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!

Celebrating St. Brigid and Her Great Lake of Beer

February 1 marks the Feast Day of St. Brigid of Ireland, a beloved figure in our family and one of the most revered Saints of the Emerald Isle. Among the many quotes attributed to her, this one is particularly famous:

“I’d like a great lake of beer for the King of Kings.

I would like to be watching Heaven’s family

drinking it through all eternity.”

St. Brigid holds a special place in Irish hearts, second only to St. Patrick in popularity. While her association with beer—through both prayer and miraculous deeds—often takes center stage, her legacy is deeply rooted in charity, compassion, and a life dedicated to serving others.

Born in 451, Brigid is said to have passed away in 524 or 525. During her life, she founded a monastery in County Kildare, which became an important center of learning and spirituality in the 5th century. Unfortunately, the Abbey was destroyed in the 12th century, but her influence endures.

Brigid’s connection to beer goes beyond her poetic prayer for a “great lake of beer.” According to tradition, while working in a leper colony, the community ran out of beer—a vital source of nourishment and safe hydration in those days. Brigid, ever resourceful, is said to have transformed her bathwater into beer to provide for the lepers and visiting clerics.

In another miraculous account, Brigid provided beer for 18 churches throughout an entire Easter season, all from a single barrel in her convent. These stories highlight not only her connection to beer but also her unwavering dedication to ensuring the well-being of those around her.

St. Brigid’s legacy is a reminder of how faith, generosity, and a touch of humor can leave an enduring mark. Whether you’re raising a pint in her honor or simply reflecting on her life of service, her Feast Day is a celebration of Irish culture, history, and enduring faith.

St. Brigid Statue, Knock Shrine,
County Mayo, Ireland

St. Brigid, ora pro nobis!

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!

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!

First Smoke of 2025: A Vintage Fratello DMV

I began 2025 by revisiting a cigar that had been aging in my humidor for five or six years—a vintage 2018 Fratello DMV Virginia. I originally added these cigars to my collection during their release party at Hogshead Cigar Lounge in December 2018. A few months later, I picked up a few more at another shop while traveling. The stick I smoked today was the last one remaining from those early acquisitions.

I’ll admit I felt a bit reluctant to smoke this final DMV Virginia. I’ve always enjoyed this particular release, and part of me wanted to keep it as a memento. However, I knew the flavor profile had likely evolved over the years, and cigars are meant to be smoked, not just admired. So, with some anticipation, I decided it was time to enjoy it.

Since it was a holiday—and chilly outside—I poured a small glass of Maker’s Mark Hint O’ Chocolate II to accompany the occasion. The bourbon added a little warmth to the mid-afternoon experience.

The Fratello DMV Virginia was stunning in the midday sunlight. Its Ecuadorian Habano wrapper glistened with an oily sheen, encasing an Ecuadorian binder and a blend of fillers from the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and the USA. From the first puff, the cigar delivered thick, flavorful smoke with notes of roasted coffee, leather, and cedar. There was also a subtle pepperiness, though it was less pronounced than I remembered from earlier smokes of this blend.

The cigar burned flawlessly for about 75 minutes, producing a firm ash and consistent, rich smoke throughout. Despite its age, it remained an exceptional and satisfying smoke—a testament to careful aging and storage.

As for the Maker’s Mark Hint O’ Chocolate II, it’s a Virginia ABC store selection from 2022 that I revisit now and then. While it’s not my favorite pour, it has its charms. The bourbon offers aromas of fruit and oak, with flavors of fruit and cream on the palate and a dry finish. If I concentrate, I can detect a faint hint of milk chocolate, as the name suggests. At 107.9 proof, it provides a gentle warmth that was welcome on this winter day.

In terms of pairing, the Fratello DMV Virginia and Maker’s Mark Hint O’ Chocolate II didn’t create any particular synergy. Each was enjoyable on its own, but neither elevated the other. The cigar was undoubtedly the star of the afternoon.

As the winter sun dipped lower, it began shining directly, and uncomfortably, into my eyes, forcing me to relocate to the other side of the porch. I also turned on a propane heater at my feet, and the combination of the heater and the sun warming the back of my head made the chill quite bearable.

With the cigar finished and the warmth fading, I headed inside to resume the mindless but entertaining tradition of watching college football on TV.

Cheers!

Looking Back and Moving Forward: A Year of Change and Challenge

As another year draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on the ups and downs of 2024. Truth be told, this year has been a challenging one. Setting aside the economic and social turmoil brought about by corrupt and incompetent leadership at the highest levels of government, the year also came with its share of personal trials.

Some of you may have noticed the absence of shooting-related posts. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to make it to the range or participate in an IDPA match since December of last year. Early in 2024, I began experiencing back and leg pain, which progressively worsened over the months, eventually limiting my ability to stand or walk for extended periods. A series of lumbar injections provided some relief—enough to allow for a bit of travel—but the pain has returned in recent weeks. I’m hopeful that an upcoming course of treatment will bring more lasting improvement. With luck, I’ll regain mobility by summer.

But it hasn’t all been bad. This year, I reached a major milestone: retirement. After 24 years with my last employer and 50 years of a working life, I officially retired in June. The past six months have been an exciting period of adjustment, planning, and embracing this new phase of life.

Initially, I reveled in the sheer joy of no longer having to deal with the daily stresses of work. But now, I’ve transitioned to a deeper appreciation of the freedom retirement brings—the ability to live life on my own terms (aside from the aforementioned health challenges). Thankfully, enjoying fine cigars and tasty beverages is an activity that doesn’t require standing, so I’ve been able to indulge in those pleasures with minimal discomfort.

Looking ahead to 2025, we have tentative plans for both domestic and international travel. I’m also eager to explore the numerous local breweries that have sprung up in our area—there are far more than I realized! This feels like the perfect opportunity to rediscover hobbies and adventures that had taken a backseat during the final, demanding years of my career.

One unexpected joy of this newfound freedom has been reconnecting with an old hobby: indoor gardening, particularly focusing on the fascinating Gesneriaceae family, or gesneriads. My interest in these plants goes back more than 40 years and blossomed into a full-blown obsession in the 1980s, when I built a greenhouse attached to our home. For many years, we even ran a small mail-order business selling gesneriads, Passiflora, and other unusual plants.

Eventually, the demands of career, family, and life led us to put gardening aside, though my passion for these plants never truly disappeared. As retirement approached, I dusted off an old light stand and began growing gesneriads once again. After a break of nearly two decades, the passion has returned in full force. It’s been deeply fulfilling to reconnect with this hobby, and I’ve been sharing occasional updates on this subject over at Gesneriad Trails.

One of the surprising lessons I’ve learned in retirement is that weekends are still weekends. Most events and festivals still take place on Saturdays and Sundays, but now, with chores taken care of during the week, weekends are free to be fully enjoyed. The biggest challenge is simply keeping track of what day it is!

Here’s to hoping 2025 brings improved health, exciting adventures, and continued discovery in this next chapter of life.

May your troubles be less, 

And your blessings be more. 

And nothing but happiness come through your door.

-- An Irish Blessing

Cheers!