A Toast to Old Glory and America’s Native Spirit

As noted previously, June 14 is a day marked by not one, but two all-American celebrations. It’s the day we honor our Nation’s flag and also recognize bourbon as a truly American spirit. I settled into the sunny afternoon for a modest celebration of both occasions.

I marked the day with a pour of Eagle Rare bourbon enjoyed alongside a CAO America 250th Anniversary cigar, while admiring and contemplating our flag and the freedoms it represents.

The CAO America 250th Anniversary is a special limited edition of the original CAO America, released in commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and our nation’s semiquincentennial.

Instead of using tobaccos from a number of countries, including the U.S., as in the original blend, the 250th Anniversary is an American puro, using exclusively American-grown tobacco. The barber pole wrapper is composed of U.S. Broadleaf and U.S. Connecticut Shade leaves. The binder is U.S. Havana Connecticut, while U.S. Broadleaf and Pennsylvania tobaccos make up the filler. The cigar is offered in a single vitola, a box-pressed 5.5 x 55 Robusto.

My box of the 250th Anniversary cigars had arrived just two and a half weeks earlier, but I was anxious to try one, so I lit up sooner than I normally would after a shipment arrives.

The cold draw was earthy with a dry, dusty quality. The CAO America 250th Anniversary opens with woody oak and cedar notes. Mild dark chocolate emerged along with a delicate sweetness as the cigar progressed. The burn line needed a few touch-ups during the smoke, and I did have to relight it once. I’m inclined to attribute the burn issues to the cigar’s limited rest time after shipping. In a surprising twist, I detected a bit of nicotine strength in the second half. I am intrigued to find out whether that was an aberration or a consistent characteristic of the cigar. I’ll be smoking another after it has spent a bit more time in the humidor.

The Eagle Rare bourbon seemed a fitting companion to the occasion. The easy-drinking 90-proof bourbon, served over a large ice cube, was perfect for the warm afternoon. With notes of toffee, honey, dark fruit, and mild spice, the bourbon paired delightfully with the medium-bodied cigar. The soft oak notes shared by both the cigar and bourbon tended to reinforce their respective profiles.

Despite a few performance issues, I thoroughly enjoyed the CAO America 250th Anniversary. The pleasure came not only from the flavorful cigar and, of course, the bourbon. Smoking a cigar made entirely of American-grown tobacco on the day we honor our flag made the occasion especially fitting.

Cheers!

Stars, Stripes, and Bourbon

Today, June 14, is truly a “Made in America” day of celebration. It’s Flag Day, the day we honor our nation’s flag and all it represents. Remarkably, on this same day we also celebrate National Bourbon Day, recognizing bourbon as America’s “official” native spirit.

On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress resolved: “That the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.” Over the centuries, that first flag evolved into the one we proudly fly today, with its 13 stripes and 50 stars. I have always considered it the most striking national flag in the world. While opinions about our country and its symbols may differ, the flag remains a powerful emblem of the freedoms and opportunities that generations of Americans have worked to preserve.

National Bourbon Day came much later. On May 4, 1964, Congress declared bourbon a “distinctive product of the United States.” I am not sure when the national holiday itself originated, nor why it came to be celebrated on June 14. Tradition — or perhaps legend — holds that June 14 marks the first time bourbon was distilled, though it is difficult, if not impossible to prove. The date likely owes as much to distillery marketing as to historical fact, but who could object to such a celebration? There is certainly an argument to be made for pairing it with Flag Day, given bourbon’s uniquely American heritage.

So fly the flag, enjoy a sip of bourbon, and take a moment to appreciate both.

Cheers!

June 14: A Day Rich with “Made in America” Celebrations

June 14 is a day rich with truly “Made in America” celebrations. It’s Flag Day — a time to honor our Nation’s flag and everything it represents. It’s also National Bourbon Day, recognizing one of our country’s most iconic and officially recognized spirits.

On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress resolved: “That the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.” Our flag has evolved over the centuries, but today it still bears those 13 stripes along with 50 stars. I firmly believe it remains the most striking flag of any nation.

Sadly, some today label our flag as a symbol of oppression or racism. Ironically, many of those critics enjoy freedoms — speech, protest, and dissent — that are rare or outright denied in the very regimes they claim to admire. In those systems, expressing such views could easily lead to imprisonment — or worse.

National Bourbon Day came later. On May 4, 1964, Congress declared bourbon a “distinctive product of the United States.” While the exact origins of National Bourbon Day are unclear — perhaps more marketing than history — June 14 has become the day to celebrate our native beverage. A popular legend holds that on this day in 1789, in Georgetown, Kentucky, the Reverend Elijah Craig — a Baptist minister and entrepreneur — first produced bourbon. His distillery is said to be the birthplace of this remarkable spirit. Whatever the origin, it’s fitting to toast an American-made tradition on the same day we honor our flag.

So, raise the flag and raise a glass. Celebrate what makes this Nation great—its history, its symbols, and yes, even its spirits. Be thankful for them all.

Cheers!

Flag Day and National Bourbon Day - What a Combo!

June 14 is filled with truly "Made in America" celebrations. Today is Flag Day, the day we celebrate our Nation's flag and all it represents. On the same day we also mark National Bourbon Day, the day we celebrate an "official" American beverage. 

On June 14, 1777 the Continental Congress resolved "That the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation." Our first flag has evolved over time to the one we proudly fly today with 13 stripes and 50 stars. To this day, I hold it to be the most striking of any Nation's flag. There are many misguided and anti-freedom people in the US today who claim our flag is a racist or oppressive symbol. Ironically, a majority of those making those accusations, would hardly be as free, if even allowed to avoid the death penalty, under the governments they so ignorantly wish to emulate. 

National Bourbon Day came later. On May 4, 1964 Congress proclaimed bourbon to be a “distinctive product of the United States.” I am not sure when the National holiday came to be, nor how the day came to be celebrated on June 14. Tradition, or legend, holds that June 14 was actually the first time bourbon was distilled, but who would really know? The day likely has more to do with distillery marketing than history, but who could be against such a celebration? There is certainly an argument that could be be made for joining it with Flag Day given its connection to our great Nation.

So fly the flag and enjoy a sip of bourbon today, and be thankful for both.

Fun fact: Viewing the American flag leads to higher brain function.

Cheers!

Bourbon and Our Flag

It's a great day to be an American. Officially it's Flag Day, the day we celebrate our Nation's flag and all it represents. Unofficially, it's National Bourbon Day, the day we celebrate a truly American beverage. It's a pairing made in America.

On June 14, 1777 the Continental Congress resolved "That the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation."  Our first flag has evolved over time to the one we proudly fly today with 13 stripes and 50 stars. It's the most striking of any Nation's flag in my opinion. Many misguided people in the US today claim our flag is a racist or oppressive symbol. Ironically, a majority of those making those accusations, would hardly be as free, if even allowed to live, under the governments they so ignorantly wish to emulate. 

National Bourbon Day came later. It was on May 4, 1964 that Congress proclaimed Bourbon to be Congress declares bourbon a “distinctive product of the United States.” I am not sure when the holiday was proclaimed, nor how the day came to be celebrated on June 14. Tradition, or legend, holds that May 4 was the first time bourbon was distilled, but who would really know? It most likely had more to do with distillery marketing than history. There is certainly an argument that could be be made for joining it with Flag Day given its connection to our Nation.

So fly the flag and enjoy a sip of bourbon today, and be thankful for both.

Cheers!

Every Day is Flag Day

Display it. Respect it.

Studies have shown that seeing the American flag improves brain function.