Archives for the ‘Blog Entries.Local’ Category

Smoke and Spice: Rojas Street Tacos Cinco de Mayo 2025

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Apr 24th, 2025
   Category: Blog Entries.Local
Although the afternoon weather was particularly pleasant, I decided to head over to Hogshead Cigar Lounge to enjoy a smoke this Wednesday. There’s always something new to try at the lounge, and this week, I went with the newly arrived Rojas Street Tacos Cinco de Mayo 2025. I’d spotted the announcement on their social media earlier in the week and made a mental note to check it out.

The Cinco de Mayo marks the second release in this limited edition series from Rojas. This 6 x 54 Toro features a slick, brown Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, a San Andrés binder, and Connecticut Broadleaf filler tobacco that was aged for seven years before rolling.



In the opening minutes, the Cinco de Mayo delivered a dry, somewhat chalky smoke with mild notes of earth and clay. It was more peculiar than unpleasant. Before long, hints of baking spices and cedar entered the profile, adding some needed roundness. As the cigar progressed, I picked up flavors reminiscent of charred wood and grilled meat, with a touch of black pepper. And then — believe it or not — I swear I caught a flavor that reminded me of mole sauce.

That mole-like note added a bit of quirkiness to the overall experience. I’ll admit, I’m not a huge fan of mole, so that might have colored my impression. Still, I genuinely enjoyed the Rojas Cinco de Mayo. It produced dense, flavorful smoke, had a consistent burn, and lasted a satisfying hour and forty minutes.



The lounge itself provided a calm, relaxing afternoon. I passed the time with a bit of reading and some casual conversation. The indoor setting was a welcome escape from the pollen-heavy spring air outside.

Cheers!



[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

The Bishops Blend Novemdiales: A Timely Smoke

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Apr 22nd, 2025
   Category: Blog Entries.Local
When I awoke Monday morning to the news that Pope Francis had died, I knew exactly which cigar I would be lighting later. The Black Label Trading Company’s Bishops Blend Novemdiales seemed tailor-made for the occasion.

Novemdiales refers to the nine-day period of mourning in the Catholic Church following the death of a Pope. I had just one stick from the 2023 release left in my humidor, and this felt like the right moment to finally smoke it.

The Bishops Blend is an annual release from Black Label Trading Company, typically featuring a consistent blend year to year. But for their 10th anniversary in 2023, the company created something special. Enter the Novemdiales: a reimagined Bishops Blend sporting a Pennsylvania Broadleaf wrapper instead of the usual Ecuadorian Maduro. It kept the traditional Ecuadorian binder and filler tobaccos from Connecticut, Nicaragua, and Pennsylvania.



The 5 x 50 Robusto is distinctive, with its sharp, cone-shaped cap and closed foot. This full-bodied cigar offers a rich and complex flavor profile, opening with bold notes of dark fruit and bitter espresso. Deep undertones of dark coffee and cocoa provide a solid foundation, while a subtle molasses-like sweetness adds a layer of balance. Strong cedar and a moderate to pronounced peppery spice round out the experience — though after resting for 18 months, this particular stick had mellowed, softening the spice just a bit.

The Pope’s passing — not wholly unexpected after his long illness — came during the Easter season. As part of our Easter Sunday preparations, Colleen had made chocolate-covered peanut butter “egg” candies. I decided to enjoy one alongside the coffee I was sipping with the Novemdiales.

I’ve paired cigars with chocolate and mixed nuts before, but I was genuinely surprised by how exceptionally well this particular combination worked. The interplay of sweet and bitter flavors in both the candy and the cigar seemed to elevate each other. I devoured the candy far too quickly, but managed to resist the temptation for a second. I’ll try to enjoy another one with a smoke before they’re all gone.

An hour and a half on the porch, watching a flurry of birds — especially the hummingbirds at the feeder — and soaking in the mild spring air made for a truly peaceful evening wind-down.

Cheers!



[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

The Bishops Blend Novemdiales: A Timely Smoke

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Apr 22nd, 2025
   Category: Blog Entries.Local
When I awoke Monday morning to the news that Pope Francis had died, I knew exactly which cigar I would be lighting later. The Black Label Trading Company’s Bishops Blend Novemdiales seemed tailor-made for the occasion.

Novemdiales refers to the nine-day period of mourning in the Catholic Church following the death of a Pope. I had just one stick from the 2023 release left in my humidor, and this felt like the right moment to finally smoke it.

The Bishops Blend is an annual release from Black Label Trading Company, typically featuring a consistent blend year to year. But for their 10th anniversary in 2023, the company created something special. Enter the Novemdiales: a reimagined Bishops Blend sporting a Pennsylvania Broadleaf wrapper instead of the usual Ecuadorian Maduro. It kept the traditional Ecuadorian binder and filler tobaccos from Connecticut, Nicaragua, and Pennsylvania.



The 5 x 50 Robusto is distinctive, with its sharp, cone-shaped cap and closed foot. This full-bodied cigar offers a rich and complex flavor profile, opening with bold notes of dark fruit and bitter espresso. Deep undertones of dark coffee and cocoa provide a solid foundation, while a subtle molasses-like sweetness adds a layer of balance. Strong cedar and a moderate to pronounced peppery spice round out the experience — though after resting for 18 months, this particular stick had mellowed, softening the spice just a bit.

The Pope’s passing — not wholly unexpected after his long illness — came during the Easter season. As part of our Easter Sunday preparations, Colleen had made chocolate-covered peanut butter “egg” candies. I decided to enjoy one alongside the coffee I was sipping with the Novemdiales.

I’ve paired cigars with chocolate and mixed nuts before, but I was genuinely surprised by how exceptionally well this particular combination worked. The interplay of sweet and bitter flavors in both the candy and the cigar seemed to elevate each other. I devoured the candy far too quickly, but managed to resist the temptation for a second. I’ll try to enjoy another one with a smoke before they’re all gone.

An hour and a half on the porch, watching a flurry of birds — especially the hummingbirds at the feeder — and soaking in the mild spring air made for a truly peaceful evening wind-down.

Cheers!



[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

Easter: Hope in the Midst of Battle

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Apr 20th, 2025
   Category: Blog Entries.Local

The Easter Sequence - Victimæ paschali laudes

Christians, to the Paschal Victim
Offer your thankful praises!
A Lamb the sheep redeems;
Christ, who only is sinless,
Reconciles sinners to the Father.
Death and life have contended in that combat stupendous:
The Prince of life, who died, reigns immortal.
Speak, Mary, declaring
What you saw, wayfaring.
“The tomb of Christ, who is living,
The glory of Jesus’ resurrection;
bright angels attesting,
The shroud and napkin resting.
Yes, Christ my hope is arisen;
to Galilee he goes before you.”
Christ indeed from death is risen, our new life obtaining.
Have mercy, victor King, ever reigning!
Amen. Alleluia.

"He is not here."

With those words, spoken by the messenger of God, the reality of the Resurrection was revealed to the world. The empty tomb proclaims that death and sin have been conquered. Every time I reflect on the Resurrection, I’m struck by the awe the women at the tomb must have felt that morning — confusion, fear, and overwhelming joy. I also wonder what went through the minds of those who persecuted Him. 

And yet, even in the light of the Resurrection, the Prince of Darkness continues his work in this world. His followers — willing or unwitting — carry out his will by twisting truth, sowing confusion, and offering false promises. Evil is repackaged as good; deception cloaked in virtue. As the enemy works to blur the lines, we see morality mocked and genuine love labeled as hate. Through relentless attacks on our faith, our freedoms, and the sanctity of life, we witness the spiritual battle that still rages.

But today, we celebrate the fulfillment of Our Lord’s promise. On this most glorious day, our fears are vanquished and our hearts are lifted. The Resurrection reminds us that the ultimate war between good and evil has already been won. For three days, it seemed like Satan had triumphed — but three days are nothing compared to eternity. Easter is our strength and our hope. It empowers us to persevere through trials, resist temptation, and stand firm in the face of persecution.

So today, we rejoice. Easter is the fulfillment of Christ’s promise of eternal life. It is the triumph of good over evil. Easter calls us to live with courage, to remain vigilant, and never to surrender to darkness.

Wishing you a blessed and joy-filled Easter. May the light and joy of the Resurrection remain in your heart all year long.

Happy Easter!



[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

Easter: Hope in the Midst of Battle

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Apr 20th, 2025
   Category: Blog Entries.Local

The Easter Sequence - Victimæ paschali laudes

Christians, to the Paschal Victim
Offer your thankful praises!
A Lamb the sheep redeems;
Christ, who only is sinless,
Reconciles sinners to the Father.
Death and life have contended in that combat stupendous:
The Prince of life, who died, reigns immortal.
Speak, Mary, declaring
What you saw, wayfaring.
“The tomb of Christ, who is living,
The glory of Jesus’ resurrection;
bright angels attesting,
The shroud and napkin resting.
Yes, Christ my hope is arisen;
to Galilee he goes before you.”
Christ indeed from death is risen, our new life obtaining.
Have mercy, victor King, ever reigning!
Amen. Alleluia.

"He is not here."

With those words, spoken by the messenger of God, the reality of the Resurrection was revealed to the world. The empty tomb proclaims that death and sin have been conquered. Every time I reflect on the Resurrection, I’m struck by the awe the women at the tomb must have felt that morning — confusion, fear, and overwhelming joy. I also wonder what went through the minds of those who persecuted Him. 

And yet, even in the light of the Resurrection, the Prince of Darkness continues his work in this world. His followers — willing or unwitting — carry out his will by twisting truth, sowing confusion, and offering false promises. Evil is repackaged as good; deception cloaked in virtue. As the enemy works to blur the lines, we see morality mocked and genuine love labeled as hate. Through relentless attacks on our faith, our freedoms, and the sanctity of life, we witness the spiritual battle that still rages.

But today, we celebrate the fulfillment of Our Lord’s promise. On this most glorious day, our fears are vanquished and our hearts are lifted. The Resurrection reminds us that the ultimate war between good and evil has already been won. For three days, it seemed like Satan had triumphed — but three days are nothing compared to eternity. Easter is our strength and our hope. It empowers us to persevere through trials, resist temptation, and stand firm in the face of persecution.

So today, we rejoice. Easter is the fulfillment of Christ’s promise of eternal life. It is the triumph of good over evil. Easter calls us to live with courage, to remain vigilant, and never to surrender to darkness.

Wishing you a blessed and joy-filled Easter. May the light and joy of the Resurrection remain in your heart all year long.

Happy Easter!



[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

Weekend Update #15

Author: From https://odonnellweb.com/pelican/ • Apr 19th, 2025
   Category: Blog Entries.Local

Happy 420 day to all who celebrate! Also, Happy Easter if that is more your jam.

This was a very busy weekend. I don't normally plan 4 outings in a single weekend, but this weekend we did.

I started Saturday morning by getting up early and meeting the Audubon folks at York River State Park. We identified 51 species, which is a nice number for a couple of hours of birding. The 35 minute trip home took 2 hours due to an accident that shut down the highway. In the evening we attended out first Richmond Flying Squirrels game of the year. It was a beautiful night for baseball and they won, which does not happen often when I attend games.

On Sunday, we got up early to go to Bryan Park birding, and specifically to look for the Great Horned Owl that lives there. I've been out birding a couple of hundred times, and somehow I have never seen an owl. That changed this morning. We would have missed out again, but a friendly birder who had seen it earlier told me where to look, and then 15 minutes later when she can down that trail she stopped and showed me exactly which tree to look in. I paid it forward a few minutes when another birder came through looking for the owl. The photo is very bad because I took it at extreme zoom distance, staring back into the sun. The original photo is unrecognizable as an owl, it's just a dark blob, but after playing with the photo sliders in gThumb I at least got it to a point where it is proof that I did see the owl.

An Easter tradition here in RVA is Easter on Parade. The city closes down about six blocks of Monument Ave, which is paved with old brick pavers and features 2 lanes each direction and a very wide, shady and grassy median that serves as sort of a park for the locals. People show up dressed for Easter (some nicely, some outrageously) and the parade is the people watching. People picnic in the median, the people that live on the street have friends over for Easter parties, and there are street vendors and food trucks and it's just a generally fun way to spend the afternoon.

For Easter dinner we had ham, mashed potatoes, honey-balsamic glazed carrots, cranberry sauce, and rosemary and olive oil bread. The carrots were something I had never made before, and they have changed how I think about vegetables. They were that good.

photo collage

It was a crazy week at work, so the links are a little sparse this week.

Elect Disk - A manifesto, or maybe just a rant, about what late stage capitalism is doing to us, along with three things you can do to reclaim some peace.

AI Rant - A fabulous rant about the AI-ization of everything.

Homestar Runner posted a new video. If you are the type that will care, you probably already knew this.

Some thoughts on what the dramatic decline in longform reading may be doing to us.

That's all for this week. In a world where you can choose to be anything, choose to be kind.


Springtime Pairing: La Historia E-III and Heaven Hill Wheated Bourbon

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Apr 19th, 2025
   Category: Blog Entries.Local
Whew! What a week (and a half) it’s been! The renovation of our screen porch and deck is underway. That means people are now walking around just outside our kitchen door, and the house echoes with the sounds of hammering and construction. But when we finally sit down for dinner in the evening after the crew has packed up, the peacefulness is downright palpable. Despite the current disruption, the upgraded space is sure to be well worth it. The screen porch is being transformed into a three-season room, which will make it much more comfortable for cigar smoking in the cooler months.

Speaking of cool weather, temperatures dropped sharply over the past week. With the porch out of commission and the heaters already put away, I haven't spent much time outside. But by Friday, the warm weather had returned, and according to the 10-day forecast, it looks like it’s here to stay — at least for a while. With construction dominating the backyard, I decided to enjoy a smoke on the front porch, a seldom-used part of our home.

For the evening’s smoke, I chose the E.P. Carrillo La Historia E-III, which has been resting in my humidor since early December. After four months, it was undoubtably more than ready to be enjoyed. I paired it with Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Wheated Bourbon, a rich counterpart for the cigar.



Right away, the La Historia E-III felt light in the hand — surprisingly so. It had a soft, slightly under-packed feel. The Mexican San Andrés wrapper was rugged, with light chocolate mottling over a darker base. A few folds and wrinkles showed in the box-pressed body, giving it a bit of a rustic look, as if it hadn’t quite filled out the mold during pressing. The cigar measures 6 7/8 x 54, with an Ecuadorian binder and Nicaraguan fillers completing the blend.

As expected, the initial draw was open and airy. While E.P. Carrillo cigars typically perform well, I had some early doubts about this one based on the draw alone.

But those doubts were short-lived. From the first light, robust notes of bitter cocoa and coffee came forward. As the cigar developed, I picked up more dark chocolate and even a bit of espresso bitterness. A touch of mixed nuts joined the profile, adding depth. By the second half, a subtle underlying sweetness lingered at the back of my throat.

To my delight, the draw tightened slightly as the cigar warmed, and smoke production became thick and flavorful. The rich, dark flavor profile made for a full-bodied experience overall.

Despite the good smoke output later on, the cigar inexplicably went out on two occasions and needed to be relit. The burn line was wavy but never to the point that it needed correction.



Heaven Hill’s Grain to Glass Wheated Bourbon is made with a mash bill of 52% corn, 35% wheat, and 13% malted barley. The corn, grown in Central Kentucky, is a high-starch variety selected specifically for this release. Bottled at 121 proof and aged for six years, this bourbon promises an exciting experience.

Even on the breezy porch, aromas of vanilla, walnut, oak, and a gentle white fruit sweetness wafted from the glass. A deeper sniff brought the telltale heat of the high proof.

The flavor profile is just as complex — vanilla, oak, nuts, molasses, apple, and pear emerged at different moments while sipping. The finish is sweet and long, with a lingering white pepper tingle on the palate.

The complexity of both the La Historia E-III and the Grain to Glass Wheated Bourbon made for an especially rewarding pairing. Each offered deep, evolving flavors and long, satisfying finishes. They complemented each other beautifully, creating a rich and memorable tasting experience.

The smoke lasted an unexpected hour and forty minutes, far exceeding what I’d anticipated from such a featherweight stick. Enjoying the quiet, the sun and a gentle breeze in a short-sleeved shirt is hopefully a sign of more beautiful weather to come.



[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

Good Friday: Limbo

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Apr 18th, 2025
   Category: Blog Entries.Local
A 3:00 thought for Good Friday.
The ancient greyness shifted suddenly and thinned like mist upon the moors before a wind.

 An old, old prophet lifted a shining face and said:

 “He will be coming soon. The Son of God is dead; He died this afternoon.”

 A murmurous excitement stirred all souls. They wondered if they dreamed

 save one old man who seemed not even to have heard.

 And Moses, standing, hushed them all to ask if any had a welcome song prepared.

 If not, would David take the task?

 And if they cared could not the three young children sing the Benedicite,

 the canticle of praise they made when God kept them from perishing in the fiery blaze?

 A breath of spring surprised them, stilling Moses’ words.

 No one could speak, remembering the first fresh flowers, the little singing birds.

 Still others thought of fields new ploughed or apple trees all blossom-boughed.

 Or some, the way a dried bed fills with water laughing down green hills.

 The fisherfolk dreamed of the foam on bright blue seas.

 The one old man who had not stirred remembered home.

 And there He was, splendid as the morning sun and fair as only God is fair.

 And they, confused with joy, knelt to adore

 Seeing that He wore five crimson stars He never had before.

 No canticle at all was sung. None toned a psalm, or raised a greeting song,

 A silent man alone of all that throng found tongue — not any other.

 Close to His heart when the embrace was done, old Joseph said,

 “How is Your Mother, How is Your Mother, Son?”
-- Sister Mary Ada

I know I share this every year on Good Friday. I find the reflection very moving and it hits me right in the feels every time.




[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

The Algonquin Cocktail

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Apr 14th, 2025
   Category: Blog Entries.Local
There was some leftover pineapple juice in the house this weekend from making a pork tenderloin marinade. Since it’s not a juice I’d normally drink on its own, I wondered if it could find a place in our Sunday afternoon cocktails.

Most classic cocktails that feature pineapple juice lean toward rum or tequila — piña coladas, margaritas, mojitos, and the like. But the Algonquin stands apart as a whiskey-based drink. Named after the Algonquin Hotel in New York City, this three-ingredient cocktail is built around rye whiskey.
The Algonquin
  • 1 1/2 oz Rye Whiskey
  • 3/4 oz Dry Vermouth
  • 3/4 oz Pineapple Juice
Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.



For our version, I used Bulleit 12-Year Rye (the Algonquin Hotel uses WhistlePig Rye according to their website). The aroma from the glass was pineapple-forward, as expected. On the palate, the rye’s spice cut through, but pineapple remained the dominant note. The drink was slightly bitter, light in body, and overall, quite refreshing.

I enjoyed the Algonquin, though I felt it was missing a little something for my taste. As I sipped, I couldn’t help but wonder if a dash of orange bitters might brighten things up. While the classic recipe sticks to just three ingredients, further digging revealed variations that include orange or Peychaud’s bitters, lime juice, or even a touch of simple syrup.

It’s certainly a cocktail worth experimenting with further.

Cheers!



[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

Best Day Kolsch

Author: From https://odonnellweb.com/pelican/ • Apr 13th, 2025
   Category: Blog Entries.Local

We were out on a date night a couple of weekends ago and the club had the Best Day Kolsch, so I got one. It's very drinkable, living at the low end of the acceptable IBU range for a Kolsch. It's a good starter NA beer for someone who typically drinks mass market lagers. Personally, I'd prefer just a bit more of a hop forward character, but there absolutely nothing wrong with the beer. I will order it again.


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