Archives for the ‘Blog Entries.Local’ Category

Smoke, Bourbon, and a Season About to Change

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Mar 4th, 2026
   Category: Blog Entries.Local
Spring continues to tease us here in Virginia. Winter is far from finished, yet hints of the new season are unmistakable. Bluebirds sing from the trees, daffodils push through the mulch, and cigars are occasionally enjoyed without the need for heavy coats or supplemental heat. And still, stubborn piles of snow linger from the storm four weeks ago.

Saturday evening, I ventured out to the porch to relax with a cigar and was pleasantly surprised to find the propane heater unnecessary. In fact, I left my jacket inside and settled in wearing only a light sweatshirt — a small but welcome concession to the changing season.



The cigar for this mild evening was the E.P. Carrillo Allegiance Confidant, the last remaining from a June 2024 purchase. The Confidant vitola is a 6” x 52, slightly rounded box-pressed toro, wrapped in an oily, smooth Ecuadorian Sumatra leaf. Nicaraguan tobaccos comprise the binder and fillers. The cigar was blemish-free and expertly rolled, with a firm but comfortable feel in hand.

The opening delivered a burst of cedar and pepper. As the cigar warmed, notes of roasted nuts and espresso emerged, complementing the persistent cedar. A gentle peppery spice lingered in the background — present but never dominant. Medium-bodied throughout, it proved an easy companion for the evening sip of bourbon.

My pairing drink was Blade and Bow Bourbon, bottled at 91 proof. Balanced and flavorful, it complemented the cigar without overshadowing it. Notes of caramel, light orchard fruit, and mild baking spice greeted the palate, with a relatively short finish that invited the next draw from the cigar.

Even after sunset, the temperature remained agreeable for porch sitting. The smoke lasted about 80 minutes — hardly lengthy, but a welcome respite from the recent cold. The forecast promises more of Virginia’s familiar temperature swings in the coming weeks, yet even that volatility signals that spring is drawing near.

Cheers!


[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

A Celebrated Pairing: Rocky Patel Emerald & New Riff Bottled-in-Bond

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Mar 2nd, 2026
   Category: Blog Entries.Local
The weather cooperated nicely for my observance of National Cigar Day last Friday, with daytime temperatures climbing into the low 60s. The thermometer dipped after sunset, but the mild afternoon led to the porch far more welcoming later in the day. With the heater set on low — and not positioned directly at my feet for a change— I settled into a comfortable evening. The respite was especially welcome, as it had been a full week since I’d last enjoyed a relaxing smoke.

To mark the occasion, I selected a Rocky Patel Emerald in the Robusto vitola. I had picked up a few Emeralds just weeks earlier and decided to light one up without the customary extended rest in the humidor. I’d smoked one last fall but failed to jot down any notes. With the cigar recently named one of Cigar Aficionado’s Top Cigars of 2025, I was curious to revisit it with a more attentive approach.



As with many offerings from Rocky Patel Premium Cigars, much of the stick is initially concealed beneath ornate bands and decorative wrapping. Once the glossy green sleeve is removed, a smooth Ecuadorian wrapper is revealed. Beneath that lies a complex construction: dual binders from Mexico and Nicaragua encasing a filler blend of Honduran and Nicaraguan tobaccos. The 5½ x 50 cigar is sharply box-pressed into a rectangular form, the narrow edge measuring closer to a 40 ring gauge in feel.

The cigar was densely packed and firm to the touch. The cold draw leaned tighter than I prefer, though I was hopeful it would open as it warmed. Described as on the “lighter side of medium,” the Emerald opened with a moderately robust burst of espresso and dark coffee. That initial intensity quickly settled into a pleasing balance. The coffee notes remained at the core, joined by leather and a gentle sweetness that rounded the profile.

The draw did loosen somewhat as the cigar progressed, though it remained slightly snug throughout. Smoke output was occasionally restrained, yet the flavor never felt lacking. Despite the extreme box-press, the burn line remained even and required no relights — even after a brief step away from the porch.

Top 25 lists are, of course, subjective — cigars are deeply personal experiences. Rankings aside, the Emerald proved to be a thoroughly enjoyable smoke.



To accompany the cigar, I reached for a bottle of New Riff Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon. Coincidentally — or perhaps not — this bourbon has also garnered recent accolades. (Truth be told, the award-themed pairing was intentional.) At the 2026 World Whiskies Awards, it was named World’s Best Bourbon. Awards can be taken with a grain of salt, but they do have a way of tightening supply and nudging prices upward.

With that in mind, I secured a bottle at its still-reasonable sub-$40 price. The 100-proof bourbon is aged at least four years in new, charred and toasted 53-gallon American oak barrels, adhering to the Bottled-in-Bond Act. Its high-rye mash bill — approximately 65% corn, 30% rye, and 5% malted barley — promises both sweetness and spice.

On the nose, rich vanilla and butterscotch rise readily, accompanied by a pronounced rye spice. The palate delivers caramel and vanilla sweetness layered with lively rye character. The finish lingers with notes of candied dark fruit and warming spice — long enough to satisfy, yet never overwhelming.

Together, these two award recipients formed a harmonious pairing. The well-packed cigar delivered an impressive 110 minutes of smoking time, allowing nearly two hours of unhurried sipping, reflection, and enjoyment of the mild evening air. After a week of cold weather and crowded obligations, the extended porch time felt less like indulgence and more like restoration.

Cheers!


[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

National Cigar Day: Smoke, Spirit, and Reflection

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Feb 27th, 2026
   Category: Blog Entries.Local
February 27 is National Cigar Day, a day set aside for cigar lovers to reflect on their passion and celebrate the craftsmanship and culture behind the leaf. Truth be told, we don’t need a special day to do that — but who’s going to turn down another reason to enjoy a fine cigar?



The date is notable because on February 27, 1883, Oscar Hammerstein I was granted a patent for an automated cigar rolling machine. While National Cigar Day largely celebrates hand-crafted cigars, Hammerstein’s innovations helped advance the broader cigar industry; he held some 80 cigar-related patents. As an interesting aside, he was the grandfather of Oscar Hammerstein II, one half of the famed Rodgers & Hammerstein duo — proof that creativity can run in the family, whether expressed through tobacco or theater.

Like so many similar observances — those devoted to bourbon, beer, coffee, chocolate, and countless other indulgences — this “holiday” is largely a lighthearted nod to an enjoyable pastime, with a predictable marketing angle attached. But who really cares? If it prompts us to pause, light up, and appreciate the artistry in hand, that’s reason enough. Every cigar carries with it the work of farmers, rollers, blenders, and generations of accumulated knowledge — a small, hand-held testament to patience.

I’ll gladly mark the occasion the only way that seems fitting: with a well-made cigar and a good bourbon at day’s end — a quiet tribute to craftsmanship, tradition, and life's simple pleasures.

Cheers!


[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

A Lizard, a Legend, and Saint Gabriel Possenti

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Feb 27th, 2026
   Category: Blog Entries.Local
Today, February 27, is the Feast Day of St. Gabriel Possenti, also known as St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows.

Gabriel Possenti was a Catholic seminarian in Isola del Gran Sasso, Italy. According to tradition, in 1860 Gabriel used his marksmanship to save the town from a band of marauding soldiers. As the story goes, he seized revolvers from two soldiers and boldly confronted the intruders. When the soldiers mocked the seminarian, he silenced them by taking aim and shooting a lizard scurrying across the road with remarkable accuracy. Impressed — and perhaps intimidated — the marauders left the town peacefully, escorted by the seminarian who had become an unlikely hero.

Like many saints, the line between historical fact and legend in Gabriel’s story can be difficult to discern. However, this tale of courage and skill has earned him the unofficial title of Patron Saint of Handgunners. The St. Gabriel Possenti Society was even founded to promote his legacy and to advocate for the moral and theological principles underlying self-defense. Unfortunately, the society became inactive following the death of its founder in 2017.



Many years ago, our parish was blessed with a relic of St. Gabriel Possenti under his title, St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows. I vividly remember the excitement of seeing the announcement in the weekly bulletin. When our new church was completed a few years ago, a relic of St. Gabriel was among several placed in the altar — a lasting reminder of his presence and intercession.



The intercession of St. Gabriel Possenti is needed today, especially in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Content to ignore the Bill of Rights, as well as numerous decisions from both state and federal courts, Virginia’s leftist leadership is hard at work to strip Second Amendment rights from law-abiding citizens. The history of socialism and communism is rife with governments that first stripped away gun ownership before attacking and limiting other freedoms. Our current governor and legislature seem determined to imitate the oppressors of the past.

St. Gabriel Possenti’s life and legend inspire us to stand firmly in defense of what is right and just, trusting in the guidance of God. Whether we see him as a hero of faith, a protector of the innocent, or both, his story resonates with the courage needed to face the challenges of our own times.


St. Gabriel Possenti ora pro nobis!



[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

Winter’s Pause and a Saintly Smoke

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Feb 23rd, 2026
   Category: Blog Entries.Local
As we settle into the early days of Lent, I turned to a cigar created to honor a newly canonized saint for a Friday evening smoke. I wrote about Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati last September on the occasion of his canonization. At that time, I ordered a few cigars named in his honor from Regina Cigars — the PGF ST-090725. They’ve been resting in my humidor since, and this week I finally lit one.

According to Regina Cigars, the blend was crafted by Noel Rojas, known as well for the popular Street Tacos series. An oily Habano wrapper covers the cigar, extending slightly over the foot — though in varying degrees among the samples I have — lending the stick a somewhat unfinished, rustic appearance.



I lit the Frassati-themed cigar on an upliftingly warm evening. The outdoor temperature hovered around 60°, while the porch thermometer optimistically pointed to 70. The damp air felt cooler than either reading suggested, but a heater running on low took the edge off and made for a comfortable setting.

The cigar opened with mild notes of earth and leather. There was little sweetness or spice in the understated introduction. I held off on sipping my accompanying beverage, giving the cigar time to develop its character.

After the first inch or so, the flavor began to build. A gentle, sweet nuttiness joined the earth and leather. The profile itself remained consistent, but the added depth created more interest and a more engaging experience.



Expecting a mild-to-medium smoke, I poured a glass of Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon to accompany it. At 90 proof, the bourbon offers a soft fruit sweetness with a restrained spice. Once the cigar reached its steady state, the bourbon’s lingering spice subtly amplified the sweeter and nutty notes in the smoke rather than overpowering them.

The Pier Giorgio Frassati cigar ultimately provided a mild and contemplative experience. While enjoyable in the evening, I suspect it would be even better suited to a quiet morning or early afternoon. Still, paired with an easy-sipping bourbon, it proved a pleasant way to conclude a simple Lenten day.

The mild weather added to the enjoyment. Knowing it was only a brief reprieve — with another winter storm forecast in the coming days — heightened the appreciation of the moment.

Cheers!


[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

Occasional Update 26-2

Author: From https://odonnellweb.com/pelican/ • Feb 22nd, 2026
   Category: Blog Entries.Local

It was 60F (15C) yesterday. It's going to start snowing in a couple of hours. I am so over winter.

I think this is only the second weekend this year that I have not worked at least one day. I probably should have been productive today, but instead I ranked Tesla's albums. I also added some more records to my in-progress list of albums I was listening to in 1986.

A couple of weeks ago, I took 3 days off so we could attend the Hammock Coast Birding Festival. In looking at my billable hours forecast for the month, I'm going to end up working 100% of my hours. Does a vacation even count if you just work all the missed hours on weekends or at night?

Virginia Master Naturalist training is ongoing. I'm 5 weeks into my 13 weeks of classes, and I attended a 3-week field trip on James River Geology yesterday. I'm learning a lot, having a lot of fun, and hanging out with like-minded, environmentally focused folks. Next weekend I'll be learning abut oyster shell recycling and participating in the effort.

Last night Michelle asked me if we are officially crazy birders now. I'll let you be the judge. We drove 90 minutes RT to spend about 30 minutes standing in a field trying to observe the mating ritual of the American Woodcock. The male bird starts chirping after sunset, and if his chirp attracts a female, he then flies 300 feet up in loopy circles before dropping back to earth like a lead balloon, taking control of the drop in the last few feet to a perfect landing in the spot he left from. I saw and heard at least 20 of the birds, but seeing a plump brown bird 300 feet up after sunset is tough. Impossible even.

Also, yesterday was the 39th anniversary of the day I met the girl that would become my wife. To say her initial impression of me was "meh" probably gives me too much credit. The story is here.

Reading
I'm currently reading Dungeon Crawler Carl, the story of a guy and his ex-girlfriend's cat that survive the alien destruction of the earth and get sent to the dungeons. Except this dungeon is a reality show in which the surviving humans are thrust into the role of dungeon explorers in a universally (literally!) popular TV reality show, where almost all of them will die. So think The Running Man, with D&D style dungeons and monsters. I also greatly enjoyed Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz, which is a novella in which a restaurant robot realizes he has been powered down for 5 months in the independent state of CA, and that he and the rest of the robot restaurant crew need to make some cash to pay off their lease before they get sold into slavery in the US, of which CA is no longer part.

Listening
I haven't bought any new music since the last occasional update. I find it impossible to browse the new release section every Friday on YT Music, as I assume any band I don't recognize is probably AI. I likely need to track down some music blogs to follow.

Watching
I've watched far too much Olympic curling. We also finished up season 1 of ST:TNG. We also watched Sinners, which was fabulous, and the Hitchcock flick Notorious. I'm sure there was other stuff, but I've already forgotten it.

And that is all I have for now. I'm barely keeping up with the blogs I want to read, let alone cataloging links to share.

Remember, in a world where you can choose to be anything, you can choose to be kind.


Late-Winter Evenings: El Pulpo & Valentine’s Chocolate

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Feb 21st, 2026
   Category: Blog Entries.Local
We continue to enjoy some moderately warmer weather and ever-later sunsets — welcome signs that there’s more time to linger outdoors with an after-dinner cigar. Earlier this week, the El Pulpo from Artesano del Tobacco, paired with some Valentine’s Day candy, made for a sweet treat as the sun settled below the horizon and the evening air began to cool.



The El Pulpo is a smoke I’ve been enjoying often of late. Balanced and rich, notes of dark chocolate, black coffee, and roasted nuts are supported by a palate-pleasing dark sugar sweetness. Though the burn wavers at times, the cigar produces copious, flavorful smoke and remains an easy one to revisit. As the smoke progressed, the bitter notes of coffee and dark chocolate moved from medium-bodied into the fuller range. At the same time, the sweetness deepened in the finish, maintaining balance.

Chocolate treats rarely fail when enjoyed alongside a darker-flavored cigar. The creamy chocolate and hazelnut fillings in the candies were satisfyingly decadent, their sweetness complementing the cigar’s deeper notes. Not a bad way to spend an evening as the days begin, almost imperceptibly, to stretch.

Cheers!


[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

Ash Wednesday: A Cigar and a Pint

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Feb 19th, 2026
   Category: Blog Entries.Local
Ash Wednesday is a day of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. Though I am well past the age when the Church requires such penance, it feels odd not to offer the sacrifice — as long as health allows. So food was minimal on Wednesday as we marked the beginning of Lent. Recalling the Latin phrase “Liquidum non frangit ieiunium quadragesimale” — “Liquid does not break the Lenten fast” — the day was made easier by the anticipation of a good cigar and a pour of Guinness that evening.

The cigar I selected was one I’ve enjoyed often: the My Father El Centurion H-2K-CT. It’s a versatile smoke, one I’ve paired with nearly everything — beer, whiskey, wine, coffee, even water — and it rarely disappoints. I had picked up a few more some months ago and had been reminding myself to let them rest. While scrolling through my inventory app recently, I realized they’d been sitting for nearly four months. Clearly, the waiting period had been satisfied.

A can of Guinness Draught Stout was poured — into the proper glass, of course — to accompany the smoke.



The My Father El Centurion H-2K-CT is a box-pressed 6 x 52 Toro featuring an oily, caramel-hued H-2K-CT Connecticut wrapper — a Cuban-seed strain grown in open sunlight in the Connecticut River Valley — which gives the cigar its name. Nicaraguan binder and fillers round out the blend. Medium-bodied and notably creamy, it delivers a measured pepper warmth alongside layered notes of vanilla, nuts, caramel, roasted coffee, honeyed sweetness, and a subtle touch of dark fruit.



At a modest 4.1% ABV, the smooth, creamy Irish stout proved a fitting companion, its texture mirroring the cigar’s own creaminess. It’s always a welcome treat — though even with its nitro enhancement, it doesn’t quite aspire to the greatness of a pint enjoyed in the “Mother Land.”

Together, the cigar and stout offered a mild, balanced experience — nothing heavy or overly bold — well suited to a quiet, contemplative beginning to Lent.

Cheers!


[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

A Lenten Tale

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Feb 18th, 2026
   Category: Blog Entries.Local
It's Ash Wednesday, and the beginning of Lent. It's good to add some humor to the fasting.
An Irishman moves into a tiny hamlet in County Kerry, walks into the pub and promptly orders three beers.

The bartender raises his eyebrows, but serves the man three beers, which he drinks quietly at a table, alone.

An hour later, the man has finished the three beers and orders three more.

This happens yet again.

The next evening the man again orders and drinks three beers at a time, several times. Soon the entire town is whispering about the Man Who Orders Three Beers.

Finally, a week later, the bartender broaches the subject on behalf of the town. "I don't mean to pry, but folks around here are wondering why you always order three beers?"

'Tis odd, isn't it?" the man replies, "You see, I have two brothers, and one went to America, and the other to Australia. We promised each other that we would always order an extra two beers whenever we drank as a way of keeping up the family bond."

The bartender and the whole town was pleased with this answer, and soon the Man Who Orders Three Beers became a local celebrity and source of pride to the hamlet, even to the extent that out-of-towners would come to watch him drink.

Then, one day, the man comes in and orders only two beers. The bartender pours them with a heavy heart. This continues for the rest of the evening - he orders only two beers. The word flies around town. Prayers are offered for the soul of one of the brothers.

The next day, the bartender says to the man, "Folks around here, me first of all, want to offer condolences to you for the death of your brother. You know-the two beers and all..."

The man ponders this for a moment, then replies, "You'll be happy to hear that my two brothers are alive and well... It's just that I, myself, have decided to give up drinking for Lent."
Messrs Maguire Pub, Dublin, 2012

Cheers!


[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

Winter Reprieve: Fuente Maduro & Port-Finished Bourbon

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Feb 16th, 2026
   Category: Blog Entries.Local
Maybe we’re getting a small break from the deep freeze. Even if only temporary, an evening above freezing made for a relaxing stretch of time on the porch — aided by the propane heater of course. For this evening’s repast, I selected an Arturo Fuente Maduro Churchill that has been resting in the humidor since early August. At 7¼? × 48, I figured the stick would deliver a couple of unhurried hours of relaxation.

The dark Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wraps binder and fillers from the Dominican Republic. The wrapper appears thick and dense, lending the cigar a somewhat rustic character. Deep, earthy notes of oak, coffee, and cocoa open the smoke. After a short while, dark chocolate and a sweet, toasted nuttiness round out the profile. A gentle sweetness gradually builds, eventually leaving a faintly syrupy coating on the palate.



To accompany the cigar, I brought out a bottle of Isaac Bowman Port Barrel Finished Bourbon. There was just a plus-sized pour left — fortunately, enough to carry me well into the smoke.

The 92-proof bourbon spends 4½ to 5½ years in new charred oak before finishing three to six months in port barrels. The port influence contributes a sweet, fruity layer — dark cherry and raisin notes come forward — while the familiar brown sugar, vanilla, and spice of the base bourbon remain intact.

I’ve become a fan of port- and sherry-finished bourbons alongside a cigar. The medium-bodied Fuente Maduro offered just enough sweetness to align nicely with the Isaac Bowman. I set the cigar down after about 110 minutes. Though my glass was emptied before the final inch, the lingering bourbon notes seemed to extend their influence over the remaining smoke.

Winter may not yet be finished — and the stubborn layer of “snowcrete” still dominates the landscape — but even a modest reprieve is a welcome gift.

Cheers!


[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

« Older Entries