Archives for the ‘Blog Entries.Local’ Category

A Toast to John B. Keane

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • May 30th, 2025
   Category: Blog Entries.Local
Irish playwright, poet, and pub owner John Brendan Keane (21 July 1928 – 30 May 2002) expressed his love for drink with a wit and passion few could match. On the anniversary of his passing, let’s lend an ear to his words once more — then promptly raise a glass, as he surely would’ve insisted.
 


Cheers!



[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

It’s Déjà Vu All Over Again — With Smoke

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • May 29th, 2025
   Category: Blog Entries.Local
Yogi Berra is reported to have quipped, “It’s déjà vu all over again.” That’s exactly how I felt when I stopped into Hogshead Cigar Lounge for a smoke on Wednesday afternoon. Just like last Wednesday, it was raining again — or perhaps more accurately, it was still raining. It’s been a wet week, punctuated only by the occasional dry spell.

 

This time, I selected a Black Works Studio NBK to enjoy. Different cigar. Same seat. Same beverage. And, as always, great conversation.

Cheers!



[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

It’s Déjà Vu All Over Again — With Smoke

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • May 29th, 2025
   Category: Blog Entries.Local
Yogi Berra is reported to have quipped, “It’s déjà vu all over again.” That’s exactly how I felt when I stopped into Hogshead Cigar Lounge for a smoke on Wednesday afternoon. Just like last Wednesday, it was raining again — or perhaps more accurately, it was still raining. It’s been a wet week, punctuated only by the occasional dry spell.

 

This time, I selected a Black Works Studio NBK to enjoy. Different cigar. Same seat. Same beverage. And, as always, great conversation.

Cheers!



[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

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

Author: 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.



[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

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

Author: 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.



[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

Revisiting my Music Collection – Tyketto

Author: 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: 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: 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




[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

Memorial Day: Gratitude and Vigilance

Author: 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




[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

Memorial Day 2025

Author: 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


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