A Good Friday Pairing: Bourbon County Stout & The Wise Man Maduro

After a day of fasting and abstinence on Good Friday, I traditionally enjoy a stout and a cigar in the evening. After all, the monastic tradition of sustaining oneself on “liquid bread” during fasts dates back to the Middle Ages.

I reached into the cellar for a bottle of Bourbon County Brand Stout, this one from the 2024 release. For such an imposing beer, I selected an equally rich cigar — The Wise Man Maduro from Foundation Cigars. A few of these Toros have rested in my humidor for just shy of two years, making them roughly contemporaries of the beer.

Pollen hung thick in the evening air when I stepped onto the porch. Despite having dusted things off the day before, a yellow film coated the furniture — and my sinuses.

Still, the evening called.

The Bourbon County Brand Stout is an annual release from Goose Island Beer Company, aged for about a year in bourbon barrels from distilleries such as Buffalo Trace, Heaven Hill, Four Roses, and Wild Turkey. At a formidable 14.7% ABV, it has become a benchmark for barrel-aged imperial stouts.

The beer pours thick and indulgent, offering bold notes of chocolate, vanilla, espresso, and toffee. Undertones of dark cherry weave through a bourbon-like warmth, all carried on a dense, velvety mouthfeel. It could easily be called dessert in a bottle — if dessert were on the Lenten menu. The rich aroma alone cut cleanly through any pollen-induced haze.

The Wise Man Maduro is a standout from Foundation Cigar Company. The 6 x 52 Toro features a dark, reddish Mexican San Andrés wrapper over Nicaraguan binders from Estelí and Jalapa, with fillers from Estelí, Condega, and Jalapa.

Medium to full in body, the cigar opens with notes of bittersweet chocolate and bold espresso, accompanied by a subtle red pepper spice. From the outset, the pairing with the stout feels natural and well-aligned. 

As the smoke progresses, the flavors deepen. The chocolate becomes creamier, while a dark fruit sweetness emerges, reinforcing the dessert-like quality of the experience. The spice builds slightly toward the final third, adding just enough contrast to keep things engaging.

The interaction between the Bourbon County Stout and The Wise Man Maduro proves to be near perfect. Chocolate and coffee notes echo between sip and draw, each enhancing the other without becoming either bitter or cloying.

With blues music playing softly in the background, time seemed to slow as I sipped and smoked. Aside from the persistent assault of spring pollen, the session was effortless. The cigar burned flawlessly — no relights, no touch-ups — maintaining an even burn even when left to rest.

After two years in the humidor, it remained in peak form.

As the cigar neared its end, I glanced at the time and realized that two and a half hours had slipped by. That, perhaps, is the surest sign of a truly exceptional smoke and sip — and a fittingly contemplative close to Good Friday.

Cheers!

Bold Flavors Unite: Foundation Tabernacle David & St. Augustine Port Bourbon

On a recent evening, I was looking for a short-ish smoke and reached for the Foundation Tabernacle David, a 5 x 54 Perfecto. To go with it, I dug deep into the bourbon shelves and pulled out a long-ignored but much-loved bottle of St. Augustine Port Finished Bourbon.

The cigar had been resting in my humidor for about five months. I can’t say there was a reason for the wait other than my humidor being well-stocked with plenty of choices. The Tabernacle line has long been one of my favorites, no matter the vitola. The bourbon, on the other hand, has been rationed carefully since I picked it up in Florida about two years ago. Now about half gone, it remains a bottle I savor since it isn’t available locally through our state-controlled ABC stores.

The Tabernacle by Foundation Cigars is the brainchild of Nick Melillo and is produced by AJ Fernandez in Estelí, Nicaragua. The original blend features a dark Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper, Mexican San Andrés binder, and a mix of Nicaraguan (Estelí, Jalapa) and Honduran (Jamastrán) fillers. An extension of the line, the Havana Seed CT-142, sports an oily Connecticut 142 wrapper that undergoes extended aging.

While I’ve smoked both blends, I find myself drawn more to the original Tabernacle, typically in Robusto or Toro sizes. The David is one of two Perfectos in the lineup, alongside the larger Goliath (5 x 58), both released in October 2020.

A couple of clips from the sharply pointed head still left the draw slightly snug, thanks to the small foot. Once lit, the burn opened as the cigar reached its fuller ring gauge.

The opening flavors sat in the medium-bodied range, with notes of mild spice, dark chocolate, and cocoa. As the burn progressed into the wider portion, the profile truly came alive. Bitter cocoa took the lead, joined by toasted nuts, and the strength pushed into full-bodied territory. Creamy sweetness appeared to balance the richness. Toward the finish, both spice and sweet chocolate carried the lead.

The David really shines in the midsection, offering distinct transitions throughout its 65-minute smoke time. If I’m honest, the first inch is a little underwhelming compared to what follows. Perfectos are always fun and interesting, but they aren’t always the best showcase for a blend.

The bourbon was an ideal match. St. Augustine Port Finished Bourbon is finished in barrels from the local San Sebastian Winery, which then reuses the casks for their port-style fortified wine. Aged about three years and bottled at 102 proof, the spirit pours a deep ruby color. The nose carries caramel and dark fruit, with the port influence unmistakable. On the palate, rich notes of dark cherry, fig, and raisin dominate, rounded out by a long finish accented with black pepper.

Together, the Foundation Tabernacle David and St. Augustine Port Finished Bourbon made for a rich, indulgent pairing. The dark, layered flavors of both cigar and whiskey were perfect companions for a cool pre-fall evening, a preview of many more porch nights to come.

Cheers!

Summer Solstice: A Smoke, a Beer, and Spicy Shrimp

While running errands on June 20 — the Summer Solstice — conversations everywhere seemed to center on the approaching heat wave. Like clockwork, the first truly warm days of the year shift everyone’s focus to “keeping cool.” My usual response is something along the lines of, “Well, it is summer… in Virginia.” I typically follow up with a contrarian remark about my dislike of cold weather.

To mark the glorious end of chilly days, I enjoyed lunch out on the sunny deck. A plate of steamed shrimp and a cold beer made for a delightful Friday afternoon meal. It was warm, yes, but hardly oppressive. I’ll admit the black arms of my chair were scorching from the sun, and when I tried to read a bit on my phone, I was greeted with an alert: iPhone needs to cool down before you can use it. Even my phone was joining the chorus of complaints about the heat.

After finishing my meal, I grabbed another beer from the fridge and selected a cigar from the humidor. Back in my seat, I lit up and continued soaking in the warmth.

I had chosen the Foundation Aksum — a cigar I often reach for when I want something smaller and quicker. This 5 x 50 Robusto is wrapped in a dark Ecuadorian Sumatra leaf, with a Connecticut Broadleaf binder and Nicaraguan fillers from the Jalapa and Estelí regions. 

The Aksum offers a bold smoking experience, led by rich notes of sweet espresso and dark chocolate. Hints of black pepper, dark cherry, and raisin make their way in as well, all tied together by a lingering spicy finish. It paired beautifully with the hoppy Sierra Nevada Pale Ale — a fitting dessert after a spicy meal.

Eventually, I moved to the covered screen porch to get out of the direct sun. There, I finished my beer and cigar while enjoying a bit of reading in the breeze from the fans — a most relaxing afternoon.

Cheers!

Cold Nights, Warm Spirits: Chattanooga Whiskey and Foundation Aksum

It’s been over two weeks since I last enjoyed a cigar on the deck. The extreme cold, coupled with some lethargy due to pain, led to the hiatus. I did manage a quick indoor smoke one afternoon at Hogshead Cigar Lounge, which was a nice reprieve. On Saturday, my ever-understanding wife offered an early dinner, allowing me to catch the last of the sun before heading out for a long-overdue cigar session.

For the evening, I wanted a robust bourbon and decided to open the 121.2-proof Chattanooga Whiskey Single Barrel that I had picked up during recent travels. To pair with it, I chose a Foundation Aksum—a cigar I’ve come to appreciate for its bold and complex flavors.

The Foundation Aksum is a 5 x 50 Robusto wrapped in a dark Ecuadorian Sumatra leaf. The binder is Connecticut Broadleaf, and the fillers are Nicaraguan tobaccos from the Jalapa and Estelí regions. The cigar is finished with a pigtail cap and adorned with a band that pays homage to the ancient Aksumite Kingdom in present-day Ethiopia—the legendary resting place of the Ark of the Covenant.

The Aksum delivers a bold smoking experience, with rich notes of sweet espresso and dark chocolate taking center stage. Black pepper, dark cherry, and raisin also make an appearance, complemented by a lingering spice in the finish. It’s a cigar I frequently enjoy with a robust bourbon, and this pairing was no exception.

I was particularly excited to try the Chattanooga Whiskey Single Barrel Bourbon, as it had come highly recommended by other shoppers. It did not disappoint. Before pairing it with the cigar, I poured a bit into a Glencairn glass for a proper tasting experience.

The dark amber liquid released a delightful aroma of fruit and toffee, which I could detect even as I poured it. On the palate, flavors of dark fruit, dark chocolate, and toffee dominated, with a mild cinnamon spice lingering in the long finish. Despite its 60.6% alcohol content, the bourbon was surprisingly smooth—remarkably so for its stated age of “greater than four years.” It drinks like a much older whiskey.

I’m thrilled with my decision to pick up this bottle. The flavors are rich, well-balanced, and satisfying. While it paired wonderfully with the Aksum, I’m curious to see how it complements both milder and stronger cigars in future pairings.

The temperature dipped only slightly as the sun set, making for an enjoyable and overdue moment of relaxation. The Foundation Aksum and Chattanooga Whiskey Single Barrel Bourbon combined to create a pairing that will certainly be repeated.

Cheers!

Wise Man Maduro With Bulleit 95 Rye

Bulleit Rye was one of the first ryes I drank regularly, so when I saw this Bullet 95 12 Year Rye on the shelf last spring, I grabbed it without hesitation. I enjoyed a pour early on, but then overlooked the bottle for a many months.

The 95% rye mash bill is aged for a long 12 years and bottled at 92 proof. Bulleit 95 has a spicy, dough-like aroma, that's surprisingly on the lighter side. There are notes of cinnamon and vanilla as well. Sipping brings sweet notes of toffee, vanilla, and brown sugar. The alcohol presence is more noticeable than in the aroma. There's a pleasing warmth that does not burn or overwhelm the flavor. A nice rye spice, along with oak, lingers in the finish. This is an enjoyable sipper. I'm somewhat tempted to try it in a cocktail, perhaps a Rye Old Fashioned.

I paired the rye with a newly redesigned Wise Man Maduro from Foundation Cigars. This cigar has been resting in my humidor for about four months. I smoked one previously upon delivery and found it to be quite spicy. I was interested to see how some age would affect the blend.

This Wise Man Maduro vitola is a  6 x 52 Toro. The dark red, Mexican San Andrés wrapper is smoothly applied over two Nicaraguan binders — from the Nicaragua Estelí and Jalapa regions — with a mix of fillers from Estelí, Condega and Jalapa.

The flavor started out in the medium range, but processed to a full bodied smoke by the second half. Bountiful notes of spice, toasted nuts, earth, and sweet chocolate made for a flavorful experience. The spice had a cedar aspect for most of the smoke, which progressed into the black pepper realm towards the last third, which predominated the profile for the rest of the smoking time. Smoke production was copious and the burn even and consistent.

The Bulleit 95 12 Year Rye is an exceptional pour for the $60 price tag. The spicy sweetness of the rye matched well with the similar spice and sweet profile of the Foundation Wise Man Maduro. Despite a warm nub, the cigar was smoked to the very end. A few extra sips of the rye topped off the enjoyable smoke.

Cheers!

A (Very) Hot Smoking Time

We were on the road for eleven days to end June and begin July. There were many fun times while we engaged in other interests, but sadly no opportunity for enjoying a cigar. We did make a brief pass through Frankfort, KY, which included a stop at the Buffalo Trace Distiller to shop and do a morning tasting.

After a long day spent catching up on things around the house upon our return, I was looking forward to relaxing with a cigar. Alas, we're in the midst of a summer extreme heat wave, and the screen porch was hovering over 100°. I noticed after dinner that the thermometer needle had dropped below the 100° mark. Close enough.

Grabbing a Foundation Aksum from my travel humidor, I turned on the fans and tried to make the best of it. (I traveled with cigars, just didn't get to smoke them.)

The Foundation Aksum is a 5 x 50 Robusto cloaked in a very dark Ecuadoran Sumatra wrapper leaf. The binder is Connecticut broadleaf and the filler tobaccos hail from the Jalapa and Estelí regions in Nicaragua. The cigar is a bold, full bodied smoke with rich notes of sweet espresso and dark chocolate predominating. Black pepper, and dark cherry and raison notes blended throughout. This is the same cigar previously released as Foundation Metapa. A trademark issue prompted the rebranding.

After getting settled and adjusted to the heat, I poured the remaining bit of Wilderness Trail Bourbon from my travel flask. (I also traveled with bourbon, but didn't need to pour from the flanked often since other sipping opportunities did abound.)

Wilderness Trail is a wheated bourbon. The distillery releases in small batches of 18 barrels, after 5-6 years of aging. Strong aromas of vanilla and caramel waft from the glass. There's a pleasing oak presence which joins the vanilla and caramel. A hefty dose of cinnamon and pepper spiciness rounds out the finish. That spicy heat makes a flavorful match for the robust cigar.

Perhaps some less "hot" flavor choices for the pairing may have been better for the very warm temperature. Still, the one hour break was welcome and enjoyable.

Cheers!

Celebrating the Eve of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist

One of the oldest celebrations in the Catholic Church, the Nativity of St. John the Baptist was June 24. Traditionally, a bonfire marked the eve of the Saint's birthday. For our part, we decided to enjoy a small commemoration with a fire, food, cigars, and drink.

We were joined for our celebration by a good priest friend, the evening starting out with a delicious slow cooked pork dinner. Afterwards we retired to the back yard for the main event. I grabbed a couple of the newly redesigned Wise Man Maduro selections from Foundation Cigars. We poured The Macallan Edition No.1 Scotch, and Colleen set out a selection of cheeses and salami to nibble on.

The fire was small, in deference to the high temperatures outdoors, and sat further back from the fire pit than usual. Still, it was warm! 

Foundation Cigars recently released a redesigned Wise Man line. The Wise Man Maduro and Wise Man Corojo. The older El Güegüense and Wise Man Maduro lines were discontinued. The new cigars are made at the My Father Cigars factory, another change. The previous lines were produced by the Aganorsa team

The 6 x 52 Toro has a dark reddish, Mexican San Andrés wrapper. Two Nicaraguan binders from Nicaragua Estelí and Jalapa regions, with a mix of fillers from Estelí, Condega and Jalapa.

The Wise Man Maduro was an excellent smoke. The cigars had been resting in my humidor for 6 weeks. I prefer a little longer rest for new arrivals but they performed wonderfully. The medium to full bodied smoke had hints of toasted nuts, earth, and sweet chocolate. There was a pleasing cedar spice throughout. At the cigar progressed, there was an occasional increased tasted of the spice, but the flavors remained in balance. Smoke production was thick with a creamy mouthfeel. The cigar was quite enjoyable and I suspect with just a bit more resting time, the spice notes would even out.

Afterwards, we cooled off inside with some chocolate icebox pie. All in all, a feast fitting to celebrate the birth of St. John the Baptist, the last and greatest prophet.

Cheers!

A Tease of Spring

There's a meme on social media that says, "It's like Winter leaves the room and then comes back to say, 'And one more thing. . ." Well, Winter left the room for a few days this week and we got a glimpse of the Spring to come. (Yes, Winter is coming back in a few days.)

I took advantage of the 70° temperatures to enjoy some deck therapy with a pour of Buffalo Trace Bourbon, paired with the El Güegüense Toro Huaco from Foundation Cigars.

The El Güegüense has been resting in my humidor for about a year. This Toro Huaco vitola is a hefty 6 x 56 stick. It felt especially large since I've been enjoying a lot of Robusto and Lancero cigars of late. 56 ring gauge is about the largest size cigar I enjoy. I've smoked many 6 x 60, or even 8 1/2 x 60 sticks. But for smoking time, balance in the hand, and comfort smoking, 56 is a good ring gauge. 

This Nicaraguan puro has a Corojo 99 wrapper and binder, and the binder is a blend of Corojo 99 and Criollo 98 tobaccos. The chocolate brown wrapper is somewhat bumpy with the rough inner leaves seemingly trying to escape. Despite a rough appearance, the oily wrapper held everything together and the cigar performed without issue. A blend of cocoa, espresso, sweet chocolate, nuts, accented by a mild pepper spice combined for a complex and flavorful smoke. 

The medium bodied cigar paired quite nicely with the Buffalo Trace Bourbon. I've been nursing my few bottles of Buffalo Trace as it's "allocated" in Virginia. This not truly rare bourbon can only be purchased when the VA ABC announces a random "drop event." And then you don't know where the bottles will show up until you arrive at the store. Adding to the State-generated hype, if one decides to purchase a bottle of Buffalo Trace, no other allocated bottles can be purchased that trip. It's an idiotic system devised by, well, you know. Fortunately, it often available in neighboring states, and online, at or near MSRP. 

Buffalo Trace in the quintessential bourbon. It checks in at 90 proof, and has all the classic notes of caramel, vanilla, and toffee. It's has a sweet but balanced profile that offers an easy-to-sip drink. Buffalo Trace is often dismissed by the bourbon "snobs" but is generally well-received by folks who simply like a good bourbon. The $30 price tag is a bonus as well. (I refuse to pay secondary market prices for any whiskey.)

Now that we are in Daylight Saving Time, I was able to enjoy the after dinner smoke and drink before the sun had even set. That felt good to say the least.

Cheers!

Saturday Night Rabbit Hole Heigold and Foundation Olmec

After shooting the IDPA match in the morning, I was looking forward to winding down the day with a good cigar and beverage. As is usual after a day on the range, I was tired and ready to relax.

After opening each drawer in the humidor multiple times I finally decided on the Olmec from Foundation Cigars. Olmec is a 2022 release from Nicholas Melillo, and as with many of his cigars, pays homage to tobacco history. The cigar pays tribute to the Olmec civilization which lived the tobacco-growing San Andrés region of Mexico. The Olmec are believed to be early partakers of cigars. 

This 5 x 50 Robusto has a dark chocolate San Andrés maduro wrapper, with binder and fillers from Nicaraguan. The filler tobaccos are said to be baled and aged for three years after fermentation. The wrapper leaves also undergo a low temperature slow fermentation process preserve the oil content and enhance their flavor.

A strong flavor profile of espresso, charred meat and pepper great the palate. That is balanced by sweet molasses and dark chocolate. I've smoked several of this and they have all performed well, and remain flavorful with no bitterness right down to the warm nub.

The selected bourbon accompaniment was Rabbit Hole Heigold Bourbon. Heigold is a high rye whiskey with a mash bill of 70 percent corn, 25 percent malted rye, and 5 percent malted barley. It is bottled at 95 proof. Caramel, ginger, and brown sugar waft from the glass. Sipping brings a sweet combination of brown sugar, gingerbread, and cinnamon. It's almost like a glazed cinnamon pastry. The rye influence arrives in the finish with a pleasing spicy heat. I first tried Rabbit Hole products a few years back during a work trip to Louisville. We've since started seeing the products more in Virginia, but supplies are sporadic and limited. This is definitely one to look for.

Cheers!

Cappuccino and Wise Man Maduro Lancero

It was a chilly but sunny afternoon when I decided to carry my mid-day treat cappuccino out to the deck to enjoy with a cigar. The fall colors were enchanting and the thinning leaf cover let some sun shine through. 

The Foundation Wise Man Maduro Lancero is a 7 1/2 x 40 well-packed cigar. The Mexican San Andrés wrapper glistened in the sun. Along with the Nicaraguan binder and fillers, it made for a medium bodied, robust smoke. Notes of espresso, chocolate, and black pepper are predominant. As I've remarked in the past, the lancero shape seems to enhance and concentrate the cigar's flavors when compared with other vitolas of the same blend. I expected the cigar to give me about a one hour smoke. The burn was slow and flawless and after about an hour only half the stick had been consumed. I was enjoying a book while smoking so may have smoked a little slower than usual, but the cigar burn never wavered nor needed touching up.

I was tempted to step inside to prepare another cappuccino but the sun was getting lower in the trees. While it was still another 45 minutes or so until sunset, the temperature was dropping. Still bearable but the remaining sun was providing little in the way of warmth. I smoked for another 30 minutes before putting the cigar down with about a quarter left.

The rich expresso notes of the Foundation Wise Man Maduro Lancero complimented the creamy sweetness of the cappuccino well. I was not thrilled with giving up the smoke so early, but it had served its purpose and provided nearly two hours of pleasure.

Cheers!

Tailgate Cigars

It was a beautiful fall Saturday, perfect for tailgating before a college football game. While the games are generally exciting, I look forward to the tailgate beforehand, mostly because it means time spent enjoying a cigar. While at home, I generally prefer bourbon as the accompanying beverage, but beer is always suitable for the pre-football festivities. For this occasion I had the Fightin' Hokies Lager from Hardywood Park Craft Brewing in the cooler. For my smoke I selected the Tobacco Tactical Dead Conqueror Alexander the Great Corojo. This was a selection in the June My Cigar Pack shipment, and a cigar I was unfamiliar with. The 6 x 54 Toro features a very dark chocolate Corojo wrapper with Dominican binder and fillers. I reviewed the Maduro version previously.

Like many large ring gauge cigars, the draw was open and airy. It took a while to get the cigar really going  before I started getting a good smoke production going. After 15 or 20 minutes, I was still double and triple puffing to get a good amount of smoke on the draw. Despite the moderately increased smoke production, I was getting more disappointed with each passing minute. I found the cigar to be quite devoid of flavor. "Sucking on a wooden toothpick" was the descriptor that came to mind. Reviewing my comments regarding the Maduro version, I noted muted but present flavors with that version, and it was an enjoyable smoke. Dominican tobaccos are generally mild, though still flavorful but this one I found exceptionally uninteresting. I took a break and I decided to eat my sandwich and set the cigar down with about one half smoked.

After the main eating was done, though snacking was ongoing, I decided to abandon the Dead Conqueror and light up a cigar I knew to be very flavorful.

The Olmec is a newer release from Foundation Cigars that I've smoked previously. This is a 5 x 50 Robusto with a dark San Andrés maduro wrapper covering binder and aged fillers from Nicaragua. Now we were getting somewhere - espresso, charred meat, molasses, and dark chocolate notes are all detected. This one I enjoyed thoroughly and smoked it down until there was nothing left to hold on to. 

Despite the slow start, the afternoon of enjoying good food, drink, and smoke was a blast. The day only got better as our team went on to victory in the late night game.

Cheers!

Foundation El Güegüense with an Octoberfest Märzen

Sometimes you just want a big cigar and a beer. The El Güegüense Toro Huaco from Foundation Cigars is a hefty 6 x 56 cigar that fills the bill. It's a great candidate to enjoy on a warm afternoon of sipping beers. The Nicaraguan puro has a Corojo 99 wrapper and binder, and the binder is a blend of Corojo 99 and Criollo 98 tobaccos. A chocolate brown wrapper is somewhat bumpy with the rough inner leaves seemingly trying to escape. Despite a rough appearance, the oily wrapper held everything together and the cigar performed without issue. This is a medium bodied cigar. A blend of cocoa, espresso, sweet chocolate, nuts, accented with along mild pepper spice combined for a complex and flavorful smoke. 

I look forward each fall to the Ocktoberfest beers that many breweries release, even if they do show up in the summer. In especially enjoy the Märzen style beers over the more grain forward "fest beer" versions. Bell's Brewing Octoberfest is one that's generally easy to find.

The beer pours a coppery orange color with a thick and persistent white foamy head. The aroma of caramel and malt great the nose. A malt forward flavor profile is balanced with biscuit and caramel sweetness. It worked quit well with the chocolate and espresso notes in the cigar.

The umlaut accented names in this pairing may have been a coincidence, but in a sense, it was a sign of a pairing made to happen. 

Cheers!

Foundation Olmec Maduro With Maker's Mark 46 Cask Strength

This turned out to be an exceptional pairing. Foundation Cigars Olmec is a newer release from the company. I've had some resting in the humidor for about three weeks and finally could not resist them any longer. The 5 x 50 Robusto has a very dark chocolate San Andrés maduro wrapper. It's nearly black in appearance. The binder and fillers are Nicaraguan. The filler tobaccos are said to be baled and aged for three years after fermentation. The wrapper leaves undergo a low temperature slow fermentation process preserve the oil content and enhance their flavor. It's a very attractive cigar. The gold outlined lettering over black on the band made getting a good photograph difficult. Even just looking at it my eyes couldn't quite get it in focus.

I punched the cap with my new PerfecPunch and Stand™ from PerfecCigar Solutions. This thing makes a nice cut -- I'll have more in a future review. The draw on the cigar was free flowing and produced copious amounts of smoke for the entire duration. I initially felt the cigar might be slightly under packed, but I got an even slow burn and an hour plus smoke from the small cigar. The flavor hit with an initial pepper blast, though it was not overwhelming or unpleasant. Other flavor notes quickly rolled in. Rich espresso and charred meat were the main impressions. Some sweet molasses and dark chocolate made appearances as well. The cigar remained full bodied throughout and never developed any bitterness even smoked down to a hot nub.

Maker's Mark 46 Cask Strength is one that I hadn't been able to find in Virginia for some time. The stores got inventory last May and I had rushed out to grab a bottle. That bottle soon got hidden on the shelf until recently I spied the unbroken wax on top peaking out. Upon remembering that bottle, I knew it had to be enjoyed with the Olmec.

The label is marked Batch 23-02 and 110.1 proof. The liquid inside pours a bright copper orange and immediately releases scents of caramel, cinnamon, and raisons. I think the higher proof contributes to the aromatics being wafted about. The alcohol can be detected on the nose, but it does not burn. 

The flavor of the cask strength bourbon hits the palate full on. It's a sweet mix of brown sugar, caramel, cinnamon, and sweet fruit. There's a "Kentucky hug" going down, but it warms, not burns. I'm struck by the richness of the bourbon. It's powerful though quite palatable. I grabbed a bottle of the standard Maker's 46 to compare. This is the bourbon most often used for cooking and baking in our home. I found it interesting that the flavor lines were comparable, but now all ramped up to a fuller level. Not simply stronger, but richer and brighter. 

Maker's Mark created some confusion when they redid the labels on their products. The No. 46 has always been "finished with ten French oak staves." However, the distiller now prominently displays "French Oak" in gold on the front of the label. I've seen some enthusiasts mistaking it for a new bourbon. It's still the same delicious whiskey it's always been.

The Foundation Olmec and Maker's Mark 46 Cask Strength combination was extremely enjoyable. The two full flavor profiles each manage to stand up to the other. Combining either the bourbon or the cigar with a milder partner would be a disservice and a waste of the milder partner. The Cask Strength 46 is already a regular (when I can find it) on my shelves. I suspect the Olmec will be a humidor regular.

Cheers!

Saturday Desserts - Pastry, Bourbon, Cigars

While I was enjoying a day of shooting, Colleen was enjoying her love of cooking and baking at home. Hers is a passion of which I am the grateful beneficiary. The day's project was Cardamom Buns. The pastries are flavored with freshly ground cardamom, cinnamon, dark cocoa, black pepper, and sugar and twirled and swirled into a pinwheel. After dinner we enjoyed them still warm from the oven.

Unsurprisingly, I enjoyed mine with a cigar and bourbon. In actuality, I did finish the pastry before lighting up. The Cardamom Buns had a nice golden glaze over the finely spiced pastry. While enjoying the treats, we both noted that they reminded us of some of the pastries we had enjoyed last fall at cafés in Budapest. A tasty treat that invokes memories of a fun trip brings the pleasure full circle.

The bourbon pour for the trio of desserts was Maker's Mark Wood Finishing Series FAE-02. The FAE-02 expression is the fall 2021 release that's part of the distillery's Wood Finishing Series. Spicy oak, caramel, citrus rind, and leather are the predominate notes. When I first opened the bottle in 2021 I thought it a little harsh. However, upon examination a year and a half later, the profile seems a lot more balanced and I enjoyed it quite a bit. Perhaps the sweet pastry, or just a different mood, brightened it up.

The Foundation El Güeqüense Huaco is a cigar I've mentioned very recently. I thought the notes of cocoa, espresso, and creamy chocolate provided a well balanced side to the bourbon, and even a few crumbs of the bun I picked off my plate.

It was an extremely relaxing repast providing refreshment and relaxation after the tiring morning on the range. To my delight, we had another serving heated up and enjoyed after Mass on Sunday with coffee.

Cheers!

Wild Turkey Rare Breed and El Güegüense

This was my consolation after returning home from shooting on Saturday. It had been a long day, with some disappointment, so I retired for a languorous evening on the deck with a large cigar and a classic bourbon pour, or two. 

Wild Turkey Rare Breed is a ubiquitous bourbon that readily available. At approximately $50 a bottle, it's a good value at 116.8 proof. There's no age statement on the bottle, but the Wild Turkey website lists it as a blend of 6, 8, and 12-year-old bourbons. The bourbon kicks off with some sweet notes, caramel, and a hint of citrus fruit. A good bit of spiciness then heats up the mouth, but is never overpowering. The bourbon warmth lingers a bit. I recently attended a bourbon, cigar, and smoked meat charity fundraiser when I recommended the Rare Breed to a number of gentlemen present who were not familiar with the array of bourbons offered. The suggestion was enjoyed by all but one friend who found it too hot. (In fact, his rejection inspired my choice this evening as I needed to doublecheck myself!)

The Foundation El Elgüegüense selection was from a five pack I obtained a while back. I've smoked this blend in both the Robusto and Lancero vitolas. This 6" x 56 Toro Huaco was a size I don't recall smoking previously. When I was placing the order I must have focused on the word "Toro" in the label and didn't look at the details. Toro can mean anything, but generally they tend to be around 6" in length, with an average range gauge of 48 - 52. For this evening the heftier cigar was a fit.  The Nicaraguan puro has a Corojo 99 wrapper and binder, and the binder is a blend of Corojo 99 and Criollo 98 tobaccos. 

This particular stick had a small amount of give to the pack, with an airy draw that I did touch up a few times when the smoke seemed to be slowing. The burn line stayed pretty even. The flavorful cigar brings a pleasurable blend of cocoa, espresso, and nuts. A creamy chocolate mixed with pepper joins in as well. In any vitola, El Elgüegüense does not disappoint.

After the nearly two hour smoke, and the flavorful bourbon, I was sufficiently "consoled" 'after the day of shooting and travel.

Cheers!

Even More Repetition - ThisTime It's Okay

As we begin the second year of "two weeks to flatten the curve," life can seem a bit repetitive. How many times have you thought, "What day is it?" But sometimes more of the same, isn't necessarily a bad thing.

After doing a bit (a very small bit) of pre-spring yard work this weekend, I enjoyed a relaxing cigar on the deck. After opening each drawer in the humidor several times, I finally selected a Foundation Tabernacle to smoke. More indecisive searching followed in the beer fridge, before I grabbed a Lost Colony Hatteras Red Ale. The Red Ale was a leftover from our fall trip to the Outer Banks. 

Both the beer and the cigar have been mentioned in these Musings previously. The Tabernacle is especially persistent in its appearances. Knowing I've mentioned these things previously, I looked through previous postings and came across this post from December. That's when the déjà vu hit me and I did a double take. That picture…

As I've lamented often of late, "I really need to get out more." One other interesting note, the temperature during that December outing was actually warmer than it was for the March setting.

Taking Advantage of a Warm Winter Day

It seems the longest vacation I take each year falls in the winter. It's always a "stay-cation" but still the short wet, cold days can limit fun activities. That's why when the temperature crept up to 50° on the eve of Christmas Eve, I took advantage of it. 

Perhaps it was apropos that both the cigar and beer selected were reminiscent of vacations at the beach. The Tabernacle is a smoke that has accompanied me to the beach often. Likewise, the Lost Colony Hatteras Red is a favorite of Outer Banks vacations. 

There was an intermittent cool breeze and the sun was fleeting, so despite the warmer temperature, I did decide to activate the propane heater. Nonetheless, it was an exceptionally enjoyable passage of time. Adding to the pleasure was the noticeable lack of power equipment running in the distance. Perhaps the neighbors were too busy with last minute holiday preparations to do any yard work.

 

While the beer lasted only a short time, I smoked the cigar down to the very end. The days to follow are expected to bring a return to more typical winter weather. There's little doubt there will still be tasty beverages and smokes to be enjoyed, it will just require more bundling up for the outdoor portion.

Tabernacle Cigars & The Beach, A Tradition?

I've got nothing else to share, so here's one last beach memory… One of the cigars I enjoyed during our recent vacation at the beach was The Tabernacle by Foundation Cigars. This is a smoke that's been in short supply for most of 2020, but recently started appearing on the shelves again. 

The 6 x 52 Toro features a shiny Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper over a Mexican San Andrés wrapper and fillers from Honduras and Nicaragua. The smoke has notes of creamy chocolate, sweet vanilla, and a subtle earthiness

While enjoying this cigar and watching the ocean waves roll in, it occurred to me I had last smoked a Tabernacle during the prior year's vacation. I do tend to take pictures of most of the cigars I smoke and lots of those pictures end up on my Instagram account. Mostly I just enjoy going back and reminiscing about the cigars, as well as the people and places associated with them. I scrolled through those photos on my laptop, and sure enough, there it was.

I recall the weather was exceptionally windy during that trip, and smoking on the beach or even the deck was difficult. We retreated to the somewhat sheltered pool where I was able to enjoy the smoke while the family swam.

Now back to winter…

Tröegs Sunshine Pilsner

Saturday was an extraordinarily productive day. After breakfast, and on just a single cup of coffee, I went to work on my planned chores for the day. I reframed and hung a new screen door on the porch, transplanted some deck plants to the garden, and upgraded to a new work laptop. All before noon! After a shower and lunch, it was time for relaxation. That was enough productivity for a Saturday!

A few weeks back I received a summer care package of four beers and a bandana from Tröegs Brewing. I decided to grab one of them, and an appropriate cigar, and retire to my newly-doored porch to enjoy a rest. 

A can of Tröegs Sunshine Pilsner seemed appropriate for the sunny afternoon. Digging deep into the humidor, I located a Foundation Charter Oak Connecticut Toro.

Sunshine Pilsner is one of Tröegs' core beers. The beer pours bright straw yellow with a pure white head. The aroma is grass and hay. Sipping the 4.5% ABV pilsner brings notes of bread, grass, and white grape, all backed with a bitter citrus zest. The mouthfeel is crisp and carbonated. Grassy and citrus bitter notes linger in the finish. 

The Charter Oak Connecticut is a cigar I've not smoked in a couple years. I don't smoke a lot of cigars featuring Connecticut Shade wrappers, as they often get a bit bland, and even bitter at the end for me. In addition to the USA Connecticut Shade wrapper, this cigar features a Sumatra binder and fillers from Nicaragua. To my delight, the flavor of the smoke was pleasing to the end.

All in all, this sunny combo worked well together. Neither the beer nor the cigar overpowered the other. Rather than contrasting, the flavors of both, especially in the finish, were surprisingly similar.

If anything, the only downside of the experience was keeping the cigar dry. The cold beer in the humid air created copious condensation on the outside glass, and I frequently reached for the cigar with a wet hand. I nursed that glass of beer nearly through the entire smoke, often almost nodding off in the warm air. Not a bad way to spend a lazy Saturday afternoon, if I do say so myself.

The beer mentioned in the post was an unsolicited gift from the brewery. The review represents my opinion and is provided without compensation.

Cigars of the Weekend

And for something a little different, some cigar updates…

I'm tired of winter. (Actually that feeling emerged months ago.) So I was thrilled when this past  weekend we saw moderately warm and sunny days here in Virginia, when thermometer cracked 60°.

Admittedly the Friday prelude to the weekend saw temps shy of 30°, so I found myself at the Olde Towne Tobacconist lounge at 1781 Brewery. There, the wood stove, a pint of the brewery's Tough Kiltie Wee Heavy, and a L'Atelier LAT56 by Tatuaje Cigars gave me my first chance to sit and chill after a long week. The bold cigar paired well with the malty beer.

On Saturday afternoon, the sun eventually warmed things up to around 55°. I grabbed a quick smoke after lunch, enjoying an Oliva Serie G Maduro. The small 4 1/2  x 50 stick, with some black coffee and a little fun reading, provided a 30 minute break from chores.

After finishing the aforementioned chores, I opted to enjoy another small stick, RoMa Craft Neanderthal HoxD. Though a diminutive 4 x 46 vitola, the cigar packs a lot of flavor and strength in a small package.

After a Sunday afternoon hike in the woods, Colleen and I retired to the back porch to enjoy the sun and warmth, with a couple pints of Guinness Drought Nitro. I also lit a Tabernacle Havana Seed CT #142 from Foundation Cigars. This was a cigar I'd been wanting to try for some time. I enjoyed the original Tabernacle at the beach last summer, but had never had this much heralded variety. The full-strength cigar did not disappoint, though I will need to go back and revisit the original to get a better comparison.

After a couple very busy weeks of work-related travel and meetings, to finally have a relaxing, warm weekend respite at home was most welcome. That there was time to enjoy multiple good cigars was an added bonus.

As a final note, for those interested, there is more cigar-related content over on Instagram