Writer and illustrator Aubrey Hirsch jokingly asked her followers on Twitter what’s a “universal thing that most men like?” because she was writing a comic and “just realized I don’t actually know any men in real life.” The tweet inspired an avalanche of funny responses.
Hirsch is the author of “Why We Never Talk About Sugar,” a collection of short stories, and her work has appeared in The New York Times, Child, American Short Fiction and Time.
The interesting thing about the responses is that they weren’t the typical stereotypes about men. She didn’t get a ton of people talking about sex, sports or toxic masculinity. Instead, there were a lot of folks that mentioned very specific male behaviors as if they were talking about a bizarre species they discovered in the wild.
There were two things that got the most comments on her post. First, men enjoy throwing heavy objects into bodies of water. Preferably, the larger the rock, the deeper the body of water and from the highest vantage point possible.
The other is watching construction sites. Evidently, the phenomenon is so popular in Italy that there is a specific word for this type of person in Italian.
Here are 19 of the best responses to the question, “What’s a universal thing that most men like?”
Whatu2019s a universal thing that most men like? Iu2019m making a comic but I just realized I donu2019t actually know any men in real life.
When asked why men enjoy watching construction sites so much, a poster on Reddit named justdaps had the perfect response. “I just find it really satisfying and interesting to see the process behind things being built,” he wrote.
Me: Thinking intently trying to come up with a good answer.nAlso me seeing this tweet: Ooh, yeah, this is a good one. A good deep sounding sploosh with a big splash. Yeah, this is a good one.nWe aren’t complicated.
I have seen dudes do this and I have done it plenty of times myself. I usually stand while watching TV when I want to really focus on what’s happening and do not want to be distracted. This usually happens while watching sporting events or the news. It’s also a great way to use your body language to let other people know that there is something very important happening on the television.
When we do this 99% of the time we’re pretending that the sign is 10 feet high and that we have the ability to dunk a basketball. There are two types of men, those that can dunk and mere mortals.
10.
Memorizing favorite lines from their favorite movies, then reciting them with their friends (or even strangers) who’ve also memorized them, doing entire scenes. Extra points for using accents. A true source of unparalleled amusement & male bonding.
— cautiously optimistic 🙏🏼✌🏻 (@BethCal84918882) March 22, 2022
As a man, this one is near and dear to my heart. I can’t tell you the number of hours I have spent with my friends just throwing lines from “The Big Lebowski” back and forth.
“Nice marmot.”
“The Dude abides.”
“Say what you want about the tenets of national socialism, Dude. At least it’s an ethos.”
A movie that’s running up the ranks of being among the most quotable is another dude buddy pic, “Once Upon a Time … In Hollywood.”
“All right, that’s too hot. Anything we can do about that heat?” … “Rick, it’s a flamethrower.”
When my dad had to chainsaw branches off a dead tree, neighbor men just gathered with various saws from all corners of the subdivision. It was like a siren song.
Given a wood fire and a long branch, 100 of 100 men will find a reason to poke the fire every few minutes. Just, you know, to make sure things are burning evenly.
Evidently, after reading the responses, Hirsch knew what was going to happen next. No need to feel ashamed about going viral. It just means you created something that people love.
I really feel for the poor Buzzfeed intern currently searching for the perfect gifs to turn this into an article that will support 8 ad spots.
One the more mysterious aspects of being human is our sense of intuition. This “sixth sense” isn’t something we can see or measure, but many people have experienced it in some form or fashion. Maybe it comes as a strong feeling that something isn’t right, or that we or someone else should or shouldn’t do something. It can be hard to read—not every feeling we get is truly our intuition—but there are plenty of examples of people trusting their instincts and being glad they did.
One such story has gone viral on TikTok. Jessica Higgs, a mom who works as an Instacart grocery delivery person, shared a story in an emotional video that illustrates the importance of listening to that inner voice when it prompts you to make sure someone is OK.
“I just want to start this off by saying if you see something, say something,” Higgs said.
She explained how she had done an Instacart order the previous day for a daughter who was ordering for her older dad who couldn’t shop for himself. She said she was going the extra mile like she always does for her customers, and that the daughter told her to just drop the groceries on the porch and he’d get them. That’s what Higgs would usually do.
“I get there and something was telling me no, you gotta help this man out,” she said. “He came out, and I was like OK let me help you, and I got the groceries. You’re not supposed to go into someone’s house, but I used my judgment and I brought the groceries inside and put them down wherever he wanted me to put them down. You’re not supposed to, but I did. And you’re supposed to just take a picture and leave, and I could not just leave.”
Higgs noticed that the man looked really sick and she was really concerned. A voice in her head said, “You gotta say something. You gotta say something, Jess.” Rather than mark the order as complete, she messaged the man’s daughter and told her that it was really unprofessional to say something like this, but she felt like her dad wasn’t doing well. “There’s a propane tank in there,” she told the woman. “I was in there maybe five feet and I got dizzy. There’s got to be a leak. He might not be doing good because of this leak.”
The woman said she would send her son over to check it out and Higgs left. The woman changed her tip from $14 to $100, which Higgs appreciated, but the message she sent her the next morning was a much greater reward for her going the extra mile.
“Thank you so much, once my son went to check on my dad it turned out it was definitely leaking,” she wrote. “You definitely saved my dad and my younger son’s life!!!”
Through tears, Higgs said, “I’m just an Instacart worker, but if you see something, say something. I did and I’m so happy I did.”
Higgs’ TikTok has been viewed more than 15 million times and has been shared widely on social media. It has also attracted the attention of big companies.
Royal Caribbean Cruises shared a TikTok video of its own praising Higgs for her heroic act and offering her and her family a seven-day cruise anywhere in the world. “Cause even heroes need a vacation,” the company wrote.
Stitch with @jessicahiggs3 – cause even heroes need a vacation. Thanks @captaincruiseguy
Old Navy connected with her and arranged a shopping spree where she got to model several new outfits. People Magazine commented, “You’re literally a HERO! Good job trusting your instincts. 💕” Even TikTok itself wrote, “You are amazing ❤️thank you for sharing this with all of us.”
Lots of commenters also pointed out that she’s not “just an Instacart worker.” Her work is important, she’s providing a needed service and any job done in a spirit of helping others should not be minimized. If she hadn’t been there doing her job well, that man may not be here. Never underestimate the difference each of us can make by the simple act of looking out for one another, friend and stranger alike.
Higgs’ heartfelt story touched millions, and she’s being rightly rewarded for listening to her heart and going out of her way to help someone. Gotta love seeing good things come to people doing good. Well done, Jessica Higgs.
Nothing can ever fully prepare you for being an adult. Once you leave childhood behind, the responsibilities, let-downs and setbacks come at you fast. It’s tiring and expensive, and there’s no easy-to-follow roadmap for happiness and success.
A Reddit user named u/Frequent-Pilot5243 asked the online forum, “What’s an adult problem nobody prepared you for?” and there were a lot of profound answers that get to the heart of the disappointing side of being an adult.
One theme that ran through many responses is the feeling of being set adrift. When you’re a kid, the world is laid out as a series of accomplishments. You learn to walk, you figure out how to use the bathroom, you start school, you finish school, maybe you go to college, and so on.
However, once we’re out of the school system and out from under our parents’ roofs, there is a vast, complicated world out there and it takes a long time to learn how it works. The tough thing is that if you don’t get a good head start, you can spend the rest of your life playing catch-up.
Adulthood also blindsides a lot of people because we realize that many adults are simply children who grew older. The adult world is a lot more like high school than a teenager could ever imagine.
The Reddit thread may seem a bit depressing at first, but there are a lot of great lessons that younger people can take to heart. The posts will also make older people feel a lot better because they can totally relate.
Being an adult is hard, exhausting and expensive. But we’re all in this together and by sharing the lessons we’ve learned we can help lighten each other’s load just a bit.
Here are 21 of the most powerful responses to the question: “What is an adult problem nobody prepared you for?”
1. Lack of purpose
“Lack of purpose. All your young life you are given purpose of passing exams and learning, then all of a sudden you are thrown into the world and told to find your own meaning,” — Captain_Snow.
2. No bed time
“You can stay up as late as you want. But you shouldn’t,” — geek-fit
3. Friendships
“Where did all my friends go?” — I_Love_Small_Breasts
Most of them are at the same place as you are … Probably wondering the same thing,” — Blackdraon003
4. Bodily changes
“I’m closer to fifty than forty, would have been nice to be better prepared for some of the ways your body starts to change at this point that don’t normally get talked about. For instance your teeth will start to shift from general aging of your gums,” — dayburner.
5. People don’t change
“Didnt know that other adults have the emotional intelligence of teenagers and its almost impossible to deal with logically,” — Super-Progress-6386
6. Money
“$5K is a lot to owe, but not a lot to have,” — Upper-Job5130
7. Our parents age, too
“Handling the decline and death of your parents,” – Agave666
8. Free time
“Not having a lot of free-time or time by myself,” — detective_kiara
9. No goals
“Not having a pre-defined goal once I was out of college. Growing up my goals were set for me: get through elementary school! then middle school! Then high school, and get into college and get a degree, then get a job, and then…? Vague “advance in your career, buy a house, find a spouse, have a kid or multiple, then retire.” At 22 I had no idea how to break that down more granularly,” — FreehandBirdlime
10. Constant upkeep
“Life is all about maintenance. Your body, your house, your relationships, everything requires constant never ending maintenance,” — IHateEditedBGMusic
11. Exhaustion
“Being able to do so many things because I’m an adult but too tired to do any of them,” — London82
12. Loneliness
“Being an adult feels extremely lonely,” — Bluebloop0
13. Dinner
“Having to make dinner every. Fucking. Day,” — EndlesslyUnfinished
14. Time changes
“The more life you’ve lived, the faster time seems to go,” — FadedQuill
15. You’re responsibile, even if you didn’t mean it
“You are held to account for bad behaviour for which you are negligent even if you had no intention to cause harm. As a lawyer, I see this all the time. People don’t think they’re responsible for mistakes. You are,” — grishamlaw
16. Work is like high school
“The intricacies of workplace politics,” — Steve_Lobsen writes. “
“When you’re in school, you think that you won’t have to deal with gossiping and bullying once you leave school. Unfortunately, that is not true,” — lady_laughs_too_much
17. Nowhere to turn
“How easy it is to feel stuck in a bad situation (job, relationship, etc) just because the cost and effort of getting out can seem daunting. And sometimes you just have to accept a figurative bowl full of shit because you can’t afford to blow up your life,” — movieguy95453
18. The happiness question
“Figuring out what makes you happy. Everyone keeps trying to get you to do things you’re good at, or that makes you money, but never to pursue what you enjoy,” — eternalwanderer5
19. Constant cleaning
“The kitchen is always dirty. You’ll clean it at least three times every day,” — cewnc
20. Life costs money
“One adult problem nobody prepared me for is how expensive everything is. I always thought that as an adult I would be able to afford the things I wanted, but it turns out that’s not always the case! I’ve had to learn how to budget and save up for the things I want, and it’s been a difficult process,” — Dull_Dog_8126
21. Keeping above water
“All of it together. I was relatively warned about how high rent is, car bills and repairs, how buying healthy food is expensive as hell but important for your health, how to exercise and save what you can, my parents did their best to fill in my knowledge about taxes and healthcare and insurance that my schooling missed, about driving and cleaning a household, about setting boundaries at work but working hard and getting ahead if you can, about charity and what it means to take care of a pet and others, about being a good partner if you were lucky enough to have one, about how dark and messed up the world is when you just read the news and what all that means to me and my community… I was reasonably warned about all of it.
“No one could have ever prepared me for how hard doing all of it at the same time and keeping your head above that water would actually be,” — ThatNoNameWriter
Netflix has found a successful formula in the form of all-access sports documentaries, starting with Formula 1: Drive to Survive and continuing with their recent PGA Tour offering, Full Swing.
Next on Netflix’s list is football, with an upcoming series called Quarterback, which the streaming giant announced on Wednesday will premiere this summer after following Patrick Mahomes, Kirk Cousins, and Marcus Mariota for the past season, with them being mic’d up for each game this year.
Announcing Quarterback, a docu-series following the 2022 NFL season through the eyes of @KirkCousins8 , Marcus Mariota, and MVP and Super Bowl champ @PatrickMahomes!
Unprecedented access and for the first time ever players are mic’d up for every game! Premieres this summer. pic.twitter.com/VKC39Vy5fi
It should be a pretty fascinating look at three quarterbacks at very different stages of their careers and with very different on-field situations. Mahomes, of course, went on to win another Super Bowl and MVP award this year in Kansas City, while Cousins led the Vikings to a strong regular season record but a Divisional round exit from the postseason. Mariota, meanwhile, started the year as the Falcons starter before eventually ceding that role to rookie Desmond Ridder for the closing stretch of the season for an Atlanta team that was only competing for a playoff spot thanks to being in a woeful division.
After wide lens looks at F1 and the PGA Tour, where they only really dive into a team or a player for an episode or two, it’ll be interesting to see how this series is structured with just the three quarterbacks as subjects for a series.
The songwriter has had many first over the last year or so, which include purchasing a home and playing former President James Madison’s preserved crystal flute (which pissed Conservatives off). However, there are still so many things the recording artist hasn’t done. Well, making friends with Sesame Street‘s beloved monster, Elmo, isn’t one of them.
The Emmy Award winner met up with Elmo to set Sesame Street history. In the exchange, Elmo shares that Sesame Street has its own very special instrument that he’ll love for Lizzo to play. What is the instrument? A cookie flute. Of course, Lizzo obliges, and the two have a fun dance party. Afterward, Cookie Monster arrives to throw a wrench into the plans.
While on set, Lizzo was sure to give Elmo a very special gift, balsamic vinegar, for providing her with this adorable opportunity. The gift exchange was also uploaded onto Twitter for everyone to see and Elmo, graciously quote-tweeted the video to thank the singer for the gift reworking a few of the lines from her song, “About Damn Time.”
Turn up the music, turn down the lights Elmo’s got a feelin’, Elmo said it right!
Thank you for the balsamic vinegar, Ms. @lizzo! Elmo will keep it forever and ever or until Elmo needs it for a yummy salad. Ha ha ha!https://t.co/oXNoHlPCiz
Although, the gift may seem odd. It is actually quite thoughtful and is a direct callback to Elmo’s viral appearance on The Tonight Show hosted by Jimmy Fallon back in 2015. During a cooking segment, Elmo’s pronunciation of the word “balsamic” was all the rage on TikTok’s trending sound options last year.
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 to hit the internet. This week is jam-packed as we hit a list with a full 10 for the first time this year. Once again, despite the strong showing this week, it’s looking like Adidas is totally absent from the fold. If you’re a fan of the three-stripes that must hurt, but we have to call it like we see it and it seems like Adidas is consistently landing behind the powerhouses of Nike and New Balance. Will the brand recover from the loss of Yeezy? We sure hope so, and big personalities like Bad Bunny, Beyonce, and Pharrell give us hope but it doesn’t seem like anything out of the brand is currently capturing the eyes of sneakerheads in quite the same way.
Luckily, New Balance and Nike are killing it. This week brings new collaborations between Nike and Billie Eilish and the Atlanta-based brand A Ma Maniére, and New Balance is rolling out its latest Seasonal Collection. We have a lot to talk about so let’s just dive into this week’s 10 best sneakers so we can get to the picks.
Nike Women’s Air Jordan 11 Midnight Navy
Nike
It’s a strong week for double-digit Jordans and kicking it all off is this sleek Midnight Navy Women’s size exclusive Jordan 11. Featuring a monochromatic upper with plush velvet detailing, this 11 sports metallic silver accents, an off-white midsole, and a matching blue outsole that rounds out the design.
It’s a bit dark for spring fashion, but it’s neutral enough to look great all year around. And with a pair this nice, you’re going to want to rock them as long as possible.
The Nike Women’s Air Jordan 11 Midnight Navy is out now for a retail price of $225. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app.
NikeNike
Nike Air Jordan 11 Varsity Red
Nike
If the Midnight Navy isn’t exuding enough classic b-ball vibes (or you just have big feet) here comes the classic look of the Air Jordan 11 Varsity Red. Featuring that classic Chicago colorway, this 11 features a mesh upper with leather panels and a shiny patent leather mudguard atop a super clean icy frosted outsole.
This is the sort of pair that makes you invest in a proper shoe-cleaning kit so you can keep them as squeaky as possible.
The Nike Air Jordan 11 Varsity Red is out now for a retail price of $225. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app.
NikeNike
Nike ACG Moc Anthracite/Ocean Bliss
Nike
If you’re a fan of the recently launched ACG Moc, you’re in luck as the silhouette is getting new colorways this week. Made from a durable and insulated material, this dimpled sneaker is the ultimate winter comfort fit.
Dropping in a moody Anthracite and a bright Ocean Bliss colorway, the new Moc features a drop-in midsole and an updated lacing system for an even more comfort-focused fit.
The Nike ACG Moc Anthracite and Ocean Bliss are out now for a retail price of $90. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app.
NikeNike
Nike SB Dunk Adobe
Nike
Dunk fans rejoice, the legendary silhouette is getting a pair of dope colorways that dip into both extremes of the color spectrum. First up is the fresh clay-colored Adobe, which features a leather build with suede overlays atop a contrasting gum midsole.
Rounding out the design is a graphic sockliner with how-to directions that speak to the sneaker’s lineage as a skatewear staple.
The Nike SB Dunk Adobe is out now for a retail price of $110. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app.
NikeNike
New Balance MADE in USA 990v2 Seasonal Collection
New Balance
Releasing as part of New Balance’s dual-pack Seasonal Collection is this Brown 990v2. Featuring a MADE in USA build, this sneaker sports premium upper construction of pig suede and mesh atop an ABZROB midsole with a striking colorway that combines dark brown tones, deep violet, and bright orange accents.
The design is perfectly balanced and serves as a testament to New Balance’s MADE in USA line.
The New Balance MADE in USA 990v2 Seasonal Collection is set to drop on February 23rd at 7:00 AM PST for a retail price of $194.99. Pick up a pair at New Balance.
New BalanceNew Balance
New Balance MADE in USA 990v3 Seasonal Collection
New Balance
If you’re more of a fan of the v3 (or just prefer less intense ‘MADE in USA’ branding) then you’re going to want to reach for the other Seasonal Collection drop. This upper features more prominent mesh with Nubuck overlays, pig suede and mesh details, and an ENCAP midsole for a more lightweight step.
The colorway here is also less intense with more of a focus on olive tones while still sporting some of those more vivid accents. It’s another winner from New Balance that proves it’s the most vital brand right now.
The New Balance MADE in USA 990v3 is set to drop on February 23rd at 7:00 AM PST for a retail price of $199.99. Pick up a pair at New Balance.
New BalanceNew Balance
Nike Women’s Jordan Hex Mule
Nike
Part of a collaboration with Billie Eilish that began with several Air Jordans and an AF-1, the Hex Mule is an angular slip-on sandal that is just as minimal as the famous (or infamous) Yeezy Slides. The sneaker, er, sandal doesn’t even feature Billie’s name on it, though it is printed on the box.
While we’re truthfully not the biggest fans, we have to give it to Billie for keeping her partnership with Nike interesting, we never really know what we’re going to get next out of the team-up and that’s exciting.
The Nike Women’s Jordan Hex Mule is set to drop on February 23rd at 7:00 AM POST for a retail price of $65. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app.
NikeNike
Nike SB Dunk Low Pro Wolf Grey
Nike
If the SB Dunk Adobe was a bit too vivid and flashy for you then we’re sure you’re going to love the understated Wolf Grey. Sporting a faded-out grey colorway with a bright white swoosh and a light gum outsole, the Wolf Grey is low-key in the best way possible.
Aside from the vintage-style tongue tag, this rendition also features a plain sockliner.
The Nike SB Dunk Low Pro Wolf Grey is set to drop on February 24th at 7:00 AM PST for a retail price of $110. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app.
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A Ma Maniére x Air Jordan 12
A Ma Maniere
A Ma Maniére, the Atlanta-based brand that is responsible for the best Jordan collaborations of this decade so far is dropping a set of Air Jordan 12s meant to celebrate the power of Black women. Both pairs feature Burgundy suede mudguards and chrome details meant to serve as a timeless luxury statement that evokes royalty and elegance.
Once again, A Ma Maniére hits it out of the park. The Jordan 12 has always been a silhouette meant to exude luxury, but as always the brand is able to elevate the sneaker to an even higher level, solidifying its place as Jordan Brand’s strongest collaborator.
The Nike A Ma Maniére Air Jordan 12 is set to drop on February 24th at 8:00 AM PST for an unannounced retail price. Pick up a pair at A Ma Maniére or aftermarket sites like GOAT.
A Ma ManiereA Ma ManiereA Ma Maniere
Nike Air Jordan 6 Cool Grey
Nike
This year Nike has been dropping a lot of Jordans in famous colorways that are generally associated with other silhouettes. Like this week’s Cool Grey Jordan 6, which features an all-leather build atop an icy outsole. The Cool Grey is generally associated with the Jordan 11 and while that sneaker is iconic, we have to admit, it looks pretty damn good on the 6. Better? That’s something worth arguing about.
The Nike Air Jordan 6 Cool Grey is set to drop on February 25th at 7:00 AM PST for a retail price of $200. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app or aftermarket sites like GOAT and Flight Club.
Uproxx has just concluded a two-week run of People’s Party with Talib Kweliat New York’s legendary Blue Note Jazz Club (home to greats like Dizzy Gillespie, Tito Puente, Robert Glasper and so many more) and will begin rolling out episodes this week. The marathon run saw Kweli linking up with all sorts of fellow New York legends and icons, from Mobb Deep’s Havoc, to Juelz Santana, Large Professor, Jon Stewart, and SNL’s Sam Jay as well as a handful of other notable artists and comedians.
First up from the Blue Note run is Smoke DZA, who joined Kweli for a deep conversation that covered the entirety of the rapper’s career, from his beginnings to where he is today and most importantly, where he’s going next. Expect to hear about the origins of the Smoker’s Club, stories about linking up with Mac Miller, the making of Full Court Press with Girl Talk, Wiz Khalifa, and KRIT, and leave with some insight into Smoke’s unparalleled run of mixtapes. Smoke also goes deep on the personal significance of the Blue Note Jazz Club to his life and aspirations, and reveals why he made the Polo Rugby look part of his signature style.
The vibe of the interview constantly bounces between deep and personal to light and funny with two artists who are clearly big fans of each other’s work chopping it up. The energy is infectious in this special presentation of People’s Party, which was filmed in front of a live audience.
The full roster of guests from the Blue Note run includes Cormega, Masta Ace, Buckshot, Jon Stewart, Pink Siifu, Sheek Louch, Bob James, David Cross, Sam Jay, Styles P, Havoc, Juelz Santana, Large Professor, Jim Jones, and Clinton Sparks. Watch the Smoke DZA episode above and subscribe to Uproxx’s YouTube channel to catch the full rollout.
Jennifer Coolidge is getting a ton of love from Mardi Gras this year. The White Lotus star, who is actually from New Orleans, was the inspiration for a local Krewe. The boisterous group all dressed up as Coolidge’s character, Tanya McQuoid, complete with head wraps and all the cleavage befitting the star. The detailed homage caught the eye of Fox 8 reporter Natasha Robin who did her best to interview the Krewe, who let’s just say, were well into their Mardi Gras celebrations.
“We love Jennifer Coolidge and we know she’s like a local celebrity and we wanted to pay homage to our great success over the past few years,” a member of the Krewe told Robin. “This is just our way of saying, ‘We love you, Jennifer, and we wish you were out here with us.’ Happy Mardi Gras!”
“We just walk down to Bourbon Street and everyone loves the costumes and we just have a good time,” another Krewe member explained. “It’s Coolidge all the way.” From there, the interview was mostly lots of hooting, hollering, and uh, jiggling. These folks were having a good time, okay.
While Fox 8 was quick to get them on camera, the Krewe of Coolidge is already starting to pop up on TikTok where White Lotus fans are going nuts over the homage. You can see one of the videos below:
Today, I’m going to try and answer that question with a sprawling blind taste test of 10 classic bourbons side-by-side with 10 new bourbons. For this exercise, I kept things simple. I’m looking at bourbon brands that have been around since before the beginning of this current whiskey boom, stuff that predates 2010 really. That ranges from bottles like Michter’s (2004) to Knob Creek (1992) to Evan Williams (1957). Under the “newcomer” heading, I’m looking at brands that have started within the last decade or so. Those bottles range from Fortuna (2022) to Horse Solider (2016) to Chattanooga Whiskey (2011).
Generally speaking, I kept this very straightforward. There are no ringers in here that’ll easily beat out the competition. I didn’t choose Michter’s 20-Year Bourbon for instance (not much can beat that). Instead, I grabbed the standard Small Batch expression from that brand. With the exception of a few bottled-in-bond expressions, this is all standard stuff that you can generally find and buy for anywhere from $20 to $50 with a couple of bottles inching a little higher.
Our (monster) lineup includes the following (20!) bottles:
THE CLASSICS:
Maker’s Mark Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky
Four Roses Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Michter’s US*1 Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Jim Beam Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Wild Turkey 101 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Knob Creek Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Aged 9 Years
Elijah Craig Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
WhistlePig PiggyBack 100 Proof Bourbon Whiskey Aged 6 Years
Starlight Distillery Carl T. Huber’s Bottled-In-Bond Indiana Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series Botted-In-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
George Dickel Handcrafted Small Batch Bourbon Whisky Aged 8 Years
Chattanooga Whiskey Bottled In Bond Fall 2018 Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Nelson Bros. Whiskey Classic A Blend Of Straight Bourbon Whiskeys
Fortuna Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
When it comes to ranking these bottles after the blind tasting, I’m going on taste alone. Classic bourbon has a vibe. Cratfy bourbon has its own feel (often leaning into sweet grains). But neither is a monolith. There are plenty of craft brands and new shingles that build their bourbons to taste like iconic classic bourbon, so we’ll see how this shakes out and what tastes the best. Let’s dive in!
Also Read: The Top 5 UPROXX Bourbon Posts Of The Last Six Months
Nose: The nose is full of those heavily charred oak barrel notes next to classic hints of caramel and vanilla with a grassy underbelly.
Palate: That grassiness becomes vaguely floral as slightly spiced caramel apples arrive, along with a chewy mouthfeel that leads towards a soft mineral vibe — kind of like wet granite.
Finish: The end holds onto the fruit and sweetness as the oak and dried grass stay in your senses.
Initial Thoughts:
This is definitely a wheaty bourbon (that grassy nature is undeniable). The end is a little thin though. There’s a long way to go so I’m holding off on any judgment at this point.
Taste 2
Zach Johnston
Tasting Notes:
Nose: There’s a crafty, sweet grain nose that opens toward a pile of freshly chopped firewood, lemon pepper, creamy vanilla-laced honey, winter spices, and Kiwi boot soap.
Palate: The palate has a hint of caramel malts next to Vanilla Coke, a buttery and spiced apple pie with plenty of brown sugar, and a hint of ginger next to some orange blossoms in the background.
Finish: The end is solid with a spicy warmth next to more of that dry firewood and a smidge of sweet oatmeal cookies.
Initial Thoughts:
This has a really nice balance and doesn’t overdo the “crafty” graininess. It’s very nice and easy to sip with deep rewards.
Taste 3
Zach Johnston
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Fruity cherry gummies mingle with raw sourdough bread dough, vanilla beans, dry grass, and burnt brown sugars on the nose.
Palate: The taste has a very crafty corn chip vibe that leads to tart cranberry, more of that vanilla, and a cinnamon-spiced oatmeal raisin cookie.
Finish: This all coalesces on the finish with the spice, oats, tart red fruit, and vanilla playing second fiddle to the dry firewood and slightly spiced tobacco end.
Initial Thoughts:
This hit on that crafty grainy note pretty hard with a whisper of wheated bourbon in there. Overall, this is pretty tasty but a little all over the place.
Taste 4
Zach Johnston
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Sweet and buttery toffee is countered by burnt orange, old oak, and a hint of cumin and red chili pepper flakes.
Palate: The palate leans into soft vanilla pudding cups with a touch of butterscotch swirled in next to orange oils, nougat, and a hint of menthol tobacco.
Finish: The midpalate tobacco warmth gives way to a finish that’s full of woody winter spices and a whisper of Cherry Coke next to orange/clove by way of a dark chocolate bar flaked with salt.
Initial Thoughts:
This is pretty classic from top to bottom. It’s standard stuff but very clearly well-spiced Kentucky bourbon.
Taste 5
Zach Johnston
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose on this feels classic with a bold sense of rich vanilla pods, cinnamon sharpness, buttered and salted popcorn, and a good dose of cherry syrup with a hint of cotton candy.
Palate: The palate mixes almond, orange, and vanilla into cinnamon sticky buns with a hint of sour cherry soda that leads to a nice Kentucky hug on the mid-palate.
Finish: That warm hug fades toward black cherry root beer, old leather boots, porch wicker, and a sense of dried cherry/cinnamon tobacco packed into an old pine box.
Initial Thoughts:
This is also very clearly classic Kentucky bourbon with a nice depth to it. It feels more well-rounded than the last sip with more depth overall.
Taste 6
Zach Johnston
Tasting Notes:
Nose: This nose is classic bourbon with deep and dark cherry, burnt orange, old vanilla pods, and a hint of licorice layered into cream soda with a sprig of fresh mint.
Palate: There’s a sense of fancy Almond Joy next to clove-studded oranges candies, vanilla cake with caramel frosting, and a light mint tobacco in a cedar humidor with a twinge of leather.
Finish: The cedar, dark cherry, singe orange, and bold woody spice all pop in the finish and fade slowly away, leaving you with a well-rounded “bourbon” experience.
Initial Thoughts:
This feels both classic and fresh. The orange really pops on the palate and the fade. In the end, this is really good whiskey.
Taste 7
Zach Johnston
Tasting Notes:
Nose: There’s a light sense of rickhouse wood beams next to that mild taco seasoning on the nose with caramel apples, vanilla ice cream scoops, and a hint of fresh mint with a sweet/spicy edge.
Palate: The palate opens with a seriously smooth vanilla base with some winter spice (especially cinnamon and allspice) next to a hint of grain and apple pie filling.
Finish: The end leans towards the woodiness with a hint of broom bristle and minty tobacco lead undercut by that smooth vanilla.
Initial Thoughts:
This is classic sweet bourbon with a spiced edge. It’s a little too standard. As in, this is tasty but doesn’t wow me.
Taste 8
Zach Johnston
Tasting Notes:
Nose: This opens with a rush of Martinelli’s Sparkling Apple Cider, pear candy, and vanilla cake with a hint of dark chocolate, orange zest, salted caramel, and some sour red berries tossed with fresh tobacco and mint.
Palate: The palate opens with some dried apple skins next to cinnamon sticks floating in hot and spicy apple cider, a hint of mint tobacco, and salted orange dark chocolate bars.
Finish: The end has a nougat wafer vibe next to caramel and vanilla cookies with a hint of old porch wicker and boot leather.
Initial Thoughts:
This is classic, fresh, and deep. There’s a lot going on but it all makes sense and creates a fun ride from start to finish.
Taste 9
Zach Johnston
Tasting Notes:
Nose: There’s a soft leathery nose that leads to caramel corn and a nutty spiciness with a hint of old oak.
Palate: The nuttiness drives the palate toward fresh maple syrup that turns creamy with an almond vibe, plenty of winter spice, and a hint of black tea.
Finish: That tea calms down toward a wet chamomile with a dollop of honey, a twist of orange, and a pinch of sweet cinnamon with a lingering sense of oak in the background.
Initial Thoughts:
This was also pretty damn good, all things considered. It was both classic and well-rounded flavorwise.
Taste 10
Zach Johnston
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose opens with dark stewed cherries and spiced prune compote next to cinnamon waffles with a hint of maple syrup and dark chocolate chips.
Palate: The palate is pure silk with notes of Cherry Coke next to clove-studded oranges dipped in dark chocolate with a flake of salt with whispers of apple fritters, eggnog spices, and singed cherry bark with maybe a hint of apple wood in the background.
Finish: The end has a subtle warmth thanks to wintry mulled wine spices that lead to fresh pipe tobacco kissed with dates and chocolate and packed into an old cedar box for safekeeping.
Initial Thoughts:
This is far and away better than any other sip so far with a hardcore classic bourbon vibe. It’s deeply hewn, takes you on a journey, and tastes great. This is going to be hard to beat.
Taste 11
Zach Johnston
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose draws you in with a sense of orange Jolly Ranchers, powdered cacao, and stewed peaches with classic bourbon vanilla and an oaky vibe.
Palate: The palate is a mix of apricot jam, pear cores, and red berries with a mix of spiced orange candy tobacco wrapped around dry wicker and cedar bark.
Finish: The end leans into the sweet and spiced orange while the tobacco slowly fades through sweet caramel and vanilla buttercream toward a silky finish.
Initial Thoughts:
This is pretty nice overall. It didn’t pop quite as much as the last sip but delivered a sweet and balanced sipping experience.
Taste 12
Zach Johnston
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Soft and sweet apple and cherry woods greet with a good dose of sour red berries dusted with brown winter spices, especially clove and nutmeg.
Palate: The palate leans into soft and salted caramel with a hint of those berries underneath while the spices get woodier and a thin line of green sweetgrass sneaks in.
Finish: The finish is silky and boils down to blackberry jam with a good dose of winter spice, old wood, and a hint of vanilla tobacco.
Initial Thoughts:
This, too, was pretty nice overall. It was a standard feeling sip that feels like something I’d put into a cocktail.
Taste 13
Zach Johnston
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose on this is very fruity with a mix of bruised peach, red berries (almost like in a cream soda), and apple wood next to a plate of waffles with brown butter and a good pour of maple syrup that leads to a hint of cotton candy.
Palate: The sweetness ebbs on the palate as vanilla frosting leads to grilled peaches with a crack of black pepper next to singed marshmallows.
Finish: The end is plummy and full of rich toffee next to a dash of cedar bark and vanilla tobacco.
Initial Thoughts:
This was quintessential bourbon from top to bottom. This is really good stuff.
Taste 14
Zach Johnston
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Vanilla pound cake and salted caramel are countered by spicy cherry tobacco, mulled wine vibes, and dark chocolate cut with orange zest and a hint of corn husk.
Palate: The palate brings in some floral honey sweetness and more orange oils with a sticky toffee pudding feel next to more spicy cherry tobacco and a hint of coconut cream pie.
Finish: The end amps up the cherry with a little more sweetness than spice before salted dark chocolate tobacco folds into dry sweetgrass and cedar bark.
Initial Thoughts:
This is another quintessential bourbon experience. It’s deep, fun, and classic through and through.
Taste 15
Zach Johnston
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose opens with creamy vanilla next to spiced tobacco with plenty of apple pie vibe and winter spices with a butter underbelly.
Palate: The palate has a light bran muffin with a molasses vibe next to vanilla/nougat wafers that then leads to peach skins and gingerbread.
Finish: The end leans into the nutty chocolate and vanilla wafer with a touch of orange zest, marzipan, and mint tobacco with a hint of garden store earthiness.
Initial Thoughts:
This is clearly a Tennessee whiskey thanks to those wafers and that earthiness on the end. It’s good though with a nice depth and fresh feeling.
Taste 16
Zach Johnston
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Cinnamon, brown butter sugar, walnut, and raisins meld on the nose with some vanilla to create a moist oatmeal cookie next to buckwheat pancakes griddled in brown butter and topped with apple butter.
Palate: The palate leans into cherry hand pies and vanilla wafers with a counter of dried wild sage, orchard tree bark, and meaty dates.
Finish: The end has a sharp turn into dried red chili pepper cut with pipe tobacco, dark chocolate bars, cedar bark, burnt orange, and lime leaves with this whisper of cinnamon cookies at the very end.
Initial Thoughts:
This is a complex whiskey that feels as new as it does classic. It’s pretty delicious.
Taste 17
Zach Johnston
Tasting Notes:
Nose: This is very bourbon-forward with clear notes of sour cherry, vanilla oils, soft leather, dry chili spices, warm apple pies, and a hint of bran.
Palate: The palate takes that bran and turns it into a zucchini bread with walnuts as the vanilla smooths everything out.
Finish: The sour cherry and woody chili spices return on the warm end to round things out as minty tobacco pops on the very end.
Initial Thoughts:
This felt pretty standard overall, like a good mixing bourbon.
Taste 18
Zach Johnston
Tasting Notes:
Nose: There’s a lovely nose at play with soft taco mix spice next to creamy vanilla, caramel-dipped cherries, a hint of pear skins, and plenty of nutmeg.
Palate: The palate has a minor note of cornbread muffins next to cherry-vanilla tobacco with a dash of leather and toffee.
Finish: The end leans into some fresh gingerbread with a vanilla frosting next to hints of pear candy cut with cinnamon and nutmeg.
Initial Thoughts:
There was a hint of thinness (likely due to a low price point) but this did deliver a solid flavor profile with classic vibes.
Taste 19
Zach Johnston
Tasting Notes:
Nose: There’s a tannic sense of old oak next to sweet cherries, vanilla cookies, and that Buffalo Trace leathery vibe with a hint of spiced tobacco lurking underneath.
Palate: The palate has a creamy texture kind of like malted vanilla ice cream over a hot apple pie cut with brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, and walnuts next to Frosted Raisin Bran with a hint of candied cherry root beer.
Finish: The end takes that sweet cherry and apple and layers it into a light tobacco leaf with a mild sense of old musty barrel warehouses.
Initial Thoughts:
This was another classic that felt old. Nostalgic is the best word I think of to describe it.
Taste 20
Zach Johnston
Tasting Notes:
Nose: There’s a beautiful sense of fresh orange blossom and nasturtiums on the nose with a lush honeycomb vibe next to stewed plums with hints of clove and allspice.
Palate: The palate is luxurious with a sense of salted caramel, cherry Dr. Pepper, and sticky toffee pudding with plenty of winter spice, salted toffee, orange zest, brandy butter, and black-tea-soaked dates.
Finish: The end has a sense of plum pudding with burnt sugars and orange tobacco kissed with anise and clove and rolled up with wild sage and cedar bark and wrapped in old leather pouches.
Initial Thoughts:
This is great bourbon. It’s classic, sure, but goes so much deeper. This is a contender for sure!
This is Maker’s signature expression made with Red winter wheat and aged seasoned Ozark oak for six to seven years. This expression’s whiskey is then sourced from only 150 barrels (making this a “small batch”). Those barrels are then blended and proofed with Kentucky limestone water before bottling and dipping in their iconic red wax.
Bottom Line:
This is a good bourbon that has a thin end (hence it ranked last). That said, if you’re mixing cocktails with this, you’ll never notice that minor flaw.
This is Elijah Craig’s entry-point bottle. The mash is corn-focused, with more malted barley than rye. The whiskey is then rendered from “small batches” of barrels to create this proofed-down version of the iconic brand.
Bottom Line:
This is another solid all-around bourbon that works best as a cocktail base. Use it accordingly.
18. George Dickel Handcrafted Small Batch Bourbon Whisky Aged 8 Years (New) — Taste 15
The whisky in the bottle is the same Dickel Tennessee whiskey but pulled from barrels that leaned more into classic bourbon flavor notes instead of Dickel’s iconic Tennessee whisky notes. The barrels are a minimum of eight years old before they’re vatted. The whiskey is then cut down to a manageable 90-proof and bottled.
Bottom Line:
This is a bit of an outlier taste-wise. If you’re looking for a classic bourbon, this isn’t it. If you’re looking for something fresh and new with a Tennessee whiskey vibe, then you’ll dig this.
17. Nelson Bros. Whiskey Classic A Blend Of Straight Bourbon Whiskeys (New) — Taste 17
This whiskey from Tennessess’ Nelson’s Green Brier is a blend of high-rye bourbons. The whiskeys are brought together by the Nelson brothers to meet a “classic” bourbon flavor profile.
Bottom Line:
This is a good, standard mixing bourbon with a classic vibe. No more. No less.
A lot of Wild Turkey’s character comes from the hard and deep char they use on their oak barrels. 101 starts with a high-rye mash bill that leans into the wood and aging, having spent six years in the cask. A little of that soft Kentucky limestone water is added to cool it down a bit before bottling.
Bottom Line:
This is a great standard and classic bourbon to have on hand for mixing up fun cocktails.
Frey Ranch is all about the farm behind the whiskey. In this case, that’s a 165+-year-old farm in the Sierra Nevada basin near Lake Tahoe. The grains (corn, wheat, rye, and barley), fermentation, distilling, aging, and bottling all happen on-site at Frey Ranch.
Bottom Line:
This is a nice one too but leans pretty heavily into the “crafty” sweet-grain vibes. That said, I like that in that it tastes like something besides your standard Kentucky bourbon. It’s fresh and fun, but clearly something you’re going to use to make cocktails with.
14. Four Roses Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Classic) — Taste 12
Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon is a blend of four whiskeys. The blend is split evenly between the high and mid-ryes with a focus on “slight spice” and “rich fruit” yeasts. The whiskey is then blended, cut with soft Kentucky water, and bottled.
Bottom Line:
It’s hard not to love this fruit-forward bourbon. It’s simple yet always delivers. You can’t beat that, especially if you’re looking for a solid cocktail bourbon.
13. Weller The Original Wheated Bourbon Special Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Classic) — Taste 19
This is a classic wheated bourbon from Buffalo Trace, which doesn’t publish any of its mash bills. Educated guesses put the wheat percentage of these mash bills at around 16 to 18%, which is pretty average. The age of the barrels on this blend is also unknown. Overall, we know this is a classic wheated bourbon, and … that’s about it.
Bottom Line:
This is deep and kind of funky on top of that classic bourbon build. It’s really a mixing whiskey but offers that little something extra.
Look, Heaven Hill makes great whiskey, especially inexpensive bottled in bonds. This “b-i-b” is tailored for the Evan Williams flavor profile. Still, this is Heaven Hill, so we’re talking about the same mash bill, same warehouses, and same parent company as several entries on this list. This is simply built to match a higher-end Evan Williams vibe.
Bottom Line:
This had a touch of thinness to it but just nailed it otherwise. It’s a well-rounded and classic bourbon that delivers. That’s especially true if you’re looking for something easy to pour over rocks or mix a simple cocktail with.
The mash bill on this bourbon is mid-range rye heavy with 18% of the grain in the bill for support. Triple distilling in pot stills (like Irish whiskey) and blending with column-distilled whiskey is utilized. The bourbon then rests for six to seven years — taking time to mature before barrels are pulled for blending, proofing, and bottling.
Bottom Line:
This is the last of the classic bourbons that are clearly for mixing. This is the best of that group. It’s deep, really well-rounded, and very tasty. Make a Manhattan with this, it’ll be dope.
10. Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series Botted-In-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (New) — Taste 11
This brand-new release from Bardstown Bourbon Company is 100% their own whiskey. The juice is made from a wheated bourbon mash bill — 68% corn, 20% wheat, and 12% malted barley — down in Bardstown, Kentucky. The whiskey spends about six years mellowing before it’s just kissed with local water and bottled at 100 proof.
Bottom Line:
This is where we start getting into the good stuff. This has a classic backbone that goes deeper than the average bourbon. I’d argue that you can sip this slowly on a slow day or use it for mixing your favorite bourbon cocktails. It’s a winner either way.
This newer whiskey from WhistlePig mixes locally made Vermont whiskey with Indiana whiskey to create a bespoke bourbon. The mash bill leans into the corn with a good measure of rye in the mix. The whiskey barrels are left alone for six years before batching, proofing, and bottling on the farm in Vermont.
Bottom Line:
This is a pretty good whiskey. If you’re a fan of WhistlePig, you’re going to dig this. If you like classic bourbon vibes, you’ll be a fan too. I’d sip this over some ice or in a simple cocktail.
8. Knob Creek Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Aged 9 Years (Classic) — Taste 5
This is Jim Beam’s small batch entry point into the wider world of Knob Creek. The juice is the low-rye mash aged for nine years in new oak in Beam’s vast warehouses. The right barrels are then mingled and cut down to 100 proof before being bottled in new, wavy bottles.
Bottom Line:
This is an essential bourbon from Beam. I tend to use this for cocktails, that’s what it’s built for. But it 100% works as a classic sipper in a pinch, especially over a large ice cube.
The bourbon in this bottle was contract distilled in Ohio at Middlewest (but it’s now being made in Kentucky too). The juice is a wheated bourbon that spent eight years mellowing before bottling. Each barrel was hand-picked before being married into a barrel strength expression that’s bottled as-is.
Bottom Line:
This is a very tasty whiskey. It’s great over a large ice cube or in an old fashioned. Supporting this brand also support veterans, which makes this a no-brainer buy for any bar cart.
This Louisville whiskey is made with a “double malted” mash bill. The recipe calls for 70% corn, 25% malted German rye, and 5% malted barley. The hot juice goes into the barrels at a lower entry proof and rests for just over three years in toasted and charred Kelvin barrels. Only 15 of those barrels go into the final batch.
Bottom Line:
This is a killer whiskey that works wonders as a slow sipper. You’ll want to go back in for more and you’ll always find something new in the pour. If you’re looking for something new yet top-rate, this is it.
5. Jim Beam Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Classic) — Taste 14
Each of these Jim Beam bottlings is pulled from single barrels that hit just the right spot of taste, texture, and drinkability, according to the master distillers at Beam. That means this whiskey is pulled from less than 1% of all barrels in Beam’s warehouses, making this a very special bottle at a bafflingly affordable price.
Bottom Line:
I have a sneaking suspicion that this would trick a ton of whiskey experts in a blind taste test into thinking it’s something massively more expensive and fancy. It’s that good. Go get some. It’s for everyone who loves good bourbon.
4. Chattanooga Whiskey Bottled In Bond Fall 2018 Straight Bourbon Whiskey (New) — Taste 16
The latest seasonal drop from Tennessee’s Chattanooga Whiskey is another great. The whiskey is a blend of four of their mash bills. 30% comes from mash bill SB091, which is a mix of yellow corn, malted rye, caramel malted barley, and honey malted barley. Another 30% comes from mash bill B002, which has yellow corn, hardwood smoked malted barley (smoked with beech, mesquite, apple, or cherry), caramel malted barley, caramel malted, and honey malted barley. The next 20% is mash bill B005: yellow corn, malted wheat, oak smoked malted wheat, and caramel malted wheat. And the last 20% is from mash bill R18098, which is yellow corn, pale malted barley, naked malted oats, double roasted caramel malted barley, peated malted barley, cherrywood smoked malted barley, chocolate malt, and de-husked chocolate malt.
Bottom Line:
The taste on this one runs so deep that you almost feel the need to go back again and again to find more cool flavor notes. This is for the whiskey lovers who are looking for something truly extra that won’t bore them, ever.
Michter’s really means the phrase “small batch” here. The tank they use to marry their hand-selected eight-year-old bourbons can only hold 20 barrels, so that’s how many go into each small-batch bottling. The blended whiskey is then proofed with Kentucky’s famously soft limestone water and bottled.
Bottom Line:
This is a true classic from top to bottom. This is the bottle you buy and drink when you want the most optimal bourbon-sipping experience or cocktail.
This whiskey — a revival of a centuries-old dead brand — is from the new company founded by Heaven Hill’s Andrew Shapira with partners Pablo Moix and Peter Nevenglosky, based around the Rare Character Whiskey shingle. The whiskey in the bottle is rendered from six barrels of six-year-old whiskey that’s expertly batched and bottled with just a touch of local Kentucky water.
Bottom Line:
This is pretty much a perfect classic bourbon whiskey. The depth is astounding and the vibe is so on point that you start to wonder where this brand has been your whole life. It’s just that little bit deeper than the previous whiskey (I’m splitting microscopic hairs to say that), making it damn near the best whiskey on the list.
1. Starlight Distillery Carl T. Huber’s Bottled-In-Bond Indiana Straight Bourbon Whiskey (New) — Taste 10
This new release from Huber Farm’s Starlight Distillery (the distillery to know if you’re in the know) is made from their high-corn mash with a sweet mash method (each batch is fresh) in their old copper pot still. The whiskey is barreled in Canton barrels and left to age on the farm for four years before it’s batched (only 20 barrels) and proofed down to 100 proof for bottling.
Bottom Line:
This was the best whiskey on the list. It was close, but this had the most depth while feeling both fresh/fun and so classic that it felt seminal. If you can get your hands on a bottle of this (click that price link!), then you’ll be in for a true bourbon treat.
PART IV — Final Thoughts
Zach Johnston
This was a hell of a lineup of whiskey. There was nothing bad at all. That said, if I were to reach for a bottle, it’d be one from the top ten. Each of those bottles was killer, with unique profiles that speak to different moods, vibes, auras, or however your feel from day to day.
That said, that Starlight Bottled-In-Bond popped on a whole other level. It felt like riding in a brand new car to your childhood home. Truly the best of both worlds.
As for the battle aspect, it all came down to how well-built these bourbons were. New bourbons can taste like classics and classics can taste fresh. New brand, old brand, it doesn’t matter. What matters is how well the people behind those brands are building their whiskeys. That said, today was certainly an encouraging sign for the newcomers.
Tom Cruise’s presence (or non-presence) frequently stirs up strong feelings. On one hand, Steven Spielberg sees him these days and bestows praise for how Tom “saved Hollywood’s ass” by bringing people out to the movies with Top Gun: Maverick. On the other, Jerrod Carmichael dragged him at the Globes over Scientology. Yet it can never be denied that Cruise is an incredible Hollywood presence, and he did more than most actors and producers (and so on) while making (and attending) movies during the pandemic.
For that reason (including all the box-office dollars that he brings to the table), Cruise was given a “hero’s welcome” as described by The Hollywood Reporter upon entering his agent’s CAA headquarters after attending the Oscars luncheon where Spielberg flipped. The Puck newsletter revealed how agent Maha Dakhil was initially responsible for what sounds like a deafening and perhaps uncomfortable welcome when Cruise simply entered the building:
THR learned that CAA employees surprised Cruise by leaving their offices and gathering in the lobby and along the stairwells on every floor for a greeting that included five minutes of applause. Per Puck, it was Dakhil who initiated the spontaneous showing by emailing the entire staff at 2:33 p.m. on Monday, “PLEASE COME OUT OF YOUR OFFICE TO WAVE TO TOM CRUISE FROM THE STAIRWELL.”
He loved it, right? He had to have dug it, at the very least. He probably didn’t receive the same type of adrenaline rush as when leaping off a skyscraper or hanging onto a plane wing, but still, that had to involve some exhilaration.
If you haven’t caught Top Gun: Maverick yet, the sequel is available for streaming on Paramount+.
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