Alas, said rumors turned out to be bunk. According to a spokesperson for Cowboy Carter, “Beyoncé was never scheduled to be there. The report of a performance is untrue.” Naturally, fans are being very chill about this online… if by “chill,” you mean questioning whether the rumor was a bait-and-switch to get them to watch Harris’ speech as she accepted the Democratic Party’s nomination for Presidential candidate. There were also some who posited that the rumor was planted by everyone from Pink, who showed up ahead of Harris’ speech, to the Democratic Party itself.
Good Evening, “DNC surprise Beyoncé” was a 7 hour sociological study conducted by the Democratic Party. We are now complete with our study. Thank you for your attention.
the dnc’s social media manger watching the taylor swift/beyoncé surprise appearance speculation tweets pour in while lin-manuel miranda warms up pic.twitter.com/CUo3l49LGk
— one dozen rats at a keyboard (@PanasonicDX4500) August 22, 2024
Of course, TMZ is certainly to blame for some of this, and that organization also offered a mea culpa on Twitter. But it wasn’t all bad; many of those who did tune in were very complimentary of Harris’ speech, and some have already set their sights on another potential date for a Beyoncé appearance: at Kamala’s potential inauguration day in 2025 should she manage to beat Donald Trump at the polls in November.
Here’s the thing. She didn’t need Beyoncé. She didn’t need Taylor. Tonight there is no bigger superstar in the world than KAMALA HARRIS! pic.twitter.com/VkgjbzKVgl
No one’s not voting for Kamala because Beyonce or Taylor or whoever didn’t show up tonight, but I’ll bet a fair few folks watched because of the rumors and may come away as voters after this speech. #DNC2024pic.twitter.com/k9iKp08SFJ
She was the star tonight. She was like Muhammad Ali with that speech. She just kept throwing punches. Perfect pace. Perfect pitch. And even perfect personality.
Wearing my communications/marketing guru hat- I can understand why Beyoncé was NOT there tonight. The story tomorrow needs to be the VP and only the VP. She didn’t need a Beyoncé to draw attention. We’ll save that for celebrating at the inauguration. Bey will DEF be there.
Seeing the words “Just Do It” in such close proximity to the name Jaylen Brown might make you think Nike is somehow getting involved with the Celtics guard — aside from allegedly keeping him off Team USA, that is. But no, it’s actually the title of Brown’s first-ever rap single, which features former ASAP Mob member FERG, a smooth, laid-back beat, and some astute wordplay from the Adidas athlete.
The video for the new song opens with Brown sitting alone in a hotel, watching the 24-hour news cycle speculate about his supposed feud with the almighty Swoosh. The song starts, but is quickly interrupted by the arrival of FERG, who offers some criticism and something in a briefcase that’s “guaranteed to shift your energy.” It turns out to be some sort of tech wearable which Brown dons after some initial protests (“why is it glowing?”), changing the video from black-and-white to vivid color. The two entertainers then hit the town, getting Jaylen to shake off his funk.
As far as NBA rappers go, Brown turns out to be solid, although far less electrifying than he is on-court — or even in, say, a championship parade (what’s up with hooper-rappers all using that same ultra monotone flow… let’s hear some emotion, fellas! Look at how Flau’jae does it!).
You can check out Jaylen’s on the mic talent for yourself above.
Cash Cobain has risen to stardom on the wave of his pioneering production style of pairing sexy samples with compelling drill rhythms. His newly released debut album, Play Cash Cobain, is laden with the sound, and one of the best examples is his standout focus track, “Act Like.” As its title suggests, it’s an inquisitive plea to a lover, based on a sample of R&B star Tyrese Gibson’s 2002 hit “How You Gonna Act Like That.”
“How You Gonna Act Like That” was a smash in its own right, peaking at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, powered by production from The Underdogs, which consisted of Damon Thomas and Harvey Mason Jr., the latter of whom is now better known as the CEO of the Recording Academy.
Cash Cobain’s rollout for the album has been about as slick as his sampling technique, consisting of the runaway success of his breakout single “Fisherrr” with Bay Swag and its Ice Spice-featuring remix, as well as a remix of Laila!’s standout TikTok favorite single “Not My Problem” featuring seemingly every rising rapper from New York alongside a bunch of blog rap faves. Cobain is currently supporting Ice Spice on her Y2K! tour, and likely enjoying the success of his debut album.
You can listen to Cash Cobain’s new single “Act Like” below, and watch the video above Friday at 9 am PT/12 pm ET.
Play Cash Cobain is out now via Giant Music. You can check it out here.
In June, singer-songwriter Mk.gee announced a string of new North American dates as part of his upcoming world tour, after completing his initial swing through the States in May. While on that tour, he previewed a new song for fans that wasn’t on his debut studio album, Two Star & The Dream Police, called “Lonely Fight.” Today, he’s finally given that song an official release, allowing fans who learned the lyrics on the tour the chance to download and stream it in full.
Two Star & The Dream Police has become a bit of a sensation among fans of alt-indie pop, generating near-universal acclaim among critics and an enthusiastic response among fans, who sold out the first run of tour dates and have done so on many of Mk.gee’s upcoming dates already, even with increased venue sizes this time around. Mk.gee’s tour will also hit the UK, Europe, and Australia, running through the end of 2024. You can find more information here.
You can listen to “Lonely Fight” above. Check out Mk.gee’s upcoming tour dates below.
Mk.gee’s 2024 World Tour Dates
North America
09/02 — Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom
09/03 — Seattle, WA @ Showbox SoDo
09/06 — Oakland, CA @ Fox Theatre
09/07 — Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Palladium
09/09 — San Diego, CA @ Observatory North Park
09/11 — Denver, CO @ Summit
09/13 — Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall
09/14 — Austin, TX @ Emo’s
09/15 — Dallas, TX @ House of Blues Dallas
09/18 — Atlanta, GA @ Tabernacle
09/19 — Louisville, KY @ Mercury Ballroom
09/20 — Nashville, TN @ Marathon Music Works
09/21 — Newport, KY @ MegaCorp Pavilion
09/23 — Silver Spring, MD @ The Fillmore Silver Spring
09/24 — New Haven, CT @ Toad’s Place
09/26 — Boston, MA @ Citizens House of Blues Boston
09/28 — Philadelphia, PA @ Franklin Music Hall
09/29 — Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Paramount
10/01 — Toronto, ON @ HISTORY
10/02 — Detroit, MI @ St Andrew’s Hall
10/03 — Chicago, IL @ The Vic Theatre
10/05 – Minneapolis, MN @ Uptown Theater
UK & Europe
10/31 — London, UK @ Electric Brixton
11/02 — Paris, FR @ Elysee Montmarte
11/04 — Berlin, DE @ Betonhalle
11/05 — Amsterdam, NL @ Paradiso
Australia
12/03 — Brisbane, QLD @ The Triffid
12/05 — Sydney, NSW @ Metro Theatre
12/07 — Melbourne, VIC @ Max Watts
Jessie Reyez has always flirted with hip-hop in her genre-defying music, but her last two singles have made the connection much more explicit — in every connotation implied. In May, she released her first solo single of 2024, “Shut Up,” with a Big Sean feature that complemented the song’s boisterous, boastful tone. Today, she’s released her second single, “Ridin’,” reaching out to Lil Wayne to add his signature slick innuendo to her sensual new track, which threads the gap between alt-rock, hip-hop, and R&B with lusty lyricism and passionate, pining delivery.
In addition to these two songs — which certainly seem to suggest a new album announcement sometime in the near future — Jessie also contributed a song to the soundtrack for Zack Snyder’s Netflix sci-fi space opera/Star Wars send-up, Rebel Moon, alongside Tokischa, Uproxx cover stars Aespa, and South African EDM superstar Black Coffee.
A new album from Reyez would certainly be timely; her last album, Yessie, was released in 2022, just two years after her debut, Before Love Came To Kill Us. That’s a one hot album every two-year average, as the man once said, so it’s probably about time for Jessie to drop a follow-up.
You can watch the video for “Ridin’” with Lil Wayne above beginning at 9 am PT/12 pm ET.
Lil Yachty and Karrahbooo have seemingly been on the outs since she seemingly split from the Concrete Boys group just a few months after its official inception earlier this year. While Yachty confirmed the split in July, he was initially reluctant to go into details. That seems to have changed after Karrahbooo allegedly complained to a fan about her treatment within the group, prompting Yachty to share his side of the story, accusing the younger rapper of being verbally abusive to crew members.
“Go ahead and tell people how you talk to people,” Yachty said during an Instagram Live stream. “How you tell my security guard, ‘You homeless?’… You talk to people like they’re nothing! You talk to people like they’re small, like they’re beneath you. Tell people how you verbally abuse people.” Yachty also revealed that he wrote many of Karrahbooo’s verses and claimed that he signed her from a waitressing job to giving her money, jewelry, and a career.
A fan who met KARRAHBOOO claims she said she was “kicked out” of Concrete Boys and bullied within the group pic.twitter.com/NDmuYN467Q
The Atlanta native’s comments are a far cry from when he said, “I don’t have anything bad to say. Or anything good to say. We just split, and I wish the Kar[rahbooo] in her career.”
Welcome to SNX DLX, your weekly roundup of the best sneakers to hit the internet. This summer has been a strange one. Generally, summers are a strong time for sneaker drops, but since July things have been a bit off and on. Luckily for all of us, as we slowly crawl towards autumn things are starting to heat up again.
We’re not quite there yet, but we’re seeing signs of the year’s big comeback. This week sneakerheads will be blessed with a short and sweet drop list that is packing some heavy hitters.
We’re talking about a new luxury Jordan drop from one of our favorite streetwear brands, A Ma Maniére, the latest from CLOT’s Edison Chen and Adidas, and one of the most interesting Kobe drops of the whole year. Let’s dive in, but spend wisely, but next week is going to pack a bigger punch.
A Ma Maniére x Women’s Air Jordan 3 Retro While You Were Sleeping
A Ma Maniére has proven itself as the most vital Jordan collaborator this decade. The Atlanta-based streetwear boutique consistently drops fire, but this year the brand has been a bit on the quiet side. That changes this week with one of the brand’s finest drops to date, the Air Jordan 3 While You Were Sleeping.
Dubbed the “W.Y.W.S” for short, this sneaker features a luxurious fine-grain leather upper with a mix of black, charcoal, and off-white colors. Rounding out the design is an embroidered Jumpman logo on the right shoe and A Ma Maniére’s “A” logo on the left.
If you like your Jordans on the luxurious side, it doesn’t get much better than this.
The A Ma Maniére x Women’s Air Jordan 3 Retro While You Were Sleeping is out now for a retail price of $225. Pick up a pair at A Ma Maniére or aftermarket sites like GOAT and Flight Club.
You can always count on Edison Chen to radically revamp an Adidas classic. This year, that’s practically been the Hong Kong-based designer’s trademark, and his new take o Gazelle has us pretty hyped this week.
The new iteration of the old classic swaps out the suede build for a textural textile upper with leather details and a matching lining. The small details really stand out in this design, like the mosaic three-stripes, the exposed stitching, the hints of blue on the ends of the laces.
It’s simple, harmonious, and radically reimagines something great without totally ruining it. That’s a hard balance to strike but one Chen has a masterful control of.
The Adidas CLOT Gazelle By Edison Chen is out now for a retail price of $160. Pick up a pair via the Adidas CONFIRMED app.
Clean, sleek, and retro, that’s how I’d describe the New Balance 1000 Sea Salt with Heron Blue. Usually, we’re most hyped over the Made in USA or Made in UK NB offerings, but week we’re getting something good out of New Balance’s non-premium line, which mean this sneaker is a steal!
The 1000 features a mesh upper with leather overlays, embroidered details, reflective accents, and ABZORB cushioning.
The New Balance 1000 Sea Salt with Heron Blue is out now for a retail price of $149.99. Pick up a pair at New Balance.
This sneaker… if you want to call it that, is kind of crazy. It’s a clog, which in 2024 isn’t that out of the ordinary what with Crocs and Salehe Bembury, but when this first dropped in the early 2000s, there was nothing like it. So its cool that a sneaker that was ahead of its time is finally getting a refresh, and looking better than ever.
The Clogposite features a molded upper made from breathable textile material with a chrome and black finish and an icy, cool midsole. It looks straight out of a Missy Elliot video, and we love it for that.
The Nike Clogposite Chrome and Black is set to drop on August 22nd at 7:00 AM PST for a retail price of $140. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app.
Love the Kobe Protro but wish they offered more high-top silhouettes? The Kobe 9 Elite High Protro Halo is just that. The sneaker features a lightweight Flyknit upper in all white over a Nike React midsole, offering performance-focused court responsiveness. A small textured black panel rests at the heel offering a nice splash of contrast that really pops against the white backdrop.
As the name would suggest, this sneaker is part of the Halo series, an annual special drop released in honor of the late player’s birthday. A true gem for Kobe fans.
The Nike Kobe 9 Elite High Protro Halo is set to drop on August 23rd at 7:00 AM PST for a retail price of $240. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app or aftermarket sites like GOAT and Flight Club.
Closing out the week is the Air Jordan 4 White Thunder. I don’t know how to feel about this drop, on the one hand, it’s a dope stealthy Jordan 4 in a classic black and white colorway. On the other hand, it feels like we’ve seen this before countless times.
So while I can’t deny that this shoe, with its nubuck leather upper in black and bright white accents, looks great, it’s hard to be excited about it. Does a shoe need hype for it to be a worthwhile release? Probably not. At the end of the day, this is a great-looking shoe, and that’s all that matters.
NikeNike
The Nike Air Jordan 4 White Thunder is set to drop on August 24th at 7:00 AM PST for a retail price of $215. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app or aftermarket sites like GOAT and Flight Club.
Disclaimer: While all of the products recommended here were chosen independently by our editorial staff, Uproxx may receive payment to direct readers to certain retail vendors who are offering these products for purchase.
The 2024 Democratic National Convention is turning out to be quite historic, as Kamala Harris has officially been named the first-ever woman of either Black or Asian heritage to be nominated the official Presidential candidate of the Democratic Party. What’s more, this year’s DNC has had guests reflective of the optimism inspired by her nomination, with Lil Jon putting in an appearance, Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” receiving play, and reportedly, even Beyoncé preparing to put in a performance. After bringing on Megan Thee Stallion, Charli XCX, and using Beyoncé’s “Freedom” in a campaign ad, Harris’ play for the Presidency is getting a co-sign from the Queen of the Renaissance herself, according to TMZ.
Per TMZ’s sources, Beyoncé is in Chicago, where the convention is being held, and law enforcement has been placed on “high alert” as Chicago Police Department has been assigned to security for the DNC. Some delegates in attendance are even dressed up in Cowboy Carter-styled attire, just in case Bey shows up — and it’s fair to think that they might have some insider information on that count. As for what song she’ll perform, if any… The smart money is obviously on “Freedom,” which has soundtracked the Harris campaign to date. Stay tuned.
In June, Coldplay kicked off the rollout for their tenth studio album, Moon Music, with the single “Feels Like I’m Falling In Love,” signaling the evolution of their ongoing Music Of The Spheres project. Today, they kept the ball rolling — pun intended — with another new single.
“We Pray” is an operatic, epic-sounding anthem that finds Coldplay and guest artists Little Simz and Burna Boy reflecting on their hopes for the future and fears of the present, manifesting greatness amid adversity. Palestinian-Chilean musician Elyanna and Argentine singer Tini also make vocal appearances, and are spotlighted with individual versions of the track among five different versions released today.
All five versions of “We Pray” are available on the 12″ vinyl single, including an exclusive “Live At Glastonbury” recording which can only be found on the vinyl. Each LP is also made from 100% recycled plastic bottles — nine per record — addressing complaints of wasteful practices in the recording industry with a sustainable alternative.
There are many delicious, critically acclaimed bourbons at the ten-year mark. But “many” doesn’t really get you far. The big question is: which is the best?
You might find yourself asking that while you look up and down the liquor aisle for your next bourbon purchase, especially as you stare down bottles like Russell’s Reserve 10-Year, Widow Jane, and, if you’re really lucky bottles like Michter’s 10-Year Single Barrel Bourbon or Buffalo Trace’s highly-sought Old Rip Van Winkle.
To investigate that ourselves, we blind-tasted and ranked 15 of the best 10-year-old bourbons at every price point to determine how each performs. This list includes everyday options and allocated offerings. Because while availability may be a concern in your market, we’re trying to give you a definitive answer regarding “who’s best?”
After ten years of maturation, some brands drastically proof-down their whiskey to optimize the quality, increase the yield, or increase its mass appeal. Others prefer to leave the liquid undiluted and present it at cask strength to offer consumers the most undisturbed experience of straight-from-the-barrel bourbon. Both lines of thinking have their merits, but we wanted to find out how those different philosophies fare against one another. Is all cask-strength, all the time, indeed the best way to go? Or can a brand’s blending artisanship really elevate barrels, even when diluted?
Our definitive answer is below, and the results may surprise you! Keep reading to discover how the absolute best 10-year bourbons available in 2024 shake out.
Basil Hayden’s recently redesigned 10-year expression is made with a mash bill of 63% Corn, 27% Rye, and 10% Malted Barley, the high-rye recipe Jim Beam also uses for its Old Grand Dad lineup.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The aroma of pears, Cracker Jacks, vanilla, and oak are all distinct, albeit slightly conservative, on this whiskey’s nose. The aromas are there; they’re just a bit on the restrained side due to Basil Hayden’s mild proof point.
Palate: Once on the palate, this whiskey continues carrying clear, well-defined flavors that only suffer from being muted. That means vanilla, a touch of peanut shells, honey, and youthful oak tones. The lean mouthfeel allows you to chew and enjoy the minimalistic flavor palette comfortably.
Finish: The brief finish on Basil Hayden’s 10-Year bourbon has the faintest indication of nutmeg and black pepper, but the sweet vanilla tone lasts the longest.
Bottom Line:
Basil Hayden’s standard bourbon is a middle-of-the-road crowd-pleaser that has become quite the favorite among newcomers. This 10-year-old version does ever-so-slightly enrich those quotidian flavors, but this whiskey is generally too washed out (and too pricey) to justify.
Eagle Rare is one of Buffalo Trace’s many sought-after mid-shelf offerings. Aged for at least ten years, this bourbon is essentially a single-barrel version of Buffalo Trace Bourbon, with the primary difference being that the two brands are hand-selected to cater to slightly different tastes despite the fact they have the same mash bill.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The distinct aroma of a caramelized orange wheel joins mature oak, faint cherry notes, and vanilla frosting as the marquee players here. Because Eagle Rare is essentially a single-barrel product, your mileage may vary, but you can almost invariably expect that prototypical cherry aroma to be present with this expression.
Palate: Flavors like cherry syrup, mellow oak, and some vanilla extract are burrowed in this bourbon and reticent to greet your taste buds. The modest proof point might be the culprit here (and, again, with single-barrel bourbon, some variance in quality is to be expected), but the flavors on the palate are surprisingly restrained and a tad bit muddled, making this one a chore to tease apart. While it’s inoffensive, it could certainly benefit from being on offense a bit more. This one is just…dull.
Finish: The finish here is brief, with dilute cherry syrup notes and vanilla pudding bringing a close to the show.
Bottom Line:
Eagle Rare Bourbon is one that I generally love despite having both fantastic and exceedingly forgettable experiences with it. Sadly, this particular bottle is firmly in the latter camp. While it used to be a favorite at $30, you should be aware that you’re increasingly likely to see it on shelves for more than $60, and with its inconsistency, it can be a bit of a risk.
Old Bones is a budding non-distilling producer that’s using Kentucky-made bourbon for this high-rye bourbon offering. The mash bill for this one is 75% Corn, 15% Rye, and 10% Malted Barley.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose opens with a sugary blast that quickly recedes, allowing oak, sticky toffee, and a slight artificial caramel syrup note to take the lead. Despite all of those sweet notes standing out, the bourbon itself has an earthy body with oak resin, black pepper, and bitter chocolate also present.
Palate: On the palate, those sweet notes seize control of the flavor wheel, with the caramel notes becoming richer and rich oak tones coming in to curb them from cloying. The whiskey has a nice, stern body with a substantive mouthfeel that feels a bit more expansive than the flavor profile, making chewing it and exploring the texture just as enjoyable as the flavors you’ll find.
Finish: The finish features a flourish of freshly cracked black pepper, the dark sweetness of toffee, and a touch of tobacco leaf — all of which have great staying power.
Bottom Line:
Old Bones is perhaps the least-known producer on this list, but Backbone Bourbon Company is quickly raising its profile thanks to its strong collection of rye and more aged bourbons. If this 10-year-old bourbon is your first time encountering the nascent brand’s product portfolio, you shouldn’t blush at the price point — this is one you’ll surely enjoy.
Bulleit is now one of the most established bourbon brands on the market thanks to its crowd-pleasing approach to whiskey production and appealing packaging. For this 10-year-old version of its standard bourbon, Bulleit ever-so-slightly dials up the proof and blends barrels on the more aged side of the decade mark.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: On the nose, this one begins floral with some rosewater, torched lime wheel, and caramel aromas wafting from the glass. From there, you’ll pick up hints of nutmeg, red chili powder, and oak.
Palate: On the palate, those first two notes of rosewater and torched lime wheels make the initial approach with a bit of caramelized sugar and caramel, providing richness and depth. After swirling it around in the mouth, this bourbon becomes a bit darker and sweeter, with cooked apples and butterscotch emerging alongside the oak tones from the nose and a splash of red pepper.
Finish: The finish features even more red pepper, quickly curtailed by caramel and a melange of citrus, almonds, and red berries. While it’s a lengthy finish, it does turn a bit tannic and drying like black tea, left to steep too long.
Bottom Line:
With this 10-year-old version, Bulleit manages to put together an exceedingly enjoyable bourbon that offers richer, darker flavors than their flagship product while still maintaining the wallet-friendly price point that makes their high-quality portfolio of offerings so appealing in the first place. There are better 10-year-old bourbons, but few can match Bulleit’s combination of quality and affordability.
11. Henry McKenna Bottled In Bond Single Barrel Bourbon
Henry McKenna is Heaven Hill Distillery’s critically acclaimed 10-year-old single-barrel bourbon. Due to that critical acclaim, this expression has become far less readily available (and more high-priced), but it remains a stellar value in the Heaven Hill portfolio.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose begins with nail polish that soon cedes the way for cherry syrup, leather, rich oak, and honey-roasted almond aromas. It’s unbalanced, but it is still enjoyable.
Palate: On the palate, those first three notes from the nose make a solid initial impression as the nail polish/cherry syrup vibe strikes your palate before turning into more of a leather-inflected cherrywood note. It begins texturally robust but gradually thins out as the liquid unfurls over your palate and finds the edges of your tongue with a last gasp of caramel and faint smokiness before transitioning into the finish.
Finish: The finish is medium-length, but it’s here where the black cherry flavor finally plants its flag and welcomes even more dense oak and barrel char notes on the back end, allowing this bourbon to stick the landing.
Bottom Line:
As you know, dear reader, Henry McKenna Bottled in Bond, as a single-barrel expression, can offer a wide array of different flavors depending on which barrel your bottle is from, and this one falls in the middle of the range. Finding barrels that are this good from a brand notoriously known to be inconsistent is a treat, but the prospect of finding even better ones will keep you on the hunt.
Since its debut in 2001, this bottle has been often considered one of the most classic bourbons on the market, especially given its ubiquity and price point. Russell’s Reserve 10-Year Bourbon is the flagship of Wild Turkey’s Russell’s Reserve lineup.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose on Russell’s Reserve 10-Year-Old Bourbon contains a cornucopia of vanilla ice cream, flaky pastry notes, and the aroma of brioche buns. Those notes are joined by salted caramel, mature oak, and fresh nutmeg.
Palate: On the palate, this bourbon is earthy, with toasted walnuts, apple leather, and mature oak making the initial impression. Once you take a second sip, those notes only grow, with the dense oak and walnut flavors outpacing the reserved fruitiness as clove and cinnamon grow in prominence. The mouthfeel is unremarkable, but it carries all of those earthy flavors without being overly slick or distracting.
Finish: The finish on Russell’s Reserve 10-Year-Bourbon has vanilla pods, cardamom, and a fruity blend of red apple skin with ripe oranges. It has a medium length that’s surprisingly pleasant and drifts off of your palate just before the oak tones have a chance to dry out your mouth and diminish the experience.
Bottom Line:
Russell’s Reserve 10-Year Bourbon is a classic for a reason. With a flavor profile that screams “Kentucky bourbon” and a spice kick that Wild Turkey is well-regarded for, this is the whiskey above all others that strikes the best balance of affordability and availability while still delivering a high-quality tasting experience.
Jack Daniel’s 10-Year was the brand’s inaugural entry into its Age-Stated Series, followed soon thereafter by a 12-year-old offering. A fairly new series, this expression was first released in 2022.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Lavender-infused maple syrup, peanut chews, and black pepper with sage accent the air once this whiskey is poured into the glass. There’s also a subtle hint of Nestlé dark chocolate syrup.
Palate: The whiskey begins with a thin texture that gets increasingly oilier as it sits on your palate. The flavors are densely packed with plenty of honey candy, peanuts, sage, and allspice, and it all capably grips your palate, overcoming the initially lean mouthfeel.
Finish: The whiskey has a lingering finish with allspice and honey, plus a faint peanut shell flavor that sticks around on your palate for a while.
Bottom Line:
The line of demarcation between Jack Daniel’s 10-Year and Jack Daniel’s 12-Year is pretty well-defined: the latter is very much its own thing and a departure from the norm. The former is rock-solid Jack whiskey, amped-up with deeper flavors and an alluring finish that just won’t quit. While the 12 is a notch above it, this 10-year version will be right at home with those who already enjoy the flavor profile of Old No. 7.
8. Old Fitzgerald Bottled in Bond Decanter Series 10-Year Bourbon
The Old Fitzgerald Bottled-In-Bond Decanter Series, which began in the spring of 2018, has quietly grown to become one of the most sought-after biannual expressions on the bourbon calendar. For the Spring 2024 release, Old Fitzgerald decided to use 10-year-old wheated bourbon from their bonded stock.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Honey-roasted peanuts, well-charred wood, and cloves come tumbling out of the glass first, along with the aroma of black pepper spice. Overall, it’s pretty straightforward and has a well-developed depth.
Palate: The initial impression across the palate is full of cayenne and honey-roasted peanuts with moderate oak. The liquid itself is fairly austere, and the flavor profile matches. The taste of honey-roasted peanuts, cinnamon bark, and dilute caramel stand out as the most expressive.
Finish: The finish fades after some medium length and gently fades away with honey, charred red peppers, and Brazil nuts, leaving the most lasting impression.
Bottom Line:
Old Fitzgerald’s Decanter Series definitely sports one of the best-looking bottles on any whiskey shelf, but the biannual expression has also suffered from some variance in quality. For Spring 2024’s edition in the lineup, Heaven Hill essentially hit a double. This release puts them in the conversation with some of the better 10-year-old bourbons on the market, but thanks to its middle-of-the-road flavor profile, it doesn’t quite round the bases.
Rebel’s 10-year single-barrel bourbon is an expression marked by a winding history that saw it go from production at the famed Stitzel-Weller distillery as a locally distributed bargain brand to becoming a surprise hit thanks to a Billy Idol song, being sold to current owners Luxco, and being repackaged as a premium offering.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose opens with the aroma of snickerdoodle cookies, inviting caramel and vanilla tones, and some fudge to round out the sweeter notes. On the earthier side, there’s the scent of clove and turmeric, in addition to the faintest shake of freshly cracked black pepper.
Palate: Once in the mouth, caramel, the burnt citrus flavor of a torched orange wheel, and vanilla introduce the senses to this lush bourbon. The mouthfeel is full-bodied with almonds and white pepper found in spades, though it skews more heavily toward the sweet tones. This lovely, well-balanced whiskey rewards chewing as it unlocks further cinnamon bark and wheat funk notes.
Finish: For its final act, Rebel 10-Year Bourbon features rich oak, honey-roasted peanuts, and vanilla that hangs around with considerable staying power.
Bottom Line:
Rebel 10-Year Bourbon has long been rumored to feature whiskey in the blend that significantly exceeds its age statement and that speculation certainly passes the taste test. The liquid is a lush showcase of how depth can overcome the brevity of flavors to deliver a balanced and highly enjoyable bourbon, one of the more staid and consistent single-barrel ranges in all of American whiskey.
For their flagship 10-Year Bourbon, Widow Jane blends whiskey distillate from three different states in bespoke 5-barrel batches before proofing it down with mineral water from their Rosendale Mines in New York. The barrels from each blend hail from distilleries in Kentucky, Indiana, and Tennessee.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Widow Jane has a captivating nose of fresh cherries, orange oil, mature oak, and milk chocolate paired with more unique notes like waxy plums, coconuts, and pears.
Palate: Immediately, you’ll notice that this is a really rich whiskey that punches way above its modest proof point. That exceptional mouthfeel brings a complex web of all the notes above, with the red cherries, chocolate milk, and coconut aspects featuring most prominently across the palate while maple candy and cinnamon creep in more subtly.
Finish: Again defying its modest proof point is the finish, which lingers for quite a while, leaving mature oak and milk chocolate with a touch of plum on the palate, priming you for your next sip.
Bottom Line:
Widow Jane’s flagship expression might be under the radar for certain consumers who turn their noses up at bourbon produced outside of Kentucky. Still, having featured it in our “best non-Kentucky bourbons” round-up, you should know they’re making some seriously good stuff. If the price of some of their more premium expressions gives you pause, rest assured that this is a bottle that you’ll be glad you picked up.
As the latest expression in Old Forester’s popular Whiskey Row Series, 1924 hit the market with pretty big expectations earlier this year, exceeding every single one. This 10-year-old expression is the only age-stated release in Old Forester’s Whiskey Row Series and features a mash bill shared by another of Brown-Forman’s most beloved expressions: Early Times Bottled in Bond.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose on Old Forester 1924 is decadent with ripe plums, cinnamon bark, honey, and buttery pie crust aromas for an initial impression reminiscent of early autumn. Further black cherry, leather, and polished oak accents provide even greater depth and enjoyment.
Palate: Oiled leather and ripe black cherries greet the palate, making a major splash on the front of the tongue and spreading out over the roof of your mouth. The proof point here is perfectly restrained, allowing the viscous liquid to coat your mouth without becoming medicinal or overly oily. It also helps push the sweetness forward, keeping the tannic oak notes from developing.
Finish: The finish is surprisingly brief, and you’ll find the oak tones encroaching on the sweetness to an unwelcome degree, leaving barrel char and black pepper on the back of your tongue. You’ll use that as ammunition to fire off another pour if you’re wise.
Bottom Line:
Old Forester 1924 is not without flaws, but, man, oh man, does it soar to some impressive heights. The nose on this bourbon is incredible and worth the price of admission alone, but once on the palate, the front-of-mouth experience pushes it over the top. It’s only on the finish where you’ll be left wanting for more, but even though the party ends too soon, it’s most certainly a memorable affair.
Made by Augusta Distillery on the banks of the Ohio River, Buckner’s 10-year is one of the latest expressions putting the plucky upstart operation on the map. Founded in 2018, Augusta Distillery has made a name for itself by sourcing award-winning bourbon and releasing it from a range of 8 to 17-years-old.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Out of the gate, with rich barrel tones and toffee setting the stage, this warm and sweet bourbon feels like an instant classic. Honey-roasted peanuts and the rising influence of cocoa powder, coffee beans, and freshly tanned leather all add to the fun.
Palate: Salted Pretzels, toffee, and a touch of mocha make the initial impact on the palate. The heat is evident here, and it sets a gentle blaze to the center of the palate and the roof of the mouth, leaving you to suck your tongue and discover the flavors it leaves behind afterward. There’s a bit of black pepper to discover, but the barrel notes drown that out, and it’s heavy, which means that despite the heat, you can still capture a great deal of depth.
Finish: Buckner’s 10-Year Bourbon’s finish is lengthy, and you’ll find that it has some more barrel char, medium roast coffee, and chocolate in that meandering send-off.
Bottom Line:
Augusta Distillery’s Buckner’s lineup is one we’ve thoroughly enjoyed in the past, and this 10-year single barrel is leaps and bounds better than their 8-year offering. Their stellar 13, 15, and 17-year-old expressions are also well worth your attention, but sticking to distillate at the decade mark, this one can hang with the best of them.
Michter’s 10-Year Single Barrel Bourbon, one of the American whiskey world’s most critically lauded expressions, is on an annual release schedule that sends bourbon fans into a fervor each time it’s announced. Utilizing Michter’s well-aged sourced whiskey stock, their blending team then subjects hand-picked barrels to their proprietary filtration process for the end result.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Mango, brown sugar, and black cherry all burst out of the glass once this bourbon is poured like they’ve got places to go. I highly encourage sitting with it for a while, as rich oak and a touch of leather add new dimensions to the aroma profile of this intriguing whiskey.
Palate: Milk chocolate, coconut cream, and almonds splash across the palate on the first pass, making this taste like an Almond Joy in a glass. The barrel tones round things out, and it comes complete with a slick texture that brilliantly carries all of those well-developed flavors without going overboard.
Finish: The finish on this year’s Michter’s 10-year bourbon is medium in length but long on notes like hazelnut and coconut with oak tones and black pepper included.
Bottom Line:
2. Nashville Bourbon Company 10-Year Single Barrel Bourbon “Nashville Nights”
Nashville Barrel Company has established itself as one of the boldest, most badass NDP brands on the market, and they have their superlative whiskey to thank. NBC is short on marketing gimmicks but long on robust, flavorful single-barrel offerings.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: This bourbon from Nashville Barrel Company leads with an intense nose of raspberries, allspice, and Mexican hot chocolate. The cinnamon and chocolate notes fuse well with the mature oak aromas this one gives off, making it an intoxicating pour to explore on the nose.
Palate: The robust flavor of raspberries and honey pops with freshly cracked black pepper and a touch of butterscotch and clove. Wow, this is a pour that genuinely has some zip. Each sip burrows that bounty of flavors deeper into your palate as its deft combination of well-integrated proof and slick viscousness work to showcase just how high each note can soar.
Finish: The finish on this Nashville Nights single barrel is lengthy and delicious. It’s both a display of decadent sweetness and restrained baking spice that makes it a marvel.
Bottom Line:
Nashville Barrel Company is housing some truly remarkable liquid in the Volunteer State. If they can continue to release single-barrels that reach the heights of this superlative one-off, I’d like to volunteer to taste several more of them personally. This is a brand you should have firmly planted on your radar.
As the youngest expression in the legendary Pappy Van Winkle lineup of wheated bourbons, Old Rip Van Winkle represents the premium range’s entry-level offering. While snobs will quickly note that Old Rip doesn’t say “Pappy” anywhere on the label, and as such, it’s often excluded from being called a “Pappy,” that doesn’t change the fact that it comes from the same stock of barrels that go into the older 15, 20, and 23-year-old expressions.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nosing notes for Old Rip Van Winkle are full of bright red cherries, honey, mature oak, pecans, and vanilla ice cream. It has a medley of rich aromas that deviates very little from that core profile, though perhaps there’s a bit of sage in the mix as well.
Palate: The triple threat of intense honey, vanilla bean ice cream, and rich red cherries socks you in the palate at first, with a bit of mature oak and rich leather sweeping over your tongue soon after that. This oily, medium-bodied whiskey sticks to the back of your teeth and brings chocolate truffle dust, some faint clove, and caramel streaking over your tongue.
Finish: The lengthy finish extends the richness of the palate with decadent chocolate cherries joining caramel as the closing impression.
Bottom Line:
Balance is the name of the game here. While all of the flavor notes are impressively lush, with each of them genuinely being given a platform to shine, the fact that they work so well in harmony is Old Rip Van Winkle’s most impressive quality. This whiskey checks every box, and though it may be exceedingly difficult to find at a reasonable price, it’s impossible to argue that it isn’t worth the cost of admission. At the manufacturer’s suggested retail price, that is.
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(@PettyLupone) August 23, 2024
