Five O’Clock Friday: Cigar Smoking
Author: David From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Aug 8th, 2025Category: Blog Entries.Local
There's a lot of truth in this.
Cheers!
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Category: Blog Entries.Local
Cheers!
E.P. Carrillo’s New Connecticut: Creamy, Clean, But Not for Me
Author: David From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Aug 8th, 2025Category: Blog Entries.Local
The E.P. Carrillo Essence Connecticut is a newly released cigar, included in the July Cigar of the Month package from Cigar and Pipes. Mild cigars typically aren’t my first choice, but given E.P. Carrillo’s reputation for crafting flavorful, well-balanced blends, I was intrigued enough to give this one a try. I lit it up one afternoon alongside a sweet, milky iced coffee.
This 5 x 50 Robusto features a smooth, flawless Ecuadorian-grown Connecticut-seed wrapper. Underneath is a Honduran-grown Criollo ’98 leaf, Honduran filler, and a Dominican binder — a blend that hints at nuance despite the cigar’s mild profile.
Cheers!
From the first draw, the Essence Connecticut offered sweet notes of hay and cream, with subtle hints of toasted almond and cedar. Light in body, yet flavorful enough at first to hold its own against the creamy coffee, especially with a faint background of pepper adding a bit of structure.
That said, mild-bodied cigars aren’t usually my thing. I can appreciate hay and buttery notes when they support a more complex core, but when they dominate, I find them less compelling. As the cigar entered the second half, the pepper and cedar faded almost entirely, leaving behind mostly hay and cream. By the final third, the mild profile was not holding my interest — and eventually, I set it down early.
I know many smokers who genuinely enjoy cigars like the E.P. Carrillo Essence Connecticut. And for what it’s meant to be — a mild, smooth, easygoing smoke — it absolutely hits the mark. For that, it's well-blended, and the burn and construction were flawless throughout.
But for my personal taste, I prefer a cigar with a bit more “oomph.”
Cheers!
E.P. Carrillo’s New Connecticut: Creamy, Clean, But Not for Me
Author: David From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Aug 8th, 2025Category: Blog Entries.Local
The E.P. Carrillo Essence Connecticut is a newly released cigar, included in the July Cigar of the Month package from Cigar and Pipes. Mild cigars typically aren’t my first choice, but given E.P. Carrillo’s reputation for crafting flavorful, well-balanced blends, I was intrigued enough to give this one a try. I lit it up one afternoon alongside a sweet, milky iced coffee.
This 5 x 50 Robusto features a smooth, flawless Ecuadorian-grown Connecticut-seed wrapper. Underneath is a Honduran-grown Criollo ’98 leaf, Honduran filler, and a Dominican binder — a blend that hints at nuance despite the cigar’s mild profile.
Cheers!
From the first draw, the Essence Connecticut offered sweet notes of hay and cream, with subtle hints of toasted almond and cedar. Light in body, yet flavorful enough at first to hold its own against the creamy coffee, especially with a faint background of pepper adding a bit of structure.
That said, mild-bodied cigars aren’t usually my thing. I can appreciate hay and buttery notes when they support a more complex core, but when they dominate, I find them less compelling. As the cigar entered the second half, the pepper and cedar faded almost entirely, leaving behind mostly hay and cream. By the final third, the mild profile was not holding my interest — and eventually, I set it down early.
I know many smokers who genuinely enjoy cigars like the E.P. Carrillo Essence Connecticut. And for what it’s meant to be — a mild, smooth, easygoing smoke — it absolutely hits the mark. For that, it's well-blended, and the burn and construction were flawless throughout.
But for my personal taste, I prefer a cigar with a bit more “oomph.”
Cheers!
Refined but Not Tame: Smoking the BLTC Royalty Robusto
Author: David From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Aug 6th, 2025Category: Blog Entries.Local
It’s no secret that I’m a frequent fan of Black Label Trading Company cigars. This boutique brand is produced at Oveja Negra (Spanish for “Black Sheep”), a factory located in Estelí, Nicaragua, and founded by James and Angela Brown. In addition to Black Label, the factory also produces the co-brand Black Works Studio and makes cigars for a few other boutique lines—including Hermanos de Armas, which I recently wrote about.
Interestingly, James Brown worked as a sommelier before turning to cigar making, and I suspect that background plays a role in the unique and flavor-driven profiles found in many of his blends.
This particular cigar — the Black Label Royalty Robusto — had been resting in my humidor for about eight weeks. I also smoked one at the lounge when I picked it up, and it was ready to go right off the shelf.
The 5 x 54 stick features an Ecuadorian Corojo wrapper over a Honduran binder and Nicaraguan fillers. The wrapper leaf is oily, well-applied, and visually appealing. After clipping the cap, the draw was nicely open with just the right amount of resistance. Once lit, the cigar produced a generous amount of smoke immediately.
The medium-bodied Royalty delivers a well-balanced mix of cedar, leather, cocoa, coffee, and sweet nut notes. As it progresses, touches of mild pepper and additional cedar come through. There’s also a subtle oak dryness to the smoke that adds a bit of structure to the flavor profile. Compared to some of Black Label’s bolder offerings — like Last Rites or Bishops Blend — the Royalty leans more nuanced and approachable, but still offers plenty of depth.
I paired it with a Rye Old Fashioned, which complemented the cigar nicely. The cocktail’s spice and sweetness mirrored similar notes in the smoke, making for a harmonious combination.
Black Label also offers an event-only version of the Royalty, sometimes referred to as the “Black Label” edition. I’ve picked up a few at past events. The tobaccos used in that version are aged longer and tend to deliver a spicier profile than the standard “White Label” release. It’s definitely worth seeking out. Black Label reps are quite active, especially on the East Coast, and James and Angela Brown frequently make appearances. Their events are worth attending — if only to get access to the various event-only cigars they produce.
Cheers!
Refined but Not Tame: Smoking the BLTC Royalty Robusto
Author: David From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Aug 6th, 2025Category: Blog Entries.Local
It’s no secret that I’m a frequent fan of Black Label Trading Company cigars. This boutique brand is produced at Oveja Negra (Spanish for “Black Sheep”), a factory located in Estelí, Nicaragua, and founded by James and Angela Brown. In addition to Black Label, the factory also produces the co-brand Black Works Studio and makes cigars for a few other boutique lines—including Hermanos de Armas, which I recently wrote about.
Interestingly, James Brown worked as a sommelier before turning to cigar making, and I suspect that background plays a role in the unique and flavor-driven profiles found in many of his blends.
This particular cigar — the Black Label Royalty Robusto — had been resting in my humidor for about eight weeks. I also smoked one at the lounge when I picked it up, and it was ready to go right off the shelf.
The 5 x 54 stick features an Ecuadorian Corojo wrapper over a Honduran binder and Nicaraguan fillers. The wrapper leaf is oily, well-applied, and visually appealing. After clipping the cap, the draw was nicely open with just the right amount of resistance. Once lit, the cigar produced a generous amount of smoke immediately.
The medium-bodied Royalty delivers a well-balanced mix of cedar, leather, cocoa, coffee, and sweet nut notes. As it progresses, touches of mild pepper and additional cedar come through. There’s also a subtle oak dryness to the smoke that adds a bit of structure to the flavor profile. Compared to some of Black Label’s bolder offerings — like Last Rites or Bishops Blend — the Royalty leans more nuanced and approachable, but still offers plenty of depth.
I paired it with a Rye Old Fashioned, which complemented the cigar nicely. The cocktail’s spice and sweetness mirrored similar notes in the smoke, making for a harmonious combination.
Black Label also offers an event-only version of the Royalty, sometimes referred to as the “Black Label” edition. I’ve picked up a few at past events. The tobaccos used in that version are aged longer and tend to deliver a spicier profile than the standard “White Label” release. It’s definitely worth seeking out. Black Label reps are quite active, especially on the East Coast, and James and Angela Brown frequently make appearances. Their events are worth attending — if only to get access to the various event-only cigars they produce.
Cheers!
Smoke and Spice: Noble Act Two with Rabble Rouser Rye
Author: David From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Aug 4th, 2025Category: Blog Entries.Local
This past weekend brought a welcome taste of fall. After weeks of oppressive heat and seemingly endless rain, we were treated to dry, sunny days with temperatures hovering in the mid-70s — perfect weather for an evening on the deck.
For the occasion, I reached for a cigar I’ve mentioned before: the Noble Cigars Act Two. Noble Cigars, founded in 2022, currently offers three lines — Act One, Act Two, and Intermission — each in a 6 x 52 Toro format. Of the three, I’ve only smoked the Act Two, and it continues to impress.
The Act Two features an exquisitely smooth, dark brown Mexican San Andrés wrapper, with Dominican binder and filler. Noble classifies the blend as a full-bodied “Doble Ligero,” and this particular cigar had been aging in my humidor for fourteen months.
Construction and performance were flawless — as has been my experience with every Act Two I’ve smoked. The cigar burned slow and even for nearly two hours, producing a solid white ash , speckled with white mineral dots — a sign of well-cured, high-quality tobacco.
For the evening’s “sip and smoke,” I paired the cigar with Catoctin Creek Rabble Rouser Rye. This Virginia-based distillery, founded in 2009 in Purcellville, honors its founders’ Scottish heritage by using the “whisky” spelling.
Rabble Rouser Rye is distilled from 100% rye, aged for six years, and bottled in bond at 100 proof. It pours a rich red-amber and offers bold aromas of fruit, honey, and rye spice. The palate delivers candied fruit, caramel, tobacco, and a touch of pepper, finishing long and warm with lingering spice. It’s one of my favorite ryes to sip neat — and also shines in a Rye Old Fashioned.
Though it’s traditionally released each February, I try to secure a bottle every year before it sells out. While it’s a lottery-only item in Virginia ABC stores, it’s been easier to find lately through the Catoctin Creek website.
The pairing of the Rabble Rouser Rye and Noble Act Two delivered a remarkable experience. The cigar’s sweetness and spice played beautifully with the rye’s rich, fruity complexity. While I typically prefer to experiment with new combinations, this pairing is one I’d happily revisit.
Cheers!
Smoke and Spice: Noble Act Two with Rabble Rouser Rye
Author: David From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Aug 4th, 2025Category: Blog Entries.Local
This past weekend brought a welcome taste of fall. After weeks of oppressive heat and seemingly endless rain, we were treated to dry, sunny days with temperatures hovering in the mid-70s — perfect weather for an evening on the deck.
For the occasion, I reached for a cigar I’ve mentioned before: the Noble Cigars Act Two. Noble Cigars, founded in 2022, currently offers three lines — Act One, Act Two, and Intermission — each in a 6 x 52 Toro format. Of the three, I’ve only smoked the Act Two, and it continues to impress.
The Act Two features an exquisitely smooth, dark brown Mexican San Andrés wrapper, with Dominican binder and filler. Noble classifies the blend as a full-bodied “Doble Ligero,” and this particular cigar had been aging in my humidor for fourteen months.
Construction and performance were flawless — as has been my experience with every Act Two I’ve smoked. The cigar burned slow and even for nearly two hours, producing a solid white ash , speckled with white mineral dots — a sign of well-cured, high-quality tobacco.
For the evening’s “sip and smoke,” I paired the cigar with Catoctin Creek Rabble Rouser Rye. This Virginia-based distillery, founded in 2009 in Purcellville, honors its founders’ Scottish heritage by using the “whisky” spelling.
Rabble Rouser Rye is distilled from 100% rye, aged for six years, and bottled in bond at 100 proof. It pours a rich red-amber and offers bold aromas of fruit, honey, and rye spice. The palate delivers candied fruit, caramel, tobacco, and a touch of pepper, finishing long and warm with lingering spice. It’s one of my favorite ryes to sip neat — and also shines in a Rye Old Fashioned.
Though it’s traditionally released each February, I try to secure a bottle every year before it sells out. While it’s a lottery-only item in Virginia ABC stores, it’s been easier to find lately through the Catoctin Creek website.
The pairing of the Rabble Rouser Rye and Noble Act Two delivered a remarkable experience. The cigar’s sweetness and spice played beautifully with the rye’s rich, fruity complexity. While I typically prefer to experiment with new combinations, this pairing is one I’d happily revisit.
Cheers!
Smoking the CAO Brazilia Lambada & Sipping Henry McKenna 10 Year
Author: David From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Aug 2nd, 2025Category: Blog Entries.Local
I’ve smoked the CAO Brazilia in various vitolas over the years. It’s a popular, flavorful, and budget-friendly smoke. This particular example, the Lambada — a 6 x 50 Toro — has been resting in my humidor since January.
The Brazilia Lambada wears a very dark, shiny Brazilian Arapiraca Maduro wrapper. It’s smooth and oily, wrapping a Nicaraguan binder and Honduran fillers. The construction was solid and even, and the look of the cigar brought to mind a rich chocolate bar — though maybe I was just hungry.
Cheers!
The Brazilia is medium to full-bodied and puts out rich flavors of cocoa and espresso, with nutty and spicy notes adding complexity. The burn was mostly even through the first two-thirds, but the final stretch saw one side stall out. Despite multiple touch-ups, it wouldn’t correct fully. Still, the cigar delivered a satisfying experience with bold, flavorful smoke.
To pair with the Brazilia, I poured a glass of Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel Bottled-in-Bond. At 100 proof, this bourbon opens with aromas of caramel, vanilla, and a touch of fruit. The palate brings more caramel and vanilla sweetness, layered with oak and cinnamon spice.
As with most single barrels, McKenna’s profile can vary bottle to bottle — possibly more than other brands. This particular bottle leans heavy on oak and tannins, with mild rye spice. While I’ve enjoyed this bottle many times — it’s nearly empty — the dry oak notes didn’t mesh perfectly with the Brazilia’s flavor profile. I found myself thinking a spicier rye might have made a better match, though not quite enough to get up and pour one.
Despite the slight mismatch, the CAO Brazilia Lambada and Henry McKenna Bottled-in-Bond still made for an enjoyable evening on the screened porch, especially on an unseasonably cool summer evening.
Cheers!
Smoking the CAO Brazilia Lambada & Sipping Henry McKenna 10 Year
Author: David From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Aug 2nd, 2025Category: Blog Entries.Local
I’ve smoked the CAO Brazilia in various vitolas over the years. It’s a popular, flavorful, and budget-friendly smoke. This particular example, the Lambada — a 6 x 50 Toro — has been resting in my humidor since January.
The Brazilia Lambada wears a very dark, shiny Brazilian Arapiraca Maduro wrapper. It’s smooth and oily, wrapping a Nicaraguan binder and Honduran fillers. The construction was solid and even, and the look of the cigar brought to mind a rich chocolate bar — though maybe I was just hungry.
Cheers!
The Brazilia is medium to full-bodied and puts out rich flavors of cocoa and espresso, with nutty and spicy notes adding complexity. The burn was mostly even through the first two-thirds, but the final stretch saw one side stall out. Despite multiple touch-ups, it wouldn’t correct fully. Still, the cigar delivered a satisfying experience with bold, flavorful smoke.
To pair with the Brazilia, I poured a glass of Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel Bottled-in-Bond. At 100 proof, this bourbon opens with aromas of caramel, vanilla, and a touch of fruit. The palate brings more caramel and vanilla sweetness, layered with oak and cinnamon spice.
As with most single barrels, McKenna’s profile can vary bottle to bottle — possibly more than other brands. This particular bottle leans heavy on oak and tannins, with mild rye spice. While I’ve enjoyed this bottle many times — it’s nearly empty — the dry oak notes didn’t mesh perfectly with the Brazilia’s flavor profile. I found myself thinking a spicier rye might have made a better match, though not quite enough to get up and pour one.
Despite the slight mismatch, the CAO Brazilia Lambada and Henry McKenna Bottled-in-Bond still made for an enjoyable evening on the screened porch, especially on an unseasonably cool summer evening.
Cheers!
Peace, Love, and John Fogerty
Author: Chris ODonnell From https://odonnellweb.com/pelican/ • Aug 1st, 2025Category: Blog Entries.Local
CCR was classic rock when I was in high school. John Fogerty is 80. It rained the entire show. None of that mattered last night as Fogerty radiated peace, love and joy throughout the entire set. With his two sons from his current marriage leading the opening act and then flanking him on stage all night, a new record coming out later this month, and control of his music back where it belongs, John Fogerty seemed like a guy that has never been happier as he ripped through his greatest hits last night.
And ripped is the operative word, as this was a loud rock and roll show. I guess I knew intellectually that Fogerty was a solid guitar player, but I did not have John Fogerty finger tapping his was through a solo on my bingo card. Several tunes featured extended solos with John trading licks with his son. We even got a drum solo and a killer saxophone solo during the set. He talked several times about how happy he was that his wife, after years and years of negotiation, finally got the publishing right back to his music. Run Through the Jungle will not be in an Army recruiting commercial anytime soon, and it was very obvious just how much it means to him that he has that control of his legacy.
The opening act Harty Har has been his two son's project for about a dozen years. They are a psychedelic / garage rock band, which if nothing else proves the boys were paying attention while they were growing up. Also, when you are John Fogerty's kids you can start a psychedelic garage rock band in the 21st century and not worry about paying rent. Don't get me wrong, the band rocked. Both of the kids are very talented musicians, but that is not the band you start if paying the rent is a primary concern.
Also, I'm 57, and I may have been below the average age of an attendee last night. But full props to RVA. A bunch of boomers and older GenX types stood for the entire show in the rain. We showed up. Or maybe we just didn't want wet asses from sitting on wet chairs.
The pictures suck. I've never been able to get decent photos at concerts. Given this has been an issue through 4 or 5 phones at this point, the equipment may not be the problem.
Peace, love, and rock and roll. Not a bad way to spend a Friday night. Or a life.
