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H. Upmann 180th Anniversary Churchill Cigar Review – A Bold & Elegant Smoke

Author: David From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • May 28th, 2025
Category: Blog Entries.Local

I’ve had several H. Upmann 180th Anniversary Limited Edition Churchill cigars resting in my humidor since last November. Released in July 2024, these cigars commemorate the 180-year legacy of the H. Upmann brand, founded in 1844 by German banker Herman Upmann in Havana, Cuba. I’ve been waiting for warmer weather to light one up — I didn’t want to risk a somewhat pricey cigar to cold temperatures or a rushed smoke.

The H. Upmann 180th Anniversary Limited Edition Churchill is an elegant 7 x 50 cigar. It features a chocolate-hued wrapper leaf, identified as rare Nicaraguan medio tiempo — a small, potent leaf that occasionally grows at the top of the tobacco plant. Harvested from only about two percent of plants, medio tiempo is prized for its rich flavor and concentrated strength, and is rarely used as a wrapper. The binder and fillers are also Nicaraguan, which adds to the cigar’s depth and character.

The cigar sports a striking primary band marking H. Upmann’s 180th year and an unusual, cap-like foot band covering the foot. While attempting to remove the foot band without tearing it, I accidentally cracked the wrapper at the foot. Thankfully, a quick touch-up with PerfecRepair resolved the issue. A straight cut at the cap delivered a smooth, open draw.

From the first puff, I knew this was going to be a flavorful and complex smoke. Even before it had a chance to fully warm up, it delivered rich notes of chocolate and dark raisins. Black coffee, pepper, and cinnamon soon followed. The bold, flavorful smoke was complex and full-bodied, yet never harsh. A layer of spiciness sat beneath the dark coffee and sweet, dark fruit flavors, adding complexity without overwhelming the palate.

I paired the cigar with a classic Negroni, as I often do when not drinking bourbon. The bitter, botanical drink pairs well with full-flavored cigars, especially robust Nicaraguan blends like this one.

The H. Upmann 180th Anniversary Limited Edition Churchill provided an hour and 50 minutes of rich, satisfying smoking pleasure. It’s likely as bold and complex as a cigar can get while remaining smooth and enjoyable. To say I enjoyed it would be an understatement. I held onto the tiny nub with my fingertips, trying to draw out the experience as long as possible. I’m already looking forward to lighting another from my stock — though it will definitely be saved for a special occasion.

Cheers!

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H. Upmann 180th Anniversary Churchill Cigar Review – A Bold & Elegant Smoke

Author: David From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • May 28th, 2025
Category: Blog Entries.Local

I’ve had several H. Upmann 180th Anniversary Limited Edition Churchill cigars resting in my humidor since last November. Released in July 2024, these cigars commemorate the 180-year legacy of the H. Upmann brand, founded in 1844 by German banker Herman Upmann in Havana, Cuba. I’ve been waiting for warmer weather to light one up — I didn’t want to risk a somewhat pricey cigar to cold temperatures or a rushed smoke.

The H. Upmann 180th Anniversary Limited Edition Churchill is an elegant 7 x 50 cigar. It features a chocolate-hued wrapper leaf, identified as rare Nicaraguan medio tiempo — a small, potent leaf that occasionally grows at the top of the tobacco plant. Harvested from only about two percent of plants, medio tiempo is prized for its rich flavor and concentrated strength, and is rarely used as a wrapper. The binder and fillers are also Nicaraguan, which adds to the cigar’s depth and character.

The cigar sports a striking primary band marking H. Upmann’s 180th year and an unusual, cap-like foot band covering the foot. While attempting to remove the foot band without tearing it, I accidentally cracked the wrapper at the foot. Thankfully, a quick touch-up with PerfecRepair resolved the issue. A straight cut at the cap delivered a smooth, open draw.

From the first puff, I knew this was going to be a flavorful and complex smoke. Even before it had a chance to fully warm up, it delivered rich notes of chocolate and dark raisins. Black coffee, pepper, and cinnamon soon followed. The bold, flavorful smoke was complex and full-bodied, yet never harsh. A layer of spiciness sat beneath the dark coffee and sweet, dark fruit flavors, adding complexity without overwhelming the palate.

I paired the cigar with a classic Negroni, as I often do when not drinking bourbon. The bitter, botanical drink pairs well with full-flavored cigars, especially robust Nicaraguan blends like this one.

The H. Upmann 180th Anniversary Limited Edition Churchill provided an hour and 50 minutes of rich, satisfying smoking pleasure. It’s likely as bold and complex as a cigar can get while remaining smooth and enjoyable. To say I enjoyed it would be an understatement. I held onto the tiny nub with my fingertips, trying to draw out the experience as long as possible. I’m already looking forward to lighting another from my stock — though it will definitely be saved for a special occasion.

Cheers!

Get Musings Over a Barrel via Email

Revisiting my Music Collection – Tyketto

Author: Chris ODonnell From https://odonnellweb.com/pelican/ • May 27th, 2025
Category: Blog Entries.Local

This is an ongoing series in which I dig into the dark corners of my MP3 folder and revisit some long neglected music.

Tyketto - Dig in Deep
Tyketto - Don't Come Easy
Tyketto - Reach
Tyketto - Strength in Numbers Live

I discovered Tyketto on the side stage at the M3 Metal Festival in 2015. I had never heard of them and I was blown away by their short set. They released their first album in 1991, just in time for the entire genre to get steamrolled by grunge. Musically they are in the Bon Jovi or Night Ranger neighborhood of hard rock bands. They ended up with a bit of a following in Europe and the lead singer Danny Vaughn is still active in Europe both as a solo artist and with Tyketto. I think that 2015 festival show was the last time they played in the US.

Forever Young is the closest they got to a hit. It has over 9 million streams on YT Music, which appears to be more than the rest of their catalog combined.

Here's Hoping it Hurts is off their 2012 album, and is my favorite Tyketto tune. It hasn't made it to 10K streams on YT Music.

Revisiting my Music Collection – Tinted Windows

Author: Chris ODonnell From https://odonnellweb.com/pelican/ • May 27th, 2025
Category: Blog Entries.Local

This is an ongoing series in which I dig into the dark corners of my MP3 folder and revisit some long neglected music.

Tinted Windows put out one self-titled album in 2009. It was power-pop perfection. That's not surprising when you consider that the band was James Iha of The Smashing Pumpkins, singer Taylor Hanson of Hanson, bassist Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne, and drummer Bun E. Carlos of Cheap Trick. No one has ever explained why they didn't continue.

Schlesinger was one of the first celebrity victims of COVID, so the band will never be reforming, at least not with the original lineup.

Every song on the record is a power pop banger.

Cha Cha

Kind of a Girl

Memorial Day: Gratitude and Vigilance

Author: David From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • May 26th, 2025
Category: Blog Entries.Local

As we mark the unofficial beginning of summer, let us 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 and celebration, we do so with gratitude and remembrance for the true meaning behind it.

The courage and selflessness of our fallen heroes have played a vital role in securing the liberties we cherish today. As we pause to honor their memory this Memorial Day, may we also reaffirm our commitment to upholding the values they fought to protect and remain vigilant in preserving the freedoms they so bravely defended.

“The purpose of all war is ultimately peace.”

--Saint Augustine

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Memorial Day: Gratitude and Vigilance

Author: David From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • May 26th, 2025
Category: Blog Entries.Local

As we mark the unofficial beginning of summer, let us 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 and celebration, we do so with gratitude and remembrance for the true meaning behind it.

The courage and selflessness of our fallen heroes have played a vital role in securing the liberties we cherish today. As we pause to honor their memory this Memorial Day, may we also reaffirm our commitment to upholding the values they fought to protect and remain vigilant in preserving the freedoms they so bravely defended.

“The purpose of all war is ultimately peace.”

--Saint Augustine

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Memorial Day 2025

Author: Chris ODonnell From https://odonnellweb.com/pelican/ • May 25th, 2025
Category: Blog Entries.Local

Trip: 50
Nights: 172-174

Huh. 50 camping trips in the Aliner Ascape Grand+. Cool.

It was a chill Memorial Day weekend. My wife came down with a case of daycare crud on Thursday, so my son pinch hit and joined me for a weekend of hiking and drinking beer around the campfire. I'm 57. He is 31. He is an active athlete, I am not. Yesterday I needed a break after a long climb on a hike, and I'm huffing and puffing at the top and I look at him. He looked like he just got out bed. No sign at all that his heart rate was above 60.

Youth is wasted on the young.

Anyway, we birded and hiked and grilled and drank beer by the campfire. A perfect camping weekend. Well, almost perfect. It could have been ten degrees warmer at night.

For those of you in the US, I hope you marked the day in whatever manner you see fit. Visiting military cemeteries, grilling, boating, camping, or screaming "Fuck You Donald Trump!" over and over are all acceptable ways to mark the day. Let's hope the Orange Turd doesn't cause us to have a bunch of new fallen soldiers to memorialize next year. For the rest of you, happy Monday!

Photo Album

photo collage

Porch Reflections: With Rocky Patel A.L.R. 2 and Green River Bourbon

Author: David From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • May 24th, 2025
Category: Blog Entries.Local

Memorial Day weekend, despite marking the traditional start of summer, so often arrives cloaked in cool and rainy weather. At least, that seems to be the pattern around here. When our son was in high school, he worked as a lifeguard at the local pool and eagerly anticipated the start of swim season — mainly for the money-making opportunities. Yet, more often than not, it was too cold or stormy for the pool to open, much to his disappointment.

This year’s holiday brought another drop in temperature, with the thermometer dipping into the 60s. At least the rain held off. To kick off the weekend, I settled onto the porch to relax and enjoy a few of my favorite pastimes — cigars, bourbon, and music.

For the evening, I chose my last Rocky Patel A.L.R. Second Edition Bala. The A.L.R. Second Edition is one of my all-time favorite smokes. This particular cigar, an approximately 5 3/4 x 58 Perfecto, was the last of the stash I picked up at the Rocky Patel event held at Hogshead Cigar Lounge in November 2022 — where I was thrilled to meet both Rocky and Nish Patel.

The Bala vitola features a mostly closed foot and narrows towards the cap. After removing the slightly yellowed cello, I used my PerfecPunch to open the cap. Even after the foot burned open, the draw remained a bit tight, so I followed up with a straight cut. That did the trick — smoke production became copious and flavorful.

The blend is the signature A.L.R. Second Edition combination: a Mexican San Andrés wrapper, Honduran binder, and filler tobaccos from Honduras and Nicaragua. The cigar delivers well-integrated notes of coffee and espresso, with pepper and cedar spice, all underpinned by a dark fruit sweetness. The A.L.R. Second Edition consistently provides a flavorful and satisfying experience. Although this was my last Bala, I typically keep Robusto or Toro sizes in my humidor.

To complement the cigar, I poured the last bit from my bottle of Green River Kentucky Bourbon. Well, truth be told, it made for two good pours.

Green River offers a classic, easy-sipping bourbon profile: caramel, oak, and a touch of brown sugar, all well-balanced. There’s a hint of spice on the palate that fades quickly. At under $40, it’s a great value for a 90-proof bourbon aged over five years. With this bottle now empty, I’ll likely be picking up a replacement soon.

Despite a constant cool breeze drifting through the porch, the 90-minute session was quite pleasant. I had a Joe Bonamassa blues album blaring through the outdoor speaker, adding to the evening’s atmosphere. I spent much of the time reflecting on this time last year — when I was approaching my final week of work. It doesn’t feel like that long ago, and yet so much has happened since — adjusting to retirement and recovering from back issues.

With the bulk of that now behind me, I have a good feeling about the summer ahead.