Coffee-Flavored Comfort: Undercrown Maduro and the Revolver

Searching for a smoke on a cool evening, I was drawn to the Drew Estate Undercrown Maduro. It’s a cigar I’ve enjoyed many times over the years, though surprisingly I hadn’t reached for one in well over a year. I pulled a stick that had been resting in the humidor for nearly 18 months — further adding to my astonishment that it had been so long since my last one.

I’ve also been on a bit of a Revolver cocktail kick lately. The coffee-forward drink feels especially fitting on a cool evening. Truth be told, I’m a fan of almost anything coffee flavored. The Undercrown Maduro has always paired naturally with a mug of black coffee, so it seemed reasonable that it would work just as well alongside the cocktail.

The Undercrown Maduro is often described as “overlooked” or “under appreciated,” though I’m not sure I agree with those labels. While smoking, I posted a photo to an online cigar forum I frequent, and within minutes several members replied with pictures of the same cigar they were enjoying at that very moment. It hardly seemed forgotten.

The cigar features a Mexican San Andrés maduro wrapper over a Connecticut River Valley Habano binder, with Nicaraguan and Brazilian Mata Fina fillers completing the blend. The result is a medium-to-full-bodied smoke known for notes of espresso, cocoa, earth, and creaminess.  

Even after its long rest in the humidor, the San Andrés wrapper retained a dark, oily sheen. Rich flavors of espresso and cocoa sweetness dominated the profile, while the smoke itself was thick and creamy on the palate.

For the Revolver, I used Four Roses Small Batch Select at 104 proof. The higher-proof bourbon stood up well to the cigar’s richness without being overshadowed. The coffee liqueur amplified the cigar’s espresso and cocoa notes, while the orange bitters and expressed peel added a touch of brightness that kept the pairing from becoming overly heavy.

As I had hoped, the Revolver and the Undercrown Maduro proved to be a natural match. I smoked and sipped slowly, appreciating the interplay of coffee, cocoa, citrus, and sweetness throughout the evening.

Cheers!

Off the Beaten Path: Slow Burn Cigar Co. in Remington

A few weeks ago, I came across a mention online of a cigar lounge in the area that I had never heard of. Intrigued, I looked up Slow Burn Cigar Co. and realized it was just a short drive away in the small town of Remington. Interestingly, I pass through Remington regularly, yet had never had occasion to venture into the quiet rural community itself.

Opened a little over a year ago, Slow Burn occupies a renovated former feed supply store that suits the lounge perfectly. The building’s open layout and high ceilings create an airy, comfortable atmosphere, with ample seating spread throughout the space. Several large air cleaners help to keep the environment fresh. On warm days, additional seating is available on the front porch, offering a relaxed outdoor option for enjoying a cigar.

Owner Len is both welcoming and knowledgeable. Beyond simply running a cigar shop, he is clearly focused on building a destination for enthusiasts by bringing in boutique and harder-to-find cigars. The humidors may not be massive, but they are thoughtfully stocked with a balanced selection that should appeal to a wide range of smokers.

On both of my visits, I enjoyed the shop’s “house blend,” the Farmhouse Blend Maduro. The 6.5 x 52 vitola delivers a flavorful, slow-burning smoke with enough complexity to remain interesting throughout its long session. Slow Burn also participates in monthly releases from the Limited Cigar Association through Privada, giving regulars access to limited and often unique offerings. I look forward to exploring some of those selections on future visits.

Adding to Slow Burn's appeal is its unexpected location. While the surrounding region is heavily populated, Remington itself remains a small rural town of roughly 650 residents, tucked between Warrenton and Culpeper. Finding a dedicated cigar lounge of this quality in such a setting feels like discovering a hidden gem.

Len is actively working to spread the word about the shop, and the sense of community already seems to be taking hold. During my visits, conversations with several regulars added to the welcoming atmosphere. 

After a couple of visits, Slow Burn has already earned a place on my list of regular stops. Though the driving mileage is greater than some other nearby cigar shops, the drive through winding country roads takes about the same amount of time — and is considerably more enjoyable than navigating traffic through town. For cigar smokers in the area, it is well worth the detour.

Cheers!

Bourbon Independence Day: A Toast to America’s Native Spirit

On May 4, 1964, Senate Concurrent Resolution 19 (S. Con. Res. 19) was passed, declaring that bourbon “is a distinctive product of the United States.” With that resolution, Bourbon Whiskey joined the ranks of other regionally protected spirits such as Scotch Whisky, Cognac, and Canadian Whisky — each of which must be produced in their respective countries of origin.

Although bourbon originated in present day Kentucky in the late 1700s — then still part of Virginia — and the vast majority of it is still produced there today, bourbon is now made in all 50 U.S. states.

So, raise a glass (or two) and celebrate Bourbon Independence Day with your favorite pour!

Cheers!

Image from https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/STATUTE-78/pdf/STATUTE-78-Pg1208-2.pdf

A Toast to 10 Million Hits

Musings Over a Barrel is not the most prolific blog on the internet. It has always been a niche blog — that niche being me. Part review site, part experience log, and mostly a journal for me to reminisce over.

One of the most popular pages is the search link, and it’s quite likely many of those hits are my own.

To my surprise, sometime in the last 24 hours, the blog recorded its 10 millionth hit. Granted, that took more than 18 years, but still, it’s a cool milestone.

18+ years and 3,718 posts later, I offer a hearty “thank you” to everyone who spends a few moments of their time reading these ramblings.

Cheers!

A 4,000 Year Old Beer Tab

Researchers at the National Museum of Denmark have interpreted a clay tablet in their collection that records an ancient transaction:

One, which dates back 4,000 years, represents a record of beer being used as a form of payment in the ancient city of Umma, in what is now southern Iraq. It shows beer in various quality and quantities supplied by someone named 'Ayalli'.

It includes a payment of 16 litres of 'high quality beer' and 55 litres of 'ordinary beer', which would have been distributed among a group of workers

Even the earliest civilizations recognized the motivational value of beer.

For more details, see “Ancient BEER tab is discovered on a 4,000-year-old clay tablet.”

Cheers!

Porchside Pairing: Crowned Heads Broadway and New Riff Single Barrel

The end of the week brought delightful weather for sitting outside. On Thursday, I took advantage of it and enjoyed a couple of fine cigars in pleasant outdoor settings.

In the afternoon, I spent a few hours at Slow Burn Cigar Company, a new-to-me shop in Remington. (More on that in a future post.) It was such a nice day that I joined others on the outside porch rather than smoke in the lounge.

After dinner at home, I retired outside to the screened porch to enjoy a Crowned Heads Broadway. 

The Crowned Heads Broadway is a relatively new release from Crowned Heads. Coincidentally, it is the first cigar introduced under the company’s updated branding, with the logo displayed prominently on the primary band and a supplemental band identifying the specific line. I’ve had several of the 4 3/4 x 50 Robusto Extra vitola resting in the humidor for about four months.

The cigar features a dark Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper. The remainder of the blend is Nicaraguan tobacco, incorporating leaf from the Estelí, Jalapa, and Ometepe regions in the filler. That combination creates a rich, savory smoke that opens with notes of espresso, dark cocoa, and black pepper. Occasional but fleeting hints of sweetness emerge throughout.

As the cigar progressed, the pepper intensified and the profile grew bolder. Medium-full bodied at the start, it moved solidly into full-bodied territory during the second half. The final puffs delivered a concentrated wave of black pepper and dark richness.

My original intention was to pour some New Riff Distilling Bottled in Bond with the cigar. When I set the bottle down after pouring, I realized I had grabbed the New Riff Single Barrel by mistake. That worked out just fine — perhaps even better.

New Riff Single Barrel is a high-rye bourbon, offering a pleasant rye-driven kick. This bottle is labeled at 110.3 proof — assertive, but not overwhelming. Rye spice dominates the nose, accompanied by cinnamon, brown sugar, and sweet fruit notes. There is a touch of proof-driven warmth on the palate, though not enough to warrant adding water. Caramel sweetness and dark fruit balance the spice, creating a robust sipping experience.

The pairing, though unintended, turned out to be especially fitting. The bold and spicy New Riff stood up well to the richness of the Broadway, particularly as the cigar’s pepper and espresso notes intensified toward the finish.

As I smoked and sipped, I put on music from the 1960s and ’70s rock band Traffic in honor of the recent passing of founding member Dave Mason. The music stirred a wave of nostalgia and reflection.

The cigar and bourbon, combined with the spring weather and good music, created a serene and relaxing atmosphere — just the right way to get an early start on the weekend.

Cheers!

Montecristo 1935 and the Revolver Cocktail to Fight the Chill

Despite my optimism in de-winterizing the screened porch last week, Mother Nature had other plans. The past few days turned notably cooler, even bringing a couple days of frost warnings. As such, it was a bit chilly when it came time for our Sunday afternoon cocktails and snacks. I assumed we’d retreat indoors, but Colleen suggested we sit out on the porch while I enjoyed a cigar.

I’d been eyeing the Montecristo 1935 Anniversary Nicaragua Toro resting in the humidor for three months now, and decided its full-bodied profile might serve as a fitting counter to the chill.

My first inclination was to pour a bourbon with the cigar, but I opted for a cocktail instead. I settled on the Revolver — a richly flavored mix of bourbon, coffee liqueur, and orange bitters that leans decidedly dessert-like.

The Montecristo 1935 Anniversary Nicaragua Toro is a 6 x 54, softly box-pressed Nicaraguan puro. It was originally released to celebrate Montecristo’s 85th anniversary, with the intent of reimagining the original 1935 Cuban profile using modern Nicaraguan tobaccos. I have enjoyed a few Cuban Montecristos on European trips, I recall only one New World Montecristo prior to this — the milder White Series, which didn’t quite suit my preferences.

The 1935 Anniversary delivers a core of dark roast coffee, earth, and bitter cocoa. A moderate dose of pepper and baking spice — especially on the retrohale — adds definition. In the latter half, notes of leather and malted chocolate emerge. The profile remains rich and well-balanced throughout.

The cigar produced copious amounts of smoke, contributing to its overall richness. Even at rest, it gave off steady plumes — at times bordering on excessive when I was actively smoking.

An exceptionally enjoyable and bold smoke, the Montecristo 1935 Anniversary paired beautifully with the Revolver. The cocktail mirrors the cigar’s espresso and cocoa notes, while the hint of orange lifts and brightens the heavier flavors. The interplay between the drink’s coffee character and the bourbon’s sweetness complemented the cigar particularly well. The dark, warming profile of the cocktail also felt right at home in the cool air.

The Montecristo 1935 Anniversary Nicaragua has received high praise, including recognition as the #2 Cigar of the Year from Cigar Aficionado in 2021. Priced in the mid-range, it delivers an exceptional smoking experience. It’s one I could easily see adding to the humidor for special occasions — or simply for a rewarding late-day smoke.

Cooler weather is set to linger through the week, but with dark, bold pairings like this, that hardly seems like a hardship. Before long, I’ll be reaching for lighter, more refreshing combinations — but for now, this suits just fine.

Cheers!

Bourbon, Beef, and Cigars — All for a Good Cause

Enjoying smoked meat, whiskey, cigars, and good company is never a bad thing. Add in a great cause, and the enjoyment is all the greater. Such was the case this past Saturday evening, when I attended an event benefiting the Paul Stefan Foundation.

The Paul Stefan Foundation supports pregnant women in need, along with their children. By providing access to healthcare, housing, and skills training, the organization helps vulnerable women build a better life for their families. For two decades the organization has been providing a critical and, literally, life-saving service in the local community.

This was the fourth year I’ve attended this fun event to support the foundation, while also enjoying camaraderie, excellent food and drink, and, of course, cigars. As an indication of just how much there is to enjoy, this was the first year I actually remembered to pull out my phone and take a few photos — most of them hurriedly snapped near the end of the evening.

Held at the farm of a supporter, the centerpiece of the evening is a long table laden with smoked meats — beef, pork, chicken — along with the usual sides. Much of the meat is prepared by another supporter, and the smoked brisket is consistently among the best I’ve had.

The whiskey and bourbon selection is always diverse, often featuring a few elusive bottles. This year, I gravitated toward the E.H. Taylor Small Batch — at least until it ran dry. The bar also includes other spirits, mixers, bitters, and garnishes, along with a cocktail book for those looking to experiment.

There’s usually a modest selection of cigars available, and this year included offerings from Drew Estate, Padrón, and Fuente. I also brought a few from my own humidor to enjoy or share. With a strong turnout of cigar smokers this year, many others did the same. I started the evening with a Liga Privada H99 Flying Pig — one of my favorites — and later lit up a Micallef Red Robusto I had brought along.

As the evening wore on, a large bonfire was lit, drawing a crowd that lingered well into the night. In years past, I’ve stayed late into those hours, but this time I made an early-ish exit, despite the still lively gathering.

Most of my cigar smoking is a solitary pursuit, so I especially value opportunities like this. Throughout the evening, I enjoyed reconnecting with old friends and making new acquaintances. Cigars, food, and drink naturally foster good company — but when there’s a shared sense of purpose behind it all, the experience is elevated all the more.

Cheers!