Smoking the CAO Brazilia Lambada & Sipping Henry McKenna 10 Year

I’ve smoked the CAO Brazilia in various vitolas over the years. It’s a popular, flavorful, and budget-friendly smoke. This particular example, the Lambada — a 6 x 50 Toro — has been resting in my humidor since January.

The Brazilia Lambada wears a very dark, shiny Brazilian Arapiraca Maduro wrapper. It’s smooth and oily, wrapping a Nicaraguan binder and Honduran fillers. The construction was solid and even, and the look of the cigar brought to mind a rich chocolate bar — though maybe I was just hungry.

The Brazilia is medium to full-bodied and puts out rich flavors of cocoa and espresso, with nutty and spicy notes adding complexity. The burn was mostly even through the first two-thirds, but the final stretch saw one side stall out. Despite multiple touch-ups, it wouldn’t correct fully. Still, the cigar delivered a satisfying experience with bold, flavorful smoke.

To pair with the Brazilia, I poured a glass of Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel Bottled-in-Bond. At 100 proof, this bourbon opens with aromas of caramel, vanilla, and a touch of fruit. The palate brings more caramel and vanilla sweetness, layered with oak and cinnamon spice.

As with most single barrels, McKenna’s profile can vary bottle to bottle — possibly more than other brands. This particular bottle leans heavy on oak and tannins, with mild rye spice. While I’ve enjoyed this bottle many times — it’s nearly empty — the dry oak notes didn’t mesh perfectly with the Brazilia’s flavor profile. I found myself thinking a spicier rye might have made a better match, though not quite enough to get up and pour one.

Despite the slight mismatch, the CAO Brazilia Lambada and Henry McKenna Bottled-in-Bond still made for an enjoyable evening on the screened porch, especially on an unseasonably cool summer evening.

Cheers!

Five O'Clock Friday: There's a Time & Place for Everything

Except decaffeinated coffee.

Cheers!

Fuente 8-5-8 Maduro Cigar Review: Flavor, Value, and Performance

The Arturo Fuente Maduro 8-5-8 was part of the June Cigar of the Month package from Cigar and Pipes. After resting for six weeks in the humidor, it was finally time to light it up.

This 6” x 47 Corona Gorda sports a dark, toothy Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper over Dominican binder and filler. The wrapper is richly hued with prominent veins, mottling, and visible leaf seams. The cigar had a somewhat rustic look — with a slight curve and asymmetry near the cap — creating a bit of old-school charm.

 

Upon lighting, the 8-5-8 Maduro opened with bold notes of cocoa and dark coffee. As it warmed, a subtle spice emerged, and the dark coffee transitioned into a more intense espresso profile. In the final third, a pleasantly bitter cocoa took center stage. The thick, dry-edged smoke was plentiful and satisfying throughout the session.

Body-wise, it lands comfortably in the medium-full range. I paired my cigar with plain water after dinner, but couldn’t help imagining how beautifully it would complement a strong, black coffee. Unfortunately, the near-100° heat kept me from brewing a cup — maybe next time.

Despite its rustic appearance, performance was stellar. The burn line was straight, producing thick clouds of flavorful smoke. The ash held firm with no flaking, even under the steady breeze of a fan.

At a price point under $8.00, the Arturo Fuente Maduro 8-5-8 offers a flavorful, well-constructed smoking experience. It may not win points for appearance, but it delivers where it counts — in flavor and consistency. For those who enjoy a classic maduro profile, it’s a cigar worth trying.

Cheers!

A Criminally Good Pairing: BLTC Morphine & Larceny Barrel Proof

After a brief reprieve from the summer heat, July’s familiar weather returned — with it came the late afternoon thunderstorms and an early, storm cloud-induced dusk. Lately, some evenings have felt darker than the doldrums of winter. When the porch thermometer dipped into the double digits this weekend, I knew it was time for a smoke. Thankfully, the storm clouds hadn’t yet rolled in.

Looking for a quick, satisfying option, I grabbed a Black Label Trading Company Morphine. Scanning the whiskey shelf, a bottle of Larceny Barrel Proof caught my eye. Morphine and Larceny — it sounds like the title of a crime drama or the name of a punk band. Either way, it seemed like the right combination.

Black Label Trading Company’s Morphine is a mostly annual, limited release from the boutique cigar brand. The 2024 edition marks the 10th anniversary of the line, with four different vitolas offered. I picked up a few in the 5×50 Perfecto size last November.

This year’s blend features a Mexican San Andrés wrapper subtly accented by an Ecuadorian Maduro leaf, creating a nearly invisible barber pole. The Nicaraguan binder and filler are not otherwise specified. The cigar is beautifully rolled with a narrow foot and a needle-like cap.

After a couple of clips to the cap, I had an easy draw despite the tight foot, which lit quickly with a touch of the torch. The burn line expanded evenly as the cigar widened and required no touch-ups. The first puffs brought pepper, cocoa, dark cherry, and raisin. As it progressed, the profile evolved into deeper notes of espresso, dark chocolate, dried fruit, and a hint of molasses sweetness. Morphine delivers bold, full-bodied flavor, yet remains balanced and smooth throughout. Smoking time was about 40 minutes.

On the bourbon side, Larceny Barrel Proof B523 (May 2023 release) comes from Heaven Hill. It uses their wheated mash bill: 68% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malted barley, and is bottled uncut at 124.4 proof.

The nose opens with strong notes of cinnamon and fruit. The palate delivers a rich wave of cinnamon spice, caramel, vanilla, and dark fruit, all underpinned by that soft wheat sweetness. The long finish brings lingering cinnamon, oak, and vanilla. It’s a powerful pour, but very approachable.

I started neat, as usual, but added a few drops of water to ease the spice and allow more of the cigar’s richness to shine. The transformation was immediate: the bourbon’s sweet, dark fruit and candy-like notes became more prominent, without losing its character. Cinnamon still lingered on the finish but now played backup to the enhanced sweetness.

This robust pairing of Black Label Morphine and Larceny Barrel Proof B523 made for a fitting end to the day. Thunder rumbling in the distance added the final note to a dark and delicious screen porch experience.

Cheers!

Five O'Clock Friday: B.B.King - Let the Good Times Roll

It's the weekend.

Cheers!

Cigar & Bourbon Harmony: Tasting the 2024 Weller by Cohiba

I’ve had a couple of the 2024 Weller by Cohiba cigars resting in my humidor since November. I wasn’t about to light up such a pricey cigar in the dead of winter, so they waited patiently. After a recent pour of Weller Full Proof, I was reminded of the cigars and finally pulled one out to enjoy.

This 2024 release marks the third annual collaboration between General Cigar and Weller/Buffalo Trace. For this edition, the binder leaves were aged in Weller Full Proof bourbon barrels — shipped from the Buffalo Trace Distillery to General Cigar’s factory in Santiago, Dominican Republic. The cigars come in sleek aluminum tubes (which I removed before storing) and are presented in a classic 6 x 50 Toro format. 

The wrapper is a smooth, glossy Ecuadoran Sumatra. Underneath, the barrel-aged binder is U.S. Broadleaf, and the filler blend features Dominican, Honduran, and Nicaraguan tobaccos.

The draw was on the snug side, though it still produced ample smoke. Unfortunately, the first inch and a half developed a significant run, leaving much of the wrapper unburned. A touch-up fixed the issue, but not without some regret for the wasted leaf. Thankfully, the remainder of the cigar burned evenly and without incident. 

The Weller by Cohiba 2024 settles nicely into a full-bodied profile. Dominant notes include oak, leather, and black pepper, supported by underlying sweetness — fruit, cream, and occasional hints of sweet bourbon. Compared to the 2023 version, this year’s release has a bit more body and complexity. Overall, it was a very enjoyable smoking experience.

Naturally, Weller Full Proof was the pairing of choice. The bourbon’s rich profile — caramel, brown sugar, cinnamon, and candied fruit — drew out the sweeter tones in the cigar, creating a balanced and decadent pairing.

Yes, this is a pricey cigar and a hard-to-find bourbon, but the combination made for a rewarding treat on a (relatively) cool evening. I’ve still got one more from the 2024 release, along with a few from 2023, in the humidor. While I may not always pair them with a pour of Weller, both versions are exceptional cigars for bourbon lovers.

Cheers!

First Impressions: Hermanos de Armas Cataclysm Toro

I’d been looking forward to trying this Hermanos de Armas cigar for some time—well, at least for the past four weeks since picking up a selection of HDA cigars during a stop at Hogshead Cigar Lounge.

Hermanos de Armas Cigars is the creation of two U.S. military veterans with a deep passion for cigars. The name, which translates to “Brothers in Arms,” reflects both their bond and background. The cigars are produced at the Oveja Negra factory in Nicaragua — the same factory behind Black Label Trading Company and Black Works Studio, both of which I enjoy regularly.

The Hermanos de Armas Cataclysm is a 6 x 54 Toro featuring an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper. A Nicaraguan binder encases a blend of Ometepe and Condega Nicaraguan leaf. The reddish-brown wrapper is oily and beautifully finished, with an impressively smooth construction.

The first draws filled the palate with an earthy, dry smoke. There’s a woody base in the initial profile, accompanied by a mild tinge of pepper. After a few puffs, I was reminded of boiled peanuts — an unexpected touch. Soon, the dry wood and earth were joined by sweet notes of molasses and brown sugar, bringing a welcome balance. Toward the end, the flavor profile deepened with hints of bitter black coffee.

While the opening minutes of the Cataclysm were somewhat unusual, as the cigar warmed and the interplay of sweet and bitter developed, I found myself thoroughly enjoying it. The burn was steady, and the ash held firm, forming a solid “stack of dimes” without flaking. I appreciated the full-bodied character of the smoke right down to the finger-warming nub.

For the pairing, I poured Weller Full Proof — a 114-proof wheated bourbon with notes of brown sugar, cinnamon, honey, and toasted oak, finishing with a candied fruit sweetness. While flavorful, the bourbon’s strong finish tended to mute the cigar’s more nuanced flavors. I ended up holding off on sipping most of the Weller until I was near the end of the cigar.

I still have multiple samples of other Hermanos de Armas cigars on hand, and after the pleasure of the Cataclysm, I’m looking forward to exploring the rest of the lineup very soon.

Cheers!

Weekend Trio: Knuckle Sandwich Cigar, Elijah Craig Bourbon, and Joe Bonamassa’s Breakthrough

I kicked off the weekend with a trio of new delights, combining three of my favorite pastimes — bourbon, cigars, and music.

First up was the Espinosa Knuckle Sandwich Chef Special 2025. This cigar comes from chef Guy Fieri’s collaboration with Erik Espinosa and is released annually as a limited edition. The 2025 version features a Brazilian Mata Fina wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and fillers. After a month of resting in my humidor, I finally gave in and lit one up.

Cutting the cap on the 6 x 55 box-pressed Toro revealed an open draw, surprisingly effortless given the cigar’s heft. Once lit, the draw was spot-on, and the cigar burned evenly, producing generous amounts of flavorful smoke. Fieri reportedly aimed for a ramped-up robustness with the 2025 release, and I’d say he nailed it.

The first puffs delivered a powerful punch of earthy spice and espresso, enough to make my eyes squint from the intensity. As the cigar developed, it revealed layers of dark chocolate and dark fruit, balanced by a touch of sweetness. It quickly settled into a rich, well-balanced, and satisfying smoke.

Next came the liquid pairing — an Elijah Craig Single Barrel from Wegmans, labeled “Caramel Apple”. I picked this bottle up during a recent trip.

Wegmans, a grocery chain we occasionally visit locally, surprised me on a trip to New Jersey. Unlike in Virginia, their stores there sell spirits — and not just a few. They carry large selection including a wide range of store picks. I managed to restrain myself to just two: a Woodford Reserve Double Oaked store pick and this Elijah Craig.

The Elijah Craig Wegmans Caramel Apple Single Barrel sports a 10 year age statement and a 118.6 proof. The Caramel Apple pick carries a 10-year age statement and clocks in at 118.6 proof. Its sweet, fruity aroma is surprisingly mild, but the flavor really shines when sipping. A bold sweetness up front evolves into notes of candied fruit, cinnamon, vanilla, and oak, with an overall impression of cinnamon-laced dessert pastry.

The pairing of the Knuckle Sandwich and Elijah Craig was superb. Both brought richness, depth, and a shared sweetness that made for a robust and thoroughly enjoyable experience.

Rounding out the evening was the just-released album from blues rock guitarist Joe Bonamassa, Breakthrough. It’s packed with great music, though my only regret is that it’s a 45-minute studio album rather than one of his longer live performances. I’m looking forward to hearing some of these tracks in person the next time we catch him in concert. Still, the timing was perfect — the cigar lasted through two full plays of the album.

Cheers!