Archives for the ‘Blog Entries.Local’ Category

George Remus Bourbon

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Aug 17th, 2023
   Category: Blog Entries.Local
Once every month or two, I join some friends to travel into Maryland to shoot an IDPA match. Afterwards we shop for distilled beverages, and enjoy a lunch somewhere. We've shopped at the same liquor store for for the past decade or so. We enjoyed a good relationship with the owner, who would order special requests, and even gift glassware occasionally. The store had a small but interesting and varying bourbon selection, and most of the time I found bourbons I couldn't find in Virginia, or bottles at a lower price. The establishment has since changed ownership, and the new staff is not as knowledgeable about bourbon, but we still stop by to look for new goodies.

Even if I don't find anything especially exciting, I'll pick up a bottle of something different, to maintain or build on the relationship. Often these purchases are of bottles I am unfamiliar with but look interesting. Such was the case with this George Remus Bourbon recently acquired.


George Remus is the "house" brand for Midwest Grain Products in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. MGP is a producer of distillate and aged whiskey that is provided to dozens of non-distilling producers, both large and small. Many popular brands source their whiskey from MGP which they then blend and finish for their own labels. Obviously MGP does it right, or it wouldn't be such a popular and consistent source for so many brands. They seem to be especially prevalent as a rye whiskey source. 

George Remus Bourbon is a blend of high rye bourbons aged at least four years, and bottled at 94 proof. The deep amber liquid gives aromas of vanilla, cherry, and caramel. It's mild but pleasant. Sipping reveals more of the same, with the addition of more baking spices indicative of the high rye content. The rye spice lingers late in the finish, and even seems to build afterwards. The flavor was never hot, and vanilla and spice hangs around until the next sip.

I found this to be quite an enjoyable bourbon. It's flavorful, easy to drink neat, but I also believe it will work very well for cooking and cocktails as well.

Cheers!


[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

Knob Creek Single Barrel Select Rye and BLTC La Madonna Negra

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Aug 16th, 2023
   Category: Blog Entries.Local
This pairing was made of two things I had been looking forward to trying out, so I decided to have both new additions together. The cigar had been sitting in my humidor for about six weeks, while the rye had been waiting just a week or so.

Black Label Trading Company La Madonna Negra was released recently to celebrate the company's 10th anniversary. I do enjoy BLTC cigars, and had preordered some of these from Luxury Cigar Club. Allowing the humidor time before lighting up was a test of patience.


The Knob Creek Barrel Select Rye is a VA ABC selection. It was released as part of a VA ABC picks release that happened a couple weeks ago on a Saturday morning. These events typically generate long lines of fans queuing up hours before the stores open, hoping to be one of the fortunate ones to purchase a single bottle of something. The actual stock in the individual stores is not announced until the evening before. Exhibiting their usual level of competency, VA ABC failed at posting the information for this drop until midday on Saturday. For my part, I went shooting instead. Interestingly, even the following morning, many of the stores still showed inventory of the releases from the day before. It appears Virginia bourbon fans may be tiring of treated like Pavlov's dog and being enticed to leap to the state's "bell." 

Since the Rye pick was one of the few in the list I was interested in, I stopped by my local store to grabb a bottle. The selection has a barrel date of June 12, 2016. Based on the pick date, it looks like about a 6.5 year aged rye, with a proof of 115. The rye is fairly mild on the nose, with faint cocoa, vanilla, citrus, and spice. However, it really begins to shine in the sipping. I get the expected rye spice, but at a moderate level. Butterscotch, cocoa, along with some spice and nuttiness join it. I found it well balanced, with neither the rye nor the proof taking the lead roll. I take a chance on many bottles I purchase with little foreknowledge. Sometimes I am disappointed, other times most pleased. This was the latter and a purchase I am happy I made.

After some initial tasting of the Knob Creek Select Rye, it was time to cut and light the La Madonna Negra. The Black Label Trading Company anniversary cigar was released in four vitolas. I smoked the 5 1/4 x 50 Robusto. A Connecticut broadleaf wrapper covers an Ecuadorian habano binder and fillers from Nicaragua and Pennsylvania. The cigar shows off with a dark chocolate wrapper and decorative band. Immediately I am struck by the heft of the stick. A few gentles squeezes reveals this thing is packed. It's hard with no give whatsoever and almost feels like a hard rubber prop cigar.

After punching to cap, the draw is very tight but I decided to give it a go as it was. After a few minutes, I accepted that remedial action was necessary and grabbed my PerfecDraw tool. The first insertion brought out a small half inch piece of stem, which did nothing to help the draw. I repeatedly, and very carefully, continued inserting the tool to increased depths. I brought out nothing further except small bits of tobacco. Eventually the entire length of the tool was put through the cigar with only minor improvement. Never before have I used the PerfecDraw to such an extent.

With a slightly improved draw, I was at last getting some smoke and flavor. The flavor is a blend of dark chocolate, espresso, dark cherries. Some pepper and cedar sits in the background. The cigar is not as bold as I expected, coming from Black Label Trading Company. I am not sure if that's the intent, or a factor of the tight draw. The burn was even and never went out, but I did apply a flame to it occasionally when it wavered and threatened to go out. In the last third or so, the draw opened up a bit, but never got to what seemed like its full potential. I will look forward to smoking more of the cigars after they've rested for more time in the humidor. As this is a new release, I suspect the shipments went out from resellers nearly fresh off the shipping trucks.

The cigar finished, I poured myself a wee bit more of the Knob Creek. I will certainly be enjoying this bottle -- while it lasts.

Cheers!


[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

Regina Cigars Misericordia

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Aug 15th, 2023
   Category: Blog Entries.Local
We had a long day of traveling to run errands out of town recently. As some consolation we treated ourselves to a large, late lunch before heading home. When I sat down to consider a cigar that evening I was still feeling full, and also tired. As such, I opted to forego the distilled spirit with my smoke. As a flavorful diversion to plain water I opted for a Sparkling Ice Orange Mango sparkling water.

I dug deep in the humidor for the 4+ year old Regina Cigars Miseriacodia. I don't often smoke Connecticut wrapper cigars, but I was in the mood for mildness. I hoped the flavored water would not be overpowering as an accompaniment.


Regina Cigars is a Catholic owned company that uses cigars as a way to support its mission of helping children and orphanages around the world. Most recently they have been providing support to orphanages in Honduras. The cigars are decorated with colorful bands depicting religious artwork. 

The 6 x 50 Misericordia features a light brown Honduran Connecticut wrapper. The rest of the blend is unspecified. What is noted on the website is that the blend was created by Christian Eiroa, owner of C.L.E. and Asylum cigar companies. The mild to medium bodied cigar has creamy sweet notes with a mild citrusy fruit hint. There was just enough citrus bite to keep it interesting. I smoked the cigar down to a short nub before setting it down. I never once touched up or corrected the burn and the smoke never heated up despite my relatively fast smoking. The ash was extremely solid and I only knocked it off after a couple inches out of fear it would drop in my lap or on my book. 

Pairing with the flavored water worked out quite well. The flavor of the beverage is mild and not overly sweet. The citrus aspects of the cigar and beverage complimented each other well.


The large band on this blend features an image from The Return of the Prodigal Son (1773) by Pompeo Batoni. 

Cheers!


[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

Remembering the Martyrs of Otranto

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Aug 14th, 2023
   Category: Blog Entries.Local
August 14 is the Feast Day of the Martyrs of Otranto. These faithful Christians were victims of muslim brutality and conquest in the Italian city of Otranto in 1480. Two days prior, on August 11, the town, which had been under siege for two weeks, was finally overrun by the Ottoman invaders. Subsequently, all men in the town over the age of 50 were slaughtered, and women and children under 15 were sent away into slavery. The leader of the invaders, Pasha Ament ordered over 800 surviving Christian men brought before him and commanded them to convert to islam or face death. The faithful refused to cave in to his barbarous demands.

One of the men came forth and spoke in a manner that we should all pray we could emulate,
My brothers, until today we have fought in defense of our country, to save our lives, and for our lords; now it is time that we fight to save our souls for our Lord, so that having died on the cross for us, it is good that we should die for him, standing firm and constant in the faith, and with this earthly death we shall win eternal life and the glory of martyrs.
Angered and frustratesd that they would not renounce their faith, Pasha Ament ordered all the men killed. On August 14, 1480, the prisoners were brought to a nearby hill and beheaded, while their families and friends were mercessly forced to watch. According to tradition, the body of the first victim, Antonio Primaldo, refused to fall over until the entire group had been executed. The destruction of the town complete, and its population decimated, the moslem invaders continued their march toward Rome.

A year later, in October 1481, the bodies of the martyrs were found to be uncorrupted and moved to the Otranto cathedral. On December 14, 1771, Pope Clement XIV beatified these brave men. On May 12, 2013 their cause for Sainthood was completed when Pope Francis declared the Martyrs of Otranto to be among the Saints in Heaven.

Martyrs of Otranto, Ora pro nobis!

Relics of the Otranto Martyrs

The war on Christianity continues to this day. Not only from the scimitar in the Middle East, but with increasing frequency right here at home due to the actions of our own government. Today as we remember these brave men pray we remain as strong in our own wars against the minions of Satan.

Also see "How the 800 Martyrs of Otranto Saved Rome" for more on the martyrs and their place in the history of Christendom.


[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

John J. Bowman With Crowned Heads Le Pâsittier

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Aug 14th, 2023
   Category: Blog Entries.Local
The liquid piece of this pairing is an old favorite bourbon, John J. Bowman Single Barrel, from Fredericksburg's own A. Smith Bowman Distillery. Surprisingly it doesn't get many mentions here, despite being regularly poured. The cigar for the evening was a new one for me, Crowned Heads Le Pâtissier No. 50. 


The John J. Bowman Bourbon comes in at 100 proof, which is right at my sweet spot for an easy sipping bourbon. (Though I truly enjoy high proof whiskies, especially with a strong cigar.) The bourbon is very aromatic with notes of honey, vanilla, sweet bread, and a light fruit hint. Sipping brings out oak, vanilla, dark fruit, caramel, and a bit of spice. The flavors coat the palate with a lingering creamy oak and spice. It's a near perfect bourbon in my opinion, and at a wallet-friendly $40, has a permanent spot on the shelf, as well as a backup bottle or two in the pantry.

The Crowned Heads Le Pâtissier was intitially an exclusive release for the 2021 PCA Convention & Trade Show. The line is now a regular production, in four vitolas. The one smoked here is short robusto designated as No. 50. The 4 3/8 x 50 stick has a dark oily Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, a Nicaraguan binder, and fillers from Nicaragua and Costa Rica. The cigar comes right out of the gate with full flavors of dark chocolate, coffee, and black pepper. The full flavors stayed right to the end, with an occasional charred wood addition. The cigar burned well, and remained cool throughout. I only put it down when it was too short hold.

The Crowned Heads cigar maintained a bold flavor profile but the Bowman bourbon held its own with just enough spice bourbon flavors. The pairing was enjoyable and offered a pleasant end to the evening.

Cheers!


[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

Five O’Clock Friday: Hey, Bartender There’s A Big Bug In My Beer

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Aug 11th, 2023
   Category: Blog Entries.Local
Some music to kick off the weekend.


 May your glass have only beer this weekend.

Cheers!


[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

Major Victory for Cigar Rights

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Aug 11th, 2023
   Category: Blog Entries.Local
Cigar Rights of America sent the following press release on Wednesday. This is a huge victory against government overreach.
*** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ***  
Premium Cigars Score A Victory As Federal Court Rules Against FDA 

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. District Judge Amit P. Mehta ordered the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to exempt premium cigars from tobacco regulations that the Agency put in place in 2016. This ruling, which follows nearly seven years of litigation, is a historic victory for the industry and a significant pushback against arbitrary FDA regulation. 

Cigar Rights of America (CRA), which funded and led the successful challenge, argued that the inclusion of premium cigars in a 2016 “Deeming” rule by FDA was fundamentally misguided and based on unsound science. In its appearance before the court on May 23, 2022, CRA demonstrated that the Agency had failed to demonstrate a public health rationale and improperly rejected a previously considered option to exempt the category. 

On July 5th of last year, Judge Mehta agreed, ruling that the inclusion of premium cigars was arbitrary and capricious, in violation of the Administrative Procedures Act. Specifically, Judge Mehta found that FDA ignored scientific evidence on the use of premium cigars that CRA submitted and “instead of addressing the relevant data before it, the agency resorted to a common refrain to obscure the issue.”

Since that time, the industry has eagerly awaited today’s official announcement by the court that establishes a federal definition for premium cigars, allowing their exemption. The ruling effectively brings much-needed regulatory relief to the entire industry. 

Robert Levin, president of CRA, stated upon learning of Mehta’s ruling, “today is a monumental day in the history of the premium cigar industry.” Levin continued, “The court’s ruling is further testament to the years-long effort by the CRA legislative and legal teams to give voice to our long-held belief that premium cigars should never have been regulated by FDA in the first place.”
This ruling is the end of a 7 year fight. (Although the government could decide to start it all over.) Judge Judge Mehta ruled that the Agency had acted “arbitrarily and capriciously” and ordered that premium cigars be immediately removed from FDA’s power entirely. This power grab by the FDA threatened the livelihood of thousands of small businesses, intruded into the private lives of millions of cigar enthusiasts, and would have decimated the economies of untold towns and people in cigar producing countries. And it was all based on falsehoods, bad science, and obfuscation. Fortunately the courts were able to see through this power grab by unelected bureaucrats.

You can read the decision by Judge Mehta striking down all FDA regulation of premium cigars here.

If you enjoy hand rolled cigars, you should be a member of Cigar Rights of America.


Cheers!


[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

Uncool Hazy IPA

Author: From https://odonnellweb.com/pelican/ • Aug 10th, 2023
   Category: Blog Entries.Local

The Richmond Kickers have a cool special where at the 70 minute mark of the match they have NA beer happy hour with 12 oz cans for only $4. Of course, I had to partake.

The Uncool Hazy IPA (by local brewery Three Notch'd Brewing) is just fine. It tastes like a lower IBU Hazy IPA. In the pantheon of NA IPAs that I have drank, it is solidly in 2nd place, behind the Sam Adams Hazy and ahead of the Athletic Brewing IPA.

I will drink it again, after I try the Citrus Wheat NA that they also have at Kicker's matches.


J. H. Bards Spirits Company

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Aug 10th, 2023
   Category: Blog Entries.Local
The J. H. Bards Spirits Company in Pulaski County, VA is a regular stop whenever we visit the Blacksburg area. The micro-distillery opened in 2020 as the result of mutual love of bourbon by two Blacksburg natives. They are currently producing a line of bourbons and rye, as well as a vodka.


J. H. Bards operates a small tasting room and retail shop where you can enjoy a drink or two and pick up merchandise and spirits. Besides their regular line up, limited release whiskies are also available at times. Per VA ABC regulation, the tasting room can only serve a maximum of 3 ounces of spirits to an individual per day. This limits your options to one flight of three 1/2 ounce samples and a cocktail, or two cocktails. There is also a maximum of four spirits that may be sampled, so ordering two flights for more variety is not permitted. Sometimes I think the State Revenuers just make this stuff up on a whim. 


We will typically enjoy a couple mid-afternoon cocktails at the tasting room before heading out for dinner. Their smoked Old Fashioned made with rye and a house prepared cherry is a favorite. Even though I am quite fond of my own Old Fashioned recipe, I've been converted into keeping their Blackstrap Old Fashioned Syrup on hand. The J. H. Bards Rye is often my choice for my home Old Fashioned as well.

We diversified a bit this last trip and decided to try one of the summer drink recipes offered, their interpretation of a Painkiller. This one is made with bourbon instead of the classic rum, nutmeg, and pineapple coconut syrup. We found the Painkiller very tasty and refreshing, but we still switched back to our favorite Old Fashioned for our second round.


Each time we've visited one of the owners, Jayson or Jason, has been doing the serving in the tasting room. They are very knowledgeable about whiskey and the Blacksburg area in general and we've had some enjoyable conversations.

After our drinks I picked up more of the Blackstrap syrup and a replacement for my recently emptied bottle of rye. Also available this time was a limited release finished bourbon made in collaboration with the local Beliveau Farm Winery. It's a four year bourbon aged in port barrels from the winery. I decided to bring a bottle home and look forward reporting on it in the future. 

When visiting the New River Valley region, I suggest adding J. H. Bards to your itinerary.

Cheers!


[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

Casa 1910 Revolutionary Edition Cuchillo Parado

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Aug 9th, 2023
   Category: Blog Entries.Local
I've smoked many cigars that sport a Mexican San Andrés wrapper. It's a widely popular leaf and one of my favorites. I've also seen cigars that use Mexican leaves as an ingredient. However, I don't recall smoking an all-Mexican leaf cigar. I was very interested in trying out the Casa 1910 Revolutionary Edition I received as part of a My Cigar Pack monthly shipment. 


The Casa 1910 Revolutionary Edition line boasts a San Andrés Sumatra wrapper, with San Andrés grown tobaccos also making up the binder and filler. The wrapper was aged for five years and the rolled cigar then aged for five to six months. The stick smoked was a 5 x 50 vitola, which Casa 1910 calls Cuchillo Parado. The Casa 1910 cigar company takes its name from the year of the Mexican Revolution. 

The cigar is a dark tan color, oily and a bit rough in places. I noted an interesting wet straw aroma that was not unpleasant but it gave me pause. Upon lighting I was hit with a rush of pepper along with some woody smoke and bread flavors. As the smoke progresses the peppery spice remains, and I begin to pick up some sweeter cream notes that moderated the sharpness. I was admiring the seemingly solid ash when it suddenly dropped, which happened to me several times. Near the end of the smoke, the flavors took on more a bitter aspect which was layered over the peppery, smoke, and sweetness. 


Overall, I enjoyed the Casa 1910 Revolutionary Edition Cuchillo Parado quite a bit. The end minutes of the hour long smoke were not as pleasant, but did not inspire me to end it early. I was sipping only water as I smoked and read. I had the thought that I'd like to try the cigar with some bourbon as well. As it turns out, My Cigar Pack, without explanation when asked, shipped my June mailing twice. So I do have another one to smoke in the future. (Despite this unintended benefit, the double shipping, and the subsequent double charge, led me to cancel that particular subscription.)

Cheers!


[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

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