Many of the regular Hacks are out of town this week, so it’s another small group episode. Ricky and Pat send in a series of interviews from the Ybor City area. The full versions are tacked on at the end of the episode. The Hidden Herf is guessed after a massive clue and receives good marks.

Local Spotlight – Castro’s Backroom; Manchester, NH

Controversy Corner – Project Iceworm

It’s a small group, simple setup, this week as we recover from last weekend’s escapades. Ben Dover returns with jokes. The Hidden Herf stumps the panel and receives good reviews.

Local Spotlight – Federal Cigar; Dover, NH

Controversy Corner – The Trifecta

It’s halfway through Hackapalooza 8.0 where we meet up with the Rocky Patel crew in North Conway at The Original Cigar & Bar. We also sit down with the three brother-owners, Tim, Tom, and Craig. This is our eight stop of the weekend. The Hidden Herf stumps the entire panel.

Local Spotlight – The Original Cigar & Bar; North Conway, NH

Controversy Corner – Election Truth Revealed

Hackapalooza 8.0 is this week. We run down the itinerary and plans for the weekend. We try to stay on topic, Nick. Ricky’s back so we get an in-person Florida report. The Hidden Herf is a throw-back.

Local Spotlight – JR Cigar Outlet; Tampa, FL

Controversy Corner – Football Theories

Jim and Hailey from Great Cigars Podcast are in town and join us at Federal Cigar for this week’s episode after No-Name John’s birthday party. We introduce Ben Dover. The Hidden Herf is a special “sleeper”.

Local Spotlight – Federal Cigar; Portsmouth, NH

Controversy Corner – Epstein Update

A cast of six land at Grumpy’s to play out the spoof we set in motion last week. The Hidden Herf is a spoof of it’s own.

Local Spotlight – Grumpy’s Cigar & Lounge; Hudson, NH

Controversy Corner – Vegas Shoot Out

Opening the 2026 season we have another Hack father join the panel. The Hidden Herf is decent and we almost forget to do the reveal.

Local Spotlight – The Tobacco Shack; Rowley, MA

Controversy Corner – Daycare Financing

The panel meets up at Twins in Londonderry for the last episode of 2025. Papa McGroin joins us as do other friends that we pull in from the lounge along the way. The Hidden Herf is a unique selection.

Local Spotlight – Twins Smoke Shop; Londonderry, NH

Controversy Corner – Classic Christmas Movies

Direct from The Tobacco Shack in Rowley, MA it’s the 2025 Hackie Awards Show. We get the RI run-down from Ricky and Pat. The Hidden Herf is unexpected.

Local Spotlight – The Tobacco Shack; Rowley, MA

Controversy Corner – The Proper Cut for Your Cigar

Jim from 3-Leaf Cigars joins the Hacks in more ways than one. The hacks turn out in force this week. We retry a cigar that was fresh off the boat 16 weeks back on episode 406.

Local Spotlight – Plaistow Cigar Company; Plaistow, NH

Controversy Corner – Tina Peters from Colorado and What’s Up in Minnesota