Month: May 2022

The Boston Celtics entered Game 5 of their series with the Milwaukee Bucks with the positive momentum after a dominant fourth quarter performance in Game 4 to even the series at 2-2 and reclaim homecourt advantage.

A career-night from Al Horford fueled that effort, but heading into a pivotal Game 5 it was incumbent on their star duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown to lead them to their first lead of the series. The two teams traded blows in the first quarter, with the Bucks holding a two-point edge, but the first haymaker of the game came from Tatum and the Celtics, as they let their tremendous defense fuel a 24-8 run that put them in the driver’s seat, up 13 late in the quarter.

The Bucks would respond in the closing minutes, led by Giannis Antetokounmpo who returned to the floor and willed Milwaukee back into the game, cutting the deficit to just seven at the break.

Milwaukee would get that lead to as few as one in the mid-third quarter, but then it was Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart’s turn to take over, with Brown scoring 16 in the quarter to help Boston extend their lead to nine going into the fourth.

The start of the fourth saw more of the same, with the Celtics swarming the Bucks with their activity on defense, sparking their offense with the type of transition opportunities Milwaukee had feasted on in the first four games of the series, and then Tatum finding his way downhill to the rim to inflict some damage in the halfcourt.

The Bucks would not fade away completely, though, as Pat Connaughton gave them a much-needed lift off the bench with a couple important threes to keep them within range of a possible comeback.

With six minutes to go, Wes Matthews connected on a corner three off a Jrue Holiday assist to cut the Boston lead to four, the fewest since the mid-third quarter and suddenly the Bucks had life (and an offense that was starting to percolate).

Holiday, who continued to have shooting struggles early in the game, hit an extremely difficult pull-up long two to cut the lead to two.

After a Jayson Tatum bucket to push the lead back to four, Giannis got hit with an offensive foul after plowing into Marcus Smart trying to set a screen, giving the ball back to Boston, who got an early exclamation point on a massive putback dunk from Al Horford.

That felt like it might be the dagger in the moment, but the Bucks weren’t done yet, once again showing their championship mettle. First, it was Giannis who stepped into a three-pointer off an offensive rebound to cut the deficit to three, and then after two stops (and Bobby Portis fumbling a wide open layup), it was Holiday who drilled a game-tying three with under a minute to play.

Tatum would go to the rack on the Celtics next possession and get fouled by Portis on the arm, sending him to the line for a pair of free throws with 31.1 seconds to play. After hitting both, it was Giannis’ turn to get fouled twice, both times by Grant Williams, with the second sending him to the line for two shots to tie the game. After hitting the first, his second bounced off the rim and, somehow, ended up in the hands of Portis who managed to bank it home to put Milwaukee up by one with 11.4 seconds to play.

The Celtics advanced the ball and got Marcus Smart the ball with a driving lane on the baseline to the hoop, but Jrue Holiday rotated over and swallowed up his shot attempt with an unreal block and steal, then had the presence to throw it off of Smart to retain possession.

After advancing the ball, Milwaukee was able to just get the ball in to Pat Connaughton, who would hit a pair of free throws to push the lead to three. Boston, out of timeouts, had to take the ball all the way up the court and once again Holiday took Smart’s cookies, ending the game in style and moving the Bucks a game away from the conference finals once again.

It was an unbelievable fourth quarter, with the Bucks starring in the role the Celtics played in Game 4, snatching what looked like a surefire win from the home team and setting up a closeout opportunity back home in Milwaukee. Giannis was nothing short of sensational with 40 points and 11 rebounds, but it was the “others” that stepped up to help get the Bucks across the finish line. Holiday had 24 points, eight assists, and eight rebounds, and while he still needed 24 shots to get there, he hit the big time shots late and was instrumental in setting up some of the three-pointers that fueled the initial fourth quarter push. Connaughton’s 13 points and Portis’ 14 points off the bench were just enough support that they now are a game away from sending Boston on vacation.

For the Celtics, it’s a brutal loss in a game they had control of for the vast majority of time. Tatum and Brown combined for 60 points, but this time it was the Bucks that were able to turn up the defensive pressure in the fourth quarter to take away open shots and make life extremely difficult in the closing minutes. Tatum was great when he got downhill, but struggled from the perimeter, going 2-of-11 from three as he was largely ineffective when Milwaukee cut off his driving lanes. Oddly enough, it was the home team that struggled to knock down shots from deep and get contributions from their “others” in key moments, as Boston shot just 32.3 percent from deep as a team and could only muster 21 fourth quarter points as the Bucks steadily chipped away at their lead.

Now, the series shifts back to Milwaukee where it figures to once again be a coinflip game that comes down to which team executes best in the fourth quarter. On Wednesday night that title belonged to the Bucks and they inch ever closer to a title defense.

If it seemed like a wise idea to ditch normal currency for an untested and unregulated digital realm bound to attract grifters and general instability, perhaps it’s time to think again. Over the last six months, cryptocurrencies — including Bitcoin, the world’s most valuable crypto, which others in the market tend to emulate — have been plummeting. Last November, Bitcoin went for nearly $70,000. On Wednesday, it dipped below $30,000.

As per Bloomberg, the crypto slightly rebounded, peeking over the $30,000 mark. But it’s the latest volatile development in a downward trajectory that’s taken place over the last six months and has revved up in only the last handful of days. As CNN reports:

The world’s most valuable cryptocurrency was down 10% Monday after plunging again over the weekend. Bitcoin prices have now plummeted nearly 20% in the past week. At a price of just below $31,000, bitcoin is more than 50% below its record high of near $69,000 from late last year and at its lowest point since July 2021.

News that the currency once called “digital gold” was now worth over half of what it was at its peak sent shockwaves across those who invest. (Among them is newish mayor of New York City, who famously declared he’d receive his first paycheck in cryptocurrency.) It also made others remember a fun Super Bowl ad starring Matt Damon, in which he dared the “brave” to go crypto.

“History is filled with almosts,” Damon crows in the ad, “with those who almost adventured, who almost achieved, but ultimately for them it proves to be too much.” He then suggests those who go crypto are not unlike others who did the unthinkable: mountaineers, the Wright brothers, astronauts. At one point we see people about to make out in a nightclub.

Others remembered the ad, aired in the midst of Bitcoin’s plumet, as well.

Some used the occasion to reflect on how much those who’ve invested have lost.

And there were jokes.

Of course, crypto has been “dead” before, so it’s likely just a fallow period. Still, news of cryptocurrency’s possible downfall was only made worse upon learning that another digital fad, NFTs, may have been killed in part thanks to, you guessed it, Elon Musk.

(Via Bloomberg and CNN)

To say Andy Dick has a checkered past is a profound understatement. A performer and NewsRadio alum (and not it’s only notorious one), he has a long history of being in trouble with the law, from stealing to drug abuse to publicly exposing himself to domestic violence. On Wednesday, he was arrested on charges of sexual misconduct while staying on a California campground.

As per The Hollywood Reporter, Dick had been residing at a Orange County site with a group of people who were documenting their lives together on the YouTube channel Captain Content. During one of their livestreams, recorded on Wednesday morning, deputies showed up and started inquiring into a man’s claims that he’d been sexually assaulted.

During the livestream, deputies asked if they knew Dick’s whereabout. One of the men there, named Maximiliano, told them that he’d been staying in one of the RVs. Dick was subsequently arrested and is currently being held on $25,000 bail. The man who reported the alleged violation was taken to a hospital for examination.

As mentioned, there are many stories of Dick running afoul of the law. In 2018, he was charged with one count of sexual battery and one count of simple battery after he was alleged to have groped a woman’s butt while they were walking on a sidewalk.

(Via THR)

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.

Welcome to SNX DLX, your weekly roundup of the best sneakers and where to buy them. This is one hell of a week for sneakerheads and an even bigger week for Jordan fans. For the first time this year, SNX is coming to you with a full list of 10 drops. It’s been a minute since we’ve had a week this strong and a couple of this week’s releases are definite contenders for our year-end list of the best sneakers of 2022.

Of these 10 drops, Nike snagged eight spots — proving that the brand is truly firing on all cylinders right now. Joining Nike is Kawhi Leonard’s latest Kawhi 2 colorway and brand new Yeezys. Let’s dive into this week’s best drops. RIP to your wallet.

Air Jordan 6 Midnight Navy

When you start a roundup of the best sneakers of the week and your first entry is these Midnight Navy Jordan 6s, you know it’s going to be a strong week. The Midnight Navy is hands down one of the best Jordan 6 colorways of all time and Nike has been keeping it locked up for 20 years now.

The Midnight Navy received its first retro release in 2000 and this drop matches it 1:1 with an all-white leather upper, crispy Midnight Navy accents, embroidered branding, and a translucent outsole. If you can cop it this week, you have at least one year-end list-worthy sneaker in your closet.

The Air Jordan 6 Midnight Navy is out now for a retail price of $200. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app or aftermarket sites like Flight Club.

Nike Air Max 97 Off Noir

This week the Air Max 97 is finally getting the Off Noir treatment. Featuring a distinct faded black and white colorway over the Air Max 97’s wavy design, the Off Noir adds a weathered sleekness to the silhouette, pulling it out of the dad-shoe territory for something a bit more sophisticated.

Reflective detailing and a full-length airbag give this design a sort of shimmer in the right light.

The Nike Air Max 97 Off Noir is out now for a retail price of $200. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app.

Nike Air Max BW Marina

Fans of ‘90s sneakers, prepare to nerd out because the Air Max BW Marina is back! Originally designed by Tinker Hatfield and released in 1991, according to Nike the Marina earned its legendary status almost a decade later in dance circles thanks to its spongey foam midsole and airy mesh build, which kept it lightweight and comfortable.

That’s something we take for granted these days, that build philosophy is basically the template that most modern sneaker designs start with (looking at you Yeezy brand), but few can capture the magic of the OG. It combines modern expectations with a retro look that is often imitated but never truly matched.

The Air Max BW Marina is set to drop on May 12th for a retail price of $130. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app.

Converse x A-COLD-WALL Aeon Active CX

Designed in partnership with Samuel Ross’ A-COLD-WALL, this new Aeon Active CX in Black and Apple Green offers a futuristic aesthetic over Converse’s most cutting-edge modern technology. Featuring a CX foam underfoot over a Crater foam midsole wrapped in a suede and leather upper and stretch bootie construction, the Aeon Active CX is designed for all-day comfort no matter how rugged your terrain.

In keeping with its future-leaning aesthetic, this sneaker’s midsole is constructed from leftover factory scraps, offering a slightly smaller carbon footprint.

The branding is kept elegant here, nothing is too loud. Just a simple Converse logo on the pull-strap and heel with ACG branding at the toe. With the cratered midsole, the wild black and pea-green color combo, and the murky translucent outsole, more noticeable branding might’ve completely ruined the design, which admittedly has a lot going on.

The Converse x A-COLD-WALL Aeon Active CX is set to drop on May 12th for a retail price of $160. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app.

New Balance Kawhi II

Nike may be on fire this week, but New Balance is bringing the heat too. The brand’s best release of the week is this Kawhi II in Ocean Blue, which features a bright spring-appropriate colorway of baby blue and orange. Featuring a FuelCell midsole, a Kinetic Stitch upper, and braided stitching, this Kawhi 2 is sure to go down as one of the silhouette’s best colorways.

We’ve been saying the word “best” a lot this week and that’s by no accident. This truly is one of the best weeks we’ve had in 2022 for sneaker drops.

The New Balance Kawhi II Ocean Blue is set to drop on May 14th for a retail price of $159.99. Pick up a pair via the New Balance website.

Nike ACG Air Mada Vachetta Tan/Ash Green/Black

Lovers of ‘90s sneaker silhouettes, this is undeniably your week. A hiking favorite from ’94, the ACG Air Mada is getting three new colorways across its rugged upper ensuring that when you hit the hiking trails, you look more stylish than anyone on the hill. Ever.

Featuring a lightweight and breathable (but durable) upper, the ACG Air Mada features pull-tabs, simple branding, premium leather overlays, and an eye-catching color block design.

The Nike ACG Air Mada Vachetta Tan, Ash Green, and Black are set to drop on May 13th for a retail price of $130. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app.

Air Jordan 11 Low 72-10

Another Jordan? Absolutely. This week brings the drop of the 72-10 AJ-11. It’s meant to commemorate the season when Jordan won 72 games and a title solely rocking AJ-11s. It’s a season so strong it solidified the Jordan 11 as one of the all-time greatest silhouettes in the Jordan lineage.

Featuring a black patent leather upper, this sneaker features tumbled leather accents, a translucent outsole, and a luxurious sheen that will have it go down as one of the all-time greatest Jordan 11 colorways ever.

The Air Jordan 11 Low 71-10 is set to drop on May 14th for a retail price of $190. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app or aftermarket sites like GOAT and Flight Club.

Adidas Yeezy 500 Granite

There is a sort of faded nostalgic quality to this week’s Yeezy 500 Granite, maybe I just have the eerie “Life Of The Party,” video on the brain since it also dropped this week, but these shoes could’ve probably shown up in the nostalgia-heavy video without seeming totally out of place.

The simple monochromatic colorway kind of resembles graphite more than granite, but we have to admit ‘Yeezy 500 Graphite’ doesn’t quite have the same ring to it.

The Adidas Yeezy 500 Granite is set to drop on May 14th for a retail price of $200. Pick up a pair via the Adidas Confirmed app or Yeezy Supply.

CLOT x Nike Air Jordan 5 Jade Low

It’s a glowing Air Jordan 5 in black with alluring jade and crimson red accents, need we really say more? We are now halfway through the year but we can say with confidence that by the time the end of the year rolls around, this is definitely going to be making our best sneakers of 2022 roundup.

Just look at it! That silver speckled shark tooth, the glowing jade, that subtle detailing work courtesy of CLOT? This is the sort of sneaker that makes the case for the idea that shoes are modern-day canvases for our best artists to paint on.

The CLOT x Nike Air Jordan 5 Jade Low raffle closes today. Hit up retailers like Juice to join the raffle to win a pair.

Nike Women’s Air Jordan 3 Dark Mocha

This week in sneakers is bookended by two truly great sneakers, the Air Jordan 6 Midnight Davy, and this women’s exclusive Dark Mocha AJ3. Featuring a clean and crispy white leather upper with mocha elephant print panels and an off-white midsole, this Jordan 3 is easily Nike’s best Women’s exclusive of the year so far, and may even stand as THE best of the year.

Sneakerheads with bigger feet are definitely feeling the ‘L’ on this one!

The Women’s Air Jordan 3 Dark Mocha is set to drop on May 14th for a retail price of $200. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app or your favorite aftermarket sites because this most definitely will sell out in the first minute.

If you’re a big craft beer drinker, there’s a good chance you use an app to track the brews you’ve been lucky enough to sip. So you may very well know which classics you’ve had and which you still need to track down. Maybe you even have a few “white whales” you’re always looking out for.

While every drinker’s palate is different — and with over 9,000 breweries in the country — there are obviously a ton of IPAs available for the beer aficionado to try. And of course, everyone’s bucket list will be at least slightly different and calibrated to their own unique palates. But we still decided to come up with our list and even went so far as to rank them.

8) Lawson’s Sip of Sunshine

ABV: 8%
Average Price: $15.99 for a four-pack of 16-ounce cans

The Beer:

Made by Lawson’s Finest Liquids in Vermont, this beer is based on the original Double Sunshine IPA. Brewed with Columbus and Citra hops, it’s known for its combination of caramel malts, floral, slightly bitter hops, and tropical fruit flavors.

Tasting Notes:

The nose is a combination of orange peel, dank hops, wet grass, and slight caramel malts. The palate is herbal and loaded with resinous pine, caramel malts, tangerine, mango, passion fruit, and floral hops. It’s a nice mix of sweetness and bitter pine.

Bottom Line:

This beer is dank city. If that’s your jam, definitely add this beer to your list. If you prefer a beer to have a less bitter profile, try something hazier and juicier.

7) Maine Lunch

ABV: 7%
Average Price: $7.99 for a 16.9-ounce bottle

The Beer:

Named for a whale that’s been seen swimming off the coast of Maine since 1982, Maine Lunch is brewed with Simcoe, Amarillo, and Centennial hops. It’s most known for its citrus, tropical fruit, and resinous pine flavor profile.

Tasting Notes:

Grapefruit, tangerine, citrus zest, and pine are prevalent on the nose. Sipping it reveals a slightly herbal backbone with a wallop of mango, guava, orange pulp, some caramel malt flavor, and a nice kick of resinous, bitter pine at the very end.

Bottom Line:

As New England IPAs go, this one is tough to beat. It’s more citrus-centric than some casual drinkers might be used to though. If you’d rather have more tropical fruit flavor then this iconic beer isn’t for you.

6) Tree House Julius

ABV: 6.8%
Average Price: $5.50 for a 16-ounce can

The Beer:

Massachusetts’ Tree House is well-known as a beer pilgrimage destination. But, even with all of its success, everyone still wants to try one beer in particular: Julius. The brewery’s flagship IPA is hazy, pillowy, and filled with tropical fruit with slight hop bitterness.

Tasting Notes:

This beer’s nose is citrus to the max. Orange zest, lemon essence, grapefruit, tangerine, pretty much every other citrus fruit you can imagine. The palate follows suit with more juicy grapefruit, ripe tangerine, lemon, as well as light malts, and a herbal, piney, floral, bitter finish that ties everything together.

Bottom Line:

Citrus is the name of the game with Julius. It’s a well-rounded, well-balanced New England-style IPA that ends with a bitter finish. It’s necessary to bring everything together. If you’d prefer not to have any bitterness, look elsewhere.

5) Trillium Congress Street

ABV: 7.2%
Average Price: $12 for a 750ml bottle

The Beer:

Another Massachusetts brewery, Trillium is well-known in the craft beer world. Its flagship beer is its Congress Street IPA which gets most of its flavor from the addition of Galaxy hops from Australia. It’s been made in other versions, including a double dry-hopped IPA, but the first is still the best and most sought-after.

Tasting Notes:

Pine is center stage on this beer’s nose. It’s followed by orange zest, lemon rind, caramelized pineapple, and a slight malt flavor. Sipping it brings forth notes of tangerine, guava, mango, passion fruit, honeydew melon, and a nice kick of bitter, resinous pine at the finish.

Bottom Line:

When it comes to well-rounded New England-style IPAs, Congress Street ticks all of the flavor boxes. It’s filled with citrus, and tropical fruit flavors as well as caramel malts and dank, bitter pine.

4) Surly Axe Man

ABV: 7.2%
Average Price: $18.50 for a four-pack of 16-ounce cans

The Beer:

While Minnesota might not be known as a beer drinker’s paradise, Surly is worth the trip alone. Especially for its Surly Axe Man IPA. Originally brewed in collaboration with Denmark’s Amager Brewery, it’s double dry-hopped with Citra and Mosaic hops and Golden Promise malt.

Tasting Notes:

This beer smells like a classic West Coast IPA with notes of dank pine, ripe oranges, and grapefruit. There are also herbal, grassy, and slight spice notes. On the palate, you’ll find hints of lemon curd, orange peel, ripe grapefruit, wet grass, and a wallop of bitter, piney, resinous hops at the end.

Bottom Line:

This beer is aptly named. It’s a bold, aggressively hoppy, citrus-centric, bitter finished beer. It’s definitely not for everyone but should be a bucket list beer for West Coast IPA fans.

3) The Alchemist Heady Topper

ABV: 8%
Average Price: $19.99 for a four-pack of 16-ounce cans

The Beer:

Stowe, Vermont is home to one of the most obsessed over breweries in America: The alchemist. Home to multiples beloved beers including Heady Topper, it’s a must-visit brewery if you ever find yourself in New England. Heady Topper, its take on the American double IPA is fresh, hoppy, slightly bitter, and highly memorable.

Tasting Notes:

A lot is going on with this beer’s nose. Aromas of tangerine, lemon zest, grapefruit, pineapple, and ripe peach or prevalent. As well as some dank, piney, slightly herbal notes. More of the same on the palate with fruit esters, pineapple, mango, citrus zest, and caramel malts. The finish is dry and slightly bitter.

Bottom Line:

There’s a reason Heady Topper has historically been one of the most sought-after IPAs. It has to be imbibed to be believed. Citrus, tropical fruits, malts, this beer has everything in unison.

2) Russian River Blind Pig

ABV: 6%
Average Price: $5.50 for a 16.9-ounce bottle

The Beer:

Casual IPA fans might be surprised by this pick because we could have easily added Pliny the Elder or Pliny the Younger here. Sure, if you get California’s Russian River, you have to try those beloved beers. But we think the best most bucket-list-worthy IPA from the brewery is actually Blind Pig.

Tasting Notes:

Wet grass, peach, grapefruit, tangerine, ripe peach, and resinous, dank pine. This beer’s nose is everything IPA fans could ever want. The palate continues this trend with more freshly cut grass, slightly herbal flavor, tart grapefruit, caramel malts, and fresh, resinous, fairly bitter hops.

Bottom Line:

In our opinion, it’s tough to beat Russian River Blind Pig if you’re a fan of bold, aggressively bitter, piney West Coast-style IPAs. This beer has everything they could ever want.

1) Hill Farmstead Susan

ABV: 6.2%
Average Price: Limited Availability

The Beer:

In the pantheon of bucket list IPAs, you’d have a difficult time finding one more sought-after than Hill Farmstead Susan. This oftentimes hard-to-find beer is named for the owner’s grandfather’s sister. It’s brewed with a combination of hops from Yakima Valley and Riwaka hops from New Zealand.

Tasting Notes:

The nose is filled with scents of ripe grapefruit, orange zest, lemon peel, ripe pineapple, and herbal, floral hops. The palate is highlighted by more tangerine, lemon curd, grapefruit, caramelized pineapple, and a surprising malty, caramel backbone. It all ends with a sweet, fruity, piney, bitter finish.

Bottom Line:

If you’re an IPA drinker, Hill Farmstead should be your holy grail. It’s a well-balanced, fruity, citrusy, malty, and perfectly bitter beer that needs to be added to your bucket list immediately.

For the last two weeks, Donald Trump has been fined $10,000 a day, all because he’s failed to provide documentation to a key investigation into his business practices. Surely that’s chump change to a self-professed rich guy, even one who’s been caught pocketing donations from his cash-strapped supporters. And yet Trump has been desperately trying to end the daily fines, even going so far as to claim he simply lost them.

But now, after two weeks, the big guy finally caught a break. As per The New York Times, a New York State judge formally released him from his contempt of court charge in relation to the state attorney general’s investigation into the Trump Organization. There were a few conditions, though. One of them is that he must pony up a $110,000 penalty by May 20. Should he fail to do so, not only will the daily $10,000 fines resume, but the days when the fines weren’t being applied will be retroactively added to his total.

After Trump claimed he couldn’t find some of the requested materials, including four separate cellphones, an outside company dug through more than 1,300 boxes. They couldn’t find them either. Then again, Trump has a history of trying to destroy potentially damning evidence in creative ways.

The investigation, overseen by New York State Attorney General Letitia James, is examining whether the Trump Organization, as per NYT, “falsely inflated the value of his real estate properties and other assets so that he could secure favorable loans and financial benefits.”

(Via NYT)

Ah, prom. A quintessential teen experience that somehow manages to take every single one of those high octane, conflicting emotions felt during the entire school year and condense them into one solitary evening. All while everyone is dressed in elegant evening wear.

Though prom began as early as the 1800s as a simple cotillion, it has evolved over the years to become more extravagant—what with “promposals” and limousines and celebrity appearances. But, it has also evolved to become more LGBTQ inclusive and challenging of old gender rules.

Prom is (and continues to be) such an integral part of teen culture that it’s the central plot of many well loved rites-of-passage movies like “Pretty in Pink,” “She’s All That,” and “The Perks of Being a Wallflower.” Hopefully, your own prom was more like these movies, and less like “Carrie.”

Giphy

But the truth is: for many of us, prom really was somewhere between a romantic comedy and a horror movie. For every romantic slow dance and first kiss there were also plenty of fashion disasters, alcohol experiments gone wrong and relationship drama. Lots and lots of relationship drama. Successes and failures, if you will.

In honor of prom season, Jimmy Fallon asked his “Tonight Show” audience to share some of their most memorable prom fails on Twitter. Here are 20 that were just too hilarious and/or relatable not to share. Hopefully it will help you love your own #PromFail.

---

Fallon went first.

1.

“My friend ripped his tuxedo and spent the night crying because he thought Men’s Wearhouse was going to sue him.” – @jimmyfallon

2.

“A guy I knew rented a tuxedo and died on his way to prom. It wasn’t damaged, so his family decided to bury him while wearing it, but forgot it was just a rental and they didn’t buy it, so they ended up with a huge debt and the other partygoers had to help them pay.” – @jon_jonz

3.

“A friend of mine was planning on going with a girl he had liked for many years. He was so nervous, he got Very drunk, then ended up throwing up all over his rented suit AND spending the night in jail for underaged drinking as he was entering, so she had to go alone…” – @Sallyjo25

4.

“Our limo driver was pulled over at the venue and turns out he was driving with an expired license and we had no way to get home so we had to scramble during prom to find another limo.” – @allieng07

5.

“My date’s ex-boyfriend showed up to the prom and won her back. He didn’t even go to our school. I still paid for their room.” – @chrisfreas

6.

“I was walking up to a girl in the cafeteria to ask her to prom and someone threw a big piece of cake and hit me in the head right as I got there. Long story short, she went with someone else and I became known as ‘cake boy.'” – @gumgumerson

7.

“I was dumped on prom. That’s it.” – @beastmodemom247

8.

“End of the night, stepped outside the perimeter to see my date off. A total distance of about 10 feet. Well within eye shot. Was denied re-entry because 1. I went on the grass (a real excuse they used) and 2. They genuinely thought I was a stranger crashing the party.” – @L_Drumer

9.

“We didn’t have a prom in 90’s UK but did have a disco. I don’t imagine U.S. proms had a quality beige buffet of sausage rolls, chicken legs, vol-a-vents & chips; & a DJ who waited till each record ended before lifting it off the player and putting the next one on!” – @Optimist_Eeyore

10.

“One year they played “Cruise” by Florida Georgia Line – the grind pit immediately vacated the floor and the only ones left were like 8 of us that decided to square dance while everyone left to quench their thirst off the dance floor.” – @TotallyVannah

11.

“The Prom King and Queen were twins. Their slow dance song was “Truly Madly Deeply”. They pleaded with the DJ to find another song, and when asked why, they yelled “We’re twins!” The DJ quickly picked another song: “Always be my baby.” The king walked away, grumbling.” – @overbaughs

12.

“Walked in dressed to impress including fake fur. Walked beautiful self to bathroom sat down and realized the feet next stall facing towards toilet. I had been so self absorbed I walked into mens room.” – msyvonnne2u

13.

“My date’s friend was trying to impress me by breakdancing. He ended up slipping on his own sweat and broke his wrist in the process. I guess he put the break in breakdancing.” – overbaughs

14.

“My girlfriend and I broke up right before my senior Prom! She ended up not going at all, so when we won queen and king, my friend just yelled out ‘that’s one lonely castle”’! – @claydoughrocks

15. 

“A bunch of the girls in my class all got their super puffy, super expensive dresses from the same place. By the end of the night, they were stuck sitting because their dresses were falling apart. Meanwhile, 18 years later. I still have my maybe $200 dress.” – SaiyanaBrief

16.

“My husband and I are teachers. We were chaperones and he was doing the Russian bottle dance and tore his meniscus. Life’s little reminder he was 40.” – MrsMieschigan

17.

“Our prom was booked at a hotel resort. When prom committee went to decorate and setup the space. There was a huge wedding party already in progress. Wedding party offered more money so resort Mgr took it. Took 3+ yrs in court to get the $21k fee they refused to refund.” – @DingleBob

18.

“I wore the wrong spanx under my dress, does this really need more explaining?” – @itstherealmeboo

19.

“After leaving prom my date and I were involved in a 9 car accident on the freeway. Just bruises luckily, and hey we got to ride in the same ambulance together.” – @Wayren

For the last one, let’s just say a picture’s worth a thousand words:

20.

My daughter and her friends thought it would be fun to take pictures in the rainforest at our zoo. This was the moment a bird decided to fly right at them. #PromFail pic.twitter.com/wMMVdyrVJZ

— Lisa Hebert (@lmhksu) May 10, 2022

American single malt whisk(e)y might be one of the most interesting categories in whiskey right now. American single malts are popping up all over the country, mostly in the craft distilling scene. But since there are fewer regulations around American single malt, there’s a bit more going on in the making of the spirit. And unless you’re up on all the techniques, you probably need a place to start on your American single malt whiskey journey.

Before we dive in, an American single malt is any whiskey that’s made with 100 percent malted barley, either peated or unpeated, just like in Scotland, Ireland, Japan, or anywhere else for that matter. The whiskey has to be matured in some kind of oak and made in the U.S., which is kind of obvious. There are some other detailed rules about ABVs before barreling and bottling, but you get the gist.

Below, I’m calling out ten American single malts — all under $100 — that I think are worth actually drinking right now. Yes, I’ve ranked them but the bottom five are all winners too (maybe just not quite my cup of tea). The top five are all fire. All of these bottles are fairly new, some are instant classics, most of them have a slew of awards, and perhaps most importantly these are all tasty whiskeys.

Lastly, these are going to be fairly widely available but some of them might still be a little regional, and therefore only available at higher-end whiskey shops with good folks curating what’s on the shelf.

Also Read: The Top 5 UPROXX Scotch Whisky Posts of The Last Six Months

• The 50 Best Scotch Whiskies Of 2021, Ranked
• The 100 Best Whiskeys Our Head Drinks Writer Tasted In 2021
• The Best Scotch Whiskies Under $50, Ranked
• Every Scotch Whisky Brand From Diageo’s Massive Portfolio, Ranked
• The Best Value-Per-Dollar Scotch Whiskies, Ranked

10. Virginia Distillery Co. Courage & Conviction Cuvee

ABV: 46%

Average Price: $80

The Whiskey:

Virginia Distillery Co. is doing some of the most interesting things with American single malt — so let’s start here. This expression is made from 100 percent malted barley distillate that’s aged for three years in Cuvée wine casks. Those barrels are vatted and proofed down with local water and bottled without filtration or coloration, letting the barrels shine in the glass.

Tasting Notes:

Berries burst forth on the nose with a raspberry and blackberry bramble leading toward a cherry orchard with plenty of wood and fruit, a hint of malty spice, and a tiny whisper of brown butter. That butter layers into the palate with a berry cobbler vibe full of malty biscuit topping and spiced red berry filling that’s all dusted with plenty of cinnamon, nutmeg, and a little allspice. The finish layers in a creamy note of honey, some more woody spice, and a tart, almost sour cherry end.

Bottom Line:

This is an exciting pour. It’s well-rounded but easy. It also feels summery, which, hey, that’s perfect for right now.

9. Westland American Oak American Single Malt Whiskey

ABV: 46%

Average Price: $75

The Whiskey:

This Seattle whiskey is made with five types of barley from Washington state: Munich, Extra Special, Brown, Pale Chocolate, and Washington Select Pale malts. Those malts are all processed locally and then mixed with classic Belgian ale yeasts for fermentation. The distillate is then triple-barreled in new American oak, Cooper’s Reserve (more on them next) new American oak, and first-fill ex-bourbon barrels. Finally, those barrels are blended, proofed down, and bottled as-is.

Tasting Notes:

Lemon meringue pie bursts forth on the nose with thick and creamy vanilla pudding dotted with vanilla seeds, a little bit of Pecan Sandie, a touch of mocha latte, and a whisper of Earl Grey tea. The palate leans into the black tea and mocha with a continued creaminess. There’s an ester-y/banana vibe on the mid-palate that steers the taste toward ripe cherries, white peach, Almond Joy, and a hint of spicy malt. The finish is part banana bread and part rich vanilla/chocolate with a whisper of wet wicker.

Bottom Line:

If you like creamy fruit bombs (I do), then this is the bottle for you.

8. Copperworks Washington Peated American Single Malt Whiskey

ABV: 51%

Average Price: $76

The Whiskey:

The Pacific Northwest is a real hotspot for American Single malt and this other Seattle whiskey really leans into that community. This juice is made from 100 percent peated Copeland barley grown locally in Washington’s Skagit Valley. Those grains are kilned with peat harvested from a lake on the Olympic Peninsula. The whiskey is then small-batched from only six barrels before being bottled in a mere 1,043 bottles.

Tasting Notes:

There’s a whiff of grilled pineapple and papaya on the nose with smoked caramel, burnt vanilla pods, and tart passionfruit — it smells like a fruity IPA. That smoky caramel married roasted almonds with plenty of salt as firewood sap mingles with rye bread crusts, old saddle leather, plum jam with allspice, and a hint of mulled wine. The finish has a fig vibe with more of that leather and firewood leading to a slight white pepper powdery vibe.

Bottom Line:

This feels like more of an acquired taste than anything on this list. That said, if you like big, hazy IPAs with a little spice, then this is the play for your bar cart.

7. Dogfish Head Distilling Co. Lets Get Lost Whiskey

ABV: 51%

Average Price: $66

The Whiskey:

All whiskey starts off as beer so it makes a lot of sense when brewers start distilling. Industry darling, Dogfish Head, did just that with this expression. The base is 100 percent barley with a mix of Pale, Crystal, Coffee Kiln, and Applewood Smoke malts. That mash is fermented with Dogfish Head’s own ale yeast before distillation, aging, proofing, and bottling.

Tasting Notes:

Orange and honey mingle with a salted nuttiness next to vanilla pudding and a touch of dry cherry tobacco. The palate has a touch of that fruity yeast next to a slight chili-choco vibe that leads back to the tobacco with a cinnamon Red Hot edge. The finish really leans into the dryness of the chili-chocolate’s bitter end — to the point of conjuring an espresso bean next to a touch of smoked cedar.

Bottom Line:

This is a really nice whiskey all around. It also won a coveted double gold in San Francisco this year, which tracks for its quality. Overall, if you like Dogfish Head’s beer, this is a no-brainer buy.

6. Hillrock Estate Single Malt Whiskey

ABV: 48.2%

Average Price: $99

The Whiskey:

Master Distiller Dave Pickerell (Maker’s Mark, WhistlePig) started this whiskey in New York. The juice is true farm-to-glass with the barley grown on the estate in the Hudson Valley. The grains are malted in-house. Hell, even the stills were specially built for this whiskey. Naturally, the whiskey is bottled by hand, adding an extra layer of detail to the whole thing.

Tasting Notes:

Bourbon vanilla and spicy malts lead the way on the nose as butterscotch candies, a hint of old oak, and leathery dark fruits round it out. The palate marries that butterscotch to almost woody honeycombs next to Red Hots, red-wine-soaked cedar planks, and plenty of winter spices. The finish leans into the winter spices with a touch of heat as the dark fruit leather comes back into play with a whisper of that wet cedar on the backend.

Bottom Line:

It’s crazy that this costs what it does. Granted, this might sneak above $100 in some markets but still… Anyway, this is a super refined and bespoke American whiskey that will speak to bourbon fans and maybe get them into the style.

5. Cedar Ridge The Quintessential American Single Malt

ABV: 46%

Average Price: $55

The Whiskey:

This whiskey is all about a grain-to-glass experience. The juice is made with 100 percent 2-Row Pale Malted Barley (the same stuff used in some of the biggest craft beers) from up in Saskatchewan. The whiskey is matured in ex-bourbon barrels for an undisclosed term. That whiskey is then finished in a combination of brandy, rum, wine, port, and sherry barrels before it’s vatted. The whiskey’s blend is then made using the solera method — where the vat is never fully emptied before the next barrel is added.

Tasting Notes:

The nose is immediately full of bright fruit with a peach and pear vibe that leans into a malty banana bread with plenty of butter, cinnamon, and walnut next to a touch of Almond Joy (but the good ones from a high-end shop). The palate is soft and subtle with hints of spiced malted gingersnaps, light cream soda vibes (maybe a light sasparilla), and a mellow and creamy base of chocolate that’s not dark but not milky either. The mid-palate has a nice sweetness that’s slightly apple adjacent with an apricot hint that mellows into a final note of chewy toffees with rum-raisin lurking on the very backend.

Bottom Line:

Things are really getting interesting on the bottom half of this list. This is just good whiskey, American single malt or not.

4. McCarthy’s Oregon Single Malt Whiskey Aged 6 Years

ABV: 50%

Average Price: $98

The Whiskey:

This whiskey is a marriage of Scotland and Oregon in the bottle. The mash is made from 100 percent peat-malted barley from Scotland that’s fermented by Widmer Brothers Brewing and then distilled at Clear Creek Distilling on their Holstein pot still. That spirit then spends six years resting in air-dried Oregon oak before proofing and bottling.

Tasting Notes:

The whiskey opens with a wet brown sugar that leads to a sticky toffee pudding with black-tea-soaked dates, plenty of cinnamon and nutmeg, toffee sauce just touched with dark rum, and candied cherries on top. That candied vibe carries through on the palate with red cotton candy, rock candy sticks, and Red Hots on the mid-palate. The finish veers away from all of that with a mix of woody winter spices, old leather, and cinnamon/cherry tobacco with a very dry edge over a hint of cedar.

Bottom Line:

This, again, is the perfect American single malt for a bourbon lover. There’s a nice balance of sweet and spicy with a fruity edge that just works.

3. Boulder American Single Malt Whiskey Bottled in Bond

ABV: 50%

Average Price: $75

The Whisky:

This Colorado whiskey is a fascinating experiment in that it asks what a single malt that’s treated like a bottled-in-bond bourbon might taste like. The juice is made from 100 percent malted barley. Then is spends four years in a bonded warehouse aging in new American oak. It’s bottled at 50 percent ABV, per federal regulations.

Tasting Notes:

Leather meets Chery Coke on the nose as vanilla pudding and brown spices mingle in the background with a hint of dry cinnamon sticks that have been dipped in mulled wine. The taste is all about the malty spice with more of that Cherry Coke next to ropes of black licorice, Sioux City Sasparilla, and a moment of dry wicker that was painted a long time ago. A hint of anise arrives late and brings about a finish that indulges in a spicy oatmeal cookie with raisins and walnuts and plenty of brown sugar, vanilla, and butter.

Bottom Line:

This feels like it’s all over the place but somehow works. Add some ice or water and it really blooms in the glass.

2. Westward Whiskey American Single Malt

ABV: 45%

Average Price: $75

The Whiskey:

Portland’s Westward Whiskey has its roots in Pacific Northwest craft brewing culture (like most craft distilleries in the PNW). This juice is emblematic of how important the first step of whiskey is — the fermented mash that is basically beer — to the whiskey-making process. The whiskey spends a few years aging in new American oak, like bourbon, before tiny batches of five or six barrels are used to create this expression.

Tasting Notes:

There’s a mix of cream soda, wet applewood, soft yet spicy malts, and orchard fruit (apples, plums, pears) on the nose. The taste has a soft vanilla tobacco vibe with a nutmeg-heavy eggnog creaminess, a little dry leather, and a pretty big dose of dry cacao that’s almost waxy. The chocolate vibe drives the mid-palate towards the finish with a powdered cacao edge, a slight wet wicker feeling, malty spice, and a plum pudding hint at the very end.

Bottom Line:

This is maybe the most straightforward whiskey on the list but that’s not why it’s nearly number one. Numbers five through three are all great, unique, etc. This has a point of view that’s succinct and engaging. The applewood feels wet. The spicy malts feel soft. There’s detail here that helps it stand out and that’s what feels special.

1. Balcones Lineage Texas Single Malt Whisky

ABV: 47%

Average Price: $52

The Whiskey:

Balcones helped redefine single malt as an American spirit. This expression starts as a combination of Simpsons Golden Promise malted barley from Scotland and barley from the high plains of Texas. Those malts are fermented and then distilled on stills Balcones imported from Scotland. The spirit then goes into both used bourbon barrels and new American white oak (like bourbon and rye) for a rest under the hot Texas sun. Finally, those barrels are batched and bottled with a little Texas water for bottling.

Tasting Notes:

This opens with a rush of tea tree oils in a mug of apple cider with freshly chopped and sappy douglas fir firewood next to notes of raw pancake batter, old peaches, and a freshly cracked can of Dr. Brown’s Cream Soda. The palate builds on that with spicy yet sweet mulled wine, a big dollop of fresh honey, and plenty of soft cedar with a hint of allspice, burnt sugars, and maybe some floral black tea. The finish arrives with a syrupy red wine pan sauce with butter and cinnamon next to dry cedar, wet black tea grounds, and a walnut cake full of spice and vanilla with a caramel drizzle.

Bottom Line:

This is next level. It’s so complex yet takes you on a journey. It’s tea and cake in the afternoon next to making pancakes on Sunday morning with a hangover next to standing in an orchard next to the beehives. It’s one of the best American single malts you can actually get that also happens to be affordable.

Earlier this week, word broke that Nikola Jokic had won his second straight NBA MVP award, edging out Joel Embiid and Giannis Antetokounmpo in the process.

After months of arguments and hand-wringing over advanced stats, the eye test, and who should and shouldn’t have a vote, the results bore out what was a pretty comfortable win for Jokic, as he got 65 first place votes to 26 for Embiid (and nine for Giannis) — with Devin Booker and Luka Doncic finishing fourth and fifth as the only other players to receiver top-3 votes.

With the Nuggets getting bounced by the Warriors in the first round, the MVP award ceremony took place in a very unique location this year, as Jokic has already flown home to Serbia for the summer to take part in his true passion: harness racing. So, to surprise the big man with his second MVP, the Nuggets flew the award to Serbia and had it waiting for him at the stables after he got off the track, clearly catching Jokic a bit off guard.

It’s a cool moment and also one that could only happen with Jokic, who is probably the only NBA player (much less a star) who rides around in a rig behind a horse in his spare time.

While some have been acting like the pandemic is over, it isn’t. Cases are again on the rise. New variants are still cropping up. Prominent figures, such as Stephen Colbert, are still catching it. So when Broadway legend Patti LuPone blew up on a theatergoer for not properly wearing a mask, she got cheers, not jeers.

The multi-Tony winner was taking part in a post-show Q&A session following the latest revival of Company, the game-changing musical by the recently late Stephen Sondheim (and recipient of a top shelf parody on Documentary Now!). While New York City has gone lax about mask and vaccine mandates, both are still required to see Broadway shows. So when LuPone spotted someone in the orchestra section being sloppy about mask-wearing, she let them have it.

“Put your mask on over your nose, that is the rule,” LuPone declared, in a video that went viral. “That’s why you are in the theater, that is the rule. If you don’t want to follow the rule, get the f*ck out!”

After LuPone — who was just nominated for a Tony for her work in the show, where she does a predictably stirring rendition of “Ladies Who Lunch” — reamed out the violator or violators, she earned a round of applause. Perhaps that inspired her to keep going, shouting, “I’m serious. Who do you think you are, if you do not respect the people that are sitting around you?”

A woman in the audience, likely the offending party, then had the nerve to tell Patti LuPone, “I pay your salary.” Patti LuPone did not like that either.

“You pay my salary? Bulls*it. Chris Harper pays my salary,” she said referring to the production’s producer.” “Who do you think you are? Just put your mask over your nose.”

LuPone has a history of not putting up with theatergoers’ nonsense. In 2009, during a production of Gypsy, she stopped the show dead in its tracks when she noticed people were taking pictures — a Broadway no-no. Six years later, she made headlines for snatching a phone out of a patron who was texting during the show. You can listen to a recording of the former incident in the video below.

In any case, if you somehow have the stones to talk back to Patti LuPone, you get what’s comin’ to ya.

(Via Variety)