A Birthday Celebration: Good Food, Drink, Cigars, and Friends

At this stage of life, birthday celebrations tend to be quiet and laid back. Still, a few extra touches this year elevated the day and made it feel just a bit more special.

The day began as most do, with a relaxing morning and coffee. Instead of a traditional cake, I requested something we could enjoy alongside that first cup. Colleen delivered with a delicious Almond Honeycomb Cake — one that will happily stretch across several mornings in the days ahead.

Later, we headed out for lunch, settling in at the bar at Capital Ale House, a once-regular stop we hadn’t visited in a couple of years. I opted for a Killanny Red from Brehon Brewhouse in Inniskeen, County Monaghan, Ireland. The deep ruby-red ale, served on nitro, offered plenty of biscuity malt character. At a modest 4.5% ABV, it allowed for a second pour alongside a flatbread pizza. As a birthday bonus, loyalty points covered more than half the bill.

The evening was capped with a visit to the home of good friends. We began lakeside, enjoying cigars and Redbreast 12 Year Old Irish Whiskey on the dock. My friend had picked up a couple of Andalusian Bull cigars by La Flor Dominicana for the occasion. It had been about five years since I’d last had one, which made the experience all the more special.

The Andalusian Bull was an enjoyable as I remembered — rich and full-bodied, with notes of earth, warm spice, and a touch of sweetness that lingered on the finish. The whiskey’s sweet fruit and gentle spice complemented the cigar beautifully, softening some of its intensity while amplifying the sweeter undertones.

After the cigars, we headed out for a delicious dinner and more drinks. The food was excellent, but as always, the real highlight was the company.

It was an ideal way to celebrate not just another trip around the sun, but also good health and the enduring gifts of family and friendship. There’s not much more one could ask for. Even the steady stream of texts and social media messages added to the day and was sincerely appreciated.

Looking back, I was struck by how naturally the day unfolded. Planned moments and small surprises came together to create a celebration filled with food, drink, and laughter. Thoroughly enjoyed — though once a year is probably enough.

Cheers!

Two Whiskeys, One Cigar

As I prepared for Friday evening, I had a hankering for some Redbreast 12 Year Irish Whiskey. I poured a glass, grabbed a cigar and headed for the porch. For this pairing I selected the Oliva Serie V Maduro Especial in a Torpedo format. The Oliva is one of those cigars I turn to often, and the torpedo is a fun vitola to smoke.

As I headed out the door, I mentioned to Colleen that this might not be the best pairing. I knew the cigar and I knew the whiskey. But I was craving both, so onward I went. The Redbreast is a relatively mild whiskey, with a subtle sweetness of white grapes and honey. It's a good whiskey with which to start a long evening. The Oliva Serie V Maduro is a full bodied smoke featuring rich, creamy chocolate with cedar and nuttiness in the finish. The ligero leaf added to the filler gives it a bit of strength. Both were exceedingly enjoyable, but as predicted, they just didn't compliment each other. But persevere I did.

Once that pour of whiskey was downed, I still had plenty of cigar left. Heading back to my whiskey stash, I went directly for the bottle of Woodford Reserve Double Oak Whiskey. There was no risk involved in this choice, it would be a hit. This fine bourbon tops my list with smooth, sweet oak notes. A slight fruit and vanilla aspect adds to the pleasure. As expected, the match was perfect.

One of the aspects of enjoying beverages, be they coffee, beer, whiskey, or other, with cigars and food is experimenting with pairings. They may not always work, but when you find one that hits the spot like the Woodford and Serie V, it's a great pleasure. Of course, the ongoing hunt for perfection is always fun.