Do photos work?
Author: Chris O'Donnell From https://blog.odonnellweb.com • Apr 20th, 2026Category: Blog Entries.Local
Do photos work?
Archives for the ‘Blog Entries.Local’ Category
Category: Blog Entries.Local
Do photos work?
Author: Chris O'Donnell From https://chrisod.weblog.lol • Apr 20th, 2026Category: Blog Entries.Local
Do photos work?
Oops
Author: Chris O'Donnell From https://chrisod.org • Apr 20th, 2026Category: Blog Entries.Local
Oops
I had a catastrophic OS error, probably self-induced. I've reinstalled the operating system (technically moved from Debian 13 to Linux Mint, because why not try a new OS if I have to install from scratch?), and I've learned I wasn't backing up my source for the blog. So all the HTML is safe, and ODonnellWeb is fine, but continuing to update it with Pelican will require either starting a new Pelican blog in a new directory or converting close to 1000 HTML files to Markdown.
Or I can take advantage of weblog.lol, which I'm already paying for anyway via my membership at omg.lol. I will eventually spruce things up around here, but for now, I have a functioning blog.
Oops
Author: Chris O'Donnell From https://blog.odonnellweb.com • Apr 20th, 2026Category: Blog Entries.Local
Oops
I had a catastrophic OS error, probably self-induced. I've reinstalled the operating system (technically moved from Debian 13 to Linux Mint, because why not try a new OS if I have to install from scratch?), and I've learned I wasn't backing up my source for the blog. So all the HTML is safe, and ODonnellWeb is fine, but continuing to update it with Pelican will require either starting a new Pelican blog in a new directory or converting close to 1000 HTML files to Markdown.
Or I can take advantage of weblog.lol, which I'm already paying for anyway via my membership at omg.lol. I will eventually spruce things up around here, but for now, I have a functioning blog.
Oops
Author: Chris O'Donnell From https://chrisod.weblog.lol • Apr 20th, 2026Category: Blog Entries.Local
Oops
I had a catastrophic OS error, probably self-induced. I've reinstalled the operating system (technically moved from Debian 13 to Linux Mint, because why not try a new OS if I have to install from scratch?), and I've learned I wasn't backing up my source for the blog. So all the HTML is safe, and ODonnellWeb is fine, but continuing to update it with Pelican will require either starting a new Pelican blog in a new directory or converting close to 1000 HTML files to Markdown.
Or I can take advantage of weblog.lol, which I'm already paying for anyway via my membership at omg.lol. I will eventually spruce things up around here, but for now, I have a functioning blog.
A Quiet Pairing: Pledge Purple and Bourbon at Sunset
Author: David From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Apr 18th, 2026Category: Blog Entries.Local
This weekend got off to a delightful start. With mild temperatures and low humidity, the screened porch was especially inviting. Despite the still-high pollen levels, I opened the windows to let in the breeze. While scanning the humidor for an evening smoke, I settled on the E.P. Carrillo Pledge Purple box that arrived a few weeks ago. Though the cigars had rested for just three weeks, curiosity got the better of me.
The wrapper shows a slightly dry appearance, though the cigar feels well-kept and properly humidified. The box-pressed 6 x 54 Toro is dressed in gold and purple bands, and packed in a bright purple box to match. I’ve long had an aversion to the color — in clothing and dinosaurs — but I’ll make an exception here for the sake of the cigar. :-)
The Pledge Purple opens with mild notes of earth, spice, and espresso. There’s no initial punch; instead, the profile builds gradually. As the cigar develops, cocoa and a subtle sweetness emerge, keeping things in the mild-to-medium range.
After some time, I began sipping the Old Elk Cigar Cut Bourbon I had poured as an accompaniment. I held off initially to get a clean read on the cigar. Cigar Cut is a blend of bourbons finished in Sherry, Armagnac, Port, and Cognac casks, resulting in layers of dark chocolate, toffee, raisins, and baking spice, with hints of tobacco and leather on the finish. It’s a rich and complex pour that has paired well with many cigars.
Together, the pairing proved both enjoyable and instructive. The bourbon’s raisin and port-driven sweetness amplified the cigar’s cocoa and earthy core. Its long finish, however, occasionally overshadowed the cigar’s more restrained close, with the bourbon taking the lead.
As the “sip and smoke” continued, the cigar subtly built to a solid medium body in the second half. Cocoa and espresso remained the dominant notes, gaining depth and intensity, while a touch of cedar spice added interest toward the end.
I enjoyed the E.P. Carrillo Pledge Purple quite a bit. It stands apart from the core Pledge line — less sharp, less spice-driven, and notably more refined. In many ways, it feels like what extended aging might naturally draw out of the original blend.
Relaxation came easily as the sun set, a cool breeze moving through the porch. With a good cigar and bourbon in hand, the evening settled into a quiet, easy rhythm. The cigar burned slowly — nearly two hours in total — and I eked out a few extra minutes, holding the nub between my fingers to capture that last bit of flavor. With nine remaining in the box, I’ll pace myself in lighting up the rest.
Cheers!
A Quiet Pairing: Pledge Purple and Bourbon at Sunset
Author: David From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Apr 18th, 2026Category: Blog Entries.Local
This weekend got off to a delightful start. With mild temperatures and low humidity, the screened porch was especially inviting. Despite the still-high pollen levels, I opened the windows to let in the breeze. While scanning the humidor for an evening smoke, I settled on the E.P. Carrillo Pledge Purple box that arrived a few weeks ago. Though the cigars had rested for just three weeks, curiosity got the better of me.
The wrapper shows a slightly dry appearance, though the cigar feels well-kept and properly humidified. The box-pressed 6 x 54 Toro is dressed in gold and purple bands, and packed in a bright purple box to match. I’ve long had an aversion to the color — in clothing and dinosaurs — but I’ll make an exception here for the sake of the cigar. :-)
The Pledge Purple opens with mild notes of earth, spice, and espresso. There’s no initial punch; instead, the profile builds gradually. As the cigar develops, cocoa and a subtle sweetness emerge, keeping things in the mild-to-medium range.
After some time, I began sipping the Old Elk Cigar Cut Bourbon I had poured as an accompaniment. I held off initially to get a clean read on the cigar. Cigar Cut is a blend of bourbons finished in Sherry, Armagnac, Port, and Cognac casks, resulting in layers of dark chocolate, toffee, raisins, and baking spice, with hints of tobacco and leather on the finish. It’s a rich and complex pour that has paired well with many cigars.
Together, the pairing proved both enjoyable and instructive. The bourbon’s raisin and port-driven sweetness amplified the cigar’s cocoa and earthy core. Its long finish, however, occasionally overshadowed the cigar’s more restrained close, with the bourbon taking the lead.
As the “sip and smoke” continued, the cigar subtly built to a solid medium body in the second half. Cocoa and espresso remained the dominant notes, gaining depth and intensity, while a touch of cedar spice added interest toward the end.
I enjoyed the E.P. Carrillo Pledge Purple quite a bit. It stands apart from the core Pledge line — less sharp, less spice-driven, and notably more refined. In many ways, it feels like what extended aging might naturally draw out of the original blend.
Relaxation came easily as the sun set, a cool breeze moving through the porch. With a good cigar and bourbon in hand, the evening settled into a quiet, easy rhythm. The cigar burned slowly — nearly two hours in total — and I eked out a few extra minutes, holding the nub between my fingers to capture that last bit of flavor. With nine remaining in the box, I’ll pace myself in lighting up the rest.
Cheers!
Spring on the Deck: Sombremesa Solita Red and Boulevardier Pairing
Author: David From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Apr 14th, 2026Category: Blog Entries.Local
I’m calling the cold weather done — the portable heaters on the screened porch were packed away this past weekend. Unless we're using the porch, the windows remain closed for now, but only in deference to the “pollening.” Once the yellow scourge passes, the porch will be fully open again.
This past weekend, we took things outside and enjoyed cocktails on the deck rather than inside. I prepared a Negroni for Colleen, while I opted for a Boulevardier — a softer, sweeter riff on the classic that I thought would pair more cleanly with the Sobremesa Solita Red I had in mind.
The Boulevardier is often built with equal parts bourbon, Campari, and sweet vermouth, but I’ve been playing with ratios to dial back the bitterness depending on the cigar I'm selecting. I generally lean toward 2:1:1, and for this pairing I reached for a wheated bourbon — Maker’s Mark 46 Cask Strength — to add a little extra sweetness and weight.
The 6¼ x 46 Sombremesa Solita Red from Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust is wrapped in a red-hued Ecuadorian Habano leaf, with a Mexican San Andrés Negro binder and a filler blend from Condega, Estelí, Pueblo Nuevo, and a touch of Pennsylvania Broadleaf. The draw was slightly firm, but well within reason.
At its core, the cigar delivers notes of dark chocolate, black coffee, and a sweet, loamy earthiness, with an occasional flicker of black pepper. Medium-bodied, it strikes a balance between richness and restraint — flavorful without becoming heavy.
The adjusted Boulevardier proved to be a natural companion. The Maker’s 46 Cask Strength brought a round, warming sweetness that echoed the cigar’s profile. I ended up making a second round, nudging in a bit more sweet vermouth for a subtle shift in the profile.
Together, the pairing hit that ideal note, complementary and supportive. A small bowl of salty potato chips rounded out the aperitif, adding just enough contrast to keep things lively.
With the heaters packed away and the deck back in use, this felt like a natural shift into the new season. The Solita Red and the adjusted Boulevardier paired easily. All in all, a simple, well-matched combination and a good way to ease back into spring evenings outdoors.
Spring on the Deck: Sombremesa Solita Red and Boulevardier Pairing
Author: David From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Apr 14th, 2026Category: Blog Entries.Local
I’m calling the cold weather done — the portable heaters on the screened porch were packed away this past weekend. Unless we're using the porch, the windows remain closed for now, but only in deference to the “pollening.” Once the yellow scourge passes, the porch will be fully open again.
This past weekend, we took things outside and enjoyed cocktails on the deck rather than inside. I prepared a Negroni for Colleen, while I opted for a Boulevardier — a softer, sweeter riff on the classic that I thought would pair more cleanly with the Sobremesa Solita Red I had in mind.
The Boulevardier is often built with equal parts bourbon, Campari, and sweet vermouth, but I’ve been playing with ratios to dial back the bitterness depending on the cigar I'm selecting. I generally lean toward 2:1:1, and for this pairing I reached for a wheated bourbon — Maker’s Mark 46 Cask Strength — to add a little extra sweetness and weight.
The 6¼ x 46 Sombremesa Solita Red from Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust is wrapped in a red-hued Ecuadorian Habano leaf, with a Mexican San Andrés Negro binder and a filler blend from Condega, Estelí, Pueblo Nuevo, and a touch of Pennsylvania Broadleaf. The draw was slightly firm, but well within reason.
At its core, the cigar delivers notes of dark chocolate, black coffee, and a sweet, loamy earthiness, with an occasional flicker of black pepper. Medium-bodied, it strikes a balance between richness and restraint — flavorful without becoming heavy.
The adjusted Boulevardier proved to be a natural companion. The Maker’s 46 Cask Strength brought a round, warming sweetness that echoed the cigar’s profile. I ended up making a second round, nudging in a bit more sweet vermouth for a subtle shift in the profile.
Together, the pairing hit that ideal note, complementary and supportive. A small bowl of salty potato chips rounded out the aperitif, adding just enough contrast to keep things lively.
With the heaters packed away and the deck back in use, this felt like a natural shift into the new season. The Solita Red and the adjusted Boulevardier paired easily. All in all, a simple, well-matched combination and a good way to ease back into spring evenings outdoors.
From the Back of the Humidor — Veritas 412 Revisited
Author: David From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Apr 11th, 2026Category: Blog Entries.Local
I dug deep into the humidor for my Friday evening smoke and came up with a Veritas 412 — a boutique cigar I used to enjoy regularly at Olde Towne Tobacconist at the Farm. I still had a couple tucked away in the back, sticks I picked up at the now-closed shop and had been aging for the past two years. It felt like the makings of a nostalgic evening.
The Veritas 412 is a 6 x 54 toro featuring a dark, slightly mottled Pennsylvania Broadleaf Maduro wrapper over a Mexican San Andrés binder and a blend of Pennsylvania and Nicaraguan (Estelí and Condega) filler tobaccos. The cigar is firm, smoothly rolled, and even after two years in the humidor, it retained a nice oily sheen. The “412” name is a nod to the Pittsburgh area code — home to founder Chris Weber.
The cigar opens with a pepper-forward profile, likely driven by the Broadleaf. Dark chocolate and cocoa notes quickly take center stage, becoming the dominant flavor. A subtle dark fruit sweetness and a hint of coffee round out the profile as the smoke progresses. It’s a bold, dense cigar that remains fairly consistent over its roughly 90-minute smoking time.
The cellophane had taken on a golden hue, a subtle indicator of its age. Despite the time in the humidor, performance was flawless. After the initial toast and light, I never needed to touch the flame again. Smoke production was thick and steady, the burn line even, and the ash held firm.
Smoking the Veritas 412 brought back memories of Friday nights at the brewery-based cigar lounge. The lounge at 1781 Brewery has been closed for nearly two years now, but those evenings still come to mind easily. Back then, the 412 was usually paired with a craft beer. This time, I went in a different direction and poured a glass of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof.
This particular bottle was Batch A124, released in January 2024. At 119 proof, it’s still a bold pour — even if on the lower end for the series. The bourbon held its own alongside the cigar, offering rich notes of brown sugar and caramel up front, followed by charred oak and a cinnamon-laced finish. A few drops of water softened the spice and brought forward more sweetness, complementing the cigar nicely.
As for Veritas Cigars, their current status is something of a mystery. The brand, founded in 2011, rode the boutique cigar wave with a number of well-regarded blends, including the 412. Production at one point moved to Fábrica Oveja Negra in Estelí, a respected factory known for Black Label Trading Company releases. In recent years, however, the brand has gone quiet — its website offline and social media dormant.
Smoking the Veritas 412 was both nostalgic and a bit bittersweet. It made for a perfect spring evening on the porch — good cigar, good bourbon, and time to reflect. Finding these in the humidor brought back memories of the brewery lounge and the people who made those nights enjoyable. And as I smoked, it dawned on me that I may not come across these again anytime soon. For now, I think I’ll let the last one rest a while longer.
Cheers!
