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 fe…
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 highe…
On the second day of Christmas as the festivities continued, and I found myself running a number of errands to gather supplies for our celebrations and upcoming guests. As I hopped from stop to stop, I kept a close eye on the temperature reading on my …
I ran across this quote from G. K. Chesterton recently and thought it especially fitting for this blog:“It is quite a mistake to suppose that, when a man desires an alcoholic drink, he necessarily desires alcohol.”— G.K. Chesterton, “Wine When it is R…
Christmas Day was one of relaxation and simple pleasures. We began our celebrations on Christmas Eve by attending the Vigil Mass for the Nativity of the Lord, followed by a cozy evening with snacks and a few glasses of sherry. The chance to sleep in on…
After a season of Advent filled with anticipation, the long-awaited day has arrived. Our LORD is born, and the world rejoices! Amid the turmoil and strife that seem ever-present in our world, the birth of Jesus shines as a beacon of hope, reminding us…
Talk of the weather, especially when cold, often finds its way into these Musings—usually as an observation, though sometimes a gripe. Unfortunately when the cold turns extreme, many activities are curtailed, and there’s less musing to be done.Looking …
A cool Friday evening on the deck called for a robust cigar and bourbon pairing. I started the night with a small pour of Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Kentucky Straight Wheated Bourbon Whiskey, a bottle I’d picked up in Knoxville a couple of weeks ago. I…
I’ve been gradually updating and tweaking Musings Over a Barrel over the past couple of weeks. The colder weather has meant more time spent indoors, perfect for refining this space. However, within the limitations of the Blogger platform, there’s …
Credit: ASMWCThe term American Single Malt Whiskey has been tossed around in marketing for quite some time. Like many whiskey descriptions, it often carried no standardized meaning. That’s no longer the case. After years of lobbying, the American Singl…
