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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