Happy Hour -- Clermont Steep American Single Malt Whiskey

It’s a rare day on Eat Drink Smoke Happy Hour when the guys say, “Let’s try a bourbon,” and then immediately pivot to… American single malt. Tony Katz and Fingers Malloy crack open Clermont Steep from the Beam folks — an American single malt whiskey, aged five years, 94 proof, and weird enough (in a good way) to throw both of them off their normal tasting lanes. The nose hits sweet, rich, and ethanol-forward… but the palate lands ridiculously smooth, warm, and surprisingly layered. They chase notes like honey, toffee, pear, and that unmistakable “malt” character that makes it feel like it’s playing in a totally different sandbox than bourbon. Then they do what any responsible show would do:They add a cube, add a little water, and argue about what just happened to the flavor like it’s a playoff call. Also in this episode: The eternal question: Do you have to talk to your Uber driver? Tony and Fingers compare their rider ratings like it’s a credit score News of the week, including UPS job cuts, AI creeping into everything, and why that’s both fascinating and horrifying Pepsi’s snack-price moves and what they might say about the economy The correct hierarchy of junk food (and why Cheetos are underrated) And the continued push to turn Costco into an accidental sponsor If you want something different for the cabinet — or a bottle that makes a killer “try this” gift — Clermont Steep might be your move. Find everything at eatdrinksmokeshow.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.