Evening Primrose Meets Starlight Cigar Batch

I’ve had a few Southern Draw Evening Primrose cigars in the humidor for about fifteen months. I smoked a few early on, and then they gradually migrated to the inner reaches of the humidor, where they remained forgotten until I rediscovered them during a recent humidor rearrange.

The Evening Primrose features a nice-looking Mexican San Andrés Maduro wrapper and an Ecuadorian-grown Sumatra binder. Southern Draw specifies the filler components as 50% Honduran, 25% Nicaraguan, and 25% USA Ligero. My cigars are the 5½ x 54 Robusto vitola.

The cigar delivers a full-flavored, earthy experience, with cocoa and dark chocolate notes throughout. Roasted coffee emerges as the smoke progresses. My notes from earlier smokes indicate a substantial pepper presence. This time, however, the spice was more muted, perhaps due to the extended rest in the humidor. A subtle sweetness balances the darker aspects of the profile.

I paired the evening’s smoke with Starlight Distillery Cigar Batch Bourbon. The farm-to-glass distillery in Borden, Indiana, finishes whiskies aged five to seven years in Brazilian Amburana casks for three to six months. The finishing process contributes distinctive spice and sweetness while allowing the underlying bourbon character to come through.

Each time I pour Starlight Cigar Batch Bourbon, I’m struck by its rich, complex flavors. Vanilla, sweet cream, chocolate, and dark fruit all come into play. At times, I also pick up sweet tobacco, cinnamon, and toasted wood. An added delight is that the same range of aromas greets me each time I raise the glass.

Initially, I wondered whether the cigar would have enough sweetness to keep up with the richness of the bourbon. In the end, the Evening Primrose’s earthy maduro character, roasted notes, and pepper provided an appealing contrast to the cinnamon, vanilla, and dark fruit notes in the Starlight Cigar Batch. Although the cigar and bourbon might seem an unlikely match on paper, they made for an unexpectedly enjoyable pairing.

Sometimes contrasts can be surprisingly compatible. 

Cheers!

Almonds, Oak, and a Cooling Porch

Now that we’re solidly into fall, with winter knocking on the door, cooler evenings on the screened porch are once again becoming the norm. Heading out for an evening sip and smoke, I wondered how comfortable the porch would be.

For this evening’s smoke, I lit up a Guardian of the Farm Apollo Selección de Warped and poured a glass of Maker’s Mark 46.

The Guardian of the Farm Apollo is a Nicaraguan puro developed through a collaboration between Aganorsa Leaf (then Casa Fernandez) and Warped Cigars. Released in 2017, the cigar has earned accolades from aficionados over the years. As far as I can recall, I’d never smoked one, so I was interested in discovering what all the favorable reviews were about.

The cigar measures 6 x 44, making it a lonsdale, or long corona. The cigar is made with a blend of vintage Criollo and Corojo vintage Nicaraguan tobaccos. The wrapper is Nicaraguan Jalapa Corojo ’99, with a Nicaraguan Corojo ’99 binder and fillers consisting of Nicaraguan Corojo ’99 and Criollo ’98 tobaccos. 

The cigar opens with medium-bodied flavors of almonds and roasted nuts, accompanied by woody cedar notes. Mild baking spices emerge as the smoke progresses, while a subtle sweetness remains consistent throughout.

I selected Maker’s Mark 46 for its caramel sweetness. Bottled at a modest 94 proof, the oak-finished bourbon complemented the cigar’s almond and spice notes without overwhelming its more delicate flavors.

The Guardian of the Farm Apollo Selección de Warped is a flavorful but subtle smoke. Its slender ring gauge contributes to a slow, measured smoking experience, and the cigar burned evenly from start to finish. I was surprised to get an hour and forty-five minutes out of it.

As I enjoyed the cigar and bourbon pairing, I watched the thermometer on the wall slowly creep down to 52°. It was cool, but not uncomfortable. I thought back to smoking on the porch last winter. Once the windows are closed and the heater is brought out, the temperature rarely drops below 65°, even on the coldest winter days.

I suppose it will soon be time to convert the screened porch to its winter configuration.

Cheers!

Smoke, Salt, and Rye

The season for comfortably enjoying the deck is drawing to a close, but it isn’t over just yet. After a few cooler days, a recent pleasant afternoon offered an opportunity to enjoy our aperitivo on the deck. With sunlight dappling through the trees, it was a near-perfect autumn afternoon.

Colleen put together a platter of salami, prosciutto, and crackers while I mixed up a couple of Old Fashioneds. After a quick scan of the humidor, I selected an AJ Fernandez New World Oscuro Toro to accompany the cured meats.

The New World Oscuro features a dark Nicaraguan Oscuro wrapper with a thick, leathery appearance. The binder is Nicaraguan leaf from Jalapa, while the fillers come from Estelí, Condega, and Ometepe. The 6½ × 55 Toro is box-pressed and sports a red foot band alongside the familiar New World branding.

After a few minutes of nibbling on the food and sipping my drink, I lit up the New World Oscuro. The cigar comes out of the gate with rich roasted coffee, bitter chocolate, and a substantial dose of spice. Underlying woodiness and sweeter notes soon emerge to balance the blend.

The spicy salami and salty prosciutto paired well with the bold cigar. The salt, natural sweetness, and rich pork flavors softened some of the cigar’s bitter espresso notes without diminishing its richness. The additional saltiness of the crackers contributed another layer to the combination.

The rye-based Old Fashioned brought its own spicy character to the pairing, complementing the cigar’s peppery notes without competing with the rich coffee and chocolate flavors.

Eventually, the sun sank lower in the sky, and the afternoon’s warmth faded, like a curtain falling at the end of the season’s final act. There may yet be some surprisingly warm days to come — it is Virginia, after all — but before long, we’ll be enjoying our afternoon aperitivo break in more sheltered surroundings.

Cheers!

Rain, Bourbon, and a Surpassion Half Track

We spent another weekend in Blacksburg recently, enjoying plenty of good food and drink and, of course, Hokie football. As usual, I packed a few cigars just in case an opportunity arose to enjoy a smoke or two. Although the weather forecast for the weekend kept changing, rain appeared to be a sure thing. But one never knows.

After enjoying an early dinner and some good beers at Eastern Divide Brewing, I headed out to the hotel patio with a glass of Maker’s Mark Bourbon from the hotel bar while the rest of the family rested in their rooms. One last check of the weather app on my phone showed that rain wasn’t expected for another three hours.

I lit one of the Surpassion Half Track cigars I had picked up at the Hogshead Cigar Lounge event last month. I figured the short cigar would provide a pleasant smoke before the rain arrived.

As luck would have it, no sooner had I applied the flame than I felt the first raindrops. I quickly relocated to a table with an umbrella and hoped the rain would be minimal.

The Surpassion Half Track is a limited-edition extension of the company’s King of Battle line. Measuring 4 x 53, it’s a short robusto that uses the same American Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, Mexican San Andrés binder, and blend of Dominican and American fillers as the King of Battle. The Half Track is exclusive to Hogshead Cigar Lounge in Fredericksburg.

The cigar starts with a nice blend of espresso and cocoa, accompanied by a dose of black pepper. As the smoke progresses, the fudge-like sweetness and bitter espresso remain in a pleasing balance.

The bourbon selection at the hotel was limited, and I had neglected to bring along a bottle of my own. However, Maker’s Mark proved to be a very satisfactory choice that paired well with the Half Track. The bourbon’s soft vanilla sweetness complemented the dark fudge notes of the cigar, while its mild character allowed the cigar’s flavor profile to remain in the lead.

As I smoked, the rain began to fall harder. The weather forecasters had gotten this one wrong. Fortunately, tucking myself close to the table under the umbrella blocked most of the rain. The occasional mist that blew through was tolerable, and the cigar remained unaffected.

As I approached the end of the surprisingly long smoke, nearly an hour had passed. The rain began coming down more heavily, and I was quite happy to have gotten in an enjoyable, relaxing smoke at the end of a long day of travel and dining.

Cheers!

Rocky Patel Grand Reserve: A Humidor Rediscovery

Even though I keep an accurate inventory of my cigars, things do get forgotten or overlooked. Recently, I added some additional Spanish cedar trays to my humidor in an effort to make organization easier. Doing so meant removing the cigars before placing them back in the trays. Not surprisingly, I picked up more than one cigar and thought, “I should smoke that.”

One such cigar was the Rocky Patel Grand Reserve. I still had a few Robustos left from a purchase back in August 2024.

The Grand Reserve was first released in 2018 for distribution in Europe. It proved to be very popular and was subsequently released in the U.S. in the summer of 2020. Rocky Patel does not officially disclose the tobaccos used in the blend, although the company does note that the cigars are manufactured in Honduras and incorporate aged tobaccos.

The cigar starts off with a creamy, leathery note. A mix of peanuts and toasted almonds joins in as the cigar warms. As I smoked, the flavor shifted toward an enjoyable blend of sweetness and spice, with caramel and cedar in the background. The medium-bodied smoke was never heavy or dark, maintaining a flavorful balance throughout.

I paired the Rocky Patel with an Old Fashioned made with J. H. Bards Skipper’s Select Toasted Barrel Bourbon. The bourbon has a very light toasted note when sipped neat, though that note was less apparent in the cocktail. The Old Fashioned proved to be a good complement to the cigar on a pleasant fall evening.

While enjoying the Rocky Patel Grand Reserve, I found myself thinking about other cigars I hadn’t smoked in a long time. Rearranging the humidor had brought some of them back to my attention. I may have trouble locating specific cigars in their new locations for a while, but I’ve also rediscovered plenty of overlooked cigars that I look forward to getting reacquainted with.

Cheers!

Some of the Best Evenings Aren’t Planned

It’s no secret that cigar smokers, in general, are a friendly lot. Discovering another cigar enthusiast in a crowd can turn a chance meeting into an enjoyable conversation. Sometimes, running into fellow smokers when you least expect it can be the start of a memorable evening.

Recently, we attended a barbecue fundraiser for a local private school. The event was held at a supporter’s farm and included an open bar, a catered meal, hayrides, and a bonfire. As we were leaving the house, I decided to grab a couple of cigars to take along, just in case.

While enjoying cocktails before dinner, I noticed a gentleman arrive carrying a distinctive black cigar travel case. I approached him and asked if he’d brought cigars. He confirmed that he had, and we chatted for a few minutes. It looked as though I’d have an opportunity to smoke later in the evening.

During dinner, I was talking with another guest at the table when he mentioned that his brother, sitting at a nearby table, was also a dedicated cigar smoker. Apparently, his brother had been pressing him to include a smoking room in the house he was building. It seemed I was in good company.

After dinner, as the sun set, the bonfire was lit. Before long, my new acquaintance and I were standing outside enjoying our cigars. Soon, four or five other guys joined us, all looking to enjoy a smoke as well.

It turned out that the gentleman was well-known among his friends as the cigar guy. He apparently brings cigars to many of the school’s events and generously shares them with others. Had I known all this in advance, I would surely have brought more cigars to share. As it was, I did have something useful to contribute. Someone was having trouble with his lighter, so I was able to provide fire for several of the group.

The unexpected gathering added to what was already an enjoyable evening. The conversation naturally included cigars, but it ranged well beyond our shared hobby. We talked about airplanes, travel, retirement, farming, careers, and a variety of other subjects. Before long, we were doing what people seem to do whenever a group gets together over a few drinks and a common interest: solving the world’s problems.

Most of my cigar smoking is done alone. There’s a particular pleasure in settling into a chair with a good cigar and a drink, enjoying some quiet time without much of an agenda. Other times, I smoke at places where meeting fellow enthusiasts is part of the plan, whether at a cigar lounge or a bourbon and cigar event.

But there’s something special about these unexpected gatherings. You arrive at an event with no particular expectations beyond enjoying the evening, and a chance encounter leads to an entirely different experience. The cigar provides an easy introduction, but the conversation and camaraderie are what make the occasion memorable.

I went to a school fundraiser, brought along a couple of cigars just in case, and wound up spending part of the evening with a group of fellow enthusiasts I hadn’t known that afternoon. It’s a reminder that some of the most enjoyable experiences aren’t the ones we plan. Sometimes, all it takes is a little tobacco, a light, and a willingness to strike up a conversation.

Cheers!

Toscano Duecento and Amaro Averna

The Toscano Duecento is one of a line of Italian cigars made with fire-cured tobacco. Released in 2018, the Duecento celebrates the 200th anniversary of Toscano cigars. Duecento means “two hundred” in Italian.

The cigar is considerably larger than many traditional Toscano cigars. Listed at 7¾ x 46, the tapered perfecto has an uneven diameter along its length. My example also exhibits a slight curve. The dark wrapper is made from U.S. fire-cured Kentucky-seed tobacco grown in Tennessee, while the filler consists of Italian and U.S. fire-cured Kentucky tobacco. The cigar is rough in appearance and tightly packed.

Unlike most premium cigars, which rely on air-cured tobacco, Toscano uses fire-cured Kentucky tobacco. I store all my Toscano selections separately from my other cigars to keep their distinctive smoky, charred aromas from permeating the humidor.

I enjoyed the Toscano Duecento with an after-dinner digestif of Amaro Averna. Toscano cigars are often cut in half and smoked as two shorter cigars, a practice known in Italy as ammezzato. The choice largely depends on how much time one has available. Smoking a cigar ammezzato is a traditional way to enjoy a quick smoke with a morning cappuccino or an afternoon Negroni. I’ve enjoyed both during my vacations in Italy.

On this evening, I opted to smoke a cut Duecento with the Averna. This amaro has a rich caramel, bitter orange, and herbal character that nicely complements the toasted tobacco and smoky notes of the Toscano.

The cigar opens with aromatic notes of smoke and charred wood, accompanied by hints of licorice and spice that add interest. As I sipped the Averna, its bitter herbal notes seemed to soften some of the cigar’s smokiness. Even so, the smoked tobacco maintained a lingering presence on the palate despite the strongly flavored beverage.

Cutting the Toscano Duecento in half still provided about 30 minutes of smoking pleasure. Enjoying the woody smoke while slowly sipping Amaro Averna made for a pleasant way to relax after dinner.

And I still have another Duecento to enjoy ammezzato later.

Cheers!

Sweet Surprises: Perdomo Legacy Father & Son Maduro and Old Elk 10 Year

I must be getting impatient. After a period spent smoking cigars that had been in my humidor for many months, or even years, I’ve turned to some newer acquisitions of late. Recently, I lit up a Perdomo Legacy Father & Son Maduro that had been in the humidor for just seven weeks.

The Perdomo Legacy Father & Son line, available in Maduro, Sun Grown, and Connecticut versions, began shipping to retailers nationwide in August, and I grabbed a few of each right away. The cigars sold out at many retailers within days of their arrival. Although I picked up individual sticks, the limited-edition cigars were packaged in boxes of 50. I wonder how many truly serious aficionados purchased full boxes. 

The Perdomo Legacy Father & Son Maduro features a Nicaraguan Maduro wrapper, with Nicaraguan filler tobaccos from Condega, Estelí, and Jalapa. Perdomo claims the fillers are all from the 2011-2016 harvests. That's some significant age.

Another interesting aspect of the Father & Son is its unusual shape. It’s a box-pressed Gran Figurado, with the ring gauge expanding dramatically through the middle. The listed dimensions are 6 x 48/60/52. The Father & Son lineup is a collaboration between Nick Perdomo Jr. and Nicholas Perdomo III, with Nicholas Perdomo III responsible for blending the Maduro.

After a few minutes spent admiring the cigar’s appearance, I cut the cap and put flame to the foot. The draw was spot-on. The flavors started with creamy earth and cedar, supported by a medium-bodied profile. Medium-roast coffee and pepper soon joined the mix, while a mild sweetness lingered in the background. The character of the well-aged tobacco came through nicely in the smooth, integrated profile.

To complement the aged tobaccos in the cigar, a 10-year-old bourbon seemed like an appropriate choice.

Like the cigar, Old Elk 10-Year Straight Bourbon is an also a new release. Bottled at 105 proof, the bourbon’s mash bill has a high malted barley content, consisting of 51% corn, 34% malted barley, and 15% rye. That high malted-barley content provides an interesting sweet biscuit aspect to the profile.

After getting a feel for the opening notes of the Father & Son Legacy Maduro, I began taking sips of the bourbon between puffs. I found that the cigar brought out an unexpected sweetness in the Old Elk 10 Year. Rather than a simple sugary note, I got an impression of sweet, toasted caramel. The cigar’s darker tobacco character seemed to accentuate that combination of sweetness and roast, making for a particularly enjoyable pairing.

I was struck by the interaction, especially since it differed markedly from my earlier impressions of the Old Elk 10 Year. This is one of the things I most enjoy about exploring cigar and beverage pairings. The perceived flavors of each can be influenced, sometimes dramatically, by the other. Cigars, whiskey, and even food can all make different impressions on the palate as they interact. It makes for some fun and interesting explorations.

Just the other day, I was joking with a friend that there are a few special bourbons I enjoy so much that I’m hesitant to alter the experience by pairing them with a cigar. Hesitant, not resistant.

Despite having spent “only” seven weeks in the humidor, the Perdomo Legacy Father & Son Maduro performed flawlessly. I found the interaction between the cigar and the Old Elk 10-Year Straight Bourbon particularly interesting. I enjoyed the pairing, but I’m now intrigued by the prospect of trying the cigar with some bolder bourbons. Alas, I have only a few of these cigars on hand, so I’ll likely pace myself. The same goes for the Perdomo Legacy Father & Son Sun Grown waiting in the humidor.

Cheers!