Month: February 2022

Netflix wants spring to arrive as badly as you do, but until that happens, there’s plenty of content to keep you warm by the fire. This month, a ragingly popular Shondaland series makes a comeback, not long after it pointed out the importance of the female gaze. In addition, there’s a wild true crime documentary and a new adult animated series from the minds (and voices) that brought you Big Mouth. Oh, and Ryan Murphy won’t stop his platform domination anytime soon, so prepare for his latest offering.

In addition, there’s some good archival content making its way to the streaming service. Get ready to blue-steel to your heart’s content with Zoolander (Hansel is still so hot right now) and prepare for Top Gun: Maverick by watching the original film again. Get serious with The Shawshank Redemption or tuck into some Nightmare On Elm Street or Shrek movies. There’s too much to watch here, but that’s a great problem to have these days.

Here’s everything coming to (and leaving) Netflix in March.

Bridgerton: Season 2 (Netflix series streaming 3/25)

The bad news, for enthusiasts of The Duke, is that Regé-Jean Page isn’t back this season (as planned) but we will see more of Phoebe Dynevor returning as Daphne Bridgerton. This season, however, will focus upon Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey) seeking his own match as outlined by Julia Quinn’s books. Surely, this will all be ragingly popular if not quite as satisfying for Page fans. Lady Whistledown (actually Penelope, portrayed by Nicola Coughlan) is still doing her thing and f*cking with everyone during her society letters, and the Featheringtons are dealing with their newest heir.

Bad Vegan (Netflix documentary streaming 3/16)

It ain’t Bad Santa or Bad Teacher, but this trailer is still a fascinating watch. This film follows the inspired-by-real-life story of celebrity restaurateur Sarma Melngailis, who went from the top of the vegan-cuisine charts to being the “Vegan Fugitive.” There’s mention of a meat suit and promises of dog immortality, all with the suggestion that love has gone very, very toxic, but who is the real villain here?

Human Resources (Netflix series streaming 3/18)

If you were jonesing for more Big Mouth hormone monsters, you are in a lot of luck. This series promises to be even edgier while looking at that those monsters (and the depression kitties and the shame wizards) do when everyone’s not watching. Yep, Nick Kroll, Maya Rudolph, David Thewlis, Aidy Bryant, Brandon Kyle Goodman, Keke Palmer, and Randall Park are all on board, so get ready for the binging.

The Andy Warhol Diaries (Netflix docuseries streaming 3/19)

Well, we were about due for yet another Ryan Murphy project on this streaming service, so here we’ve got one. Murphy’s executive producing alongside director Andrew Rossi, and all of this is going down to highlight his behind-the-scenes persona (and his diaries) following his 1968 gunshot wound. It’s an expansive and intimate six-part look at the legend behind the legend, beginning with early childhood memories to his artistic journey and going on to be a publisher, producer, and of course, one who danced with fame. Via Netflix’s synopsis, the project “deftly validates Warhol’s belief that the idea is not to live forever but to create art that will.” Boom.

The Adam Project (Netflix film streaming 3/19)

Ryan Reynolds plays Mark Ruffalo’s time-traveling son, so there’s a little MCU crossover there for you before Deadpool even does his thing. They’re going to save the future, of course, and this film also has Jennifer Garner reteaming with Ruffalo, so how on earth can you not slide this one into your queue? Family resentment and romance and drama across four dimensions. Sign me up, man.

Here’s everything coming to (and leaving) Netflix in March.

Avail. TBA
800 Meters
Tomorrow

Avail. 3/1
The Guardians of Justice
Worst Roommate Ever
21
21 Bridges
A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010)
A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
Battleship
Christine
Coach Carter
Due Date
Freddy vs. Jason
Gattaca
The Gift
The Green Mile
My Best Friend’s Wedding
Public Enemies
Redemption
The Replacements
Richie Rich
The Shawshank Redemption
Shooter
Shrek
Shrek 2
Sorry to Bother You
Starship Troopers
Texas Chainsaw 3D
Top Gun
V for Vendetta
Where the Wild Things Are
Zoolander

Avail. 3/3
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: Season 2
Midnight at the Pera Palace
The Parisian Agency: Exclusive Properties: Season 2
Power Rangers Dino Fury: Season 2
Surviving Paradise: A Family Tale
The Weekend Away
Whindersson Nunes: My Own Show!

Avail. 3/4
The Invisible Thread
Lies and Deceit
Making Fun
Meskina
Pieces of Her

Avail. 3/5
Beirut

Avail. 3/7
Good Girls: Season 4

Avail. 3/8
An Astrological Guide for Broken Hearts: Season 2
Autumn Girl
Chip and Potato: Season 3
Last One Standing
Taylor Tomlinson: Look At You

Avail. 3/9
The Andy Warhol Diaries

Avail. 3/10
The Bombardment
Byron Baes
Queer Eye Germany
The Last Kingdom: Season 5

Avail. 3/10
DC’s Legends of Tomorrow: Season 7
Karma’s World: Season 2
Kotaro Lives Alone
Love, Life & Everything in Between

Avail. 3/11
Formula 1: Drive to Survive: Season 4
Life After Death with Tyler Henry
Once Upon a Time… Happily Never After
The Adam Project

Avail. 3/12
Dunkirk

Avail. 3/13
London Has Fallen

Avail. 3/15
Adam by Eve: A live in Animation
Catherine Cohen: The Twist…? She’s Gorgeous.
Marilyn’s Eyes
One Piece Film: Strong World
Team Zenko Go

Avail. 3/16
Pedal to Metal
Bad Vegan: Fame. Fraud. Fugitives
Hei$t: The Great Robbery of Brazil’s Central Bank

Avail. 3/18
Alessandro Cattelan: One Simple Question
Animal: Season 2
Black Crab
Cracow Monsters
Eternally Confused and Eager for Love
Is It Cake?
Light the Night: Part 3
Standing Up
Thomas & Friends: Race for the Sodor Cup
Top Boy: Season 2
Windfall
Without Saying Goodbye
Young, Famous & African

Avail. 3/21
Call the Midwife: Series 10
In Good Hands

Avail. 3/22
Jeff Foxworthy: The Good Old Days
The Principles of Pleasure

Avail. 3/24
Love Like the Falling Petals

Avail. 3/25
Bridgerton: Season 2
Transformers: BotBots

Avail. 3/26
Blade Runner 2049
King of Thieves

Avail. 3/28
The Imitation Game

Avail. 3/29
Thermae Romae Novae
Mighty Express: Season 6
Mike Epps: Indiana Mike

Avail. 3/30
All Hail
Trust No One: The Hunt for the Crypto King

Avail. 3/31
Casual: Seasons 1-4
Super PupZ

Here’s the full list of titles leaving Netflix in March:

Leaving 3/3
Parker
Safe Haven

Leaving 3/6
The Secret

Leaving 3/15
Howards End

Leaving 3/21
Philomena

Leaving 3/27
Lawless

Leaving 3/28
Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom

Leaving 3/30
Doctor Foster: Seasons 1-2
Mercy Black

Leaving 3/31
300
A River Runs Through It
As Good as It Gets
Bad Teacher
Bee Movie
Blood Diamond
Braveheart
Bright Star
Despicable Me
Despicable Me 2
Eight Legged Freaks
Free Willy 4: Escape from Pirate’s Cove
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra
Ghosts of Girlfriends Past
Good Burger
Gremlins
The Hangover
Happy Feet Two
The Holiday
Hook
I Love You, Man
In the Cut
Interview with the Vampire
Jumanji
The Karate Kid
Kung Fu Panda
The Longest Yard
Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted
Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa
Nacho Libre
The NeverEnding Story
Paranormal Activity
Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!
Pokémon the Movie: The Power of Us
Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon
Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon: Sun & Moon: Ultra Adventures
Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon: Sun & Moon: Ultra Legends
Runaway Bride
The Ugly Truth
Wild Wild West
Woo

For those who might remember, Notorious B.I.G.’s Ready To Die 2013 Record Store Day release was highlighted by sleek white vinyl records that matched the color of Biggie’s signature suit. But what the Estate of Christopher Wallace, Rhino Records, Bad Boy, and Atlantic have in store for the Life After Death 25th Anniversary Super Deluxe release will blow it out of the water.

The first step in the year-long “Sky’s The Limit: A Year Celebrating The Legacy of the Notorious B.I.G.” multimedia campaign, the Super Deluxe vinyl box set is an 8-LP edition. The first four are a remaster of Life After Death, followed by the Hypnotize 12″, Mo Money Mo Problems 12″, Sky’s The Limit 12″, and Nasty Boy 12.” The booklet insert is filled with photos from the album photoshoot, liner notes by music journalist Sheldon Pearce, and reflections of Biggie’s life from his inner circle.

The Life After Death 25th Anniversary Super Deluxe will be released on 6/10, but you can pre-order it here. Take a look at the box set and complete tracklist below.

Life After Death

A1. “Life After Death”
A2. “Somebody’s Gotta Die”
A3. “Hypnotize”
A4. “Kick In The Door”
B1. “Fuck You Tonight”
B2. “Last Day”
B3. “I Love The Dough”
B4. “What’s Beef?”
C1. “B.I.G. Interlude”
C2. “Mo Money Mo Problems”
C3. “Niggas Bleed”
C4. “I Gotta Story To Tell”
D1. “Notorious Thugs”
D2. “Miss U”
D3. “Another”
D4. “Going Back To Cali”
E1. “Ten Crack Commandments”
E2. “Playa Hater”
E3. “Nasty Boy”
E4. “Sky’s The Limit”

F1. “The World Is Filled…”
F2. “My Downfall”
F3. “Long Kiss Goodnight”
F4. “You’re Nobody (Til Somebody Kills You)”

Hypnotized 12″

A1. “Hypnotize” (Radio Mix)
A2. “Hypnotize” (Instrumental)
B1. “Hypnotize” (Club Mix)

Mo Money Mo Problems 12″

A1. “Mo Money Mo Problems” (Radio Mix)
A2. “Mo Money Mo Problems” (Instrumental)
B1. “Mo Money Mo Problems” (Album Version)
B2. “Fuck You Tonight”

Sky’s The Limit 2×12

A1. “Sky’s The Limit” (Radio Edit)
A2. “Kick In The Door” (Radio Edit)
B1. “Going Back To Cali”(Radio Edit)
B2. “Sky’s The Limit” (Instrumental)
C1. “Kick In The Door” (Club Mix)
C2. “Going Back To Cali” (Club Mix)
D1. “Kick In The Door” (Instrumental)
D2. “Going Back To Cali” (Instrumental)

Nasty Boy

A1. “Nasty Boy” (Radio Edit)
A2. “Nasty Boy” (Instrumental)
B1. “Nasty Boy” (Album Version)

Rhino Records is a subsidiary of Warner Music. Uproxx is also an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Stephen King once wrote, “everything old is new again.” We couldn’t agree with that sentiment more. How else you can wrap your head around fanny packs getting popular over the past few years? Now, thanks to the folks at Natural Light, the mullet (once rocked by Stephen King) is primed for a comeback too.

Yes, the mullet. The “classic” hairstyle consists of business upfront (short, seemingly normal haircut) and party backstage (the long, glorious locks). And now someone, somewhere who never cut their 80s mullet is smiling. Because Natural Light wants to pay (sorta!) you in beer to get this iconic, rockin’ haircut.

While you might know it as one of the cheapest beers to snag at the grocer, Natural Light “Natty” has been kicking since 1977. To pay homage to decades of being the “life of the party,” they’re dropping vintage cans.

But that’s not all. They want to add to the ‘70s aesthetic and actually send some lucky drinkers free beer to get a mullet. And this isn’t just a one-time shipment — if these mulleted mavericks keep their floppy ‘dos they’ll even continue sending them free beer in perpetuity.

Before you stroll down to your neighborhood barber and completely change your look to that of a young Joe Dirt, remember to post a photo of your rock and roll haircut to Instagram between now and March 31st for a chance to get your hands on some free Natty Light. Also, make sure to tag #NattyVintage. Or you might get a corny haircut for no reason (vs the “reason” of free beer which really sounds like not enough reason at all to make this sartorial decision but we digress…)

While promoting Don’t Look Up back in November, Adam McKay revealed that his personal and business relationship with Will Ferrell essentially ended over a casting decision for Winning Time, McKay’s upcoming Lakers series for HBO. At the time, McKay admitted that he “f*cked up” when casting John C. Reilly as former Lakers owners Jerry Buss. As a longtime Lakers fan, Ferrell wanted the part, but instead of hearing the news from McKay, he heard it from Reilly, which was the nail in the coffin for Ferrell’s friendship with McKay.

However, there’s a bit more to the story. In a new feature on Winning Time, the process of casting Reilly is broken down, and it appears there was an additional step to the story. Namely that Michael Shannon was originally cast as Buss, but he walked from the role over concerns with the fourth-wall-breaking style of the production. While this presented another opportunity for Ferrell to get the coveted role — he was reportedly fine with the Shannon casting — McKay decided not to tap his longtime friend and went with Reilly, who only had 48 hours to decide if he’d jump into the role of Buss.

Via The Hollywood Reporter:

But before Reilly signed on — before he grew out his hair and his mustache and got into a physical shape that allowed him to squeeze into Buss’ tight-fitting pants — he reached out to Ferrell. Recalls McKay: “It was at this weird moment where Will and I weren’t exactly hugging each other, even though there was nothing that terrible, and he called Will and said, ‘Hey, McKay just came to me with this.’ And Will was very hurt that I wasn’t the one to call him, and I should have. I fucked up.” Reilly is more diplomatic, offering only: “Will is one of my best friends, Adam is one of my best friends, I was delighted to get the job and that’s all I really have to say.”

Ferrell and McKay have reportedly not spoken since the casting incident.

Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty premieres March 6 on HBO.

(Via The Hollywood Reporter)

Adults Adopting Adults. If the title alone of A&E’s new reality show doesn’t concern you or have you feeling a little nauseous, you might want to read it again. While we might suggest watching a teaser or an episode of the show to really get what we’re talking about, the cable network seems intent on scrubbing its archives of any proof that it ever existed after canceling it earlier this week, following the airing of its third-ever episode.

As The Daily Beast reports, the series was scheduled to air its fourth episode on Monday night, but A&E pulled the plug on the controversial reality series before that could ever happen. They also took the extra step of removing the previously aired episodes from any online sites, and have made it seemingly impossible to even find a teaser or network-approved clip of the series on YouTube. While the concept was always questionable, The Daily Beast writes that it was the actions of Danny Huff—one of the adults seeking an adoptee—that ultimately led to A&E killing the series with fire.

The rather drastic action was in response to viewers, who were concerned by some of the admissions made by Huff, who—along with his wife Christy—were looking to adopt a young woman. They planned to go ahead with the decision by adopting Ileana, a pregnant 20-year-old from Austria, who Danny met in an online group for adults looking to be adopted. (Yes, it feels icky just to be typing these words.) That Danny’s motivations for bringing a young woman into their home might be more salacious were not lost on anyone who watched the show. In one episode, he talked about how they came close to adopting an 18-year-old young woman before, but ultimately had to halt the process because Danny found himself sexually attracted to her.

As The Daily Beast’s Nick Schager wrote in his January review of the series:

“Danny’s untoward motivations for bringing Ileana into the household are obvious, and yet with a big smile, he routinely professes his excitement about being a dad, and performatively calls Ileana his daughter while Christy looks on in abject misery… he situates Ileana in a trailer right outside his front door, buys her tons of baby clothes and pays for her medical appointments, and says things like, ‘At the end of the day, Ileana, I want you to stay right here, ‘cause I like hugging on you and you’re awful sweet.’”

Zoinks!

While A&E didn’t respond to The Beast’s request for comment, the outlet did speak with Huff himself, who claimed that he “never had any inappropriate actions, words, comments, anything to her.”

Double zoinks!

(Via The Daily Beast)

We know all about whiskey barrel-aged stouts, porters, and even brown ales. Brands like Founders, Goose Island, Great Divide, and Firestone Walker have made sure of that. But what do you know about the exact opposite technique? As in, beer barrel finished whiskeys.

Few people realize it, but all whiskey technically starts off as un-hopped beer. In addition, many whiskeys are made with beer yeasts in the fermentation process. So it should really be no surprise that more and more distillers are going back to beer for that final touch for their whiskeys in the form of beer barrel-aging/finishing.

There are tons of options when it comes to beer barrel-aged whiskey, especially when you look beyond the borders of the American whiskey scene. For today’s blind taste test, our lineup today includes:

• Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition
• New Holland Beer Barrel Bourbon
• Glenfiddich IPA Cask Finish
• Sagamore Spirit Rye Ale Cask Finish
• Rogue Rolling Thunder Stout Whiskey
• Elijah Craig Beer Barrel Finish
• Westward Single Malt Stout Cask
• Whistlepig Roadstock Rye

Here we go!

Part 1: The Taste

Taste 1

Tasting Notes:

Nutty aromas, sweet grains, dried fruits, and a hint of vanilla are prevalent on the nose. Sipping it revealed hints of dark chocolate, sweet toffee, more vanilla, candied pecans, and a slight malty bitterness. The finish was warming and dry.

The only letdown was the slightly bitter flavor that I can only attribute to whatever beer the brand used.

Taste 2

Tasting Notes:

On the nose, I found heavy notes of dark chocolate, toffee, toasted vanilla beans, and slight cinnamon spice. Tasting it revealed hints of oaky wood, slight baking spices, creamy butterscotch, cocoa powder, and chocolate fudge. The finish was medium in length, filled with warming heat and a nice mix of black pepper and sweet milk chocolate.

Taste 3

Tasting Notes:

An herbal nose with hints of clover honey, caramel, and peppery rye greeted me before my first sip. It delved into notes of cinnamon sugar, candied orange peels, cracked black pepper, vanilla, and a gentle, nutty sweetness that carried through to the warming, dry finish.

Taste 4

Tasting Notes:

The nose is a bit bland with some vanilla, caramel, and a slightly malty flavor. The palate, while not unpalatable, is very sweet with more vanilla beans, toffee, butterscotch, and some oak. The finish is warming and adds to the sweetness.

Honestly, this tastes more like a dessert spirit than a bourbon.

Taste 5

Tasting Notes:

This whiskey has a remarkably fruity nose with caramel apples, sweet vanilla, and slight wintry spices. The palate is filled with flavors like creamy vanilla, toasted marshmallows, rich chocolate, and gentle oaky wood. The last sip is filled with warmth and dark chocolate sweetness.

It’s not overly complex, but solid.

Taste 6

Tasting Notes:

This whiskey is very oak-forward on the nose. This pairs well with the other aromas of bitter chocolate, candied orange peels, and cinnamon sugar. On the palate, I found notes of sweet treacle, cocoa powder, raisins, vanilla beans, and slight wintry spices. The end is short, warming, and a nice mix of sweetness and spice.

Taste 7

Tasting Notes:

My nose was first met with aromas of ripe fruit, dried raisins, vanilla cream, and cracked black pepper. The palate is equally fruity with notes of fresh berries and fruit esters that pair well with hints of dried cherries, butterscotch, vanilla beans, and more slightly spicy pepper at the finish.

Taste 8

Tasting Notes:

Caramel apples, vanilla beans, a slight herbal quality, and slight spice highlight this expression’s nose. The palate is swirling with a slightly floral flavor paired with candied orange peels, butterscotch, toasted vanilla beans, oak, and winter spices. It ends with a crescendo of caramel and herbal spice.

Part 2: The Ranking

8) New Holland Beer Barrel Bourbon — Taste 4

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $30

The Whiskey:

If you’re a fan of bourbon barrel-aged stouts, you’ve probably tried the iconic Dragon’s Milk from New Holland. If you’re a true fan, you’ll step it up and try the brand’s Beer Barrel Bourbon. This bourbon is matured in new, charred American oak barrels before being finished in Dragon’s Milk barrels.

Bottom Line:

This isn’t a terrible bourbon. It just might appeal more to drinkers with a less refined palate, as it is decadently sweet. I’d pour it over some vanilla ice cream.

Perhaps New Holland should stick to what it does best: making beer.

7) Westward Single Malt Stout Cask — Taste 1

ABV: 46%

Average Price: $90

The Whiskey:

This award-winning single malt whiskey is Westward’s homage to the brewing history of its home state of Oregon. Westward sends used, recently empty whiskey barrels to some of their craft beer friends who season them with stout before sending them back to Westward. The distillery then adds its single malt whiskey to the barrels, where it finishes for one year.

Bottom Line:

Chocolate, fruit, and nuts. What more could you want in a beer-finished whiskey? Maybe a little more complexity. This one wasn’t bad, but it definitely wasn’t the best. Honestly, I’ve heard a lot about Westward and I expected a much more nuanced, well-rounded whiskey.

6) Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition — Taste 5

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $36

The Whiskey:

Like many of the whiskeys on this list, Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition began when the brand’s Head of Whiskey Science and a local brewer were discussing their offerings. It was decided that the duo would trade barrels. This triple-distilled Irish whiskey from one of the world’s most well-known brands is finished in Irish craft stout-seasoned barrels.

Bottom Line:

This is a great, sweet, and not overly complex sipper that hits the spot on a freezing winter night. It’s definitely one that I’ll come back to. It landed in the rankings exactly where I’d expect Jameson to land.

5) Rogue Rolling Thunder Stouted Whiskey — Taste 6

ABV: 57.45%

Average Price: $70

The Whiskey:

This whiskey is truly cyclical. This popular whiskey is first distilled at Rogue’s distilling side and aged in barrels that were actually made at the on-site cooperage. It’s first aged in new, charred Oregon oak barrels for two years before spending one year in barrels that once held the brand’s imperial stout.

Bottom Line:

I was very surprised to learn this was a Rogue whiskey. I didn’t have high hopes for it. But it was is a very complex, well-balanced whiskey that has so many different layers that you’ll need multiple sampling to find them all.

4) Glenfiddich IPA Cask Finish — Taste 8

ABV: 43%

Average Price: $51

The Whisky:

Normally, when a whisky maker finishes one of its expressions in a beer barrel, it’s a darker beer like a stout or porter. Glenfiddich got really experimental with it and worked with a Speyside brewer to make an IPA. They then age their fully mature single malt whisky in casks that help this IPA for three additional months.

Bottom Line:

This is a unique whiskey that’s really hard to figure out. There are definitely some flavors not normally associated with whiskey. But is that a bad thing? I don’t think so. Glenfiddich makes single malts so well they’ve earned the right to experiment.

3) Sagamore Spirit Rye Ale Cask Finish — Taste 3

ABV: 45%

Average Price: $70

The Whiskey:

Sagamore Spirit is definitely not a brand to shy away from experimental whiskeys. Its Sagamore Spirit Rye Ale Cask Finish is a good example of this flair for trying things. This four-year-old blend of straight rye whiskeys gets an extra eleven months of finishing in former bourbon barrels that were previously used to age an ale.

Bottom Line:

This is a great example of beer barrel finishing adding to the overall flavor. This whiskey is a nice mix of sweetness and spice that seems to be heightened by the beer finishing. I was excited to try this expression from Sagamore Spirit and it exceeded my expectations.

2) Elijah Craig Beer Barrel Finish — Taste 2

ABV: 47%

Average Price: Limited Availability

The Whiskey:

In the fall of 2020, Elijah Craig partnered with Goose Island to release an extremely limited beer barrel finished bourbon. First, the bourbon was aged in level three charred American oak barrels. The barrels were emptied and sent to Chicago where Goose Island Bourbon County Stout was aged in them. They were then emptied and the barrels were sent back to Kentucky to finish fully mature Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon for an additional ten months.

Bottom Line:

This is an indulgent, highly complex whiskey that deserves to be sipped neat while you swaddled yourself in thick blankets in front of a roaring fire. Elijah Craig is well known for its Small Batch and Barrel Proof expressions, but (if you can find it) this one isn’t to be missed.

1) Whistlepig Roadstock Rye — Taste 7

ABV: 43%

Average Price: $66

The Whiskey:

Whistlepig Roadstock Rye was finished on the road cross country. A tractor-trailer transported the whiskey, half in Bordeaux blend casks and the other half in virgin American oak barrels. The truck traveled to Chicago and then to Los Angeles on Route 66. When it arrived in California, the truck went to Firestone Walker where the whiskey was moved to barrels that previously held the brewery’s imperial stout, imperial blonde ale, and experimental ale before turning around for a return trip to Vermont.

Bottom Line:

This is a highly memorable whiskey. It’s equal parts fruity, sweet, vanilla creamy, and peppery spicy. All in all a whiskey experience I’ll definitely visit again.

Truth be told, I was surprised when I learned that a special release from Whistlepig took the top spot, but my taste buds didn’t lie.

Since the success of Phoebe Bridgers’ sophomore album Punisher, which contains songs like “Kyoto” and “Garden Song,” many artists have reached out to her to collaborate. Among these artists are Lorde, who featured Bridgers alongside Clairo on the background vocals of Solar Power cut “Stoned At The Nail Salon,” and Taylor Swift, who duetted with Bridgers on the Red vault track “Nothing New (Taylor’s Version)” from Red (Taylor’s Version).

In a recent interview with Billboard, Bridgers recalled the first time Taylor Swift reached out expressing interest in collaborating.

“I got this random text from [The National’s] Aaron Dessner that was really weirdly worded for him. And I was like, “What the f*ck is this?” And as I was reading it, I [realized], “Oh, my God, it’s from Taylor Swift.’ We started texting about all kinds of stuff. It was just a total high. It felt like when you meet someone at a party and you’re in the corner all night being like, ‘Me too!’ I’m excited for when we hang out for the first time. We’ve only been very [COVID-19], online friends.”

Bridgers also revealed that she is currently not working on an album, or planning a tour in support of Punisher. “I’m kind of in like, homey, taking-in-art mode,” Bridgers said. “Like, walking-around, reading-and-listening-to-records mode — which probably means I’m about to make something, but who knows.”

Check out the full interview here.

We’ve all daydreamed about quitting our 9-to-5 corporate jobs to travel the world — why sit at a desk when you can lay on the beach on the other side of the planet? Realistically, few people take that leap. But Kesi Irvin, an Ivy League graduate and former financial analyst, decided to risk everything for a chance to see the world.

Irvin left her job on Wall Street to backpack around the world for one year, which eventually became more than five years. Along the way, she created a blog to document her travels and eventually decided to transform this hobby into a business called Kesi To and Fro. The website teaches other adventurous souls how to sustain long-term travel, inspires people to visit destinations that are less frequented by Western travelers, and shows people how to connect with local experiences and communities abroad.

Sounds cool, right? It is. Check it out. After you read this.

Irvin also runs group trips to less touristed destinations like Uganda, where she’s learned the ins and the country’s tourist hot spot and off-the-beaten-track locales. According to Irvin (and our travel editor, who once lived there), Uganda boasts a mix of outdoor excursions, unforgettable views, delicious and unique foods, and welcoming people sure to create the trip of a lifetime. And she’s sharing them all with us today!

Read on for Irvin’s guide to what to eat, where to play, and where to stay in Uganda!

WHY UGANDA?

I first visited Uganda in 2018, and I didn’t know much about the country. I knew there were gorillas there, but that was it. I was surprised by how green the country was! While driving, my favorite thing was to observe how the orange roads contrasted perfectly with the lush, green surroundings. Uganda is sometimes referred to as the “Switzerland” of Africa, and I understand why.

Another reason I love Uganda is because of the people. I instantly felt welcomed in the country, and it’s easier to immersive myself with others since English is one of the main languages in the country.

Although gorilla trekking and other animal safaris might be the initial draw to the country, there is a lot this country has to offer. (Maybe that’s why I’ve been three times already). It’s a must-visit destination because you can find it all: culture, extreme adventures, the Big 5, and lots of beautiful places that are off the beaten path. I also like that many of the safari companies are Ugandan-owned so that tourism dollars can help directly support local communities.

What’s one thing that every first-time visitor should see or do in Uganda?

Everyone needs to try a rolex! It’s a simple, quick snack of an egg wrapped in a chapati. You can easily purchase a rolex from a street vendor or a proper restaurant. In terms of activities — I would say gorilla trekking, but that’s not within everyone’s budgets — so I recommend each visitor to go to Jinja since there’s a lot to do there. It’s only three hours from the international airport and less busy than Kampala.

Ugandan town or area that’s best for outdoor adventure activities?

Jinja is the adventure capital of Uganda and one of the best adventure capitals in the world. Jinja is home to the source of the Nile, which has many activities surrounding it. For less adventurous souls, you can take a pleasant sunset cruise down the Nile. If you like things to get a little crazy, you have to go white water rafting. When I went rafting, I swear I saw death for three seconds. It was scary, exhilarating, and awesome. Another great activity is riding an ATV on the outskirts of Jinja. The roads provide some natural bumps, making it very fun.

If you are looking for even more activities, contact Buutu Safaris, a tour agency I always use and trust, and they can ensure you have a great time not only in Jinja but in all of Uganda.

Ugandan city or town with the best food scene?

Kampala, the capital, has the most food options. You can find delicious Indian cuisine in Uganda since a sizable Indian population resides in Uganda. Matoke is a typical side dish in Uganda. It’s not my favorite, and it’s always served in impossible to finish portions. (But rumors say if you eat a lot of Matoke you will get a nice, juicy butt). My favorite local cuisine is ground-nut sauce, which has lots of yummy flavors, and meat cooked choma style.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Chipati is a simple flatbread (similar to roti, marginally thicker than a flour tortilla) served across East Africa. Having spent a lot of time in the region, I find Uganda’s chipati to be best — who knows why… Anyway, it’s a wonderful snack to have on the road, especially served piping hot.

Best way to see the incredible wildlife of Uganda?

This is an easy answer. You have to go gorilla trekking. It’s hands-down the best safari experience you can have. It’s remarkable to get close to mountain gorillas in their natural environment. I’ve gone three times, and I’m even more impressed each time. It’s interesting to observe creates that share 99.8% DNA with humans. Gorilla trekking is expensive, but it’s worth it. The trekking permit directly impacts the local communities and helps support the conservation efforts for the parks and gorillas.

EDITOR’S NOTE: As Kesi mentioned, you can also see the “Big 5” while on safari in Uganda!

What’s the most efficient form of transportation for getting around Uganda?

I recommend hiring a private driver. I would not trust myself on Ugandan roads because some can be very bumpy or have potholes. Also, buses can be cramped and take a long time. Hiring a private driver is the easiest and quickest way to get across the country. Uganda is not the most accessible place to travel solo. It’s cheaper to split costs by traveling in a group. Infrastructure is not the best in Uganda, so it can be hard for some travelers.

Coolest hotel or place to stay in Uganda?

I will name two spots. The first is Arcadia Lodge, which has the most epic view of Lake Bunyonyi. It’s beautiful to wake up there and overlook the different islands on the lake. The second place is Mweya Safari Lodge in Queen Elizabeth National Park. I love staying here because you will see animals up close if you are lucky. The last time I was there, I found a hippo grazing on the property, and it was so cool! Warthogs and meercats are also expected to find on-site.

Best time of year to visit?

I recommend during the dry season in January or February. It’s also dry season during July and August, but there are more tourists.

Anything else you’d like to add about Uganda:

Go and spend your money in Uganda. When I first backpacked in East Africa, most of the other travelers I met were volunteers or missionaries. I want to encourage more people to view countries like Uganda as a place to be a tourist and not as a place to go and volunteer.

In case you thought Netflix has been lacking in true crime and bizarre stories, just wait until you hear this one! Bad Vegan: Fame. Fraud. Fugitives is the latest docuseries to hit the streaming site, featuring a story that just gets weirder and weirder.

Sarma Melngailis was the co-founder of the vegan go-to hotspot Pure Food and Wine in New York City. The restaurant was a mecca for vegan celebs, who frequented the spot to dine on their raw vegan specials. Melngailis eventually began dating a mysterious man from Twitter (first red flag) who promised to help her business. Suddenly, things got…weird.

The story goes in-depth on how Melngailis was seemingly manipulated by this man, who called himself Shane Fox, as he promised wealth and even immortality for her beloved pet pitbull (second red flag) all while draining her funds and stealing money from the world-famous restaurant. The two were eventually caught on the run after authorities found a charge on Fox’s credit card for none other than non-vegan Domino’s Pizza. Possibly another red flag?

The producer behind the infamous Fyre: The Greatest Party That Never Happened doc and director of Tiger King took Sarma’s story and made it into a four-part docuseries that premieres on March 16th on Netflix. Check out the trailer above.

Tom Brady is a seven-time Super Bowl champion and three-time NFL MVP who’s married to a supermodel. He seemingly has it all, including hundreds of millions of dollars in his bank account, but you know, deep down, it bugs him that the acting role he’s most “known for” is the Entourage movie. That will not do for a perfectionist like Tom Brady. He’s not even the most distinguished Tom Brady on IMDb (shout out to the Tom Brady who wrote the Rob Schneider vehicles, The Hot Chick and The Animal). But now that he’s retired, he has plenty of time to focus on his Hollywood career, beginning with a road trip comedy starring Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda, Rita Moreno, and Sally Field (!).

Brady will produce and act in 80 for Brady, which “tells of four best-friends and New England Patriots fans who take a life-changing trip to the 2017 Super Bowl LI to see their quarterback hero, Tom Brady, play, and the chaos that ensues as they navigate the wilds of the biggest sporting event in the country,” according to the Hollywood Reporter.

The movie was inspired by a real-life story — and speaking of being inspired, I’m inspired by the casting of Tomlin, Fonda, Moreno, and Field as the four friends. They’re, collectively, the Tom Brady of actresses in their 70s, 80s, and 90s. 80 for Brady, which does not have a release date, better make more money than American Underdog. And if (when) it does, that would be the second time that Brady triumphed over Kurt Warner.

(Via the Hollywood Reporter)