Posted: 12:39 PM ET, 08/21/09I didn’t end up making the aforementioned trip to Kentucky to see the cooperage operation for Brown-Forman, but I also didn’t go to Niagara Falls as my wife had schemed. Where the family actually went (after much begging from my daughter Grace, who is fascinated by all things historical) was Mystic Seaport. Read more
Posted: 11:16 AM ET, 08/19/09I haven’t spent a lot of time in Vermont, but it’s always been my impression that Vermonters travel to the beat of their own drum. They still hold dear those values of our forefathers, especially those regarding self-reliance and the whole live and let live ethos. Read more
Posted: 04:17 PM ET, 08/17/09My father died on July 28. He was ill for a short time, went through a tough operation, gave us hope that he would soon be back on his feet, but died very quickly of a heart attack on a Tuesday morning. One day he was there, the next he was gone.
His sudden passing was a dignified and painless way to go, but it was hard on those he left behind. Read more
Posted: 02:19 PM ET, 08/13/09Sometimes even the masters return to the basics.
When I was invited to meet Angus Winchester, the global brand ambassador for Tanqueray gin at Raines Law Room for a drink, I was expecting anything but something basic. First, the peripatetic Winchester is a loyal soldier in the cocktail revolution, seen seemingly everywhere, from bars to television to books, promoting excellence in drinking. Read more
Posted: 10:21 AM ET, 08/12/09Monday night was a busy one. Barry and I walked to the Alec Bradley party. On the way we stumbled across the Cigar Factory of New Orleans, which I’d consider a must stop for any cigar smoker coming to the Big Easy. They had 8 rollers working when I visited, pumping out handmade cigars in a very rustic atmosphere. Read more
Posted: 06:19 PM ET, 08/10/09After several cups of strong coffee and a bracing breakfast, I headed back to the convention center on Monday morning with Gordon Mott, Greg Mottola and Barry Abrams from the magazine. We got out of the cab and headed our separate ways to cover the trade show floor. Read more
Posted: 11:08 AM ET, 08/10/09I took the early flight yesterday morning with Gordon Mott to New Orleans, taking off at 7 a.m. from JFK and landing in NOLA at 9. We were able to get to the convention center just after 10, right at the time the show floor opened for the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers show. Read more
Posted: 09:53 PM ET, 08/08/09Tomorrow morning I’m catching an early flight to New Orelans for the IPCPR trade show, or what most people still call it, the RTDA. This is when the cigar industry gathers to show off its newest releases, and retailers go booth-to-booth ready to buy. Read more
Posted: 05:00 PM ET, 08/04/09The first piece in my master plan is in place.
I have just received a document deeding me a lifetime lease on a square foot plot on the island of Islay.
For those of you who are ill informed: Islay is one of the cardinal whisky-making regions of Scotland (the one that makes all the really smoky Scotch); and my master plan is to one day own a distillery. Read more
Posted: 11:01 AM ET, 07/29/09Sam Adams came to visit the other day, which is always liberating. Rather, I should say it was Jim Koch, the mastermind behind Samuel Adams and the Boston Brewery. He has such zeal for brewing that it’s always exciting to talk beer with him. Which is what we did…sort of. Read more
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