Saturday, March 31, 2007

5 Vegas Gran Reserva Double Corona

6 X 48, Natural


I don't really feel like writing a full review of this cigar today, but it really did need mentioned. This very firmly packed stogie was another one of the revelations in my recent run of revisiting Natural Wrappered Cigars. It burned beautifully, and the draw was just right. The volumes of smoke revealed flavors of tangyness and rich sweetness, natural one, like honey and raw cane sugar. There was also just enough spice to keep it from being cloying. I really have to keep a more open mind selecting cigars to try, because there definately still are light wrappered stogies out there worth my time.

TomC

Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage \'90

(yes I realize this is a 1993 vintage bottle, but dammit the 1990 bottle looks the same!)


Name (full): Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 1990

Barreled Date: September 18, 1990

Barrel #: 343

Proof: 86.6

Price: $23.10 @ Marion County State Store, Marion, OH.

Bottle: A Sleek , Curvaceous, black wax sealed bottle with a minimalist label. The front says “Kentucky’s Firsts Distiller: Put in Oak in the Autumn of 1990”. The Back label explains the Integrity of a Single Barrel Bourbon & then there is the hand written barrel date and #. It says “Distilled & Bottled by Old Evan Williams Distillery, Bardstown, Nelson County, Kentucky 40004.”.

Color: A very pretty red toned amber. Quite Inviting.

Mash Bill: From what I can gather all Heaven Hill Bourbons are Corn 75% Rye 13% Malted Barley 12%.

Nose: Maple, Mint, Damp Wood, Wispy Smoke, Pine Knotholes, Burnt Sap. . . At the same time fresh & grassy-like.

Taste: Subtle. Some of the smoke and Pine carry over. As well as Baked Apples and sap. I hate to use the work cause I think it is silly, but this bourbon is SPRIGHTLY , in a good way. The tastes are hard to describe, but refreshing.

Finish: Medium, but coating and pleasant. Quite yummy. (maybe just a little too short for me).
Mouth feel: Medium but not very viscous smooth and pleasant, refreshing.

Conclusions:.
First I gotta say I had one helluva time with this tasting and that I am still not satisfied with it but will have to be, because after 6 different tasting samples, the bottle is now empty !!!!! That said, I really enjoyed this bourbon because it is a decided break from almost all the other bourbons that I have bought so far. This Is a good example of how there are bourbons for just about every mood. There are some days when you just don’t want Huge and Creamy like Woodford Reserve or something with a bunch of big flavors, like Elijah Craig 12, and on those days this bourbon is the thing for me. It is really a good refreshing bourbon to have on warm summer days, who says whiskey can’t adapt to the heat.


So I Hope I didn't blow it totally,



TomC

Friday, March 30, 2007

Padron 1926 Serie No. 35




4 X 47 Sun Grown Maduro

I finally got an opportunity to try one of these cigars! Among the cigar lovers I associate/speak with, very few lines of cigars generate quite as much positive reviews/hype as the Padron 1926 line, which intrigued me more than even the line itself. I have long wondered whether my personal experience regarding this stogie would be as transcendant as everyone elses. Well now I had the chance to find out.

One of the first thing that strikes you about this ciagr is something common to every Padron Cigar I have had, no makker what the price point. Impeccable construction. I have never had a Padron cigar that has ever looked shoddy or burned badly because of a construction problem. (I once had one that was plugged very early on in my smoking experience, but upon further review, decided that was a storage issue by the local B & M and not Padrons fault). This one was no different. A rich dark Chocolate brown wrapper adorns this firm box pressed gem. It burned razor straight and produced a firm holding ash as pure as the driven snow. It made for a beautiful contrast. The draw was easy but not oo much so, procduce a volumnous amount of snow. This cigar also burned quite cool which helped in the appreciation of the subtle nuances involved.

This cigars is mighty effing tasty. It just needed said. it started a little spicy (and woody, cedar notes maybe?) but after 1/2 inch it was rich and creamy and full, chocolate and cinnamon, almost drinkable. about halfway it built steam and gained strength with some tobaccoey depth and leather, but never reliquishing that Mocha Creamy taste. The beauty of this cigar is the experience was in constant flux, always lovely little notes waftng in and out, but built on this lovely creamy unchanging base. One thing I was worried about at first was that this 4 inch cigar would be too fleeting an experience, but at one hour and fifteen minutes, it wound up being a long languid experience.

Nedless to say, this is one true gem of a cigar that lives up to every last bit of the hype. If you get a chance to try one, do not pass it up.

TomC

The 66th Best TEAM!

We now have the winner of the Men's NIT Tournament, the 66th best team in the country:

The University of West Virginia Mountianeers!
They managed to defeat the Clemson Tigers 78-73, to win the tourney. Now lets hear it everyone!


YAAAAAAAWN!


TomC

Thursday, March 29, 2007

Why Being a Video Game Geek Isn't Too Bad After All...(Part Trois)

G4 seems to have the formula down. Gaming and tech info, and lovely ladies:

Morgan Ailis Webb (born October 5, 1978, near Toronto, Ontario, Canada) is co-host and senior segment producer of the G4 television program X-Play and "The Gaming Goddess" of FHM, where she used to contribute a monthly video game column.

Kristin Holt (born August 17, 1981 in Plano, TX) is a television personality and entertainment news correspondent. She is most noted as the current host of G4's Cheat!, a television show dedicated to video game cheats and strategies; she also substitutes hosting roles for the network's other shows. She also was an American Idol semi-finalist during its first season. In the second season of American Idol, she was hired by FOX to replace Brian Dunkleman as co-host, however, on premiere night, she found out that the producers edited most of her footage out of the show, and she was later credited as correspondent for the show instead.
Blair Butler (born in Fairway, Kansas) is a dedicated comic book aficionado, a stand-up comic, and a host for a segment called Fresh Ink on the G4 program, Attack of the Show. Butler is also a stand-up comedian featured on Premium Blend on Comedy Central and appeared in the Top 10 Games special on MTV.


TomC

Tessie - Dropkick Murphys

"Tessie" is the title of a Broadway song, as well as another song about how the singing of "Tessie" helped the Boston Red Sox win the first World Series in 1903. The name Tessie itself is a diminutive form used with several names, including Esther, Tess, and Theresa.

The original version of "Tessie (You Are the Only, Only, Only)" was written by Will R. Anderson and was featured in the Broadway musical The Silver Slipper, which ran for 160 performances between October 27, 1902 and March 14, 1903. The song was about a woman singing to her beloved parakeet "Tessie".

While a popular tune, the song gained greater notoriety when it was adopted as a rallying cry by the Royal Rooters, a collection of loyal Southie fans led by Michael "Nuff Said" McGreevy, owner of the 3rd Base saloon. (McGreevy earned his nickname "'Nuff Said" due to the way he kept peace in his bar; when he grew frustrated with arguments over the Red Sox and the Boston Braves, he would pound his hand on the bar and declare "Nuff Said!") Boston Mayor John "Honey Fitz" Fitzgerald, grandfather of President John F. Kennedy, was another member of the Royal Rooters.

After the first four games of the 1903 World Series, Boston was down 1-3 to the Pittsburgh Pirates. (It was a best of 9 series; 5 wins were needed to win the series.) The Royal Rooters began rallying their team with every song they could think of; ultimately "Tessie" helped win the day. Pittsburgh outfielder Tommy Leach credited at least part of Boston's win to "that damn 'Tessie' song." He continued: "It was a real hum-dinger of a song, but it sort of got on your nerves after a while." (Boston won Game 5 and went on to win Games 6, 7, and 8 to win the series 5–3; however, Boston only won two out of four at home and three of four at Pittsburgh, so the true impact of their home-town fans' song is uncertain.) There are stories that the Royal Rooters actually traveled to Pittsburgh and hired a band to play Tessie to annoy the Pirates even at their home field.

The chorus to the original "Tessie" goes:

Tessie, you make me feel so badly.
Why don't you turn around?
Tessie, you know I love you madly.
Babe, my heart weighs about a pound.
Don't blame me if I ever doubt you,
You know I wouldn't live without you.
Tessie, you are the only, only, only.

In 2004, the Boston-area punk rock group Dropkick Murphys recorded a cover of "Tessie," released on an EP of the same name. The Murphys said it was their intent to "bring back the spirit of the Rooters and to put the Red Sox back on top." The goal of the Murphys was realized when later that year the Boston Red Sox won their first World Series in 86 years. The song is also featured as the bonus track on their June, 2005 release, "The Warrior's Code" with a lead-in from the WEEI broadcast of the final play in the 2004 World Series:

"Swing and a ground ball, stabbed by Foulke. He has it. He underhands to first. And the Boston Red Sox are the World Champions. For the first time in 86 years, the Red Sox have won baseball's world championship. Can you believe it?" -Joe Castiglione

The second "Tessie" — which featured backing vocals from Red Sox players Johnny Damon, Bronson Arroyo, and Lenny DiNardo, Red Sox Vice President of Public Affairs Dr. Charles Steinberg; and Boston Herald sportswriter Jeff Horrigan (who co-wrote the new lyrics with the Murphys) — has become a theme song for the Red Sox and tells the story of how the Royal Rooters stormed the park one time when they found the game was already sold out:

The Rooters showed up at the grounds one day
Found their seats had all been sold
McGreevy led the charge into the park
Stormed the gates and put the game on hold

The chorus to the Dropkick Murphys' version of "Tessie" goes:

"Tessie, 'nuff said" McGreevy shouted
We're not here to mess around
Boston, you know we love you madly
Hear the crowd roar to your sound
Don't blame us if we ever doubt you
You know we couldn't live without you
Tessie, you are the only, only, only




Enjoy and GO SOX!

TomC

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Former Sox Pitcher Ugueth Urbina Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison

Thanks, Bloomberg News Service.

Former Major League Baseball pitcher Ugueth Urbina was sentenced to 14 years in prison for the attempted murder of five workers on his family's ranch in Venezuela.

Urbina, who last pitched in the majors for the Philadelphia Phillies in 2005, also was convicted of illegal deprivation of liberty during the dispute over a gun he owned, a spokesman for the Caracas-based Attorney General's office said.

Urbina, 32, has denied being part of a group of men that attacked workers with machetes at his family's ranch on Oct. 16, 2005.

His agent, Peter Greenberg, didn't immediately return a phone call seeking comment. Efforts to reach his lawyer were unsuccessful.

The two-time All-Star compiled 44 wins, 49 losses and 237 saves in 11 seasons with the Montreal Expos, Boston Red Sox, Texas Rangers, Florida Marlins, Detroit Tigers and Philadelphia during his career.


Urbina played with the Red Sox in 2002.

TomC

A Random Poem Written By Jack Kerouac




A woman is beautiful
but
you have to swing
and swing and swing
and swing like
a handkerchief in the
wind.

And a poem I enjoy quite a bit. For those of you who do not know:

Jack Kerouac (Jean Louis Lebris de Kerouac) (pronounced [dʒæk ˈkɛɹəwæk]) (March 12, 1922October 21, 1969) was an American novelist, writer, poet, and artist. He was part of the Beat Generation.

While enjoying popularity but little critical success during his own lifetime, Kerouac is now considered one of America's most important and influential authors. The spontaneous, confessional prose style inspired other writers and musicians, including Tom Robbins, Lester Bangs, Richard Brautigan, Hunter S. Thompson, Ken Kesey, Tom Waits and Bob Dylan. Kerouac's best known works are On the Road, The Dharma Bums, Big Sur and Visions of Cody.

He divided most of his adult life between roaming the vast American landscape and living with his mother. Faced with a changing country, Kerouac sought to find his place, eventually rejecting the values of the Fifties. His writing often reflects a desire to break free from society's structures and to find meaning in life.

This search led him to experiment with drugs and to embark on trips around the world. His books are often credited as the catalyst for the 1960s counterculture. Kerouac died in St. Petersburg, Florida, at the age of forty-seven from an internal hemorrhage caused by his chronic alcoholism. He is buried in his hometown of Lowell, MA.


That last fact is quite important to me on a personal level, because like Jack, I grew up as a French Canadian Catholic in Lowell. The fact that someone from my town was so successful and culturally significant in the field of literature sparked in me a love of reading and writing that continues to this day. Though not my FAVORITE author per se, at one point I owned just about every piece of minutiae he published, as a badge of honor for being from the same town. Alas most of this is lost, though my appreciation of his work will never be.

TomC

Cusano 18 Maduro Robusto

I just though I would write a few quick things, to share with you the weird little cigar I sampled recently, the Cusano 18 Maduro. This was one rustic looking stogie, let me tell you, It looked like something directly out of a Clint Eastwood movie. It lit and burned adequately though, so overall it kind of enhanced the experience I had. This cigar was about as dry tasting as any cigar I have ever tried. Not even the tiniest hint of sweetness was present. Notes of french roasted coffee, oak and cedar, and peppery spice were the most evident. It was wild, I have never tasted anything quite like it, as almost every cigar I have tasted in the 5 year I have enjoyed this hobby has had at least some tiny level of sweetness to it. Not this case. I have a hard time recommending it to someone because even though I liked it, it is impossible for me to adequately convey what to expect. If you want to try a medium bodied cigar unlike anything else you have had, give this one a shot.

TomC

Charmed

Charmed is an American television series that ran for eight seasons on The WB. It was produced by Aaron Spelling and is about three sisters who are the world's most powerful good witches, known throughout the supernatural community as "The Charmed Ones" but known to everyone else as the Halliwells. Each sister possesses unique magical powers that grow and evolve over the course of their lives. The Charmed Ones live together in a manor and use their supernatural abilities to battle the warlocks, demons and other evil forces that populate San Francisco, California.

The show was the last in its generation of supernatural-themed shows such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel and Roswell, and has many times been noted for its mixing of multiple genres (from horror and fantasy to comedy and even soap), as well as continuing after a number of archetypal jump the shark moments, most famously the departure of one of the leading actresses at the end of season three.

But blah de blah. Most male fans watched the show because of the female dominated cast, whic included Holly Marie Combs, Alyssa Milano, Shannen Doherty (for a time), Rose McGowan (after Doherty), and towards the end of the show, Kaley Cuoco as main characters. The show seemed to get them in all kinds of silly frivolous situations, and generally showed little concern for realism or legitimacy. If you can catch it on syndication, its a decent way to pass the time.

TomC

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Trey Anastasio Charged With Drug Posession

Trey Anastasio pleaded not guilty today (Feb. 27) in Ft. Edward, N.Y., to drug charges stemming from a Dec. 15 traffic stop and was released on bail.

The former Phish frontman, of Richmond, Vt., is charged with felony counts of illegally possessing prescription painkillers and driving while impaired. He is also charged with possessing heroin and an anti-anxiety medication prescribed for someone else, which are misdemeanors.

He could get 14 years in prison if convicted on all counts. All the charges, though, carry minimum sentences that involve no incarceration.

Anastasio, who appeared in court to enter the plea, agreed to a pre-plea investigation that will help the court get to know him better "and help you resolve your case," according to Judge Kelly McKeighan.

Attorney Steve Coffey said Anastasio, 42, has a drug problem and is seeking treatment. He attended a 28-day treatment program in January and is attempting to overcome his addiction, Coffey said. "He has a problem, he knows it and is working with it," Coffey said.

Coffey also said Anastasio instructed him not to fight the charges. "He told me, 'I'm here to face the consequences and work it out with the court and go on with my life,'" Coffey said.

Anastasio and his wife, Susan, left without commenting to a crowd of media. He is scheduled to return to court March 27.


I really have to say (though I didn't Blog about it earlier) that when I first heard about this, I was taken aback. I really though that, despite the hippy connotation of the band Phish, that they were all fairly clean. I hope that his efforts to get clean really work, and that because it seems he didn't harm anyone that he does not get into too much trouble.

TomC

Monday, March 26, 2007

Men's Final Four Set


Well I just wanted to do another quick mens tournament update, as the "Final Four " field is now set. In games to be played in Atlanta this weekend, Florida will play UCLA, and (in a clash of two great big men) the Ohio State Buckeyes will play the Hoyas of Georgetown University.

GO BUCKS!

TomC

Feeding the Beast

Sometimes your morals have to be put on hold for practical reasons. Silly things like food, and the rent check become more important. I am not a fan of the company but they are the only job offer I have recieved in 6 months. Forgive me if I Blog less because the gig is third shift, and I will need time to adjust to the schedule.

TomC

Sunday, March 25, 2007

Buckeye Tourney Update!

Just a quick highlight on how those awesome Ohio State Buckeyes fared today. After stumbling the last two games, and behind strong performances from Ron Lewis (22pts) and finally, Greg Oden (17pts, 9 rebs) the Buckeyes polished off Memphis rather soundly, 92-76. They are now a member of rather rarefied air, being in the NCAA "Final Four". They will play the winner of Georgetown and North Carolina, which is a game that will be played later today (Sunday) at 5:05pm.

Go Bucks!

Oh Bother.


It seems that Carrie left the window as we went to BGSU earlier today, and her cat Bella got out. We spent some time tonight/this morning trying to get it to come home, with no results yet. She's really bent out of shape, which stinks. So if any of you are religious, join with me:

Blessed are you, Lord God, for all living creatures you have made. You keep them in your care and not one of them is lost without you knowing. They glorify you, each in its own way, and speak to us of your beauty and love. Bless them and keep them from harm. They unquestionably accept their place in the rhythm of your creation. May we respect them and cherish them for they are your gift to us; through them may we come to know you better and praise you, their Creator. Blessed be the love and joy that they bring to us.

Holy God, we pray for Bella, who is lost. Guard her from all fear and bring her in safety to this day’s end, whether it be with her family on earth, or in heaven. Grant peace and comfort to her human family as they face the unknown in the days ahead.

Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love’s sake. Amen.




Thanx Guys,

TomC

Saturday, March 24, 2007

BGSU

Bowling Green is kind of unimpressive. Why would you go to college here?

Wow!

That's one huge burrito!

We got it here:

Qdoba

129 N. Main Street
Bowling Green, Ohio 43402

So evidently this chain is a franchise, cashing in on the quick burrito craze. Seems to me it splits the difference of its competitors, Moe's Southwest Grill (full disclosure, I worked at the High St. Columbus, Ohio, OSU campus location for 6 months, so I am biased), and Chipotle. It was pretty decent, I have been jonesing for a burrito in this vein ever since leaving CBus. The restaurant had more variety than Chipotle, but didn't offer the extras (like tortilla chips) that Moe's does. Also it is a tad more expensive than Moe's. Overall though, it was a tasty an satisfying experience, and probably the highlight of our largely uneventful trip to BGSU.


TomC


Elite Eight Field Set/Bracket Pretty Much Crap

Well, as you can see by looking at the spiffy graphic above, the "Elite Eight" remaining teams of the NCAA Tournament Bracket has been set. You will also notice from the spiffy graphic above that my picks for this years tourney are pretty much crap. Amazingly though, all four #1 seeds, my final four picks, are still viable, so there is hope for me yet. I guess we shall see as the "Final Four" will be decided this weekend.

Here's to that Hope!

TomC

I Want A Dog Of My Own!

Ever since I had to part with my puppies, when I moved to OSU, I have wanted to have another dog of my own. We have a lovely Old English Sheepdog named Oliver who I love to death, but Carrie has had it since long before she knew me, so its her dog, not mine. When I was younger I wanted a Dalmation, named LouDog, like the one the late Sublime lead singer Bradley Nowell had, but with age that urge had dwindled, though I would not turn down a Dal pup, if offered one. I loved the playfulness, obedience, and frindship of my Lab, Murphy. The one problem I had with him was purely aesthetic, I would have wished in an ideal world that he was a tad bigger. Through some research I have decided, if I had the choice (which if I get another dog, odds are I won't) of any breed of dog, I would get a Chesapeake Bay Retriever. A Little info on Chessies (from the AKC Website):


General Appearance
Equally proficient on land and in the water, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever was developed along the Chesapeake Bay to hunt waterfowl under the most adverse weather and water conditions, often having to break ice during the course of many strenuous multiple retrieves. Frequently the Chesapeake must face wind, tide and long cold swims in its work. The breed's characteristics are specifically suited to enable the Chesapeake to function with ease, efficiency and endurance. In head, the Chesapeake's skull is broad and round with a medium stop. The jaws should be of sufficient length and strength to carry large game birds with an easy, tender hold. The double coat consists of a short, harsh, wavy outer coat and a dense, fine, wooly undercoat containing an abundance of natural oil and is ideally suited for the icy rugged conditions of weather the Chesapeake often works in. In body, the Chesapeake is a strong, well-balanced, powerfully built animal of moderate size and medium length in body and leg, deep and wide in chest, the shoulders built with full liberty of movement, and with no tendency to weakness in any feature, particularly the rear. The power though, should not be at the expense of agility or stamina. Size and substance should not be excessive as this is a working retriever of an active nature.

Distinctive features include eyes that are very clear, of yellowish or amber hue, hindquarters as high or a trifle higher than the shoulders, and a double coat which tends to wave on shoulders, neck, back and loins only.

The Chesapeake is valued for its bright and happy disposition, intelligence, quiet good sense, and affectionate protective nature. Extreme shyness or extreme aggressive tendencies are not desirable in the breed either as a gun dog or companion.

Size, Proportion, Substance

Height--Males should measure 23 to 26 inches; females should measure 21 to 24 inches. Oversized or undersized animals are to be severely penalized. Proportion--Height from the top of the shoulder blades to the ground should be slightly less than the body length from the breastbone to the point of buttocks. Depth of body should extend at least to the elbow. Shoulder to elbow and elbow to ground should be equal. Weight--Males should weigh 65 to 80 pounds; females should weigh 55 to 70 pounds.

Coat
Coat should be thick and short, nowhere over 1½ inches long, with a dense fine wooly undercoat. Hair on the face and legs should be very short and straight with a tendency to wave on the shoulders, neck, back and loins only. Moderate feathering on rear of hindquarters and tail is permissible.

The texture of the Chesapeake's coat is very important, as the Chesapeake is used for hunting under all sorts of adverse weather conditions, often working in ice and snow. The oil in the harsh outer coat and wooly undercoat is of extreme value in preventing the cold water from reaching the Chesapeake's skin and aids in quick drying. A Chesapeake's coat should resist the water in the same way that a duck's feathers do. When the Chesapeake leaves the water and shakes, the coat should not hold water at all, being merely moist.

Color
The color of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever must be as nearly that of its working surroundings as possible. Any color of brown, sedge or deadgrass is acceptable, self-colored Chesapeakes being preferred. One color is not to be preferred over another. A white spot on the breast, belly, toes, or back of the feet (immediately above the large pad) is permissible, but the smaller the spot the better, solid colored preferred. The color of the coat and its texture must be given every consideration when judging on the bench or in the ring. Honorable scars are not to be penalized.

Temperament

The Chesapeake Bay Retriever should show a bright and happy disposition with an intelligent expression. Courage, willingness to work, alertness, nose, intelligence, love of water, general quality and, most of all, disposition should be given primary consideration in the selection and breeding of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever.



Now I realize that this is the kind of formal language needed for judging Dog Shows, but you can get the idea. One of the things I like the best about the breed is its disposition. I want an active-ish dog, that can also handle a household, and is friendly. I also like that although it is friendly to people and good with kids, it tends to only respect one person as Master. Maybe I am being a bit selfish, but then it can be MY dog. Ah well, who knows, maybe someday.

TomC

Friday, March 23, 2007

More Papelbon Goodness


"For me, it's been a thing that I've been thinking about all spring," Papelbon said. "I hadn't been sleeping well since the whole Spring Training started. I felt that there was always that feeling deep down in my heart that I wanted to close.

"For me, it just kept getting at me and getting at me until finally I went to our captain [Jason Varitek] one day and I said, 'Tek, I'm not sleeping good at night. I've got to do something about it.' Basically I told him, 'Man, I think I want to close -- that's what I want to do.'

"Tito happened to be walking by. We came in and I told Tito, 'If you want to give me the ball in the ninth inning, I want it,' and that's basically it."


I do not really care if this is the absolute truth when he said it, the fact that it's what he said is good enough. It is about damn time an athlete said the right thing and put the team first. More than that even, this move really solidifies the Sox as a force in the AL East. I think we stack up well against anyone now. I cannot wait for the season to begin. Any true fan of the Red Sox and the "Dirt Dog" mentality should be running out to buy a #58 jersey to support this boy right now.


GO SOX!


TomC

Romeo Y Julieta Bully

5" X 50, Natural

Appearance: A very pretty firm, rather tightly rolled cigar. This cigars tasty looking tan wrapper was smooth and had a nice little sheen to it, it was quite inviting.

Pre-Light: Clipped easy and produced a forgiving draw. Pre Light notes of cinnamon and ginger. This cigar practically begged to be lit.

Burn/Draw: Perfect. This is a very well constructed cigar and it shows. In the picture below you can see that it burned razor straight, and in this aspect it continued for the length of the cigar. The ash was light grey and quite firm and held for a long time. The draw was a tad tight but not a problem in any way and still produced adequate smoke billows. On the whole all these things enhanced the smoking experience.
Flavors: This was one smooth, tasty cigar. I have been revisiting the natural wrappered cigars again that I largely ignore now recently, and I must say it has been a fulfilling experience! This cigar has notes of molasses and brown sugar, cinnamon and ginger, and other sweet caramelly goodness. It is firmly medium in body and medium in strength, and at no point did it ever get harsh. If you are looking for a powerhouse this is definitely not for you but if a nice mellow smoke to accompany a mellow cup of coffee or tea is what you need, give this one a try!

TomC

The Sweet Sixteen!


In a matchup of a #1 Seed versus a #5 seed Ohio State survived a 20 point first half deficit to pick off the Volunteers of the University of Tennessee, 84-84, and advance to the Elite 8. Senior Guard Ron Lewis scored 25 points and the Buckeyes survived a thoroughly mediocre performance by star freshman center Greg Oden (9pts - 4 fouls) to advance to the Elite 8 where they face the Tigers of the University of Memphis.

While I am glad that they won, they can't have another game where they spot the opponent a bunch of point, and Oden is unimpressive, and expect to win. They BETTER play better, and I think they will.

GO BUCKS!

Also, here is another update on the race for 66th best! The final four in that Tournament is set Mississippi State will play West Virginia, and Air Force will play Clemson. here is an updated 2007 NIT Championship Bracket:


There you go your Basketball Fix for tonight!

TomC

Thursday, March 22, 2007

Classic Mixed Drinks: The Manhattan


It seems to me there are too many fluffy pink uber-sweetened mixed drinks being guzzled by Americans these days. Its sad that people cannot drink like adults, if you are drinking an alcoholic drink, it should TASTE LIKE IT HAS ALCOHOL IN IT. Amazing I know. What people need to realize is that this is not a bad thing. There are several Classic Cocktails that dont duck the alcohol in the drink, and still taste fantastic. My Favorite, the Manhattan:

The
Manhattan is a cocktail made with whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters. Commonly used whiskeys include American Rye, Canadian, Kentucky Straight Bourbon and Tennessee whiskey. Proportions of whiskey to vermouth vary, from a very sweet 1:1 ratio to a much less sweet 4:1 ratio, but the classic mixture is 2:1. The cocktail is often stirred with ice and strained into a cocktail glass, where it is garnished with a Maraschino cherry with a stem. A Manhattan is also frequently served on the rocks in an old-fashioned glass (lowball glass).

The Manhattan is one of six basic drinks listed in David A. Embury's classic The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks.

The Manhattan has been called a drinking man's cocktail — strong, urbane, and simple — but it has not achieved the recognition of the more widely known martini.

A popular history suggests that the drink originated at the Manhattan Club in New York City in the early 1870s, where it was invented for a banquet hosted by Jennie Jerome (Lady Randolph Churchill, Winston's mother) in honor of presidential candidate Samuel J. Tilden. The success of the banquet made the drink fashionable, later prompting several people to request the drink by referring the name of the club where it originated — "the Manhattan cocktail."

However, experts in mixology history have found prior references to various similar cocktail recipes called "Manhattan" and served in the Manhattan area. Some of these references date decades prior to the above-mentioned banquet. Nevertheless, the consensus among experts is that the Jerome/Tilden event is what made the recipe of "American Whiskey, Italian Vermouth and Angostura bitters" famous as the Manhattan cocktail.


There are several variations on the theme but I tend to like the classic 2:1 ratio of bourbon to vermouth:

3 oz Old Granddad Bottled In Bond
1 1/4 oz Sweet Vermouth
2-3 dashes Angostura Bitters
1 Marachino Cherry

Shake vigourously, strain, serve with cherry.



Serve & Enjoy!

TomC

Jonathon Papelbon: More of the Same

Got to watch another Red Sox spring training game on ESPN this afternoon, a thoroughly disappointing 4-4 tie with Philadelphia. That said all the interesting news revolves around the Sox pitcher Jonathon Papelbon. Jon-Boy, after a spring training in which he was prepped to be a starter, had a stud rookie season as the Sox closer, with the following stats:

59G 4W 2L 35SV 68 1/3IP 8R 7ER 75K 0.92 ERA 0.776 WHIP

Before shoulder issues ended his season as the Sox were tanking their way out of the playoffs. The shoulder problems were all the concerning the offseason and the word was they would stretch Papelbon out and start him next season, so he could get the rest a starter does.

ESPN is reporting today
that after spending a spring training preparing to start, Papelbon will reprise his role as closer this season. This is a good move because all the closer prospects this spring have been uninspiring. This really will gel the bullpen roles quickly. Also there seems to be a glut of workable 5th starter options (to follow Schilling, Beckett, Matsuzaka, and Wakefield in the rotation) with the likes of Jon Lester, Kyle Snyder, Julian Tavarez, and even possibly Kason Gabbard (who is having an exceptional spring) vying for the job.

Papelbon (and Wakefield for that matter) looked sharp in today's outing. Jon threw hard and had good movement on his pitches. Also he threw his changeup for strikes, which gives him a third viable pitch. Also in an interesting note, he threw exclusively from the stretch, which is something a starting pitcher generally would not do in situations with no one on base. Does this give more credence to the rumor? Only time will tell.

Go Sox!

TomC

Self Promotion!

I never once thought about blogging for recognition of any kind, so its always surprising to me when I find that anyone out there cares about my posts. I am not going to lie, through FeedBurner, I have a strong grasp of about how many people do read my blog, our small but dedicated brotherhood. Every now and then I get suprised by some things. I have blogged before that I have added my site to the "Great Wall" at FuelMyBlog. Well through the dedication of my readers I have been in the top ten entertainment sites on the site before. Well, we have made it to the top! As proven by the graphic above, I have the #1 entertainment blog on that site, and I have all of you to thank. Awesomeness.

The other graphic is a benchmark I personally find amusing. To me you know you have made it on the web when people can find your site by an easy Google Search, and doing such a search I find that I am easily visible on the first page of results. Neato. Maybe you find this less exciting than me but I am pumped.

Hope you all are having as good a night as me.

TomC

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

CAO Gold Corona

5.5" X 42, Natural

One might have noticed that over the life of my Blog so far, I have generally reviewed Medium to strong cigars, both in strength and body. Well for a change of pace I thought I would hearken back to the days when I smoked mild cigars, and review a CAO Gold, a rather popular Natural Wrapped Cigar. Here goes:

Appearance:
Smooth and tan, not much in the way of veins, and pretty firmly packed. Overall a pretty nice looking stogie.

Prelight:
Despite a hiccup by my normally dependable Xikar (needs sharpened maybe?), I was able to correct this stick to a nice clean cut. The prelight draw was acceptable, with tangyness and sweet honey as prelight notes.

Burn/Draw: fabulous. burned razor straight, nice easy draw with just enough resistance to prove worthwhile. The ash was medium grey and mottled and held for a bit more than an inch. Burned just like a well constructed cigar should. See the telling illustration below.
Flavor: there was much more flavor than I expected in this cigar. It was dominated by sweet and tangy notes. Woody notes like maple, sweet ones like honey, and nutty notes like toasted almonds and pecans. Over the last third of the cigar some spice crept in, cinnamon, and way toward the end some pepper. This is a cigar on the mild side of medium, in terms of both strength and body but definitely provides plenty of flavor. Overall this is a fabulous example how being a mildish stogie does not mean you have to be a bland one. Recommended.

TomC