The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in music has been a hot topic for a while now, but so far, we’ve only seen the tip of the iceberg of implications advanced algorithms can have for the recording industry. While artists speak out against the use of generative AI in the creation of songs and the Recording Academy grapples with its legitimacy for Grammy Awards, courts around the world are now being confronted with the use of AI in schemes aimed at defrauding streaming platforms with AI-generated songs and streams.
According to the Associated Press, one such case currently being litigated revolves around a North Carolina man who created hundreds of thousands of songs using AI, then streamed those songs billions of times to generate over $10 million in royalty payments for himself, cheating legitimate musicians and labels out of potential profits from streamers’ royalty pools. The man, 52-year-old Michael Smith, is charged with fraud and conspiracy, and could face around 60 years in prison if convicted.
By creating thousands of phony accounts on services such as Apple, Spotify, and Tidal, Smith streamed his AI-generated songs upwards of 600,000 times a day. In the federal indictment against him, Smith is quoted as boasting about his profits — over $1 million a year since 2018, when he allegedly launched the conspiracy alongside a music promoter and the chief executive of an AI music company — in an email. He even denied that what he was doing was fraud, when a music distributor questioned him about it.
Whether he genuinely did realize it was fraud or was just covering, it’s clear that the technology has upended the recording industry yet again, and that the potential posed by AI don’t only affect artists.
Today, the countdown completed, and fans found out what the band had in store at a live event, which also streamed online: A new lineup, which consisted of four of its original members and two new additions — including a new co-lead singer. The new singer is Emily Armstrong of the band Dead Sara, while Colin Brittain, a producer for G Flip, Illenium and One OK Rock, was added as drummer. Mike Shinoda, Brad Delson, Phoenix, and Joe Hahn all returned, while former Robert Bourdon did not.
In addition to the new lineup, the band announced a new album, From Zero, dropped the lead single, “The Emptiness Machine,” and announced an upcoming six-city arena tour to introduce the new lineup to live audiences. The album is due on November 15, while the tour will begin on September 11 in Los Angeles at the Forum and run through November 11 in Bogota, Columbia. Tickets will go on pre-sale September 6, with the general sale starting the next day, September 7. You can find more information here.
Check out the new single, “The Emptiness Machine,” below and the stream of the live event above. From Zero is out 11/15 via Warner Records.
The dominant storyline in the WNBA this season has been the Rookie of the Year race between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, and the record-setting production both have been putting up. Clark became the first rookie to put up a triple-double (and has done so twice), while Reese has set new WNBA records for rebounds in a season and consecutive double-doubles in her inaugural campaign.
Clark’s play since the Olympic break and Indiana’s run to clinch a playoff berth while the Sky have struggled to win games has likely put the ROY race to bed, but that hasn’t stopped the rookie conversation from dominating headlines. What’s been fascinating is how the arguments have raged on and the vitriol that fans have approached it, despite the two young stars not showing much of any off-court animosity towards the other.
On Thursday, Reese debuted her podcast, “The Angel Reese Show”, and naturally got the Caitlin Clark conversation out of the way early. The Sky star was quick to point out that the two have been playing each other since high school, and while there’s an on-court rivalry between them, there’s “no hate” and plenty of respect for the other’s game. The issue has come with the fans, who Reese doesn’t expect to cheer for her, but notes how there are numerous examples of fans crossing the line with racist comments, stalking, creating explicit AI photos, and death threats.
Angel Reese on her relationship with Caitlin Clark
“Caitlin is an amazing player and I’ve always thought she was an amazing player. We’ve been playing each other since high school,” Reese said. “So I think it’s really just the fans. Her fans, the Iowa fans, now the Indiana fans, they ride for her. And I respect that, respectfully, but sometimes its very disrespectful. I think there’s a lot of racism when it comes to it, and I don’t think she stands on any of it. But when it comes to death threats, I’m talking about people coming down to my address, follow me home, like it’s come down tot hat. Multiple occasions people have made AI images of me naked. They have sent it to my family members, like uncles are sending it to me like, are you naked on Instagram? It sucks to see that and it’s really hard that I have to go through that and now seeing other players even having to go through that. But at the end of the day, it’s a game that we do both love, but there is no hate.”
Those are things that no one should have to go through, much less just for playing the game of basketball. Both Reese and Clark seem to enjoy the on-court rivalry and the chance to go back-and-forth with another highly competitive and talented player, but the extracurriculars that surround it need to get reined in. From the way some in the media discuss them to fans taking it way too far both on social media and real life, the conversation about these two young women has gotten out of control.
Are high-proof tequilas worth the higher price tag? That’s a question you might’ve asked yourself while scanning the tequila shelf wherever you pick up your alcohol. It’s a fair question, too — a vast majority of tequila on the market sits at 80 proof (40% ABV) so if you like tequila, it’s safe to assume you’re fine drinking 80 proof liquids. But still, when you find a brand that you love and then come across that high-proof version on the shelf, it can be pretty tempting.
High-proof tequilas have this depth and intensity of flavor that takes your palate on a journey. They hit you harder, dialing up the intensity of the nose, palate, and finish experience. Imagine your favorite tequila but with more of everything that makes you love it.
That’s what the best high-proof tequila tastes like. So, as you might’ve gathered, I do think the higher price tag is generally worth it — especially if you’re dealing with a bottle by a brand you already like. And to help you find the best of the best and get the most bang for your buck, we’re putting high-proof bottles to the blind taste test.
Methodology
Dane Rivera
For this blind taste test, I gathered every bottle of high-proof tequila I had on hand, and then had my girlfriend select eight of those bottles at random. So I’m going into this blind taste test without even knowing which brands I’ll be tasting. We call that double-blind in these parts! I tried a pour of each in an unmarked glass in random order and recorded my initial impressions. I was sufficiently tossed by the end of this blind taste test.
Here is our tasting class today, all of which are additive-free:
Alma Del Jaguar — Nocturna Blanco 101 Proof
Alto Canto — High Proof Blanco
Cazcanes — Blanco No. 9
Cayéya — Single Barrel Añejo
Don Fulano — Fuerte Blanco
Siempre — Supremo Blanco
Suerte — Blanco Still Strength
Tapatío — Blanco 110
Make no mistake, each bottle in this blind taste test is one we enjoy, but there is a definite and noticeable hierarchy. So if you’re only interested in the best, skip to our top three, but considering each bottle offers something interesting, it’s worth checking out the full list and the corresponding tasting notes. Let’s drink!
Taste 1:
Dane Rivera
Nose: Lots of nose-tickling sensations here, I’m getting a heavy cayenne pepper spice, some black pepper, and orange zest, with a touch of salt water.
Palate: A lot of spice and orange citrus hits your tastebuds first before leveling off with floral honey sweetness and a hint of agave.
Finish: A warm long finish with some minerality and a spicy aftertaste.
Taste 2:
Dane Rivera
Nose: A nice bouquet of caramelized roasted agave, fresh rosemary and thyme, a crack of pepper, and the slightest touch of mint.
Palate: Warm and citrusy with some spicy anise and cinnamon, and cooked agave. There is a baking spice quality to this that tastes very addicting. I instinctively went for another drink after my first sip.
Finish: A long kiss of spice on the back end with an oily mouthfeel. This one straight-up made my tongue numb in the best way.
Taste 3:
Dane Rivera
Nose: There is a light funkiness to the nose with some notes of herbaceous raw agave, wet grass, and a bit of jasmine flower.
Palate: Very mineral rich with a blend of rich chocolate and sweet vanilla balanced by some wet earth.
Finish: A long finish with a heat that slowly builds in intensity on the aftertaste.
Taste 4:
Dane Rivera
Nose: Interesting, we have something aged here! I’m getting a nice blend of oak, maple syrup, and caramel with just a hint of roasted agave.
Palate: Much lighter than the nose would expect. Those sweet tones are there, along with some vanilla, but I’m also tasting some fruitiness like cherry and baked pear.
Finish: Oak on the finish with a supple buttery mouthfeel.
Taste 5:
Dane Rivera
Nose: There is a lactic quality here. It’s very creamy, joined by notes of bitter cocoa and agave.
Palate: Soft, vegetal, and very agave forward. It doesn’t have that intense burn that Tastes 1-4 have had. I’m getting asparagus, green pepper, and green apple skin.
Finish: Smooth and buttery with notes of agave and a gentle heat.
Taste 6:
Dane Rivera
Nose: Lots of funk on the nose with some minerality, agave, and alcohol.
Palate: A bit flat compared to everything else I’ve tasted so far. I’m tasting some agave, some black pepper, and a whole lot of alcohol.
Finish: Vanilla on the finish with a subtle burn, but the sort of burn from alcohol, not spicy chili pepper notes like the other tastes. As of now, this is easily my least favorite.
Taste 7:
Dane Rivera
Nose: Lots of agave on the nose, both fresh and caramelized with some rich cocoa notes, sweet vanilla, and a hint of jasmine.
Palate: Vegetal and earthy. I’m getting a lot of fresh cracked pepper, roasted agave, and a subtle heat.
Finish: Bright, buttery, and a bit zesty. The way the liquid stays on the tongue is very pleasant. A definite candidate for sipping.
Taste 8:
Dane Rivera
Nose: Wet grass and freshly peeled oranges and a touch of roasted agave.
Palate: Vegetal and peppery with a slight bitterness to it.
Finish: More wet grass on the nose with some tobacco leaf and a strong long lasting burn.
While I stand by what I said — every bottle in the lineup is worth exploring, I have to give the bottom spot to one of these bottles, and in today’s taste test that’s Siempre’s Supremo Blanco. It earns the bottom spot for tasting a bit flat in comparison to the other brands, with a strong alcohol flavor that drowned out some of the more interesting and subtle flavor notes.
This tequila is produced at NOM 1137, La Cofradia, made from agave hearts and tails that are cooked in stone ovens, tahona crushed, and fermented in open-air stainless steel tanks with wild yeast.
The bottle is certified additive-free by Tequila Matchmaker.
The Bottom Line:
Vanilla forward with a strong burn that hits the back of the throat and lingers on the palate.
The only aged tequila in today’s tasting, Cayéya’s Single Barrel Añejo offers a nice mellow vibe and a lot of oak-forward character. The tequila is produced at NOM 1424, Blue Agave Distiller, using agave cooked in brick ovens, roller mill extracted, and mixed with well water. The tequila is fermented in stainless steel tanks and twice distilled through a stainless pot with a copper coil.
To reach it’s añejo state, the liquid is rested in American White Oak casks for 15 and a half months and finally finished in French Oak barrels for an additional 2 and a half months.
The Bottom Line:
Warm, mellow, and oak-forward. A pleasure to sip with lots of shifting flavors worthy of exploring. But it lacks that spicy burn we’re looking for from a high-proof bottle.
6. Alma Del Jaguar — Nocturna Blanco 101 Proof (Taste 1)
I was first introduced to Alma Del Jaguar’s portfolio this year and while I’ve liked every bottle so far, this is easily my favorite of the entire collection. Nocturna is produced from single-estate agave distilled at NOM 1414, Feliciano Vivanco, and is made from agave slow-cooked in stone ovens, roller mill extracted, and made with local well water that is fermented with wild yeast in open-air stainless steel tanks.
It is certified additive-free by Tequila Matchmaker.
Bottom Line:
Warm and citrusy with a pleasing spicy finish and a nice addictive burn.
One of our favorite tequilas of 2023, Suerte’s Blanco Still Strength is a fantastic introduction to high-proof tequila. This tequila is produced at NOM 1520, Tequilero Simbolo, where it is the only brand in production.
The agave, harvested from the Los Valles region of Jalisco, is cooked low and slow in stone ovens for 52 hours, tahona extracted, and fermented in open-air stainless steel tanks before being twice distilled through a stainless pot with a copper coil.
The Bottom Line:
Big bold flavors. Grassy and vegetal forward, with a strong agave character.
Don Fulano is produced at NOM 1146, Tequileña, one of the finest distilleries out there right now so I’m not surprised how well this bottle performed in this blind taste test.
While I loved what I tasted, its general mellowness is keeping me from ranking it any higher. However, if you like sipping your high-proof liquors this might be a great option for you.
The agave here is cooked for 28-32 hours before being screw mill extracted, mixed with volcanic spring water, and fermented in open-air tanks for 72 to 96 hours.
The Bottom Line:
A nice candidate for those who love high-minerality liquids and value slow sip-worthy mellowness.
Cazcanes’ Blanco No. 9 popped up in our last blind taste test, and again, this bottle ranked excellently. That comes down to its highly vegetal flavor and nice supple finish. This is a great bottle and something you absolutely need to experience.
This additive-free tequila is produced at NOM 1614, Tequilera Tap, from agave cooked in a low-pressure autoclave, roller mill extracted, and mixed with natural spring water, which gives it a palpable minerality. The liquid is fermented in stainless steel tanks and twice distilled through a stainless pot with a copper coil.
The Bottom Line:
Vegetal, agave forward, mineral-rich, and mouthwateringly buttery. Cazcanes’ Blanco No. 9 is a great experience from nose, to palate, to finish and ideal for sipping and mixing into an elevated cocktail.
This is my very first taste of Alto Canto and I have to say, I’m thoroughly impressed. This high-proof blanco is a bit tamer than the rest of the bottles in this blind taste test at just 48% ABV, but the flavor offers a lot to latch onto.
The tequila is produced at NOM 1636, Tequila El Rocio, where it is the only brand in production. The agave is cooked in stone ovens, tahona extracted, mixed with natural spring water, fermented in wood tanks, and twice distilled via a copper pot. It is then bottled at the still.
Like every other brand in this ranking, it is certified additive-free by Tequila Matchmaker.
The Bottom Line:
Smooth and buttery with a gentle heat. There is a delicate vibe here that other high-proof bottles fail to achieve. A true pleasure to sip.
We’re big fans of Tapatío’s various expressions and the Blanco 110 is no different. The brand routinely places near the top of our rankings but this is the first time we’ve ever given the brand the top spot. We’re also happy to say it’s one of the cheapest bottles in the line-up, so bonus points there! That didn’t weigh in on our decision to give it to top spot, but we love to see that.
The tequila is produced at NOM 1139, Tapatio (the brand’s namesake!), and is made from agave slow-cooked in stone ovens, roller mill extracted, and mixed with deep well water. It has a wonderful blend of spicy sensations and an agave forward profile that makes it ideal for mixing but even as a slow sipper, this one was truly a pleasure to experience.
The Bottom Line:
A nice blend of cinnamon and chili spices with an agave-forward character and a rich buttery mouthfeel.
Early September isn’t usually the time for basketball beef, but when it does happen, it’s usually over something very dumb. That’s the case with Shaq and Rudy Gobert right now, as the Hall of Famer couldn’t resist taking another shot at the French big man when he was asked by his son Myles who is the WOAT (worst of all time) NBA player.
Shaq immediately responded Gobert, before being reminded of his similar disdain for Ben Simmons (calling him “another bum”). His explanation for having those two at the top is their production compared to their compensation. While not many call him the worst player in history, Shaq is far from alone in criticizing Gobert for how much he gets paid when considering his impact on the offensive end. It’s been the constant complaint about Gobert being on a max deal, and while he’s elite on the defensive end, his impact diminishing in the postseason has only further put a target on him.
Even so, calling him the WOAT is a wild statement, and Gobert unsurprisingly responded after the clip went viral on Thursday. Gobert quote tweeted the video and said he finds it “sad” that Shaq says things like this.
“It is sad to see someone that has accomplished as much as you did @SHAQ both in sport and business still be triggered by another man’s finances and accomplishments. I get the entertainment part but unlike other folks, you don’t need that stuff to stay relevant.”
I think it’s fair to say that Shaq (and plenty of other former players who now have joined the pundit class) certainly have a bit of jealousy with regards to the money guys make now, and that can color the way they talk about them. Shaq insisted he’s not hating, but it definitely can come off that way when your main point revolves around the money they make. As Gobert notes, Shaq in particular should be able to ignore that given he still makes a ton of money off endorsement deals, his TV gig, and various business ventures — it’s a frustration Kevin Durant has had with Shaq in the past for other comments about Gobert. It was pretty clear during the Western Conference Finals that there would not be any de-escalation of the beef between Shaq and Gobert (or Draymond Green and Gobert), and that’s further evidenced by this week’s addition to their history.
September is a unique month in the beer world. We turn more than the calendar between August and September, we end the month in a new season as well. This means that while summer is ending, the fall beer season is just beginning. While we’re still enjoying IPAs, pilsners, and lighter beers, the maltier and darker beers like Oktoberfest-style, pumpkin ales, amber ales, and even stouts are beginning to hit shelves.
With this influx of beer choices, September is a unique month for beer fans of all styles. There’s something available to suit every palate. But the mixing of end-of-summer and beginning-of-fall beers means this month, more so than most others, might seem a bit overwhelming. How can you possibly enjoy all that this epic month has to offer?
Lucky for you, we’re here to help. You don’t have to navigate the gateway to autumn all by yourself. We found the best Oktoberfest-style beers, IPAs, lagers, ales, pumpkin beers, and even stouts to enjoy this month. Keep scrolling to see them all and stock up for tailgate season, the holidays, and beyond. As a bonus, we even ranked them for you on overall flavor and seasonal appeal.
This seasonal beer is an elevated version of the classic Oktoberfest-style beer. This 5.2% ABV lager is Weyermann Pils, Vienna, Munich, Cara Hell, and Cara Red malt. It’s more than just a malty lager though, it gets earthy, floral aromas and flavors from the use of Tradition and Spalter Select hops. To add to that, this lager is matured in French oak to give it a unique flavor profile you’ll look forward to every year.
Tasting Notes:
On the nose, you’ll be greeted with fragrant biscuit-like malts, sweet caramel, honey, and floral, herbal hops. The palate continues this trend with toast barley, toffee, honey, floral, earthy hops, and a nice hint of oaky wood that swirls throughout. The finish is a nice mix of caramel sweetness and floral hop bitterness.
Bottom Line:
If you’re looking for a complex, unique, yet easy-drinking version of an Oktoberfest-style beer, look no further than Firestone Walker Oaktoberfest.
9. Von Ebert Fresh Hop Volatile Substance IPA
Von Ebert
ABV: 6.9%
Average Price: Limited Availability
The Beer:
If you’re an IPA drinker, you’ve probably already tried Von Ebert Volatile Substance. This award-winning IPA is a must-try for hop fans. This month, the brewery is releasing its seasonal Fresh Hop version. This elevated version of its popular Northwest IPA features Simcoe and Mosaic hops from Coleman Agriculture in St. Paul, Oregon.
Tasting Notes:
A lot is going on with this beer’s nose. There are scents of pineapple, citrus peels, mango, and floral, dank pine. The palate continues this trend with a ton of papaya, caramelized pineapple, tangerine, mango, passionfruit, grapefruit, and dank, resinous, sticky pine needles. It’s fresh, hoppy, and deserves to be enjoyed as you enjoy the last fleeting days of summer.
Bottom Line:
You might not immediately think about IPAs when you imagine fall or end-of-summer beers. But you absolutely should. Especially one as fresh, hoppy, and memorable as this one.
There’s a reason this beer is referred to as “Copper Legend”. Available from August through October, Jack’s Abby’s annual take on the classic Oktoberfest-style beer belongs on your fall must-try list. Brewed with a “marriage of caramel, sweet toasty malts”, this is a smooth, malty, balanced beer perfect for the fall weather ahead.
Tasting Notes:
The nose is welcoming yet mild. There are notes of toasted grain, caramel candy, bready malts, and lightly floral, herbal hops. The palate ramps up the flavor a little more with hints of bready malts, sweet caramel, honey, and floral, earthy, lightly piney hops at the end. The finish is sweet, gently bitter, and leaves you craving more.
Bottom Line:
This is an easy-drinking, subtle beer. It’s not lacking in flavor though as everything is working in perfect unison. It’s truly an outstanding take on the Oktoberfest style.
With a name like “Haunted House”, you might assume that this beer is more gimmick than substance, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. This 6.66% ABV hoppy dark ale is brewed with Allagash 2-Row malted barley blend, Victory, Carapils, and Blackprinz malt as well as raw wheat and roasted barley. It’s hopped with a combination of Nugget, Cascade, and Northern Brewer hops.
Tasting Notes:
Nosing this beer, you’ll be met with surprising aromas of roasted barley, freshly brewed coffee, chocolate, and a nice hit of dank pine needles. The palate continues this unique, but pleasant trend. There are flavors of roasted barley, espresso, dark chocolate, light citrus peels, and a ton of floral, resinous pine. The finish is a mix of roasted malts and lightly bitter pine.
Bottom Line:
This is a very interesting beer. It’s dark, malty, and has a ton of roasted barley aroma and flavor. But it’s also masterfully hopped. It has to be tasted to be believed.
There are no seasonal beers more divisive than pumpkin beer. Either you hate it or love it. If you’re in the latter camp, one of the best choices is Southern Tier Pumpking. This big, bold, 8.6% ABV imperial pumpkin ale is brewed with 2-row pale, Munich, and C60 malts as well as CTZ hops. It’s fermented with ale yeast as well as pumpkins and various seasonal spices.
Tasting Notes:
Available from August through October, this beer is well-known for its nose of pie crust vanilla beans, ripe pumpkins, cinnamon, and clove. The palate continues this trend with biscuit-like malts, cinnamon sugar, cloves, allspices, vanilla, and pumpkin. The finish is a nice mix of spicy sweetness and gentle bitterness.
Bottom Line:
This beer has been described as a “pumpkin pie in a glass” and that couldn’t be more accurate. If that’s your jam, this is the fall beer for you.
If you’re a fan of Troegs’ popular Perpetual IPA, you’ll love its recently released Double Perpetual IPA. This 9.5% ABV double IPA is brewed with Cascade, Citra, Cashmere, Chinook, Bravo, and Nugget hops as well as Crystal, Munich, and Pilsner malts. The result is a tropical fruit, citrus, and dank pine-centric beer.
Tasting Notes:
Take a moment to breathe in this beer’s nose and you’ll be greeted with toasted malt, caramel, citrus peels, and dank, earthy, herbal pine needles. Sipping it reveals notes of caramel malt, toasted grains, grapefruit, pineapple, tangerine, honey, and resinous, prickly pine. The finish is dank, piney, and pleasantly bitter.
Bottom Line:
If you’re a fan of double IPAs (or IPAs in general), this is a beer you will want to add to your September rotation. The folks at Troegs have crafted another memorable beer.
4. Weldwerks Sweet Disposition
Weldwerks
ABV: 13.8%
Average Price: Limited Availability
The Beer:
It might feel warm and sunny in most of the country, but the evenings are growing ever colder as we move into September. This means there is room for a stout or two. Colorado’s Weldwerks recently re-released its popular Weldwerks Sweet Disposition. This collaboration with Mikerphone Brewing is an imperial stout that was matured in Weller 12-year-old bourbon casks for more than 30 months. After aging, the brewers add pure Vermont maple syrup and Madagascar vanilla beans.
Tasting Notes:
This beer has a very inviting, interesting nose. There are scents of chocolate, coffee, vanilla beans, maple syrup, and a boozy, bourbon kick. Drinking it only adds to the experience. Warming and boozy, there are flavors of sweet bourbon, toasted vanilla beans, dark chocolate, maple candy, roasted malts, and oaky wood. The finish is warming, sweet, and leaves you craving more. What else would you want to sip on an unseasonably cool night?
Bottom Line:
If you’re anything like us, you’re more than ready to dive head-first into barrel-aged stout season. Weldwerks Sweet disposition, with its borderline dessert-like flavors, is an epic start.
We all eagerly await Oktoberfest season as there are a handful of notable craft options we look forward to every year. One of our favorites is Sierra Nevada Oktoberfest. This isn’t your average American version of the popular German beer style though. Every year, this California-based brewery collaborates with a German brewery to make its beer. This year, it’s Brauerei Gutmann.
Tasting Notes:
On the nose, you’ll be treated to fresh-baked bread, caramel malts, honey, and a nice hint of floral, Noble hops. Drinking it brings forth notes of biscuit and bready malts, sweet caramel, honey, and floral, flavorful Noble hops. The finish is earthy, herbal, and lightly bitter. All in all, this is a very well-balanced take on the classic German style.
Bottom Line:
This is truly an old-world meets new-world beer. Even if you usually prefer to stick to authentic German Oktoberfest beers, give this collaboration a try. You’ll be glad you did.
2. Tailgate Tropic Wizard Juicy IPA
Tailgate
ABV: 6%
Average Price: Limited Availability
The Beer:
There’s still time for hazy, juicy IPAs this month, right? Who are we kidding? We drink hazy IPAs all year long. If you’re like us, seek out Tailgate Tropic Wizard Juicy IPA. This cloudy, unfiltered IPA was launched at the end of August and features a palate of citrus peels, tropical fruits, and sticky pine.
Tasting Notes:
The nose is a classic hazy IPA with a ton of grapefruit, caramelized pineapple, tangerine, lime peel, and various other tropical fruit flavors. There’s a little more balance with the palate. You’ll find a nice caramel malt backbone followed by hints of pineapple, orange peel, mango, guava, and dank pine. The finish is a mix of tropical fruit sweetness and lightly prickly pine.
Bottom Line:
If you spent all summer drinking New England-style IPAs, why not make room for one more before the weather turns cold? This is definitely a juicy, fruity, balanced IPA to stave off the fall chill as long as possible.
Left Hand Sawtooth might not be a new release, but it’s absolutely a beer well-suited for bridging the gap between summer and fall. Brewed with 2-row base malt, Crystal, Munich, Black malt, and wheat, this 5.3% ABV amber ale gets hoppy aroma and flavor from the addition of CTZ, US Goldings, Cascade, and Willamette hops.
Tasting Notes:
This award-winning beer begins with a nose of toasted malts, candied nuts, dried fruit, and floral, herbal hops. The palate is a mix of toasted malts, caramel, dried fruits, honey, orange peels, and floral hops. The finish is a mix of malt sweetness and hop bitterness. It’s a very well-balanced beer that ends with a crisp dryness that leaves you wanting another.
Bottom Line:
If you’re looking for a beer to bridge the gap between summer and fall, this is it. It has the malt backbone needed for colder weather and the hop aroma and flavor that’s suited for summer weather.
It’s true that some truly incredible bourbons cost hundreds of dollars, but you know what? You’re overlooking some of the absolute best bourbon in the world if you’re not checking the mid-shelf bottles at your local liquor store. In fact, I’ll do you one better because some of the bourbons under $50 on this list are actually better than bourbons that cost hundreds of dollars. Now, do I have your attention?
It’s not exactly a secret because bourbon enthusiasts have known for years that some of these more affordable options are world-beaters, but because new bourbons are hitting the shelves seemingly every day, it can be challenging to keep up with some of the newer offerings that deserve top billing on your home bar.
This ranking will help you ensure you’re buying great bourbon on a reasonable budget in 2024. As a bonus, you can even pour these bottles for your friends in blind tastings and prove to them that high-quality bourbon doesn’t have to be expensive.
Now, without further ado, here’s our ranking of the absolute best bourbons under $50 in 2024!
Ezra Brooks is one of the more established names in bourbon, with a history that traces back to its founding in 1957. In 2024, however, this port-finished bourbon represents the newest lineup extension for the respected brand.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Aroma notes of candy cane, rich cherries, warm vanilla, and wood chips greet the nose at first before accents of tobacco leaf and clove enter the fray.
Palate: The ripe cherry note rushes in at first with nectarines and bananas, chocolate chips, and vanilla, painting the palate with a lush layer of sweetness. This whiskey has a lot of grip on the palate, punching well above its weight proof-wise and delivering a sipping experience more in line with whiskey in the 110 range.
Finish: The finish is lingering, marked by vanilla, oak, and milk chocolate. At the very end, this whiskey reintroduces the cherry note found early in each sip. This is surprisingly tasty stuff.
Bottom Line:
Ezra Brooks’ entire brand portfolio is full of incredible value bourbons, capable of delivering outstanding quality for a wallet-friendly price. This brand-new expression is perhaps the brand’s prime example.
The same folks behind Jim Beam make Knob Creek’s Small Batch Bourbon, and the years of experience they’ve gathered in crafting their flagship expression is on full display with this bottle. Aged for nine years, Knob Creek Small Batch is part of Jim Beam’s Small Batch Collection.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose begins with an interesting floral flourish that soon opens the door for fresh hazelnuts, caramel corn, and honeyed toast. It’s an interesting blend of aromas that all play off of each other really well.
Palate: After the first sip of Knob Creek, those flavors come together in a surprisingly rich and harmonious symphony of flavor with peanut shell, hazelnut, and caramel corn notes coating the palate and evolving to reveal an additional layer of dilute honeyed sweetness.
Finish: On the finish, both the proof and the age of this bourbon reveal themselves as it introduces a slight earthy sweetness reminiscent of hazelnut spread along with allspice and nutmeg.
Bottom Line:
Knob Creek bourbon is as classic as they come. Aged for nine years and highlighting the brand’s small batch cask curation, this whiskey is one of the benchmarks for the category.
Benchmark Full Proof was first released last year and is now the premier expression in the Benchmark lineup. Always bottled at 125 proof, it is the highest ABV offering from the Benchmark brand.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose is full of cinnamon Red Hots, peanut shells, caramel, and oak. It’s a pretty straightforward medley of flavors, but despite that knock, they all work well together and come across boldly on the nose.
Palate: On the palate is where the brashness of those flavors really runs wild as it drinks a bit hot and is marred, rather than aided by, the simplicity of its flavor wheel. You get peanuts, cinnamon, caramel, oak, and…nothing else. That said, the flavors are fairly well-developed, and because of their distinctiveness and the clear delineation between each note, they’re easy to appreciate one by one.
Finish: The finish is flush with black pepper, more oak, and charred green pepper skin. It’s medium-lengthed, which is a plus if you appreciate its brashness but a distraction if that boldness is overwhelming.
Bottom Line:
When it was first launched, many Buffalo Trace fans posited Benchmark Full Proof as a sort of “Stagg Jr., Jr.” The hope was that it would present similar flavors in a much easier-to-find and affordably priced expression. How’d that turn out? Well, it would be an oversimplification to call it such, but it contains a few flavor notes that make Stagg so beloved. As long as you temper your expectations and are in the market for a bold, uncomplicated bourbon, there’s plenty here to enjoy.
New Riff produces a stellar 100-proof offering, but for its single-barrel expression, it elevates things by delivering its whiskey at cask strength without chill filtration.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Caramel corn, peanut shells, and cedar come wafting out of the glass when you first pour New Riff Single Barrel, and those notes are quickly joined by cream soda and burnt sugar for a delightful blend.
Palate: Once on the palate, this bourbon leads with cream soda, clove, vanilla wafers, and rich, decadent caramel notes. A touch of white pepper pricks the tip of the tongue, and at midpalate, some more fruit-forward notes of ripe cherries start to develop. The mouthfeel is a bit lean, but who cares when you have well-developed flavors?
Finish: The brief finish welcomes more white pepper and youthful oak before the caramel envelopes your palate and gives you a sweet kiss to conclude each sip.
Bottom Line:
By showcasing its barrel inventory’s variety of flavors with this single-barrel lineup, New Riff delivers a delicious bourbon-sipping experience at a higher proof that offers a unique profile every single time.
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:
Straight up, this is one of Old Forester’s hidden gems. 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 value and enables it to compete with far more expensive bourbons.
2XO’s Master Blender Dixon Dedman is no stranger to innovation, and he does so with this budget-friendly offering. To achieve its unique flavor profile, Dedman inserts chains of charred French oak into traditional bourbon barrels. While the full mash bill is undisclosed, the brand notes that the bourbon in this blend contains 18% rye.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nosing notes open with rosewater, vanilla, and bright red cherries, along with some faint cinnamon bark and youthful oak tones. Overall, it’s a delightful medley that makes you want to dive in for your first sip.
Palate: Once on the palate, you get an interesting blend of French vanilla and white chocolate to go with muddled cherry and cinnamon notes. These all work well together, and the texture of the whiskey enters the mouth smoothly with a velvety introduction that soon recedes as the baking spices, like black pepper, start to tease the edges of your tongue and lead the transition to the finish.
Finish: The finish on this whiskey features a sizzle reminiscent of Pop Rocks as the black pepper detonates and leaves a puff of vanilla extract and dried cranberries behind. It’s worth saying that the finish might be the best part of the entire experience.
Bottom Line:
2XO is so-named because the brand opted to embrace “double oaking” all of its expressions, but its innovative ways are turning heads. The fun flavors their French oak chains produce are matched by the way the liquid develops on your palate, making this a fun pour to sit back and enjoy from start to finish.
Early Times is a historic brand first launched in 1860 by John Henry “Jack” Beam, Jim Beam’s paternal uncle. In 2021, it was announced that the production of this bourbon would be moved from Brown-Forman, the brand’s previous owner, to the Barton 1792 Distillery under new owner Sazerac.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: On the nose, there’s a strong Luden’s Wild Cherry cough drop note that is distracting at first but becomes increasingly enchanting over time. In addition to that artificial, berry-like sweetness, there are notes of ripe oranges, polished leather, and fresh hazelnuts.
Palate: On the palate, it’s the artificial cherry note and the polished leather from the nose that make the biggest impression as each sip begins very sweet before trailing off into more typical, earthy bourbon notes like oak and nutmeg. Just as the flavors seemingly shift from the front palate to the mid-palate, so does the texture, which begins very slick and viscous before turning lean as the whiskey makes its way to the finish.
Finish: The finish on Early Times Bottled in Bond features a flourish of black pepper and barrel char, which wasn’t present at midpalate. The lengthy finish also showcases an additional pop of fresh hazelnuts, adding a layer of balance to the entire affair.
Bottom Line:
Early Times Bottled in Bond has a fruit-forward medley of flavors and substantive texture, allowing it to hold its own as a neat sipper. Considering that, its budget-friendly sticker price awards it extra points, allowing you to happily skip bottles that are two to three times the cost.
Michter’s was recently voted the World’s Most Admired Whiskey Distillery, and its flagship bourbon is the most readily available example of why. For this expression and the rest of its whiskey lineup, Michter’s uses a proprietary filtration process to optimize the flavor coming from its barrels.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Michter’s US*1 Bourbon has a dense aroma bouquet that immediately appears well-refined. Notes like honeysuckle, brown sugar, raisins, and youthful oak fill the air, with each well-developed layer greeting the olfactory senses warmly.
Palate: On the palate, what’s immediately remarkable about this bourbon is the texture, as it gently coats your tongue with moderate warmth, and before you know it, the taste of brown sugar, raisins, and walnuts is suddenly everywhere on your tongue. That deceptively viscous texture works well here and is a credit to Michter’s proprietary filtration process and their atypical proof-point.
Finish: The finish here is brief, with brown sugar and cinnamon coexisting harmoniously alongside new oak and clove, making for a gentle send-off after every sip.
Bottom Line:
Michter’s US*1 Bourbon perfectly threads the needle of being delicious and affordable. Free from any harsher elements, your palate will take to this whiskey like a fish in the water as those enchanting mellow notes wash over your tongue and coat your mouth with a remarkable range of flavors that make this the smoothest bourbon money can buy.
Nose: Gentle caramel and pie crust aromas open the nosing notes with nondescript red berries, custard, and dark chocolate drizzled atop.
Palate: This bourbon comes in hot across the palate, but the appearance of cinnamon and caramel makes a significant impression and implores you to dig deeper. It is full-bodied, with red berries emerging mid-palate before being pushed aside by black pepper spice and oak.
Finish: The finish is full of red berries, vanilla extract, and nutmeg, and it lingers for a remarkably long time. There’s also a final flourish of black pepper spice, which punctuates the fact that this whiskey punches above its proof point.
Bottom Line:
In Southern Star’s Paragon Wheated Bourbon, the balance is a bit thrown askew by a surprising alcohol punch, but that said, the flavors are really dialed up to the max, making this a delicious sipper once you take a Promethean turn and conquer the flames.
The new and improved Jim Beam Black Label is the result of tireless tinkering from Master Distillers Fred and Freddie Noe. New for 2024, the long-standing Jim Beam expression now has an age statement and a slightly altered flavor profile designed to optimize the distillery’s 7-year-old bourbon profile.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Peanut brittle, bubble gum, and caramel are all featured prominently on the nose of Jim Beam’s 7-Year Black Label on the first pass. A second sniff introduces accenting notes of orange rind and leather.
Palate: The dense, substantial texture hits at first before a clash of peanut brittle, butter, and hazelnuts dances across the palate. There are notes of lemon zest and honey that take root on the roof of the mouth before the flavor of barrel char and black pepper usher in the transition to the finish.
Finish: Nutmeg and honey roasted peanuts show force on the finish along with some chocolate truffle dust as it warms the entire mouth and hangs around for an impressively long time.
Bottom Line:
Jim Beam Black Label has the sweetness, spice, flavor, and wallet-friendly price to make it a winner. The recent reemergence of an age statement on this bottle is enough of a reason to welcome this bottle into your collection, but that number on the front came with a lot of fine-tuning on the back end by Fred and Freddie Noe, and they hit an absolute home run.
McKenzie’s Bottled in Bond Wheated Bourbon is a bit of an unknown in the wider world of American whiskey, hailing from North New York’s Finger Lake Distillery. Made per all of the Bottled In Bond Act’s legal specifications, this bourbon is distilled and aged entirely on the banks of New York’s Finger Lakes.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: On the nose, this bourbon begins with a touch of wheat funk, lavender honey, fresh hazelnuts, and peanut brittle. It’s a smooth, inviting set of aromas that also brings a bit of chocolate truffle dust, clove, and pastry dough into the fold.
Palate: Once on the palate, all of the flavors from the nose are at the tip of your tongue, albeit in a slightly more muddled fashion. There are chunks of toffee to go with a bit of candied ginger, pastry dough, and peanut brittle up front, while a touch of honey, wheat funk, and chocolate truffle dust haunt the periphery of your tongue and the back of your palate. The liquid is medium-bodied but spry, covering and coating your palate quickly, receding almost as quickly, and leaving those mellow sweet notes behind.
Finish: For its short-to-medium finish, McKenzie Wheated Bourbon gives off the flavor of the slightly overcooked bottom of a blondie. There’s a touch of young oak, cloves, and honeyed wheat toast to send you on your way as well.
Bottom Line:
As one of the lesser-known bourbons on this list, let it be clear that’s an issue of limited distribution and marketing far more than flavor. McKenzie’d Wheated Bottled in Bond Bourbon is one of the best-kept secrets in my home bar, and if you find a bottle and add it to your liquor cabinet, you’ll soon be telling curious houseguests the very same thing.
Old Grand-Dad 114 is frequently cited as one of the best budget bourbons on the market, and for 2024, that still hasn’t changed. The high-rye recipe from Jim Beam also goes into its lower proof versions, Old Grand-Dad standard, and Old Grand-Dad Bonded.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: On the nose, OGD 114 opens with a bouquet of lemon zest, maple candy, and peanuts. Those notes are propped up by a supporting cast of oak, light honey, and butterscotch.
Palate: Once you take a sip of Old Grand-Dad 114, you’ll immediately pick up on its medium-bodied texture, which is slightly heavy and dense. The flavor of fresh hazelnuts, honey, and caramel comes across first on the tongue before it turns somewhat mellow at midpalate with butterscotch Krimpets, faint tobacco leaf, and a bit of orange pith.
Finish: For its medium-length finish, OGD 114 delivers a bit of vanilla and black pepper to go with more fresh hazelnuts and oak. This is a perfectly satisfying conclusion that ties all of those well-balanced flavors together.
Bottom Line:
Old Grand-Dad 114 is an OG value bourbon, and enthusiasts should be pleased that Jim Beam has taken an “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” approach over the years. For right around $30, it’s hard to find a more flavorful and well-rounded option.
The counterpart to Buffalo Trace Distillery Kosher Rye Recipe Bourbon, this wheated bourbon version essentially offers the Old Weller Antique recipe in a slightly different format. Like every whiskey in Buffalo Trace’s Kosher whiskey lineup, this product is created with help from the Chicago Rabbinical Council.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose here features some bright cherry and juicy orange notes and a persistent butterscotch-topped vanilla ice cream aroma to go with a surprisingly gentle oak tone, making for an overall light and approachable combination.
Palate: On the palate, there’s a lovely welcoming note of honey absent from the nose and the red cherries transform into Golden Delicious apples with a bit of glacé raspberries, vanilla extract, and clove.
Finish: The finish welcomes the persistence of the honey from the opening sip, along with the return of the cherry notes as it gently and pleasantly puckers the mouth before trailing off after medium length.
Bottom Line:
Overall, Buffalo Trace Kosher Wheat is a bit lighter and has less depth than the Gentile-friendly version, but it’s far more readily available and delivers 90% of the quality while also providing a few variations on the theme that make it worth exploring in its own right.
This Full Proof expression from the 1792 Barton Distillery is the pinnacle of their 1792 lineup, which also includes wheated bourbon, a bottled-in-bond offering, and its entry-level small batch. 1792 employs a unique filtration process for this expression, eschewing the typical chill filtration of its competitors and instead utilizing a plate and frame filter.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Initially, there are some jammy raspberry, dark chocolate, and barrel char notes that come wafting out of the glass, and those are soon joined by a hit of allspice and black pepper. After a few swirls, you’ll also pick up on the caramel and vanilla in this one.
Palate: On the palate, that jammy raspberry note becomes more of a blackberry as it takes a darker tack and delivers on the promise of barrel char, allspice, and black pepper on the nose. There’s a touch of smokiness with each sip as the heavy hit of ethanol singes the edges of your tongue and works its way up the roof of your mouth. This is, for sure, a spicy pour that needs some time in the glass to settle down, but it’s packed with a ton of flavor underneath that alcohol burn.
Finish: The finish is lengthy, courtesy of that heavy dose of ethanol, and as a result, it carries some black cherry through on the back end along with more of that black pepper spice and oaky, barrel char tones.
Bottom Line:
While it does bring a significant amount of heat that can be challenging at first, 1792 Full Proof also comes complete with a ton of full-bodied flavor that rewards chewing and extended sipping. If you aren’t afraid of a bit of heat, you’ll absolutely love this robust, brash bourbon.
Green River has been producing critically acclaimed, affordable bourbons since the brand was revived and started hitting shelves in 2022. For this relatively new extension in their lineup, Green River Full Proof, they opted for a mash bill of 70% corn, 21% rye, and 9% malted barley before bottling the juice at barrel strength.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Raisins and allspice jump out of the glass to greet the nose, along with a bit of sherried mushroom and coconut flake. This is such an atypical but alluring mix, and it really entices you to take a first sip.
Palate: Raisins, green grapes, cinnamon bark, and clove emerge on the palate, which is delightfully refined and compressed in the sense that the flavors feel densely packed. It also feels like the layers of flavor are distinct and well-developed, making sitting with it and picking it apart fun, as the medium-bodied bourbon offers just enough viscousness to hold your interest.
Finish: The end of each sip sees the addition of some fig newton and cracked black pepper as it sizzles away, leaving a strong impression on the palate through the delicious, lengthy finish.
Bottom Line:
While the mash bill in Green River Full Proof features some relatively high rye content, its sweetness and approachability win out over its spicier elements. While some bourbons are excellent for their brash, punch-you-in-the-face boldness, Green River Full Proof offers a bit more finesse for a sipping experience that puts panache before pugilism.
Heaven Hill’s flagship bottled-in-bond expression is a rebranded release first launched in 2022. Sticking true to their roots, this bourbon is made with their “HH reg” mash bill of 78% corn, 10% rye, and 12% malted barley.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose on Heaven Hill Bottled in Bond 7-Year is distinctly earthy and nutty with walnuts and potting soil melding well with brown sugar and oak. All of those enticing notes are undergirded by the warm aroma of vanilla pods.
Palate: Once across the palate, Heaven Hill Bottled in Bond 7-Year leads with brown sugar before the earthier elements of cinnamon bark, nutmeg, oak, and walnuts claim the midpalate. As this pour transitions to the finish, there’s a faint bit of milk chocolate, vanilla cream, and caramel.
Finish: The finish puts a lovely bow on the entire affair as brown sugar and barrel char fuse together with walnut shells and black pepper. Overall, the finish gives the impression that this bourbon is slightly older than seven years, and as it closes with a dash of vanilla extract, it whets the palate, bracing your senses for repeat sips.
Bottom Line:
Haters continue to grumble about the affordability of Heaven Hill’s sunsetted 6-year bottled-in-bond offering. While I’m sure we’d all be happy to keep a few extra bucks in our pocket, for the price point, flavor profile, and ample time spent aging, this is a bottled-in-bond bourbon that exemplifies the triumph of restraint over the impulse to feature a younger (or higher) age statement. Heaven Hill deserves credit for threading that needle.
For their John J. Bowman single-barrel expression, the brand selects some of the oldest barrels in their inventory, though the age is omitted. Of note: the Fredericksburg, VA distillery was purchased by the Sazerac Company in 2003, which also owns Buffalo Trace.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: On the nose, John J. Bowman Single Barrel Bourbon opens with Rainier cherries, butterscotch, and one shake of black pepper spice while some barrel char and red raisins gently play their notes in the background.
Palate: John J. Bowman greets the palate with more red raisins and barrel char with the taste of red cherries clinging to the tip of the tongue, allowing some mellow baking spices like nutmeg and cumin to hit the mid-palate before dark chocolate ushers in the finish. The mouthfeel is medium-bodied but it has impressive staying power, remaining consistent from the beginning of the palate to the end.
Finish: The finish is medium-length but underlines the sweeter notes in this bourbon with bright red cherries, a touch of honey, and some sweet oak sticking around the longest.
Bottom Line:
While savvy bourbon enthusiasts have been gravitating towards this release due to the Bowman Distillery’s ties to Buffalo Trace, the truly discerning bourbon fan can just as quickly throw that connection out of the window. This is simply great bourbon. The fact that it comes with high quality in a single-barrel format is all the more enticing for those who enjoy seeking out unique flavors and a surprising sipping experience.
Russell’s Reserve’s 10-Year Bourbon was initially released in 2001 as an age-stated, 101-proof expression. In 2005, much to the chagrin of Wild Turkey fans, the ABV was brought down to its current level, making this a 90-proof expression.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose on Russell’s Reserve 10-Year-Old Bourbon contains varying vanillas, from ice cream to vanilla extract. There are also pastry notes and the aroma of brioche buns, along with a touch of salted caramel, warm oak, and fresh nutmeg.
Palate: The palate on Russell’s Reserve 10-Year Bourbon is distinctly earthy at first, with toasted walnuts, apple leather, and mature oak leading the charge. As you chew the bourbon, you’ll notice that those notes grow in prominence with the oak and walnut flavors outpacing the restrained fruitiness and baking spices like clove and cinnamon become more pronounced. The mouthfeel is middle of the road, which serves well to carry all of those earthy flavors without being overly slick and distracting from them.
Finish: The finish is marked by more vanilla tones, think vanilla pod more so than vanilla extract, and there’s more hazelnut flavor to be discovered alongside oak and red apple skin. It’s a medium-length finish that works well because it fades before that mature oak begins to dry out the back of your palate.
Bottom Line:
Russell’s Reserve 10-Year-Old Bourbon is one of the best values in American whiskey, offering a well-aged expression at an affordable price. This expression is perhaps the best example of Wild Turkey’s ability to deliver budget-friendly bourbon that consistently competes with bourbons at twice the price.
2. Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat Bourbon
Bardstown Bourbon Company’s Origin Series, founded in 2023, began with three initial entrants, but this new 6-year-old High Wheat Bourbon marks the lineup’s first official expansion. By combining a low barrel entry proof with a high percentage of wheat (39%) in the grain recipe, the brand sought to extract the maximum amount of wood sugars.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The aroma of this Origin Series High Wheat Bourbon begins with a ton of crème brûlée and strawberries before a touch of oak, wheat funk, and caramel comes through. There are also a few dashes of clove and lemon zest to round things out.
Palate: Once on the palate, the strawberries and custard notes play a major factor as the remarkably creamy texture of the liquid coats your palate and finds every corner of the mouth. Mellow oak tones, vanilla frosting, and flaky pastry flavors also enhance the bourbon.
Finish: The finish here is surprisingly lengthy with the strawberry note going from ripe berries to the dried variety as a touch of nutmeg creeps in and the gentle oak vibes fuse with honey.
Bottom Line:
Bardstown Bourbon Company already has a wheated bourbon in their Origin Series, and it’s a rock solid option that has its fair share of admirers among those who have tasted the well-received lineup. That said, this High Wheat Bourbon is absolutely stunning and not only does it one-up its wheated bourbon predecessor but it also blows the rest of the stellar Origin Series out of the water.
Maker’s Mark Cask Strength Bourbon is the fully amplified, small-batch version of one of the best-selling whiskeys in the world. Released in small batches, with their identifying codes found on the front label, this expression showcases Maker’s Mark in its purest form.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: On the nose, this whiskey begins with plenty of honeysuckle and toffee before the sweeter notes break rank and allow oak, red berries (think bright cherries and ripe raspberries), and a combination of oak and leather to rise out of the glass.
Palate: The first sip of Maker’s Mark Cask Strength is a revelation, resplendent with more pronounced red berry and caramel flavors than the nose at first indicated. Those flavors are far-reaching, with a refinement that rewards chewing the whiskey and allowing the viscous liquid to seep deep and then deeper still into your palate.
Finish: For the lengthy finish, Maker’s Mark Cask Strength offers a fresh cavalcade of accenting notes, ranging from vanilla and mellow oak to clove, orange blossom, and truffle honey. It’s a complex and captivating way to close this robust, elegant bourbon.
Bottom Line:
Maker’s Mark Cask Strength is the king of bourbons under $70; frankly, not enough people know it. While standard Maker’s Mark enjoys ubiquity at bars and liquor stores, this slightly harder-to-find offering tends to fly under the radar despite its incredible quality. Let that be the case no more. With the price of high-quality bourbon rising across the board, this is the best bourbon you can still readily find for well under $70.
During a conversation with artist George Condo for Cultured, Scott said, “I’m gonna be back in New York. I’m back in album mode. I’ve been working on music and sh*t every day on tour. When I’m doing the stadiums, because they’re sold out, I can see the music for what it is. I’m f*cking amped.”
He also spoke about his creative history and process, saying:
The sparseness in jazz, folk, or anything in those genres — even the soulfulness of blues, and the storytelling of blues, or the rawness — it’s kind of the base foundation. I won’t say that it’s the base foundation of music, but to me, the ideas that some of those artists were implementing were such game-changers — a full Renaissance of their own. I’m trying to carry that wavelength throughout my music.
I started in producing, making beats. I haven’t stopped making beats for other artists and for myself. It’s been important for me to get back into that and remind people that’s my foundation. I remember working on my first mixtape ever. A lot of people didn’t understand where I was trying to take things, and for me to be able to do that now, at this level, is ill. When I made the ‘Fe!n’ beat, I was like, ‘Yo, this is crazy, being able to put forth the same energy since day one.’”
After debuting at Telluride last week, Nickel Boys has received nothing but praise (and some Oscar predictions) from critics who are calling the unconventional film “staggeringly beautiful.” The movie will get a theatrical release next month before heading to Prime, and the stunning first trailer has been unveiled.
Nickel Boys, directed by RaMell Ross, is based on the 2019 novel of the same name by Colson Whitehead. It is a fictional take on the real-life Dozier School For Boys, a reform school located in Florida which operated under abusive and violent conditions for over 100 years. Through investigations since its closure, many unmarked graves have been discovered on school grounds.
The film is from a unique first-person point-of-view, the story follows Elwood, a young Black man who is falsely accused of being an accomplice to stealing a car and is sent away to the fictional Nickel Academy where he befriends Turner. Ross explained the complex filming process (“shot entirely on long-lenses, 50mm and 80mm”) to Vanity Fair:
The film is conceived as all one-ers. In one scene, we shot everything from Elwood’s perspective, and then everything from Turner’s—one from the first hour, and then the other for the second. Very rarely did we shoot both perspectives on a scene, though, because of the way it was written and scripted. We don’t always go back and forth. So it’s shot like a traditional film, except the other character is not there. They’re just asked to look at a specific point in the camera … the choreography is quite difficult.
Elwood is played by Ethan Herisse, while Brandon Wilson plays Turner. Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Hamish Linklater, Fred Hechinger and Jimmie Fails also star in the drama, which will have a limited theatrical release on October 25, before streaming on Prime Video. Check out the trailer above.
Hosts Jennifer Welch and Angie “Pumps” Sullivan asked Obama, “Had it or hit it: Brat summer?” Obama didn’t flinch before responding, “Hit it! I just put out my playlist, and ‘365’ is on it, and it is a great album. So, I — people question sometimes whether I’m actually listening to all this music. As I’ve testified before, I am. Charli XCX, she knows what she’s doing.”
Watch the full I’ve Had It Podcast episode with Obama above.
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