Author Archive

Tatuaje Tattoo and Russell’s Reserve: Autumn Comforts

By From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Oct 24th, 2025 • Category: Blog Entries.Local

Fall is here, bringing with it cool evenings. Cool is better than cold, and I’m taking advantage of that while I can. I grabbed the redundantly named Tatuaje Tattoo in the 6 x 50 Universo vitola and poured a glass of Russell’s Reserve 10 Year Bourbon t…



Quiet After the Clatter: Belgian Blue and 1792 12 Year on the Porch

By From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Oct 18th, 2025 • Category: Blog Entries.Local

It’s been a long, busy week — and a cigar-less one at that. Even Friday’s usual smoke was delayed until well after dark by contractors working at the house. Who knew roofers worked so late? When the noise finally subsided and I settled in on the porch …



A Perfect Match: Le Carême and Eagle Rare on a Fall Evening

By From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Oct 13th, 2025 • Category: Blog Entries.Local

When I unboxed the July Cigar of the Month package from Cigar and Pipes and saw the Crowned Heads Le Carême, I smiled. The Le Carême is one of my all-time favorite smokes. Then I noticed the enclosed cigar was the 6 ½ x 48 Hermoso No. 1 vitola, and I r…



Talking Cigars — Or Not Talking at All

By From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Oct 10th, 2025 • Category: Blog Entries.Local

The George Thorogood song “I Drink Alone” goes like this: I drink aloneYeah, with nobody elseI drink aloneYeah, with nobody elseYeah, you know, when I drink aloneI prefer to be by myselfThat chorus runs through my head often when I’m sitting …



Marking Eighteen Years of Musings Over a Barrel

By From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Oct 6th, 2025 • Category: Blog Entries.Local

It’s hard to believe, but today marks eighteen years since I clicked “publish” on the very first post of this blog. What began as a simple outlet for thoughts on the emerging craft beer scene — then called Musings Over a Pint — has grown and evolved in…



Post-Game Pleasures: My Father Blue, Perdomo Legacy, and Maker’s Mark

By From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Oct 6th, 2025 • Category: Blog Entries.Local

We traveled back to Blacksburg, Virginia this past weekend to take in another Virginia Tech football game. Perhaps we’re gluttons for punishment, but even when the Hokies lose, college football weekends are usually a good time. Unfortunately, this one …



Visiting the OBX Cigar Lounge: The Outer Banks’ Only Cigar Lounge

By From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Oct 1st, 2025 • Category: Blog Entries.Local

As much as I enjoy smoking cigars on the beach or a seaside porch when visiting the Outer Banks of North Carolina, it can sometimes be a challenge. Wind, blowing sand, and the occasional rain shower — especially common in the early fall when we usually…



Cigars by the Sea: A Relaxed Week in the Outer Banks

By From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Sep 29th, 2025 • Category: Blog Entries.Local

I took a short break from posting last week while we slipped away for a much-needed trip to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. It had been three years since our last visit to the OBX, and the return reminded me why this stretch of coast is a popular de…



Smoke and Sip: New World Decenio With Four Roses Small Batch Select

By From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Sep 21st, 2025 • Category: Blog Entries.Local

A recent cool evening provided the perfect atmosphere for an extended “sip and smoke” on the screened porch. The sun still hovered above the horizon, soon to set, providing a reminder that I still need to add some sort of lighting on the newly refurbis…



Bold Flavors Unite: Foundation Tabernacle David & St. Augustine Port Bourbon

By From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Sep 18th, 2025 • Category: Blog Entries.Local

On a recent evening, I was looking for a short-ish smoke and reached for the Foundation Tabernacle David, a 5 x 54 Perfecto. To go with it, I dug deep into the bourbon shelves and pulled out a long-ignored but much-loved bottle of St. Augustine Port Fi…