as an ashtray.

Since the cigars and presentation box are sold exclusively in Italy and unavailable online, I figured they would make a fitting souvenir — albeit a somewhat bulky and heavy one for a carry-on bag.

With these new Toscano acquisitions, along with the selection already resting in my humidor, perhaps I can partially recreate the memories of smoking, eating, and drinking in Italy — at least until the next trip.

Cheers!

A Year Later: Revisiting the Yohtron YC-488 Humidor

It’s been nearly a year since I acquired my new Yohtron YC-488 humidor, which makes this a good time for a follow-up report.

The humidor has performed well, and my cigars have been stored without issue. Some have been in the unit since day one, while others are more recent arrivals. A few have now transitioned from a “tuppador” to the NewAir unit and finally into the Yohtron, and all remain in excellent condition. I’ve also noticed that new arrivals seem to acclimate more quickly than under my previous storage setups. I suspect the larger cabinet is less affected by frequent door openings than smaller units, which likely contributes to both stability and quicker acclimation.

Although the humidor is still well below capacity, it now holds significantly more than it did a year ago — especially in terms of boxes. At first, boxes occupied the first two shelves, but those acquisitions recently expand onto a third shelf. Some cedar trays placed on a lower shelf allowed me to stack the singles to better make use of the space.

One minor annoyance is that loose cigars tend to slide front to back when the drawers are opened and closed. Yohtron also offers adjustable dividers for some models, though I haven’t explored obtaining them.

I’ll admit I initially spent far too much time monitoring minute humidity variations. I started with three Govee sensors placed at different levels, along with a digital hygrometer. The Govee units are highly sensitive and react quickly, measuring to 0.1%. Once I confirmed that temperature and humidity were consistent throughout the cabinet, I removed all but one. That remaining unit serves primarily as an alert system on my phone in case of any real issue. I still keep a digital display hygrometer inside as well.

Over the past year, I’ve adjusted the humidity setting a couple of times and have settled on 66% as my preferred level for both short- and long-term storage. One observation has changed since my initial review: the unit’s display reads about 1.5%–2% lower than the set point — the opposite of what I noted previously. Currently, the unit is set to 68%, with the display averaging 66%, reflecting the actual humidity in the cabinet. Both the calibrated hygrometer and the Govee sensor show similar readings, though they fluctuate within a roughly 3% range. The Govee app, however, consistently reports a 66% average (±0.1%) across hourly, daily, and weekly views. While the unit responds quickly to setting changes, it takes about a week to fully stabilize.

The only real maintenance hiccup came around the six-month mark, when I replaced the filter pad in the water tank. I noticed a small amount of black mold, and the manufacturer recommends replacement at that interval anyway. When I looked on Amazon, the original filters were unavailable. Yohtron support confirmed this and suggested a compatible option from another brand. I tried it, but after a couple of weeks I wasn’t satisfied with the humidity performance. I eventually found a third-party replacement that appears identical to the original and has performed well. I do wonder what Yohtron is currently including with new units.

As an aside, I’ve contacted Yohtron support several times and have consistently received responses within a day.

I had some initial concerns about noise, since the unit sits in our dining room. Even after a year, it remains remarkably quiet. The most noticeable sound is a low hum when the cooling cycle engages, though it’s quieter than the NewAir unit it replaced. There’s also an occasional click as it shifts modes, but it’s barely noticeable. The unit cycles between heating and cooling to maintain humidity, along with internal fans circulating air from the reservoir. In most cases, any sound blends into the background — I often can’t tell whether it’s the humidor, the refrigerator, or the coffee maker.

Water usage has been surprisingly minimal. Aside from topping off after the filter change, I’ve only added distilled water twice over the past year, and even then the tank had not dropped below roughly three-quarters full.

After nearly a year, I remain very pleased with the Yohtron YC-488. While I sometimes question the extravagance, when I get tempted by another box purchase or a particularly good deal, storage capacity is no longer a limiting factor. More importantly, I’m confident that my cigars are being kept in a stable, reliable environment for the long term.

Cheers!

The Luxury of Too Many Options

Decisions, decisions. A true cigar “first-world problem” is choosing what to smoke when the moment presents itself. My humidor is modest by some standards, yet it holds more than 240 different blends and vitolas — plenty to keep me deliberating.

There are old favorites I return to time and again, alongside new releases and recent acquisitions I’m eager to try. At times, I find myself simply standing there, pondering — like staring into the fridge, trying to decide what will satisfy the moment.

Recently, I’ve been making more box purchases rather than singles or five-packs. That means more opportunity to focus on favorites, I’ve also paused, at least for now, any “cigar of the month” memberships. Smoking a single example rarely offers a full understanding of a cigar. Even so, I’m not convinced a reduced variety will make the decision any easier.

And once the cigar is chosen, my attention turns to the whiskey shelf. Again — decisions, decisions. My selection isn’t quite as extensive, but it still numbers around 100 bottles, mostly bourbon, with a few other spirits mixed in. Beer, coffee, and even water make occasional appearances as well.

Most often, I choose the cigar first and then select a complementary pairing. Other times, the craving starts with a particular drink — usually a bourbon or a cocktail — and the cigar decision follows with equal consideration. And, admittedly, there are moments when I simply grab a cigar and a pour with little thought and see what serendipity delivers.

Life is an adventure.

Cheers!

Exploring an Aged Beer and Cigar Pairing: Bigfoot and Padrón Maduro

The rains had stopped, but the air remained cool, and my thoughts turned to a hearty beer to accompany the evening’s smoke. I grabbed an old bottle of Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Ale from the stash in the basement. This bottle dated from the 2010 release, making it just over 15 years old.

When selecting a cigar to pair with the beer, I wanted something that could stand up to Bigfoot’s expected caramel and port-like dark fruit character while contributing a complementary sweetness of its own. I chose the Padrón 1964 Anniversary Series Maduro in the Torpedo vitola. It was shaping up to be a dessert-like pairing.

The bottle released a small “poof” when opened, proof that some carbonation remained. I poured a bit too quickly at first, building a moderate beige head that dissipated almost immediately. A sweet molasses aroma rose from the glass. The liquid itself glowed a bright red-mahogany hue.

At 9.6% ABV, the well-aged Bigfoot carried surprisingly little noticeable alcohol on the palate. Though known for its aggressive hop bitterness, I was somewhat surprised that citrus and bitter notes remained fairly robust after 15 years. The ale offered a rich blend of dark caramel and dark fruit sweetness reminiscent of port wine. Hints of fig, raisin, and toffee emerged as I sipped the rich beverage.

Not nearly as aged as the beer, the Padrón 1964 Anniversary Series Maduro had rested in my humidor for only four months. The cigar's construction was flawless, with the dense feel and clean lines expected from the line. The Torpedo size measures 6 x 52 and uses aged Nicaraguan tobaccos throughout.  

The smoke opened with bittersweet cocoa and espresso notes. As the cigar warmed, the profile deepened with molasses-like sweetness and hints of dark fruit. A soft peppery spice lingered into the finish.

The pairing of the vintage Bigfoot Ale and the Padrón 1964 Anniversary Series Maduro proved delightful and fully met my dessert-like expectations. The cigar’s cocoa and espresso notes complemented Bigfoot’s dark-fruit richness particularly well, while the shared molasses undertones tied the pairing together.

We’ve been enjoying opening some of the beers we tucked away for aging 10–15 years ago. I’ve found them immensely rewarding. Some come from breweries that now exist only in memory, yet all feel irreplaceable. Like cigars, they are ultimately meant to be enjoyed — even if that enjoyment comes years down the road. There is something bittersweet in finally opening a carefully aged bottle, knowing it can never truly be replaced.

Cheers!

Coffee-Flavored Comfort: Undercrown Maduro and the Revolver

Searching for a smoke on a cool evening, I was drawn to the Drew Estate Undercrown Maduro. It’s a cigar I’ve enjoyed many times over the years, though surprisingly I hadn’t reached for one in well over a year. I pulled a stick that had been resting in the humidor for nearly 18 months — further adding to my astonishment that it had been so long since my last one.

I’ve also been on a bit of a Revolver cocktail kick lately. The coffee-forward drink feels especially fitting on a cool evening. Truth be told, I’m a fan of almost anything coffee flavored. The Undercrown Maduro has always paired naturally with a mug of black coffee, so it seemed reasonable that it would work just as well alongside the cocktail.

The Undercrown Maduro is often described as “overlooked” or “under appreciated,” though I’m not sure I agree with those labels. While smoking, I posted a photo to an online cigar forum I frequent, and within minutes several members replied with pictures of the same cigar they were enjoying at that very moment. It hardly seemed forgotten.

The cigar features a Mexican San Andrés maduro wrapper over a Connecticut River Valley Habano binder, with Nicaraguan and Brazilian Mata Fina fillers completing the blend. The result is a medium-to-full-bodied smoke known for notes of espresso, cocoa, earth, and creaminess.  

Even after its long rest in the humidor, the San Andrés wrapper retained a dark, oily sheen. Rich flavors of espresso and cocoa sweetness dominated the profile, while the smoke itself was thick and creamy on the palate.

For the Revolver, I used Four Roses Small Batch Select at 104 proof. The higher-proof bourbon stood up well to the cigar’s richness without being overshadowed. The coffee liqueur amplified the cigar’s espresso and cocoa notes, while the orange bitters and expressed peel added a touch of brightness that kept the pairing from becoming overly heavy.

As I had hoped, the Revolver and the Undercrown Maduro proved to be a natural match. I smoked and sipped slowly, appreciating the interplay of coffee, cocoa, citrus, and sweetness throughout the evening.

Cheers!

Off the Beaten Path: Slow Burn Cigar Co. in Remington

A few weeks ago, I came across a mention online of a cigar lounge in the area that I had never heard of. Intrigued, I looked up Slow Burn Cigar Co. and realized it was just a short drive away in the small town of Remington. Interestingly, I pass through Remington regularly, yet had never had occasion to venture into the quiet rural community itself.

Opened a little over a year ago, Slow Burn occupies a renovated former feed supply store that suits the lounge perfectly. The building’s open layout and high ceilings create an airy, comfortable atmosphere, with ample seating spread throughout the space. Several large air cleaners help to keep the environment fresh. On warm days, additional seating is available on the front porch, offering a relaxed outdoor option for enjoying a cigar.

Owner Len is both welcoming and knowledgeable. Beyond simply running a cigar shop, he is clearly focused on building a destination for enthusiasts by bringing in boutique and harder-to-find cigars. The humidors may not be massive, but they are thoughtfully stocked with a balanced selection that should appeal to a wide range of smokers.

On both of my visits, I enjoyed the shop’s “house blend,” the Farmhouse Blend Maduro. The 6.5 x 52 vitola delivers a flavorful, slow-burning smoke with enough complexity to remain interesting throughout its long session. Slow Burn also participates in monthly releases from the Limited Cigar Association through Privada, giving regulars access to limited and often unique offerings. I look forward to exploring some of those selections on future visits.

Adding to Slow Burn's appeal is its unexpected location. While the surrounding region is heavily populated, Remington itself remains a small rural town of roughly 650 residents, tucked between Warrenton and Culpeper. Finding a dedicated cigar lounge of this quality in such a setting feels like discovering a hidden gem.

Len is actively working to spread the word about the shop, and the sense of community already seems to be taking hold. During my visits, conversations with several regulars added to the welcoming atmosphere. 

After a couple of visits, Slow Burn has already earned a place on my list of regular stops. Though the driving mileage is greater than some other nearby cigar shops, the drive through winding country roads takes about the same amount of time — and is considerably more enjoyable than navigating traffic through town. For cigar smokers in the area, it is well worth the detour.

Cheers!

Bourbon Independence Day: A Toast to America’s Native Spirit

On May 4, 1964, Senate Concurrent Resolution 19 (S. Con. Res. 19) was passed, declaring that bourbon “is a distinctive product of the United States.” With that resolution, Bourbon Whiskey joined the ranks of other regionally protected spirits such as Scotch Whisky, Cognac, and Canadian Whisky — each of which must be produced in their respective countries of origin.

Although bourbon originated in present day Kentucky in the late 1700s — then still part of Virginia — and the vast majority of it is still produced there today, bourbon is now made in all 50 U.S. states.

So, raise a glass (or two) and celebrate Bourbon Independence Day with your favorite pour!

Cheers!

Image from https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/STATUTE-78/pdf/STATUTE-78-Pg1208-2.pdf

A Toast to 10 Million Hits

Musings Over a Barrel is not the most prolific blog on the internet. It has always been a niche blog — that niche being me. Part review site, part experience log, and mostly a journal for me to reminisce over.

One of the most popular pages is the search link, and it’s quite likely many of those hits are my own.

To my surprise, sometime in the last 24 hours, the blog recorded its 10 millionth hit. Granted, that took more than 18 years, but still, it’s a cool milestone.

18+ years and 3,718 posts later, I offer a hearty “thank you” to everyone who spends a few moments of their time reading these ramblings.

Cheers!

A 4,000 Year Old Beer Tab

Researchers at the National Museum of Denmark have interpreted a clay tablet in their collection that records an ancient transaction:

One, which dates back 4,000 years, represents a record of beer being used as a form of payment in the ancient city of Umma, in what is now southern Iraq. It shows beer in various quality and quantities supplied by someone named 'Ayalli'.

It includes a payment of 16 litres of 'high quality beer' and 55 litres of 'ordinary beer', which would have been distributed among a group of workers

Even the earliest civilizations recognized the motivational value of beer.

For more details, see “Ancient BEER tab is discovered on a 4,000-year-old clay tablet.”

Cheers!

Porchside Pairing: Crowned Heads Broadway and New Riff Single Barrel

The end of the week brought delightful weather for sitting outside. On Thursday, I took advantage of it and enjoyed a couple of fine cigars in pleasant outdoor settings.

In the afternoon, I spent a few hours at Slow Burn Cigar Company, a new-to-me shop in Remington. (More on that in a future post.) It was such a nice day that I joined others on the outside porch rather than smoke in the lounge.

After dinner at home, I retired outside to the screened porch to enjoy a Crowned Heads Broadway. 

The Crowned Heads Broadway is a relatively new release from Crowned Heads. Coincidentally, it is the first cigar introduced under the company’s updated branding, with the logo displayed prominently on the primary band and a supplemental band identifying the specific line. I’ve had several of the 4 3/4 x 50 Robusto Extra vitola resting in the humidor for about four months.

The cigar features a dark Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper. The remainder of the blend is Nicaraguan tobacco, incorporating leaf from the Estelí, Jalapa, and Ometepe regions in the filler. That combination creates a rich, savory smoke that opens with notes of espresso, dark cocoa, and black pepper. Occasional but fleeting hints of sweetness emerge throughout.

As the cigar progressed, the pepper intensified and the profile grew bolder. Medium-full bodied at the start, it moved solidly into full-bodied territory during the second half. The final puffs delivered a concentrated wave of black pepper and dark richness.

My original intention was to pour some New Riff Distilling Bottled in Bond with the cigar. When I set the bottle down after pouring, I realized I had grabbed the New Riff Single Barrel by mistake. That worked out just fine — perhaps even better.

New Riff Single Barrel is a high-rye bourbon, offering a pleasant rye-driven kick. This bottle is labeled at 110.3 proof — assertive, but not overwhelming. Rye spice dominates the nose, accompanied by cinnamon, brown sugar, and sweet fruit notes. There is a touch of proof-driven warmth on the palate, though not enough to warrant adding water. Caramel sweetness and dark fruit balance the spice, creating a robust sipping experience.

The pairing, though unintended, turned out to be especially fitting. The bold and spicy New Riff stood up well to the richness of the Broadway, particularly as the cigar’s pepper and espresso notes intensified toward the finish.

As I smoked and sipped, I put on music from the 1960s and ’70s rock band Traffic in honor of the recent passing of founding member Dave Mason. The music stirred a wave of nostalgia and reflection.

The cigar and bourbon, combined with the spring weather and good music, created a serene and relaxing atmosphere — just the right way to get an early start on the weekend.

Cheers!

Montecristo 1935 and the Revolver Cocktail to Fight the Chill

Despite my optimism in de-winterizing the screened porch last week, Mother Nature had other plans. The past few days turned notably cooler, even bringing a couple days of frost warnings. As such, it was a bit chilly when it came time for our Sunday afternoon cocktails and snacks. I assumed we’d retreat indoors, but Colleen suggested we sit out on the porch while I enjoyed a cigar.

I’d been eyeing the Montecristo 1935 Anniversary Nicaragua Toro resting in the humidor for three months now, and decided its full-bodied profile might serve as a fitting counter to the chill.

My first inclination was to pour a bourbon with the cigar, but I opted for a cocktail instead. I settled on the Revolver — a richly flavored mix of bourbon, coffee liqueur, and orange bitters that leans decidedly dessert-like.

The Montecristo 1935 Anniversary Nicaragua Toro is a 6 x 54, softly box-pressed Nicaraguan puro. It was originally released to celebrate Montecristo’s 85th anniversary, with the intent of reimagining the original 1935 Cuban profile using modern Nicaraguan tobaccos. I have enjoyed a few Cuban Montecristos on European trips, I recall only one New World Montecristo prior to this — the milder White Series, which didn’t quite suit my preferences.

The 1935 Anniversary delivers a core of dark roast coffee, earth, and bitter cocoa. A moderate dose of pepper and baking spice — especially on the retrohale — adds definition. In the latter half, notes of leather and malted chocolate emerge. The profile remains rich and well-balanced throughout.

The cigar produced copious amounts of smoke, contributing to its overall richness. Even at rest, it gave off steady plumes — at times bordering on excessive when I was actively smoking.

An exceptionally enjoyable and bold smoke, the Montecristo 1935 Anniversary paired beautifully with the Revolver. The cocktail mirrors the cigar’s espresso and cocoa notes, while the hint of orange lifts and brightens the heavier flavors. The interplay between the drink’s coffee character and the bourbon’s sweetness complemented the cigar particularly well. The dark, warming profile of the cocktail also felt right at home in the cool air.

The Montecristo 1935 Anniversary Nicaragua has received high praise, including recognition as the #2 Cigar of the Year from Cigar Aficionado in 2021. Priced in the mid-range, it delivers an exceptional smoking experience. It’s one I could easily see adding to the humidor for special occasions — or simply for a rewarding late-day smoke.

Cooler weather is set to linger through the week, but with dark, bold pairings like this, that hardly seems like a hardship. Before long, I’ll be reaching for lighter, more refreshing combinations — but for now, this suits just fine.

Cheers!

Bourbon, Beef, and Cigars — All for a Good Cause

Enjoying smoked meat, whiskey, cigars, and good company is never a bad thing. Add in a great cause, and the enjoyment is all the greater. Such was the case this past Saturday evening, when I attended an event benefiting the Paul Stefan Foundation.

The Paul Stefan Foundation supports pregnant women in need, along with their children. By providing access to healthcare, housing, and skills training, the organization helps vulnerable women build a better life for their families. For two decades the organization has been providing a critical and, literally, life-saving service in the local community.

This was the fourth year I’ve attended this fun event to support the foundation, while also enjoying camaraderie, excellent food and drink, and, of course, cigars. As an indication of just how much there is to enjoy, this was the first year I actually remembered to pull out my phone and take a few photos — most of them hurriedly snapped near the end of the evening.

Held at the farm of a supporter, the centerpiece of the evening is a long table laden with smoked meats — beef, pork, chicken — along with the usual sides. Much of the meat is prepared by another supporter, and the smoked brisket is consistently among the best I’ve had.

The whiskey and bourbon selection is always diverse, often featuring a few elusive bottles. This year, I gravitated toward the E.H. Taylor Small Batch — at least until it ran dry. The bar also includes other spirits, mixers, bitters, and garnishes, along with a cocktail book for those looking to experiment.

There’s usually a modest selection of cigars available, and this year included offerings from Drew Estate, Padrón, and Fuente. I also brought a few from my own humidor to enjoy or share. With a strong turnout of cigar smokers this year, many others did the same. I started the evening with a Liga Privada H99 Flying Pig — one of my favorites — and later lit up a Micallef Red Robusto I had brought along.

As the evening wore on, a large bonfire was lit, drawing a crowd that lingered well into the night. In years past, I’ve stayed late into those hours, but this time I made an early-ish exit, despite the still lively gathering.

Most of my cigar smoking is a solitary pursuit, so I especially value opportunities like this. Throughout the evening, I enjoyed reconnecting with old friends and making new acquaintances. Cigars, food, and drink naturally foster good company — but when there’s a shared sense of purpose behind it all, the experience is elevated all the more.

Cheers!

A Quiet Pairing: Pledge Purple and Bourbon at Sunset

This weekend got off to a delightful start. With mild temperatures and low humidity, the screened porch was especially inviting. Despite the still-high pollen levels, I opened the windows to let in the breeze. While scanning the humidor for an evening smoke, I settled on the E.P. Carrillo Pledge Purple box that arrived a few weeks ago. Though the cigars had rested for just three weeks, curiosity got the better of me.

The Pledge Purple is a one-time release to mark the five-year anniversary of the original Pledge line. The Pledge Prequel earned Cigar Aficionado’s 2020 No. 1 Cigar of the Year with a 98-point rating. For this anniversary release, the same Havana-seed Connecticut wrapper set aside from that original crop was aged an additional five years — bringing the leaf to roughly a decade of age. The blend was adjusted to complement the more refined tobacco. A Mexican binder surrounds a Nicaraguan filler composed of tobaccos from Estelí, Condega, and Ometepe.

The wrapper shows a slightly dry appearance, though the cigar feels well-kept and properly humidified. The box-pressed 6 x 54 Toro is dressed in gold and purple bands, and packed in a bright purple box to match. I’ve long had an aversion to the color — in clothing and dinosaurs — but I’ll make an exception here for the sake of the cigar. :-)

The Pledge Purple opens with mild notes of earth, spice, and espresso. There’s no initial punch; instead, the profile builds gradually. As the cigar develops, cocoa and a subtle sweetness emerge, keeping things in the mild-to-medium range.

After some time, I began sipping the Old Elk Cigar Cut Bourbon I had poured as an accompaniment. I held off initially to get a clean read on the cigar. Cigar Cut is a blend of bourbons finished in Sherry, Armagnac, Port, and Cognac casks, resulting in layers of dark chocolate, toffee, raisins, and baking spice, with hints of tobacco and leather on the finish. It’s a rich and complex pour that has paired well with many cigars.

Together, the pairing proved both enjoyable and instructive. The bourbon’s raisin and port-driven sweetness amplified the cigar’s cocoa and earthy core. Its long finish, however, occasionally overshadowed the cigar’s more restrained close, with the bourbon taking the lead.

As the “sip and smoke” continued, the cigar subtly built to a solid medium body in the second half. Cocoa and espresso remained the dominant notes, gaining depth and intensity, while a touch of cedar spice added interest toward the end.

I enjoyed the E.P. Carrillo Pledge Purple quite a bit. It stands apart from the core Pledge line — less sharp, less spice-driven, and notably more refined. In many ways, it feels like what extended aging might naturally draw out of the original blend.

Relaxation came easily as the sun set, a cool breeze moving through the porch. With a good cigar and bourbon in hand, the evening settled into a quiet, easy rhythm. The cigar burned slowly — nearly two hours in total — and I eked out a few extra minutes, holding the nub between my fingers to capture that last bit of flavor. With nine remaining in the box, I’ll pace myself in lighting up the rest.

Cheers!