Tony Katz and Fingers Malloy leave the studio and go live on location at Big Hoffa’s Barbecue in Westfield, Indiana for an Old Forester night—because if they’re going to do remote, it should involve bourbon and a smoke-ring.

Since cigars aren’t allowed inside the restaurant, the show focuses on one bourbon: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond (100 proof) from the Whiskey Row series. Fingers pulls pepper, dark fruit, oak, and a hint of cinnamon, while Tony finds the pour bigger than expected and debates where the warmth actually lands—eventually settling on the now-official tasting location: the tum-tum.

They’re joined by Madison Tragesser from the Brown-Forman family (Old Forester, Woodford Reserve, Jack Daniel’s) for a crash course in Old Forester history, the legacy of George Garvin Brown, and why the Whiskey Row series is meant to be a “taste through history.” The conversation also turns to what bourbon drinkers obsess over that may not actually matter—high proof—a take that does not go unchallenged.

From there, it’s all barbecue. Adam Hoffman, owner of Big Hoffa’s Barbecue, breaks down what it takes to produce consistent brisket at scale—flat vs. point, trimming fat so smoke and heat can do their job, slicing against the grain, and how a restaurant turns out 50–60 briskets a day without letting anything subpar hit a plate.

Also in this episode:


the great Heinz “dipper fry box” debate (and an Indiana ketchup line drawn in the sand)


a look at NFL coaching shakeups and the patience problem in modern sports


and Fingers’ early-morning casino trip that ends with the most unsettling sentence ever overheard in public

Eat. Drink. Smoke.
Find everything at EatDrinkSmokeShow.com.

Follow Eat Drink Smoke on social media!

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

Tony Katz and Fingers Malloy leave the studio and go live on location at Big Hoffa&rsquo;s Barbecue in Westfield, Indiana for an Old Forester night&mdash;because if they&rsquo;re going to do remote, it should involve bourbon and a smoke-ring.
Since cigars aren&rsquo;t allowed inside the restaurant, the show focuses on one bourbon: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond (100 proof) from the Whiskey Row series. Fingers pulls pepper, dark fruit, oak, and a hint of cinnamon, while Tony finds the pour bigger than expected and debates where the warmth actually lands&mdash;eventually settling on the now-official tasting location: the tum-tum.
They&rsquo;re joined by Madison Tragesser from the Brown-Forman family (Old Forester, Woodford Reserve, Jack Daniel&rsquo;s) for a crash course in Old Forester history, the legacy of George Garvin Brown, and why the Whiskey Row series is meant to be a &ldquo;taste through history.&rdquo; The conversation also turns to what bourbon drinkers obsess over that may not actually matter&mdash;high proof&mdash;a take that does not go unchallenged.
From there, it&rsquo;s all barbecue. Adam Hoffman, owner of Big Hoffa&rsquo;s Barbecue, breaks down what it takes to produce consistent brisket at scale&mdash;flat vs. point, trimming fat so smoke and heat can do their job, slicing against the grain, and how a restaurant turns out 50&ndash;60 briskets a day without letting anything subpar hit a plate.
Also in this episode:
<ul data-start="1678" data-end="1957">
<li data-start="1678" data-end="1771">
the great Heinz &ldquo;dipper fry box&rdquo; debate (and an Indiana ketchup line drawn in the sand)
</li>
<li data-start="1772" data-end="1847">
a look at NFL coaching shakeups and the patience problem in modern sports
</li>
<li data-start="1848" data-end="1957">
and Fingers&rsquo; early-morning casino trip that ends with the most unsettling sentence ever overheard in public
</li>
</ul>
Eat. Drink. Smoke. Find everything at EatDrinkSmokeShow.com.
Follow Eat Drink Smoke on social media!
X (Formerly Twitter): @GoEatDrinkSmoke Facebook: @eatdrinksmoke IG: @EatDrinkSmokePodcast

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

Old Forester, Big Hoffa’s, and Brisket by the Pan

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/78a347aa-3282-4ac5-837c-a72300032082/clips/103c1111-4217-4f57-9a97-b3d601177a12/transcript