Month: January 2025

Winter and spring are officially the new seasons for unforgettable music and outdoor festivals, proving the party never has to stop. While summer gets all the hype, the colder months are quickly becoming a haven for epic gatherings, from beachside ragers to jungle hideaways. Whether you’re vibing to house, techno, or live performances, these months are packed with world-class parties you won’t want to miss.

From the lush, tropical beats at Ocaso Festival in Costa Rica and the Caribbean vibes of SXM Festival in Saint Martin, to the sun-soaked Coachella in California and the high-energy atmosphere of Ultra Music Festival in Miami, winter and spring 2025 are shaping up to be legendary. These festivals are your perfect excuse to escape the winter blues.

Whether you’re grooving under the tropical sun, dancing in the desert, or living it up by the beach, this season’s festivals are all about creating unforgettable memories. So pack your bags, grab your friends, and get ready for the wildest parties of the year. Let’s dive into the hottest events of winter and spring 2025 that will keep you moving and grooving across the globe, one dancefloor at a time.

BPM Festival Costa Rica – Playa Avellana, Costa Rica

Wednesday, January 8th-Sunday, January 12th

BPM Festival Costa Rica will host a transformative edition in its new jungle paradise, set against the breathtaking backdrop of Playa Avellana. Taking place January 8th-12th, the festival will welcome over 90 artists to deliver 120 hours of music for daytime beach parties and nightlife jungle soirees.

With enhanced production and a commitment to its roots, BPM Festival continues to push boundaries, offering unparalleled experiences for die-hard fans and newcomers alike in its quest to redefine the global electronic music landscape. Headliners for Costa Rica’s edition include Adriatique, ARTBAT, Apache, Camelphat, Francis Mercier, Hugel, Jan Blomqvist, Parallell, Sinego, and more.

Tickets and additional information can be found here.

Day Zero Tulum – Tulum, Mexico

Saturday, January 11th

In 2012, on the dawn of a new era commemorated by the end of the Mayan calendar, a tradition was born in the jungles of Tulum. Tribes of party people from all corners of the earth set out to gather bringing with them their own unique perspectives, all seeking an opportunity to reflect on the year past and renew a shared energy born from the collision of ancient and modern, creative and hedonistic. The result was Day Zero, a party for the ages bred from the mind and team of Damian Lazarus. The party returns once again on January 11 with one its most astounding lineups to date.

A true testament to the curatorial genius of its founder, Day Zero is soundtracked from sunset to sunrise by trailblazing tastemakers, forward-thinking selectors, and live acts found on the outer fringes and biggest stages of electronic music. The lineup features the likes of Fatboy Slim, Major League DJz, DJ Harvey, Patrick Mason, Lee Burridge, Dubfire, Victor Calderone, Carlita, Adam Ten, as well as host Damian Lazarus.

Day Zero is also working closely with the local community and Mayan spiritual leaders. Initiatives include turning plastic waste from production into fuel to power the festival in partnership with Mexican company Petgas, a partnership with UNESCO endorsed project SOS MARES to restore and clean coral reef barriers in Mexico and Colombia, funding a local children’s music school, organizing beach cleanups, and collaborating with local organizations to donate trees and reforest areas of Tulum.

Tickets and additional information can be found here.

Igloofest Montréal – Old Port, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Thursday, January 16th – Saturday, March 8th

The chill is setting in, and the world’s iciest festival is back for its 17th edition to turn up the heat. The festival will shake Montreal from January 16th to February 8th, then bring the heat to Gatineau from February 13th to 15th, before ending with a bang in Quebec City on March 6th to 8th.

Four Tet, Michael Bibi, Claptone, Apashe, Zeds Dead, Tape B, Skepta (Más Tiempo), Bon Entendeur, Steve Angello, Adriatique, and more will headline its stages for a winter and spring full of weekend parties. Attendees can expect winter decor blending into steel structures, striking architectural scenography, a playful Igloovillage and an improbable snowsuit contest, and more.

For tickets and additional information, click here.

Brunch Electronik – Los Angeles, CA

Saturday, January 18th

Barcelona’s beloved Brunch Electronik will host its second U.S. edition, taking place in Los Angeles on January 18th at Exposition Park. In partnership with premier underground event collectives, Minimal Effort and SBCLTR, Brunch Electronik’s Los Angeles lineup features some of today’s brightest house and techno stars to soundtrack the daytime, open-air experience.

The lineup features a live set from German techno and trance titan Stephan Bodzin, pioneering SCI + TEC label boss Dubfire, French party starter Apache, and eclectic LA-based DJ and producer Julia Sandstorm. The second LA edition will also feature Brunch’s signature food & beverage truck selection, an expansive vendor village, art installations, and more.

Tickets and additional information can be found here.

X Games Aspen – Aspen, CO

Thursday, January 23rd-Saturday, January 25th

Since its inception in 1995, X Games became the leading action sports competition and lifestyle brand, spotlighting the world’s best action sports athletes and global artists against the backdrop of each individual host city. This year, X Games is returning to Buttermilk Resort in Aspen, CO to deliver world-class ski and snowboard competitions and global DJ performances.

From Thursday to Saturday, attendees can watch several women’s and men’s snow competitions, including knuckle huck, snowboard big air, snowboard slopestyle, ski superpipe, and more. At night, Belly Up Aspen will turn into a wintery rave to host the X Games Music Week, featuring sets by Daily Bread, ILLENIUM, deadmau5, and Big Gigantic.

All tickets will include entry to SuperPipe, Street Style, Slopestyle, Big Air and Knuckle Huck competitions as well as nightly musical appearances

Tickets and additional information can be found here.

Ocaso Festival – Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica

Friday, January 31st-Saturday, February 1st

Ocaso Festival, the boutique underground music event that has become a cornerstone of Costa Rica’s vibrant music scene, is set to return with an exciting new chapter in 2025.

Taking place on January 31st to February 1st at its new location sitting right next to one of Costa Rica’s premier surf beaches, Playa Hermosa, Ocaso Festival offers an unforgettable experience that blends expertly-curated house and techno programming with the stunning natural beauty of the Pacific coast.

The festival’s eighth edition will feature performances from Chris Lake, The Martinez Brothers, Vintage Culture, Kasablanca, Riordan, Maz, Layla Benitez, and more.

The festival also boasts a plethora of experiential excursions that offer attendees the chance to explore and connect with Costa Rica’s natural beauty. During the festival weekend, attendees can explore Jaco and purchase activity packages such as ATV rides, catamaran cruises, and crocodile tours ensure an immersive weekend adventure. In the days after the festival, patrons can participate in curated group tours with fellow Ocaso attendees to some of the country’s most idyllic locations, from the Arenal Volcano in La Fortuna and hot springs to the natural wonders of Manuel Antonio and Corcovado National Park.

Tickets and additional information can be found here.

Tool Live in the Sand – Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Friday, March 7th-Saturday, March 9th

Festication and Tool will host its first-ever “Tool Live in the Sand,” a destination festival taking place at the all-inclusive luxury, five-star resort, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino & Royalton Resort, in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. “Tool Live in the Sand” will bring Tool diehards together from around the world for an island escape for three days on March 7th-9th.

This once-in-a-lifetime event will also feature two Tool sets and performances joined by some of the most iconic and influential rock bands in the world, including Primus, Mastodon, Eagles of Death Metal, and Coheed and Cambria. Also on the lineup, King’s X, Fishbone, Wheel, CKY, Moonwalker and joining them as special guests are longtime Tool visual collaborators Alex Grey and Allyson Grey.

Tickets and additional information can be found here.

SXM Festival – Saint Martin, The Caribbean

Wednesday, March 12th-Sunday, March 16th

SXM Festival is famous for transforming the gorgeous Caribbean island of Saint Martin into North America’s most famous party island for five days each year. From March 12th-16th, the carefully-curated mix of music, art, culture and tropical escape returns with a magical 8th edition. For five days, attendees can expect to be immersed in a paradise with endless cultural explorations, once in a lifetime island experiences, and parties all with a focus on inclusivity and environmental conservation.

The 2025 edition will introduce three stunning new locations with signature hand-crafted decor and artsy design: Mimosa, chic rooftop spot in Mah with delicious cocktails in the heart of Maho; Orient Bay, JOA is a sophisticated beach bar with laid-back daytime vibes from 12-7pm where attendees can soak up the sun and enjoy the beachfront charm; and Balaou is a floating bar just off the shore of Grand Case that will host a unique charity event and raise funds for La Réserve Naturelle de Saint Martin to protect marine life and underscore the festival’s commitment to environmental conservation.

Headliners for this year’s edition include Azzecca, Camelphat, Francis Mercier, Layla Benitez, Nico De Andrea, Nicole Moudaber, Sam Divine, Themba, Tinlicker, and more.

Tickets and additional information can be found here.

Ultra Music Festival – Miami, FL

Friday, March 28th-Sunday, March 30th

Is there a festival as iconic as Ultra? Spanning six continents with multiple editions throughout the year, none are quite as perfected as the original in Miami. Returning for its 25th anniversary celebration on March 28th to March 30th at Bayfront Park in downtown Miami, Ultra will make the world remember its reputation as being the premier electronic music festival.

The milestone event will present history-making performances including the world-exclusive Anyma B2B Solomun, Carl Cox’s Evolution’ live show global debut, the first-ever deadmau5 b2b Pendulum DJ set, the Miami debut of Dom Dolla and John Summit’s Everything Always superduo, the world debut NGHTMRE b2b Sullivan King set, and the U.S. debut of Chase & Status’ new live show. Additional heavyweight performances include Above & Beyond, Afrojack, Armin van Buuren, LSZEE, Hardwell, Subtronics, Zeds Dead, Gryffin, Knife Party, Steve Aoki, Infected Mushroom, Odd Mob, and many more.

Tickets and additional information can be found here.

Tecate Pa’l Norte – Parque Fundidora, Monterrey, Nuevo León

Friday, April 4th-Sunday, April 6th

One of Latin America’s greatest festivals Tecate Pa’l Norte returns to Monterrey, Nuevo León in April, hosting more than 180 acts across nine stages over three days. Set in Parque Fundidora, the festival’s lineup celebrates a blend of genres—from rock and indie to reggaeton and electronic—showcasing both international stars and local talent. Headliners for the 13th physical edition include Olivia Rodrigo, Green Day, Justin Timberlake, Massive Attack, Charli XCX, Benson Boone, Gesaffelstein, The Chainsmokers, Claptone, Nervo, and more.

Attendees can expect a cultural hub with not only music but also regional food vendors, interactive installations, and activities, embodying the spirited traditions of Mexico’s north.

Tickets and additional information can be found here.

Coachella Music & Arts Festival – Indio, CA

Friday, April 11th-Sunday, April 13th // Friday, April 18th-Sunday, April 20th

The three main headliners of Coachella 2025 will be Lady Gaga, who closes on Fridays, April 11 and 18; Green Day, who’ll wrap up on Saturdays, April 12 and 19; and Post Malone, who’ll shut down the whole thing on Sundays, April 12 and 20. Meanwhile, Travis Scott, who was previously billed to headline twice but missed out both times — his 2020 headlining set was canceled along with the rest of the festival due to COVID-19, while his 2022 set was nixed in the wake of the Astroworld disaster — is billed as a special guest. This comes after it was reported that both Kendrick Lamar and Rihanna turned down offers to play the 2025 fest.

Other big-font performers for the festival include Missy Elliott, Charli XCX, Megan Thee Stallion, Lisa, Anitta, and Jennie, while recent breakouts like GloRilla, Thee Sacred Souls, Shaboozey, Rema, and d4vd join longtime festival fixtures like Japanese Breakfast, Ty Dolla Sign, Jimmy Eat World, and T-Pain for another eclectic, forward-looking lineup of hitmakers both old and new.

Passes are sold out, but there is a waitlist on the Coachella website.

Ubbi Dubbi – Fort Worth, TX

Saturday, April 26th-Sunday, April 27th

The celebrated electronic music powerhouse Disco Presents will host its sixth edition of Ubbi Dubbi Festival, returning to Panther Island Pavilion in Fort Worth, Texas on April 26th and 27th. Back for another unforgettable year, Ubbi Dubbi promises a galactic celebration that has grown into an essential destination for fans across the globe, marking the start of the summer festival season in style.

This year’s festival features three stages, each bringing a unique flavor to the weekend. Fans can look forward to headline performances from Subtronics, Fisher, Daily Bread, INZO, Whipped Cream, Adventure Club, Boogie T B2B Dirt Monkey, Dombresky B2B Patrick Topping, and more.

Tickets and additional information can be found here.

Another 365 days may be gone but a fresh 365 set of days await. While most people have set new goals and resolutions for the new year, like getting healthier, working out more, or fulfilling any personal aspirations, we’ll be planning our travel and how to maximize our out-of-office days for the year.

If there’s any entity that knows how to travel properly and make the most of it, it’s Lonely Planet. The global authority recently published the 15th edition of its “Best In Travel 2025,” revealing its top 30 destinations to visit in the year ahead. Similar to Uproxx’s acclaimed Fall Travel Hot List and Spring Travel Hot List, this “love letter to the world” also includes 10 travel trend predictions for the year ahead.

Among these top trends for 2025 includes “Following the Music.” Uproxx had its boots on dance floors around the globe this year, and it’s only expected to grow even more in this upcoming year as experience-based travel continues to resonate with music lovers in search of iconic venues and destination music festivals.

To get the most of Lonely Planet’s guide, we asked the team’s VP of Experience Tom Hall to tell us more about the must-visit island destinations and the iconic music venues that should be incorporated in travel itineraries for 2025.

Fiji

[Fiji] feels like a true paradise destination. If you look closely, it really stands out as a sustainable travel destination due to its ongoing preservation and protection efforts of the South Pacific, specifically for diving. It has 460 protected marine areas. It’s a community-driven reef destination and resorts are working to protect this delicate ecosystem.

Vanuatu

Vanuatu isn’t super developed, making it a beautiful, ancient land brimming with ancient culture to explore. With fewer than 45,000 tourists a year, it really is a perfect getaway in the South Pacific without the crowds. You can visit Tanna Island’s Yasur volcano and see lava spurt into the air and also sip on its signature beverage, kava. There are also many resorts working with fisheries to protect various marine areas.

Trinidad & Tobago

There is so much culture between these two islands, it’s full of vibrancy. Trinidad is more of a party destination, where its months-long celebration, Carnival, takes place. Tobago is a place to explore for its people and beaches. Both share an amazing selection of food flavors with African, East Asian, French, Spanish, English, Dutch, Chinese and Indigenous influences.

Launceston and the Tamar Valley, Australia

In Tasmania, many people automatically go to explore the capital of Hobart, the largest city of the island. Instead, go to the second-biggest city of Launceston within the Tamar Valley to explore the world’s best selection of sparkling wine. The Tamar Valley Wine Route spans 30 vineyards and also offers amazing food. There’s also the “Australia’s Grand Canyon” Cataract Gorge to explore, with plenty of trails to trek your boots on. It’s truly a happy marriage of nature and play here.

Palma de Mallorca, Spain

Palma de Mallorca is a fantastic alternative to the European cities in Spain and Portugal that visitors may be more familiar with. It’s really a true European beach destination, which can be few and far between out there. It hosts a flourishing food scene full of markets, while the nightlife scene welcomes going out late and popping around the town. Many of the hotels and accommodations are converted historical buildings, such as Palma Riad, Portella Palma, and Can Cera. Also in 2025, this ancient, Mediterranean-hugging regional capital will debut a 2.2 mile waterfront promenade. Try to go in one of its shoulder seasons in May or September to beat the crowds.

2025 Travel Trend: Following the Music

Music is a key part of traveling, and more travelers are combining music experiences while on a big trip. It’s not just seeing an artist, but where you see them, making the venue a key element in this travel trend. In the United States, we’re seeing a lot of the same venues, whether it be in the look or offerings. We wanted to showcase some venues that market themselves on individual aspects for a unique music experience.

One of these includes the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. As the historic original venue of what is now the Grand Ole Opry, many notable artists started their career there. It’s really a special set of walls with so much heritage and history, seeing a show here is a must.

There’s also the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. The city wouldn’t be the same without it.

Internationally, travelers should check out St. Clement’s Cathedral at the Klementinum in Prague. It has some of the best acoustics in the world, so seeing a classical concert or orchestral arrangement while exploring the country should be on your itinerary.

If India is on your horizon in 2025, seek out The Royal Opera House. Located in Mumbai, it’s India only surviving opera house since the early 1900s.

For a truly unique music experience, seek out Cape Verde’s new floating venue. The Floating Music Hub sits in West Africa’s port city of Mindelo and is made up of three structures, accessed by a walkway that stretches over the water.

Lastly, there’s Dalhalla in Rättvik, Sweden. This open-air venue surrounded by limestone used to be a limestone quarry in the 1900s. Throughout the summer, a wide range of events, attracting over 100,000 visitors, takes place here.

Budget be damned, there’s great whiskey at every price point, and we’re here to prove that today.

While it’s true that many of the best whiskeys in the world hover at astronomical prices that are out of reach for the average consumer, rest assured that there’s still a ton of great whiskey to be found on the bottom shelf. In fact, many of these options can beat out whiskey four or five times the price!

So, as we kick off 2025 exploring the best whiskeys at every price point, today we’ll begin at the bottom of the totem pole to identify the whiskeys you should be buying that punch way above their cost and kick ass in spite of it.

These are the best whiskeys to buy under $20!

• • The 50 Bourbons You Need To Try Before You Die, Ranked
  • The 21 Most Important Bourbons Of All Time, Ranked
  • The 50 Best Rye Whiskeys Of 2024, Ranked
  • The 100 Best Bourbon Whiskeys Of 2024, Ranked
  • The Most Iconic Bourbon Drinkers In Film History (And The Bottles They Loved Best)

10. Ezra Brooks 99-Proof Straight Rye Whiskey

ABV: 49.5%
Average Price: $17

The Whiskey:

Ezra Brooks 99-Proof Straight Rye Whiskey follows the “barely legal” precedent set by much of today’s Kentucky rye whiskeys with a mash bill consisting of 51% rye, 45% corn, and 4% malt. This whiskey makes up one-third of Lux Row’s 99-Proof whiskey lineup, joined by a Kentucky Straight Bourbon and a Port Cask Finished Bourbon.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: The nose on this whiskey has a minty, sweet backbone with oak, vanilla, and honey emanating out of the glass to greet the nose. Overall, it’s a straightforward and inviting array of aromas that draws you in for an initial sip.

Palate: Once this whiskey reaches your palate, its straightforward nature is fully revealed as the flavors of honey, mint, and vanilla capture your attention while faint hints of cocoa, black pepper, oak, and tobacco leaf dance along the edges of your tongue.

Finish: The brief finish showcases how buttery this whiskey is as it gently leaves your palate with the flavor of honeyed mint tea, oak, and black pepper spice before quickly receding and readying your tongue for a second sip.

Bottom Line:

This whiskey proves that simplicity isn’t to be shunned, as it delivers a well-developed albeit short list of flavors to be enjoyed. What matters most is that each of those flavors comes across as fairly rich for the proof point, making this a tasty sipping rye that has the viscousness to crank up the volume in cocktails as well.

9. Old Overholt Straight Rye Whiskey

ABV: 40%
Average Price: $20

The Whiskey:

Old Overholt Rye is one of the most classic and iconic whiskey brands in America. With a legacy that dates back to 1810 when Abe Overholt assumed management of the Old Overton Farmstead, the contemporary version of this 4-year rye whiskey brand is owned and produced by world-famous Beam Distilling Co.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: The nose on this rye is a bit restrained, but it beckons you to the rim of the glass with a whisper of orange peel, vanilla extract, rye spice, and red raisins. There’s also a touch of black pepper and youthful oak to be gleaned after a first pass.

Palate: On the palate, this whiskey continues to develop with black tea and baked green apples, joining the medley of vanilla extract, orange peel, and rye spice found on the nose. The mouthfeel is lean and sprightly, allowing the liquid to sashay over your tongue with ease, unveiling those light, sweet-leaning flavors.

Finish: The finish is brief and crescendoes in black pepper spice, walnuts, and an expressed orange peel.

Bottom Line:

Old Overholt isn’t typically deployed as a sipping whiskey, often used instead as a stellar mixer capable of punching through in a variety of cocktails. Taken on its own merits, however, it’s easy to see why this bottle stands so tall in mixed drinks, and though we’d recommend using it where it shines best, there are flavors here that you can appreciate when taken neat.

8. Larceny Bourbon

ABV: 56%
Average Price: $20

The Whiskey:

Larceny Wheated Bourbon gets its moniker thanks to a legend about a Treasury agent named John E. Fitzgerald, who was reputed to have “used his keys to the warehouses to pilfer bourbon from the finest barrels.” The crime earned him infamy and now acclaim as his name adorns the label of Heaven Hill’s most widely available wheated bourbon.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: The nose on Larceny bourbon is mellow and light with clover honey, some indistinct lemon zest, and vanilla coming across expressively. In the background, there’s a touch of smudging sage and sawdust.

Palate: The flavors in Larceny bourbon are surprisingly well-developed, as the gentler notes of vanilla, honey, and citrus really shine and complement the liquid’s lean texture and limited complexity. While it echoes the simplicity of earlier bourbons on this list, it also reflects a turning of the corner with regard to flavor development and depth.

Finish: The finish here is curt, as it fades pretty quickly, with honey, cereal grains, and a touch of white pepper providing the closing salvo.

Bottom Line:

Wheated bourbons are commonly regarded as far tamer and mellower than their rye-recipe counterparts, and that reputation is on full display with Larceny. As an easy-sipping and easily found wheated bourbon, Larceny is a rock-solid bourbon if you’re looking for something smooth.

7. Very Old Barton 100 Proof

ABV: 50%
Average Price: $16

The Whiskey:

Very Old Barton comes from the Barton 1792 Distillery and features expressions at 80, 86, 90, and 100 proof. Their 100-proof offering, the best of the bunch, has limited distribution in Kentucky and surrounding states.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: On the nose, this bourbon has banana bread, faint ripe cherry notes, butterscotch, and corn pudding. It’s a light, sweet, and harmonious blend of aromas that simply works.

Palate: Once you sip this bourbon, you’ll observe the aroma notes translating to the palate, with semi-sweet banana bread and butterscotch taking the fore while toasted corn and youthful oak round things out. The texture is unremarkable, but for a $20 bourbon, that’s to be expected, and it isn’t a bad thing.

Finish: The finish is succinct, with a bit of nuttiness joining the ripe cherries found on the nose, along with a touch of black pepper spice.

Bottom Line:

Very Old Barton’s 100-proof offering features an unassuming label that does little to distinguish among its various proof points, but for those who know, this top-of-the-line expression is fantastic bottom-shelf bourbon.

6. J.T.S. Brown Bottled In Bond Bourbon

ABV: 50%
Average Price: $16

The Whiskey:

J.T.S. Brown is named after John Thompson Street Brown, who founded the wholesale liquor company that would become Brown-Forman. It is currently offered at 80 and 100 proof, though it also featured an 86-proof version until at least the late 1980s.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: The nose on this whiskey has a flourish of butterscotch and clove that make it stand out from the rest of Heaven Hill’s budget bottled-in-bond offerings. A touch of lemon zest and peanut butter are also evident.

Palate: On the palate, the butterscotch and peanut butter are out in full force, along with some vanilla cream, sweet oak, and white pepper. The flavors are impressively balanced, and despite this whiskey’s restrained mouthfeel, they appear to be well-defined on the palate.

Finish: The medium-length finish again highlights the fusion of peanut butter and vanilla with a gentle white pepper send-off.

Bottom Line:

It’s a crowded bunch when it comes to Heaven Hill’s bottom-shelf bottled-in-bond expressions, but J.T.S. Brown reliably outperforms the majority of them thanks to its well-managed balance and surprisingly stout depth of flavor. Like many of Heaven Hill’s most affordable options, it won’t wow you with its complexity but rather with its consistently great quality for an equally great price.

5. Benchmark Bonded Bourbon

ABV: 50%
Average Price: $19

The Whiskey:

Benchmark’s Bonded expression is yet another bottle in the revamped Benchmark lineup, which received a facelift and a line expansion in early 2023. For this Bonded offering, Benchmark follows the Bottled in Bond regulations, meaning that, among other things, this bourbon comes from a single distilling season and is bottled at 100 proof.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: The nose on Benchmark Bonded has four distinct aromas: nutmeg, caramel, oak, and brown sugar. There are gradations to those aromas, with the nutmeg coming across as less-than-fresh, while the caramel and oak are more lively next to the subdued brown sugar note.

Palate: Once you take a sip of Benchmark Bonded, you’ll find that the nosing notes perfectly indicate what to expect. Again, those four distinct notes come through, and though they’re joined by a bit of black pepper and cereal notes, it’s the nutmeg, caramel, oak (with the addition of barrel char), and brown sugar that steal the show flavor-wise. The texture is stout, allowing the liquid to occupy the entire palate before ceding the reins to the finish.

Finish: On the finish, there’s more brown sugar, black pepper, and even a bit of mocha on each sip. The finish hangs around for a medium length, befitting its proof point, and offers a balanced climax to an overall very balanced bourbon.

Bottom Line:

As the sole bottled in bond expression in the Buffalo Trace portfolio outside of the E.H. Taylor lineup, this solid budget bottle exhibits the quality standard one can expect from the Buffalo Trace Distillery. For less than $20, you can find two different expressions from the Benchmark brand, but this is the one you should grab.

4. Old Bardstown Bottled in Bond Bourbon

ABV: 50%
Average Price: $20

The Whiskey:

Old Bardstown Bottled in Bond Bourbon is one of those IYKYK expressions from the Willett Distillery. It is sold exclusively in Kentucky on the bottom shelf of liquor stores. This bottled-in-bond offering is not to be confused with the 101-proof small-batch variant available nationwide.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: It begins with a really round butterscotch note with some intriguing menthol and tobacco leaf aromas that make you dig deeper in the glass to uncover additional layers of Brooks cherries, pecans, and vanilla extract.

Palate: Old Bardstown Bottled in Bond Bourbon is dense and full-bodied on the palate despite the proof, and it opens with sticky toffee and Brooks cherries while a touch of the menthol from the nose streaks up the middle of the tongue and introduces some dark chocolate at midpalate.

Finish: The moderate finish sees the blossoming of dark chocolate flavor with some fresh hazelnuts, caramel, and white pepper notes rounding things off.

Bottom Line:

This unassuming bottle packs a real wallop with a substantive mouthfeel and a dark, rich flavor profile that will have you double-checking your receipt to be sure you didn’t steal this bottle at roughly $20 USD. Rest assured, your receipt is right; hell, all is right with this bourbon in your glass.

3. Evan Williams Bottled in Bond Bourbon

ABV: 50%
Average Price: $20

The Whiskey:

Evan Williams Bottled in Bond is often named as one of if not the best bourbon under $20. Aged for at least four years, per the Bottled in Bond regulations, this 100-proof bourbon is almost as readily found around the country as Evan Williams “black label.”

Tasting Notes:

Nose: The nosing notes open with honey, lemon zest, and a distinct peanut note on this bourbon. From there, the periphery aromas are faint — a touch of brown butter, apricots, and cumin, but otherwise nondescript.

Palate: In the mouth, those initial three notes make the most substantial impression, along with a piquant texture that slightly prickles the tongue and adds a bit of pop to the citrus flavors in the liquid. One thing I love about this whiskey is how balanced its flavors are, with none of them speaking over the others.

Finish: On the finish, you’ll find some black pepper spice and youthful oak that curtail the peanut and lemon zest flavors. The finish is short-to-medium, giving just enough room to make a satisfying impression on the palate before encouraging repeat sips.

Bottom Line:

Evan Williams’ Bottled in Bond Expression is a masterclass in delivering a high-quality, no-frills bourbon. At 100-proof, it can stand tall in cocktails, bringing an abundance of flavor to classics like an Old-Fashioned, but it has just enough depth to perform well on its own—making for a delicious, cost-friendly, everyday sipper.

2. Jim Beam Single Barrel Bourbon

ABV: 54%
Average Price: $20

The Whiskey:

Look, Jim Beam and affordable bourbon go together like America and apple pie. For this expression, they take their classic Jim Beam bourbon mash bill and make it available at a much higher 108-proof in single barrel form.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: On the nose, you get some of the characteristic nuttiness that Beam is known for, an enticing blend of hazelnut and peanut shell, while a bit of chocolate, oak, and mocha adds depth to the overall profile. There’s also plenty of caramel and a touch of clove rounding this one out.

Palate: With one sip, you can appreciate the classic Jim Beam profile in this bourbon. On the palate, it has that Cracker Jack box assortment of flavors from caramel corn to honey-roasted peanuts with a touch of graininess, graham cracker, and oak. The texture is a significant step up from both Jim Beam’s white and black labels, with a bit more oiliness, which makes this bourbon a pleasure to chew for a while.

Finish: The finish has a surprising touch of anise with black pepper, barrel char, and gobs of more gooey caramel waiting for you.

Bottom Line:

Considering its proof and overall quality, it should come as no surprise that Jim Beam Single Barrel Bourbon is one of the best value bottles in American whiskey. This seriously underrated pour combines the best elements of Jim Beam’s prolific bourbon with a budget-friendly bottle that you’ll want to buy again and again.

1. Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon

ABV: 50.5%
Average Price: $20

The Whiskey:

Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon is not only the most classic expression in the brand’s lineup, it’s one of the most iconic bourbons in America. Wild Turkey’s signature 101-proof designation was first formulated in the 1940s by Austin, Nichols & Co. executive Thomas McCarthy and it’s been a benchmark for high-quality, budget-friendly bourbon ever since.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: The nose on this whiskey encapsulates what Wild Turkey is all about. There’s a lovely dusting of baking spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, and clove resting atop stone fruits like stewed red apples, bruised peaches, and a faint dose of caramel and oak.

Palate: On the palate, Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon offers a familiar range of flavors, from apple chips, cinnamon bark, and oak to vanilla extract, nutmeg, and clove. The mouthfeel is intriguing, maintaining enough grip on the palate to heighten the impact of the various baking spices but enough give for the fruit-forward flavors to strut their stuff.

Finish: The finish is where black pepper flares up, along with a more forceful impression of the oak and clove notes. It’s a short-to-medium finish that pairs well with the flavor profile, giving the impression that this blend is perfectly proofed.

Bottom Line:

Wild Turkey 101 might conjure memories of crazy college nights for some people, but serious connoisseurs know that even with its rowdy reputation, this is one of the best-kept secrets in bourbon. With a robust, spice-heavy profile, Wild Turkey 101 is bold enough to liven up any party while offering the depth of flavor that makes it great to savor at length in quiet contemplation, too.

For less than $20, Wild Turkey 101 is the best whiskey money can buy.

Ever since the rise of social media, the impulse to scream into the void has pulled at us all. Unfortunately, there is oftentimes something lurking in the void, waiting to scream back: A bloodthirsty mob of meme-slingers and self-professed insult comics dying to roast us into oblivion for getting a little too vulnerable in the public square.

Poor Kaytranada, like many of us, forgot that the square is indeed public, logging onto Twitter (never “X”) to bemoan another mishap that might be familiar around this time of the year: The airport lost his luggage on New Year’s Day after he landed in South Africa for the overseas leg of his Timeless tour. Hence, for the past six days, Kaytra has, by his own admission, “wearing the same clothes,” which he described as “musty.”

“I can’t believe I been wearing the same clothes for the past 5 days,” he wrote. “Went to the concert, to the clerb, to the gym, musty and all.”

The tweet itself is gone now — because why would you even tweet that, let alone leave it up once the roast session began — but the damage was done. The producer is used to heating up the club with his productions, but today, he probably feels like he has a lot in common with the game birds that were devoured over the past month — plucked, roasted, fried, and otherwise cooked, as many of those lighting him up were locals. South Africans, if you don’t know, are some of the deadliest insult artists in the game today. No amount of “Witchy” is getting him out of this one.

The prevailing sentiment seems to be that he probably should have just gone shopping (although, admittedly, doing so without some kind of guide in Cape Town can get a little dicey). “Kaytranada being musty and wearing the same clothes for 5 days bc his airline lost his luggage is no excuse,” summed up one prolific user. “My luggage got lost before. I went to Target and bought some sweats, white tees, socks and draws. Like $80 altogether. You cannot surrender as easily as he did to the musty. You must fight the musty with all that is in you.”

“The rand is R18 to the $,” another reminded the DJ. “I’m going to need you at the mall before lunchtime.” I told: South Africans are poets.

You can check out a screenshot of his original tweet here and see more responses here.

Back in December, Lil Baby revealed to his labelmate Lil Yachty that while working on his new album, he accidentally gambled away over $8 million at a casino. In the video for “By Myself,” from his new album, WHAM (Who Hard As Me), he nods to this penchant but keeps it decidedly lower key, opting to shoot dice in a hallway with the song’s featured artists, Rod Wave and Rylo Rodriguez.

Of course, whether it’s the massive stacks of cash he trades with Rod and Rylo in the “By Myself” video or the ridiculous sums he frittered away in Vegas, Baby knows he’s almost certain to recoup, thanks to moves like making WHAM‘s extended edition a digital download or plotting to release two albums in one year, as he told Yachty. Should his new albums perform the way his past ones have, he’s looking at a lucrative 2025, indeed.

The second album, which will be titled Dominique (Lil Baby’s real first name), will be “more personal,” according to Baby, although he says he did “still put some of the songs I was gonna use for Dominique on WHAM ’cause I know my fan base really want to hear them certain songs.”

You can watch Lil Baby’s “By Myself” video featuring Rod Wave and Rylo Rodriguez above.

WHAM (Who Hard As Me) is out now via Quality Control. You can listen to it here.

The Las Vegas Raiders are looking for a new head coach for the third time in four years. A year after firing Josh McDaniels and promoting Antonio Pierce first to interim head coach and then making him the full time head coach, the Raiders decided to fire Pierce after a 4-13 season, per Ian Rapoport, Mike Garafolo, and Tom Pelissero.

The Raiders had disastrous quarterback play all season, with Gardner Minshew, Aidan O’Connell, and Desmond Ridder all starting games this season, meaning Pierce was behind the 8-ball from the jump given the roster makeup, but the team also struggled defensively, which was where they hung their hat during his run as interim head coach. It is not a complete shock that the Raiders will be back on the coaching market this year, as they join the Jets, Jaguars, Patriots, Bears, and Saints as teams looking to hire a new head coach.

That coach will hope the Raiders figure out a better plan at quarterback for 2025. It seems unlikely to be one of the top QB prospects in the Draft, as Vegas slipped to the No. 6 overall pick after winning two of their last three games to end the season, but they could do some maneuvering to try and jump up for either Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders. There will be folks that wonder if the Raiders will look to hire hire Deion Sanders as head coach and try to move up in the Draft for Shedeur, but they also figure to bring in all of the other top candidates for interviews, headlined by Lions coordinators Aaron Glenn and Ben Johnson.

Rihanna has love on the brain.

With Valentine’s Day approaching, the singer posed as Cupid for Savage X Fenty’s “Love Your Way” campaign. “Bow down – the Queen of V-Day has arrived,” a post on the lingerie brand’s Instagram account reads. For the accompanying photos (see them here), Rihanna wore a balconette bra with Brazilian panty, heart pasties, and a garter belt.

“Valentine’s Day is a time to celebrate love in all its forms,” Rihanna said in a press release. “At Savage X Fenty, we’re all about embracing love in every way and creating products that let people feel confident while doing so.”

The “Loveline” collection is separated into different sections, including lingerie, accessories, and sleepwear. You can see the full lineup here.

For anyone wanting Rihanna to focus on fashion and new music, instead of just the former, it doesn’t sound like it’s happening. During a recent interaction on Instagram, a user named Lorenzo wrote, “We want an album forehead.” The “We Found Love” singer clapped back, “listen Lorenzo! You ain’t cute enough to be calling me by my black name you dizzy f*ck!” Rihanna also shared that she went booze free in 2024. “Y’all, I didn’t drink all year! I didn’t drink all year!” she wrote.

Benny Blanco proposed to Selena Gomez towards the end of last year (with some help from Taco Bell), and now the two are happily engaged. Gomez has shared some photos of the ring, but Only Murders In The Building co-star Martin Short got an even closer look at the hardware.

Gomez was a guest on Jimmy Kimmel Live! yesterday (January 6), and after congratulating her on the engagement, he showed a video from the Golden Globes, of Short holding Gomez’s hand and getting a real close look at her ring, spinning it around her finger and seemingly asking Gomez questions about it.

Gomez explained (or tried to), “He’s twisting it, taking it off… I wasn’t sure what he was doing, that’s why I look confused. […] He just… he wanted to know what was going on. I don’t think he cared. Maybe he had a little…,” Gomez trailed off before making a drinking gesture. She also joked that Short was bothered that Blanco didn’t call him and ask for permission to propose to Gomez.

As for Martin’s reaction to Gomez entering this new phase of her life, Gomez reported Martin sent her assistant an email to congratulate Gomez. “That’s how he communicates,” she explained with a laugh. She added, “He always tries to be polite, and it’s very kind, but it’s OK to send a little text.”

Check out the video above.

Over the last week-plus you have probably come across LiAngelo Ball’s new single, “Tweakers”, in some form or fashion. The song became a viral sensation on TikTok and Instagram first and has since found itself as the go-to song for teams celebrating wins from the NBA to the NFL.

Ball’s sound first became a meme, with a ton of videos joking about how it sounded like a mid-2000s era track, but it has quickly made the transition from ironic hit to a song people just outright enjoy. While LiAngelo never found the on-court success of his siblings, the middle Ball brother is set to do something the other two haven’t: perform at a major festival. On Tuesday, Rolling Loud released its lineup for their 2025 festival in Los Angeles, and while ASAP Rocky, Playboi Carti, and Peso Pluma are the headliners, plenty of folks online were hyped to see Gelo on the Saturday lineup.

What’s incredible is that Gelo isn’t buried at the bottom of the lineup, but is on the second line, indicating he’ll get a pretty decent spot on one of the Saturday stages. Ball and Rolling Loud are certainly capitalizing on the peak of his hype right now, and we’ll find out in March how good of a live performer he is on stage.

Mac Miller highlights the early 2025 new music calendar with Balloonerism, which gets its first official release after other versions of the project have circulated online. The January 17 release date for the posthumous project was revealed previously, but now we have the tracklist.

Of particular note are features from SZA on “DJ’s Chord Organ” and Delusional Thomas on “Transformations.” Beyond that, there are no other credited features on the project.

A statement previously shared by Miller’s family says:

“Many of Malcolm’s fans are aware of Balloonerism, a full-length album that Malcolm created around the time of the release of Faces in 2014. It is a project that was of great importance to Malcolm — to the extent that he commissioned artwork for it and discussions concerning when it should be released were had regularly, though ultimately GO:OD AM and subsequent albums ended up taking precedence.

We believe the project showcases both the breadth of his musical talents and fearlessness as an artist. Given that unofficial versions of the album have circulated online for years and that releasing Balloonerism was something that Malcolm frequently expressed being important to him, we felt it most appropriate to present an official version of the project to the world. With that in mind, we’re happy to announce that Balloonerism will be released on January 17th, 2025.”

Find the tracklist (and the previously revealed cover art) below.

Mac Miller’s Balloonerism Album Cover Artwork

Mac Miller’s Balloonerism Tracklist

1. “Tambourine Dream”
2. “DJ’s Chord Organ” Feat. SZA
3. “Do You Have A Destination?”
4. “5 Dollar Pony Rides”
5. “Friendly Hallucinations”
6. “Mrs. Deborah Downer”
7. “Stoned”
8. “Shangri-La”
9. “Funny Papers”
10. “Excelsior”
11. “Transformations” Feat. Delusional Thomas
12. “Manakins”
13. “Rick’s Piano”
14. “Tomorrow Will Never Know”

Balloonerism is out 11/17 via Warner Records. Find more information here.