Coffee-Flavored Comfort: Undercrown Maduro and the Revolver

Searching for a smoke on a cool evening, I was drawn to the Drew Estate Undercrown Maduro. It’s a cigar I’ve enjoyed many times over the years, though surprisingly I hadn’t reached for one in well over a year. I pulled a stick that had been resting in the humidor for nearly 18 months — further adding to my astonishment that it had been so long since my last one.

I’ve also been on a bit of a Revolver cocktail kick lately. The coffee-forward drink feels especially fitting on a cool evening. Truth be told, I’m a fan of almost anything coffee flavored. The Undercrown Maduro has always paired naturally with a mug of black coffee, so it seemed reasonable that it would work just as well alongside the cocktail.

The Undercrown Maduro is often described as “overlooked” or “under appreciated,” though I’m not sure I agree with those labels. While smoking, I posted a photo to an online cigar forum I frequent, and within minutes several members replied with pictures of the same cigar they were enjoying at that very moment. It hardly seemed forgotten.

The cigar features a Mexican San Andrés maduro wrapper over a Connecticut River Valley Habano binder, with Nicaraguan and Brazilian Mata Fina fillers completing the blend. The result is a medium-to-full-bodied smoke known for notes of espresso, cocoa, earth, and creaminess.  

Even after its long rest in the humidor, the San Andrés wrapper retained a dark, oily sheen. Rich flavors of espresso and cocoa sweetness dominated the profile, while the smoke itself was thick and creamy on the palate.

For the Revolver, I used Four Roses Small Batch Select at 104 proof. The higher-proof bourbon stood up well to the cigar’s richness without being overshadowed. The coffee liqueur amplified the cigar’s espresso and cocoa notes, while the orange bitters and expressed peel added a touch of brightness that kept the pairing from becoming overly heavy.

As I had hoped, the Revolver and the Undercrown Maduro proved to be a natural match. I smoked and sipped slowly, appreciating the interplay of coffee, cocoa, citrus, and sweetness throughout the evening.

Cheers!

A Sunday in the Sun With a Cigar and Coffee

After a long day of birthday celebrations, Sunday was a much-needed day of rest. I’m not as young as I used to be — but then again, who among us is?

The afternoon was sunny, with temperatures climbing into the 80s. It was not a day to be spent inside. The warm deck beckoned us. We opted for creamy iced coffee, a nod to lingering fatigue, paired with a couple of chocolate-dipped biscotti for a simple but uplifting treat.

I grabbed a Mr. Sinistro by Sinistro Cigars to light up with the cold, sweet drink. (The biscotti were gone well before I got around to lighting up.) Mr. Sinistro is a relatively new release from last year. I had the 6½ × 56 Toro on hand. The cigar features a reddish-brown Ecuadorian Habano wrapper and a Pennsylvania Broadleaf binder. The fillers are a complex mix of Olor, Piloto Cubano, and Corojo ligero from the Dominican Republic, along with Paraguayan leaf. This cigar had been resting in my humidor for five months, arriving as part of an October monthly shipment from Cigar and Pipes.

Upon lighting, the Mr. Sinistro offered notes of mild black pepper along with hints of sweet bread and honey. Smoke output remained somewhat limited throughout the session, which may have muted the flavors. A leathery, earthy backbone developed as the cigar progressed, accompanied by a dry, creamy quality.

The burn was quite wavy through the first third but evened out in the remaining portion. The ash behaved somewhat strangely throughout the smoke. While it held firm and did not easily give way when tapped, small flakes would regularly drop from the sides. In the latter half, the ash began peeling away in thin sheets, reminiscent of bark shedding from a dying tree.

The cigar is often listed as medium to full-bodied, but I would place it closer to medium-mild. Overall, I found the flavor profile somewhat bland. Combined with the mildly frustrating ash behavior, the experience left me underwhelmed. That said, this was my only sample. That is one drawback of the monthly cigar subscription format — and why I usually tend to acquire more than one example when trying something new. As with any handmade product, variability is always a factor.

The mediocre smoke aside, the afternoon itself was refreshing and uplifting. The songs of early spring arrivals filled the air, while greening grass and budding trees offered clear signs of the season’s arrival.

Cheers!

La Flor Dominicana Cabinet Oscuro: Ligero Before Noon

During a visit to Winchester, VA, I dropped into the John B. Hayes Tobacconist to enjoy a morning smoke. Lately, when I've visited this lounge, I’ve found myself lingering over the La Flor Dominicana section of the humidor cabinets. Despite the early hour, I was in the mood for something robust, so I grabbed a pair of La Flor Dominicana Ligero Cabinet Oscuro L-400s — one to enjoy on the spot, and one to take home.

The 5 ¾″ × 54 stick wears a very dark Ecuadorian Sumatra Oscuro wrapper, glistening with an oily sheen. The binder and filler are Dominican, including hearty ligero leaves grown at LFD’s La Canela farm. It had been a few years since I last smoked one of these, though it was once a favorite companion to a dark — often high-ABV — stout when visiting the now-fondly-remembered Olde Town Tobacconist Lounge at 1781 Brewing. This time, coffee was to provide accompaniment for the morning smoke.

The La Flor Dominicana Ligero Cabinet Oscuro starts off boldly, delivering a solid medium-to-full-bodied blast of flavor. Thick clouds of smoke pour forth, carrying notes of dark coffee with a touch of black pepper. As the cigar progresses, the profile deepens into an earthy, woody richness, underpinned by a subtle sweetness that keeps everything in balance. Though never harsh or excessively spicy, around the halfway point the ligero tobaccos begin to assert themselves. The strength is unmistakable — not overwhelming, and without ill effect — but certainly more noticeable in a morning smoke.

Unlike my last visit, the lounge this morning was busy and the shop keeper pulled out an extra chair to provide me a seat. After a week of the extreme cold dissuading me from smoking on the porch, the indoor smoke provided some welcome pleasure. 

Cheers!

Hermanos de Armas Descending Shadows — Notes from a Late Evening

I picked up a selection of cigars from Hermanos de Armas back in June of 2025. I’ve smoked several of them over time, but — with one lone exception — haven’t mentioned them here. That omission is due solely to a lack of effort on my part, not any shortcoming in the cigars themselves. Often, I enjoy a cigar without feeling compelled to “put pen to paper.” In that same vein, this essay sat for a week before I finally got around to putting the finishing touches on it.

On a recent evening, I fired up a Hermanos de Armas Descending Shadows. After eight months of rest in the humidor, it was more than ready to be lit. The 6 x 54 Toro is wrapped in a glistening Ecuadorian Sun Grown wrapper, with Nicaraguan binder and filler. The cigar is smooth, evenly rolled, and nearly seamless. Hermanos de Armas cigars are produced at the Oveja Negra factory in Nicaragua — the same factory behind Black Label Trading Company and Black Works Studio.

A solid medium-to-full-bodied smoke, Descending Shadows opens with earth and spice. As the cigar develops, notes of brown sugar, black coffee, and dark chocolate begin to emerge. An undercurrent of sweetness runs throughout the experience, keeping the darker flavors in balance. The burn was even from start to finish, and the well-constructed cigar produced plentiful clouds of flavorful smoke.

As it happened, we had plans for a late night watching the College Football Playoffs, so I opted for a cup of dark, hot coffee with my pre-game cigar. The coffee had a subtle mocha note, which proved to be an excellent complement to the smoke. Still, I very much look forward to enjoying another Hermanos de Armas Descending Shadows paired with a rich, sweet bourbon in the future.

Cheers!

A Morning of Smoke and Silence

Most of my enjoyment of cigars takes place at home on the enclosed porch. In the colder months, I am usually alone (not lonely). So when I found myself sitting by myself in John B. Hayes Tobacconist in Winchester this week, it didn’t feel all that odd — surprising, perhaps, but not unusual.

When I arrived for a morning smoke, the familiar early morning crowd was present. They lingered only briefly before heading out, right on schedule. I can be confident it wasn’t me; this group tends to disperse around the same time most mornings, though there’s usually at least one other patron who remains. Even the proprietor spent most of the hour tucked away in his office, leaving the shop unusually quiet.

I selected a La Flor Dominicana Air Bender in the distinctive 6½ × 54 “Chisel” format. I hadn’t smoked anything from the Air Bender line in five or six years and couldn’t recall ever trying the Chisel vitola, so curiosity won out. The dark, oily Ecuadorian Habano wrapper looked especially inviting, while the ligero-heavy Dominican binder and filler promised a suitably robust morning smoke.

The Chisel shape — flattened and wedge-like — does indeed resemble a woodworker’s tool or perhaps the mouthpiece of a reed instrument. The end comes already open, and I’ve read that some smokers simply pinch it to create a larger opening rather than cutting. I opted to cut it anyway, though airflow remained somewhat restricted. After a few minutes, I took a bit more off the tip. Even then, the thin, flattened mouthfeel never felt entirely natural — despite my brief stint with the clarinet in my youth.

The Air Bender delivered exactly what it promised: a bold, flavorful smoke that never crossed into overwhelming territory, despite it being several hours before lunch. Peppery spice led the way, joined by cedar, dark chocolate, and coffee notes in a well-balanced profile. I had stopped for a creamy, vanilla-flavored chain coffee on the way in and its sweetness paired surprisingly well with the cigar’s darker character.

After about seventy-five minutes, it was time to set the cigar down — though it easily had another fifteen or twenty minutes left — and head out for lunch with my wife and a friend before the long drive home. Sitting there in the quiet shop, cigar in hand, watching the steady rhythm of people and cars pass outside, I was struck by how refreshing the moment felt. No conversation, no distractions — just good tobacco, and a pleasant morning stillness. It was a pause that was memorable long after the smoke has cleared.

Cheers!

A Rainy-Day Pairing: Davidoff Signature 1000 and Coffee

It’s not all cigars and bourbon around here — sometimes it’s cigars and coffee. Such was the case on a recent rainy afternoon. I felt like a quick smoke and reached for a Davidoff Signature 1000. With a mug of mocha-flavored coffee in hand, I retreated to the screened porch.

I’d pre-warmed the space with a small electric radiator, and with a sweatshirt on, the outdoor setup was surprisingly comfortable despite the weather.

The Davidoff Signature 1000 is a small 4 5/8″ × 34 ring gauge cigar. I received a box of these petit panetela smokes from a good friend this past spring as a surgery-recovery celebratory gift. I've smoked a couple of them and find the cigar to be surprisingly enjoyable. There are not a lot of mild cigars that I would enjoy regularly, but this one is an exceptional accompaniment to a cup of afternoon coffee.

The Ecuador Connecticut wrapper and Dominican binder and fillers deliver a creamy, coffee-leaning profile with a touch of sweetness and a hint of pepper. And at about a 20-minute burn time, it’s just right for a quick afternoon break.

Cheers!

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

Except decaffeinated coffee.

Cheers!

Five O'Clock Friday: Survival of the Caffeinated

The food pyramid is just a suggestion.

Cheers!

Bold Flavor in a Small Package: Dunbarton Polpetta Petit Puros

I typically drink my coffee hot and black, even on warm days. But on this particular afternoon, the heat had me craving something cooler — so I brewed up iced coffees for my wife and myself. Then I reached into the humidor for a quick smoke.

The Dunbarton Polpetta Petit Puros is a cigar I hadn’t tried before. It recently showed up in two different cigar-of-the-month subscriptions, so it had definitely caught my attention.

Originally introduced by Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust as an event-only cigar, the Polpetta became a regular production line in 2023. The 4 x 48 petit robusto features a dark Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper over a Mexican San Andrés binder. The filler is a unique mix of long-leaf tobaccos and table scrapings from the production of Dunbarton’s popular Mi Querida, Mi Querida Triqui Traca, and Umbagog cigars. (Fun fact: Polpetta is the Italian word for “meatball.”)

The cigar opens boldly, with rich notes of espresso, black pepper, and dark chocolate. A thick, flavorful smoke delivers a noticeable black pepper tingle that lingers on the lips and tongue. It burns evenly, though the ash is a bit flaky.

The Dunbarton Polpetta Petit Puros delivered about 45 minutes of bold, satisfying flavor — just right for the near 100° heat on the shaded screen porch. It paired beautifully with the iced coffee and made for a relaxing afternoon. I’m looking forward to enjoying the second one I’ve got tucked away, and I’ve already added it to my list of cigars to keep on hand for when time is short but the craving strikes.

Cheers!

The Bishops Blend Novemdiales: A Timely Smoke

When I awoke Monday morning to the news that Pope Francis had died, I knew exactly which cigar I would be lighting later. The Black Label Trading Company’s Bishops Blend Novemdiales seemed tailor-made for the occasion.

Novemdiales refers to the nine-day period of mourning in the Catholic Church following the death of a Pope. I had just one stick from the 2023 release left in my humidor, and this felt like the right moment to finally smoke it.

The Bishops Blend is an annual release from Black Label Trading Company, typically featuring a consistent blend year to year. But for their 10th anniversary in 2023, the company created something special. Enter the Novemdiales: a reimagined Bishops Blend sporting a Pennsylvania Broadleaf wrapper instead of the usual Ecuadorian Maduro. It kept the traditional Ecuadorian binder and filler tobaccos from Connecticut, Nicaragua, and Pennsylvania.

The 5 x 50 Robusto is distinctive, with its sharp, cone-shaped cap and closed foot. This full-bodied cigar offers a rich and complex flavor profile, opening with bold notes of dark fruit and bitter espresso. Deep undertones of dark coffee and cocoa provide a solid foundation, while a subtle molasses-like sweetness adds a layer of balance. Strong cedar and a moderate to pronounced peppery spice round out the experience — though after resting for 18 months, this particular stick had mellowed, softening the spice just a bit.

The Pope’s passing — not wholly unexpected after his long illness — came during the Easter season. As part of our Easter Sunday preparations, Colleen had made chocolate-covered peanut butter “egg” candies. I decided to enjoy one alongside the coffee I was sipping with the Novemdiales.

I’ve paired cigars with chocolate and mixed nuts before, but I was genuinely surprised by how exceptionally well this particular combination worked. The interplay of sweet and bitter flavors in both the candy and the cigar seemed to elevate each other. I devoured the candy far too quickly, but managed to resist the temptation for a second. I’ll try to enjoy another one with a smoke before they’re all gone.

An hour and a half on the porch, watching a flurry of birds — especially the hummingbirds at the feeder — and soaking in the mild spring air made for a truly peaceful evening wind-down.

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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Braving the Cold: A Winter Smoke with Black Label Morphine

We were hit by another winter storm last week, and the bitter cold is expected to linger. Getting outside to enjoy a cigar has been a challenge, so I’ve retreated to the local cigar lounge more than once lately. On a recent afternoon, despite the “official” temperature being reported as 38°, the wall thermometer on the screen porch read 50°. That would do for a deck smoke.

I brewed a cup of black coffee and selected a Black Label Morphine 10 Year Anniversary Perfecto to enjoy. At 5 x 50, I figured the diminutive cigar would offer a short but robust smoke. Firing up the propane heater at my feet helped fight off the remaining chill.

Morphine is an annual release from Black Label Trading Company, and 2024 marked the 10th anniversary of the line. The Perfecto is one of two new vitolas added for the occasion. These cigars feature a Mexican San Andrés wrapper, accented by an Ecuadorian maduro leaf, creating a subtle, nearly invisible barber pole effect. The binder and fillers consist of Nicaraguan tobaccos from undisclosed origins. The cigar’s overall appearance is somewhat rough and rustic.

This particular stick had been resting in my humidor for eight weeks. It felt light in the hand, and clipping the cap revealed an open draw. The foot lit quickly, and it took little effort to pull a mouthful of rich, spicy smoke. The initial pepper spice was joined by notes of cocoa, dark cherry, and raisin. As the cigar progressed, the pepper morphed into a broader blend of nutty, cinnamon, and baking spice notes.

I enjoy my coffee black, as God intended, but I don’t always find it to be an ideal pairing for full-bodied cigars. That wasn’t the case with the Morphine. In fact, I emptied my cup much faster than usual — despite the insulated mug keeping it almost too hot to sip for a long time. The Morphine Perfecto provided a quick but thoroughly enjoyable 40-minute smoke, and it’s one I’ll likely turn to again while winter lingers.

Cheers!

Road Trip Relaxation: Cigars, Coffee, and Good Company

My wife had an appointment in Winchester, VA, recently and asked if I’d make the two-hour drive with her. Since there’s a cigar lounge in town that I follow on social media, I had an extra incentive to play chauffeur for the day. (Of course, her asking was already reason enough.) After the drop off, I headed over to Long Ridge Cigars.

Long Ridge Cigars is a stand-alone building with the traditional wooden Indian stands tall by the front door. After parking in the back, I was greeted by another morning patron, a regular at the shop. We chatted for a bit before the door was unlocked.

I took a quick tour of the walk-in humidor before settling on the Aganorsa Leaf Aniversario Maduro in the Toro vitola. I was familiar with the cigar by name but had never smoked it. When the shop attendant mentioned they had recently received a few boxes of this limited release, my decision was easy. I grabbed one to smoke now and another “to go.”

The Aganorsa Leaf Aniversario Maduro is a Nicaraguan puro featuring a Nicaraguan Shade Grown Maduro wrapper, along with a Nicaraguan binder and fillers. In addition to its striking black and silver bands, the cigar comes wrapped in decorative tissue paper that covers most of the 6 x 54 stick. After sliding off the sleeve, I cut the cap and wasted no time lighting up. I anticipated the cigar would provide a solid two-hour smoke — about the time I had before meeting back up with my wife.

From the start, the Aniversario Maduro delivers a bold pepper spice note. After a few puffs, flavors of rich dark chocolate, coffee, and a toffee-like sweetness come into play. The overall profile is flavorful, bold, and well-balanced. Despite being a full-bodied smoke, it never overwhelmed, even as a morning cigar. The burn was flawless, producing copious, thick smoke throughout.

Before arriving at the lounge, I had picked up a cup of chain-store coffee. I finished that quickly and was pleased to discover the lounge had a large urn of fresh, delicious coffee available. I refilled my cup and continued my enjoyment of the bold coffee and cigar pairing.

While I smoked, I struck up friendly conversation with another patron and the proprietor. One of the great things about cigar lounges is how easy and enjoyable it is to meet fellow enthusiasts. Time passed too quickly, and soon I received a text from my wife that she was ready to be picked up. I replied that I needed “another 5–10 minutes” and enjoyed a few more puffs of the cigar. At about the 90-minute mark, I estimated there were at least another 20 minutes left when I finally set the cigar down.

Before heading home, we met a local friend for a delicious lunch at a German restaurant — a perfect way to cap off the morning smoke.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Long Ridge Cigars. The shop boasts a wide selection of cigars and a spacious, comfortable lounge. Outside, the backyard features tables and a fire pit, which seems to be a popular gathering spot. In fact, I’ve already told my wife I’d be more than happy to chauffeur her to any future appointments in Winchester.

Cheers!

Update: The Long Ridge lounge has gone to a "members only" model. I was turned away on my last (attempted) visit — my intended purchases notwithstanding.

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!

An Autumn Afternoon: Oliva Serie V, Coffee, and an Unexpected Guest

The mid-week crisp fall weather was too good to pass up—60 degrees and sunny. I brewed a large mug of hot, black coffee, grabbed an Oliva Serie V Lancero from the humidor, and headed to the deck with a good book. 

The whole Oliva Serie V lineup never disappoints and the cigars consistently pair well with black coffee. Sporting a Habano Sun Grown wrapper, the 7 x38 stick makes a nice presentation. The Nicaraguan binder and filler tobacco blend includes Jalapa Valley Ligero for some extra robustness. A full flavor palate of cocoa, coffee, roasted nuts, and cedar complete the profile

This stick had been hiding in the humidor nearly 18 months. It retained a slightly oily shine, and burned wonderfully. It had been a while since I had smoked any cigar in a Lancero format, and I initially started off drawing on it a bit too hard, which created some bitterness. Adjusting my draw, but maintaining enough frequency to keep a good burn going corrected that issue. The Serie V Lancero gave a 65 minute smoke, enough time to pour a second cup of coffee.

Midway through the smoke a beautiful doe came out of the woods to dine on the many acorns fallen in the grass. She had been feasting for 30 minutes and was still there when I headed inside. She paid me little mind but did look up and stare at me occasionally. The deer are abundant here but it's unusual to see them stay in the open so long. She was welcome to dine as long as she desired, that's a few less acorns I need to rake.

A slight chill came upon the porch as the sun started dipping below the trees, timed perfectly with the end of the smoke. 

Cheers!

Summer Coffee and Smoke

This week, I finally got around to planting a couple of trees we acquired about a month ago. They should have been put in the ground right away but I had to wait for a back issue to be (mostly) mitigated. They are finally in the ground, in the midst of an extreme heat wave. Time will tell how well they do.  

After that morning chore, I retired to the screen porch, with a Caldwell Lost & Found Cream Machine. Despite the heat, I also had a cup of cappuccino. We often enjoy a cappuccino in the afternoon. It's a faux pas to order cappuccino in the afternoon in Italy, but in this house, the rules don't apply. 

The Cream Machine had been hiding in the humidor since July of 2023. The light brown 6 1/4 x 52 Toro is wrapped with Ecuadoran Brazilian-seed Arapiraca tobacco. The rest of the blend is Dominican, consisting of a Dominican Piloto binder, with Dominican Piloto, Dominican HVA and Dominican Habano fillers. The cigar is hefty but has an open draw when cut. As suspected, the flavor profile started off mild, with creamy peanut and graham cracker notes. There's a hint of white pepper and cheddar. Through most of the smoke the flavor was consistent and the cigar burned well. I was enjoying the pairing with the creamy cappuccino.

In the last third of the Cream Machine, it started developing a bitter note. Interestingly the ash became very flaky at the same time, and started leaving a bit of a mess in my lap and chair. Could be I was smoking too fast or perhaps just the nature of that particular stick. The flavor was not unpleasant, but also a significant twist that I did not find as enjoyable. Overall the experience, coupled with the relaxation, made for a delightful afternoon repast. 

Cheers!

Summer Kickoff

After what seemed like a long wet spring, summer officially arrived on Thursday. And in typical Virginia fashion, the season arrived in a heat wave. I always welcome the warm weather nonetheless. Though technically summer officially arrives at exactly 4:51 p.m. EDT, this is interestingly the earliest summer solstice since June 20, 1796, when George Washington was president.

After I set out the morning lawn sprinklers, I poured a cup of coffee and sat down with a little Sagrado Feito Connecticut. 

The Sagrado Feito Connecticut is a 5 x 38 Petite Corona. Part of the May Luxury Cigar Club mailing, it's been in my humidor just about 5 weeks. The rustic looking Connecticut wrapper hides Dominican binder and fillers. The tobaccos are said to be aged before rolling, but that's as specific information as I've found.

After taking a couple cuts from the pointed cap, I found the pointed tip was still a little small for comfortable smoking, but the draw was wide open so I left it there. The first quarter of the cigar required constant effort to maintain a good light, but when the small cigar was lit, it produced plenty of smoke. As the cigar progressed, the burn improved significantly. 

The flavors were sweet but mild, with nuts and cedar predominating. Near the end a splash of white pepper made an appearance. I've smoked only one cigar from Sagrado previously, the Sagrado Lilith Petite Corona. That cigar I found superior to the Feito, and an exceptional coffee accompaniment. This one was less impressive, though a morning coffee and cigar is always an enjoyable moment.

Cheers!

Coffee Break: Undercrown Maduro

This coffee break supported by the Liga Privada Undercrown Maduro from Drew Estate. The temperature was in the mid-60° range -- not cool, but warm enough to not require any supplemental heat. I think I can finally bring in the portable heat sources until the fall.

The Liga Privada Undercrown Maduro from Drew Estate is one that I smoke frequently and that has been mentioned often in these Musings. The 5" x 54 Robusto has been resting in my humdor since February. It combines a Mexican San Andrés Maduro wrapper, a Habano Connecticut binder, with Brazil Mata Fina and Nicaraguan Habano fillers. The medium-bodied smoke has rich espresso and cocoa sweetness. Some dark fruit and bitterness is also in the mix.

This is a cigar I like to keep on hand. ("Siri, remind me to pick up more Undercrown Maduro.") I almost universally enjoy it with a bourbon or a dark beer. I don't recall that I've paired it with coffee, though it seems likely I would have at some point. The dark espresso notes in the cigar contrasted with the comparatively lighter notes of the rich, black coffee. The combo was enjoyable and I poured a second cup to enjoy.

We've been under an extended period of dark and rainy days of late. As I wrapped up my smoke, though it would be setting soon, the sun finally came out from behind the clouds. It was a morning dawn -- at the end of the day. 

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!

Toscano Antico and Espresso

I enjoyed a fun "Italian" dessert after dinner this week. I had the urge to enjoy one of the Toscano cigars I brought back from Italy last fall. An espresso seemed fitting to go along.

The Toscano Antica is a 6 x 38 cheroot slim panatela with a very rustic appearance. The cigars are dry rolled and do not require storage in a humidor. The wrapper is fired cured Kentucky tobacco and the filler is blend of USA and Italian tobaccos. There is no binder leaf. This is the classic Clint Eastwood Western movie cigar.

The Toscano Antica has a strong wood fire aroma even before lighting. The flavors when smoking bring to mind smoky BBQ with some sweetness added in. Despite the rough, dry appearance the burn has no issues and gave about a 40 minute smoke. That was plenty of time for a couple of double espressos.

I do enjoy these cigars on occasion. Fortunately Tuscano packages them for export and they can be had, rather inexpensively, from many online retailers.

Cheers!