It was my birthday and my son-in-law Ryan and Grandson Cole McConaughey was visiting from Oregon. We’ve kind of made it a ritual that when either of us visit the other we surprise each other with a special cigar. In these tough economic times, a fine cigar is definitely a luxury item and at over $50.00 per stick this is a once in a while smoke. Ryan asked my tobacconist at Hi-Times Liquor and tobacco what his best cigar was, and he directed Ryan to the Zino Platinum Double

Oregon Man Collection of lighters If you smoke cigars, sooner or later you're going to have a torch lighter that suddenly decides it doesn't want to cooperate. You refill it. You try it again. Maybe you get a weak flame, a sputter, or nothing at all. Before you throw it in the drawer and reach for another lighter, there is a good chance the problem isn't the lighter. It may simply need to be bled — or purged. I've learned that keeping a good torch lighter running properly is

Jim Beam Distiller’s Masterpiece PX Sherry Finish Bourbon with case Some Bourbons Are Worth Saving the Last Pour! There are lots of great of bourbons you can buy, and then there are bottles that your friends know you need to try before the bottle disappears. That just happend recently when our friends and fellow bourbon enthusiasts, Ryan and Brandee. They had one of those bottles. Ryan told me he had something I had to try and some how he managed to save the last glass of Ji

“A dry martini,” he said- “Oui, monsieur.' “Just a moment. Three measures of Gordon’s, one of vodka, half a measure of Kina Lillet. Shake it very well until it’s ice-cold, then add a large thin slice of lemon peel. Got it?” “Certainly, monsieur.” There’s no doubt that this is how the drink came to be documented in fiction, but where did the writer get his real-world inspiration? The mythology around the Vesper suggests it was formulated during one of Fleming’s trips to Dukes

He looks like an MIT physics professor, but I think he plays like an angel. That was my first thought when I really started listening to Paul Desmond. The Effortless Artistry of Desmond There is something almost effortless about his playing. He doesn't attack the saxophone like others often do. He doesn't seem to be trying to prove anything. He simply plays a note, then another, and somehow each one feels exactly where it belongs. Every note is beautiful and perfectly chosen.

It started with a question from my buddy Todd. On our last “Whiskey Sunday” FaceTime, Julie and I were catching up with our friends Todd and Stacey. During our conversation, Todd asked “Why do you keep so much of your whiskey in decanters? Is that actually better than keeping it in the original bottle?” That's was a darn good question. And honestly, it's one I've never really stopped to think about. I like whiskey decanters. I like the way they look on the bar. I like the we

Brian Culbertson I’m an old-school, slow-jazz guy. Give me a four-piece jazz band—sax, bass, drums and piano—and I’m ready to sit back, light up a fine cigar, pour my favorite cocktail and let the music take me somewhere. Most of the artists I’ve come to know and love were popular in the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s. Miles Davis, Art Pepper, Dave Brubeck, Bill Evans, Chet Baker… that’s my musical neighborhood. I like my jazz smooth, sophisticated and unhurried. So, I never really thou

Essence: Rich, Warm, Bittersweet, and Stylish The Boulevardier is more than just a cocktail; it's an experience. This drink embodies a rich tapestry of flavors that dance on your palate. With its warm, bittersweet notes, it invites you to slow down and savor each sip. Ingredients: 2 oz Rye or Bourbon Whiskey (I like Woodford Double Oak or Michter's Rye) 1 oz Sweet Vermouth (I prefer Carpano sweet vermouth) ½ oz Campari (Use 1 oz of Campari if you like a more bitter t

As I continued my quest for the perfect spot to unwind, light up, and savor a fine cigar, I rediscovered Orange County Cigars Oregon Man Cigar Lounge Reveiw #3 There’s something to be said for walking into a cigar lounge for the first time and immediately feeling like you belong. That was my experience at Orange County Cigars, located at 2470 Newport Blvd, Costa Mesa Ca. I arrived shortly after opening and was greeted with a friendly welcome that immediately set the tone fo

More Oak, More Bourbon… or Just More Money? I’m a big fan of Woodford Reserve Double Oaked. At around $46 a bottle, it has always struck me as one of those bourbons that delivers far more than its price would suggest. So when Woodford Reserve Double Double Oaked first hit the shelves, I was intrigued. The thinking seemed simple: I like Double Oaked… so wouldn’t twice the oak be even better? Well… sort of. The first time I tried Double Double Oaked, I thought it was very good—

A Beautiful Cigar with a Peppery Personality Tabernacle Cigar Every good cigar experience starts with a good recommendation, and this one came from my tobacconist at High Times Liquor and Wine. He recommended The Tabernacle by Foundation Cigar Co., describing it as a cigar well regarded for its complex flavor profile and excellent construction. He also gave me one important warning: “It’s going to be peppery.” He was absolutely right. First Impressions The Tabernacle is a bea

Torpedo - Padron 1964 Anniversary Series Natural A Cigar Worthy of a Family Celebration Some cigars deserve more than an ordinary evening—they deserve a special occasion surrounded by the people who matter most. That was exactly the setting for my experience with the Padron 1964 Anniversary Series Natural. Earlier that day, I stopped into Broadway Cigars in Lake Oswego, Oregon, where I was greeted by a well-dressed and incredibly knowledgeable tobacconist, Billy C. After taki

One of the greatest pleasures of cigar smoking is how every memorable cigar becomes intertwined with the places we visit and the people we share them with. The Alec Bradley Prensado Double T will always remind me of a wonderful trip to Southern Ontario. There, my wife Julie and I spent quality time with family and friends in the charming Waterford area. During our visit, I revisited the Mississaugas First Nation reservation and their impressive humidor. Any cigar enthusiast k

Every now and then you stumble across an artist who stops you in your tracks. For me, that artist is Andrea Motis. Born in Barcelona, Spain, Andrea Motis is an extraordinary jazz vocalist, trumpeter, saxophonist, and songwriter whose music effortlessly blends jazz and bossa nova. Although she began performing as a teenager with the renowned Joan Chamorro Quintet and the Sant Andreu Jazz Band, her poise and musical maturity have always seemed far beyond her years. Under the m

Frozen Old Fashioned Slush. The result is a smooth, icy cocktail that delivers all the rich caramel, vanilla, and oak notes of your favorite bourbon, balanced by bright citrus and the subtle spice of Angostura bitters.

Some cigars are memorable because of how they smoke. Others are memorable because of the story behind them.

The dirty martni isn't for everybody but if you try it you'll love it.

A Boulevardier is what happens when the Old Fashioned takes a stylish trip to Europe. Rye or Bourbon steps into the spotlight, joined by sweet vermouth and Campari

Part II Masters of Hard Bop, Modal Jazz, and Cool Jazz In Part II, we continue exploring some of my favorite jazz artists—musicians who pushed the boundaries of the genre while remaining deeply connected to its roots. Some embraced the blues-soaked energy of hard bop, others ventured into the rich harmonic landscapes of modal jazz, and a few boldly shattered convention altogether, creating entirely new forms of musical expression. Together, these innovators helped shape the s

Rocky Patel Thirtieth Anniversary Three Decades of Craftsmanship Rolled Into One Exceptional Smoke Rocky Patel Thirtieth Anniversary The Rocky Patel Thirtieth Anniversary was created to celebrate thirty years in the cigar business, and after smoking it, it's clear this isn't just another commemorative release. It's a statement cigar—one built on patience, experience, and a deep respect for aged tobacco. From the moment you pick up this beautifully box-pressed Nicaraguan, it