Bowen Yang might be breaking out in the mainstream world lately, but he and Matt Rogers have been spewing celebrity gossip since Obama was still in office, so they know what they’re doing. The two host their popular podcast Las Culturistas where they frequently talk (and critique) pop culture moments. But Tina Fey, who recently appeared on the podcast, says that he can’t do that kind of stuff anymore!!
As part of their weekly “I Don’t Think So, Honey” segment, Fey took 60 seconds to give Yang a fun little scolding for his opinions, saying he is “too famous” to be blasting movies on his podcast. Yang was in some hot bathwater after saying he was “bored” during Saltburn earlier this year, only to work alongside Jacob Elordi on SNL shortly after.
“I don’t think so, honey, Bowen Yang giving his real opinions about movies on this podcast. I regret to inform you that you’re too famous now, sir,” Fey began, while Yang was laughing.
“You have a problem with Saltburn? Shhh. Quiet luxury,” Fey said. “Keep it to yourself. Because what are you going to do when Emerald Fennell calls you about her next project, where you play Carey Mulligan’s coworker in the bridal section of Harrods and then Act Three takes a sexually violent turn and you have to pretend to be surprised by that turn? You hang out with Ariana and SpongeBob now, that is your life,” Fey added, referring to his upcoming role in Wicked where he stars alongside Grande.
Fey added, “Learn from my mistakes. Learn from Ayo. Podcasts are forever,” referring to Edibiri’s controversial JLo comments in which she called the singer a “scam” back in 2020. During last week’s Saturday Night Live episode, Edibiri seemingly poked fun at herself in a sketch about Instagram comments. “It’s wrong to leave mean comments, or post comments just for clout, or run your mouth on a podcast and you don’t consider the impact because you’re 24 and stupid!” she said in character.
To come full circle, Edibiri commented on the Instagram post “LEARN FROM ME” so it seems like we will never get her true opinion on anything anymore. We’ll always have Letterboxd.
Bradley Cooper has returned to the world of Super Bowl commercials, and once again, he’s bringing his mom Gloria along for the ride. In the new big game spot for T-Mobile, the mother and son duo are auditioning to become the new Magenta Status spokesperson, but they have some stiff competition.
Jennifer Hudson, Common, and Laura Dern are also vying for the gig, but most notably, so are the stars of Suits: Gabriel Macht and Patrick J. Adams. The series has been off the air for almost five years now, but it’s seen a massive resurgence on Netflix. Case in point: The show’s leads are now starring in a Super Bowl commercial along big name celebrities and Cooper, who just saw his latest film Maestro rack up several Oscar nominations. (Although, Cooper would have preferred seeing the Eagles make it to the big game and lock down another victory.)
Here’s the official logline for the T-Mobile spot:
Everyone and their mom is auditioning to be the next Magenta Status spokesperson. Seriously, Bradley Cooper’s mom is one of them. We would love to give Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Hudson, Common, Laura Dern, Patrick J. Adams, and Gabriel Macht a callback, but luckily, you don’t need to be famous to take advantage of these famously awesome perks. Can someone please tell that to Zach Braff & Donald Faison too?!
“Reading Rainbow” might have had its last episode in 2006, but LeVar Burton hasn’t stopped being a book advocate.
The actor and beloved host has spoken out against the unprecedented levels of books banned in schools throughout the country—acting as executive producer do the 2023 documentary “The Right to Read,” and has partnered with the nonprofit MoveOn.org to create a limited-edition T-shirt that reads “LeVar Burton Says Read Banned Books.”
And recently on “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” Burton brought attention to the subject by resurrecting the popular kids show. Only this is unlike any “Reading Rainbow” segment you’ve seen before.
In the clip (which features the well known “Reading Rainbow” song with a few tongue-in-cheek lyric tweaks) Barton shows a group of kids a selection of banned children’s books, and shares the questionable reasons why they’re banned, including:
“Harriet The Spy,” because it “encourages spying.”
“Charlotte’s Web,” because “talking pigs is disrespectful to God”
“Stella Read Me A Story,” because the author’s last name is Gay.
According to AL.com, this last title removal was done in error, since the last name showed up in a keyword search, but only further shows how flawed the system is if this is the basis for which books are being tossed out of the children’s section.
Burton also asks the kids why they think adults might be banning these types of books.
“Because they don’t want their kids to learn and be successful when they’re older,” one kids says.
Another adds, “They don’t want their kids to be smarter than them.”
If they had it their way, these kids would rather ban “racism, anti-diversity,” and “Barbies, because when you cut their hair you get their DNA and it’s weird.”
Watch the full clip below, which also shows the group take a little field trip down to a school board meeting so they can see exactly how a book gets banned:
What makes this skit so impactful (other than hitting peak nostalgia) is that Burton is actual involving kids in the discussion, and allowing them to express their own ideas and opinions on the topic. Empowering younger generations to make their own informed decisions does far more for their future that strict censorship.
This is clearly something Burton believes, and the reason why so many of us love him.
San Francisco has long been a top US tourist destination, with its celebrated food, architecture, nature, and cultural scenes. And while I love a visit to the Golden Gate City, what I love even more is crossing the bridge and heading north along the rugged coastline to Point Reyes National Seashore. Travel just around 40 miles north of San Francisco, and you’re transported into an entirely different world—a world of beaches, wildlife, rolling hills, small towns, and seafood shacks.
I’ve been visiting Point Reyes and Marin County for years, usually in the slower winter months, and am continually surprised by it — in the best way. In fact, after visiting nearly every major US National Park and hundreds of National Park sites, it is always on my list of top recommendations for domestic travel. Here is what to do, where to stay, eat, and drink while you’re there:
WHAT TO DO AT POINT REYES NATIONAL SEASHORE:
Walk Under The Insta-Famous Cypress Tree Tunnel
Emily Hart
If you’ve been on Instagram lately, or… ever, you’ve undoubtedly seen a photo of the Cypress Tree Tunnel at Point Reyes. Arguably the most iconic spot in the park, the nearly 100-year-old Monterey Cypress tree tunnel is a must-stop photo opportunity.
After you grab some cool shots, be sure to walk the length of the tunnel to the historic Point Reyes Receiving Station and back – the road is closed to cars, so you can meander down the road at whatever pace you’d like. Parking is on the shoulder of Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. I recommend visiting early or later in the day for the best light and hopefully fewer crowds.
Observe Elephant Seals at Drake’s Beach
Emily Hart
If I’m being honest, I mainly keep returning to Point Reyes National Seashore in the winter months to observe elephant seals. While northern elephant seals can be found throughout the year on the Point Reyes coastlines, the peak season for activity is during the winter months when they arrive onshore for birthing and mating.
Drakes Beach is the main spot for observation, where you’ll find barricades and volunteer docents on hand to answer questions. Depending on where the colony settles and the time of year, the entire beach can be closed for some time (like this year — currently, you can only access the parking lot from 10 am to 4 pm and stay behind the barricades leading to the beach), and access can be limited. If that stymies you, head to the Elephant Seal Overlook for a view from above. Just don’t forget your binoculars.
Hike Or Backpack
With around 150 miles of hiking trails, Point Reyes has many options. From day hikes to backpacking routes, there is a trail for any experience level. The most popular trail is definitely the expansive Tomales Point Trail, which has breathtaking coastal views. Chimney Rock is a much shorter option with the same incredible views; just be sure to arrive early, as parking is limited.
Have A Relaxing Beach Day
Emily Hart
With 80 miles of shoreline, Point Reyes National Seashore is an underrated California beach destination. While some beaches are unsuitable for swimming – with dangerous surf and low-temperature water, there are plenty of accessible spots to dip your toes in the warmer months or relax in the sand year-round. Hike into seven different beaches, with trails from 0.6 miles to Kehoe Beach to a five-mile trek to visit Kelham Beach.
The four most popular beaches are easily accessible by car – I prefer North Beach, for what it’s worth.
Visit The Point Reyes Lighthouse
The crown jewel of the National Seashore is undoubtedly the historic lighthouse. Built in 1870, the Point Reyes Lighthouse was constructed in response to the myriad shipwrecks along the treacherous coastline – there have been more than 70 to date.
Visitors can trek down 313 stairs to the lighthouse for a gorgeous, unobstructed ocean view, wildlife sightings, and an up-close look at the historic structure. Parking here is extremely limited, and the road is narrow, so plan ahead and get there early.
WHERE TO STAY:
Point Reyes has a bit of a reputation as a day-tripper destination from the Bay Area or a stop in a Highway 1 roadtrip – both of which are fantastic ideas. But there is something – for lack of a better word – magical about waking up in this peaceful part of the world without a commute. Unfortunately, the magic and non-commercialization of the area mean there aren’t many places to stay, and you definitely won’t find your favorite chain hotels.
That’s why I was more than excited to visit the new Lodge at Marconi, just down the road from Point Reyes National Seashore and overlooking Tomales Bay in Marshall.
Lodge at Marconi
Emily Hart
Lodge at Marconi, within Marconi State Historic Park, just unveiled the beginning of its multi-million dollar renovation this fall, opening its 40 hotel rooms with plans for a restaurant, historic cottages, event spaces, spa, and wellness center all in the works.
The history of the Lodge at Marconi is as fascinating as the renovation is sleek. What began as a place for staff of The Marshall Receiving Station to stay, inventor Guglielmo Marconi – the “inventor of the radio” – commissioned the hotel and building on the property in 1913. After the military briefly took over the property, the rehab-turned-cult Synanon took over residency until 1984, when the state of California took ownership. The Oliver Hospitality group is now breathing new life into the historic property with amazing attention to detail, sleek ’70s-style design, and immaculate branding.
Emily Hart
I stayed in a Deluxe King Loft room looking out over Tomales Bay, with one King bed and a twin up in the loft. The tall ceilings, earthy colors and textures, retro, unique design – and lack of TV – made it truly restful. I loved the outdoor fire pit in the heart of the property, where guests gathered each night, and the stylish lobby full of guests hanging out (a sure sign of a great hotel) when I enjoyed complimentary wine tasting after check-in.
The location here is unlike anything else you will find in this area — directly in the middle of the serene and otherworldly 62-acre Marconi State Historic Park. With hiking trails straight from your door, this property is truly unique and the definition of a respite.
WHERE TO EAT:
The Marshall Store
Emily Hart
Blink, and you might miss this unassuming seafood shack on Tomales Bay, just a few miles up Highway 1 from Point Reyes National Seashore – but I recommend you don’t. The Marshall Store, named one of the 50 best restaurants in the United States by the New York Times in 2021, is the sort of place you’d hope to find in a quiet, coastal enclave.
Known for its oysters, the family restaurant has a large menu of tasty seafood, great views, and plenty of vibes. During my visit, I tried the daily special crab cakes cooked to perfection and generously portioned. They’re only open 11 am-4 pm Friday – Monday and Thursdays are raw oyster day from 11-3 – be sure to make it in time.
Tony’s Seafood
Emily Hart
Just below Lodge at Marconi on Highway 1 lies Tony’s Seafood, a relaxed Michelin Bib Gourmand recipient on the shores of Tomales Bay. A part of Hog Island Oyster Co., Tony’s serves up oysters (of course) along with a varied menu of fresh seafood, sandwiches, and salads. I enjoyed fresh fish tacos and a glass of rosé with a bay view during my trip, where the service was friendly, and the crowd was lively.
Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese
Emily Hart
Point Reyes has a long history of dairy farming and is the site of some of the first large-scale dairy farms in the state of California. Farms dot the landscape in and outside the park, and opportunities to taste some of the best cheese in the United States are around every corner. The market at the woman-owned Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co. is a pastoral stop, offering tastings and farm tours.
If you don’t want to dine in, grab some fresh cheese – I recommend TomaTruffle – and snacks to nosh on the gorgeous outdoor space looking out over Tomales Bay.
WHERE TO DRINK:
Heidrun Meadery
Emily Hart
Heidrun Meadery in Point Reyes Station is a must-stop on your coastal travels. The meadery started in 1997 and is a staple in the area, serving various sparkling meads made in the traditional French Methode Champenoise style on a bucolic piece of property. With many of Heidrun’s mead varietals composed of honey from the beehives they maintain, their sparkling meads are unique and perfect to enjoy on the property or with some bottles from the farm store.
Point Reyes Vineyards
Emily Hart
After spending the morning hiking and lounging on the beach, there is nothing quite as refreshing – to me, anyway – as a glass of wine enjoyed outside. Bonus points if the outside is a gorgeous rolling hillside vineyard and farm looking out over a cape. Point Reyes Vineyards hit all the boxes — plus great wine. The vineyard is a labor of love from a third-generation family that planted grapes in 1990 – the first commercial wine-tasting room in Marin since the 1930s.
The tasting room is eclectic and friendly, with many wines to taste, take home, or enjoy on the large patio.
True Detectivefans who worried they might have to choose between watching Taylor Swift’s boyfriend win the Super Bowl this Sunday or watching Jodie Foster play an emotionally stunted, perpetually-horny police chief on the brink of solving a supernatural murder can now rest easy.
Rather than risk low ratings for the show’s upcoming fifth episode, Max has announced it’s pushing its release date — freeing up fans to enjoy all of the commercials, musical performances, and camera pans of Swift without feeling bad about missing their favorite nighttime murder show. And that’s a good thing because the fifth episode of True Detective: Night Country is shaping up to be a pivotal one for audiences desperate to solve its central snowy mystery.
When Does True Detective Season 4, Episode 5 Come Out?
Normally, new episodes of True Detective: Night Country air on HBO and Max on Sundays at 9 p.m. ET. While cable fans can still tune in for that scheduled showing, the streaming platform is offering subscribers a chance to catch all the action a bit earlier. The fifth episode of the show will be available to watch on Max on Friday, February 9th at 9 p.m. ET.
What’s The Plot Of True Detective Season 4, Episode 5?
The show’s fourth episode was marked by tragedy when Navarro’s (Kali Reis) sister Julia committed suicide, pushing the quick-tempered detective to self-destruct in a bloody way. While both she and Danvers (Foster) are still consumed with solving the case of the dead scientists from Tsalal, complications arise when a link between the research station and the local mining company is uncovered. The pair are forced to make some tough, career-defining decisions in their pursuit of the truth while Danvers’ daughter, Leah (Isabella Star LeBlanc) finds herself in the middle of an environmental protest that quickly turns violent.
How Many Episodes Of True Detective Season 4 Are There?
This week’s installment marks the penultimate episode of the season which means the show only has one episode left to solve the mystery of Annie K.’s brutal murder and its connection to the disaster that happened at the research station.
Is There A Trailer For True Detective Season 4, Episode 5?
Max released a teaser for the show’s fifth episode earlier this week. In it, Leah can be seen protesting the mine that’s been wreaking havoc on the local indigenous population while Navarro struggles to keep her hallucinations in check.
Saweetie had some insightful thoughts on the rap beef between Megan Thee Stallion and Nicki Minaj and how it ties into rap’s double standard for women, which she shared during an interview with Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson.
The Bay Area rapper was a special guest for a live recording of Sharpe and Johnson’s YouTube show The Nightcap in Las Vegas, where she fielded Sharpe’s inquiry, “What is it with women and rap beef?”
“I always wonder why people even ask that,” she replied. “cause when the men have their beef it’s like, ‘Oh ok it’s a sport’ but when the women do it, it’s not seen as a sport. I feel like when there’s beef, it’s a sport, and you’re basically saying who’s the most witty and who’s the most clever.”
She also pointed out how Nicki and Meg are technically only really involved in a “beef” because, in her view, “If they was battle rapping then it wouldn’t be beef, they’d be going at each other on stage like this. But now that it’s singles, it’s brought a bigger audience to it.”
She also dismissed the idea of getting involved in a feud herself over subliminal disses like the ones between Meg and Nicki, saying, “If my name ain’t on it, then it’s not directed towards me. I feel like if you don’t say my name then you ain’t really ‘bout it.” (I feel like Saweetie’s a Jay-Z fan.)
Saweetie talks about female rap ‘beef’ in general when asked about Nicki Minaj and Megan Thee Stallion:
“I wonder why people even ask that because when the men have their beef it’s like ‘oh ok it’s a sport’ but when the women do it, it’s not seen as a sport” pic.twitter.com/7fz8drJjUx
Sure, you can finally crack that bottle of Pappy 20 if your team wins. But the rest of us will need a reliable and affordable bottle of bourbon to enjoy during the game, the commercials, and amidst gorging ourselves on wings. So let’s focus on that.
Below, I’m calling out 20 bottles of bourbon that all cost under $50 — all of which you should be able to find at any liquor store. That does narrow it down a bit. I’d love to call out local to Kansas City bourbon J. Riger’s Bottled In Bond, but it’s not available nationwide yet and it’s just north of $50 per bottle. The bottles listed below are going to be right there at any Costco, Total Wine, Whole Foods, Kroger, or wherever good liquor is sold.
Also Read: The Top 5 UPROXX Bourbon Posts Of The Last Six Months
Hailing from the James B. Beam stills and warehouses, this “Old” whiskey is a fan favorite. The whiskey is from Beam’s high rye mash bill. The hot juice is then matured until it’s just right. After the barrels are blended, the whiskey is just touched with water to bring the proof down, and then it’s bottled.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Vanilla tobacco meets hints of rye spiciness with a dose of caramel and old oak on the nose.
Palate: The palate holds onto that rye spice as notes of cherry and oak dominate the vanilla and toffee sweetness.
Finish: The end returns to the spice with a chewy tobacco edge that lingers for a short time but leaves you wanting more.
Bottom Line:
This is a good crowd-pleaser that’s not going to break the bank. It works wonders in Coke or 7-Up since it’s bold enough to stand out with those big sweet soda flavors. It makes an easy and fun old fashioned thanks to the cherry and vanilla sweetness. And you can shoot it with a beer if you’re so inclined. That’s versatility.
This is the whiskey that heralded a new era of bourbon in 1999. Famed Master Distiller Elmer T. Lee came out of retirement to create this bourbon to celebrate the renaming of the George T. Stagg distillery to Buffalo Trace when Sazerac bought the joint. The rest, as they say, is history, especially since this has become a touchstone bourbon for the brand.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Classic notes of vanilla come through next to a dark syrup sweetness, a flourish of fresh mint, and raw leather that veers towards raw steak.
Palate: The palate cuts through the sweeter notes with plenty of spices — like clove and star anise — next to a hint of tart berries underneath it all.
Finish: The end is long, velvety, and really delivers on the vanilla and spice.
Bottom Line:
This is a step up but still very much in the “mixer” category of good bourbons. You can batch this into a Manhattan or old fashioned very easily. Or just use it for mixing simple cocktails all day. It’ll shine.
This is the entry-point bottle to the beloved Remus Reserve yearly releases. The whiskey is MGP’s bourbon (from the Ross & Squibb branded distillery) but they don’t let us know the mash bill or how long these barrels age before they go into the batch.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose is full of berry brambles heavy with sweet, tart, and dark berries, thorny stems, green leaves, and even a little dark soil next to Cherry Coke with a hint of spicy and a touch of sweet oak.
Palate: The cherry morphs into a syrupy and spicy cherry pie with a lard crust next to hints of vanilla pudding, brittle toffee, and more of that soft and sweet oak.
Finish: The finish is short and sweet and highlights that cherry while layering in new leather, more oak, and nice and lush vanilla cream.
Bottom Line:
This whiskey is from one of the most renowned sources of bourbon on the planet, MGP. It’s simply quality whiskey that delivers exactly what you want for this price point — classic notes, easy drinking, and solid mixing prowess.
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.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: This nose is classic, with rich vanilla next to dry spicy tobacco leaves next to apple hand pies with sugar icing made with plenty of dark spices and butter.
Palate: The palate has a bran vibe that hints at a white Necco Wafer with a ripe white peach fresh off the tree with a hint of ginger bite to it.
Finish: The end circles back around to a vanilla wafer with nutmeg, orange zest, and a twinge of dark chocolate sauce leading to a dry and slightly molded wicker chair sitting in the sun.
Bottom Line:
This is a good bottle of Dickel whisky. The bourbon is perfect for mixing cocktails, especially if you want to lean into citrus or chocolate notes.
16. Jim Beam Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
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 juice is pulled from less than one percent of all barrels in Beam’s warehouses, making this a very special bottle at a bafflingly affordable price.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose opens with classic notes of vanilla sheet cake, salted caramel, wintry mulled wine spices, and a sense of cherry pie in a lard crust next to a hint of dried corn husk, old broom bristle, and dark chocolate pipe tobacco.
Palate: The palate layers orange zest next to sticky toffee pudding, old leather, and cherry tobacco next to dark chocolate with this lingering sense of coconut cream pie lurking somewhere in the background.
Finish: The finish leans into more woody winter spices (especially cinnamon bark and nutmeg) with rich toffee and cherry-chocolate tobacco braided with dry sweetgrass and cedar bark.
Bottom Line:
This is one of those bottles that has no business tasting as good as it does for this price. That said, the end is a little light, making this the perfect candidate for mixing up killer cocktails all Sunday long.
15. Elijah Craig Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
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.
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.
Bottom Line:
This is another great cocktail base bourbon. It’s quintessential when it comes to the flavor profile — all that cherry, vanilla, caramel, and spice sings on the palate. That said, I’d still lean more toward mixing with this one than sipping, but I’m not stopping anyone from pouring this over some rocks and enjoying the hell out of it on Super Bowl Sunday.
This is classic (sourced) Bulleit Bourbon that’s aged up to 10 years before it’s blended and bottled. The barrels are hand-selected to really amplify those classic “Bulleit” flavors that make this brand so damn accessible (and beloved) in the first place.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: A lot is going on with butter and spicy stewed apples, maple syrup, Christmas cakes full of nuts and dried fruit, and a hint of savory herbs all pinging through your nose.
Palate: The palate brings about smooth and creamy vanilla with plenty of butter toffee, sourdough crust, more X-mas spice, cedar bark, and a hint of dried roses.
Finish: The finish is long, warming, and embraces the toffee and spice before echoing the stewed fruits and buttery vanillas.
Bottom Line:
This is pretty damn good over ice in a rocks glass. It has a classic bourbon vibe that you’re looking for in an easy-drinking everyday bourbon. This also makes a mean old fashioned or whiskey sour.
13. Knob Creek Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Aged 9 Years
This is 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.
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 a cinnamon sticky bun 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.
Bottom Line:
This is where you get into the easy everyday sippers that work just as well in cocktails. This is basically a dealer’s choice whiskey pour with a vintage Kentucky bourbon vibe.
12. Rebel Cask Strength Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Single Barrel
This is Lux Row’s classic wheated bourbon recipe from 1849. The mash is made with 68% corn, 20% wheat, and 12% malted barley before it’s distilled and then left to mature for at least four years. Once aged, the whiskey barrels are batched and then bottled as-is at cask strength (mostly for retailers or bars).
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Pecan waffles, pancake syrup, and blueberries drive the nose with a hint of toasted marshmallow and old oak.
Palate: Those blueberries drive the palate toward honeyed Graham Crackers with a sense of almost floral honey, wet brown sugar, and old boot leather.
Finish: That honey amps up through the finish with the leather as cedar kindling and dry tobacco round out the hot finish with a sense of chili peppers stewed in brown sugar syrup with cinnamon and clove.
Bottom Line:
This whiskey has a little bit of punch to it, which is fun when applied in small doses. Overall, I’d pour this over a big rock and let it settle into itself a little. Then I’d try it in whiskey-forward cocktails for the rest of the day.
11. Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select Tennessee Whiskey
This was first introduced in 1997. The whiskey is hand-selected from barrels on the upper floors of Jack’s vast Tenessee rickhouses. The whisky is bottled at a slightly higher proof to allow the nuance of the single-barrel whiskey to shine.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: A clear sense of toasted oak, dark apple tobacco, apricot jam, and a hint of molasses drives the nose toward pear syrup and pancakes covered in blueberry sauce.
Palate: Notes of caramel corn, mild winter spice barks, and plenty of oily vanilla beans are countered on the palate by cream soda, cinnamon cookies, and soft apple butter tobacco with a mild chewiness.
Finish: The sweet banana fruit arrives on the end and marries well to a peppery spice, apple clove gum, and mulled wine that amps up as the end draws near with a touch of woody pipe tobacco on the very end.
Bottom Line:
This whiskey is a fruit bomb but it works as a delicate and subtle sipper, especially over a single small ice cube. This is a good whiskey to have on hand on Sunday to pair with food too, those fruits work well against big savory and/or spicy flavors to calm them down.
10. Old Forester Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 1870 Original Batch
This Old Forester celebrates the distillery’s founding in 1870. Back in the day, Geroge Brown would pull barrels from his three distilleries to create a consistent blend to bottle. Today, the good folks at Brown-Forman pull three barrels from three of their Kentucky warehouses. Each barrel will have a different day of distillation, a different entry proof before aging, and different ages. Those barrels are batched and then proofed down.
Tasting Note:
Nose: This opens with a rush of fresh wildflowers next to bold citrus notes — especially grapefruit and orange oils with a dash of lemon zest in the mix — before a deep and stewed cherry arrives with plenty of winter spice.
Palate: The taste takes that lemon and layers it into a very vanilla and butter-forward shortbread with a dusting of raw sugar that leads towards an eggnog spice mix cut with brandied cherries.
Finish: Spiciness drives the finish as a hint of that dark cherry and lemon mingle on the warm and fairly long end.
Bottom Line:
This is a whiskey that goes well beyond the ordinary to deliver something special and delicious. The fruit and floral notes really add something that elevates this whisky to a great sipper over a rock or a killer cocktail base for a whiskey-forward concoction.
This expression takes standard Woodford Bourbon and gives it a finishing touch. The bourbon is blended and moved into new barrels that have been double-toasted but only lightly charred. The juice spends a final nine months resting in those barrels before proofing and bottling.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: There’s a welcoming aroma of marzipan, blackberry, toffee, and fresh honey next to a real sense of pitchy, dry firewood.
Palate: The taste drills down on those notes as the sweet marzipan becomes more choco-hazelnut, the berries become increasingly dried and apple-y, the toffee becomes almost burnt, and the wood softens to a cedar bark.
Finish: A rich spicy and chewy tobacco arrives late as the vanilla gets super creamy and the fruit and honey combine on the slow fade.
Bottom Line:
The nutty fruitiness and silk nature of this one amps it above the average pour. You can pour this over some rocks and sip at it all day long if you want to. That nuttiness makes this a great candidate for a Manhattan too.
This four-grain Kentucky bourbon is made with 70% corn, 10% malted wheat, 10% honey malted barley, and 10% malted barley. That spirit is then aged for three years in toasted and charred barrels before it’s small batched from only 15 barrels, proofed, and bottled.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: This has a lot of apple cobbler on the nose with sweet and bright stewed apples, plenty of dark brown spices, brown sugar, buttery pastry cobbles, and a touch of honey sweetness.
Palate: The honey becomes creamy and spiked with orange zest as the malt shines through as a digestive cookie with a hint of fresh mint and more of that honey with a flake of salt.
Finish: The finish brings about that spice again with a little more of a peppery edge this time as the fade slowly falls off, leaving you with a creamy vanilla tobacco feeling.
Bottom Line:
This is another bourbon that goes far beyond the average. A lot is going on here and it all works to create a vibrant sipping experience or a delightfully deep and delicious (simple) cocktail.
7. Michter’s US *1 Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
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 juice is then proofed with Kentucky’s famously soft limestone water and bottled.
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.
Bottom Line:
This is probably the best cocktail bourbon on the list. This whiskey will stand up and work with any flavor profile direction that you can go in the cocktail world. And if that sounds too tiring, you can easily pour this over some rocks and enjoy it just as well.
6. Maker’s Mark Cask Strength Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky
This special release from Maker’s Mark is their classic wheated bourbon turned up a few notches. The batch is made from no more than 19 barrels of whiskey. Once batched, that whiskey goes into the barrel at cask strength with no filtering, just pure whiskey-from-the-barrel vibes.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Burnt caramel candies and lush vanilla lead the way on the nose with hints of dry straw, sour cherry pie, and spiced apple cider with a touch of eggnog lushness.
Palate: The palate has a sense of spicy caramel with a vanilla base that leads to apricot jam, southern biscuits, and a flake of salt with a soft mocha creaminess.
Finish: The end is all about the buzzy tobacco spiciness with a soft vanilla underbelly and a hint of cherry syrup.
Bottom Line:
This is an essential Kentucky bourbon. Pour it over a big rock and let it wash over you all Sunday long.
5. Russell’s Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 10 Years Old
This small-batch expression is hand-selected by both Jimmy and Eddie Russell (the father and son team behind all of Wild Turkey’s line). The duo picks out ten-year-old barrels that hit just the right spot in both flavor and texture then small-batch them into this tasty bourbon.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: This is a classic bourbon nose with clear notes of spiced cherry cola, lush vanilla, salted caramel, and soft oak next to almost botanical winter spices.
Palate: The taste delivers with more lush vanilla next to spice barks, soft cedar, and deeply dark and red fruit with a whisper of smudged sweet sage.
Finish: The end dives into a dark spiced cherry vibe next to soft and luxurious vanilla, tempered oak, and a mild sense of just “bourbon.”
Bottom Line:
This is another crowd-pleaser. You cannot go wrong opening this bottle on any given Sunday for neat pours, on the rocks sipping, or mixing into your favorite whiskey-forward cocktail.
This whiskey is from Brown-Forman (which also makes Jack Daniels, Old Forester, King of Kentucky, and Woodford Reserve in the U.S.). The Kentucky-distilled juice is aged in special oak barrels that are chiseled before charring to create more surface space for carbon filtering and aging in the barrel. The best barrels were then batched, slightly proofed with that Kentucky limestone water, and bottled.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: There’s a sense of old oak and almost smoldering cinnamon bark on the nose with a hint of apple/pear cider cut with orange oils and a whisper of vanilla-nougat wafers.
Palate: That apple/pear cider vibe dominated the start of the palate with a Martinelli’s cider sweetness next to clove buds and more cinnamon bark, a light sense of vanilla cake, and burnt orange.
Finish: The cinnamon attaches to the apple/pear cider on the finish with a fleeting sense of sweet oak and old evergreen pitch and an echo of orange tobacco.
Bottom Line:
This is a bit of a hidden gem bourbon that gets a little lost on an over-crowded bourbon shelf at the liquor store. Grab some and pour it over some ice and you’ll be in for a choice Kentucky bourbon treat.
3. Four Roses Small Batch Select Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
This expression uses six of Four Rose’s ten whiskeys. The blend employs OBSV, OBSK, OBSF, OESV, OESK, and OESF (see what that all means here) all aged six to seven years before batching, much lighter proofing, and bottling.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: This nose is enticing with a mix of dark berries and cloves with a yeasty doughnut filled with dark fruit and covered in powdered sugar next to a thin line of berry brambles — stems, thorns, dirt, leaves, everything.
Palate: The palate is lush with a balance of dark berry pie filling next to winter spices, mincemeat pies, nutshells, and brandy butter vanilla sauce.
Finish: The finish arrives with a rush of fresh mint next to wet cedar, blackberry Hostess Pies, and nutmeg-heavy eggnog all leading to a final note of that dark berry bramble black dirt.
Bottom Line:
This is one of the best Four Roses bottles that money can buy. This whisky is excellent as a sipper or cocktail base (especially one that you can have fun with).
This bottle from Beam Suntory marries Kentucky bourbon, California wine, and Japanese whisky blending in one bottle. Legent is classic Kentucky bourbon made by bourbon legend Fred Noe at Beam that’s finished in both French oak that held red wine and Spanish sherry casks. The whiskey is then blended by whisky-blending legend Shinji Fukuyo at Suntory.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Plummy puddings with hints of nuts mingle with vinous berries, oaky spice, and a good dose of vanilla and toffee on the nose.
Palate: The palate expands on the spice with more barky cinnamon and dusting of nutmeg while the oak becomes sweeter and the fruit becomes dried and sweet.
Finish: The finish is jammy yet light with plenty of fruit, spice, and oak lingering on the senses.
Bottom Line:
This is maybe the easiest and most rewarding sipper on the list. It’s lush and full of deep nostalgic flavor notes that’ll have you pouring more than one on Sunday.
This is the mountaintop of what the main line of Wild Turkey can achieve (that is still easily found on liquor store shelves for the most part). This is a blend of the prime barrels that are married and bottled untouched. That means no filtering and no cutting with water. This is a classic Turkey bourbon with nowhere to hide.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: This opens like a dessert table during the holidays with crème brûlée next to a big sticky toffee pudding with orange zest sprinkled over the top next to a bushel of fresh mint.
Palate: The palate hits an early note of pine resin as the orange kicks up towards a bold wintry spice, soft vanilla cream, and a hint of honeyed cherry tobacco.
Finish: The end keeps the winter spices front and center as a lush pound cake feeling leads to soft notes of cherry-spiced tobacco leaves folded into an old cedar box with a whisper of old vanilla pods lurking in the background.
Bottom Line:
This is it. This is the whiskey that you want to buy if you want the perfect pour this Sunday. Yes, it makes an amazing cocktail too. But this is good enough to pour neat and take slow all day long.
There is nothing like a good family reunion to remind you how weird family reunions can be, especially if your “brother” might actually be your “cousin.” Even though Sansa and Jon didn’t have the strongest relationship of the bunch, their off-screen counterparts are teaming up once again for a new movie, which will be a fun throwback for Game of Thrones fans, or anyone who has been waiting for Kit Harington to return to the big screen (Marvel’s Eternals doesn’t really count).
Harington will reunite with Sophie Turner for the upcoming gothic thriller, The Dreadful. According to Deadline, the film takes place during the War of the Roses and follows the Sansa Stark actress as Anne, a young woman who lives with her mother-in-law in isolation on the outskirts of society. When a man from Anne’s past (Harington) returns, he sets off “a sequence of events that become a turning point for Anne.”
The film will be written and directed by Natasha Kermani, who also directed the trippy horror segment “TKNOGD” in the anthology film V/H/S/85.
This will be the first time Harington and Turner have shared the screen since Game of Thrones went out with a whimper. Turner, fresh from her Jonas divorce, is set to star as a real-life housewife turned criminal Joan Hannington in the upcoming series Joan.
A few months ago, hip-hop and heavy metal crossed over when Ozzy Osbourne praised T-Pain’s live performance of the Black Sabbath song “War Pigs.” Well, Ozzy’s had another run-in with a hip-hop star who wanted to use the song, but this one was decidedly less amicable.
Apparently, Kanye West is back up to his sample shenanigans. As recently as December, the controversial producer was taking flak for an unauthorized interpolation of Backstreet Boys’ hit “Everybody” apparently intended for Vultures, his interminably tardy joint album with Ty Dolla Sign. It turns out, that wasn’t the only uncleared sample he tried to sneak past the publishing watchdogs.
According to Osbourne via Twitter, West “ASKED permission to sample a section of a 1983 live performance of “War Pigs” from US Festival without vocals and was refused permission because he is an antisemite and has caused untold heartache to many.” However, West “went ahead and used the sample anyway at his album listening” Thursday night at Chicago’s United Center. Osbourne concluded his tweet by insisting “I want no association with this man.”
. @kanyewest ASKED PERMISSION TO SAMPLE A SECTION OF A 1983 LIVE PERFORMANCE OF “WAR PIG” FROM THE US FESTIVAL WITHOUT VOCALS & WAS REFUSED PERMISSION BECAUSE HE IS AN ANTISEMITE AND HAS CAUSED UNTOLD HEARTACHE TO MANY. HE WENT AHEAD AND USED THE SAMPLE ANYWAY AT HIS ALBUM…
Perhaps this is why Kanye and Ty once again failed to drop the album today — which I’m beginning to think is sort of the point. Like Donald Trump, if Kanye keeps racking up violations for blatantly breaking the rules, he can cry to his supporters that the other team is cheating or the game is rigged, all while stringing them along with empty promises and milking them of their money for a product he has little intention of ever actually delivering.
February might be the month of love — full of candy hearts, giant flower bouquets, and everything else that comes with Valentine’s Day — but it’s also one of the coldest months of the year. And, more to the point, one of the best months for beer drinkers. The beer lover is treated to wildly diverse beer choices in Feb, from rich, dark beers to lighter, hoppier bangers.
It’s a month for stouts, porters, barleywines, winter warmers, and everything warming, bold, rich, and robust. But with the Super Bowl and Valentines and the potential for strangely warm weather as the month winds down, it’s also a month for double IPAs, sour beers, bocks, and many of the brews that you just can’t wait ’til spring to crack open.
To help you find the best beers for February, we picked eight great new releases, annual classics, and seasonal favorites. Keep scrolling to see the beers you should be drinking all month long.
Maybe you’re a fan of Troegs’ spring seasonal bock called Troegenator but you wish it wasn’t so extra. That’s where its new Troegs Little ‘Nator comes in. This 5.5% ABV bock is a lighter alternative with all the bready, sweet, malty flavors of the original and crisp, floral, hoppy flavors perfect to enjoy while you wait for spring.
Tasting Notes:
The nose is a blend of caramel malts, freshly baked bread, honey, citrus zest, and floral, hops. The palate is a mix of caramel, yeasty bread, honey, orchard fruits, light citrus, and a nice kick of floral, earthy hops at the finish.
Bottom Line:
This sessionable beer has everything that bock beer fans love, just a little lighter. It’s a great balance of bready, caramel malts, and crisp, floral hops.
Firestone Walker Mind Haze is one of the best, easy-to-find hazy, juicy IPAs on the market. Recently, the brand launched a few versions of this popular beer. Our favorite is the aptly named Brain Melter. Brewed with 2-row malt, blonde road oat malt, malted oats, white wheat, and torrefied wheat, it gets its ridiculous hop presence from Mosaic Cryo, Vic Secret, Citra, Strata, Idaho Gem, Sabro, and Rakau hops.
Tasting Notes:
The nose is a symphony of complex tropical fruit aromas including caramelized pineapple, mango, peach, guava, and a nice piney, floral kick. The palate is creamy, hazy, and juicy, and has a ton of sweet oats, bready, guava, passionfruit, pineapple, grapefruit, and floral, dank pine flavors. Sweet, juicy, and highly memorable.
Bottom Line:
This creamy, hazy, juicy, tropical fruit-centric beer is the perfect respite for the chilly winter air outside.
Melvin 2X4 DIPA isn’t a new beer. But we figured February was a good month to highlight this double IPA because the iconic Wyoming-based brewery is releasing this popular beer in a supersized 19.2-ounce can this month. This 9.9% ABV double IPA is known for its mix of floral, citrus, and hoppy aromas and flavors.
Tasting Notes:
Yeasty bread, grapefruit, honeydew melon, caramelized pineapple, grapefruit, peach, and floral hops make for a very welcoming nose. Drinking it reveals notes of ripe pineapple, juicy, tart grapefruit, tangerine, melon, cracked black pepper, and grassy, floral, resinous hops. The finish is pleasantly dank and bitter.
Bottom Line:
This is a classic double IPA. It’s perfectly piney, dank, and bitter. You’ll drink it this month and the rest of the year.
Breckenridge Sexy Motor Oil
Breckenridge
ABV: 13.1%
Average Price: Limited Availability
The Beer:
Breckenridge Distillery and Breckenridge Brewery collaborated to make two Sexy Motor Oil products. The distillery makes Sexy Motor Oil Whiskey, a 107-proof whiskey. The beer is a a 13.1% ABV oatmeal stout that’s matured for more than six months in Breckenridge Distillery’s high-rye bourbon.
Tasting Notes:
On the nose, you’ll find scents of dried cherries, oats, dark chocolate, caramelized sugar, and boozy whiskey. Sipping it brings forth warming notes of vanilla beans, dark chocolate, dried fruits, peppery rye, coffee beans, and sticky toffee. It’s sweet, indulgent, and very warming.
Bottom Line:
This beer is a borderline dessert beer. It’s a sweet, creamy oatmeal stout that gets added, boozy, complex flavor from barrel aging.
This 6.5% ABV beer is so much more than a hazy IPA. This annual spring seasonal from the evil geniuses at Dogfish Head is a Nordic-themed beer brewer with Norwegian Kveik yeast, wild juniper berries, orange peel, and Danko rye malt.
Tasting Notes:
Juniper pine, orange peel, allspice, yeasty bread, and floral, earthy hop aromas make for a great start to this spring beer. The palate continues this trend with a gin-like, juniper start that moves into yeasty bread, candied orange peels, cracked black peppers, and floral, earthy hops. This is a very unique, memorable beer.
Bottom Line:
If you’re a fan of the botanical, juniper-centric, citrus flavors of a well-made gin, you’ll love this spring seasonal IPA.
What could be better in the middle of winter than a classic, robust Baltic porter? Brewed German lager yeast as well as a Halcyon malt base as well as Crystal, Black, and Chocolate malt. The result rich, sweet, complex porter with a ton of chocolate, roasted malt, and fruity flavors.
Tasting Notes:
Roasted malts, chocolate, molasses, dried fruits, licorice, and nutty aromas can be found on the nose. On the palate, you’ll find a wallop of plums, dried cherries, molasses candy, bitter chocolate, roasted malts, and licorice. It’s warming, complex, and leaves you wanting more.
Bottom Line:
If you’re a fan of Baltic porters or porters in general, East Brother has a great, complex version for you.
The term “après ski” is used to refer to beverages (usually featuring alcohol) that are enjoyed after a day on the slopes. Road House understands the draw of cocktails, wine, and beer because it created a beer designed to be imbibed after a day of skiing or snowboarding called Road House Loose Boots Après IPA. It’s a highly sessionable 5% ABV well-balanced, crushable hazy IPA.
Tasting Notes:
The nose is a nice blend of yeasty, bready malts, caramel, peach, citrus peels, and lightly floral hops. It’s gently hazy and juicy with a nice balance between bready, caramel malts, light tropical fruits, citrus peels, and piney, floral hops. Very crushable and flavorful.
Bottom Line:
There’s no better way to describe this sessionable hazy IPA than to describe it as an “Après IPA” — which… should definitely be a genre.
If you live anywhere that gets any depth of snow during the winter months, you’ve had your fair share of cabin fever over the years. This brown ale from New Holland pays homage to being bored and stuck inside with bready, roasty, fruity, nutty, wintry flavors and aromas.
Tasting Notes:
Complex aromas of bready malts, raisins, coffee beans, light chocolate, and candied nuts start everything off on a great foot. More of the same on the palate with freshly baked bread, dark chocolate, roasted malts, coffee, dried fruits, and a nutty sweetness taking center stage. All in all it’s a warming, roasty, rich beer for the winter months.
Bottom Line:
With complex, wintry aromas and flavors, we wouldn’t mind being snowed in with New Holland Cabin Fever all winter long.
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