Cigars Liquor And More

The not very unexpected Chinese kill switches in American energy infrastructure were found. Darrell and Bill try not to dwell on the disaster awaiting us when China decides they've had enough of us and turn everything off and smoke the Man O' War Puro Authentico Maduro Corona and drink the Roble 12 YO Rum. https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/chinese-kill-switches-found-in-american-energy-infrastructure/ar-AA1FNGhW?ocid=socialshare&cvid=8a9a410479e74fe29390ab0988da8c20&ei=12

Korean researchers have created a battery that combines the best of capacitors and the standard batteries. It doesn't require lithium and has all the qualities we're looking for. Bill and Darrell Smoke the 2012 Corojo by Oscar and drink the Smoke Wagon Uncut Unfiltered. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/scientists-develop-next-gen-energy-storage-technologies-that-enable-high-power-and-capacity-simultaneously/ar-AA1Eu1ta?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=NMTS&cvid=ad3ef327e16442f38f075e2c8d02300e&ei=11

A new efficient way to isolate rare earths was discovered at UT. A very necessary move foward in light of our recent clash with China.  https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/rare-earth-element-extraction-breakthrough-could-boost-us-position-in-critical-tech/ar-AA1E3KVU?ocid=socialshare&cvid=e78be75f2c5546729895e12909c86ca3&ei=22

They discuss an amazing new way to reclaim gold from electronics using cheese waste proteins. Unheard of selectivity can be done using this method. This is the sort of thing we love. https://www.earth.com/news/invention-turns-toxic-e-waste-into-22-carat-gold-nuggets-instead-of-trash/

They discuss driverless tractor trailers in Texas, the future of driving, and what it means for regular drivers. They do this while drinking the Three Cord Alman Brothers Backstage Series and smoking the Punch Classico. They throw some shade on the lemon juice in the lemon shaped plastic bottles. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/driverless-semi-trucks-are-on-the-road-in-north-texas/ar-AA1En1lP?ocid=socialshare&cvid=7e6376b9ebc04eb8bde59411bc1bf3a8&ei=254

They riff on technology in general and cover the possibilities of the US returning some of the mining produciton to America, especially the rare earths. Also discussing energy, batteries, and the general research topics. They smoke the Big Sky Bitterroot and sip the Rabbit Hole PX Sherry cask finish. 

Researchers staffed an entire company with II (aka AI) employees. I still think we should call it inorganic intellegence rather than artificial, but no one would find our podcast if I used II in the title. Anyway, it doesn't go well and we discuss it a bit. All the while we smoke a Ferio Tego Metropolitan Host Maduro and we drink the Eagle Rare 10. https://futurism.com/professors-company-ai-agents

This is the 50th anniversary of Microsoft.  They just riff on Microsoft.  Talk a little IBM and Watson. They smoke the Espinosa 601 La Bomba Sake Bomb and sip the El Dorado 12 Year old rum. https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/microsoft-just-turned-50-can-its-dominance-last-another-2/#dt-heading-the-founding--1975

Everyone loves a waster stream becomes free energy story. This is a good one. Researchers at the Distance University of Madrid have uncovered an innovative way to harness the energy of waste air currents. Plus they tell us how to do what they did. Very nice. While discussing this we smoke the Rocky Patel LB1 Toro and drink the Benchmark Full Proof boubon. https://jasondeegan.com/spain-uncovers-a-new-source-of-energy-no-one-saw-coming/  

This week they discuss AI's pushing back against their work. Suggesting programers do their own work. They enjoy this AI becoming an adolescent with an Arturo Fuente Hemingway Best seller and drink Lone Elm's newest finish barrel product, the White Port finish whiskey. https://arstechnica.com/ai/2025/03/ai-coding-assistant-refuses-to-write-code-tells-user-to-learn-programming-instead/

They briefly discuss the fire at the AJ Fernandez factory. Terrible tragity.  They move on to the Quantum slump that Jensen Huang caused and his appology forum panal NVIDIA assembled to re-ignite the energy around Quantum computing. All the while they smoke the AJ Fernandez Man O War Armada and drink the Hogsworth bourbon and armangnac blend. Do digital coin survive the quantum revolution? https://www.fierceelectronics.com/ai/bear-bull-quantum-execs-help-huang-reignite-hype

This week they discuss the report that a quantum computer solved a problem that would take super computers 1 million years to solve. They drink an 8 Year old Trail's End Bourbon and smoke the Partagas Heritage. They get onto the topic of 'living like kings', which I believe we all are. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/world-first-us-quantum-computer-solves-problem-million-years-faster-than-supercomputer/ar-AA1AQriH?ocid=socialshare&cvid=19e32725356c47d9b6b14981babacef8&ei=12  

Bill and Darrell talk about the recent Whiskey riot event in Dallas. There are many of these all over the country and there may be one near you. My Infinity bottle happens to be a Lone Elm bottle signed by the master distiller. They also discuss infinity bottles and why you should start one. They also talk about the cool glencarin sling made perfectly for these types of events. WHISKEY RIOT https://www.bourbonrealtalk.com/  

They talk quite a while about the 20th Anniversary stick and Perdomo in general. There are still more TPE 2025 clips including Perdomo, Arista, and Meier & Dutch. They smoke the Perdomo 20th Anniversary Maduro and drink the Diplomatico Mantuano. Their tech talk is around a new material 5X the strength of Titanium and light as foam. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/new-wonder-material-designed-by-ai-is-as-light-as-foam-but-as-strong-as-steel/ar-AA1ycGzO?ocid=socialshare&cvid=5d8afa62c17e4cac9d1ac63798573256&ei=23

They finally got 4 Old Fashions with walnut bitters that were good enough to compete. There's more clips from TPE 2025. Clips include Drew Estate, Nova Cigars, PDR Cigars, JM Cigars, Aging Room, Altadis, H Upmann, Henry Clay, and Montecristo.

Darrell continues discussing experiences at TPE 2025. More clips from cigar manufacturers. 

This week Darrell talks about TPE 2025. TPE was renamed from Tobacco to Total Products Expo. Wide range of sound bites from cigar manufacturers and discussion including the vape, CBD, THC, Nicotine, Kratom side. They smoke the Graycliff G2 Maduro and drink the Balcones Lineage. https://www.totalproductexpo.com/  

They pull up the 3 page list from halfwheel and review cigar releases. There is already a long list of releases and we're sure there will be more. While discussing the new releases we smoke the aldwell Midnight Express  and drink some Johnnie Walker Black. As always we recommend halfwheel.com as your 1st stop for cigar news. Enjoy!  

They discuss the article covering a recent discovery that improves desalination by almost 30%. They smoke the Adventura Blue Eyed Jacks Revenge and drink the Benchmark Old No 8. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/researchers-make-unexpected-discovery-while-working-to-improve-desalination-highly-convenient-and-cost-effective/ar-AA1x4T9Y?ocid=entnewsntp&pc=U531&cvid=ac9541a0d895419caf9dec821f46addc&ei=192

This week they discuss and article from Forbes by Erik Ofgang where he highlights the 6 must-try bourbons in 2025. They smoke the La Barba Purple and drink the 1845 Preemption Reverence Cask strength https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikofgang/2025/01/14/6-must-try-bourbons-in-2025/

Darrell and Bill highlight the growth in renewables since 2019 and discuss Texas in particular. Texas and California lead the way in US renewables. They smoke the EP Carrillo Sumatra and drink the Cedar Ridge Iowa Straight Bourbon Whiskey Port Cask finish.

They discuss the eighteen new semiconductor fabe to start contruction in 2025, form SEMI Reports and the possible disruption that occurs when China goes after Taiwan. They smoke the Diesel Original and drink Rebel Rye. https://www.semi.org/en/semi-press-release/eighteen-new-semiconductor-fabs-to-start-construction-in-2025-semi-reports

This discuss a recently reported new solar material that outperforms traditional solar cells. They smoke the Partagas Cifuentes and drink the Russell's Reserve Single barrel. https://scitechdaily.com/shattering-efficiency-limits-new-material-outperforms-traditional-solar-cells/

This is a year end review of the best cigars and a stroll througt the rest of the rankings. They have a new announcement for the new year and generally enjoy their ADventura Kings Gold and Remus Reserve 8th Edition. Happy New Year to you and yours!

China bans the export of the metals we've been discussing. We've been expecting this for quite some time. Question is: how do we work though this. They smoke the Alec Bradley Coyo and drink Wheel Horse 101 to make themselves feel better. https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2024/12/china-retaliates-bans-exports-of-rare-metals-after-us-chip-ban/

Bill goes to the Philippines and Hong Kong. He talks about his experience and we get a little hung up on toilets. We smoke Caldwell's The King is Dead and drink a Philippine Dark Rhum Tanduay.  https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g298461-d477886-Reviews-Plantation_Bay_Resort_and_Spa-Lapu_Lapu_Mactan_Island_Cebu_Island_Visayas.html https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKfiUJkPrt4  

They discuss what can you do when you find out your banned products are making their way into banned countries. They smoke the La Aurora Bristol Especial Maduro and drink the Still Austin Limited release Rye Nancy Fraley pick.

Darrell went to Louisville Kentucky to experience some of the Bourbon Trail. They smoke the CAO Big Block and drink the Rebel Yell Distillers Collection. Like all trips, there was a fun disaster.

Very cool technology that desalinates water at high efficency. It's inspired by nature and very likely to be the future of desalination. They smoke the Alec Bradley Prensado Lost Art and drink the I.W. Harper KSBW finished in Cabernet Sauvignon casks. https://interestingengineering.com/energy/waterloos-solar-device-produces-20-liters-of-water-daily

They discuss Bill and Darrell smoke the Caldwell Eastern Standard Sungrown and drink the WhistlePig F1 Rye single barrel. Appologize for the very active bug zapper. Missile debris in Ukraine contains sanctioned chips form Analog Devices, Broadcom, and NXP. They talk about sanctions and maybe what to do.

This weeks the boys discuss a new solar device that desalinates. Not the standard solar panel way. New and promising. Bill rails against text speak... again. Darrell makes fun of him... again. They smoke the Ramon Bueso Genesis with the High West Cask Collection. https://interestingengineering.com/energy/waterloos-solar-device-produces-20-liters-of-water-daily

Toyota announced the creation of their swappable hydrogen fuel cells. The cells are hydrogen power and small enough to behave as the propane tank swaps today. We're super excited about this and think this could and should be the future. They smoke the Sinistro El Burro Corojo and drink the Vizcaya VXOP rum. They also discuss delicate digging with pressure washers. https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/news/toyota-s-portable-hydrogen-cartridges-look-like-giant-aa-batteries-and-could-spell-the-end-of-lengthy-ev-charging/ar-AA1rXmeH?ocid=winp1taskbar&cvid=cf8ff6d8de39423e964aa135c0bfb03a&ei=96

Darrell and Bill discuss gaming in general and specifially the record breaking Tetris game that looped over 255 levels to re-start the game in what is know as "rebirth". They smoke the CAO L'Anniversaire Cameroon Robusto and drink Smoke Wagon Barrel strength Uncut Unfiltered. https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2024/10/nes-tetris-first-ever-rebirth-loops-past-level-255-and-back-to-zero/

They discuss NASA announcement that the lunar modules have recently passed static load testing. They try not to bag on NASA, but.... They smoke the budget stick Chillin' Moose cigar with JT. Meleck's Louisiana Rice whiskey. NASA's Lunar Space Station Just Took a Massive Step Towards Launching https://futurism.com/the-byte/nasa-lunar-space-station-passes-test  

Today they relax a bit with new of the weird and Bill goes on about the cigar's band quite a bit. Are you willing to die over cheese. They smoke the CAO Flathead V450 Sparkplug Boxing Bear 100% Rye cask strength.

Looking for a substitution fom Pappy And Weller? These are the top 10 Ranked Wheated Bourbon recommendations. They smoke the Rocky Patel World Reserve and drink a Nulu Single Barrell 6 year old cask strenght whiskey.  Want Alternatives . We have something to say about most of them. Darrell fan boys out a little at Joe Micallef. https://www.forbes.com/sites/joemicallef/2024/09/07/want-alternatives-to-pappy-and-weller-ten-top-ranked-wheated-bourbons/

They talk about how a hydrogel can be used to play pong, making Darrell feel worse about how bad he played pong. They smoke the CAO L'Anniversaire Maduro and drink the Elijah Craig Toasted Barrell. They talk about their weird ecentricities like not wanting to step on cracks and orienting the band while they smoke. They again get hung up on the band. https://www.newscientist.com/article/2444465-a-glob-of-jelly-can-play-pong-thanks-to-a-basic-kind-of-memory/

SLB launches lithium filtration system and will hopefully contribute to our lithium capacity in North America. They discuss this and battery recycling. They smoke the Alec Bradley V2L Black and sip on the Henry McKenna Single Barrell Bottle N Bond 10 year old. https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/slb-launches-lithium-filtration-system-after-nevada-tests-2024-09-10/  

They debate the screw cap vs cork. Somebody trying to end the world made a cyborg with a mushroom brain. They discuss the liquor quite a bit this episode.  https://futurism.com/the-byte/mushroom-robot-brain  

They discuss helpful AIs Rickrolling people. They also discuss what the rules are for being called a Cognac. They smoke the AVO Classic and drink the Chateau Montifaud Cognac VS. https://futurism.com/the-byte/ai-startup-rickrolling

Bill and Darrell talk about amfibious housing and future ways of staying on a flooding coastline. They delight in the Rojas Bluebonnet and Buffalo Trace. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-02679-w

Bill and Darrell talk about the stranded Starliner and NASAs future. Darrell tels a leaking story of his own. They smoke the Partagas Black Label Bravo and drink the Cowboy Little Barrel.

As China continues to corner the market for rare earths, they try to harm other economies and gain bargining power for their domestic plans. Recycing rare earths from our growing trash heap may be the way the US continues to supply itself with this critical resource. They smoke the La Barba Red and they drink the Balcones Straight Bourbon Whiskey finished in wine casks Cask strength. https://www.forbes.com/sites/kensilverstein/2024/07/24/recycling-rare-earths-beats-mining-them-and-may-weaken-chinas-market/

Darrell and Bill review the Scymigh tripple burner cigar lighter, segue into a discussion of the IBM model M keyboard and ClickyKeyBoards.com who is restoring them. They smoke the La Gianna Havana which is a commerative cigar by David Garafalo and drink the barrel select Bulleit. The Scymigh triple burner is $27 on Amazon. https://www.clickykeyboards.com/

Bill and Darrell focus on the pairing and cigar and liquor this episode. They don't have time to go the tech discussions. They end up discussing bottle shape, liquor comparisons and market strategy.

This week Bill and Darrell discuss the R&D dollars going to advanced chip packaging and the retun of chip packaging facilities to the US. They smoke the Rocky Patel DBS and sip some Blade and Bow Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.  $1.6 Billion CHIPS Subsidy Boosts Advanced Packaging in U.S. https://www.eetimes.com/1-6-billion-chips-subsidy-boosts-advanced-packaging-in-u-s/

They discuss 'A Radical New Magnet Without Rare-Earth Metals Is About to Change Motors Forever'. They key is that they do not contain rare earth elements. Bill and Darrell discuss some implications. They smoke the AVO Heritage and drink the Wolcott Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.  https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/green-tech/a61147476/ai-developed-magnet-free-of-rare-earth-metals/

This week they get distracted with a Ron Zacapa vs Ron Centario 25 comparison. Very close battle. They find another solar development they are a little skeptical of. The Cavalier is a excellent offering and they very much enjoy the evening. https://www.thecooldown.com/green-tech/photon-energy-systems-solar-spheres-wavja/

Check out what Darrell has been up to in Costa Rica.  Diving, monkeys, Zip Lining, etc.  Darrell is having the Rocky Patel Decade with the Balcones Lineage and Bill is having a Foundation Cigars The Wise Man with Angostura Caribbean Rum.  

They discuss the new building design that is Lego like and is strong enough to withstand a bulldozer. They smoke the Caldwell Long Live the King and drink Weller Antique 107. https://www.thecooldown.com/green-tech/plastic-bricks-building-material-home-improvement/  

They discuss privacy in the coming years and whether it can exist. They specifically discuss the Copilot+ 'Recall' feature. Smoking the Graycliff G2 and drinking Old Charter Oak French oak aged; they enjoy the night. They somehow return to complaining how whiny the Skywalkers are. Bill is pushing the 'Data as a Product' way of thinking about your work. With any luck he can convince the world. https://time.com/6980911/microsoft-copilot-recall-ai-features-privacy-concerns/