JID has a new album, God Does Like Ugly, coming this August. Before that, though, he’s putting a spin on the deluxe editions that tend to follow albums with GDLU Preluxe, a mixtape that he’s releasing before the project, on July 4. An EP or small collection of songs to precede an album isn’t a new thing, but the labeling is fun. At any rate, he shared “32 (Freestyle)” a couple days ago, and now he’s back with another new one, “Beau,” a fun four minutes that shows off his characteristic lyrical dexterity.
JID has been busy. He confirmed in March that the new album was finished, writing, “It’s done. It’s turned in. It’s coming really f**king soon. It’s been a long time in the making. All the ‘T’s are crossed, and the ‘I’s are dotted. I think we’re in a good position to build this new world that I’ve been working on for the past couple of years.” He also performed at the final Dreamville festival, and during his set, he previewed his now-released single “Wrk.” He also just joined Offset on the Drowning Pool-sampling “Bodies.”
Listen to “Beau” above.
God Does Like Ugly is out 8/9 via Dreamville/Interscope. Find more information here.
This weekend, Essence Magazine’s annual music festival will once again take over New Orleans. Under the banner of We are Made Like This, this year’s fest boasts GloRilla, Muni Long, and NOLA native Master P on its list, celebrating the magazine’s 55th year over the Fourth of July weekend with three days of unbridled Black joy. Taking place at the Caesars Superdome and the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, with a mix of legends like Boyz II Men and Maxwell as well as new school acts like Summer Walker, it’s safe to say there will be something for every music lover to lean their ears into. Comedian Anthony Anderson and radio personality Kenny Burns are set to host the event, and the party doesn’t just start at sunset. During the day, the fest will bring new experiences for fans, including a food and wine festival, a market, a wellness house, film festival, a creators’ house, and more. With a multi-decade run, the event has been called the largest celebration of Black culture in the US.
The festival comes with more than 20 different curated experiences aimed at celebrating the dynamic and brilliant center of Black culture, from music to art, to style to film. And even when you aren’t busy taking in the festival’s scenes, you’ll be smack dab in the middle of a cultural wealth of food, music, and history as far as the eye can see (and as far as your appetite can eat). Feeling overwhelmed with the options? Need help organizing your anti-FOMO schedule? You’re in luck. If you’re heading to the Crescent City this Fourth of July weekend, we’ve got you covered. Here are our top five must-see, can’t-miss moments at this year’s Essence Festival of Culture.
The Stacked Evening Concert Series
During each night of the festival, the Superdome will transform with ESSENCE concerts, giving festival-goers a mix of up-and-coming artists and classic performers across R&B, hip-hop, Gospel, Jazz, and Soul. Where else can you enjoy The Isley Brothers, Erykah Badu, and Nas next to Buju Banton and Keri Hilson? Plus Master P is scheduled to have his final performance ever at this year’s fest, with the hip-hop mogul and founder of No Limit Records planning a farewell send-off during the event.
Get Glammed Up at BeautyCon
During the day, the festival will offer multiple cultural opportunities, including BeautyCon — a celebration of diverse beauty and voices, specifically from women in the South who are transforming the beauty landscape, with speakers including Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, beauty influencer Amber Nicole Williams, and stylist Scot Louie. With activations, in-depth conversations, and a focus on transforming the world of beauty and skincare, this year’s event promises to keep you on trend and in the know.
Embrace Zen at the Wellness House
This year, Essence Festival is bringing expert-led discussions to attendees during their Wellness House, with a focus on exploring the intersection of health, nutrition, and self-image. Everything from body image, diet culture, and mental and physical well-being will be at the heart of these conversations, with yoga studio founder Adrianne “Ajax” Jackson, body-positivity speaker Andrea Mathis, and neuropsychologist Dr. Jatali Bellanton among those set to be in attendance.
Sip and Snack at the Food & Wine Experience
Hosted in one of the world’s most dynamic culinary settings, Essence Food & Wine experience will merge the flavors of New Orleans with inspiration from throughout the African diaspora, with a focus on sustainable food, and Black culinary concepts. With programming led by culinary experts like Chef Ashley Jonique, mixologist Deniseea Taylor, Chef Kenneth Temple and more.
Lights, Camera, Essence Hollywood House
Created for Black creatives interested in making their way into the film industry — the house offers resources, conversations and assistance for those interested in making their way into the entertainment business. The programming aims to unveil and work on challenges for Black talent — from dealing with layoffs and pay discrepancies to inspiring attendees to tell more stories of Black excellence through film. Disney VP of Casting, Kim Williams, costume designer Mercedes Cook, and actor, producer, and director Noel Braham are among those set to lead the talks.
For more coverage around Essence Festival 2025, keep an eye on our dedicated fest page here.
To cover our bases, the Blanton’s brand was launched in 1984, thanks to Elmer T. Lee, who was the Master Distiller at Buffalo Trace at the time. The name is an homage to Albert Bacon Blanton, who served as the president of what was then known as the George T. Stagg Distillery from 1921 to 1943. Blanton, or Colonel Blanton as he was affectionately known, was famed not only for guiding the distillery through the difficulty of the Prohibition years, but also for drawing bourbon from his favorite barrels to share with friends. It was his penchant for the latter that helped give rise to the creation and appreciation of what we know today as single-barrel bourbon.
Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon’s distinctive bottle and topper have since become iconic, signaling luxury and enticing collectors with the fact that each topper is adorned with one of the letters in the expression’s name. As a result, fans have taken to seeking out specific bottles to “complete their collection” and spell out Blanton’s, even buying special cases to display their efforts proudly. For what it’s worth, it’s a cool touch and features a horse and a jockey in the varying stages of a race with each letter fixed at the base.
With all that said, however, you can’t drink the history, the glass, or the topper. So, let’s dive into how they taste!
Blanton’s Takara Black is essentially the same as Blanton’s Special Reserve (Green Label) Bourbon. The only difference is that this one is limited to the Japanese export market, which makes it a bit harder to track down. Proofed at 40% ABV, this matches Blanton’s Special Reserve as the lowest proof expression in the lineup.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose is a fairly muted affair with washed-out walnuts and dilute butterscotch notes leading the way. Vanilla extract, soft oak, and dried corn husk aromas soon follow.
Palate: Once on the palate, this whiskey remains restrained with the corn husk notes seizing the lead as accents of vanilla, sorghum, and dilute butterscotch tug at the edges of the tongue. The mouthfeel is the most disappointing aspect, however, as those flavors work well enough together, but the lean texture of the whiskey doesn’t give them enough runway to take flight.
Finish: The finish here has faint wintry spices and corn husk notes, which take a turn toward roasted almonds as it quickly fades from the palate.
Bottom Line:
I’ll shoot you straight, this is an expression that you can skip in the lineup. While it’s essentially the same whiskey as the next entry on this list, this one is positioned at the back because it’s typically priced a bit higher at specialty shops due to its slightly lower availability in the American and European markets.
Blanton’s Special Reserve, colloquially known as “Green Label,” is the brand’s 80-proof offering for the European market. Aside from that geographic distinction and modest proof, this one follows the specs of the rest of the lineup in that it’s bottled from a single barrel of Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nosing notes start strong with some mild butterscotch and cornbread tones, before quickly diffusing and introducing earthier elements of peppercorn, raw almonds, and nutmeg. There’s also some vanilla and soft oak, but not much to speak of.
Palate: On the palate, it’s the nuttier and earthier elements that grab your attention at first. The flavor of youthful oak weaves well into a melange of watered-down caramel, peppercorns, almonds, and black tea. The mouthfeel is thin, and as a result those flavors are fleeting, but they work well while they last.
Finish: The finish is where the notes of black tea and caramel pick up a notch before youthful oak cleans the slate and quickly fades away.
Bottom Line:
Is this one better than Blanton’s Takara Black? As it goes with single-barrel expressions, either one of them could be deemed better on a given day. As mentioned above, this is another Blanton’s expression that you can forget about trying unless you’re a true completionist, as its modest proof leaves behind most of the flavor that bourbon enthusiasts are looking for.
One of the most polarizing and hyped bourbons in all of the land, Blanton’s is the original single-barrel bourbon. Launched in 1984, each bottle of Blanton’s is the product of a single barrel, an idea hatched by Buffalo Trace’s then Master Distiller Elmer T. Lee.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose is full of maple candy, gentle oak, vanilla extract, and hazelnuts. There’s a bit of honey that kicks the sweetness of the nose up a few degrees, along with a bit of orange zest.
Palate: On the palate, the hazelnut note steers the car as orange marmalade, vanilla extract, and warm oak tones become backseat drivers.
Finish: The finish finds a flourish of black pepper and barrel char, balancing out bits of vanilla, brown sugar, and hazelnut. It drops off fairly quickly, but the relative richness of the flavors makes it a savory finish despite its brevity.
Bottom Line:
While this is the bottle that most Blanton’s lovers know and enjoy, in the wider hierarchy of the expression, this one is pretty comfortably near the rear. That’s not a bad thing.
The reputation of Blanton’s Bourbon was built on the back of this bottle right here, and if it was your entry point into the lineup, you’re in luck: There are several expressions of higher quality that you’ll want to explore.
Blanton’s Takara Red is yet another bottle in the lineup that’s reserved for the Japanese market. What makes this one special, however, is that it follows all the base rules of Blanton’s bourbon; it’s just aged for two years longer than the brand’s flagship offering. Blanton’s with an additional 24 months in the barrel? Count me in.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose on this one kicks off with a touch of musty oak staves before it blossoms to give off the aroma of pecans, salted caramel, and a touch of bright cherry kissed with vanilla. It stays true to the classic Blanton’s profile with a touch more fruitiness.
Palate: On the palate, this one delivers as expected. There are winter spice barks, burnt orange peels, and some faint butterscotch flavors here lying on a bed of sweet oak and vanilla extract. The texture is just round enough to hold all of those flavors together and coat your palate in a satisfying fashion.
Finish: The finish is where Blanton’s Takara Red struts its stuff compared to the flagship offering. With a medium finish that features some oily, nutty notes alongside vanilla and butterscotch, it comes across as a bit richer than your everyday Blanton’s expression.
Bottom Line:
We still aren’t in the territory of Blanton’s expressions that are worth the asking price (unless you can find the standard offering at MSRP), but compared to its 80-proof companions, Blanton’s Takara Red is certainly more deserving of your attention. What happens when you take standard Blanton’s bourbon and age it for just a hair longer than your typical domestic offering? Great things, indeed.
If you’re on the fence about the effects that a mere two years can have on a bourbon’s flavor profile, then you should definitely seek this one out.
Produced for about a decade, from 1999 to 2009, is Blanton’s Silver. Since being discontinued, the legend of this expression has only grown, but within the Blanton’s family, there’s little that sets it apart from its peers. What this has in common with most other Blanton’s expressions is that it hails from Buffalo Trace’s Warehouse H and is aged for 6-8 years. What makes this one special is that it’s bottled at a higher proof (49% ABV), and it sports a flashy silver label and topper.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose on this expression is an absolute delight. Gooey caramel, faint cardamom, some wet grass, and Manuka honey notes lead the way. After giving this one some time to rest in the glass, you’re able to pull out some sweet cherry and vanilla ice cream aromas as well, plus a touch of freshly cracked black pepper.
Palate: On the palate, it’s the sweet cherry and vanilla ice cream notes that stand out at first. Once those sweet, fruity touches fade, you’ll find some cardamom, raw honey, black pepper, and pecan notes nestled underneath. There’s also a distinct note of nougat and nutmeg pulsing at the heart of every sip, which I found quite pleasant.
Finish: The medium-length finish on this whiskey feels just right, as it provides enough breathing room for accents of sweetness to complement the flavors of nutmeg, oak, and nougat that flourish before it dissipates from your palate.
Bottom Line:
In this day and age, you’re paying a huge premium for this bottle due to factors that aren’t really tied to how it tastes. As one of only two expressions on this list that are no longer produced, it’s a scarce but delicious whiskey. Try it if you come across it, because it’s proof positive that Blanton’s really shines at a slightly higher proof, but I can’t in good faith recommend buying a bottle unless you’re a devout fan and absolute completionist.
Yes, Blanton’s is one of the most polarizing whiskeys in the bourbon world, oftentimes serving as a superfluous litmus test. Blanton’s Straight From The Barrel, however, is probably the most sought-after offering in the iconic single-barrel bourbon range, bottled at cask strength for the fullest flavor and matured between 6-8 years.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Brown sugar, stewed apple chunks, and substantial oak tones fill the air with this bourbon in your glass. There are a few oddities to be found, like singed apricot, yellow curry, and cranberry fruit jelly, as well as some classics like caramel and vanilla.
Palate: On the palate, this bourbon comes across as densely packed with flavor and a bit muddled. Give it a second sip, and those flavors become far more distinct as brown sugar can be picked out along with sweet vanilla, toasted almonds, cooked apples, undercooked dough, and cinnamon bark. The texture is burly, and the high proof combined with its relative youth indicates it is “hot” on the palate, which I prefer to describe as being bold.
Finish: The climax of each sip continues that bold streak as a touch of apple cider vinegar pairs well with brown sugar, oak, and chocolate-covered vanilla cone notes for the lengthy finish.
Bottom Line:
Some may be surprised to see this bottle outside of the top three, but for my palate, it’s simply too unpredictable to place it higher. This particular bottling is surprisingly grain-forward, and while it’s impressively bold on the tip of the tongue and the finish, it has something of a hollow core with a limp midpalate experience that sucks a lot of the fun away from those lovely robust flavors found at the bookends of every sip. YMMV (it is a single-barrel bourbon lineup, after all), but I’ve seldom found a bottle of Straight From The Barrel that checks every box.
Blanton’s Gold was formerly an expression only available in foreign markets, but in 2020, the popular offering was sold for the first time stateside. Bottled at ten proof points higher than Blanton’s standard edition, this version is easily identifiable by its golden bottle topper and see-through bottle design.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose on Blanton’s gold is full of bright cherries, candied apples, caramel, and honey. It’s only after further investigation that you’ll find baking spices like cinnamon, clove, and a faint bit of ginger as well.
Palate: In the mouth, Blanton’s Gold contains a multitude of the aforementioned sweet notes with bright cherries, vanilla ice cream, caramel, and crème brulée. There’s a bit of black pepper and barrel char, but not much, and the guilty pleasure derived from all that sweetness is enhanced by the liquid’s impressively viscous, almost syrupy, mouth-coating texture.
Finish: The finish finds candied ginger and fresh red apples fused with black pepper spice and caramelized sugar. The finish is only medium length, but the richness of the flavor notes makes every moment of that finish quite delightful.
Bottom Line:
One can’t shake the feeling that the flavor of Blanton’s Gold is what Blanton’s standard should be. While it is decidedly sweeter than its lower-proofed brethren, it contains a level of refinement that, relative to its ABV, borders on decadent. Approachable and perfectly polished, Blanton’s Gold is easily the most crowd-pleasing bourbon in the domestic Blanton’s lineup, and when it comes to “regular” releases, it’s definitely my favorite.
Blanton’s Gold is definitely my preferred proof and flavor profile when it comes to the Blanton’s lineup, but what makes Takara Gold even better? The same factor that separates Takara Red and standard Blanton’s: Two extra years of aging. If you happen to see this one out in the wild without its shiny box or red dust bag, you can identify the difference between this one and domestic Blanton’s Gold by paying attention to the wax that adorns the topper. For domestic Blanton’s Gold, the wax is black, while for Takara Gold, it’s more of a maroon color.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose on Blanton’s Takara Gold is front loaded with fruit notes as caramel apples, cocktail cherries, and brown sugar stewed peaches stand out at first. From there, it evolves to include some sweet oak, vanilla ice cream, cloves, and cinnamon bark. It’s a familiar, but distinctly rich aroma profile for Blanton’s bourbon.
Palate: On the palate, this whiskey is impressively viscous to start as waves of honey, vanilla bean, and black cherry notes wash over the tongue. Fainter notes of caramel and red apples continue the evolution on the palate before sweet oak, cloves, and a hint of black pepper spice fully flesh out each sip.
Finish: The finish is medium-to-long and shows off the whiskey’s creamy texture as cloves, caramel apples, and vanilla flavors cap things off.
Bottom Line:
Sure, it’s harder to find (and only comes in a 700ml bottle), but those two extra years of aging compared to domestic Blanton’s Gold mean you’re getting a slightly richer flavor experience, and one that ups the intrigue as you sit with the glass at length. This is the pinnacle of contemporary Blanton’s expressions: Proofed perfectly, and matured for a considerable amount of time, making it the offering you should most enthusiastically try to add to your collection.
Throughout its history, there have occasionally been some extra-special single-barrel private selections of Blanton’s. You may have seen some popular ones from the likes of La Maison du Whisky in France, or perhaps you’ve seen some of the celebratory ones like the 2024 40th Anniversary bottling for stores in the Caribbean and Greece, or proto-bottles like the elusive Frankfort, Kentucky, Bicentennial bottle.
Of all the truly unique Blanton’s bottles in existence, this is the best and the rarest that I’ve tried: My Only Blanton’s. The highest proof Blanton’s to ever be bottled, at 141.9, from ‘06-07, these extremely limited single barrel offerings were made available to select Takara Shuzo customers in Japan. Fewer than five of these bottles are known to be open in the entire world, and it’s believed that fewer than 125 were ever produced, though it’s likely there were even fewer given its proof.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose on this whiskey is potent and full of brown sugar, stewed red apples, faint tobacco leaves, Aleppo red pepper flakes, and organic honey. It’s an alluring blend of aromas that draws your nose deeper in the glass before you realize its most impressive aspect: it masks the heat from the proof while delivering the richness that one expects at such an elevated ABV.
Palate: On the palate, this whiskey remains as potent as the nose indicated, with Aleppo red pepper flakes combining with salted caramel and stewed apples on the tip of the tongue. Once that initial wave reaches midpalate, it opens up with the flavors of black cherries, pie crust, and sweet oak. The texture is medium-bodied, but as it dissipates, it prickles the edges of your tongue with black pepper and nutmeg.
Finish: The finish goes on for days and impressively fuses the flavors of black pepper, black cherries, and toffee for a balanced but bold send-off with every sip.
Bottom Line:
It’s a feature, not a bug, of the single-barrel bourbon business that sometimes these one-off snowflakes are exceptionally delicious. Enthusiasts might grumble about it, and avid collectors certainly spend an outsized amount of time just locating rare bottles like this one. Still, when remarkable rarity is paired with incredible quality, the legend of bottles like this one is born.
It certainly helps that this is the highest confirmed proof ever to grace a bottle of Blanton’s. The online fervor over this bottle has also been fueled by Neat Bourbon Bar and Bottle Shop in Louisville, which recently added it to its back bar…only to see it emptied within the span of a month.
No matter, I’m here to confirm that the hype is real, and when it comes to hyper-limited bottlings of Blanton’s that I’ve had the opportunity to try as a professional whiskey critic, this one takes the cake.
Welcome to SNX DLX, your weekly roundup of the best sneakers to hit the internet. Except for Halloween and Valentine’s Day, sneaker brands don’t really mess with holidays, so when we took a peek at this week’s calendar of sneaker releases, we were shocked that so many gems are quietly dropping. Now, granted, this is one of our shortest roundups of the year, but we wouldn’t be able to forgive ourselves if we didn’t put sneakers like the AF-1 Mamba or the White and Silver Jordan 3 on your radar.
Expect things to pick back up again next week. For now, here are the best sneakers dropping this week, let’s dive in!
From now until the end of the year, Nike is planning on dropping multiple Kobe Bryan-inspired Air Force 1 silhouettes, and the brand is kicking off that initiative with this Triple White colorway. This sneaker features an all-white leather upper and at first glance it looks like a regular AF-1 but if you look closely you can see a subtle all-over snakeskin print with Kobe’s Sheath logo branding on the heel.
Unlike a lot of the recent Kobe-themed sneakers out of Nike this year, this one is wonderfully subtle.
The Nike Air Force 1 Low Mamba is out now for a retail price of $120. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app or aftermarket sites like GOAT and Flight Club.
Damian Lillard’s tenth Adidas signature has landed! The Dame X sports a textile upper and lining with 3D printed accents, multidirectional traction, and a Lightstrike midsole. The debut colorway features a mix of Lime, Blue, and Signal Coral with black accents. It’s bold, bright, and designed to be lightweight and performance-focused. Another winner for Dame!
The Adidas Dame X is out now for a retail price of $90. Pick up a pair via the Adidas CONFIRMED app.
We’re not about to throw any shade toward the Triple AF-1 Mamba, but we’re puzzled why Nike felt the need to cannibalize its own sales with this White and Silver Jordan 3. It’s fresh, simple, and elegant, with a leather upper, subtle silver accents, and a nubuck elephant print. Rounding out the design are some embroidered accents.
We don’t envy the people who are going to have to choose between the AF-1 and this Jordan 3!
The Nike Air Jordan 3 White and Silver is out now for a retail price of $205. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app or aftermarket sites like GOAT and Flight Club.
Nike x Kool-Aid Ja 2
Nike
Price:$135
No, you’re not the only one, this sneaker definitely looks insane, but there is always room for garish design in the sneaker space, and while this isn’t our favorite Ja 2 every released, it’s definitely noteworthy, and we suspect it is going to have a life well beyond this year.
The Tropical Punch Ja 2 is, for some reason, inspired by Kool-Aid. Why? We have no idea, but apparently Ja Morant is a big fan of Tropical Punch Kool-Aid, and why shouldn’t Nike make a shoe for an audience of one? Especially when that one person has their name attached to the shoe.
The sneaker features a crushed wall graphic behind the swoosh — a reference to the Kool-Aid man — with a tinted blue outsole, and condensation droplets throughout the design. It’s truly nuts, but we love it for that!
The Nike x Kool-Aid Ja 2 Tropical Punch is out now for a retail price of $135. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app or aftermarket sites like GOAT and Flight Club.
The summer sneaker season is all about bright and bold colors — but this Dark Team Red and Olive Flak SB Dunk Pro is an antidote to that trend, offering up something warm and moody to stand in stark contrast with everything else coming out right now.
The sneaker features a suede upper with a leather swoosh, a padded collar, Air Zoom cushioning, and warm, rich, and earthy tones. If you’re not about the summer trends, this Dunk Pro is a must cop.
The Nike SB Dunk Low Pro Dark Team Red and Olive Flak is out now for a retail price o $120. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app.
Disclaimer: While all of the products recommended here were chosen independently by our editorial staff, Uproxx may receive payment to direct readers to certain retail vendors who are offering these products for purchase.
Nestled in the breathtaking Wasatch Mountains, the new Grand Hyatt Deer Valley is redefining luxury in one of North America’s premier alpine destinations. This 436-room mountain retreat seamlessly blends modern elegance with rugged adventure, offering oversized accommodations, world-class hospitality, and unparalleled access to Deer Valley’s newest ski terrain. Whether you arrive for a powder-packed winter getaway or a sun-filled summer escape, the Grand Hyatt Deer Valley delivers an elevated experience that captures the essence of high-altitude indulgence. Dare I say it even gives Aspen a run for its money?
Deer Valley has long been synonymous with pristine slopes, first-class service, and an uncompromising commitment to luxury, and Grand Hyatt Deer Valley takes that reputation to new heights. Expansive windows frame panoramic mountain views, while warm, sophisticated interiors provide the perfect retreat after a day on the slopes (or on your way to Apres Ski, because we don’t judge). With premier slope side access, this alpine sanctuary is already becoming the crown jewel of Deer Valley’s ever-evolving luxury landscape.
PS: if the skiing in Deer Valley is good enough for the 2034 Olympics, it’s good enough for you.
WHY IT’S AWESOME:
GRAND HYATT DEER VALLEY
The Grand Hyatt Deer Valley is just the beginning of something even bigger—phase one of the new East Village, a development that promises to take this alpine retreat to the next level. Among the exciting additions is the hotel’s luxurious spa, set to open in June. But that’s just the start—the expansion will more than double the resort’s skiable terrain, introducing 17 new lifts, including a state-of-the-art gondola for effortless mountain access. Prefer to skip the ski route? No problem. The resort’s complimentary shuttle runs nearly every hour, making it effortless to explore everything Deer Valley has to offer.
For those who appreciate art as much as après-ski, the hotel has curated a stunning collection of locally commissioned pieces that celebrate Park City’s rich history and culture. This gallery collective showcases works from Park City Fine Art, Pando Fine Art, The Prospect Gallery, and more—each piece adding a distinctive touch to the hotel’s visual storytelling and immersive luxury experience.
IN-HOUSE FOOD + DRINK:
JAYME LAMM
Dining outlets are in no shortage here, with four on-site dining options. Dinner at Remington Hall is a must as are their Parker House Rolls. I’ve never paid $14 for bread at dinner, but rest assured they are worth every penny. They have a stellar collection of custom cocktails, including the Espresso Martini, which was classic and bold, and ranks right up there with the best of them.
Another pricey experience that cannot, I repeat cannot, be missed is High Chocolate in the Living Room. Pinkies up when sipping your $39 Hot Chocolate (to be fair, it’s a $25 craft-made hot chocolate with an optional $14 spiked add-on featuring Frangelico, Bailey’s, or Rittenhouse Rye). The experience already includes a delicious red velvet cookie, but if you’ve got a serious sweet tooth and burned lots of calories on the slopes, upgrade to the one-tier dessert option for $18. And yes, they offer to-go boxes if you don’t finish your treats.
Never had a dirty soda? Swap your morning latte at Double Blacks for Utah’s favorite bevy—you won’t regret it.
AMENITIES:
GRAND HYATT DEER VALLEY
55-inch flat-screen HDTV with streaming
Wi-Fi Free
Mini-bar
Nespresso coffee maker
Air conditioning
Safe
Hairdryer
Telephone
Blackout curtains
Individual climate control
Bath robes and slippers
Iron and ironing board
ROOM TYPES:
GRAND HYATT DEER VALLEY
With 25 different layouts and room types to choose from, the suites here are nothing short of spacious. But if, like me, you love a good balcony, keep in mind that only a handful of room types offer them.
THE BEST THING TO DO WITHIN A 15 MINUTE WALK:
JAYME LAMM
Some of the best experiences in the area can be found right inside the hotel—unless, of course, you’re eager to venture across the street to hop on the Keetley Lift, where heated seats ensure a cozy start to your daily adventure. For an evening of entertainment, head to Hidden Ace, the hotel’s stylish basement speakeasy, where live local music from Park City’s vibrant scene takes center stage (typically Thursday through Saturday nights).
THE BEST THING TO EAT/DRINK WITHIN A $20 CAB RIDE:
deer valley jayme lamm
Make a reservation at KAENO, a Mediterranean Bar and Lounge, and order a glass of white wine (you can bring your own bottle for a corking fee) and the Whole Branzino. Here you’ll find delicious food, lively cocktails, art, atmosphere, and people richer than the ones you met the night before. Time it for the hotel’s shuttle for a free ride there and back and use your $20 to tip the local musician.
BED GAME:
GRAND HYATT DEER VALLEY
Maybe it was all the adventure or the delicious cocktails at Hidden Ace, but we slept like babies here each night.
Rating: 9.5/10
SEXINESS RATING:
JAYME LAMM
If you’re a mountain lover like me, this is the perfect sexy weekend getaway with your S.O.
Rating: 9/10
THE VIEWS & PICS SPOT:
JOHNNY ADOLPHSON PHOTOGRAPHY
The hotel’s hot tub offers a picture-worthy spot. Add a faux fur hat and some oversized shades and you’ve got your new profile picture ready to upload.
BEST SEASON TO VISIT:
JAYME LAMM
If you’re heading to Deer Valley for the snow, there’s no crystal ball for predicting conditions, but March is my top pick for skiing. Just try to avoid Spring Break—unless you enjoy higher prices and dodging a swarm of ski school kiddos learning to “pie” on the mountain.
IF I HAD TO COMPLAIN ABOUT ONE THING:
As with most hotels, this one has a signature scent throughout the property. Inside the room, they spray the sheets with the scent, which was too overpowering for me. The hotel staff was so accommodating, and they changed out our bedding while we were at dinner.
The latest Deftones album is 2020’s Ohms, and while it’s been nearly five years since then, it looks like a new one is coming very soon.
In a recent appearance on The Dr. Greenthumb Show (as MetalSucks notes), Everlast was with Deftones guitarist Stephen Carpenter and he said:
“Since we’re going to be on this kind of, you know, throwing flowers around attitude, this man has a record coming out much sooner, in August, that I just heard a few songs from. [It] sounds like Deftones all got in time machines and got back out and hit the studio last week and are feeling young and beautiful. That record is amazing, man, all three [songs] that I heard… It’s gonna be a good musical summer for people who like what we do. Or summer for them; for you and me, probably end of the year.”
Son Doobie of the hip-hop group Funkdoobiest also said in the same interview, “The music you played Steph, [Carpenter] is always treating us to what he’s got going. And, man, those songs are amazing. And, like I said, man, Chino [Moreno] sounds amazing… Just on it, man, and sharp, man.”
However, there has been no official confirmation from the band that an album is coming.
For her Short N’ Sweet tour, Sabrina Carpenter partnered with Plus1, a nonprofit that per their website has programs including “a variety of offerings for artists and brands to engage in social impact in the ways that best suit their needs and interests.” Through Plus1, The Sabrina Carpenter Fund was launched, and one dollar from every tour ticket sold went to the fund. In less than a year, it has raised over $1 million, which is a record for the platform, as Forbes notes.
Per a 2024 annual report, “Sabrina’s team carefully selected nonprofit organizations that align with her values, ensuring that every dollar raised makes a meaningful difference.” Those organizations include the Best Friends Animal Society, The Jed Foundation, and the LGBT National Help Center.
Carpenter’s fund raised $824,000 during the North American dates of her tour before crossing the $ million mark during the European dates.
Carpenter told Forbes, “Less than a year ago, I launched a fund with PLUS1 around the Short n’ Sweet tour to help support some of the issue areas that matter most to me–mental health, animal welfare and LGBTQ+ rights. I’m so grateful that I get to use my platform to amplify the work of incredible organizations like the JED Foundation, PAPYRUS, and Rainbow Railroad. The work of these groups is truly life-changing – from The JED Foundation’s focus on protecting teen mental health and preventing suicide, to PAPYRUS, which provides mental health support for LGBTQ+ youth in the UK through its 24/7 hotline, to Rainbow Railroad, which helps ensure safety and freedom for LGBTQ+ people around the world.”
When Tyler Childers announced his new album Snipe Hunter last month, he did so while sharing “Nose On The Grindstone,” a song that fans already knew from his live performances of it over the years. Today (July 2), he has another Snipe Hunter song out, and it’s a similar story.
It’s not quite the same, though: While “Nose On The Grindstone” was a frequent live favorite (and a version of it is one of his most-streamed songs on Spotify), “Oneida” has been more of a rarity. Here he is performing it in 2016, and setlist.fm indicates he’s played it live only a handful of times since then.
Regarless, it’s a song fans have been eagerly awaiting. When Childers announced the release on Instagram last week, comments included, “9 years 2 kids 1 husband have happened while waiting for this damn song,” and, “This album is for the OGs. Just feel it.”
Listen to “Oneida” above. Childers also shared the Snipe Hunter tracklist, so find that below.
Tyler Childers’ Snipe Hunter Album Cover Artwork
Hickman Holler/RCA
Tyler Childers’ Snipe Hunter Tracklist
1. “Eatin’ Big Time”
2. “Cuttin’ Teeth”
3. “Oneida”
4. “Getting To The Bottom”
5. “Bitin’ List”
6. “Nose On The Grindstone”
7. “Watch Out”
8. “Down Under”
9. “Poachers
10. “Snipe Hunt”
11. “Tirtha Yatra”
12. “Tomcat And A Dandy”
13. “Dirty Ought Trill”
Snipe Hunter is out 7/25 via Hickman Holler/RCA. Find more information here.
Ethel Cain (aka Hayden Anhedönia) kicked off the year with the new project Perverts, following her breakout 2022 debut album Preacher’s Daughter. In March, she announced another new album, Willoughby Tucker, I’ll Always Love You, and in June, she shared “Nettles.”
Today (July 2) brings another new song: “F*ck Me Eyes,” a swelling, anthemic, synth-led number. Cain says in a statement:
“Continuing in the theme of high school anxieties, ‘F*ck Me Eyes’ (on top of being an homage to one of my favorite pop songs of all time, ‘Bette Davis Eyes’) is meant to be an ode to the girls who are perfect and have everything, yet carry the reputation of town slut. The beautiful blonde who is just lonely and wants to be loved, that all the adults condemn to each other, who ultimately is the girl everyone simultaneously can’t stand and wants to be. I wrote the beginning of this song five years ago, making it the oldest demo for the record. As the story became more fleshed out, I realized it had a more relevant place on the album than I originally thought. This song represents Ethel’s complicated feelings for the girl she’s convinced has caught her crush’s eye, as well as her 16-year-old thoughts on the matter.”
Listen to “F*ck Me Eyes” above.
Willoughby Tucker, I’ll Always Love You is out 8/6 via Daughters Of Cain Records. Find more information here.
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