When the Sun Lies: An Afternoon at the Cigar Lounge

I don’t mind sitting with a heater on the enclosed porch on a cool evening to enjoy a cigar. Sitting there with a heater running while the sun is shining in the afternoon, however, generally doesn’t excite me. Maybe my brain automatically equates sunshine with warmth and refuses to accept cold but bright days. To work around that disconnect, I headed back to Hogshead Cigar Lounge this week for an afternoon smoke.

For the occasion, I lit up a My Father Blue in the Toro vitola. I’ve smoked several of the Blues in Robusto and always enjoyed them, but a visit to the lounge calls for a longer, more leisurely cigar.

My Father Blue is something of a milestone for the brand, as it’s the first My Father cigar made in Honduras, and it has already found its way onto a number of “Top 25” lists. The Toro is a 6 x 54 box-pressed cigar wrapped in a dark, reddish Connecticut Broadleaf Rosado, with Honduran Corojo and Criollo tobaccos from the García family’s own Finca La Opulencia farm making up the binder and filler. After years of producing everything in Estelí, the García family opened a new factory in Honduras in 2024, finally putting that long-cultivated tobacco to use.

Flavor-wise, the cigar comes out swinging with cocoa and cedar, backed by a gentle sweetness and plenty of richness from the first draw. As the smoke develops, notes of espresso and roasted coffee join in, but the overall profile remains steady and satisfying all the way to the finish.

After roughly a 90-plus-minute smoke — though I wasn’t watching the clock — the cigar burned down to a warm nub, and it was time to head home. The flavorful cigar, the warmth of the lounge, and the easy conversations with fellow smokers all combined to make for a thoroughly pleasant afternoon.

Now, with the first major winter storm of the season apparently on the way, it’s time to make sure the propane heaters are topped off for some cold-evening smokes on the porch.

Cheers!

A Good Day for an Indoor Smoke

It had been a while since I spent time at my local cigar lounge. I’d often intended to head over to Hogshead Cigar Lounge for some indoor smoking pleasure, but, if we’re being honest, convenience often won out. Why drive when I can simply step onto my enclosed porch and enjoy a cigar? Still, the simple luxury of smoking indoors — with other cigar lovers — is worth the extra effort now and then.

When I rolled in one early afternoon this week, a few patrons were already settled in with their smokes, even if the angle of the photo failed to capture them. Before long, the lounge filled and the room buzzed with lively conversation.

Since it had been a while since my last visit, I made a few leisurely circuits of the humidor before settling on an Aganorsa Leaf Supreme Leaf Toro. This Nicaraguan puro features a Corojo ’99 wrapper over binder and filler tobaccos also grown in Nicaragua. The 6 x 52 cigar had a satisfying heft without feeling over-packed, and the draw was spot on.

It opened with a touch of pepper, though the spice stayed on the milder side. As the cigar settled in, a pleasant sweet woodiness emerged, supported by abundant smoke production that only enhanced the full-flavored experience.

The Supreme Leaf delivered nearly two hours of relaxed smoking. When I finally stepped outside, the cold felt noticeably sharper than it had when I arrived. Sitting in my car as the wind rocked it gently, I was reminded just how welcome the warmth and comfort of indoor cigar smoking can be in the heart of winter.

Cheers!

Breaking the Porch Routine for an Afternoon at Hogshead

It’s been far too long since I’ve paid a visit to Hogshead Cigar Lounge. Oddly enough, enjoying a smoke at my local brick-and-mortar used to be almost a weekly ritual just a couple of years ago. In theory, retiring last year should have meant I’d visit even more often — a theory that hasn’t panned out. Recovery from back surgery certainly kept me home for a while, but that’s no longer much of a factor.

In truth, convenience has won out. I have a well-stocked humidor at home, and the newly renovated screened porch right off the kitchen makes for a very comfortable smoking spot. Even with colder weather settling in, the heater and air purifier make the space perfectly usable. And of course, it’s right there — no need to hop in the car and drive 30 minutes.

Still, the lure of leather chairs and the chance for conversation finally won me over this week, and I headed to my favorite cigar lounge for a visit.

As expected for a weekday afternoon, the lounge was quiet. A steady flow of customers came and went, but few stayed to smoke. I settled in with my cigar of choice — the Black Label Trading Company Eletto.

Italian for “the chosen one,” the Eletto is a limited-edition release celebrating the 10th anniversary of Fábrica Oveja Negra, the factory in Estelí, Nicaragua, where Black Label Trading Company cigars are made. Released this past summer, I hadn’t yet picked one up to try.

I selected the 6″ × 50 Toro. It features a dark, oily Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, an Ecuadorian Habano binder, and Nicaraguan fillers, all topped with a decorative pigtail cap. The cigar opens with dark fruit and a good dose of spice. As it progresses, cocoa and dark licorice develop, adding depth and balancing the heat. As one would expect from Black Label, it’s a bold and complex smoke.

My smoking session lasted about 90 minutes. While conversation was limited, the visit was a comfortable and relaxing escape. Still, as I sat there sipping sparkling water, I remembered another factor that’s been keeping me smoking at home — I have bourbon in the house.

Cheers!

Too Hot for the Porch: AVO Syncro Nicaragua in the Lounge

I generally don’t mind the summer heat and can usually tolerate it well enough to enjoy a cigar most evenings. But this week was especially brutal, and an afternoon smoke meant a trip to Hogshead Cigar Lounge. I wasn’t surprised to see a few more folks inside than usual for a weekday afternoon.

I picked up a few extra cigars for my humidor and chose an AVO Syncro Nicaragua Special Toro to enjoy during my stay.

This version of the Syncro Nicaragua is an impressive 6 x 60 box-pressed treat. I don’t often reach for large ring gauge cigars, but the box-press shape made it feel more manageable in the hand. The cap was quite flat, and I didn’t want to risk over-cutting it with a straight cut. Fortunately, I carry a small cigar punch on my keyring, which worked well to open it up. Even through the small punch, the draw was very open — almost too much so. I’ve often found that large ring gauge cigars tend to be loosely packed and have exceedingly open draws.

The cigar features a reddish-brown Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper over a Dominican binder, with a filler blend of Dominican, Nicaraguan, and Peruvian tobaccos.

From the first few puffs, the AVO Syncro Nicaragua Special produced copious amounts of flavorful smoke. Initial notes included cedar, cocoa, and a sweet raisin-like note, later joined by hints of dark chocolate and roasted coffee.

Unfortunately, the burn was persistently uneven, with large peaks of unburned wrapper. I had to touch it up multiple times — really the only frustrating aspect of an otherwise enjoyable smoke. Despite the burn issues, the cigar lasted a solid 95 minutes.

Each time someone entered or exited the lounge, a blast of scorching air followed them in, a stark reminder of the 100°+ temperatures outside. It also reminded me to use the remote start on my car a few minutes before leaving.

Thankfully, the forecast calls for temperatures to drop into the mid-90s over the next few days, which means I’ll likely be able to return to the screened porch for a proper smoke and beverage pairing.

Cheers!

It’s Déjà Vu All Over Again — With Smoke

Yogi Berra is reported to have quipped, “It’s déjà vu all over again.” That’s exactly how I felt when I stopped into Hogshead Cigar Lounge for a smoke on Wednesday afternoon. Just like last Wednesday, it was raining again — or perhaps more accurately, it was still raining. It’s been a wet week, punctuated only by the occasional dry spell.

 

This time, I selected a Black Works Studio NBK to enjoy. Different cigar. Same seat. Same beverage. And, as always, great conversation.

Cheers!

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Mid-Week Cigar Break: Enjoying the Powstanie San Andrés at Hogshead

A rainy day offered the perfect opportunity to spend a few mid-week hours enjoying a cigar at Hogshead Cigar Lounge. It’s always a pleasure to settle in indoors for a smoke — and since most of my cigar time is typically solo, it was nice to pair this one with a bit of friendly conversation.

For the afternoon, I reached for a Powstanie San Andrés. I picked up a few of these new releases last month but hadn’t yet lit one up. The ones resting in my home humidor are Robusto size, so I opted for the Toro vitola to pass the time today.

I’ve long been a fan of Powstanie cigars, and I was especially eager to try their new San Andrés wrapper version. I’m happy to say it more than lived up to my expectations. Medium to full-bodied, the cigar delivered rich notes of espresso and chocolate, complemented by a moderate pepper spice. I’ll be doing a full review soon — complete with a beverage pairing.

All in all, those two hours spent relaxing in the lounge made for a wonderfully satisfying way to enjoy a cool, rainy afternoon.

Cheers!

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Smoke and Spice: Rojas Street Tacos Cinco de Mayo 2025

Although the afternoon weather was particularly pleasant, I decided to head over to Hogshead Cigar Lounge to enjoy a smoke this Wednesday. There’s always something new to try at the lounge, and this week, I went with the newly arrived Rojas Street Tacos Cinco de Mayo 2025. I’d spotted the announcement on their social media earlier in the week and made a mental note to check it out.

The Cinco de Mayo marks the second release in this limited edition series from Rojas. This 6 x 54 Toro features a slick, brown Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, a San Andrés binder, and Connecticut Broadleaf filler tobacco that was aged for seven years before rolling.

In the opening minutes, the Cinco de Mayo delivered a dry, somewhat chalky smoke with mild notes of earth and clay. It was more peculiar than unpleasant. Before long, hints of baking spices and cedar entered the profile, adding some needed roundness. As the cigar progressed, I picked up flavors reminiscent of charred wood and grilled meat, with a touch of black pepper. And then — believe it or not — I swear I caught a flavor that reminded me of mole sauce.

That mole-like note added a bit of quirkiness to the overall experience. I’ll admit, I’m not a huge fan of mole, so that might have colored my impression. Still, I genuinely enjoyed the Rojas Cinco de Mayo. It produced dense, flavorful smoke, had a consistent burn, and lasted a satisfying hour and forty minutes.

The lounge itself provided a calm, relaxing afternoon. I passed the time with a bit of reading and some casual conversation. The indoor setting was a welcome escape from the pollen-heavy spring air outside.

Cheers!

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Back in the Lounge: A Quiet Hour with the Killer Bee

It’s hard to believe it’s already been six weeks since my back surgery and lumbar fusion. The recovery journey continues—slowly but surely. I often find myself needing gentle reminders to stay patient, stay mindful, and not rush the process. There are occasional bouts of boredom, especially on those days when the ebb and flow of post-op pain settles on the lower end. Short errands, daily walks, attending Mass, and even getting a haircut help break up the monotony of pacing around the house.

One pleasure I’d been especially looking forward to was getting back to the cigar lounge — seeing friends, sinking into a big leather chair, and enjoying a relaxing smoke indoors.

After a few days of noticeably reduced pain, I did just that. After lunch mid-week, I jumped—or rather, carefully slid — into the car and headed over to the Hogshead Cigar Lounge. I spent a little time browsing the walk-in humidor, selecting a few cigars to add to my home humidor, along with one to enjoy on the spot.

Hogshead features a wide selection of cigars from Black Label Trading Company, one of my favorite brands, especially when I’m in the mood for something flavorful and full-bodied. I’ve smoked most of their line over the years, in nearly every vitola. These cigars pair exceptionally well with a strong bourbon — though that was moot for this outing. I opted for a smaller vitola than usual for lounging: the Black Label Killer Bee in Robusto.

The Black Works Studio Killer Bee Robusto is a 5 x 50 stick featuring an Ecuadorian Maduro wrapper, accented with linear strips of lighter tobacco around the cap to give it a decorative bee-like striped appearance. The foot is neatly closed with the same wrapper leaf. Inside, aged Nicaraguan tobaccos make up the binder and filler.

The Killer Bee launches straight into the medium-to-full-bodied range. Right out of the gate, notes of white pepper, dark roasted coffee, and cedar spice coat the palate. The strength builds steadily throughout the smoke, settling firmly into full-bodied territory by the second half. Despite the boldness of the profile, the cigar never turns harsh. A subtle, creamy sweetness lingers in the background, tempering the spice nicely. The burn is razor-sharp and consistent, with heavy smoke output that adds to the richness of the experience.

The lounge was quiet that afternoon. I stayed for about an hour, enjoying the cigar and some light conversation — a refreshing diversion from the repetitive rhythm of recent days. I did have to remain conscious of my posture in the comfortable chairs, making sure not to slouch and aggravate my healing back.

After a tease of warm weather last week, it looks like colder temperatures are returning for a while. I may find myself back at the lounge again soon for another cozy indoor smoke.

Cheers!

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Seeking Warmth and Flavor at the Cigar Lounge

It’s been an extremely cold couple of weeks—so cold that I haven’t felt the urge to step outside for a cigar. Fortunately, I managed to make it over to Hogshead Cigar Lounge a couple of times to enjoy a smoke in warmth and good company.

Since I hadn’t explored Hogshead’s extensive selection in a while, I took my time wandering through the humidor during my visit two weeks ago. The sheer variety made choosing even harder. Eventually, I grabbed a handful of cigars and headed to the counter. When the proprietor asked, “What are you smoking today?” I made a quick decision: the New World Puro Especial. The rest went into a bag for my home humidor, reserved for warmer days.

The 5 1/2 x 52 Robusto is a Nicaraguan puro created by A.J. Fernandez, using tobaccos from his farms in Estelí, Nicaragua. Right from the first draw, I was impressed by its full yet balanced flavor profile. Notes of cedar, coffee, mixed nuts, and cocoa unfolded, all tied together by a subtle creamy sweetness.

I enjoyed every minute of the one-hour smoke, though I found myself wishing for more. I told myself that next time, I’d opt for a Toro to extend the experience.

With an overload of medical appointments this past week, I wasn’t sure if I’d squeeze in another lounge visit. But when my schedule opened up on Friday afternoon, I took the opportunity for a relaxing smoke before dinner.

Walking into the humidor, I had the New World Puro Especial on my mind—but I couldn’t quite remember where I had found it among the shelves. A quick glance around didn’t help, and, in typical guy fashion, I wasn’t about to ask for directions. Instead, I grabbed a My Father La Opulencia that was right in front of me.

This time, I chose a 6 x 54 Toro for a longer session. Like the New World Puro Especial, the La Opulencia features Nicaraguan binder and filler, but it’s wrapped in a Mexican San Andrés leaf. The elaborate double bands add an ornamental touch to the softly box-pressed cigar.

The La Opulencia starts off bold, with an immediate burst of black pepper spice. The smoke is earthy and rich, with notes of pepper, chocolate, and leather. It’s a powerful and intense cigar—less nuanced than the New World Puro Especial but equally full of flavor.

I paired both cigars with bottles of S.Pellegrino Sparkling Water. The carbonation was refreshing, keeping my palate clean and receptive to the full-bodied flavors. Naturally, a good bourbon would have been a perfect companion for either cigar, but I saved that indulgence for later—after dinner, in my living room, sans cigar.

Cheers!

Cold Nights, Warm Spirits: Chattanooga Whiskey and Foundation Aksum

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cheers!

Relaxing at the Cigar Lounge

I decided to go over to the cigar lounge to enjoy an afternoon of smoking inside for a change. Feeling free from any interruptions from my (former) employer, I sat down with a Aganorsa Leaf La Validación Habano. 

The lounge was pretty empty in the early weekday afternoon. Instead of conversation, I spent the time reading. (Kindle app on my phone for the win.) The Aganorsa Leaf La Validación Habano is a cigar I've not tried previously. This 6 1/4 x 52 Toro is smoothly wrapped in an Ecuador Habano leaf, with Nicaraguan binder and fillers. The double gold-accented, colorful bands make for a showy presentation. 

The first few puffs are a robust black pepper wake up. The smoke quickly gets slightly more balanced with the addition of leather and some sweet chocolate. As I smoked I occasionally detected nuts and a dry earthiness. The cigar kept its full bodied and spicy personality throughout. The burn was even and slow, giving a full two hours of enjoyment.

In a bit of irony, I received a text message from my old boss. It was not unwelcome though, as we had also developed a non-work related friendship. He also recently left the company and was just checking in to chat. That was certainly more preferred than a work interruption. 

Cheers!

Liga Privada H99 - An Early Retirement Gift to Myself

With retirement just a couple weeks away, I was looking to treat myself to an early retirement splurge. Hogsheads Cigar lounge held a Drew Estate event last Friday evening, which provided the perfect opportunity to indulge myself. 

The evening featured most, if not all, of the extensive Drew Estate lineup, but the "main event" was showcasing the new Liga Privada H99. Along with the regular vitolas the line cigar, the event-only Corona Doble was available for sale as well. I had decided prior to arriving I was going to treat myself to a box of 24.

The purchase of this special box qualified me for slew of H99-themed swag to go along with it. A glass ashtray, Xikar cutter, keychain, a cigar rest, and a selection of free cigars, were all added to my bag. The hardware will be added to my shelf of other themed cigar accoutrements to make appearances as demanded.

I spent the evening at the lounge enjoying fun conversation and smoking a couple other Drew Estate cigars. I didn't win ay of the raffles of the evening, but I had my prize. I'll let the H99 cigars rest in my humidor for as long as I can resist. I am looking forward to enjoying it soon though -- and I'll have plenty of time to do that. 

Cheers!

Saturday Afternoon at the Brewery for Brews and Cigars

The second day of our Independence holiday activity revolved around a visit to 1781 Brewing for afternoon beer and cigars. Arriving shortly after lunch, the crowds were still small and we easily claimed a table under the trees in the garden. Rain threatened a bit later in the afternoon but for now the sky was just hazy and a light breeze blew. The resident roosters provided added entertainment as they prowled about.

It had actually been a long time since we made it to 1781. I'd spent time in the cigar lounge onsite, but even that was last in December. Checking out the menu board, I saw that the selection was as always, lengthy and varied. Colleen opted for the Høst Saison, while the Belsnikel Dunkelweizen tempted me.

Drinks out of the way, it was time to select a cigar to enjoy. I had brought along a Powstanie Broadleaf Corona Gorda and a New World Dorado Robusto. The Powstanie kicked off the afternoon.

Belsniel Dunkelweizen is a dark wheat beer and the style is one I frequently turn to when pairing a beer with a cigar. This version checks in at an afternoon suitable ABV of 4.7%. The soft wheat and malt flavor with very low bitterness was refreshing and made a good pairing for the Powstanie.

The Powstanie line makes a regular appearance in these Musings. Both the Broadleaf and Habano versions, in any vitola, are a favorite. This Corona Gorda is a new 5 1/2" x 46 vitola that made its world debut in May at Fredericksburg's Hogshead Cigar Lounge. The event was attended by brand owner Mike Szczepankiewicz. I was able to enjoy the cigars right at the beginning of their availability, and of course brought some of each size home. The Powstanie Broadleaf features the same broadleaf maduro wrapper, Indonesian binder, fillers of Estelí ligero, Jalapa and Pueblo Nuevo tobaccos as the rest of the line. The usual flavors of creamy chocolate and wood, with a touch of cedar spice complimented the lager quite well. The Corona Gorda vitola is a great addition to the Powstanie line up.

We ended up staying for a second round and the New World Dorado also got its chance to shine with the beer. It performed admirably. Unfortunately the distant thunder was getting closer so we decided to leave before the rain started. I abandoned the cigar with a little over half smoked. Our timing was spot on as the first rain drops began falling as we exited the brewery. In a stroke of good timing, the heavy rain delayed until we arrived home. Despite the weather shortened visit, the afternoon was pleasant and hopefully a prelude to more relaxing summer afternoons spent enjoying good beer and cigars.

Cheers!

Bourbon and Cigar Pain Reliever

I was looking forward to a relaxing Friday evening, but first I had to repair the blade drive belt on the lawn tractor, and then mow the grass. After about an hour, much of which was spent trying to recall the correct route of the serpentine belt, the fix was done. But not before I stretched or twisted my back in such a way to suffer a very painful muscle pull in my side. My body doesn't flex like it did when I was younger! Riding the mower afterwards was an exercise in suffering. Offer it up they say.

The evening was spent in much discomfort. However, the bourbon and cigar did provide some alleviation. I poured some of the Henry McKenna Bottled in Bond I had picked up a few weeks ago, along with a Powstanie Habano. 

The Powstanie in both the Habano and Broadleaf blends make frequent appearances on these Musings. I had the pleasure of meeting brand owner Mike Szczepankiewicz a couple weeks ago at Hogshead Cigar Lounge when he made the worldwide release of the two cigars in a new Corona Gorda vitola. The Robusto being enjoyed was one of the party favors from that evening. The Habano wrapper covers an Indonesian binder, and Nicaraguan and Dominican fillers. There's a mild spice blended with creamy chocolate and woody notes. The medium bodied smoke goes well with a smooth bourbon.

The Henry McKenna 10 Year BiB is a bourbon I don't get to enjoy as frequently as in years past. It used to be an inexpensive $25-$30 bottle. The bourbon won Best in Show Whiskey at the 2019 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, that combined with the general boom in bourbon popularity has caused the price to double, if not more. In addition, the Virginia ABC labeled it an "allocated" bourbon, and as such is only available at their random drops. The artificially manipulated supply as a store and typically sells out in the first rush of shoppers after the announcement.  I find it a nice, well-balanced, 100 proof bourbon with a classic caramel, oak, and vanilla sweetness.

Despite the attempt at relaxation, the night was restless. I was also shooting in the morning and would deal with some lingering pain for that. That's a story for later.

Cheers!