A new year is here, and Eat Drink Smoke does it the only way that makes sense — by waiting until the calendar actually turns.

In this episode, Tony Katz and Fingers Malloy reveal their Top Three Bourbons of the Year, based not on hype or releases, but on everything they actually reviewed on the show in 2025. No Top 10 lists. No arguments about rankings. Just the bottles that stayed with them.

Fingers lays out his value-driven list, keeping every pick under $50, including:


Kirkland Bottled-in-Bond from Costco


2XO American Oak


And his top pick: Redwood Empire Emerald Giant Rye

Tony counters with a memory-based list that ignores price entirely, featuring:


Espy House George 1794


Keeper’s Heart Irish & American Whiskey (110 proof)


And a surprise number one that isn’t a bourbon or a rye: Bacoo 12-Year Rum

Along the way, they discuss:


Why 2025 was a strange year for bourbon


How palate changes affect what sticks with you


The difference between “good” and “memorable”


Why value still matters — even when it doesn’t


And whether calling it “Bourbons of the Year” still makes sense

They’re also smoking the Oliva Master Blends 3 Churchill, breaking down flavor, strength, construction, and pairing as the conversation moves from reflection to anticipation.

Next week: Cigars of the Year.

Follow Eat Drink Smoke on social media!

X (Formerly Twitter): @GoEatDrinkSmoke
Facebook: @eatdrinksmoke
IG: @EatDrinkSmokePodcast

The Podcast is Free! Click Below!

Apple Podcasts
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A new year is here, and Eat Drink Smoke does it the only way that makes sense &mdash; by waiting until the calendar actually turns.
In this episode, Tony Katz and Fingers Malloy reveal their Top Three Bourbons of the Year, based not on hype or releases, but on everything they actually reviewed on the show in 2025. No Top 10 lists. No arguments about rankings. Just the bottles that stayed with them.
Fingers lays out his value-driven list, keeping every pick under $50, including:
<ul data-start="915" data-end="1041">
<li data-start="915" data-end="959">
Kirkland Bottled-in-Bond from Costco
</li>
<li data-start="960" data-end="984">
2XO American Oak
</li>
<li data-start="985" data-end="1041">
And his top pick: Redwood Empire Emerald Giant Rye
</li>
</ul>
Tony counters with a memory-based list that ignores price entirely, featuring:
<ul data-start="1122" data-end="1293">
<li data-start="1122" data-end="1152">
Espy House George 1794
</li>
<li data-start="1153" data-end="1212">
Keeper&rsquo;s Heart Irish &amp; American Whiskey (110 proof)
</li>
<li data-start="1213" data-end="1293">
And a surprise number one that isn&rsquo;t a bourbon or a rye: Bacoo 12-Year Rum
</li>
</ul>
Along the way, they discuss:
<ul data-start="1324" data-end="1585">
<li data-start="1324" data-end="1367">
Why 2025 was a strange year for bourbon
</li>
<li data-start="1368" data-end="1418">
How palate changes affect what sticks with you
</li>
<li data-start="1419" data-end="1468">
The difference between &ldquo;good&rdquo; and &ldquo;memorable&rdquo;
</li>
<li data-start="1469" data-end="1519">
Why value still matters &mdash; even when it doesn&rsquo;t
</li>
<li data-start="1520" data-end="1585">
And whether calling it &ldquo;Bourbons of the Year&rdquo; still makes sense
</li>
</ul>
They&rsquo;re also smoking the Oliva Master Blends 3 Churchill, breaking down flavor, strength, construction, and pairing as the conversation moves from reflection to anticipation.
Next week: Cigars of the Year.
Follow Eat Drink Smoke on social media!
X (Formerly Twitter): @GoEatDrinkSmoke Facebook: @eatdrinksmoke IG: @EatDrinkSmokePodcast
The Podcast is Free! Click Below!
Apple Podcasts Amazon Music Stitcher&nbsp; Spotify

Eat Drink Smoke is the bourbon and cigar review show for everyone!
You'll get reviews you can use, in a way you can understand them. There's also great takes on the stories dominating the week, but without the anger of social media. Eat Drink Smoke is the podcast that fits into your life because it's just like you - interested in new things, good people and honest, funny conversation.
Eat Drink Smoke is hosted by long-time radio host and entertainer Tony Katz, with co-host Fingers Malloy.

Tony Katz and Fingers Malloy talk amazing spirits, brilliant cigars and great food.

Eat Drink Smoke

Bourbons of the Year: Top Picks, Value Plays, and a Surprise Rum for 2025

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/78a347aa-3282-4ac5-837c-a72300032082/clips/379bfaab-a98b-4325-9e0d-b3c800212d31/transcript

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