Happy Independence Day from Eat Drink Smoke — and welcome to our 400th episode!

America turns 250, Eat Drink Smoke hits 400, and Tony Katz and Fingers Malloy celebrate with fried apple pie, patriotic cigars, cold beer, and a whole lot of fast-food nostalgia.

The show kicks off with the triumphant return of the deep-fried McDonald’s Hot Apple Pie. Is it smaller than it used to be? Absolutely. Is it basically an apple pie egg roll now? Also yes. But does it still taste like Gen X childhood wrapped in flaky, cinnamon-apple joy? Oh, you better believe it.

Tony and Fingers light up the John Adams from Liberty Cigars, a 6x52 torpedo featuring a Habano wrapper, Connecticut Broadleaf binder, and Dominican and Nicaraguan filler. Is Liberty Cigars just patriotic shtick, or is there something real happening here? The guys break down the flavor profile, burn issues, construction, price point, and whether the John Adams belongs in your humidor.

Since the Midwest heat index is roughly “surface of the sun,” bourbon takes a backseat to beer. Fingers reviews the Dogfish Head Grateful Dead Citrus Daydream Lager, while Tony tries the Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale.

Also this week: a TSA traveler allegedly tries to hide smoke grenades in peanut butter, companies second-guess replacing workers with AI, Americans are eating way too many meals in their cars, and a terrifying reminder that wire grill brushes belong in the trash.

Plus, Tony explains why it is Independence Day, not just “the 4th of July,” Fingers admits how many meals he eats in the car, and the guys celebrate America 250 with cigars, beer, apple pie, and sarcasm.

Find everything at [EatDrinkSmokeShow.com](EatDrinkSmokeShow.com).

The "Summer of Habanos" begins with the My Father La Lealtad, a hefty 6x60 cigar delivering balanced notes of cedar, coffee, tobacco, and subtle sweetness. Tony and Fingers also review Costco’s Patriot Eagle Bourbon, debate the greatest Southern foods, question the purpose of warm potato salad, and prepare themselves for Indiana State Fair creations involving honey buns, melted butter, and absolutely no restraint.

Plus, Walmart cuts prices, Tinder heats up during the World Cup, Adam Sandler causes ridiculous social media outrage, and baby boomers are getting divorced in record numbers.

Find everything at [EatDrinkSmokeShow.com](EatDrinkSmokeShow.com).

America’s 250th birthday is coming, and Eat Drink Smoke is getting ready the only way it knows how — with hot dogs, cigars, bourbon and a little bit of chaos.

Tony Katz and Fingers Malloy preview the perfect Independence Day setup with Costco hot dogs, the great charcoal vs. propane debate, and whether America can survive another 250 years if people keep putting pets on airplane tray tables.

The featured cigar is the J.C. Newman The American 250th, a commemorative cigar celebrating the nation’s semiquincentennial. Tony and Fingers break down the cigar’s classic American-made blend, its “beefy lancero” feel, and whether it belongs in your humidor for the Fourth of July.

The drink review features the Evan Williams Single Barrel America 250 Commemorative Edition Bourbon, clocking in at a very patriotic 117.76 proof. It brings oak, heat, spice, caramel and enough firepower to make Fingers question several life choices.

Also on this episode: bedbug travel fears, how late is too late for caffeine, Trader Joe’s mini tote madness, M&M’s dropping colors, the Senate taking on housing costs, and why emotional support animals do not belong on airplane tray tables.

Light the cigar, pour the bourbon neat, grill the hot dogs, and celebrate America 250 with Eat Drink Smoke.

Find everything at EatDrinkSmokeShow.com