The NBA’s new media rights deal has become official, and three networks are going to broadcast games going forward: ESPN, NBC, and Amazon. This, unfortunately, means that the league’s partnership with Turner that dates back to 1989 is coming to an end — there have been reports that Warner Bros. Discovery’s exclusive broadcasting window came and went, and while they had the ability to match and expressed its intention to do so, the league announced on Wednesday afternoon that their bid was unsuccessful.
Basketball fans want to know what this means for the future of Inside the NBA, the legendary studio show that has turned into an institution in the sport. Famously, Charles Barkley has cracked a few jokes (and been brutally honest) about how the show could be coming to an end, but that was before we got official word of what’s happening.
Now that we know for sure that Turner is losing its broadcast rights, we decided to take a look at what all four members of the Inside the NBA crew have said (and what has been reported) about the future.
Charles Barkley
As of right now, the only person whose future we know for sure is Barkley. He already had the ability to opt out of his deal if Turner lost the NBA, but Barkley said during the NBA Finals that he plans on retiring after the 2024-25 season, regardless of what happens with the network.
“I just want to say thank you to my entire NBA family,” Barkley said. “I love you guys. There’s been a lot of noise around our network the last few months, and I just want to say, I talked to all the other networks, but I ain’t going nowhere other than TNT. But, I have made the decision myself, no matter what happens, next year is going to be my last year on television.”
Now, this news was greeted with some skepticism — Draymond Green, for example, doesn’t think Barkley is going to retire. And while Barkley previously has said he’s had conversations with other networks and decided to say no to all of them, he cracked the door open early last week, dependent on whether Turner gives him all the money he’s owed.
Although he said a huge offer wouldn’t change his mind and that he wouldn’t feel comfortable working for anyone but Turner, it sure seems like Chuck could, indeed, be on the free agent block next summer.
Ernie Johnson
While Barkley is the face of Inside the NBA, Johnson very well might be the face of Turner Sports, as you can see him wearing a ton of different hats on NBA, MLB, and college basketball broadcasts. He’s the single-best studio host in the game, and that might not just be for sports — can you think of, say, a news or entertainment show host who is better than Ernie Johnson? Because I cannot.
A Sports Business Journal report indicated that Johnson isn’t going to go anywhere. And in a recent conversation between Barkley and Dan Patrick, it was made pretty clear that Johnson is going to stick around in some capacity no matter what.
Charles Barkley told us that if TNT loses #NBA TV rights, he’ll become a free agent. He’s unsure about “Inside the NBA” moving to another network because the show wouldn’t be the same without Ernie Johnson. Ernie has said he isn’t leaving Turner.
Of course, we have not heard directly from Johnson on this one, so we’ll have to wait and see. But considering his ties to the network, it’s nearly impossible to imagine him doing anything else until he calls it a career.
Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith
Neither guy has said anything about what their futures hold, although that aforementioned Sports Business Journal report indicated that Shaq might not do TV due to how busy he keeps himself with business opportunities. Still, we’ll keep you posted on what either dude says if they get asked, because it would really stink for either to be totally out of a job once next season ends.
Keeping up with new music can be exhausting, even impossible. From the weekly album releases to standalone singles dropping on a daily basis, the amount of music is so vast it’s easy for something to slip through the cracks. Even following along with the Uproxx recommendations on a daily basis can be a lot to ask, so every Monday we’re offering up this rundown of the best new music this week.
This week saw Ice Spice launch her long-awaited debut album and Drake continuing to resurface after the Kendrick Lamar feud. Yeah, it was a great week for new music. Check out the highlights below.
Now that the Drake and Kendrick Lamar feud has simmered down, the former has returned to making songs not about the latter. Drake has popped up to deliver a handful of features in recent weeks, the latest being a pair of them for longtime collaborator Gordo (formerly known as DJ Carnage).
Lil Yachty and Ian — “Hate Me”
Yachty has been as busy as anybody this year, and he’s still going: Last week, he linked up with Ian on “Hate Me.” Yachty is clearly a fan of the 19-year-old Dallas rapper and Ian makes it clear why on the new collab.
Post Malone — “Guy For That” Feat. Luke Combs
The collaborations just keep coming, both in terms of this week’s new music rundown and Malone’s recent happenings. Malone has been successfully diving into the world of country music and he’s gotten some help from the genre’s biggest stars, the latest of them being Luke Combs on the barbecue-ready country-pop single “Guy For That.”
Halsey — “Lucky”
Halsey is all in on 1990s/2000s nostalgia with her new single “Lucky,” which samples both Britney Spears and Monica. Of course, she got Spears’ blessing.
DJ Premier, Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, and Big Sean — “Ya Don’t Stop”
Premier has worked with essentially everybody in hip-hop over the decades, so it’s not surprising that he can get Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, and Big Sean to all hop on the same track with “Ya Don’t Stop,”
Saleka — “Divine” Feat. Kid Cudi
Saleka stars in her father’s (M. Night Shyamalan) new movie Trap, as a larger-than-life pop star. She has prior experience as a musical artist and sounds fantastic alongside Kid Cudi on the soundtrack cut “Divine.”
Ravyn Lenae — “One Wish” Feat. Childish Gambino
Lenae is moving her way up in the R&B world and it certainly doesn’t hurt to have Childish Gambino on her side, especially since “One Wish” will likely end up being one of Donald Glover’s final Gambino songs as he retires the name. Make no mistake, though: This is Lenae’s song and she sounds like a champ on the soulful tune.
Cordae — “Saturday Mornings” Feat. Lil Wayne
Cordae has kept busy since his 2022 album From A Birds Eye View (he became a dad, for example). His latest offering is the Lil Wayne team-up “Saturday Mornings,” which sees him and Wayne trading bars over a soulful sample.
Fuerza Regida — “Pero No Te Enamores”
Regional Mexican band Fuerza Regida have become stars in recent years, and the band’s Jesús Ortiz Paz recently told Uproxx, “It feels dope as hell being part of this Mexican corrido genre. Being one of the pioneers and still being the ones pushing out this music to the world, it feels great.”
Horror movies over the last few years have definitely leaned into the futuristic technology side of things, but whatever happened to a good, old-fashioned monster? Werewolves had their Hollywood heyday back in the ’40s and ’50s, and then eventually they became less scary and more…goofy. But it’s time to be scared of werewolves again, because there are enough robots out there hunting us. Thankfully, there is a werewolf film right around the corner.
The Beast Within (formerly titled What Remains Of Us) is the upcoming werewolf horror flick starring noted wolf lover Kit Harrington as a father who attempts to protect his young daughter from himself. The movie is the narrative feature debut of documentary filmmaker Alexander J. Farrell. Farrell said making this movie was not “only about capturing a dark, disturbing, yet very real narrative but it also marked the culmination of years spent chasing a dream,” he posted on Instagram in 2023. “I am so incredibly proud of the movie that so many of us set out to make and am so incredibly excited for all of you to witness it on the big screen next year.”
Here is everything you need to know about The Beast Within.
Plot
The story follows Willow, a young girl who lives in an isolated cabin with her mother and father, who mysteriously disappear some nights. Willow begins to investigate her father’s strange behavior, and uncovers some unsettling secrets about their family. Here is the official plot synopsis:
After a series of strange events leads her to question her family’s isolated life on a fortified compound deep in the English wilds, 10-year-old Willow follows her parents on one of their secret late-night treks to the heart of the ancient forest. But upon witnessing her father undergo a terrible transformation, she too becomes ensnared by the dark ancestral secret they’ve tried so desperately to conceal.
Cast
Kit Harington leads the movie as the father with a dark and hairy secret. Farrell called Harington “a director’s dream, kind, patient and just so deeply connected and transformative.” Ashleigh Cummings, Caoilinn Springall, Ian Giles, and James Cosmo also star. Of the cast, Farrell said, “Their performances all breathed life into a story that has lived in my heart for so long.”
Release Date
The movie hit theaters on July 26th. Unfortunately, that was the same day as blockbuster Deadpool & Wolverine, so the choice is yours.
In a video posted on TikTok yesterday (July 28) by French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, he and Gaga share a hug in the audience of an Olympic swimming event. After a bit of chatting, Gaga introduces Attal to Michael Polansky, calling him “my fiancé Michael.”
Meanwhile, Gaga said of her performance of Renée “Zizi” Jeanmaire’s “Mon Truc En Plumes,” “I feel so completely grateful to have been asked to open the Paris @Olympics 2024 this year. I am also humbled to be asked by the Olympics organizing committee to sing such a special French song–a song to honor the French people and their tremendous history of art, music, and theatre. […] Although I am not a French artist, I have always felt a very special connection with French people and singing French music — I wanted nothing more than to create a performance that would warm the heart of France, celebrate French art and music, and on such a momentous occasion remind everyone of one of the most magical cities on earth — Paris.”
There is maybe no more dominant force in all of sports than the USA women’s basketball team, as they’ve won 55 consecutive games at the Olympics, good for seven straight gold medals. This year’s squad looks equally terrifying, as they boast 12 of the best players on the planet and bludgeoned Germany to the tune of an 84-57 win in their lone non-WNBA All-Star Game tune-up before arriving in Paris.
The Americans are led by A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart in the frontcourt, who present opposing teams with little in the way of good options for slowing them down with their combination of size and skill. While those two take central focus, there are some varying subplots on this roster, most notably Diana Taurasi’s quest for an outrageous sixth gold medal. There’s also the guard rotation, which features Chelsea Gray, Jewell Loyd, Sabrina Ionescu, Jackie Young, Kahleah Copper, and Kelsey Plum all vying for minutes.
We will get our first look at this squad in the Olympics on Monday afternoon, as they take on Japan to open group stage action in Lille, France.
How To Watch
Date: Monday, July 29 Time: 3:00 p.m. ET TV Network: USA Streaming: Peacock
The last time the two teams played on the Olympics stage, Team USA beat Japan in the gold medal game in Tokyo in 2021. This year, they’ll start their bid for another gold with Japan, before facing Belgium and Germany to round out group stage action this week.
In an Instagram Story on Sunday, Gaga teased a first listen to LG7, as fans have been calling it, her first album since 2020’s Chromatica. “I’m so deeply touched by my French fans this week outside the hotel,” she wrote, according to Billboard. “I’m gonna come out and say goodbye tonight with a few seconds of #LG7.” She did just that. It’s tough to make out the lyrics over the screaming fans, but from the sound of the overwhelming bass, this sounds like a club-ready album to dance to. You can watch the fan-shot videos below.
Back in May, Gaga teasedLG7 in an interview with Access Hollywood. “I have written so many songs, I’ve been producing so many songs, and it’s nothing like anything that I’ve ever made before,” the Joker: Folie à Deux star said. “I love to break genre and I love to explore music. There’s something really beautiful about knowing that you will be loved no matter what you do.” She added, “Something I’m definitely exploring right now is sort of the art of intensity and I think that the art of intensity actually began during this tour. But I’m not done with it yet.”
Drake has seemingly moved on from his feud with Kendrick Lamar. His last diss track in the battle was “Family Matters” from early May, and since then, he’s dropped a bunch of non-Kendrick-focused songs, including “U My Everything” with Sexyy Red, a couple tunes with Camila Cabello, and another pair with Gordo.
In fact, it looks like Drake is now ready to start joking about the whole thing.
In a now-expired Instagram Story posted over the weekend, Drake shared a video of an impersonator dancing to “Hotline Bling” and added the text, “Sometimes you gotta pop out,” which is a quote from Lamar’s “Not Like Us.”
Most onlookers have chosen their allegiances in Drake vs. Kendrick, but NBA star DeMar DeRozan is seemingly trying to keep a foot on each side of the fence. First, he appeared in the “Not Like Us” video, but then, he insisted he has no issue with Drake, saying, “Drake’s still my man, still my man, none of it changed.”
The penultimate episode of House of the Dragon‘s second season is here, and it’s wilder than the 2024 Olympics opening ceremony, French history lesson set to rock metal included. Team Black is hiring and their recruitment process is pretty brutal. The trade off is a lifetime of riches and power and a dragon, but the application process looks like too much work to us. Still, with more fire power, Rhaenyra sets herself up for a win in season two’s highly anticipated finale as Daemon finally makes some headway in the Riverlands. and the Hightowers scramble to level the playing field.
Rhaenyra Targaryen kissed a girl just once and now she’s ready to burn the realm to the ground. The rightful heir’s bisexual awakening is causing all kinds of problems for Team Green this week — and for her bastard kid who’s giving a whole new meaning to the term “coastal elite.” She makes a new ally (quite easily) in Addam of Hull, bringing him and his dragon back home to serve as the de facto mascots for her latest dragon rider recruitment scheme. Is it the best move to give the smallfolk a chance to claim a dragon and hold such sway over the kingdom during a civil war? At this point, who can say. At best, your earn the hella cool moniger of Queen of the Bastards and earn back your throne. At worst, you flirt a bit too much with the concept of democracy and the peasants start questioning your diving right to rule. But Rhaenyra isn’t one for pros and cons lists, and we’re not complaining if we get more parting shots like the episode’s end. This must be how patriots feel whenever they play the national anthem at high school sporting events. This is what coursed through Nicole Kidman’s veins when she left her lawyer’s office after divorcing Tom Cruise. This is what it was like to try a cronut at Smorgasborg in Prospect Park for the first time. This is cinema.
Corlys Velaryon
HBO
Sure, Corlys didn’t do much this episode, but he stays winning simply by being the opportunistic manwh*re he’s always been. One son is now a dragonrider, fighting for queen and country as a key player in this war, while the other is happy to fix up his daddy’s boats and ferry traitorous notes to King’s Landing and maybe, one day, inherit the Driftmark crown. For a man who lost both his children and his wife within the span of a decade, Corlys isn’t short of his pick of heirs at the moment. And let’s be honest, that’s the only thing he really cares about.
Mysaria
HBO
We’re convinced that Mysaria’s true goal is to overthrow the monarchy and establish an electoral system that would probably wind up putting that Ulf guy on the throne — because, you know, he’s the kind of guy you’d want to have a beer with. But, until that happens, she’s living her best life on Dragonstone, making out with the wife of her ex-lover while inciting a revolution and getting a glimpse of a dragon (or three). Good for her.
Lord Oscar Tully
HBO
Oscar Tully is now the lord of his House which means, when he returns to Harrenhal with his Riverlords in tow, he won’t be cowed by a middle-aged man tripping on shrooms and committing war crimes instead of just apologizing to his wife. There’s a bit of sass in the boy and he uses it to dress down Daemon in front of his men, forcing him to repent his sins against his bannermen by beheading the man who ordered all those terrible atrocities against House Bracken. It’s the kind of symbolic b*tchslap Daemon’s needed for a while now.
Addam of Hull
HBO
At this point, Addam of Hull is just happy to be here. Two seconds ago, he was digging clams on the beach and wondering if his deadbeat dad would ever legitimize him. Now, he’s a guest at Dragonstone, a member of the queen’s army, and the owner a brand new unbonded dragon. Life really does come at you fast when the kingdom’s at war and you’ve got Valyrian blood running through your veins, and a lonely mythical beast has an aversion to white men.
Hugh Hammer
HBO
Sad: Poor Hugh Hammer lost his daughter to the mysterious illness she suffered from for seven whole episodes without one visit to an urgent care clinic. Also sad: Poor Hugh Hammer is the bastard son of a Targaryen prostitute who may have been related to Daemon and Viserys. Not (so) sad: Poor Hugh Hammer caught the eye of the meanest, nastiest little dragon in the Seven Kingdoms and now, he’s got the firepower to demand Aegon pay him his money. Go get that check, Hugh!
Jacaerys Velaryon
HBO
Ok, does Jace just need a good dye job? It’s just hair, bro. If you’re tired of being a brunette, go to the Westerosi equivalent of Sally’s and buy some bleach.
Larys Strong
HBO
Larys Strong has gone from King’s Landing’s resident Deux Moi to nursemaid for a crippled king whose own brother hopes to kill him the minute he takes a milk-of-the-poppy-fueled catnap. Somewhere along the way, Larys Strong took a wrong turn.
Ulf
HBO
The only thing more disappointing than learning Robert Downey Jr. was returning to the MCU as an entirely different character in yet another Russo brothers production is, possibly, the reveal that the town drunk who boasted about his (fake?) Targaryen heritage in order to score free booze actually was worthy enough to ride a dragon. Jace may have had a point after all.
Alicent Hightower
HBO
Alicent has upgraded her sad bath routine. She’s now cosplaying as Ophelia from Hamlet, floating in a swamp somewhere in the Kingswood as her son’s f*ck up a kingdom and her girl crush gets busy with one of the hottest women in Westeros. Couldn’t have happened to a more deserving person, tbh.
Aemond Targaryen
HBO
Aemond desperate to convince Vhagar to turn back to King’s Landing, running scared with his tail between his legs because Rhaenyra is backed by half a soccer team’s worth of dragons with angry peasants for riders? Hang a GIF of it in the Louvre, please.
Daemon Targaryen
HBO
The good news: Another episode passes without the torture of watching Daemond nightmare f*ck his mom. The bad news: He’s still camped out at that haunted castle because his socially awkward ass just can’t seem to make friends with the Riverlords or its resident witch.
Old Forester bills themselves as a brand of firsts. They’re said to be the first bourbon to be sold in bottles, the first double-barreled bourbon, and they’re even responsible for launching the first commercially available single-barrel bourbon in the industry. While there may have been at least one defunct brand that sold its bourbon in bottles before Old Forester, there’s no denying that they revolutionized the industry with the practice — which was established to ensure quality.
Today, thanks to the success of their wildly popular Whiskey Row Series, there are very few contemporary bourbon fans who aren’t familiar with Old Forester’s game, as they’ve done an incredible job since their founding in 1870 of bringing high-quality American whiskey to the masses.
One of the reasons Old Forester has maintained such a storied history is its ability to meet the needs of a shifting whiskey landscape. This is seen in their ability to secure a medicinal distilling license during Prohibition, the fact they were the first distillery to convert their entire production to industrial-grade alcohol for the World War II effort, their creation of holiday decanters in 1950, and their introduction of an 86-proof bourbon in 1959 to feed the desires of a growing cocktail culture. Perhaps their most ground-breaking innovation would come in 1962 when the brand launched President’s Choice bourbon, which consisted of 8-year-old single barrels hand-selected by Old Forester’s President. Though, at the time, it wasn’t marketed as “single barrel bourbon,” the dye was cast more than 20 years before Buffalo Trace first released Blanton’s.
Today, Old Forester mostly shares these stories through its Whiskey Row Series, which features bottles identified by various years of import to the brand. For example, 1910 is an homage to their first double-barreled bourbon, and 1897 is a bottled-in-bond offering to reflect the year they pivoted away from the 90-proof expressions that defined Old Forester’s formative years. Highlighting those historic choices and celebrating their legacy with award-winning expressions today is part of what has kept Old Forester relevant for 153 years and counting.
Now that we’ve completed the history portion of today’s exam let’s move on to the multiple-choice portion. There can only be one correct answer regarding the best whiskey in Old Forester’s lineup. Let’s rank them all and find out which one it is!
While it features a spruce label, in line with the rest of Old Forester’s packaging, Old Forester 86-proof has a history that dates back to 1959 when consumers were thirsty for a lighter style of whiskey, well-suited for inclusion in cocktails.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose has a bit of graham cracker, young oak, and cocktail cherries, but the volume of each aroma is turned down.
Palate: On the palate, all of the nosing notes come alive with a bit more vibrancy and are joined by a vanilla splash. With regards to the mouthfeel, this is a thin whiskey. Still, the texture isn’t overly watery or unpleasant, as it’s just substantive enough for the flavors to develop before washing out and transitioning to the finish.
Finish: On the finish, there’s a bit of oak, honey, and bright red cherry, but it’s so brief that you’ll find yourself reaching for a second sip rather than savoring your first.
Bottom Line:
There are outlines of a really flavorful bourbon here, so it’s easy to see why Old Forester originally introduced this expression in the late 1950s to ingratiate themselves with the growing cocktail culture. However, cocktail culture has changed a lot since then, and while this whiskey still works well in a refreshing drink like a Mint Julep, there are several far better options in their lineup for making mixed drinks.
Old Forester 1870, part of the brand’s Whiskey Row Series, was created in 2014 to honor the year Old Forester was founded. In its early days, Old Forester started as a 90-proof bourbon, and so this expression pays homage to that legacy by clocking in at 45% ABV. Furthermore, as a superficial nod to the brand’s early legacy of sourcing barrels, they pull barrels for this release from three different warehouses of varying ages and proofs.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose on this whiskey has a touch of caramel sauce and maraschino cherries coupled with vanilla, cinnamon bark, and white pepper spice.
Palate: On the palate, there’s a bit more oak and a touch of rosewater, but overall, the nosing notes translate in the mouth with maraschino cherries and thin caramel sauce providing the sweetness. Youthful oak undergirds the entire experience, allowing the vanilla tones to blossom, while the slightly floral aspect takes root as this whiskey transitions to the finish.
Finish: On the finish, this whiskey is all young oak, vanilla extract, and dilute caramel. The flavors themselves are delicate, and pleasantly bright, as it succinctly falls off the palate.
Bottom Line:
At 90 proof, Old Forester manages to pack a lot of flavor into this release, which is an admirable homage to their early years and a flavorful low-proof option for sipping neat. For the sub-100 proof category, this bottle is a winner and well worth picking up, but in this tasting, it’s simply outgunned.
Originally launched in 2022, Old Forester King Ranch was created in collaboration with King Ranch, “the birthplace of American ranching.” For the release, Old Forester bourbon is finished through King Ranch mesquite charcoal and exclusively sold in Texas.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Caramelized banana comes through at first before the mesquite aspect kisses the nose and introduces vanilla extract, toasted almonds, and a faint indication of maraschino cherries. It’s a cloyingly sweet nose with touches of maple candy and freshly baked bread.
Palate: The palate is less interesting than the nose, with the mesquite smokiness and subtle banana notes gracing the palate before a bit of salted caramel and fresh wheat bread begin transitioning to midpalate.
Finish: The finish slowly fades away, leaving some marshmallow fluff, crème brûlée, and the gentle reintroduction of the mesquite flavor and some barrel char.
Bottom Line:
As a direct competitor to Wild Turkey Longbranch, which has national distribution, this expression was initially released with plenty of intrigue and anticipation. Unfortunately, its limited nature and lukewarm reception have cooled some of that momentum, and after tasting it blind, I’m not surprised. This is a perfectly fine whiskey, but it strays a touch too far from what makes Old Forester great, over-relying on the mesquite charcoal for a flavor that is distinctly influenced by Texas, but also not very captivating on its own.
Old Forester 1897 is so-named because this Whiskey Row expression was created to honor the brand’s pivot to 100-proof bourbon in the wake of the Bottled in Bond Act passing in 1897. This offering follows the Bottled in Bond regulations, which in part means that it is bottled at 100-proof and the product of a single distilling season, aged for at least four years.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: On the nose, there are apricots and fresh cherries to go with graham crackers, gentle oak tones, and a touch of caramel. It’s a fairly straightforward nose, but it draws you in and leaves you anticipating the first sip, which is a strong plus.
Palate: Once this whiskey hits your lips, a touch of roasted mocha gives way to robust oak tones, caramel candies, and cherry cordials. With the first pass, it’s abundantly clear that this is a well-rounded bourbon blended to be approachable and easy to drink. The mouthfeel is a bit quotidian, but that’s not a knock, as this works really well as a middle-of-the-road sipper.
Finish: The finish reinforces the generally straightforward nature of this bourbon, offering caramel and gentle oak tones to go with more of the cherry cordial note found at midpalate. The length is short to medium, and I’m not complaining about it.
Bottom Line:
Old Forester 1897 offers a lovely depth of flavor that indicates that it’s been matured for longer than four years. With a cavalcade of traditional bourbon notes and a restrained textural profile, this is well-made whiskey, but what it suffers from is competition — both across the spectrum of Bottled in Bond bourbons and within Old Forester’s lineup, which sees the even more impressive Old Forester 100 Proof bourbon deliver a slightly better experience at a lower price point.
One of the most unique whiskeys in Old Forester’s portfolio, Statesman draws inspiration from a collaboration with the 2017 spy action comedy film “Kingsman: The Golden Circle,” which prominently featured the expression. Due to its popularity, Old Forester has continued to produce Statesman bourbon, which utilizes their classic 72% Corn, 18% Rye, and 10% Malted barley recipe.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: A sweet pastry note on the nose draws you in, along with orange zest and bright red cherries. Given a second sniff, there’s a distinct aroma of vanilla extract and white pepper to go with the fruit-forward tones that stood out initially, and the sweet pastry note becomes more of an undercooked sugar cookie.
Palate: In the mouth, there’s a welcome infusion of orange blossom, creamy custard, and some gentle oak tones. On the second sip, one notices that the texture is a bit lean but still slick, and the orange blossom becomes more of a spiced orange peel, while vanilla pods and the faintest bit of bright red cherry flit at the edges of the tongue.
Finish: The finish on this bourbon is gentle and fairly brief, but the bright cherries at the periphery of the palate become stronger, along with a bit of clove and youthful oak. It’s light and refreshing, which works well with the overall flavor profile.
Bottom Line:
Perhaps all-too-frequently dismissed as a “gimmick” due to its origins as a movie tie-in, Old Forester Statesman is a nuanced and exceedingly approachable offering that deserves wider appreciation. Whether kitschy spy films suit your tastes or not, Old Forester Statesman surely will if you’re a fan of well-made bourbon.
Originally launched in 2019, Old Forester Rye quickly became a fan favorite and a bar staple. Utilizing a historic mash bill acquired by Owsley Brown in 1940, Old Forester Rye consists of 65% Rye, 20% Malted Barley, and 15% Corn.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Interestingly, on this blind tasting, there is a lot of mint, rye spice, and lemon meringue on the nose of this whiskey for me. The sweet, lemon meringue notes come with a bit of milk chocolate, and once the sweetness subsides, there’s a bit of black pepper and even cinnamon bark hiding underneath.
Palate: The palate is heavier than expected, and a rush of mint, milk chocolate, honey, and rye spice cascades over the tongue on the first sip. The first takeaway is that this multi-layered sipping experience can reward extended consideration. Chewing reveals a bit of youthful oak and a touch of leather.
Finish: The medium-length finish on this whiskey is where the spices return in full force with black pepper and a touch of cinnamon fusing with rye spice, mint, and honey for a balanced and appropriately timely send-off.
Bottom Line:
It’s easy to see why this rye quickly became a bartender’s favorite. With an impressive, well-defined set of flavors that up the ante on the rye content while retaining a base sweetness that appeals to bourbon fans, Old Forester Rye is one of the most versatile whiskeys on the planet, regardless of category. Whether you’re a neat sipper or a regular cocktail consumer, this bottle belongs on your home shelf.
Launched in 2018, Old Forester 1910 is the second newest member of the Whiskey Row Series. The whiskey was crafted to honor Old Forester’s happy accident — the creation of America’s first documented double-barreled whiskey.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Black cherry cola rises out of the glass to greet the nose at first before the cherry aspect turns more medicinal and is followed by a thick layer of oak and vanilla extract. There’s also a bit of honey-roasted almonds behind the dense oak notes and a touch of leather.
Palate: On the palate, the first kiss is full of cola nut and barrel char, but the medicinal cherry note takes charge above all else. Once the cloying cherry note coats your palate, it leaves little room for other notes to develop fully, but you’ll find polished leather, vanilla extract, and a bit of barrel char all trying to punch through.
Finish: The finish causes the mouth to become phlegmy as your palate fights back against the cloying sweetness, but some black pepper and barrel char help to slightly cut through as the back of your palate soon becomes dry before this pour dissipates.
Bottom Line:
While Old Forester began the trend of double-barreled American whiskey in 1910, thanks to a bottling line inferno, the craze has since caught fire significantly. Many brands now produce double-barreled bourbon, and the originators need to catch up to competitors like Parker’s Heritage, 2XO, and one of Brown-Forman’s other big brands, Woodford Reserve. That’s not to say this isn’t a solid bourbon, but if you’re particularly interested in a twice-barreled bourbon, you can comfortably look elsewhere.
As one of only six distilleries allowed to continue production through Prohibition, it only made sense for Brown-Forman to pay homage to that legacy with this Whiskey Row expression. During Prohibition, whiskey had to be bottled at 100 proof, but due to maturation conditions, the 100-proof distillate Old Forester was filling barrels with would often increase ABV to 115 proof. This explains why the brand bottles Old Forester 1920 at 115 proof with the fanciful moniker “Prohibition Style.”
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose on 1920 features a flourish of cherry cola, swirling cinnamon bark, and fairly faint dark chocolate. Given some time to rest, the aroma of barrel char and vanilla extract can be expected as the cherry cola note turns slightly medicinal after a few swirls in the glass.
Palate: The medicinal cherry note from the nose transitions to the palate, along with a bit of cola nut, barrel char, and dense oak. The liquid itself has a prickly mouthfeel, which causes some of the flavor to come across as disjointed, interrupted by spikes of ethanol, making it a tad rough around the edges.
Finish: 1920 has a solid medium-length finish, which gently curbs the medicinal cherry tone with more oak, some toasted almonds, and gooey caramel sauce.
Bottom Line:
Many bourbon fans hail Old Forester’s bourbon as one of the standouts in their lineup. However, a combination of a medicinal cherry note and general rough edges can sometimes make it less approachable than some of the brand’s other expressions. In this blind tasting, that certainly was the case, as this is an unmistakably solid bourbon but one too uneven to overtake bottles eight through one.
After the success of Old Forester Rye, the brand followed that up in June 2021 with the release of their very first single-barrel, barrel-proof rye. This expression takes the same 65% Rye, 20% Malted Barley, and 15% Corn mash bill as its 100-proof alternative and bottles it undiluted at cask strength.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose opens with honeyed green tea before plunging you into deep caramel, nutmeg, dense oak tones, and even some chalky dark chocolate. Mint and rye spice run a ring around these aromas, eventually growing in prominence with a few swirls in the glass.
Palate: On the palate, the chalky dark chocolate and deep caramel notes lead the charge as mint sprigs, allspice, and mocha flavors shoot up the roof of the mouth. Black pepper and dense oak begin the transition to the finish on this full-bodied pour before the alcohol intensity begins to catch up to the flavor, which is a bit distracting.
Finish: The finish is lengthy and undulating, displaying mint and rye spice on the peaks with barrel char and nutmeg accenting the valleys. It’s a bit more interesting than enjoyable, making one wish it were a bit shorter.
Bottom Line:
What separates Old Forester 100 Proof Rye, the bartender’s best friend, and this expression (besides the leap in proof) is that it leans more heavily into variation as a single barrel. It also brings a much bolder flavor profile to the fore at barrel-proof. The results are often stunning, as Old Forester Single Barrel Barrel Proof Rye delivers a depth of flavor unmatched in Old Forester’s limited rye lineup. That makes one wonder if Old Forester’s barrel-proof rye can be this good; what flavors might they be able to unlock with age-stated rye?
Made with a grain recipe of 72% corn, 18% rye, and 10% malted barley, Old Forester’s 100-proof offering is a budget-friendly beauty. Following in the longstanding tradition of Old Forester’s commitment to 100-proof bourbon, this expression carries no minimum age statement, unlike their Bottled in Bond 1879, which is guaranteed to be at least four years old per the Bottled in Bond regulations.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: On the nose, Old Forester 100 Proof begins with a medicinal cherry note, which opens the curtains for a wave of complementing aromas like caramel, barrel char, hazelnut spread, and moderate oak. After a few swirls, the cherry note becomes more robust, as does the underlying caramel, which rises to greet the nose like an eager puppy out of the glass.
Palate: The medicinal cherry note from the nose of this whiskey very quickly finds its way to the palate, coating the tongue and laying a foundation for accenting notes like cinnamon, oak, black pepper spice, and toasted almonds. The texture in the mouth is moderately slick, with just enough grip to reward “chewing” the bourbon. Chewing also rewards repeat sips as the liquid coats your palate and allows you to unlock more flavor.
Finish: The finish reveals a more natural black cherry flavor, along with some clove and caramel notes. The liquid hangs on for a medium length, making this a great sipping whiskey to enjoy neat.
Bottom Line:
I’ve long considered this one of Old Forester’s hidden gems, and that sentiment holds up even in blind tasting. The flavor profile is true to everything the brand does well, with black cherry, vanilla, and caramel showing up in full force. The cherry on top is that it does all of this at a budget-friendly price point that puts it ahead of the Whiskey Row Series in terms of value.
Released annually on September 2nd to honor the birthday of George Garvin Brown, Old Forester first launched Birthday Bourbon in 2002. It was an instant success, and today, it is perhaps the brand’s most sought-after release, eclipsing even the rarer President’s Choice. For the 2023 Birthday Bourbon, 103 barrels from floor five of the brand’s Warehouse I were blended together.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: On the nose, there’s a lot of honey and vanilla cream at first, along with dried raspberries and cola nuts. It comes across as a bit tame, but the flavors are still pleasant and well-developed, leading to intrigue at how they’ll translate on the palate.
Palate: Once in the mouth, several suspicions from the nosing notes are immediately confirmed as the whiskey comes across a bit austere, taking some time for the flavors to blossom. Once it opens up, notes like dried raspberries and cola nuts offer a tasty introduction, while caramel sauce, vanilla, and toasted coconut flakes add more nuance. The texture is pleasant without being remarkable, and even though the flavors began a bit muted, overall, this is a gratifying sipping experience.
Finish: On the finish, there’s an uptick in the influence of oak, owing in all likelihood to the fact this whiskey was aged for at least 12 years. The oak tones fuse with black tea and a bit of almond flour through the lengthy finish, which is a sharp, albeit not unpleasant, departure from the sweetness found early on in this sip.
Bottom Line:
Frankly, Old Forester’s Birthday Bourbon has seen better days. While the expression continues to be an intriguing peek behind the curtains at Old Forester’s choice barrels and what they can bring to bear in unique blends each year, the 2023 version’s impressive depth of flavor is held back by its modest proof point and disjointed experience from the front of the palate through the finish. There have been years when Birthday Bourbon has been the center of attention in Old Forester’s lineup, but you shouldn’t feel too bad if you missed the party last year.
5. Old Forester Single Barrel Barrel Proof Bourbon
Nose: The nose immediately comes off hot, with an alcohol punch that initially makes it difficult to get at the underlying aromas. Once acclimated to the alcohol burn, a strong banana flambé note fuses with pralines, rich oak, and burnt pie crust. Those fiery notes prepare the palate for a dense, darkly sweet experience in the mouth.
Palate: The intense note of banana flambé finds its way to the palate, and it’s bolstered by dense oak, dark chocolate, and some faint mesquite notes reminiscent of vinegar-based barbecue sauce. The overall flavor profile is brooding, and those flavors are encased in a force field of high-alcohol burn, which admittedly prevents those well-developed layers of flavor from being readily accessible. The mouthfeel is heavy and punctuated by the prickliness of the alcohol burn.
Finish: The finish actually sees some of those flavors escaping their alcohol-heavy enclosure as a bit of dark cherry and juicy orange notes pair up with leather and freshly cracked black pepper throughout the lengthy finish.
Bottom Line:
When Old Forester’s Single Barrel Barrel Proof Bourbon first hit the market, it was a bit polarizing as the highly anticipated expression dazzled fans of the brand but came off a bit hot to those unaccustomed to its particular brand of bold flavors. In the intervening years, Old Forester has continued dialing in the flavor profile, establishing this bottle as a robust barrel-proof option to separate itself from its tamer offerings. The hair on your chest will hate to see this one coming, but your palate will welcome it heartily.
Often overlooked in the Old Forester single-barrel program, this 100-proof alternative to Old Forester’s barrel-proof single barrels has flown under the radar. As the original entry in the brand’s single-barrel portfolio continues to be of great value, contrary to rumors, Old Forester will continue to offer them to single-barrel customers.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The aromas on this Old Forester Single Barrel are wild, with caramel corn, clover honey, and cherry fruit leather joining a splash of vanilla extract. After a few waves of the hand, some flaky pastry and lemon custard notes come out.
Palate: On the palate, this pour leads with cherry fruit leather and clover honey, but those notes are more restrained than they initially seemed on the nose. Instead, they clear the way for vanilla ice cream and pie crust to claim the midpalate while a light dusting of nutmeg and a flourish of black pepper emerge as it transitions to the back of the palate. The texture is mouth-coating but spry, allowing enough room for the flavors to find their footing without becoming an attraction unto itself.
Finish: The medium-length finish is marked by the addition of some clove spice, while a bit of caramel corn and soft oak tones round out the affair with a gently sweet kiss.
Bottom Line:
While Old Forester’s barrel-proof single-barrel bourbon gets a lot of love for being a full-bodied flavor explosion, the 100-proof single barrels are even more deserving of praise. What they lack in proofy boldness, they more than make up for in well-rounded flavor. The fact that they tend to be more affordable only adds to their attractiveness.
Old Forester’s 117 Series was initially launched in the spring of 2021 to showcase some of the distillery’s most exclusive whiskey. For the latest iteration in the series, they’ve taken barrels that held rum for at least four years and used them to finish the base bourbon for approximately six months.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Banana hard candy Runtz is the first aroma to greet the nose, immediately transporting you back to childhood in the best way possible. Butterscotch, cocktail cherries, and rosemary soon rise in prominence, along with black pepper and palo santo sticks.
Palate: A slick viscousness that coats the entirety of your palate stands out the most at first. The fun begins as a touch of milk chocolate and a ton of cocktail cherry, bruised peach, and overripe banana flavors cascade over your tongue. The tip of the tongue has a bit of creme brulee sweetness and dark chocolate, and that palo santo aroma from the nose finally hits the palate and builds a bridge between the tip of the tongue and the back of the throat. Repeated sips make the overripe banana quality more like banana bread with some sweet baked notes hanging out at the back.
Finish: The 117 Series’ Rum Finished Bourbon has a lengthy finish marked by that tongue-coating texture. The length of the finish is nice, albeit a bit cloyingly sweet, which is its only knock. The flavors are all tasty, but it could use a bit more spice to curtail the sweetness, and a shorter finish would serve it well in this regard.
Bottom Line:
Old Forester’s 117 Series: Rum Finish is a delightful display of the delicate balance finishing casks can exert on American whiskey. While the rum is evident, particularly in the banana-forward flavors that this expression exudes, it is moderate for much of the sipping experience. While it goes a hair too far on the finish, that does little to detract from what is an incredibly tasty bottle.
Launched in spring 2024, Old Forester 1924 is the newest entry in the brand’s Whiskey Row Series and the first to feature an age statement, having matured for at least ten years before being bottled at 100 proof. This more mature whiskey uses the same mash bill as other Brown-Forman bourbon expressions like Early Times.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose on this whiskey always stands out for its considerable richness, making it a pleasure to sit with. Full of ripe plums, honey, and buttery pie crust aromas, this bourbon can stop you in your tracks. It’s that good. Turn the whiskey over in the glass a few times, and you’ll pick up black cherry, leather, and polished oak notes.
Palate: On the palate, those notes of black cherry take the reins, providing a juicy sweetness that pairs well with a touch of oiled leather. At 50% ABV, I refuse to apologize to proof hounds because this is perfectly proofed whiskey. As the viscousness coats your palate, the flavors you get from 10+ years in a barrel are on full display without ever becoming overaked.
Finish: As this pour comes to a close, some signs of hyper-aging begin to infringe on the experience. The whiskey becomes a bit drying, and the length needs to be longer, considering how rich the flavors are.
Bottom Line:
Despite some polarizing initial reactions to this expression when it was first released (with most of the ire reserved for its triple-digit price point), Old Forester 1924 is thus far standing the test of time as an exceptional bourbon in a rock solid core lineup. It may come as a surprise that it was able to outpace some more limited releases in this taste test, but you can’t ignore the results. 1924 is here to stay.
Old Forester President’s Choice, quiet as it’s kept, was America’s first single-barrel bourbon. The expression has roots that can be traced back to the mid-century and got its name because the barrels that went into this expression were hand-selected by Old Forester’s President. Old Forester President’s Choice is always bottled at full cask strength, and for one last note, this particular single barrel was selected by the Bourbon Crusaders to benefit charity.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Right off the bat, the air above the glass becomes thick with the aroma of maple candy, deep caramel, and freshly baked brownies. Take a second pass at the glass and you’ll pick out additional scents of black cherry, sandalwood, and clove while some fresh vanilla pods round out the initial nosing experience.
Palate: Brownie bits and black cherry hit the palate at first, almost as though you took a big bite into a corner piece of a brownie, then started chewing on a fresh cherry sitting nearby. It tumbles over the tongue with the restrained presence of proof, just enough to let you know that this is bourbon but not so much that you get hung up on it. The texture is full-bodied and silky, and it hangs out on the back palate with a touch of leather, mature oak, and barbeque sauce, coating your tongue from back to front. Overall, it skews sweet but darkly so, and the earthiness of the vanilla pod and crispy brownie edges help keep the sweetness in check.
Finish: The medium-to-long finish is marked by a bit of smokiness, again reminiscent of almost-burnt brownie corners, black cherry flavor, and sweet oak tones.
Bottom Line:
Does this really come as any surprise? Old Forester President’s Choice is a stunning bourbon that stands alone, separating itself from the rest of the brand’s lineup and, indeed, from the vast majority of whiskey on the market. President’s Choice belongs in a class with some of the most coveted bourbon on the planet, and that’s why this decadently delicious bottle is the best whiskey in Old Forester’s lineup.
The world of mezcal is endlessly exciting. As Uproxx’s resident tequila writer, I’m deeply invested and interested in that agave spirit, but with that level of familiarity comes a lot of expectation. I’m always excited to try new bottles, but I know what I’m getting myself into. Don’t get be wrong, tequila can have all sorts of nuances and complexities, but at the end of the day all tequila is made from blue weber agave, which has a distinct and easily identifiable flavor.
With mezcal, I’m continually surprised by how varied this spirit can taste. It’s literally all over the map.
Yes, mezcal is much smokier than tequila and it’s the tasting note most commonly associated with the spirit, but mezcal can be so many other things. I’ve had juicy and fruity varieties, savory mezcals, floral and delicate mezcals, and mezcals that come across as even more vegetal than tequila does.
That makes doing a mezcal taste test a lot of fun, and a blind taste test even more fun, so let’s do it!
Methodology
While I’m pretty familiar with the complexities of mezcal as well as most of the “big brands,” I haven’t exactly nailed the perfect entry-level price point. For tequila, I have — you can get a truly great bottle for under $40. But when it comes to mezcal, I’m not as sure about that price point. So for this taste test we rounded up eight bottles all between $30 and $80 to get a sense of where that sweet spot lies.
We pulled eight bottles and I tasted each in an unmarked glass at random, jotting down taste notes and first impressions. Here are the results.
Part 1: The Blind Mezcal Taste Test
Taste 1:
Dane Rivera
Nose: Very earth on the nose, with a hint of chili, cooked agave, and some green apple skin.
Palate: High minerality, with a bit of a wet stone and leather flavor, backed with some juicy and refreshing cucumber.
Finish: Creamy and smooth with a wet leather aftertaste and some light smoke.
Taste 2:
Dane Rivera
Nose: There is an Earth and clay vibe here, with a bit of cocoa, crushed agave, and bell pepper.
Palate: Dried herbs and black pepper, with some juicy mango notes, caramel, and a gentle hint of spice.
Finish: I’m getting a lot of mesquite. Smooth with a charred wood quality.
Taste 3:
Dane Rivera
Nose: I’m getting a medley of citrus fruits like orange and grapefruit backed by lavender.
Palate: A balance of floral honey and sugared blueberries with a bit of charred wood.
Finish: Tobacco leaves dipped in butter dominate the finish, with a bit of ash on the aftertaste.
Taste 4:
Dane Rivera
Nose: Creamy fermented yogurt on the nose, with a bit of green grass, and roasted chilis.
Palate: High minerality with a mix of pepper, roasted coffee beans, and cilantro.
Finish: Very bitter on the finish with a mix of leather and smoked meat.
Taste 5:
Dane Rivera
Nose: Faint smoke, roasted agave, walnut, and citrus.
Palate: Surprisingly fruity and vegetal, I’m tasting mint, fresh rosemary, and charred pineapple.
Finish: A light smoke on the finish and some lingering spice that sticks to the tongue.
Taste 6:
Dane Rivera
Nose: A mix of wet stone, almond, bitter cocoa, and pepper.
Palate: There is a pronounced pine herbaceousness here with a mix of lemon peel, plum, and fresh, raw agave.
Finish: Floral and smooth with some smoked wood on the aftertaste. Overall, this mezcal really took me on a journey from nose, to palate, to finish.
Taste 7:
Dane Rivera
Nose: A lot of honey on the nose mixed with sweetened agave syrup and caramel.
Palate: Soft, delicate and fruity. I’m tasting juicy pineapple mixed with vanilla.
Finish: Dry with a light pleasing smokiness.
Taste 8:
Nose: Sweet milk chocolate on the nose backed by wet soil.
Palate: I’m getting orange zest with a chili de arbol dryness and a bit of crispy Asian pear sweetness.
Finish: Soft and floral with a bit of gentle heat that builds on the tongue.
Mezcal Unión is one of the biggest most present brands in all of Mezcal right now, and that’s probably because it’s produced by spirit super producer Diageo, which distributes whisky, gin, vodka, rum, and tequila.
This mezcal is made from a blend of espadìn and cirial agave that is harvested between 8 and 14 years of maturity. Whole distributed by Diageo, Unión is produced by a collection of different producer families who have been crafting mezcal for generations.
The Bottom Line:
A fruity and vegetal mezcal that has a very light smokey finish. A great starter mezcal.
7. Mezcalum — Mezcal Artesanal Espadín and Cuishe(Taste 7)
Mezcalum’s whole vibe seems to be about all-natural purity. The brand proudly proclaims that it consists of zero carbs (goes without saying we think), zero sugar, zero additives, and is made from non-GMO agave.
The mezcal is made from a blend of espadin and cuishe agave grown wild in arid regions of the Oaxacan Central Valley, harvested at 6-12 years of maturity, and crafted under the supervision of Maestro Mezcalero Carlos Mendez Blas. I think this mezcal is a great starting point for people interested in the spirit, but it failed to make a lasting impression on me.
Definitely seems like an option that would excel as a cocktail base, rather than a sipper.
The Bottom Line:
Floral, delicate, and fruity, with a light smoke element that makes this another bigger friendly bottle.
Illegal is an award-winning (Double Platinum at the ASCoT awards) small-batch mezcal crafted by four-generation mezcaleros. It is made from espadín agave from the Santiago Matatlan valley of Oaxaca and is made additive-free with no artificial colors or flavors.
The focus on espadín gives this mezcal a sweet and citrusy quality, so if you’re averse to the smokier aspects of mezcal, you might want to start here.
The Bottom Line:
Naturally sweet with rich chocolate notes and a spicy finish.
Ojo de Tigre is a joven mezcal made from a mix of espadín agave from Oaxaca and Tobalá agave from Puebla that is harvested at 7 years maturity, cooked slow in Earthen ovens, distilled in copper pots, and blended together to create a smooth yet spicy mezcal.
I really love the heat on this one, of the more affordable bottles, it was easily my favorite.
The Bottom Line:
Spicy, with a lot of minerality and a smooth finish. The way the heat builds on the tongue is addicting and makes this an interesting base for a mezcal cocktail.
Del Maguey Vida’s Vida de Muertos is a special 45 ABV apin on its Vida Clásico mezcal that packs a stronger kick and a more pronounced flavor. The mezcal is inspired by the annual mezcal distilled in the village of San Luis Del Rio during the Día de los Muertos season and is made from espadín agave that is roasted in underground ovens, naturally fermented and twice distilled in wood-fired copper stills.
It’s dusty, spikey, smokey, and full of character. Another great expression from a brand that never misses.
The Bottom Line:
Bitter, smokey, and leathery in the best way. There is a pronounced dryness and a complex character that is distinct enough to be anyone’s favorite.
Paquera is a brand I’ve become quite familiar with, it’s one of my go-to mezcal brands thanks to its complex and fruity flavor. The mezcal is made from espadin agave harvested at 7 years maturity and is slow cooked in a conical Earthen oven with mesquite wood for six days, tahona crushed, fermented in wood barrels, and twice distilled in copper pots.
The Bottom Line:
Fruity, rich, and wonderfully smokey. A real solid choice for slow sipping and mixing alike.
At nearly $100 Fosforo is by far the most expensive bottle in this taste test, but we wanted a really expensive ringer in there to see how the more budget brands stacked up. It shouldn’t surprise anyone that a mezcal this expensive nearly took the top spot, there is a lot of flavor here and a lot for your palate to explore.
The tobala agave used in this bottle of Fosforo spends 5-8 days buried in an underground fire pit and is fermented in large wooden vats for ten days to two weeks before being twice distilled through a copper pot over a 24-hour period. The tequila is then bottle immediately, unaged and pure.
The Bottom Line:
Lots of mesquite charred wood complexity. If you’re looking for a natural smokey finish, it doesn’t get better than this.
I hate that such an expensive mezcal took the top spot in this blind taste test, but I think if this blind taste test showed us anything it’s that as mezcal gets more expensive, it tends to taste more complex, and interesting. That might seem obvious, but it’s not always the case with something like tequila.
Zomoz really impressed me the flavor took my taste buds on a journey, making it a true joy to explore. This mezcal hails from Santiago Matatlán, Oaxaca. It is made from organically grown espadín and spring water, cooked in wood-roasted stone ovens, tahona crushed, fermented in open-air pine tinas, and twice distilled in copper pot stills.
The Bottom Line:
Floral, smooth, smokey, herbaceous and earthy. Zomoz provides a true journey for the palate. If you want a glimpse of what makes the world of mezcal so exciting, start here.
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