Sunday Deck Cocktails: Mandarin Bourbon Smash

With the return of pleasant weather, our tradition of Sunday cocktails on the deck is back in full swing. While I generally prefer my bourbon neat, I always look forward to these afternoons of relaxed conversation with my wife. Recently, I came across a recipe for the Mandarin Bourbon Smash. It sounded both tasty and, just as importantly, simple to make — so I saved it for later use.

Mandarin Bourbon Smash

• 1 Mandarin Orange
• 1 tsp. Sugar
• .75 oz Lemon Juice
• .75 oz Aperal
• 2 oz Bourbon
• Club Soda

Muddle the mandarin orange (retaining one segment for later) and sugar in mixing glass. Add the lemon juice, Aperal, and Bourbon and shake over ice. Strain into a rocks glass with ice. Top off the glass with Club Soda, stir gently, and garnish with the Mandarin slice.

For this cocktail, I selected Belle Meade Sour Mash Straight Bourbon. The light, citrus-forward profile of the drink seemed to call for a “soft” bourbon, and this 90.4 proof whiskey—with its mild character and touch of spice — fit the bill. While I don’t find the Belle Meade particularly compelling as a straight sipper, it performs well here.

We found the Mandarin Bourbon Smash to be an enjoyable and refreshing cocktail. I expect it’ll make more appearances this summer, especially on hot afternoons.

As a snack, we kept things simple with some potato chips. Their saltiness paired nicely with the citrus and bitter notes of the drink. Chips are, after all, a staple when enjoying an apéritif at bars in Italy.

I also enjoyed a cigar with the drink — as usual. I initially lit a Gurkha Cellar Reserve 15 Year 10th Anniversary from my humidor, but it turned out to be a poor pairing, and lacking in flavor overall. I set it aside and reached for a trusted favorite: the Crowned Heads Le Caréme, specifically the limited edition Pastelitos LE 2023. The Le Caréme proved to be a far more satisfying match.

Cheers!

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An Evening with Perdomo 30th Anniversary Maduro and Henry McKenna

I’ve been working through some of the older cigars in my humidor lately. The medium- to full-bodied cigars I prefer tend to lose a bit of their zing after too long a rest. However, this past Friday evening was an exception. Some of my newer acquisitions were calling to me — specifically the Perdomo 30th Anniversary Maduro, which I picked up in mid-March. After a seven-week rest in the humidor, I decided it was time to light one up.

The Perdomo 30th Anniversary Maduro is a stick I’d been eager to try. They’re somewhat limited and not easy to come by. Released in 2023 to commemorate Perdomo Cigars’ 30th anniversary, this cigar joins the ranks of the brand’s other celebratory smokes. I’ve previously enjoyed the 10th and 25th Anniversary releases and had high expectations for this one.

The softly box-pressed Robusto measures 5 x 54. It features an attractive, dark brown Nicaraguan maduro wrapper that’s been aged in bourbon barrels for 15 years. The binder and filler are also Nicaraguan, with some of the tobaccos aged up to 15 years as well. A large, colorful band with gold accents enhances the cigar’s festive presentation.

The smoke opens with rich notes of espresso and dark chocolate, underscored by a touch of black pepper. As the cigar progresses, a background spiciness of pepper and cedar lingers. Soon, flavors of dark fruit join the mix, complementing the chocolate and bitter espresso. Later in the session, a creamy sweetness emerges. The Perdomo 30th Anniversary Maduro delivers a balanced and thoroughly enjoyable smoking experience.

To accompany the cigar, I poured a glass of Henry McKenna 10-Year Single Barrel Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon. My current bottle was barreled on October 17, 2012, and purchased in April 2023. It had been a while since I last poured from it, but it’s a bourbon I always enjoy..

At the mandated 100 proof, this Bottled in Bond bourbon opens with aromas of caramel and vanilla, with a hint of fruitiness. The palate follows through with a pleasant blend of caramel and vanilla sweetness, balanced by a peppery rye spice that keeps the sweeter notes in check. Henry McKenna fits right in to the textbook "classic bourbon" profile.

Being a single barrel product, flavor can vary between bottles, but I’ve enjoyed every one I’ve tried. There was a time when it sold for around $25 a bottle. After it won Best in Show Whiskey at the 2019 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, its popularity surged and availability dropped — despite the fact that bottles on shelves weren’t likely from the (unnamed) award-winning barrel. For years, it was an allocated selection in Virginia. Nowadays, expect to pay around $60 and up.

The spring evening weather was perfect — mild and pleasant, with low humidity — which only enhanced the enjoyment of the cigar and bourbon. I cherish these early warm evenings in Virginia. The Perdomo 30th Anniversary Maduro was such a pleasurable smoke that I nearly forgot about my bourbon — though it, too, was a delight. The cigar lasted just over an hour, though it felt like much less. I smoked it down to the nub I could no longer hold, still wishing for just a bit more. 

Cheers!

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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 may have originated in Kentucky — 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

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Five O'Clock Friday: Decision Time

When it's finally the weekend, but you're undecided.

*randomly collected internet image -- credit will be given upon request

Cheers!

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Porchside Reviews: Angel’s Envy Triple Oak and Aganorsa Leaf Aniversario

We had a busy weekend in front of us, packed with activities with friends and family — and no small amount of driving. But Friday offered a quiet opportunity to sit on the front porch and relax before all the activity began.

Perusing my bourbon options, I selected a bottle of Angel’s Envy Triple Oak Bourbon for the evening’s pour. As for the cigar, I debated a bit before settling on an Aganorsa Leaf Aniversario Maduro Toro. Refreshments in hand, I headed outside to the sound of rainfall. Fortunately, the front porch offers good cover from the elements. 

The Aganorsa Leaf Aniversario Maduro is a cigar I picked up back in February during a visit to the Long Ridge Cigar Lounge. Once a limited edition, it’s now a regular offering in the Aganorsa lineup. The 6 x 54 box-pressed Toro is a Nicaraguan puro, featuring a Nicaraguan Shade Grown Maduro wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and fillers, all cultivated on Aganorsa’s own farms. The black and silver bands, along with a tissue paper sleeve, add an elegant touch to the cigar’s appearance — but of course, you can’t smoke the packaging.

The Aniversario Maduro delivered notes of dark chocolate and coffee, with a toffee-like sweetness balancing the profile. I didn’t detect as much pepper spice as I recalled from a previous cigar, though that difference might be due to the time of day; this was an evening smoke, whereas the earlier one was enjoyed in the morning.

Initially, the cigar struggled to maintain good smoke output. I needed to double- and triple-puff frequently, and touch flame to the foot a few times. Fortunately, about an inch and a half in, the burn stabilized and the smoke output became plentiful and flavorful all the way to the finish.

Angel’s Envy Triple Oak Bourbon is a new release from the distillery, debuting in late 2024. The unique finishing process begins with an initial maturation of four to six years in new American white oak barrels. Afterward, the aged bourbon is portioned to undergo secondary finishing in three different oak casks: 20% in French Oak for at least three months, 40% in Chinkapin Oak for at least six months, and 40% in Hungarian Oak for six or more months. This kind of complex blending and aging is still somewhat rare in the industry. Barrell Bourbon and Old Elk are two other producers that do similar blending, and as a fan of both, I held high hopes for this Angel’s Envy expression.

On the nose, faint aromas of spiced cookies and vanilla emerged. On the palate, the bourbon was somewhat dry and oak-forward, offering hints of cinnamon, vanilla, and tobacco, along with a mild caramel sweetness. Despite the oak-heavy profile, the Triple Oak Bourbon is well-balanced. At a moderate 92 proof, it’s an easy sipper. Even better, it appears to be readily available in most markets.

The pairing of Angel’s Envy Triple Oak Bourbon and the Aganorsa Leaf Aniversario Maduro made for a richly flavorful combination. As the gentle rain continued, I was entertained by the buzzing of hummingbirds visiting the feeder just behind my head. The diminutive birds seemed unbothered by my presence.

Cheers!

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Old Elk and All Saints: A Backyard Review

When a friend was visiting last week, we spent some time outside enjoying an afternoon smoke and drink. In selecting a cigar, I kept the recently deceased Pontiff in mind and chose the All Saints St. Francis to honor him. When then-Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected Pope, he chose the name Francis in homage to St. Francis of Assisi—after whom this cigar is named.

The All Saints St. Francis is rich with Catholic imagery. The dominant symbol on the band—a gold cross on a white shield with red trim — is the Cross of Saint James. Fittingly, St. James is the patron saint of Nicaragua, where this cigar is crafted at the Rocky Patel Tavicusa factory. The band also bears the Latin phrase “Pax et Bonum,” meaning “Peace and Goodness” — the traditional greeting of St. Francis of Assisi.

To accompany the cigar, I poured some Old Elk Cigar Cut Bourbon. It’s one of the few bottles I actually “nurse,” indulging only on special occasions. Generally, I believe bourbon — like cigars — is meant to be enjoyed, not shelved. But when it’s something I particularly enjoy and it’s hard to find, I try to make it last.

The St. Francis cigars have been resting in my humidor for just over six months. This box-pressed 5 1/2 x 50 stick features an Ecuadorian Oscuro wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and fillers. It’s a medium-to-full-bodied smoke with notes of black coffee, chocolate, and black pepper. At times, the coffee leaned more toward espresso, and the chocolate toward cocoa.

I found the profile more balanced than I remembered from the fall when I last smoked one. The pepper had mellowed, letting the coffee/espresso and dark chocolate notes shine through. The burn was occasionally wavy, and we both had to relight our cigars a few times.

The Old Elk Cigar Cut Bourbon was a treat to savor. It’s a masterful blend of bourbons finished in a variety of casks: Sherry (1.5 years), Armagnac (1.25 years), Port (3–8 months), and Cognac (3–6 months). It greets the nose with inviting aromas of caramel, vanilla, toasted oak, and spiced fruit. The palate offers layers of dark chocolate, toffee, and baking spices, with subtle notes of tobacco and leather lingering on the finish. As a fan of port- and sherry-finished bourbons with cigars, I found the added complexity from the multiple cask finishes especially pleasing.

We enjoyed our smokes and sips in the backyard beside the unlit fire pit. The screen porch and deck are still under renovation, but the yard itself was peaceful — the moderate temperature, light breeze, and low humidity made for an ideal setting. 

Cheers!

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Five O'Clock Friday: Sensible Budgeting

I'll admit it. This is exactly my thought process when shopping. However, cigars and bourbon bring me way more joy than any utilitarian purchase ever could.

*randomly collected internet image -- credit will be given upon request

Cheers!

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Smoke and Spice: Rojas Street Tacos Cinco de Mayo 2025

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!

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