Eat Drink Smoke

Is a $185 bourbon worth the burn? This week on Eat Drink Smoke, Tony Katz and Fingers Malloy pour Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend Bourbon Batch #21. There’s plenty of vanilla on the nose, but at 124.3 proof, that first sip gets Fingers’ full attention. They also light up the Room 101 Hit & Run, a beefy 6×60 collaboration with Caldwell Cigars that opens with a little salt and white pepper.

Jordan Davis of the Smoking Pastor Project joins the guys to talk about getting good barbecue into Indiana food pantries and how a soggy birria taco nearly sank his run at the World...

Can a bag of potato chips derail a cigar review? Tony Katz and Fingers Malloy find out as they fire up the Jake Wyatt Fourth Dimension Corona Gorda and taste Lay’s Roasted Holiday Turkey chips and Jody’s Holiday Stuffing popcorn. Thanksgiving in a bag sounds convenient. Getting it off your palate is another matter.

The guys also revisit Weller Special Reserve for the first time in 400 episodes. Fingers likes what’s in his glass, but Tony’s not sold at $50 a bottle. Will an ice cube change his mind? Meanwhile, the Jake Wyatt impresses with its cons...

A 126.4-proof bourbon, a $10 cigar, and a rental car bill that apparently requires a time machine. Just another episode of Eat Drink Smoke.

Tony Katz and Fingers Malloy review the Dios Del Sol El Principio Belicoso and Booker’s Bourbon 2025-04 “Phantom Pipes Batch.” Does this creamy Connecticut earn a spot in their humidors? And can adding water to the same bourbon give two people completely opposite experiences? Fingers has the watering eyes to prove his side.

Plus, Tony reveals the story behind the worn-out shoes hanging on the studio wall and the unexpected opportunity that l...

Costco, you’ve done it again. This week on Eat Drink Smoke, Tony Katz and Fingers Malloy crack open a Johnnie Walker gift set featuring Blue Label—and the price has them considering a return trip. They review the Scotch neat, with water and over ice. Does this luxury pour win over two guys who usually reach for bourbon?

On the cigar side, they light up the Caldwell Long Live the King Mad Mofo Corona. There’s earth, wood, coffee and chocolate—but do some burn issues and a $14 price tag keep it out of the humidor?

Pl...

Tony Katz and Fingers Malloy take Eat Drink Smoke outside to enjoy some beautiful fall weather, an Arturo Fuente OpusX Forbidden X 2015, and Colonel E.H. Taylor Small Batch Bourbon. Do these sought-after names deliver enough to justify their price tags?

Plus, Fingers finds a decades-old bottle of Old Grand-Dad 114, Tony wonders what happened to the bargains at Goodwill, and the guys debate new soda flavors—including a mac-and-cheese cream soda that nobody asked for.

Throw in the fight over daylight saving time, a surprising convenience-store ranking, and a spirited defense of Michigan favorites, and so...

Never judge a bourbon by its label. This week on Eat Drink Smoke, Tony Katz and Fingers Malloy review David Nicholson 1843 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey—a 100-proof bottle with an old-school look and a price that gets the value guy’s attention.

They also smoke the Fuente Fuente OpusX ReXilient Churchill, discuss its tribute to the 25th anniversary of September 11th and its support for Tunnel to Towers, and see whether this special cigar earns a place in their humidors.

Plus, Fingers discovers creamed corn mac and cheese, Tony has concerns about Lowe’s delivering supplie...

Tony and Fingers review the Plasencia Alma del Cielo cigar and Balcones Texas Pot Still Bourbon, then try Skrewball PB&J Whiskey in a Gas Station Find.

They also get into NFL injuries, a survey on college students and controversial speakers, the downsides of flat-top grills, fast-food chains bringing back personal service, and one question for job seekers: Is bringing iced coffee to an interview really a problem?

Find everything at [EatDrinkSmokeShow.com](EatDrinkSmokeShow.com).

Tony and Fingers review the Aganorsa Leaf Aniversario Connecticut Box-Pressed Toro and the ultra-budget Ancient Age Bourbon. Plus, Gen Z is drinking again, AI-powered car dealership scams are getting frighteningly convincing, the Colts are a mess, and a controversial list of tailgate foods has them asking an important question: Where are the burgers and brats?

They also tackle the growing backlash against AI and data centers—and whether the debate has become more about political outrage than finding real solutions.

Find everything at EatDrinkSmokeShow.com.

This week on Eat Drink Smoke, Tony and Fingers fire up the Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real Nicaragua Profundo — a cigar loaded with wood, leather and enough strength to get your attention.

They pair it with Indiana Longhunter Straight Rye Whiskey, a four-year-old, 100-proof rye that raises an important question: is this bottle a hidden gem or just bringing heat for the sake of bringing heat?

Plus, something strange is happening with Cuban cigar distribution in Europe, Tony and Fingers ask whether our parents basically lied to us throughout childhood, and the guys once again pr...

This week on Eat Drink Smoke, Tony and Fingers review the AVO Expresivo Toro, a medium-to-full cigar that delivers notes of pepper, wood, coffee and plenty of complexity at a price that earns it a spot in the humidor.

They also crack open the brand-new 1792 Kentucky Straight Rye, and at just $42 a bottle, it may be one of the best whiskey values they’ve tried all year.

Plus, Fingers explains what went wrong with his pre-Labor Day brisket, why the Texas crutch killed his bark, and what he’ll do differently next time. The guys also...

This week on Eat Drink Smoke, Tony and Fingers review the Foundation 10th Anniversario Salamone and Never Say Die Small Batch Bourbon — a whiskey that definitely splits the room.

They also talk about turmoil at Brown-Forman, whether aging rock stars like David Lee Roth and Paul McCartney know when it’s time to walk away, the latest U.S.-Canada tariff fight and what it could mean for American spirits. Plus, they remember Dolly Parton and dive into a fascinating conversation about modern dating, relationships, feminism and why so many people are struggling to make lasting connections.

Tony and Fingers are back with another round of cigars, whiskey, food and questionable life advice.

This week, they light up the El Rey del Mundo King of the World VSOP, a cigar that makes a strong enough impression that buying more is definitely on the table. Then they pour the Wild Turkey Rare Breed Barrel Proof Rye, a 112.2-proof Kentucky straight rye that brings plenty of heat — but even more flavor.

Also this week: Is the air fryer one of the greatest kitchen inventions ever, or just an oven with better marketing? A new su...

This week on Eat Drink Smoke, Tony and Fingers light up the Liars Bench Silver Tongue, a 6x54 Dominican puro with a Corojo wrapper, Habano binder, and plenty of spice. It makes a better impression on Fingers than Tony, but both agree Liars Bench is a brand worth keeping an eye on.

Then it’s back to one of the show’s longtime bourbon favorites: Old Grand-Dad 114. At 114 proof, it delivers caramel, oak, spice, a little vanilla and cinnamon — and remains one of the best values sitting on the bourbon shelf. Especially when Tony finds it for twenty...

Tony and Fingers review the new Catelli Boxare Habano, a 6x52 box-pressed cigar that proved surprisingly difficult to research. It starts with cedar, pepper, and a little cocoa — but does it develop enough to earn a permanent spot in the humidor?

Then things get serious with Booker’s Batch 2026-02 “Milkshake Batch” Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. At 124.4 proof, it sounds intimidating. Instead, the guys find plenty of oak, vanilla and rich bourbon flavor — and start wondering if they’ve found one of the best bottles of the year.

Also this week, Tony gets unreasonably worked up about sto...

This week on Eat Drink Smoke, Tony and Fingers review the Caldwell Crafted & Curated Savages Malpensante, a rich and surprisingly subtle cigar with notes of wood, leather, walnut and coffee. Is it worth $17 a stick? They have thoughts.

They also pour the Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Heritage Barrel, a seven-year-old Tennessee whiskey bottled at 100 proof. It brings plenty of sweetness, oak, vanilla and a little disagreement over whether there is any banana hiding in the finish.

Plus, Fingers introduces Tony to the Pepperidge Farm Coconut Cake of his childhood, Costco faces a class action la...

Tony and Fingers take the show outside to enjoy perfect deck weather, the A.J. Fernandez New World Decenio 10th Anniversary Toro, and a Four Roses Private Selection OESQ bourbon.

They break down the Decenio’s Mexican San Andrés wrapper, cocoa sweetness, oak, leather and steady medium-bodied profile before deciding whether the $14 cigar deserves a permanent spot in the humidor. Then they taste a nine-year, eight-month Four Roses single-barrel selection that clocks in at 111 proof but drinks far smoother than expected.

Also this week: steakhouse dress-code violations, whether shorts should ever be allowed near a s...

The guys review the Arturo Fuente Casa Cuba Divine Inspiration, the final cigar blend created by Carlos Fuente Sr. Does its combination of white pepper, wood, leather and unexpected nuttiness earn it a permanent place in the humidor?

They pair it with Maker’s Mark Made for the Brave Cask Strength bourbon, a 110.5-proof bottle supporting Project One Vet at a Time. Plus, Snickers Cake Bites wildly exceed expectations, a parasite causes some very unpleasant digestive problems, Tony questions whether you can make real barbecue without a grill, and Fingers reveals the little white lies bartenders tell wh...

The "Summer of Habanos" begins with the My Father La Lealtad, a hefty 6x60 cigar delivering balanced notes of cedar, coffee, tobacco, and subtle sweetness. Tony and Fingers also review Costco’s Patriot Eagle Bourbon, debate the greatest Southern foods, question the purpose of warm potato salad, and prepare themselves for Indiana State Fair creations involving honey buns, melted butter, and absolutely no restraint.

Plus, Walmart cuts prices, Tinder heats up during the World Cup, Adam Sandler causes ridiculous social media outrage, and baby boomers are getting divorced in record numbers.

Find everything at [EatDrinkSmokeShow.co...

Happy Independence Day from Eat Drink Smoke — and welcome to our 400th episode!

America turns 250, Eat Drink Smoke hits 400, and Tony Katz and Fingers Malloy celebrate with fried apple pie, patriotic cigars, cold beer, and a whole lot of fast-food nostalgia.

The show kicks off with the triumphant return of the deep-fried McDonald’s Hot Apple Pie. Is it smaller than it used to be? Absolutely. Is it basically an apple pie egg roll now? Also yes. But does it still taste like Gen X childhood wrapped in flaky, cinnamon-apple joy? Oh, you better believe it.<...

America’s 250th birthday is coming, and Eat Drink Smoke is getting ready the only way it knows how — with hot dogs, cigars, bourbon and a little bit of chaos.

Tony Katz and Fingers Malloy preview the perfect Independence Day setup with Costco hot dogs, the great charcoal vs. propane debate, and whether America can survive another 250 years if people keep putting pets on airplane tray tables.

The featured cigar is the J.C. Newman The American 250th, a commemorative cigar celebrating the nation’s semiquincentennial. Tony and Fingers break down the cigar’s classic American...

This week, Tony and Fingers review the Micallef White Label Connecticut Robusto and Puncher’s Chance The Undisputed Single Barrel Bourbon.

The cigar is a 5x52 Robusto featuring a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, and the guys discuss why Connecticut cigars have come a long way in recent years. Once thought of as mild morning smokes without much depth, today’s Connecticut cigars are bringing real flavor — and this Micallef delivers wood, hay, bready sweetness, a touch of pepper, and plenty of value at around $8 a stick.

The drink this week is Puncher’s Chance The Undisputed Single B...

This week on Eat Drink Smoke, Tony and Fingers review the AJ Fernandez New World Puro Especial and Blade and Bow Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.

The New World Puro Especial brings plenty of Nicaraguan character, with notes of coffee, wood, creaminess, dried fruit, and a medium-plus profile that may play bigger than advertised. At around $9 a stick, is it humidor-worthy?

The bourbon review features Blade and Bow, a 91-proof straight bourbon with a big nose, fruit cocktail notes, oak, heat, and a very cool backstory tied to the historic Stitzel-Weller Distillery. Is it worth nearly $50...

This week on Eat Drink Smoke, Tony and Fingers review the Stoic Equanimity Justice, a hefty 6x52 cigar with an Ecuadorian Corojo wrapper, Dominican Criollo 98 binder, and a flavor profile that brings spice, cedar, earth, richness, and a truly ridiculous amount of heft. It is the kind of cigar that makes you wonder whether you should smoke it or use it to break out of a locked car.

The drink this week is Jacob’s Pardon Small Batch American Whiskey Batch #2, coming in at 109.3 proof. Tony and Fingers find vanilla, brown sugar, oak, butterscotch, a little heat, an...

Tony and Fingers ask the important question: Is your HOA out of control? Fingers has a neighborhood watchdog, a grabber, and apparently a man monitoring street parking like it’s a federal investigation.

This week, the guys review the Cuban Seed Cigar Company Cohiba Grand Pyramid and the Cody Road Single Barrel Rye.

The cigar is a massive 6.5 x 54 pyramid with a Corojo Habano wrapper and a wood-forward profile, but construction issues raise the big question: is it worth the $55 price tag?

The rye brings fruit, banana bread, light spice, and a little he...

Tony and Fingers light up the My Father La Gran Oferta Lancero, a 7.5 x 38 smoke with an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, Cuban-seed binder, and Nicaraguan filler.

The cigar opens with leather, pepper, spice, and a debate over whether the finish is wood or bitter espresso. Because obviously, this is where civilization hangs in the balance.

Also on the Happy Hour: Tony talks about his early-morning Indy 500 tradition, Fingers considers upgrading his Masterbuilt Gravity Series grill, and the guys get into Memorial Day barbecue plans, brisket strategy, ribs, grill deals, Cracker Barrel’s summer giveaway, Allegiant Air fi...

On this version of the Happy Hour, Tony and Fingers review the James E. Pepper Barrel Proof Decanter Bourbon, a gorgeous bottle with a proof that comes in just under 110 - though you would never know it from the nose.

The guys get oak, caramel, vanilla, baking spice, a mystery fruit note they can’t quite pin down, and what Tony describes as a rich custard-like finish. At around $60, both agree this one is absolutely in the liquor cabinet.

Also on the Happy Hour: six once-popular lunches you don’t see much anymore, including liverwurst sand...

Tony and Fingers review the My Father La Gran Oferta Lancero and the James E. Pepper Barrel Proof Decanter Bourbon.

The cigar brings early pepper, leather, wood, and a mellowing medium profile that makes a strong case for the humidor. The bourbon turns out to be a hidden gem, with oak, vanilla, fruit, a rich mouthfeel, and a shockingly smooth finish for nearly 110 proof.

Also this week: Memorial Day grilling, Indy 500 cigar traditions, brisket plans, grill deals, Masterbuilt vs. Traeger talk, Allegiant filling Spirit Airlines routes, Cracker Barrel giveaways, old-school lunches, used car chaos, EV...

Tony and Fingers pour Mayor Pingree Small Batch Red Label Bourbon from Valentine Distilling in Ferndale, Michigan — a 94-proof bourbon that blends Valentine’s triple pot-distilled bourbon with traditional column-distilled bourbon casks from Lawrenceburg, Indiana.

They get notes of vanilla, oak, honey, bread, pepper, citrus, and a little orchard fruit — then find that a cube or a little water brings the bourbon together nicely.

Also on this Happy Hour: Jack Daniel’s reportedly saying no to a massive Brown-Forman offer, why Malört keeps showing up in people’s feeds, St. Elmo’s shrimp cocktail, hot wings, bl...

Tony and Fingers light up The K by Karen Berger Connecticut Toro, a soft box-pressed 6 x 52 Connecticut with an Ecuadorian wrapper, Nicaraguan core, silky presentation, light spice, creaminess, cedar, and a little sweetness.

They talk about why Connecticut cigars deserve more respect, when this cigar fits best, and whether it earns a spot in the humidor at around $12.

Also on this Happy Hour: the proper way to reheat leftover pizza, why skillet pizza may be the superior method, Tony’s appliance-unplugging habits, cigar humidor headaches, Subway’s continued decline, Eric Clapton getting hit by a fan...

This week, Tony and Fingers review the K by Karen Berger Connecticut Toro, a silky Ecuadorian Connecticut with Nicaraguan binder and filler.

Connecticut cigars get dismissed too easily, and this one makes the case for why that is a mistake. The Karen Berger Connecticut brings creaminess, cedar, a touch of white pepper, some sweetness, and an easygoing profile that works in the morning, at night, with coffee, or whenever you feel like smoking a Connecticut because you are an adult and can live your life.

They also review Mayor Pingree Red Label Bourbon from Valentine...

This week, Tony and Fingers review the K by Karen Berger Connecticut Toro, a silky Ecuadorian Connecticut with Nicaraguan binder and filler.

Connecticut cigars get dismissed too easily, and this one makes the case for why that is a mistake. The Karen Berger Connecticut brings creaminess, cedar, a touch of white pepper, some sweetness, and an easygoing profile that works in the morning, at night, with coffee, or whenever you feel like smoking a Connecticut because you are an adult and can live your life.

They also review Mayor Pingree Red Label Bourbon from Valentine...

Tony and Fingers review Bernheim Original Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey, a seven-year, 90-proof wheat whiskey from Heaven Hill that delivers oak, vanilla, cinnamon, cream, fruit, and serious value for $20 to $30 a bottle.

They pair it with the Esteban Carreras Dictator’s Hand, a Nicaraguan puro with leather, wood, sweetness, and building white pepper.

Also: Mother’s Day brunch, Fingers’ colonoscopy timing, Hugh Jackman at Ball State, Spirit Airlines, oil prices, basement flooding, vacation water shutoffs, and Tony’s toaster paranoia.

Find everything at EatDrinkSmokeShow.com.

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Tony and Fingers review the Esteban Carreras Dictator’s Hand, a Nicaraguan puro formerly known as The Devil’s Hand, and break down its leather, wood, sweetness, white pepper, and harder-to-place flavor notes.

They also get into frozen pizza recalls, breakfast pizza, brisket sides, Spirit Airlines shutting down, cruise ship nightmares, and the very real joy of having your basement flood right after it was finished.

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Eat Drink Smoke, Tony and Fingers review the Esteban Carreras Dictator’s Hand, formerly known as the Devil’s Hand. It’s a 6 x 50 Nicaraguan Corojo toro with a great backstory, solid construction, and notes of leather, wood, white pepper, and a touch of sweetness.

The drink this week is Bernheim Original Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey, a seven-year, 90-proof wheat whiskey from Heaven Hill. Tony and Fingers break down its vanilla, cinnamon, oak, buttery creaminess, and surprisingly strong value.

Also this week: Walmart and Aldi recall frozen pizzas over salmonella concerns, Spirit Airlin...

This week on Eat Drink Smoke Happy Hour, Tony and Fingers review Woody Creek Distillers Colorado Straight Bourbon Whiskey, a 90-proof bourbon with a mash bill of 70% dent corn, 15% rye, and 15% malted barley.

The guys break down the bourbon’s oak, honey, vanilla, sugar-cream-pie sweetness and slow-building heat, then test it neat, with water and on a cube to see where it really shines.

They also revisit the Tatuaje Avion 13 Corojo, a 6 7/8 x 52 Nicaraguan Corojo perfecto that keeps delivering cedar, coffee, spice and a surprising hay note as it moves into the second third.

This week on Eat Drink Smoke Happy Hour, Tony and Fingers review the Tatuaje Avion 13 Corojo, a 6 7/8 x 52 Nicaraguan Corojo perfecto with a smooth draw, a silky feel, and plenty of spice.

The guys break down the cigar’s red pepper, cedar, coffee, cocoa, and creamy chocolate notes, while also clearing up some confusion between the Corojo and Reserva versions of the Avion 13.

Also this week: Fingers explains why golf is best enjoyed from the clubhouse deck with a cigar, Costco’s hot dog combo takes a controversial turn, microplastics lead to an unexpected conversation, John...

This week on Eat Drink Smoke, Tony and Fingers review the Tatuaje Avion 13 Corojo and Woody Creek Distillers Colorado Straight Bourbon Whiskey.

The Tatuaje Avion 13 Corojo is a 6 7/8 x 52 double perfecto with a Nicaraguan Corojo wrapper, Nicaraguan binder, and filler. Tony and Fingers break down the cigar’s cedar, red pepper, coffee, cocoa sweetness, creamy texture, spice, draw, construction, and whether it belongs in the humidor at around $13 a stick. Spoiler: this one made a very strong impression.

On the drink side, the guys sample Woody Creek Distillers Colorado Straight Bourbon Whiskey, a 90-proof bourbon ma...

Tony and Fingers review Montana’s Running Iron Straight Whiskey from Dry Hills Distillery.

It’s a 90-proof straight whiskey made from 100% wheat, which sends Tony into full investigative mode after discovering it does not appear on Dry Hills’ current website. The guys break down the nose, palate, heat, oak, fruit, cinnamon, vanilla, and what happens when it opens up with water or a cube.

The big question: is it worth hunting down at around $50 a bottle?

Also: Anheuser-Busch plans a major U.S. investment, Tony and Fingers revisit the Bud Light backlash, Finger...

Tony and Fingers review the Rocky Patel Vintage Cameroon 2003 Toro.

Tony revisits a cigar that helped move him from “I smoke cigars” to “this could be part of my life.” The guys break down the Cameroon wrapper, cedar notes, spice, sweetness, construction, draw rhythm, and whether the cigar belongs in the humidor at around $12–$13 a stick.

Also this week: Fingers explains why 7-Eleven is not where you go to “make tonight special,” Tony has thoughts about Vegas losing another buffet, the guys discuss whether lobster boiling needs a rethink, and Fingers remains deeply opposed to cruise weddings...

Tony Katz and Fingers Malloy light up the Rocky Patel Vintage 2003 Cameroon, a 6.5 x 52 Toro with a Cameroon wrapper, Nicaraguan binder, and Nicaraguan/Dominican filler. Tony calls it one of the cigars that helped turn smoking from a curiosity into something he genuinely loved, while Fingers wonders why he doesn’t already have a stack of them in his humidor. They break down the cigar’s cedar, spice, sweetness, construction, and why this classic still belongs in the rotation.

The guys also pour Montana’s Running Iron Straight Whiskey, a 100% wheat whiskey connected to Dry Hills Distillery/Montan...