Mass, Music, and a Wee Dram: St. Patrick’s Day

Lá fhéile Pádraig sona dhaoibh!

It’s that time of year when a saint revered by many — especially in the Irish Catholic community — is embraced by people of all backgrounds. As a Catholic of Irish descent, I can find little fault with people bettering themselves. :-)

This year, the feast day falls on a weekday — as odds usually have it. Another blessing of retirement is that doesn't much matter. 

I’m writing this before we begin our celebration — for good reason, probably. But I can confidently predict the schedule of events. For us, the day will begin with Mass, as it’s our parish’s patronal feast day. I’m told Mass will be followed by Irish music and treats in the parish hall. We typically avoid the pubs on this day. However, if the weather cooperates later in the afternoon, perhaps we'll head off to a local brewery for some Red Ale and more music.

I don't doubt I'll enjoy a wee pour or three of Irish Whiskey in the evening. In our house, there’s always homemade Irish Soda Bread and Irish Beef Stew (made with potatoes and served over mashed potatoes.) 

While you’re in the midst of your celebrations, I hope you’ll take a moment to think about the man behind the Feast Day. Whether you accept the traditions associated with St. Patrick’s life or not, there’s no denying the good he did. Some of the stories can’t be proven — but they can’t be disproven either.

Kidnapped as a young boy and sold into slavery in Ireland, Patrick grew to love the Irish people. Later in life — around the age of 60 — Saint Patrick returned to Ireland to teach and convert the people he had come to see as his own. Certainly that is worthy of our respect.

Our family has long had a devotion to St. Patrick. That admiration was made all the more tangible when we were blessed to make two pilgrimages to the Emerald Isle, in 2012 and again in 2019. During those visits I was reminded just how much the Irish love Patrick. Over there, he’s far more than just a marketing gimmick.

Each year it seems necessary to remind some people (and the marketing dweebs) that St. Patrick was a man — not a woman. His name is Patrick, which comes from the Irish, Pádraig. Shorten his name to Paddy if you truly must. But we do not, under any circumstances, celebrate “St. Patty’s Day.” Patty is short for Patricia — a lovely name, for  a woman, but not his.

Let’s all celebrate the memory of St. Patrick. Enjoy a toast or two and some good food. There’s nothing wrong with bringing a little revelry into the world; God knows we need it. I enjoy a good party as much as anyone and I can appreciate a good Irish drinking joke. Drink your green beer if you must. Dress up in silly clothes if it suits you. (But remember: St. Patrick was a man, not a leprechaun.)

Still, remember the reason for the feast. Take a moment to honor the man and all the good he did. In our house we'll raise a drink of uisce beatha — the water of life — and say a prayer in honor of St. Patrick and his beloved Ireland. These days, as Ireland navigates profound cultural shifts — from the rapid secularization of a once deeply Catholic nation, to the challenges brought by immigration and an evolving national identity — the people of Ireland could use St. Patrick’s courage and clarity more than ever.

All the children of Ireland cry out to thee:

Come, O Holy Patrick, and save us!

Cold Snap Pairing: Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout & CAO Flathead V660

A late-winter cold snap rolled back into Virginia last week, reminding us that spring’s recent tease wasn’t ready to commit just yet. The afternoon air this weekend carried just enough bite to make a big stout feel like the right call, so I dug into the dark corner of the basement storage for an old bottle of Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout. A beer that rich and dark demands a cigar with some muscle, and the CAO Flathead V660 seemed a natural companion. With its broad ring gauge and reputation for notes of cocoa, coffee, and molasses sweetness, it seemed well suited to stand up to the deep roasted character of the stout.

The Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout was bottled for the Winter 2009–2010 season. Opening the dusty bottle, I was immediately greeted with rich aromas of dark chocolate and sweet molasses. A thin head formed in the glass, confirming the bottle had remained tightly capped after some sixteen years.

Upon sipping, a rich dark chocolate flavor greets the palate, accompanied by a moderate dose of espresso. A mild roasted note remains, though it’s not as pronounced as I recall from younger bottles. The 10% ABV is well masked and easily overlooked. Brewer Garrett Oliver once described this beer as “the ultimate dessert beer.” That’s a fitting description indeed.

The CAO Flathead V660 proved well suited to stand up to the stout’s rich character. The cigar had been resting in my humidor for about three years, its chocolate-hued Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper still oily and pliable. An Ecuadorian Connecticut binder and Nicaraguan fillers complete the blend in this box-pressed 6 x 60 stick.

The V660 is a full-bodied smoke, opening with a rich coffee and cocoa base. Sweet hints of dark fruit and molasses balance the coffee bitterness, while an occasional note of pepper adds complexity. The cigar is bold yet balanced, delivering a surprisingly smooth smoking experience. The large ring gauge produces ample smoke through an open draw.

The CAO Flathead V660 held its own against the rich Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout, the two settling into an easy harmony of cocoa, coffee, and a touch of molasses sweetness. The pairing felt perfect for the cool afternoon. A plate of cheese and crackers completed the repast as clouds gradually moved in toward evening.

Although the cold snap prompted the desire for a rich stout, the afternoon on the porch was quite pleasant. Even with the windows open for ventilation, we enjoyed an “indoor” temperature in the mid-60s. In the coming days we’re expecting more dramatic temperature swings, along with the severe weather such changes often bring. Still, the last vestiges of winter are — albeit begrudgingly — slowly giving way to spring.

Cheers!

Spring’s Hit and Run: Room 101 Hit & Run Redux with Old Forester 1920

Well, that tease of Spring was nice while it lasted. On Thursday the thermometer went from 80 to 35 like it spotted the sheriff behind the billboard. The winter blast even dropped a few inches of snow. By Friday evening the sun was shining, the snow was gone, but the thermometer still hovered in the low 50s. Despite it all, it was still warm enough for a sip and a smoke on the porch.

I lit up a Room 101 Hit and Run Redux that had been resting in my humidor since last July, and poured a bit of Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style Bourbon to enjoy alongside it. Given how the weather had bolted from spring back to winter in less than a day, the cigar’s Hit and Run name felt especially appropriate.

The Hit and Run Redux is a medium-to-full bodied smoke with a Mexican San Andrés Maduro wrapper, Ecuadorian Sumatra binder, and USA Pennsylvania Broadleaf and Nicaraguan Criollo ’98 filler leaves. This 6 × 50 Toro has a slick, dark wrapper and a nearly seamless appearance.

A mix of sweetness and pepper kicked off the smoke, soon joined by notes of bitter espresso and dark chocolate. There was also a faint edge of minerality in the profile that was a bit off-putting in an otherwise smooth and flavorful cigar.

The Old Forester 1920 proved a fitting companion. Notes of cherry, dark chocolate, caramel, and maple sweetness — along with a robust oak char and its healthy 115 proof — stood up well to the cigar’s bold character.

A steady wind roared through the treetops and pushed a cool breeze through the open porch window. Even so, the evening was a pleasant one. The return of colder weather was disappointing, though certainly not a surprise. Around here, March rarely settles on a season for long.

Still, a good cigar, a solid pour of bourbon, and a little time on the porch make even a fickle Virginia spring feel just about right.

Cheers!

A Sunset Smoke: Tatuaje Cojonu 2018 and Amaretto

Sunday marked the beginning of Daylight Saving Time. We moved the clocks forward, taking an hour of light from the morning and adding it to the evening. Of course, the length of the day itself isn’t affected and nothing is truly “saved,” but it’s a welcome change in my book. I don’t mind drinking my morning coffee in the dim light of early day, and I certainly appreciate enjoying my evening smoke before and during sunset — or at least getting a good start before darkness settles in.

With temperatures in the low 70s after the Sunday evening meal, I grabbed a Tatuaje Cojonu 2018 Broadleaf from the humidor, poured myself an Amaretto digestif, and stepped outside to enjoy the fading day.

The Cojonu 2018 had been resting in the humidor for the past three months. I’m a fan of Tatuaje cigars, and frankly I’m a bit surprised it sat that long. The 5 5/8 x 54 stick features a rounded box press and is cloaked in an oily, USA-grown Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper. Nicaraguan tobaccos make up the binder and filler. The blend reportedly contains a generous amount of ligero and higher-priming wrapper leaves, adding both body and strength.

The smoke begins with a robust mix of cedar, espresso, and dark cocoa. As the cigar settles in, an undercurrent of sweetness emerges to balance the profile. By the end of the roughly 75-minute smoke, the pepper note moves back to the forefront. The cigar delivers full body, yet remains balanced and flavorful throughout.

The almond sweetness of the Disaronno Amaretto contrasted with the opening notes of the Cojonu 2018 — though not unpleasantly. As the smoke progressed, I found the sweet liqueur softened the cigar’s peppery edge somewhat, making for an enjoyable and flavorful pairing.

As I savored the drink and cigar, the sun slowly slipped below the horizon and the low-angled light warmed the porch in its final moments. While enjoying the spring-like weather, I couldn’t help but notice the grass around the house beginning to green. At the same time, our local deer herd strolled in to nibble on the fresh shoots.

Such is the cycle of spring.

 

Cheers!

Daffodils, Negronis, and a Sunday on the Porch

The signs of Spring continue to reveal themselves in small but welcome ways. I was delighted last week to see the first daffodils sprouting from the ground.

Even more welcome was the return of our Sunday Aperitivo on the porch.

It has been some four months since we moved our Sunday tradition indoors for the winter. While the drinks and pre-dinner snacks remain the same, enjoying them outside allows me to enjoy a cigar at the same time. For the new season’s opening salvo, I paired a Negroni with the My Father Le Bijou 1922 Petit Robusto. The shorter smoking time was a concession to the remaining chill in the air.

Soon those daffodils will bloom and outdoor dining will resume in earnest. It can’t happen too soon.

Cheers!

The First Long Smoke of Spring: Liga Privada H99 & Bulleit Bottled in Bond

Spring — at least the meteorological version — arrived in force late this week, bringing with it temperatures warm enough to lure me into the yard for needed chores. It was actually refreshing to begin the winter cleanup, which includes pruning a good deal of shrub damage from the extreme cold weather a month ago. It’s an ongoing project, but one I’m thankful the weather, and my health, allow me to undertake.

By evening, it was time for a sip and smoke on the porch. With plenty of free time and a cooperative thermometer, I opted for a long smoke. The Liga Privada H99 in Corona Doble is a cigar I enjoy infrequently — the 7” x 54 vitola is a two-hour-plus commitment. Some Bulleit Bottled in Bond Bourbon was poured to accompany the cigar.

The H99 Corona Doble comes from a box purchased in May 2024 as a retirement gift to me, from me. At the time it was promoted as an event-only vitola, and I picked up plenty of extra swag with the purchase. I now see the cigar listed for sale by some online retailers.

The cigar gets its name from the H99 Connecticut Corojo hybrid wrapper. The leaf is a cross between Stalk-Cut Habano and Corojo ’99 tobacco seeds grown in the Connecticut River Valley by a single farm specifically for Drew Estate. A Mexican San Andrés Negro binder encases filler tobaccos grown in Nicaragua, Honduras, and Pennsylvania. The long cigar is smooth and solidly rolled.

Despite a somewhat loose draw, the plentiful smoke opened with hints of pepper and lightly toasted bread. A brown sugar sweetness gradually builds and joins a core of dark chocolate, coffee, and graham cracker. The cigar exhibits a medium body, building to near full in the second half.

Knowing I was in for a long smoking session, the 100-proof Bulleit Bottled in Bond Bourbon made a suitable companion. This first bottled-in-bond release from Bulleit debuted in early 2024. The whiskey was aged for seven years — well beyond the four years mandated by the Bottled in Bond Act of 1897.

The bourbon leans toward rye spice rather than classic bourbon sweetness, both on the nose and the palate. However, that spice is moderate and well balanced with the rest of the profile. Rye, vanilla, and sweet chocolate greet the nose upon pouring. On the sip, vibrant rye spice is layered with balancing vanilla and maple sweetness on the tongue. A hint of dried fruit adds further complexity.

As expected, the Bulleit and H99 proved to be an exemplary pairing. The cigar treated me to an amazing two hours and forty-five minutes of smoking pleasure. Even with a bit of breeze wafting through the now-opened windows on the porch, the spring-like balm contributed to the enjoyable evening. For a while, I even forgot about the remaining winter yard cleanup waiting to be done — a problem for another day

Cheers!

Smoke, Bourbon, and a Season About to Change

Spring continues to tease us here in Virginia. Winter is far from finished, yet hints of the new season are unmistakable. Bluebirds sing from the trees, daffodils push through the mulch, and cigars are occasionally enjoyed without the need for heavy coats or supplemental heat. And still, stubborn piles of snow linger from the storm four weeks ago.

Saturday evening, I ventured out to the porch to relax with a cigar and was pleasantly surprised to find the propane heater unnecessary. In fact, I left my jacket inside and settled in wearing only a light sweatshirt — a small but welcome concession to the changing season.

The cigar for this mild evening was the E.P. Carrillo Allegiance Confidant, the last remaining from a June 2024 purchase. The Confidant vitola is a 6” x 52, slightly rounded box-pressed toro, wrapped in an oily, smooth Ecuadorian Sumatra leaf. Nicaraguan tobaccos comprise the binder and fillers. The cigar was blemish-free and expertly rolled, with a firm but comfortable feel in hand.

The opening delivered a burst of cedar and pepper. As the cigar warmed, notes of roasted nuts and espresso emerged, complementing the persistent cedar. A gentle peppery spice lingered in the background — present but never dominant. Medium-bodied throughout, it proved an easy companion for the evening sip of bourbon.

My pairing drink was Blade and Bow Bourbon, bottled at 91 proof. Balanced and flavorful, it complemented the cigar without overshadowing it. Notes of caramel, light orchard fruit, and mild baking spice greeted the palate, with a relatively short finish that invited the next draw from the cigar.

Even after sunset, the temperature remained agreeable for porch sitting. The smoke lasted about 80 minutes — hardly lengthy, but a welcome respite from the recent cold. The forecast promises more of Virginia’s familiar temperature swings in the coming weeks, yet even that volatility signals that spring is drawing near.

Cheers!

A Celebrated Pairing: Rocky Patel Emerald & New Riff Bottled-in-Bond

The weather cooperated nicely for my observance of National Cigar Day last Friday, with daytime temperatures climbing into the low 60s. The thermometer dipped after sunset, but the mild afternoon led to the porch far more welcoming later in the day. With the heater set on low — and not positioned directly at my feet for a change— I settled into a comfortable evening. The respite was especially welcome, as it had been a full week since I’d last enjoyed a relaxing smoke.

To mark the occasion, I selected a Rocky Patel Emerald in the Robusto vitola. I had picked up a few Emeralds just weeks earlier and decided to light one up without the customary extended rest in the humidor. I’d smoked one last fall but failed to jot down any notes. With the cigar recently named one of Cigar Aficionado’s Top Cigars of 2025, I was curious to revisit it with a more attentive approach.

As with many offerings from Rocky Patel Premium Cigars, much of the stick is initially concealed beneath ornate bands and decorative wrapping. Once the glossy green sleeve is removed, a smooth Ecuadorian wrapper is revealed. Beneath that lies a complex construction: dual binders from Mexico and Nicaragua encasing a filler blend of Honduran and Nicaraguan tobaccos. The 5½ x 50 cigar is sharply box-pressed into a rectangular form, the narrow edge measuring closer to a 40 ring gauge in feel.

The cigar was densely packed and firm to the touch. The cold draw leaned tighter than I prefer, though I was hopeful it would open as it warmed. Described as on the “lighter side of medium,” the Emerald opened with a moderately robust burst of espresso and dark coffee. That initial intensity quickly settled into a pleasing balance. The coffee notes remained at the core, joined by leather and a gentle sweetness that rounded the profile.

The draw did loosen somewhat as the cigar progressed, though it remained slightly snug throughout. Smoke output was occasionally restrained, yet the flavor never felt lacking. Despite the extreme box-press, the burn line remained even and required no relights — even after a brief step away from the porch.

Top 25 lists are, of course, subjective — cigars are deeply personal experiences. Rankings aside, the Emerald proved to be a thoroughly enjoyable smoke.

To accompany the cigar, I reached for a bottle of New Riff Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon. Coincidentally — or perhaps not — this bourbon has also garnered recent accolades. (Truth be told, the award-themed pairing was intentional.) At the 2026 World Whiskies Awards, it was named World’s Best Bourbon. Awards can be taken with a grain of salt, but they do have a way of tightening supply and nudging prices upward.

With that in mind, I secured a bottle at its still-reasonable sub-$40 price. The 100-proof bourbon is aged at least four years in new, charred and toasted 53-gallon American oak barrels, adhering to the Bottled-in-Bond Act. Its high-rye mash bill — approximately 65% corn, 30% rye, and 5% malted barley — promises both sweetness and spice.

On the nose, rich vanilla and butterscotch rise readily, accompanied by a pronounced rye spice. The palate delivers caramel and vanilla sweetness layered with lively rye character. The finish lingers with notes of candied dark fruit and warming spice — long enough to satisfy, yet never overwhelming.

Together, these two award recipients formed a harmonious pairing. The well-packed cigar delivered an impressive 110 minutes of smoking time, allowing nearly two hours of unhurried sipping, reflection, and enjoyment of the mild evening air. After a week of cold weather and crowded obligations, the extended porch time felt less like indulgence and more like restoration.

Cheers!