Month: May 2024

World Whisky Day is here! The global celebration aims to honor some of the best spirits on the planet, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to participate in the fun. Whether it’s bourbon, single malt, or rye, there are some truly excellent and interesting whiskies being made all around the globe. To help you sort through some of the biggest whisky/whiskey-producing countries and join in the celebration we put together this list highlighting the most underrated from every region as well as some of the very best.

One quick note for those who are unfamiliar “whiskey” is the spelling primarily used in the United States whereas “whisky” is typically employed in the rest of the world. There are some exceptions to the rule, but for the sake of clarity, we’ll use both spellings where they apply throughout this list.

With that out of the way let’s get to the main event. These are the best and most underrated whiskies from the 10 biggest whisky-producing countries in the world!

PART I — Australia

The Most Underrated Australian Whisky: Morris Australian Signature Single Malt Whisky

ABV: 40%
Average Price: $70

The Whiskey:

If you didn’t know, Morris of Rutherglen has been in the alcohol-making business since the mid-1800’s. The whisky in this release was aged for at least 3 years, then finished in the family-owned winery’s fortified wine barrels making this a product of Australia through and through.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: The nose carries a bouquet of red fruit — primarily bright cherries — as the fortified wine finishing cask punches through. There are also touches of leather and grain to help round things out.
Palate: On the palate is where the grain takes the lead as the flavor of Honey Nut Cheerios coats the palate allowing accents of vanilla extract, cocoa powder, and red fruit to provide ample support.
Finish: The finish is uncomplicated yet engaging with a light coating of black pepper elevating the cereal grains as it ends curtly with a closing kiss of red berries.

Bottom Line:

While Morris Australian Signature Single Malt Whisky isn’t overly complex, it is a delicious and straightforward pour that will pique your interest in the region’s unique wine-inflected offerings.

The Best Australian Whisky: Starward in Collaboration with Lagavulin Single Malt Whisky

ABV: 48%
Average Price: $160

The Whiskey:

Starward, founded in 2007, is Australia’s premier whisky producer and their latest release is easily among the best on the continent. This collaboration with Lagavulin was finished in the brand’s peated Islay whisky barrels for 18 months and released exclusively in the United States.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: The nose on this whisky is resplendent with bright cherries, grilled pineapples, and a gentle smokiness. With a few waves of the hand, the fruit becomes punctuated by white pepper and allspice with a faint honey sweetness that creeps in as well.
Palate: The influence of the Islay whisky casks is apparent on the palate where smoke billows over the tongue and carries with it those fresh fruit notes that were so evident on the nose. Black tea and honey-drenched baklava can also be found at midpalate once the initial fruity and smoky shock subsides.
Finish: On the finish there’s a faint leather aspect to go with the re-emergence of grilled pineapple and the gentle peaty notes that make this enjoyable from start to finish.

Bottom Line:

This is a seriously decadent pour. It packs a ton of flavor from both the base whisky and the finishing cask, making it an excellent display of balance, and a fine showcase of the quality you can expect from Australia’s best distillery.

PART II — Canada

The Most Underrated Canadian Whisky: Rare Perfection 14 Year

ABV: 50.35%
Average Price: $195

The Whiskey:

Rare Perfection is a brand produced by Preservation Distillery, based in Bardstown, Kentucky, but the whisky is distilled and aged in Canada using a “bourbon mash bill.” That mash bill features a majority corn recipe with wheat, rye, and malted barley as flavoring grains.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: The nose opens with the rich aroma of butterscotch, shaved coconut flakes, clove, and warm brioche — making it distinctly more reminiscent of prototypical bourbon notes than Canadian whisky.
Palate: On the palate, that sticky butterscotch comes through in a major way and those accents of coconut flakes meld well against a backdrop of woodchips, nectarines, and graham crackers.
Finish: The finish carries a bit of cracked black pepper and the uniquely sweet profile of maple candy which benefits from being lengthy with only a moderately viscous texture.

Bottom Line:

Canadian whisky is excellent when it showcases sweetness without being treacly and delivers flavor without scorching your palate with proof. That’s exactly what Rare Perfection 14 Year achieves, and that’s why it’s one of the most underrated Canadian whiskies on the market.

The Best Canadian Whisky: Obtainium 27-Year Canadian Whisky

ABV: 78.9%
Average Price: $200

The Whiskey:

Obtainium Canadian Whisky from Cats Eye Distillery is a range of sourced corn whisky that hits some truly eye-popping proof points. For their Obtainium range they utilize all sourced whisky and this particular offering is 100% corn whisky distilled at about 160 proof and then aged in used rye barrels from Palliser Distillery.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: High heat greets the nose at first but once that punch of ethanol blows over you’ll find corn pudding, vanilla extract, echoes of rye spice, and gentle oak tannins.
Palate: On the palate this strikes like white heat, sending your senses into shock at first before it detonates with incredibly rich flavors of butterscotch, honey, sweet corn, and vanilla candy.
Finish: The finish introduces a bit of freshly cracked black pepper and the influence of oak tannins but softens those rough edges with more corn pudding and sticky toffee.

Bottom Line:

Obtainium by Cats Eye Distillery is not for the faint of heart but it is certainly a worthwhile expression for anyone curious about what makes the extreme ABV of certain Canadian whiskies so irresistible. It isn’t just the allure of high heat that makes this one worth seeking out, it’s also loaded with smooth flavors that stand in contrast to that death-defying proof point.

PART III — France

The Most Underrated French Whiskey: Brenne Ten-Year French Single Malt Whiskey

ABV: 48%
Average Price: $116

The Whiskey:

Brenne Ten is the more mature version of Brenne’s stellar flagship French Single Malt Whiskey. Brenne Ten is comprised of four hand-selected barrels of Brenne’s self-distilled whiskey that are aged in a combination of new French Limousin oak and Cognac casks.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: On the nose, the lightness of Brenne’s single malt distillate is transformed with more herbaceousness, the ample aroma of golden raisins, and the welcome inclusion of baking spices like tarragon.
Palate: On the palate there’s a lush rush of dried red fruits and apricots that join the notes of cinnamon, cake frosting, and dilute maple syrup.
Finish: The finish is subtly sweet with black tea, vanilla, and butterscotch taking the lead.

Bottom Line:

Brenne Ten is rich and full of well-developed flavors that are a credit to their distillery’s blending team. The overall experience is one marked by the full-bodied texture of the liquid and the clear line of demarcation between each of the flavors.

The Best French Whisky: Version Françes Blavier 2003 Single Malt Whisky

ABV: 55%
Average Price: $185

The Whiskey:

Distilled in 2003 and bottled in 2023, Blavier 2003 from Version Françes features a combination of whiskey produced on both pot and column stills. That blend of single malt whiskies are then further matured in ex-red wine casks from Jura.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: On the nose this whisky is bursting with varied notes like rancio walnut shell, brioche buns, and the strong fruity influence of sherry that all comes together magnificently.
Palate: On the palate those sherry notes definitely shine and take the lead but they’re buttressed by cocoa powder, tomato paste, and cardamom.
Finish: The finish sees an uptick in citrus notes with some orange blossom and black pepper joining the fray along with some faint leather aspects that seemingly last forever.

Bottom Line:

The Blavier 2003 expression from Version Françes is not only the pinnacle of their recent releases, but it’s also among the very best French whiskies available on the market. By exploring a depth of flavors and displaying them with refinement, Version Françes succeeds in every way with their Blavier 2003 release.

PART IV — India

The Most Underrated Indian Whisky: Amrut Single Malt Indian Whisky

ABV: 50%
Average Price: $75

The Whiskey:

Amrut Single Malt Indian Whisky, which debuted in 2004, is a classic example of Indian whisky. Made from 100% 6-row malted barley and distilled on twin pot stills in Bengaluru, India before being fermented for five days.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: On the nose this is immediately reminiscent of single malt whiskies from Scotland, with citrus notes taking charge in the form of orange peel and lemon custard. It evolves from there to include toasted malt notes along with some vanilla pods, dried apricots, and a doughy bread-like aspect.
Palate: Once tasted, Amrut Single Malt remains true to its nosing notes but enhances them with the introduction of a slick mouthfeel, richer vanilla notes, and even some well-integrated dark chocolate flavors.
Finish: The medium-length finish welcomes the inclusion of the doughy notes from the nose along with some gentle oak tones and creamy custard sweetness.

Bottom Line:

It’s hard to call one of the most successful Indian whiskies “underrated” but Amrut Single Malt fits the bill courtesy of its crowd-pleasing yet deceptively complex array of flavors.

The Best Indian Whisky: Indri Single Malt Indian Whisky Diwali Collector’s Edition 2023 PX Sherry Peat

ABV: 60.5%
Average Price: $800

The Whiskey:

Locally grown 6-row barley goes into this peated and pot-distilled Indian Single Malt Whisky. That liquid is then aged in ex-PX sherry casks for aging before being bottled at 121 proof.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: A medley of nuts, dried fruits, and chocolate chunks informs the nose at first before a blanket of smoke, saffron, and hazelnut widens the aperture of aromas.
Palate: On the palate, candied ginger and grilled plums make way for a touch of mocha and malted chocolate that serve as pleasant additions to all of the delicious nosing notes that make their way into the mouth.
Finish: As each sip winds down, the leather and smoke begin to find their footing but they’re outdone by the nuttiness and dried fruit that extend through this lengthy finish.
Bottom Line:
Similar to other ‘bests’ on this list, Indri’s Diwali Collector’s Edition from 2023 does an incredible job delivering a depth of flavor that’s rare. By showcasing so many well-defined flavors and so clearly delineating between them, this is surely one of the best whiskies in the world.

PART V — Ireland

The Most Underrated Irish Whisky: Bushmills Single Malt Aged 16 Years

ABV: 40%
Average Price: $120

The Whiskey:

Bushmills 16-year expression is triple distilled and then aged for 15+ years in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks. That wonderfully matured whisky is then transferred into port pipes for an additional 9 months of resting.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Ripe red apples interspersed with juicy orange rind on the nose. Those fruit-forward notes are buoyed by a touch of leather, mulling spices, and the aroma of fresh pecans.
Palate: On the palate is where those fruit notes truly pop. They’re elevated by the introduction of luscious butterscotch, tobacco leaf, cinnamon bark, and even a surprising dose of marzipan.
Finish: The medium-length finish is warming with cinnamon and leather claiming the reigns, making for a mellow spice-laden kiss goodbye.

Bottom Line:

While Bushmills is producing incredibly high-quality whiskies with even more age — with the Bushmills Aged 25 Years standing as the prime example of that — this gem of a pour continues to be a bit under the radar. Make no mistake, you shouldn’t overlook it.

The Best Irish Whisky: Midleton Very Rare 40th Anniversary Ruby Edition

ABV: 53.1%
Average Price: $20,000

The Whiskey:

Midleton’s Very Rare collection has been one of the most expensive annual expressions released by Irish distillers since its introduction in 1984. Each of the annual releases is slightly different, with this 40th Anniversary ode to distilling mastery finished in port barrels marking the third release by Master Distiller Kevin O’Gorman.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose is informed by the port barrels it was rested in with red berries making an impact on the aroma in concert with decadent malted chocolate, honeycomb, sandalwood, and mellow oak tones.
Palate: On the palate that interplay of chocolate and red berries works well, giving off the taste of chocolate wafers and fresh raspberries. From there, a drop of honey and graham cracker is at midpalate as the oily texture takes you on the rest of the ride.
Finish: The finish is where you’ll find a bit of white pepper and truly notice the viscousness of the texture as it continues to coat and cling to your palate long after your last sip.
Bottom Line:
For their 40th ode to distilling mastery, Midleton Very Rare’s Ruby Edition takes you through both the history of the expression and also through a journey of flavor. The ruby port finishing cask does a fine job of marrying the three hand-selected casks together but also elevating their combined qualities.

PART VI — Japan

The Most Underrated Japanese Whisky: Hakata 10 Year Sherry Cask Whisky

ABV: 42%
Average Price: $83

The Whiskey:

Hakata 10-Year Sherry Cask Whisky is the entry-level offering from the Hakata lineup which is distilled in Fukuoka, Japan from 100% malted barley. A portion of that barley is koji-fermented and the entirety of the whisky is matured in ex-sherry casks.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Right off the bat you get notes of umami, clove, lemon custard, cinnamon, and sage. They all meld together nicely and are distinctly separate as opposed to being muddled or difficult to tease out.
Palate: Once on the palate, this whisky is full of flavors like raisin, orange peel, more umami, and some slight nuttiness. Overall it’s a fairly balanced pour with a substantive mouthfeel that grips your palate and allows each of those flavor notes to blossom.
Finish: The finish is marked by more umami flavor, some slight nuttiness, and more than anything — the fruit-forward notes wrought by the sherry cask. There is also some additional cracked pepper spice that contributes to the medium-length finish as well.

Bottom Line: Big flavors and lots of creativity mark this gem of a bottle.

The Best Japanese Whisky: Hibiki Suntory Whisky 21 Years Old 100th Anniversary Suntory Whisky

ABV: 43%
Average Price: $8,500

The Whiskey:

This blend of malt and grain whiskies, hand-selected and mingled by Suntory’s Chief Blender Shinji Fukuyo and his team, marks the first time in Hibiki’s storied history that they’ve utilized Mizunara oak for an expression. Created to honor the 100th anniversary of the House of Suntory, this limited-time offering was released in 2023.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: The nose on this whisky is utterly impressive with a delicate balance between star fruit, jasmine blooms, and kumquat. The aroma of Japanese sandalwood is also prominent, and likely brought forth by the Mizunara casks.
Palate: On the palate there’s a strong floral aspect with sandalwood and even acacia bark blooming across the roof of the mouth, and clover honey finding root along the periphery of the tongue.
Finish: The floral notes continue to blossom on the lengthy finish that’s only reigned in by the delight in parsing the differences between them. Sometimes jasmine, at other times lavender or dried coriander, they all have something to contribute.

Bottom Line:
Hibiki is one of the premier whiskies in the world and for their 100th Anniversary bottling, they took the bold approach of including one of Japan’s most predominant oak types for the first time. The results are simply stunning and truly showcase the beauty of what Japanese whisky can do on the world stage.

PART VII — Mexico

The Most Underrated Mexican Whisky: Gran Maizal Mexican Corn Whiskey

ABV: 43%
Average Price: $60

The Whiskey:

Gran Maizal Corn Whiskey is produced using nal t’eel which is recognized as one of the most ancient grains found in the Yucatan Peninsula, honoring tradition in an unprecedented way. The whiskey is then rested with vanilla pods and cacao nibs.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: The vanilla pods contribute to the floral aromas emanating from the glass once you pour this whiskey. With that runway laid, nixtamalized maize floats in the air along with clover honey, pops of paprika, and a touch of cocoa powder.
Palate: On the palate what’s most prominent is the flavor of vanilla extract, corn chips, and maple candy. Additional notes from the cacao nibs include a splash of wet tobacco leaf and a hazelnut aspect that rounds things out.
Finish: The finish is where the cacao nibs are most prominent as the taste of cocoa permeates throughout the medium-length finish.

Bottom Line:

Gran Maizal is responsible for championing nal t’eel and their founder Cesar Ayala certainly deserves a fair bit of credit for that. But beyond paying homage to the ancient grain, Gran Maizal is producing a deeply intriguing whiskey that honors regional history and presents a flavorful way forward.

The Best Mexican Whisky: Abasolo Whisky

ABV: 43%
Average Price: $47

The Whiskey:

Abasolo Whisky is perhaps the best-known expression in the category. Produced from non-GMO Cacahuazintle corn that was passed down by 200 generations of Mexican farmers, this NAS whisky comes from the first farm-to-bottle whisky distillery in Mexico.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: I’ve frequently found that the aroma of corn nuts is predominant in Mexican whiskies and this one is no exception with that brilliantly earthy note punctuated by a bit of sweetness very present here. The additional sweetness of buttercream frosting also shows up with some hints of stone fruits, chocolate, and even an herbaceousness that’s hard to place but eminently enjoyable.
Palate: On the palate that herbaceousness takes the form of mint sprigs and nopales with additional aspects like charred green pepper, cane sugar, and — of course — field corn contributing to the party.
Finish: On the finish it’s the charred green pepper, cake frosting, and corn notes that win out. The spirit itself is fairly austere so the texture is lean and the finish is curt but enjoyable.
Bottom Line:
Mexican whiskey, like many others on this list, has a tendency to lean into the best qualities of its regional grains. Abasolo is a fantastic example of that. With a grain-forward profile that honors the rich history of the region, you’d be hard-pressed to find a finer spirit to celebrate World Whisky Day with than this one.

PART VIII — Taiwan

The Most Underrated Taiwanese Whisky: Kavalan Triple Sherry Cask Single Malt Whisky

ABV: 40%
Average Price: https://www.frootbat.com/product/4828785/Kavalan-Triple-Sherry-Cask-Single-Malt-Whisky-700ml-Bottle/United-States?gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIvYy2xJqVhgMVtDrUAR2ZGg8NEAQYBSABEgIrovD_BwE

The Whiskey:

Oloroso, PX, and Moscatel casks contribute to this unique “Triple Sherry Cask” whisky out of Taiwan by Kavalan. While it carries no age statement and the mash bill is undisclosed, this is believed to be at least 51% malted barley and aged for at least 4 years.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Those sweet sherry notes are unmistakable and they provide the backbone of the aromas in this whisky. There’s a faintly nutty quality that’s reminiscent of Brazil nuts as well and those scents are joined by freshly cracked black pepper, nutmeg, and floral — almost perfumey — aromas as well.
Palate: The palate is rewarded with ripe red berries, leaning heavily into raisins, fresh raspberries, and dried cherries. From there, one can expect milk chocolate and some espresso notes to develop at midpalate with a substantive albeit not overly viscous mouthfeel.
Finish: The finish is fairly long with bright berries and cherries leading the charge, aided by support from the flavor of milk chocolate, and oak tannins.
Bottom Line:
Yes, this is indeed a “sherry bomb” of a whisky but it expertly balances those various sherry varieties and still allows ground for the base whisky to shine. That’s a win. More people should be aware of this finely crafted expression from Kavalan.

The Best Taiwanese Whisky: Kavalan Oloroso Sherry Oak Single Malt Whisky

ABV: 46%
Average Price: $160

The Whiskey:

Kavalan Oloroso Sherry Oak Single Malt is the more dilute sibling of Kavalan’s well-regarded Solist expression, utilizing Taiwanese spring water to proof it down to 46% ABV.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Dates, figs, and red berries predictably flow out the gate on this whisky as the Oloroso Sherry plays a major role in the aromas presented. Those fruit-forward notes, however, are undergirded by a nutty quality similar to cashews and further bolstered by mulled spices, pound cake, and chocolate truffle dust.
Palate: On the palate each sip reveals ripe chunks of red berries with marzipan, vanilla pastry notes, and candied orange wheel flavors elevating the entire affair. The clean texture of the whisky makes it thoroughly enjoyable to parse each of those notes as they’re well-presented on top of being well-refined.
Finish: The finish finds the mulling spices, vanilla extract, and a faint bit of cracked pepper on the back end to round out the sweeter fruit-forward notes found at the tip of the tongue, and at midpalate.
Bottom Line:
While Kavalan’s Triple Sherry Cask release is less well-known and showcases their blending expertise, this Oloroso Sherry Oak expression furthers their reputation for utilizing finishing casks to elevate their base spirit. They may indeed have better options along their product lineup, but the deft balance of this one deserves serious acclaim.

Scotland

The Most Underrated Scotch Whisky: House of Hazelwood 50-Year-Old Blended Scotch Whisky

ABV: 45.3%
Average Price: $6,000

The Whiskey:

House of Hazelwood is a product line from the Gordon family, owners of Willliam Grant & Sons, conceived to release their vast inventory of unique whisky. This particular whisky was distilled in 1972 and aged in European and American oak casks before undergoing a fifteen-year secondary finishing period in active ex-bourbon barrels. The final product has an age statement of 50 years.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The layers of complexity are immediately apparent on the nose as waves of thick toffee sweetness take flight and a faintly floral aspect crests in concert with rich malted chocolate and faint bits of hazelnut spread.
Palate: On the palate is where this whisky is most gobsmacking. The toffee carries through with orange marmalade, chocolate truffle powder, and lemon buttercream showing up in force. The texture is particularly remarkable, it translates from the tip of the tongue to the roof of the mouth.
Finish: On the finish, malted chocolate returns to the flavor wheel, and rich toffee sticks to the back of your teeth making for an incredibly long-lasting experience.
Bottom Line:
House of Hazelwood brings an incredibly rich history in the industry and an immaculately curated inventory of well-aged Scotch whisky to the table despite having only been launched in 2022. In their most-premium Charles Gordon Collection only “A Singular Blend” carries a higher age statement and none convey a higher degree of quality.

The Best Scotch Whisky: Port Ellen Gemini Remnant Cask Aged 44 Years

ABV: 53.6%
Average Price: $50,000

The Whiskey:

Port Ellen Gemini Remnant Cask is the second of twin whiskies from the Port Ellen distillery, which closed 40 years ago before recently being reopened by Diageo in March of 2024. Originally rescued in 1983, after being distilled in 1978, this expression spent the final years of its 44-year maturation evolving in what’s known as a remnant cask from the original Port Ellen distillery which was re-seasoned.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose on this whiskey is full of lively raspberries — defying the length of its maturation journey — along with candied ginger, marzipan, restrained smokiness, and some enticing salinity. Those notes are joined by accents of leather, coconut flakes, and clove.
Palate: On the palate, raspberries and candied ginger notes truly shine. The influence of those smoky notes is more prominent on the palate than it was initially on the nose and some dried apricot fuses with poached pear notes that provide a delicate sweetness well worth exploring.
Finish: This whisky closes with more toasted coconut flakes, leather, and satisfying raspberry sweetness while a blanket of gentle smoke extends through the lengthy finish.
Bottom Line:
In this two-for-one deal, the Remnant Cask comes with its twin, Port Ellen Gemini Original. While the Gemini Original offers a delicious and intriguing look into Port Ellen’s past, the Remnant Cask displays a more robust flavor profile and a burlier texture that carries with it the weight of all that history. This is truly one of the best Scotch whiskies available in the world today.

The United States of America

The Most Underrated American Whiskey: Stranahan’s 2023 Snowflake, Batch #26 Pyramid Peak

ABV: 47%
Average Price: $130 (Distillery Exclusive)

The Whiskey:

Stranahan’s Snowflake is so-named because the annual limited expression showcases a shifting makeup that changes with each iteration. While previous expressions have featured reposado tequila and chocolate stour finishes, for 2023 the brand utilized several finishing casks including rum, sherry, ruby port, Islay quarter-casks, and mezcal. It should be noted that the base liquids in this blend were all aged for 6-8 years before ever touching those finishing casks.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose on this whisky is marked by the gentle smokiness of distant brush fire, pine, stewed fruits — think peaches and red cherries — and candied blood orange rinds. The almost imperceptible tendrils of agave syrup that waft out of the glass and the gentle blanket of smoke that hangs over the entire affair serve to deepen the richness of all those notes.
Palate: On the palate that wonderful combination of fruit is on full display and they develop on a gentle bed of smoke while being reined in by a touch of agave syrup, candied ginger, and a slight earthiness. The mouthfeel is robust but restrained, exhibiting the deft agility one typically attributes to agile overgrown athletes.
Finish: The finish finds the herbaceousness, smokiness, and ripeness of the fruit flavors coming together harmoniously. The velvety mouthfeel aids in this endeavor, allowing those flavors plenty of runway to fuse through the lengthy finish.
Bottom Line:

The Best American Whiskey: Rare Character Old Cassidy

ABV: 50.7%
Average Price: $300

The Whiskey:

Old Cassidy is the latest expression from one of this year’s hottest bourbon brands — Rare Character. This single barrel selection was picked by none other than UPROXX head whiskey critic, Frank Dobbins III (me), back in September of 2023. Pulled from an undisclosed source in Kentucky and aged for nearly 11 years the end product was bottled in March 2024.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Cherry strudel, phyllo dough, and roasted almonds set the stage for this decadent and richly sweet pour. Clove, nutmeg, peanut brittle, and milk chocolate aromas soon follow.
Palate: On the palate one finds an ample amount of cherry syrup and milk chocolate — think of cherry cordials here — with allspice, buttercream, and peanut brittle all present as well. Upon further inspection, peripheral notes of sage and polished leather offer a solid foundation of balance to this otherwise sumptuously sweet pour.
Finish: The finish is marked by a touch of tobacco leaf and the perseverance of milk chocolate and cherry flavors. The finish itself is medium-to-long and closes on a sweet note, beckoning repeat sips to restart the journey.
Bottom Line:
With all due respect to all of the delicious whiskey being made from coast to coast in the U.S. of A. this is certainly among the very finest for me, and that’s why I picked it. The Old Cassidy label will be a one-and-done expression for 2024 with the possibility of being the sole release to come from the brand, making this bottle even more special. Rarity aside, this bourbon deserves top billing among the Rare Character portfolio and among the best whiskies in the world.

Billie Eilish’s third studio album, Hit Me Hard and Soft, has arrived. With the “Lunch” singer slated to hit the road in support of it, fans are combing through its lyrics for Easter eggs.

For songs like “Skinny,” the meaning is quite easy to breakdown. But the record “L’Amour De Ma Vie” isn’t as simple. However, others have already decoded the track and took to their preferred social media platforms to praise the Academy Award winner for her clever use of a double entendre. So, what exactly does it mean?

Continue below for further details.

What Does Billie Eilish’s ‘L’Amour De Ma Vie’ Lyric Mean?

In order to fully understand the concept of the track, you must start with its title. The translation of l’amour de ma vie from French to English roughly means the love of my life. So, by that, you can safely assume that Eilish will provide listeners a deeply personal account of the ever so evasive emotion.

This is validated in the opening stanza: “I wish you the best for the rest of your life / Felt sorry for you when I looked in your eyes / But I need to confess, I told you a lie / I said you / You were the love of my life.”

But as Eilish continues her tale, the song isn’t about just love but the gutting effects of heartbreak.

“Thought I was depressed or losing my mind / My stomach upset almost all of the time / But after I left, it was obvious why / Because for you, you / I was the love of your life / But you were not mine / It isn’t asking for a lot for an apology / For making me feel like it’d kill you if I tried to leave / You said you’d never fall in love again because of me / Then you moved on, then you moved on,” sings Eilish.

It wouldn’t be an Eilish track if it didn’t contain elements of gloom. So, there you have it “L’Amour De Ma Vie” is a poetic song titled in the language of love and written about the ups and downs of it, but will leave you heartbroken.

As for the identity of the ex-partner Eilish is referring to, that’s a mystery for another day. However, fans online have begun to speculate that the track could be a subtle jab at Jesse Rutherford.

Listen to the full track below.

It’s a dilemma every girl dad must eventually face—choosing whether to take their daughters into the women’s bathroom, or the men’s. Sure, some places (more and more these days) have all-gender or family bathrooms with changing stations, but generally speaking those are far and few between.

Recently, DJ Drewski found himself and his brother—a fellow girl dad—facing this common predicament, and each father had a different opinion on which bathroom was the correct choice. So, Drewski thought he might settle the debate on TikTok.

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“So two girl dads in Disney, we’re in Disney World right now,” Drewski begins. “As a girl dad, I bring my daughter into the men’s room, of course, into a stall in that bathroom. My brother brings his daughter into the female restroom. The women’s restroom. We don’t know which is the right way to do it or how women feel.”

@djdrewski As a “Girl Dad” which restroom are you supoose to use with your toddler DAUGHTER in public places??? #question #girldad #toddlersoftiktok #disney ♬ original sound – DJ Drewski

Where Drewski “doesn’t feel comfortable’ going into the women’s restroom, his brother argued that the women’s room is cleaner, and therefore better suited for his daughter. The second opinion matched the rationale of a girl dad Upworthy covered back in 2021, who lamented that “Men’s bathrooms are DISGUSTING. They smell like pee and nothing is set up for a woman or a person with a child.”

Other moms seemed to share a preference for dad’s entering the women restroom, so long as they announce they’re coming in.

“Women’s rest room just yell girl dad coming in,” one person commented

Another said, “Ladies will accept you, just announce yourself. If any ladies give you trouble, they obviously don’t have kids. Ignore them.”

However, folks weren’t vehemently opposed to taking daughter’s into the men’s room.

“As a Girl Dad… men’s room straight to a stall… never have I ever had any issues .. lol” one viewer quipped.

Another shared, “My dad used to bring me to the guys bathroom and have me close my eyes until we got into the stall! Never was a problem to me or my mom ! Whatever you prefer I think.”

And of course, another viewer added that it sure would be nice to “normalize” changing tables in men’s rooms as well.

It’s clear that each of these dads are trying to do what’s best for their daughters, and are willing to have open conversations about how to best go about it. That’s perhaps the biggest and best takeaway of all here, regardless of which bathroom they choose. Just wash those hands!

A dad who goes by @sergey.be.be on TikTok reached out to viewers in hopes of better navigating a perpetual argument with his wife.

In the clip, he shared that his wife is “frequently offended” that he seeks advice from his mother on how to raise their daughter. But since his mom has had “experience raising three children” compared to his wife’s first time at motherhood, he “tends to trust” mom’s advice more.

Unsurprisingly, this has led to frequent quarrels, and has persisted after the baby was born.

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The dad went on to explain that, unlike his mother, his wife “insists she knows everything, suggesting we can always look things up on Google if needed.”

He then offered this example: “when I inquired about swaddling for our newborn, my mother recommended swaddling with straightened legs because if you don’t swaddle your baby, his legs will be crooked, while my wife disagreed, saying it was a thing of the past.”

@sergey.be.be My wife is frequently offended when I seek advice from my mother regarding raising our daughter. Our differing opinions have led to frequent quarrels. How can I navigate this situation? #newborn #momanddaughter #baby #babylove ♬ Surrender – Natalie Taylor

Well, not taking sides here, but a quick Google search does in fact list several resources which state that straight-leg swaddling is, in fact, not recommended, and considered potentially harmful. So it’s understandable that this man’s wife might be frustrated that her husband actively chooses his mother’s objectively inaccurate opinion over her own research.

Viewers unanimously agreed with this sentiment, though the responses ranged somewhere between gentle and brutally blunt.

“I guess he is TRYING to get divorced,” one person wrote.

Another quipped, “You should marry your mom 💕 hope this helps!”

Others tried to help illuminate the wife’s point of view, and point out why this husband’s action might be so upsetting.

“Your wife probably did HOURs, DAYS MONTHS of researching the current safe ways of doing things,” one person argued. “If you aren’t’ going to trust her, at least ask to read what she’s reading so you can get insight. Then, if after reading you still have doubts, talk to your wife. Do not bring up your mom’s opinion.”

Another reasoned, “that’s like her asking her dad how you should be a father.”

Professionals also weighed in. A NICU nurse wrote, “things have changed in the last 3 years alone. Your mother doesn’t know. This is the woman you chose, learn and grow with her.”

And finally, I think this warning from a couples therapist really sums it all up: “prioritize your new family over your old family.”

If this man was indeed seeking advice (and not justification for his actions) then he certainly got what he asked for. Either way, the conversation can hopefully help put things into perspective for others.

For those of us who grew up in the United States eating lunch in a cafeteria, the idea of looking at a bunch of trays of school food may be less than compelling. But what’s surprisingly interesting, however, is what children from the rest of the world are eating instead. Check out these common lunch dishes from around the globe and let us know they seem accurate.

The photos were part of a project entitled “School Lunches Around the World” by Sweetgreen In Schools, a program “that educates kids about healthy eating, fitness, and sustainability through fun, hands-on activities.”

This article originally appeared on 10.30.17

These mustached Canadians decided to treat older shelter cats like used cars.

Why?

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Because in a world where around 8 million pets enter shelters and only around 4 million get out, that’s a lot of sad math.

In an attempt to stop that sad math, the kind folks from the Calgary Humane Society got creative.

The fastest domestic cat running speed appears to be 29.8 mph. This salesman knows his product!

They got weird.

They discovered some very adept cat performers.

Call Hollywood!

They pulled out all the stops to help future cat owners realize that pre-owned cats are the way to go!

And in addition to the commercial, the cats were priced to go on a very special Saturday.

Kittens are popular. There’s no way around it. They’re kittens! I used to be kitten-crazy (I was a child!), but I’ve adopted older cats and so have my friends. They’re special. They’re cute. They’re soulful. And instead of adorably biting your fingers until they grow up past kittenhood, older cats chill out on your couch and teach you about relaxing.

I’m sharing this because it might save a pre-owned cat.

We missed the Big Sale Saturday (but let’s be real, pre-owned cats are always priced to go), but the love for pre-owned cats continues. And this commercial, well … it’s timeless.

And worth a watch below:

This article originally appeared on 08.29.15

Brian Gordon is a cartoonist. He’s also a dad, which means he’s got plenty of inspiration for the parenting comics he creates for his website, Fowl Language (not all of which actually feature profanity).

He covers many topics, but it’s his hilarious parenting comics that are resonating with parents everywhere.

“My comics are largely autobiographical,” Gordon tells me. “I’ve got two kids who are 4 and 7, and often, what I’m writing happened as recently as that very same day.”

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Gordon shared 15 of his oh-so-real comics with us. They’re all funny ’cause they’re true.

Let’s get started with his favorite, “Welcome to Parenting,” which Gordon says sums up his comics pretty well. “Parenting can be such tedious drudgery,” he says, “but if it wasn’t also so incredibly rewarding there wouldn’t be nearly so many people on the planet.”

Truth.

I hope you enjoy these as much as I did.

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All comics are shared here with Gordon’s express permission. These comics are all posted on his website, in addition to his Facebook page. You can also find a “bonus” comic that goes with each one by clicking the “bonus” link. Original. Bonus.

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Original. Bonus.

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Original. Bonus.

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Original. Bonus.

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Original. Bonus.

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Original. Bonus.

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Original. Bonus.

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Original. Bonus.

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Original. Bonus.

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Original. Bonus.

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Original. Bonus.

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Original. Bonus.

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Original. Bonus.

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Original. Bonus.

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Original. Bonus.

I love Gordon’s comics so much because they’re just about the reality of parenting — and they capture it perfectly.

There’s no parenting advice, no judgment, just some humor about the common day-to-day realities that we all share.

When I ask him about the worst parenting advice he’s ever received, Gordon relays this anecdote:

“I remember being an absolute sleep-deprived wreck, sitting outside a sandwich shop, wolfing down my lunch quickly beside my 1-month-old son, who was briefly resting his lungs between screaming fits.

A rather nosy woman walked up to me and said, all smugly, ‘You should enjoy this time while they’re easy.’ It was the exact worst thing anyone could have said to me in that moment and I just wanted to curl up on the sidewalk and cry.”

Who hasn’t been on the receiving end of totally unneeded and unwanted advice? That’s why Gordon’s comics are so welcome: They offer up a space for us to all laugh about the common experiences we parents share.

Here’s to Gordon for helping us chuckle (through the tears).

This article originally appeared on 07.11.16

Chris Starkey posted a video to Facebook on Monday of himself and his daughter Brooklyn doing a dance-off to Flo Rida’s “Low”—and it’s unexpectedly awesome. Starkey wrote, “My daughter challenged me to a dance off and said I don’t have it anymore. See that closet in the back she is still crying in it!!!” So much silly shade thrown around in this family, it’s delightful.

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When you see their fun banter and Starkey’s middle-aged-man moves, you’ll see why the video has been shared more than 280,000 times in two days. Starkey wrote in a comment that the reaction has brought tears to his eyes and encourages everyone to “Give back to your community” right now. He also says another video will be coming on Monday.

Excellent. We need this kind of levity right now more than ever.

Chris Starkey

This article originally appeared on 03.25.20

Writing a book is no easy task, even for adult professional writers. Many would-be authors dream of a day when their work can be found on library shelves, unsure if it will ever come.

But for 8-year-old Dillon Helbig, that day has already arrived—in truly unconventional fashion—thanks to his own determination to make it happen.

Dillon wrote his 81-page graphic novel, “The Adventures of Dillon Helbig’s Crismis” (written by “Dillon His Self”) in a hardcover journal with colored pencils over the course of a few days. He even put a label on the back of the book that reads “Made in Idho” [sic] and put an illustrated spine label on it as well. Then, without telling anyone, he brought it to his local library in Boise, Idaho, and slipped it in among the books in the children’s section.

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The library Facebook page shared that it had officially added the book to the collection at the branch, writing, “Imagine our surprise yesterday when Dillon’s mom called to tell us that her son had authored an entire book, shelved it at the Lake Hazel Branch, then announced to his family later that he had written a book and it could be checked out at the library.”

The library also announced that Dillon’s book had won the first-ever Whoodini Award for Best Young Novelist—an award created in his honor.

Dillon told local news station KTVB that the book features him, his mom, Santa, a bomb, a portal and a giant carnivorous turkey. Because of course.

“I’ve been wanting to put a book in the library since I was five,” Dillon told the station. Nearly half his life, in other words.

Dillon said there were a lot of librarians he had to sneak past with his book to surreptitiously put it on the shelf, but he did it.

“I’ll always be sneaky, like how I get chocolate,” he explained. Classic.

The adults on every front handled this kid’s creativity and determination the best possible way. His mom called the library to let them know the book was there so it wouldn’t get lost or taken. And rather than just returning the book, the librarians actually put it into circulation.

“His parents were worried we would find his book and we would get rid of it,” Lake Hazel Branch Library manager Alex Hartman told KTVB. “Which was an unfounded fear because if there’s ever a place a book would be safe, it would be here.”

The librarians loved Dillon’s book.

“It deserves a spot on our library shelves,” said Hartman. “It’s a good story.”

At the time of this local news report, the book had a handful of people in line to check it out. But The New York Times reports that as of the end of January, the waiting list has grown to a whopping 56 people. If each person kept the book for the maximum four-week checkout period it would take four years to get to the people at the bottom of the list.

The experience has made Dillon decide to become an author, his mom said, and he even has some career goals laid out.

“I’m going to stop writing when I’m 40,” Dillon said. After that, he will switch to game creation. In the meantime, he has a sequel to his first novel in the works.

“My next book is going to be called ‘The Jacket-Eating Closet,’” he said, “based on actual events.”

Amazing. Kudos to Dillon for following his dream and making it happen, kudos to his mom for encouraging him and kudos to the librarians who saw an opportunity to support a child’s creativity and ran with it.

This article originally appeared on 09.13.22

A grandmother always felt her middle granddaughter Lindsay, 15, looked slightly different from the rest of the family because she had blonde, curly hair, while the rest of her siblings’ hair was dark “I thought genetics was being weird and I love her,” she wrote on Reddit’s AITA forum.

But things became serious after Linday’s parents “banned” her from taking things a step further and getting a DNA test. If the family was sure their daughter was theirs, why would they forbid her from seeking clarity in the situation? After the parents laid down the law, the situation started to seem a little suspicious.

“I told my son and [daughter-in-law] that there was something fishy around her birth she needed to know. They denied it and told me to leave it alone,” the grandma wrote.

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Lindsay wouldn’t give up her quest. She approached her biology teacher, who admitted that it was “odd” for her to have such different traits. This confusion was too much for Lindsay, so she went to her grandmother for help. “She came to me distressed, asking me to buy a DNA test since she needs to know,” the grandmother wrote.

The grandmother purchased a DNA test and it proved their suspicions. “Long story short, she is not her mother’s kid,” the grandmother wrote. “My son got someone else pregnant and her bio mom gave her up.”

The interesting thing was that Lindsay was a middle child. So, the dad had a baby with another woman while he was with his wife. This revelation begs the question: How did the family suddenly have a baby out of nowhere without people being suspicious?

“They were on the other side of the country when she was born, and I met Lindsey when she was about 6 months old. Really not hard to hide the whole thing,” the grandmother wrote. “Our family has a history of miscarriages, so it’s common to drop news about a baby late in the pregnancy. They did the same with their oldest and didn’t think anything about it.”

The big revelation has caused friction in the family. The family no longer talks to the grandmother, which makes Lindsay even more furious about the situation.

Should the grandmother have taken such drastic steps if she knew what could happen if her suspicions were true? The commenters on Reddit overwhelmingly supported the grandmother’s decision. The big reason was that Lindsay needed to know her family history for medical reasons.

“Your son and his wife suck for lying to her until she is 15 about something so important and trying to keep lying to her even after she obviously started to question things. There are medical reasons a person might need to know what their genetics are/are not, and if you hadn’t helped her, she would have found out some other way,” Shake_Speare423 wrote.

Another commenter noted that protecting the parents’ lie wasn’t nearly as important as Lindsay’s mental health.

“People have a right to know their genetic heritage. Lying about adoption is linked to increased suicidal ideation, anxiety, and depression. You put her safety and comfort ahead of your son’s preferences. Parental rights do not have greater value than a child’s right to access comprehensive medical care, and hiding an adoption does precisely that. Maybe some things, like a child staying healthy, should matter more than a parent’s right to lie, gaslight and manipulate their child as they see fit,” RemembrancerLirael added.

The commenters overwhelmingly supported the grandma for putting herself into an uncomfortable situation to protect her granddaughter’s mental and physical health. However, one commenter noted that she could have gone about it in a less polarizing way.

“Bit out of the norm for the responses here, but you should have gone through your son [and daughter-in-law] and convinced them. Told them that the biology teacher had highlighted that she had traits that didn’t make sense, etc. and convinced them that Lindsey would find out either way,” PhilMcGraw wrote. “It would have allowed them to find a way to tell her without it being forced on them angrily. A DNA test is the absolute worst way to be told. I’m sure they would have much rather told her than let her find out by a DNA test if that is what was coming.”

This article originally appeared on 11.29.23