Month: April 2021

Last weekend, The New York Times reported on a particularly sleazy way the Trump campaign earned donations in the final months leading up to the 2020 election: They pre-checked yellow boxes asking supporters to make their payments recurring. Many didn’t un-check that box and were astounded, even devastated financially, upon finding their bank accounts unwittingly drained. Now there’s a similar trick is afoot, this time with an over-the-top, threatening message to go with it.

As per the Times, a group called the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) has been sending out donation forms, also with a pre-checked box denoting a monthly charge. There’s also some rather intense text to go with it.

“We need to know we haven’t lost you to the Radical Left,” it reads. “If you UNCHECK this box, we will have to tell Trump you’re a DEFECTOR & sides with the Dems.”

Bullying language and all-caps words aside, it’s the same ploy the Trump campaign used, forcing donators to uncheck the box to stop recurring payments they might not want or be able to pay. Consumer advocates called the measure a “dark pattern,” especially considering the Trump team was forced to pay $122 million in refunds during the 2020 cycle to their own supporters. (Donation refunds are not uncommon, but compare and contrast with the Biden campaign, which refunded almost $100 million less during the same period.)

Still, people were surprised by the new, cartoonishly aggressive language.

It seemed unlikely that Trump would be told about each every so-called “defector.”

But it does seem likely some of his supporters would believe that.

More than that, it just seemed weird.

And culty.

And it drove many to simply make jokes.

Welcome to SNX DLX! Before we get into this week’s offerings, we felt like we should mention that the Frosted Blue Yeezy 500s are being rumored for an early Monday drop. We would’ve included that release here, but because it hasn’t been confirmed by Adidas we’re going to err on the side of caution. Our gut tells us it’s not happening!

This week is another big week for Jordan heads (surprise surprise), thanks to the re-release of the legendary Toro Bravo or Raging Bull AJ 5 colorway. That’s going to be a tough cop, so be sure to hit aftermarket sites if you end up taking the L using the notoriously buggy Nike SNKRS app.

Aside from the Jordans we also have some new drops from NOAH and Vans, Supreme, Timberland, and a few links to drop if you missed out on Bad Bunny’s pastel pink Easter Egg sneakers that surprise-dropped over the weekend. The Easter Eggs had their Latin American market release this week, which means the aftermarket should be flush with new pairs for those hunting them.

Let’s dive into this week’s best shoe releases.

Air Jordan 5 Toro Bravo

Easily the biggest draw of the week (and probably why you’re here if you aren’t already a regular SNX devotee), this week’s Toro Bravo Air Jordan 5 is a refresh of a 2009 colorway. Dressed in a fiery University Red colorway, the Toro Bravo features a premium suede upper with a red-tipped shark tooth pattern at the midsole and embroidered “23” branding.

It’s a classic, and this week is your chance to finally make it yours.

The Air Jordan 5 Toro Bravo is set to drop on April 10th for a retail price of $190. Pick up a pair at GOAT and Flight Club.

Nike LeBron 7 Baseball Blue

It’s quite a time to be an LA sports fan — the Lakers are the current favorites to win the NBA Finals and the Dodgers pulled together a World Series win last year. To celebrate the city’s prominence in professional sports, Nike and LeBron James are launching a special Baseball Blue colorway of the LeBron 7.

The Baseball Blue features a distinct palm-tree patterned blue mudguard with baseball stitching at the heel and chrome detailing throughout with a soft pink upper that helps the red and blue paneling to pop. It’s a surprisingly well-put-together design for the LeBron 7, which tends to dip into over extravagance. That or my LA bias is showing.

The Nike LeBron 7 Baseball blue is set to drop on April 9th for a retail price of $200. Pick up a pair at GOAT.

Bad Bunny x Adidas Forum Low Easter Egg

The sneaker scene has a new star. Bad Bunny already has one highly successful Adidas collaboration under his belt and now, with the spring-centric Easter Egg, the reggaeton giant has just landed his second. The Easter egg utilizes Adidas’ Forum Low silhouette and features an upper of mixed suede and leather, a thick strap over the lacing system, and sports the signature Bad Bunny eye graphic on the thick double-layered tongue.

So far Bad Bunny has released a sneaker inspired by coffee, and now Easter eggs (and a Croc, but we try not to talk about that ). We can’t even imagine what’s next — that’s refreshing!

The Bad Bunny Adidas Forum Low Easter egg is out now, hit up aftermarket sites like StockX or GOAT to pick up a pair.

Supreme x Dr. Marten’s 5-Eye Shoe

Dr. Marten’s has been having quite a year, thanks to a handful of high-profile collaborations that have other brands putting a fresh spin on classic Doc silhouettes. But none of those even come close to how dope this link-up between the doctor and streetwear giant Supreme is. Dropping in three colorways including tan, black, and our favorite, zebra print, this low-profile hard shoe is elegant without being too stuffy and, while it’s technically not a sneaker, it should pair nicely with the streetwear staples in your wardrobe while offering range if you want to class it up a bit.

The Supreme x Dr. Marten’s 5-Eye shoe is set to drop on April 8th for a yet to be announced price. Pick up a pair exclusively at Supreme.

Kim Jones x Converse Chuck 70

We’re always down for a redesign of the classic Chuck 70, but we’re especially psyched for this new iteration from designer Kim Jones, aka the current Artistic Director for Dior Men’s and Fendi womenswear. For his take on the iconic silhouette, Jones encased the sneaker in a translucent plastic sleeve and beefed up the midsole for a chunkier, more modern presentation. The full collection drops in either an all-off-white colorway or a simple black and white.

The Kim Jones x Converse Chuck 70 collection is set to drop on April 8th for a retail price of $160. Pick up a pair at the Converse webstore.

NOAH x Vans 24 LX

Inspired by the curb and street skaters of late ‘80s Venice California, this latest collaboration between NOAH and Vans is dripping with Southern California style. Utilizing Vans’ often forgotten 24 LX silhouette, this take features a camouflage upper in hot pink and black or green and white with a rubberized toe for increased durability.

These sneakers are made to take a beating, promising an increased life span for skaters on the roughest streets LA has to offer.

The NOAH x Vans 24 LX is set to drop on April 8th for an unannounced price. Pick up a pair exclusively at the NOAH webstore.

Aimé Leon Dore x Timberland 3-Eye Lug

First, we listed the Supreme and Dr. Marten’s joint and now here we are giving some shine to another piece of footwear that isn’t technically a sneaker. We say who cares — this team-up between Timberland and New York-based streetwear label Aimé Leon Dore is dope, and in SNX that’s all that truly matters. (Plus, we’ve covered slides and sandals before. If it’s cool, anything goes.)

Featuring a leather upper in tan, rich brown, and navy blue, this boat shoe features a matching lacing system and eye-catching golden eyelets with dual branding via the embossed Timberland logo and the Aimé Leon Dore stitching.

The Aimé Leon Dore x Timberland 3-Eye Lug is set to drop on April 9th at the Timberland webstore for a retail price of $170.

Disclaimer: While all of the products recommended here were chosen independently by our editorial staff, Uproxx may receive payment to direct readers to certain retail vendors who are offering these products for purchase.

Cobra Kai showrunner Josh Heald has already helped resurrect The Karate Kid as a spin-off YouTube and Netflix series, but for his next project he’s thinking even farther outside the box: According to Deadline, he’s turning Ancient Aliens into a movie. Yes, Ancient Aliens — the longtime History Channel documentary series that’s a scourge amongst historians and experts but which has long been a ratings bonanza.

Details are currently being kept under wraps, so it’s not clear if the project — to be directed by Heald and written by Luke Ryan — so it’s not clear what direction it will take. Since 2010 and over 200 episodes, Ancient Aliens has delved into hypotheses concerning aliens visiting Earth throughout history. Will the movie be a globe-trotting adventure, jumping around the various sites purported to have been visited by E.T.s? A Stargate-esque sci-fi extravaganza? Maybe even a comedy?

The latter isn’t that far-fetched. Among the producers are Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg, best known for birthing the Harold and Kumar series, as well as creating Cobra Kai, which doesn’t play things as straight-faced as the original Karate Kid series. Whatever the case, they may wind up having to deal with scientists and the like pointing out that there is no hard proof that aliens even know we exist, and vice versa.

(Via Deadline)

The Matt Gaetz sex-trafficking allegations have become the biggest political scandal since Donald Trump left office. The Republican congressman from Florida is being investigated by the Justice Department for having an alleged “sexual relationship with a 17-year-old and paid for her to travel with him.”

Gaetz is known as one of Donald Trump’s most fervent supporters and was among the Republican Congressman who fanned the conspiracy flames that many say led directly to the Capitol riot on January 6.

The intrigue around the scandal known as “Gaetzgate” shows no signs of slowing, and there’s one innocent bystander who will have no peace until it does, Matt Gertz of Media Matters.

Gertz is a senior fellow at the nonprofit “progressive research and information center dedicated to comprehensively monitoring, analyzing, and correcting conservative misinformation in the U.S. media.”

His main beat is Fox News, who he takes to task on the Media Matters website as well as his Twitter feed.

So for two men involved in politics, there could be few who are less alike. However, Gaetz and Gertz are forever linked on Twitter because their names are only off by a letter. So, Gertz is constantly getting vitriol for Gaetz’s alleged behavior.

It’s hard to say whether it’s a spelling error that turns Gaetz to Gertz on Twitter or the fact that some people may think that Gaetz’s name is Gertz. But Twitter is a pretty confusing place in general.

For the most part, Gertz takes the Gaetz mix-up with the appropriate grain of salt and even finds it pretty funny. But it still seems pretty exhausting to get yelled at all day for something you didn’t do. Especially when we’re talking about a major offense, as opposed to say, unpaid parking tickets.

One of the “best” mix-ups came last summer when a filmmaker named Morgan J. Freeman — no, not the one you’re thinking of — came after Gertz.

This Morgan Freeman is known for producing the hit MTV reality show “Teen Mom” and the spinoffs, “Teen Mom 2,” and “16 and Pregnant.”

via Matt Gertz / Twitter

Gertz thought the guy who probably has the same problem as him lighting him up was pretty funny.

via Matt

Freeman clearly understood the error and apologized to Gertz. “Truly sorry I accidentally tagged @MattGertz instead of @mattgaetz but let’s harness this great energy and take down the evil Mini-Trump GAETZ now!!!” he responded.

Recently, Gertz has received flack because Gaetz is potentially leaving office to take up a job at the ultra-right-wing TV network Newsmax.

Others have warned Gertz that the “weasels are closing in” on him.

According to MSNBC, Matt Gertz did something so bad that not even Donald Trump will defend him.

One Twitter user took a screenshot of the countless times Gertz is forced to say “wrong guy” every day.

On Tuesday, the “Morgan Freeman” problem popped up again. A man with the name Ray Donovan, just like the TV show starring Liev Schreiber, mistook Getz for Gaetz and hilarity ensued.

via Matt Gertz / Twitter

via Matt Gertz / Twitter

via Matt Gertz / Twitter

The good news for Gertz is that he’s gaining some positive attention for the fun he’s having with Gaetzgate. He says he’s gained over 50,000 followers on Twitter since the allegations first dropped. He’s sure to have tens of thousands more by the time Gaetzgate is settled.

The Falcon and the Winter Solider doesn’t only give us Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson and Sebastian Stan’s Bucky Barnes. It also brings back Helmut Zemo, the main villain of Captain America: Civil War, played by Daniel Brühl. But there’s a twist: he’s one of the good guys, sort of. When last we saw him, he was a brooding terrorist. Now he’s suddenly gained a sense of humor. The German actor has leaned into the latter aspect, and one of the best parts of the show so far is a stray moment when the guy who once terrorized the Avengers playfully plays with Bucky Barnes’ chin.

“That was improvised,” Brühl told The Hollywood Reporter. Thing is, he had to do it several times, over several takes. But that only made it funnier. “I knew how much Sebastian was suffering. There were a couple of takes where he couldn’t deal with it.”

It’s all part of the new Zemo, who has changed dramatically in the five years since Civil War, which ended with him locked up. Still, don’t think he’s fully flip-flopped. When asked if Wilson and Barnes should trust him, he said, “No, never.” But he also thinks that makes it more realistic:

“If it’s hard to read and tell what somebody is up to, that ambiguity — which people always enjoy and I do enjoy — is always fun. So, yeah, you shouldn’t really trust him. But I guess it has become apparent that he is not an evil supervillain; there’s more to him, which we already know from the other movie. But in the conversations between the three of them, we have intensified the very human side of Zemo. I disagree with his radical methods, but it’s understandable based on where he comes from. So I understand if people empathize with Zemo, and I would understand if everybody joins Team Zemo by the end of the show.”

Brühl was also asked about one of his other former colleagues in the MCU: Chris Hemsworth, with whom he starred in Ron Howard’s racecar movie, Rush, from 2014. The two have never shared a scene — the Asgardian was one of the ones AWOL from Civil War — but Brühl said he hasn’t “dared” bug Marvel honcho Kevin Feige about allowing a reunion. ¨I’m a huge fan of what Chris has done with his character,” Brühl said. “So that would be a nice rendezvous.”

(Via THR)

The last few years were quiet ones for New York rapper Belly after he released his Roc Nation debut Immigrant (renamed from Midnight Zone) in 2018. However, while he wasn’t releasing music for the last two years, that doesn’t mean he wasn’t working on it. Today, he made his long-awaited return to the spotlight with two new singles, “Money on the Table” featuring Benny The Butcher and “IYKYK.” Both singles support the upcoming release of Belly’s third studio album See You Next Wednesday.

While the former track finds both Belly and Benny in their typical boastful modes, “IYKYK” is a more vulnerable and introspective song, on which Belly admits to feeling “neurotic” and addresses the pressures of life. The tone’s consistent with his recent social media messaging, with which he shares his struggles with his health, both mental and physical. A press release for the new singles promises that his upcoming album, named in honor of filmmaker John Landis, will contain similar content, while the singles themselves show Belly hasn’t lost a step and remains as lyrically sharp as ever.

That pen game served him well in 2020; he helped co-write his XO Records label boss The Weeknd’s hit single “Blinding Lights,” which spent 56 weeks on the Billboard Top 10 songs chart. Stay tuned for him to complete his comeback with See You Next Wednesday, due later this year on XO/Republic.

Listen to “Money On The Table” and “IYKYK” above.

Over five years ago, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson first revealed his casting as the DCEU’s Black Adam in a standalone movie, and back then, we did not know that it would be a follow up on the success of 2019’s Shazam! It sure looked like production on the long-gestating comic-book movie would begin last year, and The Rock even posted some training photos to that effect, but you-know-what happened. After another very long year or so of waiting, The Rock is ready to finally get down to filming, and it sure looks like he’s gotten serious about how his legs will look in tights.

In other words, The Rock appears to have been skipping cheat meals, but he surely has not skipped leg day. While adorned in very long sleeves and a healthy dose of sweat, he could resist showing off those jacked legs. “It’s always the work we quietly put in when no one is watching that changes the game,” he wrote. “Grateful for the grind… (and the face of my Warrior Spirit always watching my back)… Production kicks off this week.”

Previously, a deleted Shazam! scene (included in the Blu-Ray release) suggested that Black Adam’s arrival was imminent. Yet the film’s planned take on this character, who was once Egypt’s greatest champion, remains somewhat nebulous, even in the recently brightened-up DCEU. The comics-version of Black Adam has danced between supervillain-or-antihero to varying degrees, so yeah, The Rock’s incarnation could go either way. About a year ago, The Rock did call his character “a rebellious, one of a kind superhero” with “powers equal to SUPERMAN.”

So… superhero (or antihero) and probably not a villain with corrupt powers still intact? It may not matter because everyone will be staring at those legs.

Black Adam will arrive in theaters on July 29, 2022.

This Is a Robbery: The World’s Biggest Art Heist (Netflix series) — Settle in for this revisiting and exploration of the so-called “biggest art heist in history.” Over four parts, this documentary series will dig into the 1990 St. Patrick’s Day heist, which saw over half a billion dollars worth of legendary works stolen from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston. Rembrandts and everything! The series promises to dig into all the dead ends and lucky breaks that this unsolved mystery has to offer.

Exterminate All The Brutes (HBO, 9:00 & 10:00 pm) — This four-part documentary series tells a story of survival with a powerful message. Prepare to witness a search for truth and an scrutinization of how history is written, and expect to watch this show while reexamining much of what you thought you knew about European colonialism, American slavery, and Native American genocide. Tonight, Parts 1 and 2 revisit the U.S.’ legacy as a colonial power, including stories of Christopher Columbus and Trail of Tears, as told from an indigenous perspective.

Dolly Parton: A MusiCares Tribute (Netflix film) — Even before Dolly helped fund research that led to one of the COVID-19 vaccines, she was beloved, as she very well should be. This special showcases the never-before-seen 2019 Person of the Year event and concert that celebrated this national treasure.

Kung Fu (CW, 8:00pm) — A mid-twenties Chinese-American woman, takes a life-changing journey to an isolated Chinese monastery after dropping out of college. Upon her return, she must banish crime and corruption in her hometown with her newfound martial arts skills and Shaolin values, all in the name of justice.

Nancy Drew (CW, 9:00pm) — Nancy and her crew must help one of their own, and Ryan grows preoccupied with a Celia conversation.

Hemingway (PBS, 8:00 & 9:00pm) — The docuseries continues with two more parts, including Hemingway following the Army through Europe and trying to get things rolling with Mary Welsh amid tragedies. In the meantime, he publishes The Old Man And the Sea to applause.

Snowfall (FX, 10:00pm) — The John Singleton-co-created series sees Franklin confronted with chaos while Teddy is attempting to row upstream.

The Wedding Coach (Netflix series) — All of those cancelled weddings from last year are going to have a spiritual reawakening with this show, which dives into the hell of planning. Comedian Jamie Lee piggybacks from her own wedding to help couples “survive” the ridiculousness of “Big Bridal.” It’s real talk with Lee attempting to help people see the bigger picture.

Jimmy Kimmel Live! — Luke Bryan, Katey Sagal, Luke Bryan

The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon — Denis Leary, Cristin Milioti, Rod Wave

The Late Show With Stephen Colbert — Leslie Odom Jr., Physicist Michio Kaku

The Late Late Show With James Corden –Kenan Thompson, Julien Baker

In case you missed this pick from last Wednesday:

Godzilla vs. Kong (HBO Max) — As you are well aware, we’ve seen a very long year without blockbusters (or almost any movies at all) in theaters, but a mega-blockbuster has arrived in both streaming and theatrical formats. It’s quite literally an actioner of gigantic proportions in a battle (starring Alexander Skarsgard and Rebecca Hall) for all of the ages. Not only does Kong punch Godzilla, but Godzilla punches back. It’s not quite Fast 9 in terms of ripped dudes with one-liners, but damn, it’s one hell of a movie event.

In the melancholy video for Lil Tjay’s new single, “Love Hurts,” Tjay and guest rapper Toosii contemplate heartbreak and discover a grisly scene in a mansion when an enemy’s assassination attempt goes awry and catches a bystander in the crossfire.

“Love Hurts” is the latest standout from Lil Tjay’s second major-label album, Destined 2 Win, released last Friday along with the video for its fourth single, “Run It Up” featuring Moneybagg Yo and Offset. Before that, Tjay drummed up anticipation for the project with the 6lack-featuring “Calling My Phone,” the drill-inspired “Headshot” featuring Fivio Foreign and Polo G, and “Born 2 Be Great,” released just a week before the album’s due date. Over the weekend, Tjay also shared the video for “Oh Well,” ensuring even more attention for the 21-track project. The album also features the previously released “None Of Your Love” as a bonus track.

Tjay’s latest album arrives after a year that saw his profile at its highest point thanks to his inclusion on the 2020 XXL Freshman cover and the release of his timely mixtape, State Of Emergency, building on the warm reception of his 2019 debut album, True 2 Myself.

Watch Lil Tjay’s “Love Hurts” video featuring Toosii above.

Destined 2 Win is out now via Columbia. Get it here.

When it comes to bourbon, the main ingredient is corn, which has to make up at least 51% of the mash bill. That’s usually followed by rye and barley. But some iconic brands — most notably Pappy Van Winkle and W.L. Weller — are known for their liberal use of wheat over rye. The result is a softer, sweeter whiskey, without the peppery spice of rye.

These wheat-forward bourbon expressions are called — no huge surprise here — wheated bourbons. They’re not to be confused with “wheat whiskeys,” where the mash bill must be comprised of at least 51% wheat. In either case, the more wheat included in the recipe, the mellower and (*gulp* this is a much-hated word in whiskey writing) smoother the final product will typically be (aging is also a big factor here).

That smoothness means that wheat-heavy whiskey expressions are often incredibly welcoming to newbies. They’re the bottles you keep on hand to introduce your friends and family to the slow-sipping style of drinking. We’ve highlighted 10 of our favorite wheaty bottles for your bar cart, below. Click their prices to order them online.

Bainbridge Battle Point Whiskey

ABV: 43%

Average Price: $50

The Story:

This single-grain whiskey is made exclusively from estate-grown white wheat. Made in a similar style to Scotch whisky, it’s distilled two times before being matured for two years in charred, new American oak casks. The result is a soft, sweet, easy-drinking whiskey that definitely deserves a spot on your home bar cart.

Tasting Notes:

On the nose, you’ll be greeted with the aromas of dried cherries, vanilla beans, and a nice herbal backbone. The palate is swirling with toasted oak, brown sugar, subtle cinnamon, and just a hint of salted caramel. The finish is long, warming, and ends with a nice kick of buttery vanilla.

Bottom Line:

Bainbridge Battle Point has been named the world’s best wheat whiskey three times at the World Whiskies Awards. This alone should be enough to motivate you to grab a bottle or two.

Larceny Small Batch Bourbon

ABV: 46%

Average Price: $25

The Story:

Larceny is a brand committed to maintaining the tradition of using wheat (as opposed to rye) as the second grain (to corn) in their mash bill. Larceny Small batch is matured for six years in charred, new American oak casks. Casks are hand-selected by the Master Distiller for their soft, sweet, rich flavor.

Tasting Notes:

Take a moment to breathe in the scents of fresh-baked bread, caramel, and brown sugar. On the palate, you’ll find sweet clover honey, sticky toffee pudding, and toasted vanilla beans. It all ends with a nice, rounded, soft, sweet finish, featuring notes of caramelized sugar.

Bottom Line:

This award-winning bourbon is way cheaper than it should be. It’s complex, sweet, and exceedingly mellow.

McKenzie Bottled in Bond Wheated Bourbon

ABV: 50%

Average Price: $45

The Story:

This wheated bourbon comes from Finger Lakes Distilling, a farm distillery located in New York State’s Finger Lakes Region. The distillery is well-known for its variety of spirits, but its Bottled In Bond Wheated Bourbon just might be its best. Made with 70% locally sourced corn, 20% winter wheat, and 10% malted barley, it’s aged in new, charred oak casks for four years.

Tasting Notes:

On the nose, you’ll find aromas of candied pecans, molasses, and fresh-baked bread. Take a sip and you’ll be greeted with flavors of charred oak, ripe cherries, milk chocolate, and sweet treacle. It ends with a mixture of freshly brewed coffee and vanilla beans.

Bottom Line:

This bottle might not be as easy to find as some of the others on this list. If you spot it, we implore you to buy a few bottles. You definitely won’t regret your purchase.

Dry Fly Straight Washington Wheat Whisky

ABV: 45%

Average Price: $40

The Story:

Dry Fly was the first licensed distillery in Washington State post-Prohibition. Its small-batch, hand-sealed wheat whiskey is made from 100% Washington State wheat, distilled in copper pot stills, and aged for three years in new, charred American oak barrels.

Tasting Notes:

Give this whiskey a proper nosing and you’ll find notes of caramel apples, charred oak, and just a hint of citrus zest. On the sip, you’ll be met with a symphony of buttery caramel, rich brown sugar, and spicy cinnamon. It all ends with a pleasing combination of sweetness and heat.

Bottom Line:

Dry Fly has gained a reputation in the Pacific Northwest for its high-quality whiskeys. If you haven’t tried the brand yet, now is the time to grab a bottle of this soft, rather sweet expression.

Bernheim Original Wheat Whiskey

ABV: 45%

Average Price: $33

The Story:

One of the first wheated whiskeys produced since Prohibition, this 100% wheat whiskey is named for the well-known Bernheim Distillery, located in Louisville. It was aged for seven years in charred, virgin oak barrels in open-air barrel houses. The result is a smooth, well-rounded, highly sippable whiskey.

Tasting Notes:

On the nose, you’ll find scents of clover honey, toasted vanilla beans, and a nice hit of butterscotch pudding. The palate is dominated by blackberries, treacle, buttery caramel, and just the right amount of spicy cinnamon. The finish is warming, medium in length, and ends with a final note of charred oak and caramel sweetness.

Bottom Line:

You might have never heard of this wheated whiskey, but if you’re a fan of soft, highly drinkable whiskeys you should quickly get acquainted with it.

Oregon Spirit Wheat Whiskey

ABV: 45%

Average Price: $39.99

The Story:

This award-winning whiskey from Oregon Spirit Distillers is made with a base of winter wheat. But unlike most wheat whiskeys, the mash bill also contains rye and malted barley. It’s aged in new, charred American oak barrels for four years.

Tasting Notes:

Breathe in the aromas of caramel apples, cinnamon, and maple syrup before taking a sip. On the palate, you’ll find notes of buttery caramel, charred vanilla beans, sweet honey, and spicy cinnamon. It all ends in a crescendo of toasted marshmallows and peppery rye.

Bottom Line:

While still mellow and soft, if you’re looking for a wheat whiskey with a little bit of peppery spice, this is the bottle for you.

1792 Sweet Wheat Bourbon

ABV: 45.6%

Average Price: $60

The Story:

A winner of multiple awards, this bourbon is made with wheat in the mash bill instead of the usual rye. The result is a well-defined, complex whiskey that pairs the gentle sweetness of corn with the rich, mellow flavor of wheat in perfect unison.

Tasting Notes:

Before sipping, take a few moments to let the scents of charred oak, vanilla beans, and honey fill your nostrils. On the palate, you’ll be introduced to hints of raisins, dried cherries, caramel corn, and toasted wood. The finish is long, mellow, and ends with a dollop of caramelized sugar.

Bottom Line:

Maybe you’re not ready to go all-in on this wheat-centric journey. If you still require sweet corn flavor as well as wheat, this is a great gateway into the wheated whiskey world.

Redemption Wheated Bourbon

ABV: 48%

Average Price: $43.99

The Story:

When the folks at Redemption say that this is a “wheated” bourbon, they’re not kidding. While exactly 51% of the mash bill is made up of corn, 45% is wheat (the other 4% is malted barley). This award-winning wheated bourbon is an esquisite sipping whiskey, thanks in part to the nearly 50/50 recipe of corn and wheat.

Tasting Notes:

On the nose, you’ll find swirling aromas of charred oak, crisp apple, and maple syrup aromas. The sip features flavors of freshly brewed coffee, smoked bacon, buttery caramel, and an overall nutty sweetness. The finish is warming, subtly herbal, and full of toffee sweetness.

Bottom Line:

Redemption is most known for its rye whiskey. You can’t go wrong with that spicy, rich expression. But if you’re on the lookout for something much sweeter and smoother, purchase a bottle of its wheat bourbon ASAP.

Weller Antique 107 Bourbon

ABV: 53.5%

Average Price: $60

The Story:

Honestly, we could fill up this whole list with various bottles of Weller. But chances are you’d never get to try them and that would make for a pretty boring list. One of the easier to find, yet still amazing, is Weller’s Antique 107 expression. The high ABVs are right there in the name, but this wheated bourbon still manages to be well-balanced and extremely soft on the palate.

Tasting Notes:

Give this whiskey the nosing it deserves, and you’ll find notes of toasted vanilla beans, charred oak, and a subtle floral backbone. The palate is heavy on the dried fruits, creamy vanilla, and brown sugar. A nice kick of spicy cinnamon adds lovely balance to the dram. The finish is long, filled with warming heat, and ends with a nice combination of toffee and that cinnamon warmth.

Bottom Line:

No list of wheat-forward whiskeys is complete without at least one expression from Weller. While this is one of the easiest to find, you can’t go wrong with any of the other Weller expressions either.

Woodford Reserve Wheat Whiskey

ABV: 45.2%

Average Price: $45

The Story:

Located in the heart of horse racing country, Woodford Reserve is a big name in the bourbon world. But this offering isn’t even a bourbon. The distillery’s Wheat Whiskey is comprised of 52% wheat (followed by 20% corn and 8% rye).

Tasting Notes:

A nosing of this elegant whiskey will reveal the aromas of caramel apples, toasted oak, charred vanilla beans, and buttery caramel. On the palate, you’ll find flavors of toasted marshmallows, crisp apples, milk chocolate, and just a hint of peppery spice. It ends with a nice mixture of dark chocolate and sweet caramel.

Bottom Line:

This is the kind of wheat whiskey that deserves to be slow sipped over a single ice cube while you sit alone, watching the world float by.