Tony Katz has a cold, his palate is compromised, and stubbornness wins.

Instead of opening something fancy, Tony goes back to the well with Kirkland Signature Bottled-in-Bond—the Costco monster bottle sourced from Barton 1792—and Fingers Malloy joins him on the same pour, both of them trying to taste anything at all. Pair it with the Crowned Heads Belgian Blue (2025)—a hefty, hard box-pressed cigar with a Mexican San Andrés wrapper—and you’ve got a holiday episode powered by congestion, sarcasm, and sheer refusal to cancel.

In this episode:

• Why, for some, hot toddies are a hard pass (because tea is gross?)

• The Kirkland Bottled-in-Bond breakdown: mash bill, 100 proof, price point, and why it’s an ideal everyday or cocktail bourbon

• The Belgian Blue details and reveal: 5.5x56, annual release, $13.50 MSRP

• The ongoing debate: annual releases vs. core cigar lines—and when “limited” just means hoarding

• Tony’s big-picture cigar theory: humidor shelf space, brand dominance, and what could be coming by 2026

• Holiday news chaos: painted Christmas trees, upside-down trees, and Tony declaring colored outdoor lights an abomination

• Nostalgia, old retail tech, and why charge plates still haunt Fingers’ dreams

It’s bourbon, cigars, food, culture, and two guys refusing to skip cigar night just because one of them can’t smell anything.

Merry Christmas.
Happy Hanukkah.
And yes, they’re smoking anyway.

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Fingers Malloy is officially the worst person in the world. At least according to Tony Katz — who is now sick, blaming Fingers for transmitting a cold through the internet, and attempting to smoke a cigar anyway like the grown man he is.

This week on Eat Drink Smoke, Tony and Fingers power through head colds, sinus misery, and questionable medical science to bring you the Crowned Heads Belgian Blue (2025) — a hard box-pressed, crease-sharp, San Andrés-wrapped cigar that might actually be capable of giving you a paper cut. Is it peppery? Cocoa-forward? Woodsy? Impossible to say when your nose is completely useless… but that won’t stop the debate.

Along the way:

• Cigars as a COLD prevention (according to the Fingers Malloy Institute of Institutes for Institutes)

• Why smoking with a cold is a terrible idea — and why they did it anyway

• Grocery stores were closing for Christmas, and the panic of running out of tarragon

• The case for growing your own herbs… or at least inventing Pocket Parsley

• HOA rules, neighbor signatures, dumpsters, and why HOAs attract a certain type

• Why parsley is pointless, basil rules, and Captain Crunch is the real garnish

• Rob Reiner, Spinal Tap, Hollywood logic, and why “the show must go on”

• The secrets to living past 90 (according to the internet), including butter, routine, walking, and sheer stubbornness

• Fingers Malloy Sr., 87 years old, eating like a legend and proving cholesterol fears are a myth

• Vacation cigars, $2 sticks, and why the ritual matters even when the flavors don’t

It’s bourbon, cigars, food, culture, and two guys refusing to cancel a show just because their sinuses are trying to kill them.

Light one up.
Or don’t.
They’ll do it for you.

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Tony Katz has a cold, and Fingers Malloy is officially the worst person in the world — because obviously he “gave it to him” through a computer connection (even though they haven’t seen each other in two weeks). Science!

The guys light up the Crowned Heads Belgian Blue (2025) — a 5.5x56 box press with a Mexican San Andrés wrapper (and a crease so sharp it could give you a paper cut) — and talk about the cruel reality of reviewing cigars when your sinuses are staging a hostile takeover. Tony powers through a retrohale attempt, Fingers talks spice early, and they get into the bigger question: are there too many annual cigar releases, and do they mess with long-term brand loyalty?

On the pour, Tony refuses to waste a “new bottle” on a busted palate and goes back to a value banger: Kirkland Signature Bottled-in-Bond (100 proof) — a Costco staple that still feels like a rare deal in bourbon.

Plus: grocery-store panic that isn’t the apocalypse, “pocket parsley,” HOA headaches, and News of the Week— including holiday outrage over painted Christmas trees.

Cigar: Crowned Heads Belgian Blue (2025) (MSRP $13.50)
Bourbon: Kirkland Signature Bottled-in-Bond (100 proof)

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It’s one of those Happy Hours where the guys aren’t drinking the same thing — because Fingers Malloy is battling a near-death chest cold and broadcasting from a separate location with Vicks, questionable medical advice, and zero sense of smell.

Tony Katz goes back to the well with Blue Run High Rye Bourbon (111 proof), breaking down why it’s a must-have despite the $90–$100 price tag, from the caramel sweetness to the rye spice and that butterscotch finish that just keeps working. Fingers, meanwhile, abandons the hot toddy plan (no honey… and no honey guy) and leans hard into holiday comfort with Evan Williams Peppermint White Chocolate Eggnog — under $10, 30 proof, and allegedly approved by “doctors everywhere.”

From there, Happy Hour does what it does best: a brutally honest conversation about money, insane car prices, $1,000 monthly payments, why paying cash still matters, and how used trucks suddenly feel like the only sane option. The guys also dig into interest rates, precious metals, AI replacing jobs, which careers are actually safe, and why some work simply can’t be automated.

No scripts. No structure.
Just bourbon, eggnog, economics, and the kind of conversation that happens when the microphones stay on, and the clock stops mattering.

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Sometimes people get sick. Sometimes they get a cold. And sometimes Fingers Malloy sounds like he’s broadcasting from the shadow realm, while Tony Katz refuses to let him anywhere near the studio because a vacation is on the calendar and priorities are priorities.

In this Happy Hour episode, Tony smokes the El Rey del Mundo “The Appointment” — a 5x60 Gordo with a Cameroon wrapper and Connecticut Broadleaf binder — while Fingers, sidelined by the creeping crud, does what he can from afar. What starts with caramel and cedar turns into a surprisingly spicy, medium-bodied cigar that delivers way more than expected — especially at $8.50 a stick.

From there, the conversation does what Happy Hour conversations do: Amazon gift nonsense, socks as an adult win, foot rubs (hard no), straw tumblers for men (also no), Spirit Airlines drama, holiday travel suffering, and a brutally honest discussion about retirement, money, bad habits, and why too many people wake up at 65 wondering where it all went.

No structure. No pressure.
Just cigars, life, and the kind of conversation that happens when the clock stops mattering.

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On this episode of Eat Drink Smoke, Tony Katz and Fingers Malloy power through sickness, sarcasm, and a chest-cold-induced remote setup to deliver a packed show covering cigars, bourbon, holiday drinks, money, travel, and the absurdities of modern life.

Tony fires up an El Rey del Mundo’s “The Appointment” cigar, a 5x60 Gordo featuring a Cameroon wrapper by the Eiroa family, Connecticut Broadleaf binder, and a complex Honduran, Ecuadorian, and Nicaraguan blend. The guys break down flavor notes, including caramel, cedar, spice, and rich tobacco, debate ring gauge preferences, and ask the big question: Is this one of the best cigars under $10? (Spoiler: at $8.50, it might be.)

Because Fingers is under the weather, the drinks diverge this week. Tony revisits the Blue Run High Rye Bourbon (111 proof), calling it a must-have bottle with notes of caramel, butterscotch, spice, and rye heat. Fingers opts for holiday comfort, sipping Evan Williams Peppermint White Chocolate Eggnog, a surprisingly delicious seasonal pour made with bourbon, rum, and brandy — and available for under $10.

The conversation widens into the news of the week, including:

• Amazon Prime Video launching a news hub, and what it means for media companies

• Spirit Airlines selling O’Hare gate space, and why budget airlines feel riskier than ever

• The true cost of modern travel, nonstop flights, and airline reliability

• Why Americans are struggling to retire — and what the numbers really say

• How AI is reshaping jobs, careers, and spending habits

• The rise of 7- and 8-year car loans, $1,000/month car payments, and why used trucks suddenly make more sense

• The psychological traps of consumerism, Starbucks math, and “keeping up with the Joneses”

Along the way, the guys debate foot rubs, socks, Amazon impulse buys, holiday gift nonsense, and why financial literacy still isn’t taught when it matters most.

It’s classic Eat Drink Smoke: cigars, bourbon, food, money, culture, and humor — delivered even when Fingers probably should’ve stayed in bed.

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In this episode of Eat Drink Smoke, Tony Katz and Fingers Maloy dive into the world of bourbon with Maker’s Mark 101 (Special Proof). They discuss the classic bourbon's rich flavor profile, from caramel to oak, and how it's a great choice for the holidays. The guys also explore the importance of quality control in food manufacturing, highlighting a recent recall of shredded cheese due to the possible presence of metal fragments. They share their thoughts on the decline of quality and accountability in various industries, from food to aviation.

All that, and more, on an all-new Eat Drink Smoke!

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In this Happy Hour episode of Eat, Drink, Smoke, Tony Katz and Fingers Moley review the Battleborn cigar, a military-inspired smoke with a Connecticut broadleaf wrapper and Nicaraguan filler. They discuss the cigar's unique characteristics, including its rich tobacco flavor and subtle fruit notes. Tony shares his thoughts on the cigar's value, saying it's worth the price for the good cause it supports, the Fisherhouse Foundation. The guys also dive into current events, including the impact of AI on the job market and the trend of "car spreading" in Europe.

All that, and more, on an all-new Eat Drink Smoke!

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Tony Katz and America’s favorite amateur drinker, Fingers Malloy, fire up the E.P. Carrillo Battleborn Warrior—a Connecticut Broadleaf-wrapped, double-binder, Nicaraguan-filled cigar created in tribute to the military, with proceeds supporting Fisher House Foundation. At $23 a stick, they dig into whether the profile (rich, tobacco-forward, hints of dark fruit, wood, a touch of floral on the retrohale) and story justify the price—and why you should never panic if a cigar feels a little dry coming out of the humidor.

In the glass, they pour Maker’s Mark 101 (Special Proof)—a 101-proof take on a classic bourbon. Tony and Fingers break down the nose (caramel, oak, a little fruit), the surprising melon/citrus notes on the palate, how the heat presents for a 101-proofer, and how a cube of ice changes the entire experience. They land on an easy verdict: this is exactly the kind of “always-have-it-on-hand” bottle every holiday liquor cabinet needs.

From there, the guys dive into a run of real-world nonsense and news: Target’s Black Friday swag-bag backlash (gummies, Uno cards, travel shampoo and lip oil after waiting in line since 3 a.m.), the rise of oversized vehicles in Europe and the U.S. and what “car spreading” and policies like Vision Zero really signal, and why economic numbers—from jobs reports to Black Friday spending to AI layoffs—feel completely out of whack.

They also tackle the never-ending wave of food recalls, including shredded cheese and milk, and ask whether we’re just better at catching problems or worse at making the food in the first place. And in a truly gross moment of modern life, they break down the viral DoorDash “dropped wing” video—where a driver picks a boneless wing up off the concrete, tosses it back in the box, licks his fingers, and walks away—plus what basic decency in food handling should look like.

Along the way: cigar-notebook tips, why shredded cheese might haunt your dreams, talk of big steaks in Iowa, and a very real threat to road-trip to Memphis for King Jerry Lawler’s barbecue.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• A full review of the E.P. Carrillo Battleborn Warrior cigar: construction, flavor notes, strength, burn, and value.

• A tasting of Maker’s Mark 101—how it compares to classic Maker’s, what flavors pop neat vs. over ice, and if it belongs in your home bar.

• The Black Friday Target swag-bag outrage and how to build a promo that doesn’t insult your customers.

• “Car spreading,” Vision Zero, and the cultural war over big vehicles, comfort, and personal freedom.

• Why food recalls (cheese, milk, and more) feel constant—and what that says about quality control.

• The DoorDash chicken wing disaster and Tony’s…let’s just say strong feelings about consequences.

Perfect for cigar lovers, bourbon fans, and anyone who enjoys a little economic confusion and consumer-culture madness with their smoke.

All that, and more, on an all-new Eat Drink Smoke!

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Tony and Fingers keep the Thanksgiving weekend chill rolling with another round of the Arturo Fuente Rare Pink Sophisticated Hooker, then turn to meat, money, and modern misery.

First up: meat. They shout out Defiance Beef, talking quarter, half, and whole cow orders, 21-day aging, ribeyes, strips, brisket, and why freezer beef might be the smartest “Black Friday” buy you can make.

Then Tony unveils his own barrel pick:

• Old Hamer 11-Year Single Barrel (selected by Tony Katz)

• 99% corn, 1% malted barley, a monster at 127.6 proof

• Big butterscotch, cocoa, oak, cinnamon heat, sting on the tongue but a surprisingly gentle chest warmth

Fingers nearly tears up after a sip and warns that this pairing—Rare Pink plus 127-proof bourbon—is not for the faint of heart.

From there, they dig into the real world:

• Foreclosures up 20%, car repos climbing, and zero-percent car deals that scream “trouble.”

• Why some people are still spending like crazy while falling behind on mortgages and auto loans.

• Streaming overload: multiple services, skyrocketing sports rights, and how NFL Sunday Ticket and exclusive games are punishing traditional cable viewers.

• The slow fade of channels like MTV and Cartoon Network, and what that means for old-school cable.

Big cigar, bigger bourbon, and a sober look at an economy that doesn’t quite add up.

All that, and more, on an all-new Eat Drink Smoke!

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