A Fire Pit Evening: Cigar, Stout, and Spring’s Edge

After a wonderful meal out on Saturday afternoon, I was eager to enjoy a fire in the backyard that evening. Our time around the fire pit has been severely limited over the past year. Although the temperature lingered around 80° even as the sun set, my enthusiasm was undiminished. The forecast for the following week called for a return to daytime temperatures in the 30s with plenty of rain, so this was likely one of the last good opportunities before the truly hot days of spring and summer arrived.

I had a Quesada Oktoberfest Das Boot from the 2024 release resting in my humidor since it arrived from Luxury Cigar Club last August. I last smoked cigars from this line in 2021, pairing them variously with coffee, an Oktoberfest beer, and whiskey. After selecting the cigar for the evening, I rummaged through the downstairs beer fridge for a suitable companion and settled on an older bottle of Bourbon County Stout — specifically, one from the 2022 bottling.

With Colleen’s help, I gathered some wood and built a small fire in the pit. Once everything was ready, I settled in with my cigar and beer, watching the sun begin its slow descent below the horizon.

The 2024 Quesada Oktoberfest Das Boot is a 6 x 52 Torpedo with a sharply pointed cap. I made several cuts to open up the draw. Made entirely of Dominican tobaccos, the cigar features a shiny maduro wrapper. Medium-bodied, its flavor profile offers notes of dry wood, sweet bread, and nuts. A hint of cinnamon emerges later in the smoke, but otherwise the flavors remain consistent throughout.

While the burn was strong with a straight char line, the smoke output was a bit on the lighter side. The Quesada Oktoberfest is designed to pair with an Oktoberfest beer — a style known for low ABV, sweet malt, and minimal hop bitterness — and in that regard, my experience is the cigar delivers on its intent.

The Bourbon County Stout I chose for the pairing, however, offers a bolder profile than a traditional Oktoberfest. This bourbon barrel-aged Imperial Stout from Goose Island Brewing clocks in at 14.7% ABV. Its flavor is rich and complex, yet surprisingly approachable. Deep notes of dark caramel, coffee, chocolate, and molasses delight the palate. A pronounced sweetness borders on cloying but stays just under the threshold of overwhelming. A subtle boozy edge complements the richness, and the mouthfeel is viscous and indulgent.

The pairing between the Quesada Oktoberfest and the Bourbon County Stout was generally harmonious. I think a cigar with a fuller smoke output might have stood up to the stout even better, but overall, they worked well together. 

As the cigar came to an end, I sipped the last of my beer in the dark, gazing into the glowing embers of the fire. It was a deeply relaxing end to the day — a moment in which, if only briefly, the aches of post-surgery recovery could be forgotten.

Cheers!

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Tatujae and Redwood Empire: Notes from the Healing Journey

I decided to celebrate a good checkin with the surgeon with a quick smoke and sip. (It's my logic, don't judge.) Friday was a delightfully warm day, even if a bit cloudy most of the afternoon. But as luck would have it, the clouds gave way to sunshine before sunset. Even more reason to head out and soak up some Vitamin D3 for my healing bones.

From the humidor, I selected the Tatuaje Havana VI Nobles that came as part of the December Luxury Cigar Club package. It is a cigar I have not smoked in several years but remembered it fondly. After perusing the bottles on the shelves, I grabbed a pour of Redwood Empire Lost Monarch — a Bourbon and Rye blend, also known as a “Bourye.”

Redwood Empire Lost Monarch blends 60% rye (aged 3 to 5 years) with 40% bourbon (aged 4 to 12 years). The result marries the sweetness of bourbon with the spice of rye. On the nose, there are notes of vanilla, cinnamon, and a hint of citrus zest. The palate opens with vanilla and caramel, followed by a lingering peppery finish.

It’s difficult to pick out distinct bourbon or rye flavors — the blend is neither one nor the other, yet somehow both. On the long finish, the rye component seems to take the lead. The overall profile is unique and thoroughly enjoyable. At 90 proof and priced under $35, Redwood Empire Lost Monarch is an easy pick for an everyday sipper.

Tatuaje Havana VI Nobles is a 5 x 50 Robusto wrapped in an oily, reddish-brown Ecuadorian Habano wrapper. Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos complete the blend. Thanks to the rolling and blending techniques employed in production, the Havana VI line is often compared to classic Cuban cigars of the past.

It had been a while since I last smoked one, though I remembered enjoying it. Checks notes… yep, confirmed. Back then, I paired it with a delightful Porter, and I approached the current whiskey pairing with high expectations.

The cigar opens with sweet molasses, caramel, and nutty notes. As it burns, earthy tones, cedar spice, and creamy coffee come into play. The medium-bodied smoke is well-balanced. While it didn’t overpower the spice of the “bourye,” it held its own nicely. I did alternate the whiskey with sips of water before puffing, which helped keep the flavors distinct. Altogether, it made for a flavorful and satisfying pairing.

The Tatuaje Havana VI Nobles comes at a reasonable price, especially in today’s world of ever-rising cigar costs. Like the Redwood Empire Lost Monarch, it’s a strong contender for a regular rotation. Honestly, it’s as if the two were made for each other. 

Cheers!

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Afternoon Indulgence: Cake, Coffee, and a Cigar

It was a lazy afternoon — but in my defense, there was cake. Colleen had made an absolutely delectable Coconut Pistachio Layer Cake when our son and daughter-in-law visited last weekend. She set aside a couple of slices for us before sending the leftovers home with them. We decided to enjoy the cake with our afternoon coffee, and the thought of a sweet treat gave me the urge to follow it with an afternoon cigar.

Perusing my humidor, I came across a Zino Nicaragua. This cigar arrived in January as part of the Luxury Cigar Club monthly package and had been resting since. Zino is a budget-friendly line from the Davidoff company. In all honesty, it hadn’t intrigued me when it arrived, and I had mentally categorized it as a light afternoon option with coffee. But with the sweet cake in the mix, now seemed like the right time to light it up.

The Zino Nicaragua Toro is a 6 x 50 stick wrapped in a smooth Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade Habano leaf. A Nicaraguan binder encases a blend of Dominican, Honduran, and Nicaraguan fillers. The cigar gives off a faint hay aroma, and once lit, the smoke is thin and mild. Right off the bat, I pick up muted notes of sweet cream and salt. There’s a bread-like quality that persists throughout — think Wonder White Bread crust. In the second half, a touch of white pepper tingles the tongue, adding a bit more interest. The mild sweetness lingers, even leaving a light coating on my lips toward the end.

The Zino Nicaragua burned well, requiring no touchups despite the mild afternoon breeze — or even after I set it down to fetch more coffee. I imagine it would be a fine smoke for those who enjoy milder cigars. While it paired nicely with the rich Coconut Pistachio cake and complemented my coffee, I found it somewhat pedestrian for my tastes.

Still, I thoroughly enjoyed my afternoon smoke, and coffee while doing a bit of reading in my yard by the unlit fire pit. The light breeze and dappled afternoon sun filtering through the trees made for a relaxing repast. The trees were alive with birdsong and activity, creating a peaceful setting for a cool spring afternoon.

Cheers!

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Winter’s Intermission: Bourbon, a Cigar, and 50° Bliss

It was a warm weekday in the late afternoon, with the temperature climbing above 50° — a worthy cause for celebration, especially in February. The sun still hung above the horizon as dinner wrapped up, so I quickly grabbed a cigar and poured myself a bourbon.

Just a couple of weeks ago, the ground was still blanketed in snow during my last cigar session on the deck. This unexpected break in the weather was an opportunity not to be missed.

For my cigar, I selected a Tatuaje Cojonu 2015, one of three Tatuaje cigars included in the December 2024 Luxury Cigar Club shipment. It had been resting in my humidor for about six weeks. The Cojonu line from Tatuaje typically has a scheduled release every three years, though the 2015 edition was delayed until 2022.

To accompany the smoke, I poured a glass of Bowman Brothers Small Batch Bourbon from Fredericksburg’s A. Smith Bowman Distillery. This flavorful 90-proof bourbon has become a go-to for an easy-drinking daily pour. Unlike the distillery’s John J. Bowman Single Barrel Bourbon, this one is readily available and comes in under $35. Noting the low level in my bottle, I made a mental note to pick up another soon.

Bowman Brothers Small Batch offers a mild, slightly floral aroma with hints of brown sugar and cinnamon. The full-bodied flavor profile delivers notes of toasted oak, vanilla, and dark fruit, rounded out by a peppery spice on the finish.

As expected from a Tatuaje, the Cojonu 2015 delivered a full-bodied smoke, rich with notes of coffee and cocoa. Earthy undertones mingled with a subtle sweetness, and at first light, I wondered if the cigar might overpower the bourbon. I needn’t have worrie, despite its bold character, the subtle spice of the bourbon held its own, making for a well-balanced pairing.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the sky was painted in shifting hues of orange and red. The landscape, now free of snow, added to the tranquil ambiance of my time on the porch. When the 80-minute smoke finally came to a close, the temperature was still comfortably above 50° — a rare gift for a February evening.

Cheers!

Cold Day, Warm Smoke: Terra Nova Dark Fired Kentucky and Coffee

I wasn’t expecting to enjoy a cigar on Friday. The temperature was low, and the winds were gusting, making it less than ideal for an outdoor smoke. But then I noticed a break in the clouds, with sunshine peeking through. Knowing the next several days were forecasted to be 8–11° colder, I decided to seize the moment. I grabbed a Terra Nova Dark Fired Kentucky Belicoso from the humidor, brewed a quick pod coffee, and bundled up for a chilly afternoon break.

The Terra Nova Dark Fired Kentucky came as part of my September Luxury Cigar Club shipment and had been resting in the humidor for the past four months. This 6 1/4 x 50 Belicoso features a smooth Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper. Beneath it lies a double binder of Brazilian and Indonesian tobaccos, with a filler blend of Dominican, Nicaraguan, Brazilian, and Dark Fired Kentucky tobaccos—the latter being the namesake of the cigar.

The only other cigars I’ve tried with Kentucky Fired Cured tobaccos are traditional Italian Toscanos, which undergo a drying and curing process unlike typical humidified cigars like the Terra Nova. The unlit stick had hints of barnyard and wood, with an intriguing aroma I couldn’t quite place.

Once lit, the Terra Nova Dark Fired Kentucky opened with sweet earth and woody notes. A mild smoky hint complemented the flavors, with a touch of pepper on the finish. Initially, the cigar felt like a classic creamy Connecticut, with the added depth of char and peppery undertones.

As the cigar progressed, the smokiness and pepper became more pronounced, taking center stage, while the sweet creaminess lingered subtly in the background. By the final third, the smokiness left a lasting impression, with a peppery tang that coated my lips without becoming overpowering. Unlike the bold smokiness of Toscano cigars, the Terra Nova blend integrates the fire-cured flavor into a more nuanced profile.

Unfortunately, the sun soon disappeared behind the clouds, leaving the sky grey for the duration of the smoke. As if to test my patience, the sky turned blue with bright sunshine once again, just as I stepped back inside after finishing my cigar.

The coffee I chose was a flavored blend with honey and cinnamon—a whim purchase that I’d found pleasant but uninspiring on its own. Surprisingly, it paired exceptionally well with the Terra Nova Dark Fired Kentucky. The mild sweetness and touch of spice in the coffee complemented the smoky notes of the cigar, creating an enjoyable combination that neither overpowered nor detracted from the overall experience.

The Terra Nova cigar burned evenly and produced plenty of rich, aromatic smoke. However, the cigar’s thin paper band was a frustration. It was tightly wrapped and overly glued, making removal a chore. Despite careful picking, I still managed to damage the delicate wrapper. Combined with the cold, dry air, this damage led to the final quarter of the cigar splitting dramatically—a disappointing “exploding cigar” moment. At that point, I called it quits and ended the smoke.

Despite the mishap, the Terra Nova Dark Fired Kentucky was a pleasant and satisfying cigar. Its rich, smoky flavor and balanced complexity paired surprisingly well with the spiced coffee. With colder-than-average temperatures and the possibility of significant snowfall in the forecast, I’m glad I took advantage of this fleeting window for an outdoor smoke.

Cheers!

Eight Shires Accomak Shire Spiced Rum with Blackened S84 Shade to Black

I decided on a lighter palette for my palate during a weeknight sip and smoke. A coworker had given me a bottle of Eight Shires Accomac Shire Spiced Tavern Rum on the occasion of my retirement. I do enjoy spiced rum on occasion, but had yet try this one. Admittedly, I was not familiar with the Williamsburg, VA distillery, despite its geographic proximity.

Accomac Shire Spiced Rum is described as a "Caribbean style spiced rum using 18th century style spices and molasses." I've read that the molasses is imported from a south American company that uses 18th century methods. The distillery also employs some older equipment similar to that used in colonial times. 

The 83 proof rum is a light amber color. I smell baking spices from the glass. The flavor is mild with notes of cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg. It's an enjoyable beverage. I could almost imagine serving it warm, with some apple slices and cinnamon sticks on a cold winter night. 

For the cigar portion of the evening I grabbed a Blackened Cigars S84 Shade to Black Toro from the humidor. This cigar came in the June Luxury Cigar Club shipment and had been in the humidor for eight weeks. The 6 x 52 cigar from Drew Estate is a followup to the popular Blackened Cigars M81. 

The smooth stick boasts an Ecuadorian Connecticut-seed wrapper. A Connecticut River Valley Broadleaf Maduro binder, with Nicaraguan Maduro and Pennsylvania Broadleaf Maduro filler leaves completes the picture. The blend appears to be the same as the M81, excepting the wrapper leaf change. The proportions of the binder and fillers are never revealed so this may or may not differ between the two blends.

The cigar is widely listed as a medium to full bodied smoke. I found it to be somewhat on the milder side. The wrapper really seems to influence the flavors. After an initial few puffs of pepper and cedar, the profile notes settled into the bread, butter, and peanut realm. There was an underlying layer of sweet milk chocolate and some mild baking spices. The burn was excellent and the smoke production steady.

I'd rate the Blackened Cigars S84 Shade to Black in the mild to medium body range. It did pair nicely with the spiced rum. I would not pair it with a more robustly flavored spirit. That said, I suspect the cigar would satisfy the fan of milder smokes who are looking for something a little different.

Cheers!

Root Beer and RomaCraft

Heading to the deck one afternoon to enjoy some reading in the warm weather, I opted for a rare indulgence in pouring a glass of root beer. We rarely drink sodas, but had the bottle of root beer on hand from a recent gathering. It seemed just the thing for an afternoon refreshment.

I decided to enjoy the soft drink with RoMa Craft Intemperance Volstead VO 1920 Roy Olmstead. The 5"1/2 X 54 Belicoso was part of the May Luxury Cigar Club mailing. It has been resting in my humidor for about 10 weeks. 

The Intemperance Volstead VO 1920 features an oily Ecuadorian Sumatra hybrid wrapper over a Mexican San Andrés binder. Dominican Republic and Nicaraguan tobaccos make up the filler. The binder is exposed at the last bit near the foot. Combined with the white and brown labels and the tapered cap, the cigar is quite attractive.

The smoke starts off with mild pepper and coffee flavors. Leather notes along with baking spices join in as the burn progresses. There are also some mild sweet notes in the finish. The flavorful smoke and the sweet root beer made for a delightful pairing.

Enjoying a nonalcoholic beverage with this afternoon smoke was fitting. The Intemperance Volstead is named for the Volstead Act implemented in 19020 which started the United States down the dark path of Prohibition. Roy Olmstead was a very successful bootlegger in the Pacific Northwest during Prohibition. 

Cheers!

Coffee Break: Muestra de Saka #NLMTHA

Another tease of Spring weather meant coffee and a cigar on the deck. I was in the mood for a lancero, a desire that often arises when I'm looking for an afternoon smoke, usually with coffee. As with this day, those situations often include some acoustic blues coming from the outdoor speaker.

The cigar of choice was the Muestra de Saka #NLMTHA from Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust. The cigar was part of a Lancero Sampler I purchased last August from Luxury Cigar Club. (I have no connection with LCC other than being a satisfied member.)

The Muestra de Saka #NLMTHA is a 7 x 38 stick consisting of all Nicaraguan tobaccos. That's as detailed as the information goes. The wrapper is an attractive dark brown and the cap has a small pigtail. As the story goes, Steve Saka was regularly hounded by fans to create a lancero vitola, a size he apparently disdains. When he ceded to those requests, he stated his feelings with the hashtag name, which stands for "now leave me the hell alone." 

A quick hit with the lighter and the cigar is easily lit and a thick cloud of smoke fills the air. The first impressions are of roasted nuts and dark coffee. As the cigar warms up, cedar and pepper spices join the mix, though the spices don't drown out the coffee aspect. There's a bread and oak base that comes through as well. As the cigar progresses, the dark coffee shifts to the bitter espresso side of the spectrum. 

The Muestra de Saka #NLMTHA provided a 70 minute accompaniment to the coffee and music. Despite the intermittent cloud cover cooling the air occasionally, it was an extremely pleasant repast on a Sunday afternoon.

Cheers!

Blanco Liga Exclusiva de Familia Connecticut Robusto

Many folks assume a dark wrapper means a cigar is strong and full bodied. The assumption is often incorrect. Admittedly, I am guilty of an opposite assumption, that all lighter colored cigars are mild and boring. It's true that Connecticut wrapper cigars can disappoint me, but that's not a universal truth. For one such case, meet the Blanco Liga Exclusiva de Familia Connecticut Robusto.

Blanco Cigars, made at the Plancencia factory in Nicaragua, have a reputation for being strong smokes. Some even come with a warning. This Blanco cigar was part of the February Luxury Cigar Club Core shipment. When I saw the cigar, I was at first taken aback. I am signed up for the Medium-Full package, and here's this Connecticut Shade wrapper. Then I saw the Blanco label, and was optimistic. 

Blanco Liga Exclusiva de Familia Connecticut Robusto features a Honduran grown Connecticut Shade wrapper, with Nicaragua binder and filler. The smooth shiny wrapper and colorful band combine for a very attractive cigar. Upon light up, I got an immediate hit of black pepper. It was predominant but not overpowering. Quickly that was joined by sweet cream and woodsy notes. The balance of sweet and spice continued throughout the smoke.

Due to some temporary alcohol restrictions imposed by prescription pharmaceuticals,  I enjoyed the cigar with a lightly flavored carbonated water. That was actually the perfect accompaniment. Despite the full bodied nature of the cigar, a bourbon may have muted the flavors too much. Perhaps a cappuccino would have been a nice pairing.

In summary, don't judge a book, or cigar, by its cover. You might miss out.

Cheers!

Sagradi Lilith With My Morning Coffee

I enjoy coffee with a cigar fairly regularly. It's usually as part of an afternoon pick me up. Although often craved, having the time to linger in the morning is an infrequent pleasure. (Though that schedule restriction will soon be a thing of the past.) 

This past weekend, on a cool morning, I had the pleasure of a leisurely smoke with my mug(s) of hot coffee. The Sagrado Lilith Petit Corona was my choice for this repast.

The roughly rolled 5 x 43 stick features a light brown Ecuadorian wrapper, with Dominican binder and filler tobaccos. The cigar was part of the December 2023 Luxury Cigar Club shipment. It's been resting for about five months, while I awaited a fitting coffee moment. The medium bodied smoke has balanced notes of black pepper and cinnamon, along with a hay and floral presence.

I've lamented in the past that finding cigars that are well-suited to pairing with black coffee, for me, has been a challenge. It seems from recent experience, that the secret is found in cigars featuring Dominican tobaccos. True or just recency effect, the Salgado Lilith was a truly enjoyable accompaniment for the morning caffeine dose.

Cheers!

Afternoon Tea and Jose Dominquez Signature Series Gigante

After some chores around the house I grabbed some time on the deck with a cigar and a book. There was a breeze cooling the air, but intermittent cloud cover allowed occasional access to the sun's heat. I decided to try out the Jose Dominquez Signature Series Gigante that had been sitting in my humidor since last August when it arrived as part of the monthly Luxury Cigar Club package.

The monterous 6 x 60 stick features an Honduran Connecticut, a Sumatran binder, with Dominican and USA Broadleaf fillers. The large size and Connecticut wrapper, both features are outside my favored preferences, led the cigar to sit for the last eight months. I combined the cigar with a cold tea. 

The Jose Dominquez Signature Series Gigante was a little more flavorful than its appearance would hint. The is a distinctive honey aspect, along with earth, leather, and cedar. As is not unusual with large ring gauge cigars, the draw was very open and airy, which in my opinion inhibits the flavors. The cigar still hovered around the medium bodied level.

The wrapper on this particular cigar, while smooth overall, exhibited some rough veining remnants. The one pictured above had a "Frankenstein" semblance. 

I enjoyed the Jose Dominquez Signature Series Gigante more than I expected I would. It went well with the mildly sweet and lemon iced tea. 

Cheers!

Sunday Sunset With Crux Du Connoisseur and Chai Tea

After dinner on Sunday I once again aheaded out to the porch for a last bit of relaxation before the Monday grind. I was looking through the humidor for a smaller smoke and came across the Crux Du Connoisseur No. 3. I also grabbed pod of an instant Chai Tea Latte that was in the pantry. I am not sure when or why we picked that up, but it seemed like a promising accompaniment.

The Crux Du Connoisseur No. 3 was included in the January Luxury Cigar Club mailing. The 5 3/4 x 35 panatela is draped in a Nicaraguan Habano wrapper. The binder is also Nicaraguan and the filler Honduran. The cap and wrapper are somewhat roughly applied, and I did have to use my PerfecRepair to glue the corner of the wrapper back down after cutting. There were no other issues and that repair was easy and seamless.

The smoke starts off with a surprise kick. Cinnamon hits right off the bat. Sweet caramel and espresso join in the mix very quickly and the profile balances out. This medium to full bodied profile continues through the length of the cigar. In the last inch or so, the espresso begins to dominate the caramel. The cigar was a surprisingly robust and flavorful smoke with a short 45 minute burn time. Before that time was up I was perusing online web sites with an eye to buying more. It's an ideal "quick smoke."

And the instant Chai Tea Latte? It was flavorful, and was a near-perfect pairing. While I was enjoying the beverage and cigar that sun was hitting at a low angle and shining directly on me, heating up the space against the house where I sitting. Despite the reported 60° temperature, I needed neither a jacket nor the heater. A fine way to close out Sunday to say the least.

Cheers!

Four Roses Small Batch, Oscar Valladares 2012 Sumatra, and Friday

Friday couldn't come soon enough. Sure, I had a quiet birthday celebration earlier in the week with a few friends, but the week was still long. Friday evening was cool, but not uncomfortable, which made for pleasant sipping and smoking on the screened porch.

For this long-awaited repast I selected the bottle of Four Roses Small Batch Select. As the smoking accompaniment I dug out an Oscar Valladares 2012 Sumatra in Toro that had been in the humidor for a couple of months. Requisite photo done, I grabbed the Kindle for some reading and headed outside.

Four Roses Small Batch Select is made of a blend of six of the ten mash bills used by Four Roses, in various combinations, for its bourbons. The bourbon is bottled at 104 proof. There is a touch of alcohol on the aroma, if you look for it. Mostly it consists of sweet, dark fruit and oak. When sipping, spice notes kick off the flavors. Dark fruit and a vanilla sweetness join in. The bourbon is flavorful and well-balanced. Spices and candied fruit notes linger in the creamy finish. 

Oscar Valladares 2012 is a line of cigars from the same Oscar Valladares the brings us the Leaf by Oscar cigars. The 2012 branding pays homage to the year Oscar Valladares started his cigar company, after decades of working for Rocky Patel and General Cigar. The cigars are made in Honduras.

The Oscar Valladares 2012 Sumatra Toro is a selection from the January Luxury Cigar Club mailing. It is a 6 x 52 box pressed cigar, wrapped in Ecuadorian Sumatra leaf, with Honduran tobaccos used for the binder and filler. The light brown wrapper felt dry in the hand. Cutting the cap revealed a wide open draw, a bit more open than I prefer but useable.

I got a mild spice in the opening puffs. This was soon joined by a sweet blend of honey and molasses, with a creamy butter impression coming in. Smoke production was copious. As the burn progressed and the cigar warmed up, some tobacco notes joined in. However the flavor notes were pretty consistent throughout the 70 minute smoke. I did relight the cigar twice, perhaps from my own inattention caused by intermittent reading and day dreaming.

When I first went out to the deck, I set the propane heater in place, but I did not have to use it. The temperature hovered around 60° and there was no breeze. The smoke was finished before the sun fully set, making for a rather pleasant kick-off to the weekend.

Cheers!

Amendola Family Cigars West Side Story The Blade

It's a constant theme around here of late -- will there remain a bit of sunshine to enjoy at the end of the work day? On a recent cool evening while the sun set, a new cigar, the Amendola West Side Story, provided a pleasant opportunity to enjoy the sunset with a smoke.

Amendola West Side Story is a new line, announced in 2023, consisting of two varieties. This vitola, named The Blade, is a 6 x 53 torpedo that uses a Brazilian Arapiraca wrapper over an Indonesian binder. The filler tobaccos hail from the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua. This cigar was included in the January Luxury Cigar Club mailing, so has been resting just over four weeks. 

It's a well-rolled cigar with sharp cap. Upon lighting the Brazilian Arapiraca wrapper influence stands out. I've only smoked a few cigars using that wrapper, but it's distinctive. The flavor is a spicy, rich toast, cocoa, and coffee combination with an underlying sweetness. The cigar is full flavored and left hint of pepper in the back of my palate. 

The draw was on the looser side and I did a couple minor touch ups, but otherwise the performance was fine. Perhaps a bit more time in the humidor would have made it even smoother. The mocha coffee was a balanced and flavorful match up.

As is often the case with the Luxury Cigar Club shipments, the Amendola cigar was previously unknown to me. And it did not disappoint. That's one of the main benefits to me of the monthly three cigar shipment.

Cheers!

A Cigar And A Bourbon At Sunset

The days are, ever so slowly, getting longer. I've noticed that if we eat dinner just a few minutes early, and I've already prepped my selections for smoking and sipping, I can enjoy the last bit of sunlight at the start of the smoke. One evening this week, I was ready with the choice of a Cigar Clowns Torpedo and some Blade and Bow Bourbon. 

Blade and Bow is one of the bourbons that I've kept on hand for several years. The price point is right for a regular sipper, although it's going up like everything else. It could be a had for under $40 a couple years and it's now approaching $50. The VA ABC does put it on sale occasionally.

The 91 proof bourbon pours a golden orange color and emits a sweet fruit aroma along with a touch of alcohol on the nose. It's quite easy to sip, with notes of caramel and white fruit. The finish has a crisp graininess and a subtle oak char.

The Cigar Clown Torpedo was a selection in the August Luxury Cigar Club Core package. Not much information is provided about the 6 x 52 sharply pointed torpedo. The wrapper is listed as Mexican San Andrés Claro and the rest of the components are undisclosed. The flavor profile is best described as creamy. There's a touch of cedar spice to add variety, but overall the smoke is one dimensional. I found there to be a "horse blanket" funk to the finish. It reminded me of some of the yeasty farmhouse ales. Not wholly unpleasant, but not eliciting excitement to my palate. To my surprise given its hefty size, the cigar gave just under an hour of smoking. 

As an added bonus, the sky burned a bright red as the sunset. Of course as the sun set the temperature dropped. However, the quick burning cigar did not require a long sit in the cold.

Cheers!

Afternoons Are For Coffee & Cigars

At least the ones during vacation. Friday afternoon, during the midst of a week of eating and drinking celebrations, it was time to relax for a creamy coffee with my cigar. Whipping up a quick cappuccino, I grabbed a Caldwell Lost and Found Paradise Lost and headed to the deck while the family continued to binge on the College Bowl games. 

The Paradise Lost Robusto was part of the October Luxury Cigar Club package. As with many of the monthly selections, it was an unfamiliar stick, and I needed to do some research. The Lost and Found line stems from a collaboration between Robert Caldwell, of Caldwell Cigars, and Tony Bellatto from La Barba Cigars. The pair searches cigar warehouses for forgotten blends from various manufacturers and brings them back in limited releases. As a result, the cigars already have some age on them, although the original blenders and exact components may be unstated or unknown. The Paradise Lost seems to be a rerelease of an older find. Of course that may all be speculation on my part, put together from a few quick internet searches. The important point is the smoking experience.

The Lost and Found Paradise is a 5 1/4 x 52 Mexican San Andrés wrapped robusto. The binder is Dominican, with Nicaraguan and Dominican tobaccos making up the filler. It's a smooth chocolate brown stick. The band graphic, at first hard to make out, is said to be the a silhouette of the partners walking on a beach.

Initially the flavor profile was on the mild side. Sweet, nutty, and charred butter notes come to mind. The flavor profile slowly built to include toasted bread and grains. The burn was even, excepting one point where a "woodpecker hole" burned open about 3/8" down from the burn line. However the burn progressed past that point easily with no further issues.

As I got down to the last quarter of the cigar, the flavor profile changed significantly. Black pepper and tobacco notes came in. The bitterness also built. I found the experience less enjoyable and ended the smoke at about 65 minutes.

On the whole, the Lost and Found Paradise Lost provided an enjoyable smoke and, while the coffee lasted, made for a pleasant pairing. And now I was refreshed and ready to take on the rest of the weekend.

Cheers!

Hibiki Whiskey and Room 101 Send Nudes

A mid-week opportunity to enjoy a cigar and a drink arose somewhat unexpectedly. Despite the cold temperature outside I couldn't resist taking advantage. I grabbed a Room 101 Send Nudes smoke from my humidor, and grabbed the bottle of Hibiki Harmony Japanese Whisky I've been eyeing.

I've actually had the whiskey sitting on my shelves for a couple years. Despite the fancy attention-getting faceted glass bottle, it had not been visited recently. I've been wanting to drink it again, but newer bottles kept getting my focus.

Hibiki Harmony checks in at a mild 86 proof. The golden liquid has a pleasing floral and honey aroma. In the sipping, the whisky comes alive. It's light, and flavorful at the same time. Fruit, honey, cinnamon, and a host of other notes blend into a palate pleaser. The finish is clean with a touch of sweetness and heat.  I'm a jaded bourbon lover, but the bright, mild Japanese whisky was most delightful. 

The unbanded Room 101 Send Nudes cigar was included in the November Luxury Cigar Club monthly shipment. I knew Room 101 by name, but that's about the extent of my familiarity. The only description provided was of Nicaraguan binders and fillers. The Toro sized stick appears to have Habano wrapper of some ilk. I admittedly was not expecting much excitement from the stick, and figured it would be worth the risk of lighting it up in the cold.

Immediately upon lighting it, I was hit with a burst of pepper. Wow, I was not expecting that. As the cigar progressed to the halfway point, the spice diminished. It was still there in the back, but balanced by black coffee and woody notes. It remained a flavorful smoke until I had to put it down. While at the start the smoke overpowered the Hibiki a bit, the combo developed into an enjoyable pairing.

One of the banes of cold weather smoking is occasionally a wrapper will crack and explode from the cold, dry air. About the midway point of this cigar I noticed some minor flaking of the wrapper, which the burn easily passed by without any issue. Along about the start of the last quarter, the wrapper developed more significant cracks along its length. At one point I actually heard a "pop" as the wrapper split. It was below 40° at this point, and I was leaning over the propane heater, which may have compounded the issue.

Ah well, my glass was empty and my hands were cold, so I didn't try to salvage the last bit. It had been a surprisingly enjoyable break, and I felt no disappointment with the either drink or the cigar.

Cheers!

New Riff Single Barrel (Again) and Viva La Vida Cigars

I've been looking forward to smoking the Artesano del Tobacco Viva La Vida cigar since it arrived in the October Luxury Cigar Club monthly shipment. I've smoked this cigar line produced at the AJ Fernando factory in the past. Both the lancero and toro vitolas have made appearances in these Musings. This time it was the 5 x 54 robusto that I was enjoying. The attractive maduro Nicaraguan Habano Oscuro 2000 wrapper, Nicaraguan Corojo 99 binder, and the Nicaraguan Criollo 98 filler combine to make a flavorful smoke. This is full-bodied smoke with notes of leather, black coffee, pepper and a moderate cinnamon spice. The robusto was no less delectable than the others I've tried.

As the accompaniment for the evening, I poured some New Riff Single Barrel. The New Riff is a high rye bourbon with the expected rye-influenced kick. This particular batch is bottled at a robust 110.3 proof. The spice of the rye is prominent in the nose, along with cinnamon, brown sugar and sweet fruit notes. The proof is noticeable in the mouth giving a nice heat, one that stands up well to the full bodied cigar. The rye spiciness makes itself known more as the liquid rests on the tongue. The spiciness is balanced by some vanilla and cream sweetness. I was very pleasantly surprised by enjoyment of the pairing. This despite a memory of this one being a little more harsh previously. That harsher profile remembered was the reason I chose it for the pairing.

I went back and looked my previous remarks on the New Riff, which pretty well confirmed my memory. Then I noted that the previous tasting had been accompanied by a less than stellar cigar. It so happens that the same cigar has since disappointed on multiple occasions. Maybe that had some effect on my perceptions. This outing, I found the bourbon to be a most agreeable drink.

It's often said that the enjoyment of a particular bourbon, or a cigar, is influenced in no small part by one's mood or the accompanying food or cigar or drink, as the case may be. The more I explore bourbon and cigar pairings, and revisit some of the individual players, the more I experience that. I certainly found this to be true with the New Riff Single Barrel. I look forward to enjoying it again, with yet another cigar.

Cheers!

Saturday Evening With Little Book Chapter 6 Whiskey

Lately I've been turning to whiskeys on my shelves that I haven't opened in a while. Often first impressions don't do a whiskey justice. One's mood, the foods recently eaten, the weather, many factors influence the enjoyment. The same is true with cigars, although I am admittedly more apt to stick with my initial judgments when I don't enjoy a specific cigar. Maybe the higher of the beverages allows for more second chances.

This weekend I grabbed the decorative box containing Freddie Noe's Little Book Chapter 6 "To The Finish" for another try. I had opened the bottle a year ago when I picked it up during one of VA ABC's over-hyped "allocated drops." At the time I was admittedly questioning the price I had paid for the bottle. This time was different, and I was moved to refill my glass more than once before the evening was done.

The Little Book series is an annual release from Freddie Noe, the son of Jim Beam master distiller, Fred Noe. The blended whiskeys are a testament to Freddie Noe's talent, and a nod to the family's heritage. Chapter 6 "To The Finish" contains four different, four year old malt whiskeys and a five year straight bourbon.

The whiskey is bottled at 117.45 proof. The aroma brings images of "someone's baking in the kitchen" with scents of brown sugar, caramel, and spices. The sip is warming, with oak, walnuts, cinnamon, and a mild pleasing smokiness. The finish lingers as it coats the tongue with an oily viscousness. 

I selected a Lampert Oscuru Torpedo to smoke with the whiskey. This was a selection that was included in the July Luxury Cigar Club Core membership and is an otherwise unreleased variation of the Lampert Cigars Oro lineup. It's a hefty 6 x 52 torpedo. The specific tobaccos were not listed. This is an impressive looking cigar, very well rolled with a sharply pointed cap. The dark wrapper was smooth and glistened under the lights of my deck. In fact, it was so oily and smooth that it actually slipped out of my hand about mid-smoke. Impressively the ash mostly held and the burn was unaffected by the fall.

The flavors of the cigar complimented the whiskey well. Dark chocolate, espresso, roasted nuts, and some pepper all made themselves known. Medium to full bodied, the profile was not overwhelmed by the flavorful high proof drink. I tend to start with a skeptical mindset when a cigar of the month club throws in  unreleased or newly found stock, especially from lesser-known (to me) brands. I need not have worried with this one. I've yet to be disappointed by anything shipped by Luxury Cigar Club.

I had to adjust my heater to be nearer to me and at a higher setting by the time the smoke was finished, but the evening remained pleasurable. The flavorful whiskey and cigar took away much notice of the cool evening air and breeze. 

Cheers!

Friday Nightcap

Left to my own devices Friday evening while Colleen visited with friends, I made a short visit to a local brewery, then capped the evening with a late night cigar and bourbon at home. Some Penelope Four Grain Straight Bourbon and a United Cigars Firecracker, all paired with a bit of truffle chocolate filled the bill.

The United Firecracker is an annual release, typically around the 4th of July each year. This stick was part of the July Luxury Cigar Club shipment but arrived after the holiday. Of course I didn't expect to keep it around until next year! The 3 1/2 x 50 cigar has an Ecuadorian wrapper, Nicuarguan binder, and a Nicaraguan and Dominican blend as filler. The cap features a long twisted tobacco "fuse" that lays along the side of the cigar before cutting. The smoke starts off with sweet crackers and brown sugar notes, spiced with cinnamon. The flavor strength kicks up in the second half of the cigar, with the addition of cedar and earth. 

I've had the Penelope Bourbon previously. At that time I found the 80 proof bourbon to be lightly flavored but enjoyable. Vanilla, oak, and butterscotch combined for a mild flavor profile. This time, I felt a bit let down by the profile. Perhaps the medium to full bodied cigar overwhelmed it. Or even the chocolate perhaps.

Despite the less-than-ideal pairing, the late evening on the deck was a pleasant way to wind down after a long week.

Cheers!