A Sad day

Today I learned that one of my favorite stores in Columbia has closed.

Tinderbox/Vino 100 has apparently finally closed shop. 

I’ve known Kevin since he first opened and he was the only shop in that building (or it seemed like it). 

We attended some great tastings (I’ll never forget the Gin one), events (Curly and Bourbon and BBQ event was awesome, and to think I first met Randy W. there) and even won a great prize (the Humidor is mine) while smoking cigars with a Playboy Playmate.

His smoking lounge was a great place to relax and was the location of Brian’s bachelor party.

Kevin really had an impact on CoMO, from fighting the Smoking Ban…to raising the stakes on how a Cigar Shop should be run, leading to the Nostalgia Shop uping it’s game.

He introduced quality scotch to Columbia….and the shop will be sorely missed.

Thanks Kevin for some great memories.

Gin and Juice (please support the Barons)

Ok, my friend Steve is the “Head Baron” for a band called The Barons of Blues.

He recently released the following “Press Statement” on the bands Facebook Site

“The Barons are in the studio putting together a CD of our seven favorite Barons originals.........”

I’ve known Steve for a long time…..He makes me laugh and I love the music. 

That being said, I found the below cover of Gin and Juice by Snoop and thought it fit right into the Baron’s wheelhouse.

I am not a musician and I know crap about the industry.  I have no idea what it would take to get this on their album……but I WANT IT.

Please join the Barons of Blues FB site and support this group and show your support for adding this song to the album.

It would be the mad-note YO!

Cheers

Stonemason Wine…..not just for Lodge

 

Not to long ago, Debi picked me up a few bottles of Stonemason Shiraz 2004 from Ballast Stone Wineries in Australia.

While not much of a wine fan (I’ll drink it, but seldom go out of my way for it), this is one of the few wines that I have gone looking for and restocked up on…although to be fair, there is some  nostalgia with the Plumb -line on the bottle and the name Stonemason. 

The wine itself is fairly dry with great acidics that would pair well with Red Meats and pastas (with red sauces). 

Color – Very Nice medium and deep purple.

Nose – Fruity (with hints of Plum) with a slight flower undertones.

Taste – Bold, with a combination of red fruit, berry and plumb. 

Finish – Dry, slight acids and vanilla with an excellent aftertaste on palette.

As a relatively cheap wines (approx $15), the Stonemason range (not just the Shiraz) would make a great additions to your cellar, especially when you have those special Masonic Dinners. 

I would give it 3.5 Stars out of 5.

Stonemason Shiraz is currently available locally at Tinderbox Vino100 in Columbia MO and through various online outlets.

Boru Vodka

Tonight for my drink I am finishing off the bottle of Boru Vodka here in the house (I'm to lazy to go shopping).

You've never heard of Boru Vodka? Well, allow me to educate you:

Boru Vodka is distilled in Ireland (but is not a Poitín) and named after the legendary King of Ireland, Brian Boru. At $20 a bottle at the Tinderbox, its a steal for just about any occasion. Considering its backed by such luminaries as Andy Dick and Tom Green, plus named a Top 10 Vodka by Forbes magazine, how could you go wrong?

The Vodka itself if very smooth and clean....almost verging on refreshing. I prefer mine on ice, and if it wasn't for the warm sensation going down my and glow in my tummy, I would swear it was water. When ice cold, it's almost syrupy and the nose doesn't smell anything like the gasoline I used to drink as well Vodka in the Army.

I honestly haven't used it as a mixer....but I cannot imagine it not going well with juice or Dr. Pepper (for you Glenn).

If I had extra, I would probably make a few martinis, however...I was down to the last two fingers...so like Mom always said...keep it simple :)

Cruzado Avalitos

So here we are with my first installment of "Smokes and Booze".

My day is about to wrap here in MO, and it's been a long week. I thought I would kick things off with my current favorite cigar, Cruzado Avalitos - Petit Robus (by Illusione Cigars).

My friends who are history buffs and Freemasons might recognize the logo on the box straight away. In fact, I will admit that is what drew me to this particular cigar at first. However, one light and I realized I had underestimated the little nicotine rockets contained.

As a "Micro-Brew" tobacco company, Dion Giolito (of Illusione fame) has really put together an excellent blend of tobacco that not only burns smoothly, but evenly, with excellent flavors (I swear that towards the middle of the stick I taste Chocolate) at a fairly reasonable price.

The one downside to this cigar is finding it. Sure, the internet can get you almost anything, but when it comes to Brick and Mortar shops...this one is a toughie. So far, my best luck has been at Tinderbox Vino 100 in Columbia MO. Kevin runs a great show and has a smoking lounge in the back. If you are friendly, he might let you sample some of the booze too :)

Like I said, this is a pretty good cigar with a little nostalgia thrown in. As a petite, it might not burn long enough for some peoples tastes...but for a winter cigar (those who's wives wont let them smoke inside will understand), it's perfect.

Smoke up and enjoy.