Archives for the ‘Blog Entries.Local’ Category

Perdomo Legacy Maduro & Pikesville Rye: A Bold Pairing

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Aug 30th, 2025
   Category: Blog Entries.Local
My Friday began with some long-overdue work clearing downed brush and trees in the woods around the house. Back issues over the past 20 months have kept me from keeping up with routine maintenance, so it felt both satisfying and exhausting to finally be out there again — even if only for a couple of hours. By evening, I was more than ready for a well-earned “sip and smoke” on the screened porch.

I had been eyeing the Perdomo Legacy Nicaraguan Maduro resting in my humidor for about four weeks, waiting for the right moment. Having now reached the minimum rest I like to give new arrivals, it was time to light one up. Figuring a full-bodied cigar deserved a bold companion, I poured a glass of Pikesville Rye.



The Perdomo Legacy Nicaraguan Maduro was created by Nicholas Perdomo III as a tribute to his father. It features a 10-year-aged Cuban-seed Nicaraguan Maduro wrapper that spent an additional 14 months aging in bourbon barrels. A shade-grown Nicaraguan binder — a hybrid of Cuban and Cameroon seeds from the family’s Finca Natalie estate — holds fillers from Perdomo farms in Estelí, Condega, and Jalapa Valley.

The wrapper on the 5 x 54 Robusto vitola is oily, smooth, and shines in the evening sunlight. The cigar is flawlessly rolled and dressed in an ornate gold, red, and blue band. Eventually I force myself to stop admiring the cigar and actually light it up.



From the first draw, the blend’s complexity shines. Notes of semi-sweet chocolate, espresso, caramel, and spice greet the palate. As the cigar develops, espresso deepens into black coffee, while a chocolate-covered almond nuance teases in the background. Cedar and pepper linger pleasantly on the finish.

The pairing could not have been better. Pikesville Rye, one of my favorite bold ryes, offers dark cocoa, baking spice, and molasses — a perfect match that stands confidently alongside the Maduro’s intensity.



The Perdomo Legacy Nicaraguan Maduro is a full-flavored, complex, and thoroughly rewarding smoke. Even halfway through, I was already considering grabbing some larger vitolas to stretch out the experience. At the end of the surprisingly long 80 minute burn, I lamented its finish.

The combination of rich cigar, bold whiskey, and a clear evening made for a truly satisfying close to the day — even if I was contemplating the remaining brush cleanup that still needed to be dealt with in the future.

Cheers!


[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

Perdomo Legacy Maduro & Pikesville Rye: A Bold Pairing

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Aug 30th, 2025
   Category: Blog Entries.Local
My Friday began with some long-overdue work clearing downed brush and trees in the woods around the house. Back issues over the past 20 months have kept me from keeping up with routine maintenance, so it felt both satisfying and exhausting to finally be out there again — even if only for a couple of hours. By evening, I was more than ready for a well-earned “sip and smoke” on the screened porch.

I had been eyeing the Perdomo Legacy Nicaraguan Maduro resting in my humidor for about four weeks, waiting for the right moment. Having now reached the minimum rest I like to give new arrivals, it was time to light one up. Figuring a full-bodied cigar deserved a bold companion, I poured a glass of Pikesville Rye.



The Perdomo Legacy Nicaraguan Maduro was created by Nicholas Perdomo III as a tribute to his father. It features a 10-year-aged Cuban-seed Nicaraguan Maduro wrapper that spent an additional 14 months aging in bourbon barrels. A shade-grown Nicaraguan binder — a hybrid of Cuban and Cameroon seeds from the family’s Finca Natalie estate — holds fillers from Perdomo farms in Estelí, Condega, and Jalapa Valley.

The wrapper on the 5 x 54 Robusto vitola is oily, smooth, and shines in the evening sunlight. The cigar is flawlessly rolled and dressed in an ornate gold, red, and blue band. Eventually I force myself to stop admiring the cigar and actually light it up.



From the first draw, the blend’s complexity shines. Notes of semi-sweet chocolate, espresso, caramel, and spice greet the palate. As the cigar develops, espresso deepens into black coffee, while a chocolate-covered almond nuance teases in the background. Cedar and pepper linger pleasantly on the finish.

The pairing could not have been better. Pikesville Rye, one of my favorite bold ryes, offers dark cocoa, baking spice, and molasses — a perfect match that stands confidently alongside the Maduro’s intensity.



The Perdomo Legacy Nicaraguan Maduro is a full-flavored, complex, and thoroughly rewarding smoke. Even halfway through, I was already considering grabbing some larger vitolas to stretch out the experience. At the end of the surprisingly long 80 minute burn, I lamented its finish.

The combination of rich cigar, bold whiskey, and a clear evening made for a truly satisfying close to the day — even if I was contemplating the remaining brush cleanup that still needed to be dealt with in the future.

Cheers!


[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

Five O’Clock Friday: NA "Beer"

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Aug 29th, 2025
   Category: Blog Entries.Local
I didn't have to hunt for a humorous meme for this week's Friday laugh, I simply went out for lunch.

When ordering lunch at a local deli, we inquired about beer and were directed to a display cooler. Spotting a can labeled Sunshine State Tropical IPA, I thought, That sounds tasty — a perfect match for my New York frank.



Only after sitting down did I realize my “beer” was non-alcoholic, and brewed in Naperville, Illinois — hardly what I think of when hearing “Sunshine State.” Optimistically, I figured it was a chance to try something new. An IPA with mango and peach could have promise. Unfortunately, this one tasted more like watered-down grapefruit juice than anything like an IPA.

This joke’s on me. I didn't know about Go Brewing, for obvious reasons. As they say, fool me once...

Cheers!


[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

Five O’Clock Friday: NA "Beer"

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Aug 29th, 2025
   Category: Blog Entries.Local
I didn't have to hunt for a humorous meme for this week's Friday laugh, I simply went out for lunch.

When ordering lunch at a local deli, we inquired about beer and were directed to a display cooler. Spotting a can labeled Sunshine State Tropical IPA, I thought, That sounds tasty — a perfect match for my New York frank.



Only after sitting down did I realize my “beer” was non-alcoholic, and brewed in Naperville, Illinois — hardly what I think of when hearing “Sunshine State.” Optimistically, I figured it was a chance to try something new. An IPA with mango and peach could have promise. Unfortunately, this one tasted more like watered-down grapefruit juice than anything like an IPA.

This joke’s on me. I didn't know about Go Brewing, for obvious reasons. As they say, fool me once...

Cheers!


[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

A Flavor Feast: Rojas Street Tacos Al Pastor Gordo Review

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Aug 28th, 2025
   Category: Blog Entries.Local
I hadn’t visited Hogshead Cigar in nearly two months and was looking forward to enjoying the lounge again. No matter how pleasant the weather, nothing compares to savoring a cigar indoors from the comfort of a big leather chair.

Browsing the humidor, I quickly settled on the Rojas Street Tacos Al Pastor Gordo, figuring it would provide a long, relaxing smoking session.



This is an impressive-looking cigar. The glossy Ecuadorian Habano wrapper covers the hefty 6 x 60 stick, while a Mexican San Andrés binder and a blend of Dominican and Nicaraguan tobaccos complete the makeup.

Upon lighting, the cigar immediately delivered bold notes of dark chocolate, black coffee, and black pepper. The opening strength soon eased into a balanced profile of creamy sweet spice and mocha. About an inch in, I began to detect a charred meat note — more like delicious burnt ends than stray bits of meat fallen into the charcoal.

The Al Pastor puts out generous amounts of smoke, which continues to waft from the foot even at rest. Each puff surrounded me with thick, aromatic clouds. The burn remained even and steady throughout the smoke, which stretched well past two hours.



This was the second cigar I’ve tried from the Street Tacos line, the first being the Cinco de Mayo 2025. While I enjoyed that one, the Al Pastor Gordo impressed me even more — I smoked it all the way down to the nub. The flavors were a masterful interplay of savory, sweet, and spice.

Cheers!


[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

A Flavor Feast: Rojas Street Tacos Al Pastor Gordo Review

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Aug 28th, 2025
   Category: Blog Entries.Local
I hadn’t visited Hogshead Cigar in nearly two months and was looking forward to enjoying the lounge again. No matter how pleasant the weather, nothing compares to savoring a cigar indoors from the comfort of a big leather chair.

Browsing the humidor, I quickly settled on the Rojas Street Tacos Al Pastor Gordo, figuring it would provide a long, relaxing smoking session.



This is an impressive-looking cigar. The glossy Ecuadorian Habano wrapper covers the hefty 6 x 60 stick, while a Mexican San Andrés binder and a blend of Dominican and Nicaraguan tobaccos complete the makeup.

Upon lighting, the cigar immediately delivered bold notes of dark chocolate, black coffee, and black pepper. The opening strength soon eased into a balanced profile of creamy sweet spice and mocha. About an inch in, I began to detect a charred meat note — more like delicious burnt ends than stray bits of meat fallen into the charcoal.

The Al Pastor puts out generous amounts of smoke, which continues to waft from the foot even at rest. Each puff surrounded me with thick, aromatic clouds. The burn remained even and steady throughout the smoke, which stretched well past two hours.



This was the second cigar I’ve tried from the Street Tacos line, the first being the Cinco de Mayo 2025. While I enjoyed that one, the Al Pastor Gordo impressed me even more — I smoked it all the way down to the nub. The flavors were a masterful interplay of savory, sweet, and spice.

Cheers!


[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

An Afternoon Well Spent at the Range

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Aug 27th, 2025
   Category: Blog Entries.Local
It’s a joy to finally be back at the range with some regularity — even if “regular” right now means three weeks in a row. There was a time when I practiced nearly every week and shot one to three matches a month. I don’t expect, or even want, to return to that pace, but a match every month or so, if only for the social side of it, would be a welcome addition.

For this session, I brought along some paper IDPA practice targets. They aren’t my favorite since the dark scoring lines are more obvious than the subtle perforations on the official version, but they get the job done.



I set up at the 15-yard line and focused on two-shot strings: DA/SA and SA/SA sequences, mostly from the holster, with the occasional start from high ready. Everything was fired at a controlled pace from a stationary position, since range rules prohibit shooting on the move.

To mix things up, I worked in some SHO (strong hand only) and WHO (weak hand only) shooting, which actually went better than expected. A few strings at 25 yards added a bit of extra challenge, and it seems my regular dry-fire sessions are beginning to show results.

For a touch of fun, I took aim at a 4” rubber ball target someone had left hanging from a rope. Landing a few solid hits on that moving target was a satisfying change of pace.

I’d loaded 100 rounds into magazines, planning on a short outing. But when I “discovered” an extra box of 50 tucked in my bag, well — it only made sense to run through those too. ?

Cheers!


[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

An Afternoon Well Spent at the Range

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Aug 27th, 2025
   Category: Blog Entries.Local
It’s a joy to finally be back at the range with some regularity — even if “regular” right now means three weeks in a row. There was a time when I practiced nearly every week and shot one to three matches a month. I don’t expect, or even want, to return to that pace, but a match every month or so, if only for the social side of it, would be a welcome addition.

For this session, I brought along some paper IDPA practice targets. They aren’t my favorite since the dark scoring lines are more obvious than the subtle perforations on the official version, but they get the job done.



I set up at the 15-yard line and focused on two-shot strings: DA/SA and SA/SA sequences, mostly from the holster, with the occasional start from high ready. Everything was fired at a controlled pace from a stationary position, since range rules prohibit shooting on the move.

To mix things up, I worked in some SHO (strong hand only) and WHO (weak hand only) shooting, which actually went better than expected. A few strings at 25 yards added a bit of extra challenge, and it seems my regular dry-fire sessions are beginning to show results.

For a touch of fun, I took aim at a 4” rubber ball target someone had left hanging from a rope. Landing a few solid hits on that moving target was a satisfying change of pace.

I’d loaded 100 rounds into magazines, planning on a short outing. But when I “discovered” an extra box of 50 tucked in my bag, well — it only made sense to run through those too. ?

Cheers!


[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

Porchside Pairing: H. Upmann 1844 Añejo with Old Elk Cigar Cut

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Aug 25th, 2025
   Category: Blog Entries.Local
Another evening of beautiful weather meant another sit on the porch. With no other plans, I dug into the humidor for something on the larger side and landed on the H. Upmann 1844 Añejo Toro. At 6 x 54, it promised a solid couple of hours of enjoyment.

The cigar wears a smooth, oily Ecuadorian Habano wrapper that shimmered in the fading sunlight. Construction was excellent — an even, seamless roll. Beneath the wrapper, a Pennsylvania Broadleaf binder holds filler tobaccos from the Dominican Republic, Honduras, and Nicaragua. This blend, aged for at least five years (as suggested by the name Añejo — Spanish for “old” or “vintage”), promises depth and complexity. Mine had been resting in the humidor about nine weeks, part of the June COTM shipment from Cigar and Pipes.



The smoke opens with rich notes of cocoa, coffee, and mild pepper spice, soon joined by hints of caramel sweetness and a sturdy woodiness. Cedar and pepper weave in and out throughout the long burn, but the profile stays balanced — complex yet approachable, with a satisfying full body. Construction was spot-on, delivering a steady burn and clouds of creamy smoke.

I was so caught up in the cigar that I nearly neglected the pour at my side: Old Elk Cigar Cut bourbon. Typically a celebratory pour for me, it felt right for this leisurely evening.

This bottling was the first “cigar blend” release from Old Elk Distillery in Fort Collins, Colorado. Built on six-year-old bourbons further finished in Sherry, Armagnac, Port, and Cognac casks, it’s bottled at 110.6 proof. On the nose, caramel, vanilla, toasted oak, and spiced fruit draw you in. The palate reveals layers of dark chocolate, toffee, and baking spice, with faint notes of tobacco and leather lingering in the long, warming finish.




Like the cigar, the bourbon is layered and complex. I’ve always found port- and sherry-finished bourbons to pair beautifully with cigars, and the additional cask influences here add even more depth. It remains one of my favorite pours to enjoy with a full-bodied smoke — though it has become increasingly elusive on shelves. Old Elk has also released a Cigar Cut Island Blend, but that one still eludes me.

What more could I ask for? A bold, flavorful cigar, an exceptional pour, the setting sun, and blues floating from the outdoor speaker. A perfect evening.

Cheers!


[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

Porchside Pairing: H. Upmann 1844 Añejo with Old Elk Cigar Cut

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Aug 25th, 2025
   Category: Blog Entries.Local
Another evening of beautiful weather meant another sit on the porch. With no other plans, I dug into the humidor for something on the larger side and landed on the H. Upmann 1844 Añejo Toro. At 6 x 54, it promised a solid couple of hours of enjoyment.

The cigar wears a smooth, oily Ecuadorian Habano wrapper that shimmered in the fading sunlight. Construction was excellent — an even, seamless roll. Beneath the wrapper, a Pennsylvania Broadleaf binder holds filler tobaccos from the Dominican Republic, Honduras, and Nicaragua. This blend, aged for at least five years (as suggested by the name Añejo — Spanish for “old” or “vintage”), promises depth and complexity. Mine had been resting in the humidor about nine weeks, part of the June COTM shipment from Cigar and Pipes.



The smoke opens with rich notes of cocoa, coffee, and mild pepper spice, soon joined by hints of caramel sweetness and a sturdy woodiness. Cedar and pepper weave in and out throughout the long burn, but the profile stays balanced — complex yet approachable, with a satisfying full body. Construction was spot-on, delivering a steady burn and clouds of creamy smoke.

I was so caught up in the cigar that I nearly neglected the pour at my side: Old Elk Cigar Cut bourbon. Typically a celebratory pour for me, it felt right for this leisurely evening.

This bottling was the first “cigar blend” release from Old Elk Distillery in Fort Collins, Colorado. Built on six-year-old bourbons further finished in Sherry, Armagnac, Port, and Cognac casks, it’s bottled at 110.6 proof. On the nose, caramel, vanilla, toasted oak, and spiced fruit draw you in. The palate reveals layers of dark chocolate, toffee, and baking spice, with faint notes of tobacco and leather lingering in the long, warming finish.




Like the cigar, the bourbon is layered and complex. I’ve always found port- and sherry-finished bourbons to pair beautifully with cigars, and the additional cask influences here add even more depth. It remains one of my favorite pours to enjoy with a full-bodied smoke — though it has become increasingly elusive on shelves. Old Elk has also released a Cigar Cut Island Blend, but that one still eludes me.

What more could I ask for? A bold, flavorful cigar, an exceptional pour, the setting sun, and blues floating from the outdoor speaker. A perfect evening.

Cheers!


[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

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