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Liga Privada H99, Rye, and the Humidity

Author: David From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Aug 11th, 2024
Category: Blog Entries.Local

"Now everyday is Saturday." I've heard that frequently from friends since I retired. However, "the weekend" is still something I look forward to. (I no longer get the Sunday evening downer though.) We had our typical Friday planned — meaning we were staying home. Colleen enjoyed baking and I enjoyed a cigar and drink on the deck. Life is good.

After it had a three month rest in the humidor, I decided to crack open the box of Liga Privada H99 Corona Doble I picked up at the Drew Estate event in May. The hefty 7 x 54 cigar promised a long and flavorful smoke. The Connecticut River Valley Corojo wrapper is grown exclusively for Drew Estate by a single farmer in Connecticut. The leaf is a hybrid of Habano and Corojo tobaccos. A Mexican San Andrés binder and a blend of Honduran and Nicaraguan filler completes the picture.

My whiskey shelves have gotten overcrowded of late, so I've been working on finishing off those nearly empty bottles. One such forlorn bottle was the Sagamore Spirit Sherry Finish Rye. I enjoyed a wee pour to kick off the smoke.

This Sagamore release is of a blend of four year old ryes which is aged for 18 months in PX Sherry casks. Delightful aromas of figs, cherries, and raisons greet the nose. The sherry influence on the rye comes to the forefront right from the start, along with a hint of citrus and rye spice. The 106 proof is well masked. I've enjoyed this one with a number of cigars over the past couple years and find it to be an excellent accompaniment to a rich cigar.

The Liga Privada kicks off with heavy does black pepper. The complete flavor profile quickly comes up as the cigar gets going. I get dark chocolate at the forefront as the pepper moderates. There are light brown sugar and fig notes also in the rich, thick smoke. The dark fruit and a slight sweetness complemented the Sagamare Sherry finished rye nicely. I didn't have any open bottles of another sherry-finished whiskey to pour next, so completed my smoke with a pour from a bottle of Angel's Envy Rum Finished Rye. That too paired well.

The cigar required a few touch ups to keep an even burn line, and the smoke output occasionally waned until a quick touch with my torch. I think the extremely high humidity outside, from the remnants of Tropical Storm Debbie, had an adverse effect on the performance. The Weather Bug app was reporting 98% humidity to go along with the mid-80º temperature. My drink glass was coated with condensation and I kept a paper towel nearby dry my hands after each sip.

I am extremely glad I chose to buy this special box of cigars as a retirement gift to myself. I look forward to smoking many more in the near future.

Cheers!

Liga Privada H99, Rye, and the Humidity

Author: David From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Aug 11th, 2024
Category: Blog Entries.Local

"Now everyday is Saturday." I've heard that frequently from friends since I retired. However, "the weekend" is still something I look forward to. (I no longer get the Sunday evening downer though.) We had our typical Friday planned — meaning we were staying home. Colleen enjoyed baking and I enjoyed a cigar and drink on the deck. Life is good.

After it had a three month rest in the humidor, I decided to crack open the box of Liga Privada H99 Corona Doble I picked up at the Drew Estate event in May. The hefty 7 x 54 cigar promised a long and flavorful smoke. The Connecticut River Valley Corojo wrapper is grown exclusively for Drew Estate by a single farmer in Connecticut. The leaf is a hybrid of Habano and Corojo tobaccos. A Mexican San Andrés binder and a blend of Honduran and Nicaraguan filler completes the picture.

My whiskey shelves have gotten overcrowded of late, so I've been working on finishing off those nearly empty bottles. One such forlorn bottle was the Sagamore Spirit Sherry Finish Rye. I enjoyed a wee pour to kick off the smoke.

This Sagamore release is of a blend of four year old ryes which is aged for 18 months in PX Sherry casks. Delightful aromas of figs, cherries, and raisons greet the nose. The sherry influence on the rye comes to the forefront right from the start, along with a hint of citrus and rye spice. The 106 proof is well masked. I've enjoyed this one with a number of cigars over the past couple years and find it to be an excellent accompaniment to a rich cigar.

The Liga Privada kicks off with heavy does black pepper. The complete flavor profile quickly comes up as the cigar gets going. I get dark chocolate at the forefront as the pepper moderates. There are light brown sugar and fig notes also in the rich, thick smoke. The dark fruit and a slight sweetness complemented the Sagamare Sherry finished rye nicely. I didn't have any open bottles of another sherry-finished whiskey to pour next, so completed my smoke with a pour from a bottle of Angel's Envy Rum Finished Rye. That too paired well.

The cigar required a few touch ups to keep an even burn line, and the smoke output occasionally waned until a quick touch with my torch. I think the extremely high humidity outside, from the remnants of Tropical Storm Debbie, had an adverse effect on the performance. The Weather Bug app was reporting 98% humidity to go along with the mid-80º temperature. My drink glass was coated with condensation and I kept a paper towel nearby dry my hands after each sip.

I am extremely glad I chose to buy this special box of cigars as a retirement gift to myself. I look forward to smoking many more in the near future.

Cheers!

What I’m listening to Summer 24

Author: Chris ODonnell From https://odonnellweb.com/pelican/ • Aug 10th, 2024
Category: Blog Entries.Local

I have not been inspired to write lately, as all 3 of you paying attention here may have noticed. So in lieu of anything particularly insightful to say, let's catch up on my music purchases. Yes, purchases. I still buy digital albums. I use streaming for music discovery, but when I find something that I go back to with any regularity, I pony up the $10 to buy a digital copy of the record.

Bywater Call - Shepherd

Bywater Call continues my recent trend of falling for bands not from the south playing southern rock. Bywater Call are from Toronto, but this album is full of feels from Atlanta, Jacksonville, Muscle Shoals, and New Orleans.

Everybody Knows

Karen Jonas - The Rise and Fall of American Kitsch

I'm a longtime Karen Jonas fan and I was there at her very first show in Fredericksburg a dozen or so years ago. I think there we about 5 people in the audience. This record (her 8th if I've got them all) might be the best yet. She has always been a very literate songwriter, but I don't remember her ever weaving an entire album together quite like this. I hesitate to use the term concept album, but it kind of feels like one. The subject matter ranges from pink flamingos to Vegas to Hawaii to consumerism, with many of the tunes having a tropical or Hawaiian vibe layered over her traditional classic country twang. The spoken word piece American Kitsch on the album is also noteworthy. Like all her records, this deserves way more attention than it'll probably get.

Online Shopping

Robert Jon & the Wreck - Red Moon Rising

I've always thought that Robert Jon was the answer to a question that nobody every asked. What if Duane Allman grew up in Orange County, CA? Their new album sits right in that sweet spot of groovy, sometime funky southern rock, with a layer of west coast sensibility. And it's yet another southern rock influenced band from somewhere else, this time California.

The catchiest tune on the record is Help Yourself, but the best is the slow burner Ballad of a Broken Hearted Man. Give it time to build, the payoff is worth it.

The Commoners - Restless

Hey, it's more southern rock from Canada. Seriously, what the hell is going on up north? 2 of the last 4 records I've bought are Canadian bands with strong southern rock vibes.

Joya de Nicaragua Antaño Gran Reserva GT20 and Heaven Hill BiB

Author: David From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Aug 5th, 2024
Category: Blog Entries.Local

Last Friday, I was looking forward to heading over to my local brewery to enjoy an evening cigar under the trees and listen to some live music. All while enjoying a good beer of course. That afternoon they announced that it was too hot to listen to music outside and cancelled the event. Disappointing, but I reverted to my usual spot on the deck. I took a chance and put some blues on the speaker – outdoors music despite their warning.

I've had some Joya de Nicaragua Antaño Gran Reserva GT20 sitting on the humidor for about 8 weeks now. Though somewhat impatiently, I've giving them some rest after purchase at a Drew Estate event at my a local shop. After some indecisiveness standing in front of the whiskey shelf, I finally selected the Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon to complete the pairing.

The Joya de Nicaragua Antaño Gran Reserva GT20 is a 6 x 54 box-pressed stick. The Nicaraguan Maduro binder is smooth and glossy though somewhat unevenly colored. With both Nicaraguan binder and filler, it promises to be a robust smoke. The GT20 was created to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Joya de Nicaragua Antaño Gran Reserva. The blend used is the same as the original Antaño 1970 but the filler leaves were aged for more than five years.

As suspected the smoke starts off robust with notes of cedar, espresso, and roasted nuts. The finish, and the retrohale, boasted white pepper spice. The cigar threatened to go out several times, and succeeded once, requiring a number of touchups to keep it going strong. The burn line got wavy at times never got out of hand due to the required lighter hits to keep a full burn. The GT20 is a full-bodied smoke from start to finish, and despite the attention needed by the burn, a quite enjoyable smoke.

Heaven Hill Bottled in Bond is a 7 year aged 100 proof bourbon. The pour is aromatic as caramel, vanilla, and oak waft from the glass. It's a flavorful sip with moderately intense oak and baking spice mixed with the oak and vanilla. Some tobacco and dark cherry join the finish. A pleasant caramel sweetness lingers for a long finish on the palate.

The Heaven Hill BiB has been an allocated item and hard to come by in our State (mis)managed stores. Just recently I noticed that VA ABC had removed the bourbon from their allocated list. That's a relief as this is an enjoyable bourbon, and at under $50, a bargain as well.

Cheers!

Joya de Nicaragua Antaño Gran Reserva GT20 and Heaven Hill BiB

Author: David From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Aug 5th, 2024
Category: Blog Entries.Local

Last Friday, I was looking forward to heading over to my local brewery to enjoy an evening cigar under the trees and listen to some live music. All while enjoying a good beer of course. That afternoon they announced that it was too hot to listen to music outside and cancelled the event. Disappointing, but I reverted to my usual spot on the deck. I took a chance and put some blues on the speaker – outdoors music despite their warning.

I've had some Joya de Nicaragua Antaño Gran Reserva GT20 sitting on the humidor for about 8 weeks now. Though somewhat impatiently, I've giving them some rest after purchase at a Drew Estate event at my a local shop. After some indecisiveness standing in front of the whiskey shelf, I finally selected the Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon to complete the pairing.

The Joya de Nicaragua Antaño Gran Reserva GT20 is a 6 x 54 box-pressed stick. The Nicaraguan Maduro binder is smooth and glossy though somewhat unevenly colored. With both Nicaraguan binder and filler, it promises to be a robust smoke. The GT20 was created to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Joya de Nicaragua Antaño Gran Reserva. The blend used is the same as the original Antaño 1970 but the filler leaves were aged for more than five years.

As suspected the smoke starts off robust with notes of cedar, espresso, and roasted nuts. The finish, and the retrohale, boasted white pepper spice. The cigar threatened to go out several times, and succeeded once, requiring a number of touchups to keep it going strong. The burn line got wavy at times never got out of hand due to the required lighter hits to keep a full burn. The GT20 is a full-bodied smoke from start to finish, and despite the attention needed by the burn, a quite enjoyable smoke.

Heaven Hill Bottled in Bond is a 7 year aged 100 proof bourbon. The pour is aromatic as caramel, vanilla, and oak waft from the glass. It's a flavorful sip with moderately intense oak and baking spice mixed with the oak and vanilla. Some tobacco and dark cherry join the finish. A pleasant caramel sweetness lingers for a long finish on the palate.

The Heaven Hill BiB has been an allocated item and hard to come by in our State (mis)managed stores. Just recently I noticed that VA ABC had removed the bourbon from their allocated list. That's a relief as this is an enjoyable bourbon, and at under $50, a bargain as well.

Cheers!

Root Beer and RomaCraft

Author: David From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Aug 1st, 2024
Category: Blog Entries.Local

Heading to the deck one afternoon to enjoy some reading in the warm weather, I opted for a rare indulgence in pouring a glass of root beer. We rarely drink sodas, but had the bottle of root beer on hand from a recent gathering. It seemed just the thing for an afternoon refreshment.

I decided to enjoy the soft drink with RoMa Craft Intemperance Volstead VO 1920 Roy Olmstead. The 5"1/2 X 54 Belicoso was part of the May Luxury Cigar Club mailing. It has been resting in my humidor for about 10 weeks.

The Intemperance Volstead VO 1920 features an oily Ecuadorian Sumatra hybrid wrapper over a Mexican San Andrés binder. Dominican Republic and Nicaraguan tobaccos make up the filler. The binder is exposed at the last bit near the foot. Combined with the white and brown labels and the tapered cap, the cigar is quite attractive.

The smoke starts off with mild pepper and coffee flavors. Leather notes along with baking spices join in as the burn progresses. There are also some mild sweet notes in the finish. The flavorful smoke and the sweet root beer made for a delightful pairing.

Enjoying a nonalcoholic beverage with this afternoon smoke was fitting. The Intemperance Volstead is named for the Volstead Act implemented in 19020 which started the United States down the dark path of Prohibition. Roy Olmstead was a very successful bootlegger in the Pacific Northwest during Prohibition.

Cheers!

Root Beer and RomaCraft

Author: David From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Aug 1st, 2024
Category: Blog Entries.Local

Heading to the deck one afternoon to enjoy some reading in the warm weather, I opted for a rare indulgence in pouring a glass of root beer. We rarely drink sodas, but had the bottle of root beer on hand from a recent gathering. It seemed just the thing for an afternoon refreshment.

I decided to enjoy the soft drink with RoMa Craft Intemperance Volstead VO 1920 Roy Olmstead. The 5"1/2 X 54 Belicoso was part of the May Luxury Cigar Club mailing. It has been resting in my humidor for about 10 weeks.

The Intemperance Volstead VO 1920 features an oily Ecuadorian Sumatra hybrid wrapper over a Mexican San Andrés binder. Dominican Republic and Nicaraguan tobaccos make up the filler. The binder is exposed at the last bit near the foot. Combined with the white and brown labels and the tapered cap, the cigar is quite attractive.

The smoke starts off with mild pepper and coffee flavors. Leather notes along with baking spices join in as the burn progresses. There are also some mild sweet notes in the finish. The flavorful smoke and the sweet root beer made for a delightful pairing.

Enjoying a nonalcoholic beverage with this afternoon smoke was fitting. The Intemperance Volstead is named for the Volstead Act implemented in 19020 which started the United States down the dark path of Prohibition. Roy Olmstead was a very successful bootlegger in the Pacific Northwest during Prohibition.

Cheers!

Five O’Clock Friday: Growlery

Author: David From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Jul 26th, 2024
Category: Blog Entries.Local

I need this in my home.

Frederick Douglass had one too.

Have a great weekend.

Cheers!

Five O’Clock Friday: Growlery

Author: David From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Jul 26th, 2024
Category: Blog Entries.Local

I need this in my home.

Frederick Douglass had one too.

Have a great weekend.

Cheers!

Still Austin Single Barrel Cask Strength

Author: David From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Jul 23rd, 2024
Category: Blog Entries.Local

During our recent trip to St. Louis, I stopped by a Total Wine to shop for distilled spirits and Still Austin Whiskey was at the top of my list. It's a brand that's been on my wishlist for some time. I had read online Total Wine was the only St. Louis seller. I didn't verify that by shopping around, as the Total Wine had more than enough selection to fill my needs. The seemingly endless shelves of interesting bourbon and other whiskey was a sight to behold compared to the pathetically poorly selection at VA ABC stores.

As we were buying a number of bottles of desired spirits, I limited myself to one Still Austin, selecting the Single Barrel Cask Strength. I finally had a chance to crack it open on a recent evening. The bourbon is a very bright and dark amber color in the glass. Strong brown sugar and dark fruit notes emenate from the glass. I am reminded of sherry in a way. There's a hint of the 116 proof in the nose.

The first taste on the palate is warm and tingly. The heat is quickly moderated by flavorful notes of raison, plum, caramel, molasses, cinnamon, and maple. The profile is complex and richly satisfying. The flavors coat the mouth and linger for an extended time.

The Still Austin Single Barrel Cask Strength belies its two year age statement. So often, I find bourbons in the two to three year age range simply come across as unfinished and unpolished. Not so with the Still Austin product. It has the richness and maturity one might expect from a more mature age statement.

I initially spent some time tasting the whiskey from a Glencairn glass to get an impression of the full profile. This led me to select a full bodied cigar to go along with it — the Southern Draw Kudzu Axil Lancero.

The Southern Draw Kudzu Axil Lancero has been in my humidor for close to a year now. The 6 1/2 x 40 stick features a small pigtail cap and closed foot. A dark brown Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro wrapper holds Nicaraguan Ometepe binder and Nicaraguan fillers.

The full bodied cigar starts off with cinnamon and black pepper. The spice notes are soon joined by leather and wood. In juxtaposition to the spice, there's also a creaminess to the smoke. I found the cigar and bourbon to be quite complimentary.

The evening air as I smoked on the porch was thick with humidity. The sky was cloudy and intermittent rain added to the heaviness of the air. My glass stayed coated with moisture. The cigar burn suffered a bit as it took on the moisture of the air. Attentiveness was required to keep a strong burn going. Still, it was a pleasant 80 minutes of smoking and sipping despite the less than agreeable weather.

Cheers!