During our Italian vacation, we spent two nights in Bolzano, in South Tyrol. Situated at the gateway to the Dolomite Mountains, Bolzano has the look and feel of an Alpine village, with spectacular mountain views in every direction. Making the region ev…
The day almost slipped by unnoticed. Monday marked the second anniversary of my retirement. Unlike that first year, which was heavily shaped by back problems and the surgery that followed, this past year has felt much more normal. The routines have set…
After a record-breaking streak of rainy days, the sun finally shone brightly this weekend. We spent a good part of it attending our 45th (!) college reunion. It was a blast seeing old classmates and even meeting a few people I hadn’t known back then. W…
I’ve been making a few cocktails lately using Cynar as an ingredient. The artichoke-based amaro has a gentle vegetal and earthy bitterness that I find especially enjoyable in an afternoon cocktail. During our recent trip to Italy, I spotted a sign outs…
It’s no secret to visitors to these Musings that I frequently enjoy pairing a Negroni with a cigar. Naturally, I sought out the same combination during our vacation in Italy.We spent a few nights at the Hotel Metropole in ??Santa Margherita Ligure?. Th…
As we mark the unofficial beginning of summer, we should take a moment to reflect on and honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our freedoms. While many of us gather with family and friends to enjoy the holiday with food, fellowship,…
In early May, we spent 16 days touring several of Italy’s northern regions. Beyond the great food, historic sites, and stunning scenery, I always look forward to the relaxed attitude toward enjoying a cigar in Italy.Naturally, I packed a travel humidor…
It’s been nearly a year since I acquired my new Yohtron YC-488 humidor, which makes this a good time for a follow-up report.The humidor has performed well, and my cigars have been stored without issue. Some have been in the unit since day one, while ot…
Decisions, decisions. A true cigar “first-world problem” is choosing what to smoke when the moment presents itself. My humidor is modest by some standards, yet it holds more than 240 different blends and vitolas — plenty to keep me deliberating.There a…
The rains had stopped, but the air remained cool, and my thoughts turned to a hearty beer to accompany the evening’s smoke. I grabbed an old bottle of Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Ale from the stash in the basement. This bottle dated from the 2010 release, ma…
