Month: February 2023

Drake’s usually got a great sense of humor about all the jokes people make about him, but it turns out that even he has a limit.

The Toronto singer has been popping up on gaming streams a bunch lately, cozying up to Gen Z’s version of rap stars. This week, he surprised IShowSpeed, a streamer famous for his viral reactions to games, via a FaceTime call. The two talked about soccer a bit, including whether Drake was a bigger fan of Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi.

However, when things took a turn, Drake was apparently too flustered to continue the conversation.

As Drake told IShowSpeed how much he appreciated him, Speed made things a little too awkward by complimenting Drake’s voice. “You’re doing your thing,” Drake said. “I was talking about you the other day in the car … I’m proud of you, for real.”

Speed complimented him in return, saying, “Bro, your voice is so sexy. How is it so smooth like that? How your voice so smooth like that?” Immediately after that, the call dropped. Whether Drake meant to hang up due to the comment, lost service, or had some other pressing concern, it looks like the streamer felt like he blew his shot.

“He’s not gonna answer the phone again, bro,” he said. “I didn’t mean — I said it wrong, bruh. I meant to say his voice is smooth, but I said it wrong. On God, I said it bad.”

A reminder to the kids out there… sometimes, you just gotta touch grass.

Drake, meanwhile, is $1.4 million richer thanks to some Super Bowl bets he called “psychotic” in the moment.

That ’90s Show is a charming little reboot that features both new and familiar faces throughout its debut season, including A-list actors like Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis, along with a new gang of mischievous teens.

One of the teens is Ryan Doi, who portrays Ozzie, the friend with deadpan delivery who hangs in the Foreman basement before coming out as gay to Kitty. But one moment on set stuck out in particular to Doi, who didn’t realize that he would be meeting Kunis while working.

Doi told ET Canada about the exhilarating moment. “When we were filming the pilot, Mila was, you know, going from door to door, just kind of checking in on everyone,” the actor explained. “I think she was asking the [actors’] moms questions or something like that.” Checking in on people is pretty much the opposite of her vapid character Jackie. But while on set, Kunis had a run-in with Doi’s mother, who seemed star-struck.

He continued, “I heard a knock, [but assumed it was] someone getting me to go to set. And so my mom answered the door because she went in the room and all of a sudden [I heard a] scream from across the hall,” he recalled. “It was my mom, because she was so starstruck that Mila was like, in front of her. We knew Mila was there, but we never knew who was going to come to our dressing room.” Doi then went over the meet Kunis, who starred in the pilot episode for a brief cameo. “And then I went over across the hall, and then I was like, ‘Oh my God, it’s Mila.’”

The young actor said that watching all of the veteran actors on set helped him hone in on his own craft. “Even if we didn’t have a scene with them, being able to watch them perform, it was really, you know, it adds some knowledge to you.” The teens can use said knowledge in the longer second season that was ordered by Netflix!

(Via ET Canada)

Who is in it for the right reasons? Will someone’s head turn? Is Tom capable of answering any direct question with anything other than, “I don’t know?” Wait, what is this season’s euphemism for getting, um, handsy? These are all questions that arise when tuning into ‘Love Island UK‘ Season 9. Follow along here as Uproxx (hopefully) answers your questions about the 2023 winter season and decides which couples we think are strong enough to last to the finale.

(WARNING: Spoilers for up to episode 31 of Love Island UK season nine will be found below.)

It’s Casa Amor week on Love Island UK, meaning that each couple was split up and twelve new islanders were brought into the mix. The girls headed over to a separate villa to explore new connections while the boys were left to crack on with newcomers at the main villa — and crack on they did. In the span of just a few days, heads have been turned, kisses have been shared, and previous relationships have been put to the test.

First, let’s check in with our couples. Who are the current couples on Love Island UK Season 9? Well, right now we have Lana and Ron, Tanya and Shaq, Jessie and Will, Samie and Tom, Olivia and Kai, and Claudia and Casey… but not for long. Ahead of the next recoupling, it’s time for us to predict which islanders will choose to stick in their same couple, and which islanders will shake things up by bringing a new connection into the villa. — Carolyn Droke

Casey

Relationship Status: In a couple with Claudia
Prediction: Staying put

Casey, Casey, Casey. Out of all of the guys, Casey is having the most fun in Casa Amor. In just the three episodes of Casa Amor, he’s kissed two girls which makes him one of this season’s most active lip-lockers, along with Terrace Tom and Kai. Despite it all, I can’t help to think that Casey is doing nothing more but having a good time grafting and cracking on with the Casa Amor girls. When it’s time to make his decision, he’ll surely choose to go back to Claudia. — Wongo Okon

Did We Get It Right?: TBD

Claudia

Relationship Status: In a couple with Casey
Prediction: Staying put

If there’s one person we haven’t seen much of so far in Casa Amor it’s Claudia. She hasn’t had too much on-camera time in the three episodes of Casa Amor, but during her brief appearances, she’s expressed her growing to desire to stay put in her couple with Casey. It doesn’t look like much will change there, though she may be disappointed in Casey’s Casa Amor behavior. — Wongo Okon

Did We Get It Right?: TBD

Jessie

Relationship Status: In a couple with Will
Prediction: Staying put

Jessie is the only one worth protecting, at least for me this week. As she’s described, she’s got trust issues, and it’s clear with good reason. She even thought Will wasn’t misbehaving right across the street. She was also screwed over during (and after) her time on the Australia franchise. I truly just feel bad for her because either outcome is a lose-lose option, and we’ve all been there in some respect. We’re just hoping that the fallout isn’t as damaging. — Lexi Lane

Did We Get It Right?: TBD

Kai

Relationship Status: In a couple with Olivia
Prediction: Crack on with someone else

I had little faith that Kai was going to stick with Olivia when six new girls walked into the villa, and he proved me right. Though his kiss with newcomer Sanam initially made him realize how much he likes Olivia, the way he jumps to explore a new connection makes me think he and Olivia do have something in common after all (I kid). It’s pretty certain Kai is going to choose to couple up with Sanam, which he admitted when told the boys he was “swinging” toward her. — Carolyn Droke

Did We Get It Right?: TBD

Lana

Relationship Status: In a couple with Ron
Prediction: Staying put

Going into Casa Amor, I was half expecting Lana to stir the pot. But after everything she and Ron have been through, she’s sticking with him. It’s clear her tumultuous time with Ron has left her a bit bruised, since she told newcomer Ryan that she’s learned to hold a bit of herself back in relationships. That makes me think she still doesn’t fully trust Ron (which, who could blame her?), but returning to the villa and recoupling with him might start to rebuild her faith in him. — Carolyn Droke

Did We Get It Right?: TBD

Olivia

Relationship Status: In a couple with Kai
Prediction: Crack on with someone else

Since stepping foot into Casa Amor, Olivia has been moving mad. Her experience started with forgetting Kai’s name (seriously?) and ended with her head being scrambled by newcomer Maxwell. As the resident sensitive gal in the villa, she can’t help but let other people’s opinions get to her head; whether it’s the public voting Kai in the bottom three during the last few recouplings, or Maxwell sharing his very biased opinions on her relationship. I think I speak for a lot of people when I say that she and Kai coupling up seemed to come out of nowhere. Plus, it seems like she and Maxwell have genuine chemistry. All that to say, it’s a safe bet she opts to bring Maxwell back to the main villa. — Carolyn Droke

Did We Get It Right?: TBD

Ron

Relationship Status: In a couple with Lana
Prediction: Staying put

Wednesday night’s episode seemed like the first time in weeks that Ron wasn’t at the center of some drama. In fact, he probably got the least amount of airtime during Casa Amor compared to the rest of the islanders. After some initial flirty banter with a few of the girls, Ron admitted that he was missing Lana. So much so that he opted to sleep out on the daybed — a surprise to us all. It seems like his player days are behind him… at least for now. — Carolyn Droke

Did We Get It Right?: TBD

Samie

Relationship Status: In a couple with Tom
Prediction: Staying put

Samie has always been a wild card for me. I’ve felt that she’s sort of floated through the season, save for some of the early drama with Tanyel. Still, her relationship with Tom appeared to be getting somewhere before Casa Amor and getting her head scrambled by newcomer Ryan. Still, I’m hopeful to see if she and Tom are able to reunite and get anywhere after the recoupling. — Lexi Lane

Did We Get It Right?: TBD

Shaq

Relationship Status: In a couple with Tanya
Prediction: Staying put

While Casey has been going around getting to know all the ladies, Shaq has been doing the complete opposite. He’s been sleeping on the day bed, minding his business, and staying faithful to his relationship with Tanya. Though the couple has yet to make their relationship official or declare it as exclusive, they have shared I love yous which makes it unsurprising that Shaq hasn’t made a move in the three episodes of Casa Amor. My prediction is that he’ll stay put and choose to recouple with Tanya. — Wongo Okon

Did We Get It Right?: TBD

Tanya

Relationship Status:
Prediction: Crack on with someone else

Tanya has been the most shocking aspect of Casa Amor this season. Though her relationship with Shaq was on rocks in the week leading up to it, it’s been a bit surprising to see her dive into something new so quickly. Tanya has really been enjoying her time with Martin, and from the start, it became more and more likely that she would eventually decide to recouple with him. Then, when the two shared a kiss at the end of Wednesday’s (February 15) episode, it was almost as if Tanya made her decision right then and there. I’d bet that she indeed chooses to recouple with Martin, but we’ll just have to wait and see. — Wongo Okon

Did We Get It Right?: TBD

Tom

Relationship Status: In a couple with Samie
Prediction: Crack on with someone else

Tom truly has had a whirlwind time in the Villa, being coupled up with Zara, Ellie, and now Samie. And that doesn’t even include the girls he’s brought on dates. However, since Casa Amor started, he’s started cozying up to Lydia. There’s also clearly some logic when even your friends dub you “Terrace Tom” for your signature move. Because of this, we feel he’ll change his mind yet again. — Lexi Lane

Will

Relationship Status: In a couple with Jessie
Prediction: Stay put (maybe)

Farmer Will’s shenanigans have transformed him from the villa’s beloved best friend to a total playboy practically overnight and disappointed everyone. Sure, he’s started feeling an ounce of shame, but only after he went after Layla and two other girls in the challenge. If he can’t be loyal now, will Will ever be? Plus, no matter his decision, he’s still in hot water when the TV night rolls around. Unless, of course, both girls somehow send him packing back home to his sheep. — Lexi Lane

Did We Get It Right?: TBD

‘Love Island UK’ airs daily on the ITV2 channel at 9pm GMT/4pm EST/1pm PST.

Selena Gomez recently said of her social media usage these days, “The only thing I have on my phone is TikTok because I find it to be a little less hostile.” It seems, though, that sometimes, even TikTok isn’t completely free of hostility: In a recent live broadcast on TikTok, Gomez talked about the effects that medications she takes have on her body, apparently in response to comments about her weight.

She explained, “I tend to hold a lot of water weight, and that happens very normally. And then when I’m off of [a medication], I tend to kind of lose weight. […] I just wanted to say and encourage anyone out there who feels any sort of shame for exactly what they’re going through, but nobody knows the real story. So I just want people to know that you’re beautiful and you’re wonderful and… yeah, we have days where maybe we feel like sh*t, but I would much rather be healthy and take care of myself, and my medications are important and I believe they are what helps me.”

Gomez concluded, “So, yeah: not a model, never will be. And I think they’re awesome, mind you. I just, I definitely am… definitely not that. So, that’s it. This is getting a little too… much, but I just wanted to tell you I love you guys, and thanks for supporting me and understanding. And if not… go away, ’cause honestly, I don’t believe in shaming people for body or anything.”

Meanwhile, she recently discussed how her new music is going.

Rebel Wilson is known for her over-the-top absurd roles, and thanks to her iconic character in Pitch Perfect, she became a household name. But after many conversations surrounding her weight, Wilson revealed that she was contractually obligated to maintain a certain look while she was starring in the films.

Wilson was featured on Alex Cooper’s Call Her Daddy podcast (via IndieWire) when she detailed the surprising clause in her Pitch Perfect contract. “I couldn’t lose a massive amount of weight, because I was in the contract for that movie,” Wilson stated. The actress portrayed Fat Amy (looking back, that name was certainly a choice) in the hit comedy/a capella franchise, which spawned three films and a series.

But Wilson was forbidden to lose weight in order to keep the role of Fat Amy. She explained, “You can’t lose, I think it’s not more than 10 pounds, or gain more than 10 pounds. Yeah, you have to kind of stay at the weight. It’s in your contract.” The actress added that she began to be typecast as similar characters after her breakout role in Pitch Perfect.

“I was stereotyped in playing that fat, funny friend, which is so hard because I love those roles,” she explained. “I love doing the roles. I love those characters. But then I did want to do more things, and I felt like being the bigger girl you’re just more pigeonholed.”

Even though Wilson was discouraged from taking control of her own body, she was later able to lose weight after a doctor suggested it would be better for her fertility journey. “It really hit me hard, because I was living a fantastic bigger life,” she admitted. The actress then made headlines for her weight loss after Pitch Perfect wrapped.

Most recently, Wilson has been stepping away from those stereotyped roles. She starred in the indie drama The Almond and the Seahorse last year before welcoming a daughter with her partner last fall via surrogate. Maybe one day she can stop by the Pitch Perfect series again as just “Amy.”

(Via IndieWire)

Chief Keef, Lil Durk, and a few other Chicago natives may have birthed hip-hop’s latest subgenre, drill music, but that hasn’t stopped other regions across the globe from making it their own.

Lately, the biggest drill acts hail from the mecca of hip-hop, the Bronx, New York. As fans crown Ice Spice, the princess of the sound, in Kay Flock’s absence from the scene, his childhood friend B-Lovee has upheld the crown for the fellas. B-Lovee’s viral song, “IYKYK,” produced by ChrisSaves, has made him a fixture in New York’s thriving drill scene.

Sampling the hypnotic melody of Wayne Wonder’s “No Letting Go,” in contrast to the B-Lovee’s harsh lyrics, you don’t know whether to dance to the groove or look over your shoulder to ensure to coast is clear. The Bronx native may be cold as ice, but he makes it extremely clear that he’s with all the smoke should it come his way.

Watch B-Lovee’s UPROXX Sessions performance of “IYKYK” above.

UPROXX Sessions is Uproxx’s performance show featuring the hottest up-and-coming acts you should keep an eye on. Featuring creative direction from LA promotion collective, Ham On Everything, and taking place on our “bathroom” set designed and painted by Julian Gross, UPROXX Sessions is a showcase of some of our favorite performers, who just might soon be yours, too.

While there’s no shortage of places to stay in Madrid, few hotel spaces can date their roots back to the 19th and 13th centuries—save for Palacio de los Duques, one of the newer Gran Melía properties in the heart of Madrid. Ideally situated at the western end of the Gran Via, this historic property’s backstory is just as impressive as its current offerings. Comprising two separate buildings, a former 13th-century convent and a 19th-century palace, this centrally-located property is perfect for art lovers, cocktail aficionados, and wellness-forward travelers alike.

Also… it look like this inside:

In addition to numerous Diego Velázques reproductions scattered around the hotel’s common areas, a few original pieces (donated by the Prado Museum) are also lurking around the property’s interior. Simply post up with a book in the common area, grab a coffee, and take in the overall grandeur of the hotel’s main space.

Hey, it’s no visit to the Prado Museum itself, but it’s certainly a more relaxing experience.

With regards to F&B, while I definitely recommend taking in the city’s remarkable culinary scene, skipping the Palacio’s on-site offerings would be a serious miss—especially if you can get a res at Dos Cielos. Grab a craft cocktail at the lounge bar (I enjoyed the Palacio, made with bourbon, gin, and mint, though the Spanish Mojito made with mint, Manzanilla sherry, and lime looked equally refreshing) before exploring, then indulge in a nightcap at the hotel’s rooftop bar (PX Martini crafted with Pedro Ximenez sherry and gin, anyone?)

For those looking to sweat it out the next day, the hotel’s 24-hour fitness center offers Technogym equipment, as well as complimentary granola bars, fruit, tea, and clean towels.

WHY IT’S AWESOME:

Palacio de los Duques is home to 180+ rooms across numerous tiers, rendering the hotel accessible to a variety of price points and personal preferences. Guests in RedLevel suites will enjoy a more boutique experience, including private check-in and check-out, as well as access to a special à la carte breakfast, a private lounge area with a private garden, and more. Although I didn’t really partake in the tapas aside from a few salty almonds and chips, the all-day Nespresso machine was a lifesaver.

Most importantly, the hotel’s central location makes it easy to access nearly every neighborhood in Madrid, making exploring the city incredibly easy—though with a hotel of this standard, it’s quite tempting not to leave. The downstairs lounge space is spacious and stunning, offering a great place to get some work done or simply enjoy a coffee in peace, and while many on-site spas at hotels often fall short, the RedLevel spa is exquisite.

IN-HOUSE FOOD + DRINK

Come for the room, stay for the food and beverage. Palacio de los Duques is home to three on-site restaurants: Coroa Royal Gallery & Garden (tapas with a view), Vinoteca Montmartre Restaurant (French-Spanish fusion), or Restaurant Dos Cielos, a sustainable-forward restaurant spearheaded by the award-winning Torres Brothers.

While I didn’t have a meal at Dos Cielos, my meal at Coroa Royal Gallery & Garden was delicious, especially enjoyed al fresco. As a vegetarian, the menu items I enjoyed most were the vegetarian taco made with black beans and sweet potato, the fresh garden salad made with frisée, artichoke hearts, and asparagus, and some form of stuffed/rolled pasta (think similar to manicotti) drenched in a thick green sauce and topped with spinach and pickled onions. To kick off the meal, I started with a glass of Fino sherry to break up the cocktail drinking a bit, though Coroa’s vast array of still (non-fortified) Spanish wines by the glass—including the Terras Gaudas Albariño and Gran Caus Rosado from Penedès—were equally tempting.

In addition to the rooftop pool bar, the hotel’s lounge bar boasts an impressive list of craft cocktails, mixed up by some of Madrid’s best mixologists. Choose from modern twists on a number of classics, including the Wild Cosmo, made with blueberries, lime, vodka, and triple sec, or a Spiced Mule made with spiced vodka, lime and ginger beer. As it was late, and my sweet tooth was kicking in, I opted for the Tiramisù, made with vodka, hazelnut liquor, vanilla, and coffee. Regardless of what you choose, the only thing that promises to up-show your drink is the 360-view of Madrid by night.

Lastly, Palacio de los Duques’ breakfast buffet is arguably one of the best I’ve ever seen, offering an array of hot, cold, and made-to-prepare items. Standard breakfast offerings (scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, sausage, pastries, and more) are available, as well as an array of freshly squeezed juices and smoothies. Seeing as I was slightly hungover, I opted for a massive green juice and two cappuccinos. Next time, I’ll make sure I’m in better form to enjoy all that the breakfast has offer.

AMENITIES:

• Excellent location
• On-site cocktail bar and restaurant with outdoor patio
• Large variety of room types
• On-site spa / wellness center
• Rooftop pool
• Free Wi-Fi throughout the property
• Excellent breakfast buffet (included with certain reservations)
• 24-hour gym
• Room service
• Airport transfers available

ROOM TYPES

While I stayed in a Suite Junior RedLevel, which came equipped with a separate table/sitting area for working, there are both smaller and larger options at the hotel. For an upgrade, you can get the same room with a balcony, or spring for a Suite RedLevel with a separate bedroom—with Master and Penthouse options also available.

For those traveling more modestly, Classic, Premium, and Supreme rooms make for great—and more affordable—options. A single queen-size bed or two individual bed options are available within these tiers.

THE BEST THING TO DO WITHIN A 15-MINUTE WALK:

For hipster coffee shops, vintage shopping, and great nightlife, head up to the bustling Malasaña neighborhood, located less than ten minutes away from the hotel on foot. Despite its proximity, the neighborhood couldn’t be more different than the busy, Opera-adjacent area where the hotel is found. I grabbed a cappuccino at Töto Ice Cream & Coffee for prime people watching, though definitely skipped on the latter (it was 10 AM, otherwise I would’ve been in).

Should you visit the neighborhood on the weekend, be sure to check out the neighborhood’s weekend market in between shopping and bar hopping, or even an outdoor movie at the Conde Duque, should the weather permit.

BEST THING TO DO/EAT/DRINK WITHIN A $20 CAB RIDE:

For a taste of the urban outdoors, there’s no better place to stretch your legs and grab some fresh(ish) air than Parque de El Retiro. Simply post up with a book, stroll around the reservoir, or grab an ice cream at one of the centrally located stands and enjoy. If you’re feeling sporty, hit the Canoeing Club Vallehermoso Retiro in the center of the park and enjoy some time on the water.

Pro tip: Exit the park to the north and enjoy the ritzy shopping / cafés / fine dining in the city’s Salamanca neighborhood. The neighborhood has a little bit of everything, from Zara Home and Aesop all the way to Chanel and Balenciaga. Also, grabbing a world-famous tortilla at Casa Dani (washed down with an Estrella, of course) is an absolute must.

BED GAME:

Perhaps it was because I was hungover AF, but truly, I could have died in the bed at Palacio de los Duques. The pillows offered a perfect balance between structure and fluff, and with the AC cranked up to the max, I was able to burrow beneath the massively thick comforter.

Rating: 10/10.

SEXINESS RATING:

While the comfortable beds, rooftop access, and downstairs cocktail bar—as well as the on-site spa—are perfect lead-ups to getting “in the mood,” the rooms’ outdated decor and lack of stellar views (at least in the room I stayed in) render it an attractive experience, though definitely not the city’s sexiest.

Rating: 7.5/10

BEST SEASON TO VISIT

As with many European cities, the fall and spring seasons offer the best conditions temperature-wise, as well as a lack of crowds. While the hotel’s ample air conditioning offers a perfect reprieve from scorching summer temperatures, exploring around the heated city streets are certainly not for the faint of heart.

IF I HAD TO COMPLAIN ABOUT ONE THING:

It’s hard to find a complaint about the Palacio de los Duques. The rooms are spacious, the on-site food and beverage options are delectable, and I truly had one of the best massages of my life at the RedLevel spa.

I will say that the in-room decor is quite outdated, and the hotel’s unique layout can make it confusing to get around, but overall, these are peanuts compared to the excellent amenities and unforgettable hospitality.

BOOK NOW:

Expect to pay between $340 for a standard room, $579 for a RedLevel Room, and $660-$1,200 for various levels of suites.

INSTAGRAM IMAGES TAKEN AT THE PALACIO DE LOS DUQUES HOTEL:

Penn Badgley has ironically (and perhaps troublingly) become an internet boyfriend during the run of Netflix’s psychological thriller You. Badgley stars as Joe, a sociopathic murderer and stalker, but he seems likable in real life. He certainly buttered up Swifties with a clever “Anti-Hero” and You mashup as his first-ever TikTok in October.

“I thought for years, ‘I’ll get a TikTok when the time is right,’” Badgley explained of the viral TikTok in a recent interview with Rolling Stone. “And then when Taylor’s record came out, it just seemed the song wouldn’t have worked with anybody else. Me. Joe. Anti-Hero. Taylor Swift? It just was the perfect moment.”

The Swift connection isn’t over, either. According to IndieWire, Badgley directed the upcoming ninth episode of You‘s fourth season, and according to Badgley’s new Variety cover story, the episode “contains a Taylor Swift reference.” Naturally, Variety‘s Kate Aurthur posed whether Joe is a Swiftie.

“I think, unfortunately, he would despise her,” Badgley said. “Because she’s successful and blonde, maybe? I don’t know, but I think he would.”

The first half of You‘s fourth season hit Netflix on February 9. The second half is due out on March 9.

If you’re all caught up, watch the “Part 2” trailer below.

Rye whiskey is bourbon’s fun-loving cousin. It’s often drier, more herbal/floral, funkier, and, sure, it can be spicier. And since we’re all chin-deep in the latest whiskey boom, there are new rye whiskeys hitting shelves at a non-stop pace. Meaning it’s a lot to sort through.

That’s where I come in. I’m lucky enough to get a lot of tryes to try — so much so that it’s time for yet another blind taste test of rye whiskeys.

For this blind tasting, I grabbed some new (and new-ish) ryes along with a few new batches of old standards (I picked up the Sazerac Rye from the distillery last week) and stacked them up against each other in a blind tasting. The idea was to cast a wide net with stuff on the shelf right now. Naturally, that’ll depend on what gets to your region or not.

That makes our lineup today the following bottles:

• Blackwood Toasted Rye Whiskey Small Batch (New)
• Proof And Wood Polish Whiskey 100% Rye Aged 8 Years ‘The Stranger’
• Sazerac Rye Straight Rye Whiskey
• Tattersall Wi-Ski Straight Rye Whiskey Maple Syrup Barrel Aged (New)
• Roulette Rye Straight Rye Whiskey 4 Years Old
• Old Elk Straight Rye Whiskey Finished in Rum Barrels (New)
• Kentucky Owl Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey Aged 11 Years Limited Edition Bayou Mardi Gras XO Cask (New)
• Proof And Wood Crossborder Jackpot Whiskey

When it comes to ranking these bottles, that is all about the taste. I’m looking at the depth of flavor and the journey these profiles take me on as I taste them. In the end, the taste of these whiskeys is why we’re all here. So check out the ranking below and hit those price links to try the best ones yourself!

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Part 1: The Tasting

Taste 1

Tasting Notes:

Nose: The nose is a straight-up classic with a sense of cherry and cinnamon tied to fresh and chewy tobacco with a sense of old cedar bark braided with dry sweetgrass and smudging sage with a light sense of pear candy and cream soda.

Palate: The taste leans into spiced cherry tobacco and stewed pear with a hint of marmalade and peach cobbler next to a hint of black-tea-soaked dates, salted whiskey-laced toffee, and clotted cream before a red chili pepper spiciness kicks in with a sense of cinnamon and cherry bark.

Finish: The woodies of the orchard fruit and spice drive the warm finish — but never hot — toward a luxurious and creamy end full of sharp yet sweet tobacco, a whisper of dank resin, and echoes of old fruit orchards.

Initial Thoughts:

Well, this is a fantastic pour of whiskey. The first pour out of the gate is going to be the whiskey to beat.

Taste 2

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Peppermint candy canes mix with candied orange rinds, winter spices, a touch of caramel sweetness, and some black peppercorns.

Palate: There’s a mint chocolate chip vibe to the taste that gives way to old oak, woody Christmas spices, and a hint of burnt orange with a whisper of sweetgrass.

Finish: Dark orchard fruits and barks lead the way on the finish toward a bright mintiness next to burnt orange layered into dry tobacco and cedar bark.

Initial Thoughts:

This is pretty nice overall. It’s complex and balanced but not overly deep.

Taste 3

Tasting Notes:

Nose: There’s a vanilla base that supports anise, sasparilla, clove, cardamom, and a hint of red peppercorn with a very soft minerality.

Palate: The palate has big Christmas-time vibes with candied fruits and nuts with plenty of dark spice alongside more of that red peppercorn with old pine wood paneling lurking in the background.

Finish: The finish is soft with candied fruits creating a spicy cream soda with an old sweetgrass rope drying things out that ultimately leads to a proofed finish.

Initial Thoughts:

This starts off lighter, peaks in the mid-palate, and then ends pretty light. There’s a lot going on but you really have to dig to find it. This feels like a mixing whiskey.

Taste 4

Tasting Notes:

Nose: There’s a butterscotch note on the nose next to a lot of citrus with a pancake syrup sweetness and an old blended whiskey vibe.

Palate: Lemon pepper dominates the palate with a sense that you’ve time-traveled back to 2005.

Finish: The end has a slight graininess that circles back to the citrus and butterscotch.

Initial Thoughts:

Nope.

Taste 5

Tasting Notes:

Nose: There’s a mix of soft leather and mild chili spice next to orchard fruits and barks with a sense of dried fruits and dried sweetgrasses with a hint of vanilla tying it all together.

Palate: Sweet prunes and raisins draw you in on the taste as a nutty chocolate creaminess is accented by fresh mint with a touch of winter-spiced tobacco.

Finish: The end leans into the woody winter spices and soft tobacco with a well-rounded sense of mint, chocolate, and creamy dried fruits.

Initial Thoughts:

This was pretty nice all things considered. It wasn’t a “wow” pour but it wasn’t bad by any stretch either.

Taste 6

Tasting Notes:

Nose: There’s a clear sense of grilled pineapple and clove on the nose that leads to woody tropical spices and an overall feel of rummy tropical cocktails with plenty of spicy booze in them.

Palate: The palate leans into the woody spice bark with bitter orange, bright lemon, and a hint of lime leaves before delving into vanilla pods and a touch of warm tobacco.

Finish: The tobacco drives the finish toward a whisper of mango and pineapple with a dried and almost salted vibe before ending up in a nice and rummy-spiced note.

Initial Thoughts:

This is a nice rum-finished whiskey. It leans pretty heavily in that direction but it’s not distracting.

Taste 7

Tasting Notes:

Nose: There’s a soft leatheriness on the nose with a sense of old rye bread, sweet butter, and winter spices layered into a vanilla cake.

Palate: The taste is on the sweeter end with dark cherry and stewed plum next to orange marmalade, allspice berries, creamy vanilla pudding, and a mild sense of dry and old herb gardens.

Finish: The lush end layers in that sweet butter and creamy vanilla with a sense of clove tobacco, sharp and spicy root beer, and lush eggnog with plenty of nutmeg.

Initial Thoughts:

This is deep, luxurious, and just plain tasty. I want more of this one.

Taste 8

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Woody spices and caramel candy mix on the nose as orange and pepper lean into a vanilla cake and a hint of soft leather.

Palate: Cinnamon bark and cedar planks bind with a sense of dry grains and some sweetgrass next to a mild line of apple cider syrup with a dash of rye caraway.

Finish: The end leans into winter spices and more dry grains with a hint of cinnamon tobacco.

Initial Thoughts:

This was perfectly fine. There’s nothing wildly exciting about it and nothing wrong with it.

Part 2: The Ranking

8. Tattersall Wi-Ski Straight Rye Whiskey Maple Syrup Barrel Aged — Taste 4

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $35

The Whiskey:

This whiskey is a collaboration between Tattersall Distillery and the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation. The whiskey is a three-year-old rye that’s finished maple syrup barrels that once held bourbon. After six months, those barrels were batched, proofed, and bottled.

Bottom Line:

This tastes bad. It feels like the first attempt at making rye whiskey in 2005. Hard pass.

7. Sazerac Rye Straight Rye Whiskey — Taste 3

ABV: 45%

Average Price: $34

The Whiskey:

Sazerac Rye is an entry-point whiskey and a throwback to the 1800s. The brand was named after the famed Sazerac Coffee House on Royal Street in New Orleans where the Sazerac cocktail was born. Today, this expression is a true classic made at Buffalo Trace from their iconic rye mash bill.

Bottom Line:

This is just a little too proofed down. It’s really made for mixing cocktails and highballs so use it for that.

6. Proof And Wood Crossborder Jackpot Whiskey — Taste 8

ABV: 53.5%

Average Price: $79

The Whiskey:

This whiskey is a blend of three different whiskeys. The main components are a Canadian rye (91/9 rye/malted barley) from Canadian Whiskey Distillers in Lethbridge and an American rye (95/5 rye/malted barley) from MGP of Indiana. The last component is a Canadian corn whiskey (97/2.7/0.3 corn/rye/malted barley). Those whiskeys were all seven years old before they were blended and finished in ex-rye whiskey barrels for a final rest.

Bottom Line:

This rye-heavy blended whiskey was tasty enough. It’s clearly better suited for mixing than sipping.

5. Proof And Wood Polish Whiskey 100% Rye Aged 8 Years ‘The Stranger’ — Taste 2

ABV: 52.5%

Average Price: $64

The Whiskey:

This is a big outlier. The whiskey in the bottle is a Polish-made 100% rye whiskey that’s aged in the U.S. in ex-bourbon and ex-rye barrels. The rye whiskey spent eight years aging before 10 barrels were chosen for this batch.

Bottom Line:

This was pretty good all things considered. It was interesting, just standard. I can see sipping this over some rocks in a pinch. Otherwise, I’d mix it into a cocktail.

4. Roulette Rye Straight Rye Whiskey 4 Years Old — Taste 5

ABV: 50%

Average Price: $23

The Whiskey:

This is four-year-old Indiana rye (95/5 rye/malted barley) that’s small batched by Proof and Wood. The whiskey is proofed down to 100 proof and specifically built for mixing cocktails.

Bottom Line:

Yup, this felt like a solid cocktail base, so mission accomplished.

3. Old Elk Straight Rye Whiskey Finished in Rum Barrels — Taste 6

ABV: 50.5%

Average Price: $89

The Whiskey:

This is a five-year-old 95/5 (rye/malted barley) rye whiskey. The nuance here is in the finish. That 95/5 rye is re-barreled in 14-year-old Barbados rum barrels for a final two to five-month-long finishing touch. Those barrels are then touched with water before bottling.

Bottom Line:

This was deeply hewn and played well with the finishing barrel. This feels like an easy sipper over some ice that’ll also work well in a cocktail.

2. Kentucky Owl Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey Aged 11 Years Limited Edition Bayou Mardi Gras XO Cask — Taste 7

ABV: 51.4%

Average Price: $500

The Whiskey:

The latest limited edition from Kentucky Owl celebrates Mardi Gras with a small release of rum-finished whiskey. The whiskey in the bottle is 11-year-old Kentucky straight rye that then spends another year in Bayou Rum XO casks from Louisiana.

Bottom Line:

This was very tasty rye. The rum and rye really melded well and created a dynamic sip of whiskey. That said, I’ll probably try this in a Sazerac next time.

1. Blackwood Toasted Rye Whiskey Small Batch — Taste 1

ABV: 58.2%

Average Price: $150

The Whiskey:

This rye is sourced from expertly picked barrels for a very small batch offering. The mash is a classic 95/5 rye/malted barley bill. The barrels are close to seven years old before a handful come together to create this barrel-strength bottling of only 620 bottles.

Bottom Line:

This was far and away the best whiskey on this panel and it wasn’t even close. This is so deep, enticing, and delicious that it almost haunts you after you taste it. This is the good stuff, folks.

Part 3: Final Thoughts

There was really only one bad whiskey on this list. Tattersall just missed the mark with that rye release. Numbers 7 through 3 were all fine. I do like the Old Elk but prefer their bourbons.

The Kentucky Owl Mardi Gras bottle was pretty damn tasty. But nothing came remotely close to that Blackwood Toasted Rye. It blew away the competition. It’s worth the high price of admission, trust me.

Last year, superstar Billie Eilish had to get a restraining order against 23-year-old John Matthews Hearle who “harassed and threatened me while he has camped outside a school across the street from my family’s home,” the Happier Than Ever performer explained. Unfortunately, she’s dealing with more scary situations.

TMZ reported that the “Bad Guy” singer’s Los Angeles home was swarmed by cops on Wednesday (February 15) because someone made a false call that Eilish needed a wellness check. Upon arrival, the police talked to Eilish’s team, who assured them she was fine.

Last month, it was revealed that Eilish was seeking a restraining order against a 39-year-old man who broke into her childhood home, in which her parents still live. On January 5, he went in “unannounced and uninvited after apparently professing his love for me and expressing that he really wanted to meet me,” she explained in a statement.

“Regrettably, this is not the first time an unknown individual has attempted to contact my family and me specifically by stalking us outside my family’s home and by making professions of love to and threats of violence against me,” she wrote in court documents. “However, each such occasion, including the present one, causes me substantial anxiety, fear, and emotional distress over my personal safety and that of my father, mother, and brother.”