We return to the The Mustang Barn for another panel stumping Hidden Herf. This week it’s cars and driving related stories along with our cigars and bourbon. Ricky and Pat are in Florida this week and leave us a few voice mail messages. Detroit Steve reports on his travels and the cigar lounges he stopped at; including The Rat Pack Martini and Cigar Lounge, The London Chop House Cigar Lounge, and Elite Cigar and Smoke.

Local Spotlight – Elite Cigar and Smoke; Rochester, NY

Conspiracy Corner – Kash is King

Here is a Valentines Day we won’t soon forget! Nick Goss joins The Hacks for an episode on 2/14 after the Black Label Trading Company Cigar Event at Plaistow Cigar. We try a new format for the Florida Report with Nurse Rick. The Hidden Herf receives high marks.

Local Spotlight – Plaistow Cigar Company – Bar and Lounge; Plaistow, NH

Conspiracy Corner – JFK and other New Document Drops

Hackapalooza 7.0 is all over but the shouting. We run down what happened after we recorded last week’s episode. The Hidden Herf is an old friend that no one recognizes, I guess it’s been too long. We spark up a second Herf and do some comparisons.

Local Spotlight – The Mustang Barn

Conspiracy Corner – Conspiracy Potpourri – Open Topics

It’s the second day of Hackapalooza 7.0 with a cast of so many that we split the panel into two halves. We talk about the first 24 hours of the three day annual event and the six lounges we have visited so far. We add a couple new Hacks. Conspiracy Corner is back, no more DEI at The Hacks. The Hidden Herf is picked out early but surprises many of the other panelists.

Local Spotlight – Castro’s Backroom; Bedford, NH

Conspiracy Corner – Birthright Citizenship

We bring a few first-timers to the infamous “Undisclosed Location” for this week’s episode. We have a couple of brief call-ins ahead of Hackapalooza. Pat McGroin gives us a run down of his adventure to the White Ash event with Mike the Cop from Rocky Patel Cigars. The Hidden Herf is easy to determine by process of elimination if you know your stuff.

Local Spotlight – White Ash Cigar Lounge; Pawtucket, RI

Controversy Corner – Executive Action

We are back at Shack for the Hackapalooza pregame and rum tasting. Ricky calls in with the Florida report and another Hack is sworn in. The Hidden Herf is picked off early and receives both high and low marks with about an even split.

Local Spotlight – The Tobacco Shack; Rowley, MA

Controversy Corner – We Didn’t Start the Fire and Other Political Commentary

We arranged to meet our special guest, Varnell, at Grumpy’s for an introduction to Orisha Cigars, a Haitian brand. Nurse Rick calls in for the Florida Report. We have a few new voices, some fun and games, and a swearing-in to round out the episode. The Hidden Herf is very well received by the panel.

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

Controversy Corner – They are letting it burn to the ground

We’re back at Castro’s in Manchester for another fun-filled episode and a sequel to Episode 354, “Drink the Rainbow”. The crew is in rare form this week with lots of jokes and poking fun at each other. Ricky’s call-in is a fail. The Hidden Herf is another classic “unicorn status cigar” from Killer’s vault.

Local Spotlight – Castro’s Back Room; Manchester, NH

Controversy Corner – Is the Cyber Truck Bullet Proof?

As 2024 comes to a close we have a special guest, Jennifer Thorson, the SVP of Marketing for the Molon Labe brands. It’s a large crew and a very busy lounge this week but we have a lot of laughs and learn about brand marketing. The Hidden Herf is identified early.

Local Spotlight – Ash Cigar Lounge; Kingston, NH

Controversy Corner – Massachusetts is at it Again

Direct from The Tobacco Shack in Rowley, MA it’s the 2024 Hackie Awards Show. Everyone braved the first snow storm of the season for The Tobacco Shack Christmas Party and to do this episode. We get the RI run-down from Pat McGroin. The Hidden Herf is something very different.

Local Spotlight – The Tobacco Shack; Rowley, MA

Controversy Corner – Santa, The Tooth Fairy, and The Easter Bunny