Benny Blanco and Selena Gomez discuss the creation of their new album and debate which of them really said “I love you” first in a new short film, conveniently titled I Said I Love You First, same as the album itself.
The film includes both conversations about their joint creative process and intimate performances of songs from the album in their home, with Selena crediting Benny with having a more “diverse, interesting” musical palette than hers, and Benny complimenting his fiancée’s creativity.
They also discuss the challenges of figuring out a system for working together, with Selena admitting that “I didn’t want you in the room” while recording, because “it’s hard having producers in the room, but you make it easy.” The key, they discover, is communication, something that we get to see for the first time in their sweet short.
“Sometimes, people like to make stuff that’s so perfect and so put-together, but what makes you so special… is it’s rough around the edges and real,” Benny tells her. She replies, “The easiest thing about the process… your notes are always extremely generous and never dismissive of the qualities I do have.”
Watch the “I Said I Love You First” short film above.
About a month ago, Nas’ label, Mass Appeal, announced Legend Has It…, an upcoming slate of albums — including one from a secret artist. Today, they revealed who the artist was via Nas’ social media and a cinematic trailer; Slick Rick, whose last album, The Art Of Storytelling, was released over 25 years ago in 1999. Talk about your “epic returns.” The album is called Victory, and is due on June 13 alongside a “visual album” that the trailer says was filmed over the course of four years, helmed by executive producer Idris Elba and premiering at SXSW London and Tribeca Film Festival the same day.
The trailer features black-and-white shots of a slew of young men, ranging from elementary school aged to elderly, wearing Rick’s iconic eye patch, as Rick narrates. “Before there was motion pictures, you had be able to make people visualize through your mouth, through your poetry,” he says. “Let the mind fly.”
In addition to Victory, the Legend Has It… initiative will include new albums from a group of New York rap pioneers and staples, including the late Big L, De La Soul, Ghostface Killah, Mobb Deep, and Raekwon. Starting with Slick Rick’s return is one hell of a way to kick things off, and promises great things from the project.
You can watch the tailer for Victory above.
Victory is due on June 13 via Mass Appeal and 7Wallace. For info on the film premieres, click here (SXSW London) and here (Tribeca).
Ladies and gents, the rappers are rapping in 2025. Inspired the pugilistic vibes of the year previous, respected word slingers like Joey Badass and rising stars like Ray Vaughn are stepping into the booth with cruel (but sportsmanlike) intentions. The latest dispatch comes from the Brooklyn rapper, who responds to the Long Beach Top Dawg representative’s day-old diss “Hoe Era” with the deprecatory (and timely) “The Finals.” The NBA finals are still a couple of weeks away (at best) but hey, it’s never too early to get a jump on the search engines.
This time, Joey goes for the jugular, making sure to mention Ray’s name multiple times and predicting a short stay on the TDE roster for his opponent. “I let ’em rot while I charge ’em for top dollar / You’re the next n**** gettin’ dropped off thе Top roster,” he sneers. “And I’ma be the Rеason, okay, bet / You sick dog, lookin’ for beef with a seasoned vet.” Reason, of course, infamously agitated for a release from his contract with the label last year, releasing his first independent project this year (check out our interview with him about it here).
At the end of the track, Joey returns his attention to his true target: Kendrick Lamar, with whom he’s had a friendly competition since Kendrick’s notorious “Control” verse put the rap game on notice in 2014. “I salute you Kenny, but I know you well aware,” he warns. “You lookin’ for some competition? Then just know that I’ll be right here.”
Dexter Morgan is alive. This isn’t news and shouldn’t be news, considering that TV’s most beloved serial killer overcame sailing into a hurricane in the Dexter series finale. He also somehow survived a supposedly fatal gunshot wound in the New Blood finale, and this is a world where the Trinity Killer is apparently also still kicking, so all good? Additionally, the Original Sin prequel series will return for an additional season, so let’s just roll with the delicious absurdity on what to expect from Showtime’s Dexter: Resurrection.
Release Date
Finally, we know that Dexter: Resurrection will throw out knives on July 11 on streaming (for subscribers of Paramount+ with Showtime) and July 13 on Showtime. From there, word on The Trinity Killer series will be forthcoming, and Resurrection is also aiming for multiple seasons. This teaser video sets the tone for Hall’s in-the-flesh return. What a stinker.
Plot
After the Original Sin pilot episode revealed that Dexter didn’t bleed out due to the cold temps in Iron Lake, New York, the sequel series will take him to the Big Apple. How he manages to do so despite law enforcement’s existence, nobody knows, and there will also be some parts of this show set in Miami, probably for Angel Batista’s POV. Michael C. Hall, however, was spotted acting relatively carefree on the New York set with co-stars Krysten Ritter and David Dastmalchian. It also looks like Dexter is a sharp-dressed man now.
Original series showrunner Clyde Phillips has returned for this sequel series, and he recently told Vanity Fair that Hall made this happen with an irresistible pitch. “Michael said, ‘Dexter is in my bones, and I know what’s in your bones, Clyde. Can you figure out a way to undo what we did at the end of New Blood? Is there a way to make him survive?’” he implored. A week later, Phillips and executive producer Scott Reynolds had a “yes” for their main dude. As such, this show will give Dexter a “new beginning” in a city where “you can be lost and found” with Dexter locating himself.
What does that mean? Again, ambiguity prevails, but ComicBook points towards franchise writer Scott Reynolds posting a photo of blood slides on Instagram. As Dexter aficionados know, he did stop keeping blood-slide souvenirs of his targets during the latter part of Dexter. So, which killer do these new slides belong to: Dexter, Harrison, or somebody else? Your guess is as good as ours, and Showtime must like it that way because secrecy has been paramount (for this show that will stream on Paramount Plus).
Showtime
Speaking of Harrison, Dexter will track down his son “fairly quickly,” according to Clyde Phillips via Vanity Fair. He will then hesitate to make his presence known due to the following question: “Is it going to screw him up to have a zombie dad?” Well, Harrison is already screwed up with a Dark Passenger aboard, so buckle up, Dad. Phillips further revealed that father and son will come together with Dexter “determined to make sure that he has a solid—and more importantly honest and loving-relationship with his son,” despite the whole gunshot thing.
Then there’s the incredible, jam-packed cast (covered in the next section) with Phillips rightfully pointing out, “[N]obody gets a call sheet like this, particularly on a TV show. I guess it shows that we’re more than just a TV show. People want to work with Michael.” Damn straight.
Cast
Every Dexter season revolves around a Big Bad, and there’s absolutely no clue on who that will be for Dexter: Resurrection although plenty of candidates exist. Everybody is a suspect, but at least we know that John Lithgow’s inexplicable Trinity Killer return will be brief (and does seem geared toward setting expectations for the Trinity Killer prequel series)
An array of new faces will join the franchise, including Krysten Ritter as “Mia Lapierre, a renowned sommelier who may be hiding a serial killer secret.” She will be joined by “goth fam” member David Dastmalchian as Gareth. And Peter Dinklage is onboard as Leon Prater, a billionaire who presents himself as “a generous philanthropist, but behind his polished exterior lies dark intrigue.” Mystery roles will also be filled by Kill Bill‘s Uma Thurman, Modern Family‘s Eric Stonestreet, and Gone Girl victim Neil Patrick Harris.
There’s further room for several returning stars. They include Jack Alcott as Dexter’s son, Harrison, who will never live down that treadmill scene, and I’m still disappointed that this hasn’t become his official Dark Passenger origin story. Other familiar faces include James Remar as Dexter’s dad, Harry Morgan, and David Zayas as Miami PD’s Angel Batista. However, Jennifer Carpenter will not return as Ghost Deb, who deserves some rest.
Trailer
Alright, so Showtime hasn’t released a trailer yet, which means that we will have to make do with logistics and fun. First, here’s Dexter asking if you missed him, and you know that you did.
For the “fun” part, let’s relive how Doakes never stood a chance against Dexter.
Located in Napa Valley, the retro Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort & Mineral Springs is the ultimate homebase for a trip full of wine and wellness. Located on Calistoga’s main drag, Lincoln Ave, it’s easily identifiable by its original neon sign and mint-hued vintage 1952 Buick. As the name implies, Dr. Wilkinson’s is more than a resort — it’s a mineral hot spring oasis. The ethos of wellness helmed by John “Doc” Wilkinson and his wife Edy, remains inherent in the property over 70 years after its inception. Wellness seekers from around the world continue to flock to the rejuvenating mud baths and healing waters.
Here’s what makes this historic wellness resort the must-stay place while visiting Napa.
WHY IT’S AWESOME
Lola Méndez
Dr. Wilkinson’s re-opened in 2021 after a multi-million dollar interior renovation and stayed true to its mid-century roots while remodeling guest rooms with comfortable and modernized amenities. Think furnishing with rounded edges in bright orange and pink hues, funky floor lamps and rugs, color-blocked art, retro-looking appliances such as a small sky-blue Galanz fridge, white bicycles with picnic baskets, and more.
Throughout the year Dr. Wilkinson’s offers various events and activities for guests including backyard Pinot & Pétanque games and Wilk’s Wine Night during Visit Calistoga’s Fourth Fridays.
I got to experience the millennial-pink oasis during Wellness Week where I enjoyed activities including yoga on the front lawn, paint and sips, and a candle-making workshop. The highlight was a Cannescape dinner and breakfast self dosed with THC oil ($650 including hotel stay).
IN HOUSE FOOD + DRINK
Lola Méndez
When Dr. Wilkinson’s reopened a few years back it came with a new addition — a new on-site all-day restaurant, House of Better. Open to the public and situated on the property’s front lawn with patio-style dining tables, the counter-service restaurant and bar was created by Trevor Logan of Green Chile Kitchen in San Francisco and the Sonoma-based Chile Pies Baking Co.
House of Better serves healthy Southwestern-inspired dishes such as green chile stew, green chile cheeseburgers, and grilled fish tacos. For dessert, dig into Logan’s famous fresh-baked pies offering an array of mouth-watering flavors like the green chile apple pie with a cheddar crust, walnut streusel topping, and a spicy chile glaze.
You won’t find cocktails here but you can order local beer and wine with your meals. During your stay at the resort, detox to retox with fermented drinks, adaptogenic mushroom teas, and CBD-infused beverages. Don’t forget to fill up your reusable bottle time and time again at the “fountain of youth” in the lobby. The water dispenser has an Aqua Ovo filtration system with rock salt, carbon, copper alloy, quartz crystal, and red clay that are alleged to have health benefits and are tasteless.
AMENITIES
Lola Méndez
Dr. Wilkinson’s has three spring-fed geothermal mineral pools filled with water sourced from Calistoga’s natural hot springs including a covered shallow circular mineral pool kept at 105 degrees Fahrenheit and a cold deluge shower in the Spa Garden. The other two are outdoors and are equipped with cozy lounge chairs, padded day beds, rentable cabanas, and vibrant murals.
The mineral waters have a near-neutral pH balance and have been evaluated by the Balneology Association of North America which certified that the healing water can strengthen skin, balance the peripheral nervous system, reset stressed nervous systems, and detoxify.
Mark Compton
The highlight of any stay at Dr. Wilkinson’s is indulging in a mud bath — it’s the same treatment that guests have enjoyed for over seven decades. The secret blend of mineral-rich mud and organic Calistoga volcanic ash was created by Doc Wilkinson. The 60-minute $239 “Mudslinger” package includes a 15-minute mud bath and a 15-minute mineral soak — both in private tubs — a mud mask, steam room, and blanket wrap.
The mud doesn’t have much of a stench but I won’t lie to you and tell you it doesn’t look like manure. It can feel quite heavy, similar to a weighted blanket, and is hotter the deeper you sink in but feels incredible once you relax and allow the mud to rejuvenate your skin. Go ahead and book a 60-minute massage, I promise you’re not going to regret it. I loved the incredibly relaxing Amethyst Biomat Swedish Massage ($219).
Lola Méndez
The resort truly lives up to its tagline of “where wellness meets happiness” with life-sized chess pieces, a swing, and cozy hammocks in the backyard. There are small boutiques in the hotel’s lobby and the spa’s reception offering a variety of local apothecary products, world-renowned skincare items, and a mineral bath packet to recreate the mineral bath experience at home. If you loved the faded pink branded robes or plush resort towels you can buy them here as well as my favorite reef-safe sunscreen, Sun Bum.
Amenities:
Three spring-fed geothermal mineral pools
Cold deluge shower
Day beds & cabanas
Mud baths
Life-sized chess board
Swings
Hammocks
Free wifi
Onsite restaurant
Pet friendly
ROOM TYPES
Mark Compton
It’s no surprise that the 50 refreshed guest rooms at the motel-like hotel embody California cool with a blend of vintage and modern aesthetics. I stayed in a Deluxe King room on the ground floor near the pools. The warm color palette of the room’s decor pops against the stark bright white walls and oak floors. Adornments include one-of-a-kind handmade pottery pieces by local ceramics studio NBC Pottery.
I loved the easy access of walking out of my room in the blush robe directly to the bar counter to get a MUDWTR and then into the mineral pools first thing in the morning. The Malin + Goetz peppermint shampoo was so invigorating that I went home and bought a similar one with a peppermint scent. Props to Dr. Wilkinson’s for using reusable containers for its toiletries which are more eco-friendly. There are also recycling bins around the property and water refill stations.
There’s a mix of guest room types to choose from including a standalone one-bedroom bungalow, three Spa Cottages with clawfoot tubs, and a 1924-vintage Victorian bunkhouse with five rooms that sleeps 15 and is perfect for bachelorette spa getaway parties. Regardless of which room you book, you’ll have a Google Nest voice-activated speaker loaded with local information, a mini Galanz refrigerator, Smeg kettle with coffee and tea. Be warned that the beauty minibar on the pink shelf in the bathroom isn’t included in the price of the room — the products, including facial oils, masks, and CBD creams are available for purchase.
BEST THING TO DO WITHIN A 15-MINUTE WALK
Lola Méndez
Calistoga is a darling town in Northern Napa that’s very walkable, but if you want to venture further — or faster — borrow one of the white cruiser bicycles at Dr. Wilkinson’s. Head to Calistoga Roastery for hand-roasted coffee and baked treats and then browse the paintings at Sofie Contemporary Arts Gallery. Drop into the women-owned Picayune Cellars and Mercantile for a $35 tasting of their sustainable wines — the Champagne and Albariño are both excellent. Get a scoop or two of organic ice cream at Calistoga Creamery. Want to try more local wines? August Briggs Winery and Tank Garage Winery are within walking distance.
THE BEST THING TO DO/EAT/DRINK WITHIN AN HOURS DRIVE
Lola Méndez
The best way to get around Napa is with a hired driver so you don’t have to worry about driving under the influence between wine tastings.
The Napa Valley Wine Train — The wine train may be a bit kitschy but it’s a nostalgic way to see the Napa Valley and enjoy fantastic wines. Go for the $245Wine Train Gourmet Express Lunch and order a wine flight as you sit back and enjoy the journey.
Old Faithful Geyser of California — Calistoga is home to its very own Old Faithful Geyser (one of three in the world) which isn’t much of a surprise considering the area’s geothermal activity. It’s only a 5-minute drive from Dr. Wilkinson’s and it’s fascinating to watch the water explode from the Earth. It’s $15 to enter unless you ride over on a bicycle which gives you a $3 discount.
Sequoia Grove — This sustainable winery is my favorite of the dozen or so I’ve visited in Napa Valley over the last year. Make a lunchtime reservation for the $150 per person “A Taste For Cabernet” multi-coursed food and wine pairing crafted by Chef Britny Maureze. Her creations are expertly paired with Single-Vineyard and Reserve Sequoia Grove wines. You’ll leave convinced that Cabernet Sauvignon isn’t just meant to be enjoyed with a steak — it actually goes great with seafood too.
Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve — Walking amongst giant redwoods is a must while in Northern California. The ancient coast redwood can live 1,000 years, grow to a diameter of 16 feet, and is the tallest living thing on Earth at up to 350 feet tall. The fee is $10 per car to enter the reserve.
BED GAME
It might have been all the wine and cannabis I consumed on my trip but if it weren’t for the promise of a hot mineral spring a few steps away I would’ve never been able to get myself out of bed — the mattresses and super soft bedding is just that good. I’m also a pillow hog so I loved having four plush pillows all to myself.
Rating: 8/10
SEXINESS FACTOR
The millennial pink and femme design touches make this feel like a spot for a girl’s getaway whether it be to celebrate a birthday or a bachelorette party. I’m queer so I could certainly see myself enjoying some R+R with a girlfriend here but it doesn’t scream sexy secluded enclave for couples.
Rating: 6/10
THE VIEWS & PICS SPOTS
Lola Méndez
You’ll leave with a camera roll full of Insta-worthy shots at this colorful, joyful wellness resort. No photos are allowed in the mud baths so kiss goodbye your dreams of a picture covered in the brown gooey substance. But you can snap photos to your heart’s content in the mineral pools, the egg swings, pool cabanas, hammocks, and more.
Rating: 9/10
BEST SEASON TO VISIT
Napa Valley is fantastic to visit year-round. Dr. Wilkinson’s gets most bookings in spring and summer due to sunny weather but fall is a fantastic time to visit during the wineries harvest season. And what could be better than a hot spring in the dead of winter?
IF I HAD TO COMPLAIN ABOUT ONE THING
I’m gluten-free and vegan due to allergies and preferences and was disappointed by the lack of variety in the plant-based wheat-free meal options at House of Good, considering it’s meant to be a health-forward eatery and Dr. Wilkinson’s is a wellness retreat. The restaurant is celebrated for its pies and I was bummed I couldn’t try one.
BOOK HERE
Room rates vary depending on the day of the week and the season. Rates can be $279 on weekdays or $700 plus on weekends. The resort fee of $30 per night includes two Pathwater bottles, hydration packets, and therapeutic essential oils to diffuse in-room. Book your stay here.
Back in 2023, Ric Wilson linked up with Chromeo and A-Trak for the album Clusterfunk. Wilson hasn’t had a solo project in seven years, though, but that’s about to change: Today (May 15), he announced a new EP, America Runs On Disco.
He also shared the Party Pupils collab “Missin My Window.” Wilson says of the song:
“You ever get too caught up with work and come home and wanna make some love to your lover but they are asleep. hahaha this song is about that experience and feeling and it’s always your fault beloved. […] Me and Party Pupils had been fans of each other for a while before this link up, this was the first session we did of many that had come after.”
Listen to “Missin My Window” above and find the America Runs On Disco cover art below, along with Wilson’s upcoming tour dates. Also revisit our 2023 interview with Wilson here.
Ric Wilson’s America Runs On Disco Album Cover Artwork
Free Disco
Ric Wilson’s 2025 Tour Dates
05/25 — Brooklyn, NY @ Breaking Bread @ Baby’s All Right
06/19 — Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle (America Runs On Disco Dance Party)
06/27 — Milwaukee, WI @ Cactus Club (America Runs On Disco Dance Party)
06/28 — Chicago, IL @ Red Bull Dance Your Style
07/19 — San Diego, CA @ San Diego Pride Festival
10/25 — Utrecht, NL @ Juice Box Festival
America Runs On Disco is out 6/20 via Free Disco/Empire. Find more information here.
Each week our staff of film and television experts surveys the entertainment landscape to select the ten best new/newish shows available for you to stream at home. We put a lot of thought into our selections, and our debates on what to include and what not to include can sometimes get a little heated and feelings may get hurt, but so be it, this is an important service for you, our readers. With that said, here are our selections for this week.
15. Dying for Sex (Hulu)
fx on hulu
Based on the acclaimed podcast, Dying for Sex follows Molly Kochan (Michelle Williams) who decides to leave her husband (Jay Duplass) after being diagnosed with Stage IV metastatic breast cancer in order to explore her sexual desires for the first time. She’s joined on her journey of exploration by her best friend Nikki (Jenny Slate). The heart-tugging series was created by Kim Rosenstock and Elizabeth Meriwether, who also created New Girl.
The last time we checked in with Hacks, Deborah (Jean Smart) succeeded in her life-long dream to become a late-night host — but not without betraying her friend and writing partner Ava (Hannah Einbinder), who holds a secret over Deborah. And she’s not afraid to use it. Season 4 finds tensions between the two rising while working on the show.
The Rehearsal, the most brilliantly deadpan show on TV, stars Nathan Fielder as a man on a mission to reduce the uncertainties of everyday life. In season 2, the urgency of his project grows as he puts his resources toward an issue that affects us all: commercial aviation. It’s good to see that laptop harness again.
Andor is not only the best Star Wars show. It ranks high among the Star Wars, well, anything — movies, books, video games. The politically-charged series takes place as war draws near and Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) becomes a key player in the Rebel Alliance. Here’s more: “Everyone will be tested and, as the stakes rise, the betrayals, sacrifices and conflicting agendas will become profound.” We know how the story ends, but it’s been a blast(er) getting there.
Black Bag is a fun, sexy spy movie from Steven Soderbergh that stars Michael Fassbender, Cate Blanchett, Marisa Abela (Yas from Industry!), Tom Burke, Naomie Harris, Regé-Jean Page, and Pierce Brosnan — and it didn’t even make its budget back at the box office? Come on, America. Do better! You’re out of excuses now that Black Bag is on streaming. It’s one of the year’s best.
The Four Seasons comes from the all-star team of Tina Fey (30 Rock, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, etc.), Tracey Wigfield (30 Rock, the canceled-too-soon Great News, Peacock’s shockingly good Saved by the Bell), and Lang Fisher (the sweetly funny Never Have I Ever). Based on the 1981 movie of the same name, it follows three married couples — Kate (Fey) and Jack (Will Forte), Nick (Steve Carell) and Anne (Kerri Kenney-Silver), and Danny (Colman Domingo) and Claude (Marco Calvani) — across spring, summer, fall, and winter. It’s a breezy and heartfelt good time.
Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively are back for Paul Feig’s Another Simple Favor. In the sequel to the 2018 film, Stephanie Smothers (Kendrick) and Emily Nelson (Lively) reunite on the island of Capri, Italy, for Emily’s extravagant wedding to an old-money businessman. But there’s murder afoot! Well, murder, new extravagant outfits, and a wild sex scene.
Summer of 69 received strong reviews coming out of South by Southwest, where it premiered earlier this year. Directed by the very funny Jillian Bell in her feature-length debut, the comedy is about an awkward high school student (Sam Morelos) who hires an exotic dancer (Chloe Fineman) to help seduce her longtime crush before graduation. If you’ve ever wanted to hear a stripper do a Jennifer Coolidge impression, this is the movie for you!
Following on the heels of the delightful movie Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. comes another adaptation of a Judy Blume book. Inspired by the 1975 novel of the same name, Forever is described as an “epic love story of two Black teens,” high school students Keisha (Lovie Simone) and Justin (Michael Cooper Jr.), as they prepare for college. The reviews are off the charts for the series, which was adapted by Girlfriends creator Mara Brock Akil. If you don’t watch Forever, you’ll regret it, well, forever.
Created by Rian Johnson (Star Wars: The Last Jedi, which is a very good movie, and Knives Out), Poker Face stars Natasha Lyonne as a former casino employee who has an ability to determine when someone is lying — a skill that she uses to solve various murders across the country. It’s a blast, and season 2 has an insane number of guest stars, including Cynthia Erivo, Giancarlo Esposito, John Cho, John Mulaney, Justin Theroux, Kumail Nanjiani, Margo Martindale, Patti Harrison, Richard Kind, and Sam Richardson. Don’t be surprised if Poker Face ends up as one of the best TV shows of 2025.
Paddington is a very good bear, so therefore, Paddington In Peru is a very good movie. Maybe not a masterpiece like Paddington 2, but still worth seeing. This time, the marmalade-loving bear travels to (you guessed it) Peru to track down his Aunt Lucy. Along the way, he runs into a hunky riverboat captain (Antonio Banderas) and a guitar-playing nun (Olivia Colman). Like I said, very good movie.
There’s a lot to like about The Brutalist, especially the majestic score. “We didn’t want too much ornamentation because, I mean, it’s called The Brutalist,” Oscar-winning composer Daniel Blumberg told Uproxx. “We wanted this kind of directness, but also, there’s such a responsibility with a narrative film like this in terms of tracking the decades.” It’s an overwhelming but worthwhile experience.
Overcompensating is a college-set comedy series that follows closeted former football player Benny (Benito Skinner) and outsider Carmen (Wally Baram). Together, they’re on a mission to fit in as they “juggle horrible hookups, flavored vodka, and fake IDs.” Charli XCX is an executive music producer, and she also makes a funny cameo blasting one of her biggest hits.
Sawyer is back! Lost actor Josh Holloway makes his return to prestige TV in Duster, a new series from creators J. J. Abrams and LaToya Morgan. Set in the 1970s, the drama is about a crime syndicate’s getaway driver whose life goes from dangerous to VERY dangerous once an FBI agent (Rachel Hilson) is on the case. There’s no polar bears or smoke monsters, but it still looks good.
Murderbot? Murderbot! Murderbot. It’s fun to say, and it’s fun to watch, too. Based on Martha Wells’ book series of the same, this sci-fi comedy stars Alexander Skarsgård as a cyborg who has, as the actor put it, “hacked his system so he’s got – or it’s got – free will, and it’s talking about going on these crazy adventures, but instead it’s watching soap operas.” Maybe we’re not so different, murderbots and humans.
Towards the start of 2024, Alex G signed a new major-label deal with RCA. That hasn’t yielded a new album yet — his latest is 2022’s God Save The Animals — but he does hav eplans for this year: Today (May 15), he announced a run of September and October tour dates, with support from Nilüfer Yanya at all shows. Information about tickets can be found here.
Alex will soon headline the 2025 Outbreak Fest, which takes place on June 14 and 15. Aside from him, the lineup features Knocked Loose, Slowdive, Danny Brown, Deafheaven, Drug Church, Foxing, God’s Hate, Gouge Away, Militarie Gun, Speed, Sunny Day Real Estate, They Are Gutting A Body Of Water, and Tigers Jaw.
Meanwhile, Yanya recently released a new song, “Cold Heart.” The track was written while she and creative partner Wilma Archer “re-approached” a group of songs after touring for My Method Actor. Yanya said, “This one turned out pretty different to how I imagined it. The initial melody felt very spacious, like there’s room for anything to happen. It felt like a kind of experiment.”
Find the list of tour dates below.
Alex G’s 2025 Tour Dates
09/11 — Boston, MA @ Roadrunner
09/13 — Cleveland, OH @ The Agora
09/14 — Toronto, ON @ HISTORY
09/17 — Chicago, IL @ The Salt Shed
09/18 — St Paul, MN @ Palace Theatre
09/20 — Denver, CO @ Mission Ballroom
09/23 — Oakland, CA @ The Fox Theater
09/26 — Los Angeles, CA @ The Greek Theatre
09/28 — Phoenix, AZ @ Arizona Financial Theatre
09/30 — Austin, TX @ Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater
10/03 — Atlanta, GA @ The Eastern
10/04 — Nashville, TN @ Ryman Auditorium
10/06 — Raleigh, NC @ The Ritz
10/07 — Washington, DC @ The Anthem
10/08 — New York, NY @ Radio City Music Hall
10/11 — Philadelphia, PA @ The Fillmore
Welcome to SNX DLX, your weekly roundup of the best sneakers to hit the internet. After two ultra-heavy drop weeks in a row, we’re glad to see things calm down just a bit this week with just six notable drops. There aren’t any huge brand collaborations or ultra-limited drops, so if you’re looking for a respite from the stress of hunting the hottest sneakers, you’ll be glad to know that there aren’t any must-haves or best sneaker of the year candidates this week.
That isn’t to say that this week is a forgettable one; there are a lot of really great releases that you might want to cop, including a loafer-inspired New Balance, the latest Field Jaxx colorway, and a retro re-release of the legendary Jordan 3 Seoul. Here are this week’s best sneaker releases and where to find them.
Straight up, a loafer that looks like a pair of New Balance isn’t going to be for everyone, but for those niche few that are looking for the comfort and sleek design that a loafer provides, but still looks like the rest of your sneaker collection, NB has got your back with the 1906L.
This sneaker features an open-hole mesh upper with synthetic overlays over an 860V2 style sole that sports ABZORB SBS pods in the heel. It’s one part high-performance sneaker, one part contemporary formal fashion. If you’re the type that can rock this look, it’s a dope one for sure.
The New Balance 1906L Raincloud is out now for a retail price of $159.99. Pick up a pair at New Balance or your favorite aftermarket site.
For those looking for a New Balance release on the more conventional tip, you’ll be happy to know that the brand has teamed up once again with Tokyo-based streetwear brand AURALEE for a new take on the 475.
The AURALEE 475 sports a mesh upper with nubuck overlays, a woven tongue label, a PU and C_CAP midsole, and a waxed lug outsole. As the evocative name would suggest, this sneaker features a mix of foggy grays and beiges proving once again that no brand does gray better than NB.
The AURALEE x New Balance 475 London Fog is set to drop on May 16th at 7:00 AM PST for a retail price of $129.99. Pick up a pair via New Balance.
Nike is going hard on its new Travis Scott collaborative silhouette, the Zoom Field Jaxx. In this year alone, this sneaker has already received three colorways, but this week’s Pale Ivory and Leche Blue might just be the best.
This sneaker features a mixed full-grain leather and suede upper with textile accents and a super-cushioned midsole. The colorway combines notes of deep chocolate browns, baby blues, and sail, with that custom Cactus Jack branding stamped on the heel.
The Nike Zoom Field Jaxx Pale Ivory and Leche Blue is set to drop on May 16th at 7:00 AM PST for a retail price of $170. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app.
Nike Women’s Air Max Muse Black and Metallic Silver
The Air Max Muse is the latest member of the coveted Air Max family, and while competing against some of the greatest silhouettes Nike has ever created is a tall order, we think with some time, the Air Max Muse will be just as legendary as 1 or 95. Maybe. No matter what the future holds, we can’t deny that this week’s Air Max Muse is pretty cool.
This women’s exclusive colorway features a stealthy all-black design that looks straight out of the Alien franchise. It’s sleek, futuristic, and equal parts flashy and subdued.
The Nike Women’s Air Max Muse Black and Metallic Silver is set to drop on May 16th at 7:00 AM PST for a retail price of $160. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app.
A classic from 2004 returns! The White and University Blue Jordan 12 features a leather upper in white accented by piping and an outsole in classic Nike University Blue. Rounding out the design are some metallic accents. It’s an exercise in the power of a simple three-color design.
The Nike Air Jordan 12 White and University Blue is set to drop on May 17th at 7:00 AM PST for a retail price of $200. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app.
The Jordan 3 “Seoul” was originally released in 2018 to mark the 30th anniversary of the Summer Olympic Games in South Korea. It quickly became one of the all-time greatest colorways ever to hit the silhouette (which is saying something) and has been a grail for many a sneakerhead since then. In 2020, we were given a retro women’s exclusive re-release, and now, finally, seven years after its initial release, we are getting an official re-up in a full-size run. Sort of.
The Seoul 2.0 takes the iconic colorways of the Seoul, but adds some aged design changes to give it a lived-in feel. The sole unit has been yellowed, the elephant print mudguard has been frayed, and the original black heel counter has been faded to gray. It’s going to make purists mad, but at the end of the day, it’s still a great looking design and that’s all that really matters.
The Nike Air Jordan 3 Seoul 2.0 is set to drop on May 17th at 7:00 AM PST for a retail price of $200. 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.
The Double Gold Medal winners from the world’s most prestigious spirits competition are finally live!
I had the honor of representing UPROXX and serving as a judge at The Tasting Alliance’s 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. During my time there, I had the opportunity to taste and judge some of the world’s finest spirits. Alongside a panel of over 60 other judges, I discovered some truly exceptional bourbons. Mind you, at the time, everything we tasted was done without knowing the identity of what was in each glass. That means it was all done with the highest degree of objectivity in mind, and I had no idea what I was even tasting.
Now that the results are out, I’m blown away.
The competition features entries from 70 countries across all categories, a testament to the international appeal and prestige of these awards. This year’s Double Gold winners in the bourbon category represent some of the best in American distilling, and it runs the gamut from non-distilling producers procuring exceptional casks to bottle under their own labels, legacy distillers with decades of experience under their belts, brands with growing renown for their world-class blending prowess, and prodigious craft distilleries swiftly making a name for themselves.
Rather than simply listing them all out in alphabetical order (though you can see the full list of Double Gold winners in all categories here), in true UPROXX fashion, I decided to round up a selection of the absolute best of the best and rank them just for you.
While we wait for the Best in Class and Best in Show winners to be announced (expect those awards to be handed out at The Tasting Alliance’s annual gala later this year), it’s time for us to talk about the Double Gold medal-winning bourbons that you need to buy right now.
Hirsch might be flying under the radar, but that doesn’t mean the whiskey they’re bottling isn’t ascending in quality. This Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey comes from a single barrel that is then finished in a second barrel. Aged for 10 years and made from a mash bill of 72%, 13% rye, and 15% malted barley.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Maple sweetness sets the stage before tobacco leaves, figs, roasted almonds, and a prominent, mature oak presence appear in the air.
Palate: The flavor profile of this whiskey is led by robust oak, leather, and fresh figs. The texture is surprisingly enjoyable, as its viscous mouthfeel pushes the flavor of blueberry compote forward in lockstep with leather, clove, black pepper, and vanilla extract.
Finish: The finish is, again, surprisingly enjoyable and lengthy to boot. Mature oak, seasoned with clove, cinnamon, and dried black cherries, makes this bourbon enjoyable until the last drop.
Bottom Line:
Hirsch’s single-barrel bourbons initially won a lot of folks over due to speculation on them being sourced from a legendary Bardstown, Kentucky, distillery. Once the hype died down, far too many people took their eyes off of the ball, but the truth is that they’ve continued producing stellar work — no matter where they’re sourcing from. If you haven’t revisited this brand since that initial wave, or you’ve yet to tune in at all, there’s no time like the present.
1792’s Aged 12 Years expression is truly one of the pinnacles of the lineup. As the name suggests, this bourbon was matured for twelve long years before being brought to proof with soft Kentucky limestone water and bottled at a moderate 96.6 proof. This one was distilled at the Barton 1792 Distillery, which is owned by Sazerac, the company that famously also owns Buffalo Trace.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose on this whiskey begins with cloves, hazelnuts, and brown sugar. It’s a firm base, which allows accents of oak, coconuts, and black tea to become more effusive after a few swirls of the glass.
Palate: On the palate, this whiskey begins a bit austere, with coconuts and brown sugar up front. Those notes quickly give way to hazelnut spread, cloves, and nutmeg, with rich oak tones growing in prominence with every sip. The mouthfeel is relatively lean, which is to be expected at this age and proof point, but it’s still substantive enough to carry all of that flavor.
Finish: The finish is fairly succinct, and features a bit of black pepper spice to go with mature barrel notes, nutmeg, and brown sugar.
Bottom Line:
This age-stated expression from 1792 is easily one of the better 12-year bourbons on the market, so it comes as no surprise that the San Francisco judging panel awarded it high marks. It’s a balanced, flavorful sipping whiskey that might be a bit hard to track down, but is definitely worth seeking out.
Specially selected by the legendary Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame member Jim Rutledge, Cream of Kentucky is technically a revived brand, and one that’s been going strong for a few years now. This bourbon isn’t age-stated, but we do know the mash bill: 72% corn, 18% rye, and 10% malted barley.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose on Cream of Kentucky opens with coconuts, sandalwood, woodchips, and vanilla frosting. It’s an attention-grabbing light and sweet base of aromas. From there, it unfurls with a bit of almost sherry-like nuttiness, with almonds and graham cracker notes trailing behind.
Palate: On the initial sip, this whiskey remains in line with its aroma profile. Coconuts and youthful oak kick in the door before honeyed black tea, vanilla frosting, and toasted almonds hit the palate. The mouthfeel is on the lean side, but each layer of flavor works well to help give the liquid a more expansive texture on the tongue.
Finish: The succinct finish has faint touches of cola nut, a bit more coconut, and a return of the honeyed black tea note to round things out.
Bottom Line:
I’ve really had my eyes on Cream of Kentucky’s rye (and their underrated High Plains Rye), but seeing the success of this cask strength bourbon comes as no surprise. When you’ve got an iconic Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Famer like Jim Rutledge empowered with decision-making, you’re bound to end up with award-winning whiskey.
K. Luke is a sourced and blended product line born from the minds of Jonathan and Jennifer Maisano. Jonathan, who is a first-level certified sommelier, selects barrels for each blend, and the husband and wife pair selects them together through rigorous rounds of blind tasting.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Red grapes and golden raisins kick things off with cumin, spiced almonds, and a savory, fatty note that ties it all together. It’s really a densely packed, enticing nose that beckons an initial sip.
Palate: There’s caramel on the tip of the tongue and a jammy red berry note that makes the initial impression before caramel and dense oak tones fall over the palate. The flavors are a tad muddled and restrained, but that helps to mask the proof and sends you on a journey of interrogating your tastebuds for each note rather than blasting you in the face with each of them.
Finish: The finish features more dense oak and jammy red berries with a full-bodied impression reminiscent of dry red wine, which lasts for quite a while.
Bottom Line:
K. Luke Small Batch is a strong bourbon that remains true to who the brand’s founders are at their core. Jonathon Maisano, in particular, is a first-level certified sommelier, and that spirit runs through the jammy, nuanced flavor profile of K. Luke’s cask strength bourbon blends. When I called this one out as one of the best under-the-radar brands to watch in 2025, I knew that high-profile awards were inevitable. Now the wider whiskey world is finally catching on.
21. Larrikin Bottled In Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Larrikin Bourbon Company began its life as the Lawrenceburg Bourbon Company in January 2023 before undergoing a rebrand in the summer of 2024. If you’re wondering, a larrikin is Aussie slang for someone who disregards convention. To wit, the brand’s unconventional Bottled in Bond Bourbon was aged for eight long years and comes from a mash bill of 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose begins floral with dark chocolate and salted caramel notes wafting out of the glass in a tightly wound melange that seems indicative of mature, well-aged bourbon.
Palate: On the palate, that tightly wound base of aromas absolutely detonates with bright cherries, singed orange peel, caramel, and chocolate gently unfurling over the length of the tongue. On a second sip, you pick up vanilla custard as the creamy texture burrows each layer of flavor deeper into your tastebuds.
Finish: The finish takes a surprisingly long time to melt away as the rich vanilla and caramel notes fuse with bright cherries just before they turn slightly tropical, with coconut and peach ring flavors ascending.
Bottom Line:
The Larrikin brand’s sleek redesign and flat-out jaw-dropping density of flavors make up the solid one-two punch that results in this one being a knockout. Keep an eye out for the brand’s chic fleet of bottles as they expand distribution and set their sights on taking over in 2025.
20. New Riff 8-Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
New Riff, out of Northern Kentucky, is a highly regarded craft distillery that’s increasingly adding age-stated products to their lineup. This new 8-year expression features a mash bill of 65% Corn, 30% Rye, and 5% Malted Barley.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The aroma of apple cider with mint sprigs punctuates the air around this glass and leaves just enough room for well-oiled leather to make an impression, too. It comes across as a lower proof when nosing it blindly, but only because the ethanol presence is light — the flavors it carries are rich.
Palate: Immediately, you’re struck by how well-structured this bourbon is. The mouthfeel is even-keeled, and the flavors in each sip are surprisingly well-behaved. Chocolate-dipped raspberries, notes of flan, and slightly overcooked caramel corn each take their turn to dance across the palate, never disturbing one another.
Finish: The finish is where that caramel corn note and a bit of honeyed oak close the ceremony. The finish is medium in length but high in pleasantness.
Bottom Line:
When New Riff first burst onto the scene with excellent 4-year-old whiskey, the industry rejoiced… and then they seemingly stalled out, with 4-year whiskey becoming their default for a spell. It turns out that they were merely biding their time to release some truly special bourbon with a higher age statement. Now that it’s finally here, we’re happy to sing its praises.
Elijah Craig’s 18-year single-barrel expression is a dinosaur in more ways than one. First, it’s a long-standing hyper-aged bourbon expression in a whiskey world that’s only now reintegrating an influx of similarly aged bourbons. Second, it’s the last surviving member of the Elijah Craig lineup’s hyper-aged expressions, which used to include 20 -, 21 -, and 23-year-old offerings.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose is rich with dense, well-aged oak and caramel candies at first, but those notes merely open the curtain to reveal layers of plum, dark chocolate, and leather resting below the surface.
Palate: On the palate, Elijah Craig 18 swiftly finds every corner of your taste buds and floods them with vanilla buttercream, leather, and caramel candy flavors. The understated fruit tones from the nosing experience are buried beneath lush waves of caramel and vanilla. Still, they ultimately emerge and take shape at midpalate as bananas and shaved coconuts.
Finish: The finish is curt but marked by the richness of the coconut and caramel flavors, which satisfyingly coat the palate before ceding your taste buds to white pepper and vanilla before undulating gently out of existence.
Bottom Line:
The common criticisms following Elijah Craig 18 come from a two-pronged attack that says it is either under-proofed or overoaked. Both lines of fault-finding miss the mark.
Appreciated on its face, as well as for its rarity, Elijah Craig 18 is a mellow, multifaceted whiskey that plumbs a depth of flavor that can’t be found in more moderately aged expressions. With a price point that typically follows the “$10 per year” rubric and an anecdotally increasing supply, Elijah Craig 18 is beyond reproach for bourbon fans more attuned to the subtleties it has in vast supply.
New for 2024, Old Grand-Dad’s first age-stated expression is a hefty 16-year-old bourbon proofed down to 50% ABV. This expression joins Old Grand-Dad, Old Grand-Dad Bonded, and Old Grand-Dad 114 in the lineup.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Cornbread and caramel fill the air at first, with notes of brown sugar, peanuts, and wheat toast closely following behind for a classic Jim Beam-esque profile with added depth and nuance.
Palate: Well-aged oak, cinnamon, brown sugar, tobacco leaf, and Chex Mix make for the most striking flavors on the palate, which is even-keeled and even a bit restrained, which is typical of bourbon in this age range. The texture is admittedly quotidian, given this whiskey’s moderate proof point. Still, there’s no denying the depth of flavor, as the mature oak tones provide plenty of runway for the rest of the tasting notes to develop to their fullest potential.
Finish: Old Grand-Dad 16 concludes with a medium finish that’s slightly drying with heavy spice and peanut shell vibes punctuating the end of every sip.
Bottom Line:
The newest Old Grand Dad in Jim Beam’s portfolio, this stellar 16-year-old bourbon pushes the OGD flavor wheel to new heights with increased richness and beautiful depth of flavor previously out of reach for the lineup. While one is left wondering whether or not the expression would benefit from added proof (16-year OGD 114, anyone?), there’s no denying that this well-constructed, balanced bourbon is worth seeking out immediately.
17. Garrison Brothers Single Barrel Cask Strength Bourbon
Garrison Brothers is the Texas bourbon that most people think of when considering the category. It’s known for being big on heat and flavor alike. This expression is a single-barrel version of the brand’s best bourbon casks, brought to an approachable 94-proof for bottling.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Right off the bat, this whiskey is bold with flavors of toffee, vanilla extract, and a dense oak backbone. Tobacco leaves and clove notes begin to really blossom with some time in the glass, as does a hint of dark chocolate.
Palate: On the palate, there’s a surprising metallic note that kisses the tip of the tongue before vanilla, oak, black tea, and tobacco leaf notes tumble over the tongue. At midpalate is where you pick up more of the sweetness, with caramel, apple leather, and nutmeg notes to balance out some of the earthier elements.
Finish: The finish on this whiskey is brief, but ends satisfyingly on a resounding note of butterscotch, mouth-drying oak, and a gentle cinnamon-inflected creaminess reminiscent of eggnog. It’s odd, but really nice!
Bottom Line:
Garrison Brothers Single Barrel Bourbon is slept on. While fans of the brand go out of their way to acquire more exotic expressions like the awesome Laguna Madre (a Silver Medal winner in San Francisco) and the honey-infused Lady Bird bottle, this precocious offering has gone underrated for too long. It’s time for you to add this version of Texas’s biggest bourbon to your collection.
16. Dark Arts Whiskey House “Barely Legal” Small Batch Cask Strength Bourbon
Dark Arts Whiskey House is an amazing emerging non-distilling producer based right in Lexington, Kentucky, that’s putting out some mouth-watering whiskey sourced from Kentucky and Indiana. This “Barely Legal” Cask Strength Bourbon comes from a mash bill of 51% corn, 39% rye, and 10% malted rye.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The aroma of raspberries and ripe apples leaps out of the glass, and they’re joined by the aroma of cocoa, oak, and rye spice, which makes for a balanced and intriguing nosing experience. The palate instantly becomes sufficiently whetted.
Palate: With the initial sip, this whiskey brings some heavy cocoa and oak tones on top of a wave of Cherry Cola, vanilla extract, and allspice. It will really stop you in your tracks. The proof point is perfectly balanced, allowing those waves of flavor to lay siege to every corner of your mouth without ever becoming too much to handle.
Finish: The moderate finish is the final act of this magic trick, subsuming your senses in vanilla, black pepper, and cream soda before a kiss of bright red cherry sends you on your merry way.
Bottom Line:
We called this one out as an incredible under-the-radar bourbon back in February, but it seems the secret is getting out. Dark Arts Whiskey House is doing a little of everything, with stellar finished barrels and powerhouse Indiana ryes making up their portfolio, but these straight bourbon whiskeys are the best showcase of “Chief Alchemist” Macaulay Minton’s prowess as Master Blender and Taster.
Old Weller Antique, or Weller 107 as it’s commonly called, is the second expression in Buffalo Trace’s Weller lineup. With an estimated age range of about seven years, it shares a grain recipe, warehouse location, and proof point with Old Rip Van Winkle.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose on Old Weller Antique is befitting of its packaging as candied red apples and honey combine with soft pastry notes, a touch of honey, allspice, and butterscotch.
Palate: On the palate, those candied apple notes achieve an impressive depth, almost mimicking the flavor of apple cider as waves of caramel, mellow oak, and milk chocolate come crashing in. The well-balanced whiskey is aided by a viscous mouthfeel underlined by a prickly infusion of ethanol, black pepper, and tart apple cider vinegar.
Finish: For its closing word, Weller Antique offers a fresher note of stone fruit and Rainier cherries, dipped in milk chocolate and closing with vanilla ice cream. The finish is medium-length but substantive, allowing enough space for each flavor note to have its say before tapering away.
Bottom Line:
Good old Weller Antique is highly sought-after for existing under the halo of the Pappy Van Winkle lineup and William Larue Weller wheated bourbon, but the truth of the matter is that this might be the most versatile and underrated whiskey in the Weller portfolio. Sure, it’s been around the block a few times, but its quality is as undeniable as ever.
Notably, Weller C.Y.P.B. also secured Double Gold Medal honors, but given its availability, you’d be better off seeking out the classic version.
Barrell Craft Spirits is well known for having one of the best blending teams in the business, but it also has a burgeoning reputation for secondary maturation. Enter this P.X. Sherry cask-finished blend of straight bourbon whiskeys. Edition 001 of this expression features a mingling of straight bourbons that were sourced from Kentucky (9 & 10 years old), Indiana (6, 7, 8, & 12 years old), and Tennessee (7 & 15 years old) before being finished in Pedro Ximenez barrels from Spain.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The sherry notes are a hit right off the bat with this whiskey. It immediately gives off the aroma of a Black Forest cake with cocoa powder and whipped cream gently folded into brandied cherry notes, almond extract, nutmeg, and torched blood orange peels. This is a potent, engaging aroma profile.
Palate: On the palate, it takes on the flavor of a spiced orange cake olive oil cake with pecan nuttiness, robust black pepper, and salted honey notes washing over the tongue at first. You feel the heat on the palate more than you sense it on the nose as it sinks its hooks into your tongue and holds on for dear life.
Finish: The finish is lengthy and full of orange blossom and black pepper, with some nutty oiliness and dried raspberry notes lingering on the palate before it sizzles out of existence.
Bottom Line:
This is a bottle I highlighted just last month because I’ve long felt that Barrell Craft Spirits is underrated, albeit a tad bit overpriced. However, with its mid-shelf offerings, it’s been shedding accusations of the latter while reinforcing notions of the former. Put simply, this is an exquisitely blended whiskey, artfully finished and offered at an incredibly fair price. This is a new whiskey that you need to own.
Heaven Hill’s Grain To Glass series emphasizes the import of grain varietals in whiskey and the brand’s commitment to family and quality. With this inaugural fleet of releases, they partnered with two family-owned companies and sought the ideal non-GMO corn varietals for bourbon production.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The aroma of cinnamon and blackberry jam is so inviting on the nose that it feels almost foolhardy to move beyond them — it smells so immediately enticing. Pushing past that initial rush of aromas, one finds sweet oak, mocha, some slight salinity, and a faint petrichor note, making for an intriguing mix of scents.
Palate: This bourbon is immediately dense, which pairs well with the jammy flavor profile as the blackberries from the nose morph into sugar-sweetened raspberries, a bit of airy custard, and freshly ground cinnamon. At midpalate is where you’ll find an explosion of oak and black pepper, which give this whiskey the impression of being aged for about nine years before the flavor of hazelnuts and chocolate truffle dust mark the transition to the finish.
Finish: On the finish, there’s a touch of vanilla ice cream with mint sprigs that pairs well with the persistent raspberry jam notes. It’s medium-to-long in length, and that extended journey helps elevate one’s appreciation of the density of the liquid and the depth of each flavor note.
Bottom Line:
When I first had the pleasure of trying this bourbon alongside Heaven Hill’s bigwigs while being serenaded by a live band in one of the distillery’s Cox’s Creek rickhouses, I was of two minds: one, surely this is excellent bourbon, and two, surely the setting elevated the experience. Now, with an opportunity to revisit the liquid in a professional judging environment, I’m positive the former is true, but I have doubts about the latter. This bottle slaps in any setting, and getting it for $100 flat feels like stealing.
Launched late last year, the latest edition of Remus Gatsby Reserve Bourbon is a 15-year-old expression from the Ross & Squibb Distillery, previously known exclusively as MGP in Indiana. This premium expression blends two mash bills: 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley; and 60% corn, 36% rye, 4% malted barley. The final result is one delicious bourbon.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose is really lively on this whiskey, despite its age, and full of orange peels, cocktail cherries, cheesecake, and leather. The oak presence is really sweet, and after a few swirls in the glass, this one also picks up other notes like date syrup, vanilla frosting, and toasted coconuts.
Palate: On the palate, the whiskey is leaner than the decadent aroma profile seemed to indicate, but the flavors are definitely there in full force. The cherries and leather hit the palate at first, with mature oak and vanilla extract softening those sweet notes as a bit of cola nut, burnt pie crust, and tobacco leaves add additional balance and nuance.
Finish: The medium-length finish on this whiskey defies expectations yet again, ending a bit stronger than it started with a final layer of cherry-topped cheesecake, orange pith, and dense oak tones closing things out.
Bottom Line:
If this whiskey gets a bad rap, it’s only because overzealous bourbon enthusiasts have a tendency to pine for more proof, even when it isn’t really the best idea on the table. Let’s put that more proof = more flavor debate to bed with this rich bourbon’s well-deserved Double Gold Medal win. It’s just more proof that Indiana’s biggest bourbon-producing outfit deserves world-class praise in line with its incredibly productive output.
Rare Character is widely regarded as one of the hottest bourbon brands over the past two years, thanks to its exceptional fleet of single-barrel bourbon expressions. This small batch offering furthers the team’s street cred by expanding their bona fides beyond single-barrel curation and into the world of bourbon blending. These batches comprised of bourbon aged between 5.5 and 15 years old.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose carries a full whiff of butterscotch and allspice before subtler tones like baked apples, honeyed green tea, suntan lotion, and clover honey come tumbling out of the glass to greet the senses.
Palate: Once this liquid passes your lips, it holds its form. Baked apples and butterscotch entice the tip of the tongue, while flan, honeyed green tea, allspice, and oak tones lead the way at midpalate. The mouthfeel is adequately medium-bodied, and as it transitions towards the finish, you’ll also note hints of nutmeg and vanilla pods.
Finish: The finish here is medium-length and super satisfying with the crispness of fresh apples playing well with butterscotch and oak notes.
Bottom Line:
Look, there’s no shortage of Rare Character bottles to get excited about, but with them pushing out more small batch blends I’m honestly thrilled to see them maintaining their remarkably high standard of quality. Single barrel bourbon gets all of the tater-based hype, but small batch blending is the true mark of consistency for any brand big or small, and now Rare Character has high praise backing them up on both fronts.
Evan Williams 12-Year Bourbon is one of the brand’s limited expressions, available only at the downtown Louisville Evan Williams Experience. It isn’t common knowledge, but if you want the opportunity to buy this bourbon, sign up for a tasting tour and inquire about its availability at the end.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: A dusting of nutmeg and cumin waft over the glass, hiding notes of pie crust and candied peaches at first, though they soon prevail. From there, one can detect a bit of thyme, oak, and crisp red apples.
Palate: The palate finds that the apples from the nose are much more expressive and joined by cinnamon bark, a touch of cumin, and sawdust. As this pour transitions to the midpalate, it picks up steam, with milk chocolate entering the fray along with an elusive touch of black cherry.
Finish: The finish on Evan Williams 12 is where the oak really shines, infusing a bit of dark chocolate to each sip and gently drying out the palate, which serves to amplify the sweet notes rather than detract from them. There’s also a fresh flourish of nutmeg and leather here that works well to remind you that this is well-aged bourbon. Indeed, it tastes a fair bit older than 12 years.
Bottom Line:
It’s a shame that Evan Williams 12-Year isn’t a more widely available release, as it deftly highlights some of the core flavors that make “HH reg” or Heaven Hill’s regular mash bill so excellent. At the same time, it elevates the experience with a remarkable balance of flavor. It even provides some unexpected surprises because it comes across as older than its stated age, which allows that dense oak to force some interesting interactions out of the earthier and sweeter notes.
You should be seeking this bourbon out the next time you’re at the Evan Williams Experience in downtown Louisville.
Penelope’s Toasted Series has long been among my favorites from the precocious brand. After the whiskey is fully matured in charred new American oak barrels, Penelope Bourbon is finished in a new, hand-toasted barrel. Those toast levels vary slightly, as does the flavor found in each bottle, which makes these bottles particularly enjoyable to collect and try side by side with others.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose on this one is full of those classic toasted-oak notes. It ranges from grilled pineapples to toasted coconut and s’mores. Underneath those more unique sweet notes, it also has some classic bourbon tones like caramel, mature oak, and black pepper.
Palate: The first sip is all toasted coconut and caramel. The second sip is where the grilled pineapple, milk chocolate, and lightly roasted marshmallow notes come out in full force. Woah! This whiskey becomes increasingly expressive with each sip, as it finds its footing on your palate and gains more force, all while maintaining a slick, medium-bodied texture.
Finish: The finish features more baking spice than the rest of every sip, as black pepper spice combines with barrel char, a bit of brushed smoke, and sage. The final impression leaves a bit of smoked honey on the tongue for a satisfying send-off.
Bottom Line:
Penelope’s Toasted Bourbon is easily one of the best expressions in its steadily growing and rapidly improving portfolio. This is a bottle I would’ve given a glowing recommendation to before the awards were announced, but now the chorus of praise is growing louder. Despite that, this is still a relatively easy-to-find bottle. Make sure you grab one ASAP, in case that changes.
For their flagship 10-Year Bourbon, Widow Jane blends whiskey distillate from three different states in bespoke 5-barrel batches before proofing it down with mineral water from their Rosendale Mines in New York. The barrels from each blend hail from distilleries in Kentucky, Indiana, and Tennessee.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Widow Jane has a captivating nose of fresh cherries, orange oil, mature oak, and milk chocolate paired with more unique notes like waxy plums, coconuts, and pears.
Palate: Immediately, you’ll notice that this is a really rich whiskey that punches way above its modest proof point. That exceptional mouthfeel brings a complex web of all the notes above, with the red cherries, chocolate milk, and coconut aspects featuring most prominently across the palate while maple candy and cinnamon creep in more subtly.
Finish: Again defying its modest proof point is the finish, which lingers for quite a while, leaving mature oak and milk chocolate with a touch of plum on the palate, priming you for your next sip.
Bottom Line:
Widow Jane’s flagship expression might be under the radar for certain consumers who turn their noses up at bourbon produced outside of Kentucky. Still, having featured it in our “best non-Kentucky bourbons” round-up, we’ve had our eyes on the ball for a while now and you should know they’re making some excellent stuff. Not only is this bottle undeniably flavorful for its proof, but it’s also dangerously delicious.
7. Blanton’s Straight From The Barrel Single Barrel Bourbon
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 is the premium offering from the 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 notable oddities to be found, such as singed apricot, yellow curry, and cranberry fruit jelly, alongside 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, with brown sugar now discernible alongside sweet vanilla, toasted almonds, cooked apples, undercooked dough, and cinnamon bark. The texture is robust, 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 the bold streak, with a touch of apple cider vinegar pairing well with notes of brown sugar, oak, and chocolate-covered vanilla cone, leading to a lengthy finish.
Bottom Line:
Blanton’s is at times ballyhooed for being tater-bait, but Blanton’s Straight From The Barrel exists on an island of its own as proof positive that this mash bill and flavor profile just works. Don’t overthink it or allow snobbery to cloud your judgment; this is excellent bourbon.
Notably, Blanton’s Gold and Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon were also awarded Gold medals.
Starlight’s Mizunara Finished Bourbon begins with straight bourbon barrels that were initially set to go into their premium “Family Reserve” lineup that was subsequently finished in rare Mizunara oak casks.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: After nosing this one blind, there were notes of nutmeg, hazelnut, faint mocha, and oak spice that came wafting out of the glass. Candied ginger and orange pith also come through with a gentle cinnamon dusting.
Palate: On the palate, there are plenty of bright cherry notes that go with some cedar, cinnamon, and buttercream. It’s a lovely, tightly wound base of flavors that slowly expands over the palate before retracting and being replaced with some lovely winter spice notes as it transitions to the finish.
Finish: The finish is marked by the oak spice and bright cherry notes, which quickly supplant the vanilla and buttercream flavors as it gently recedes from the palate.
Bottom Line:
Exactly one year ago, we called this one out as one of the best bourbons of 2024, and now the Double Gold medal results back that up.
Starlight’s excellence with finishing bourbon is on full display here as they utilize the rare Mizunara oak to elevate their already outstanding base liquid. While several more experimental finished whiskies are coming out of the Borden, Indiana distillery, this is certainly one of their best.
After releasing a stellar 15-year bourbon last year, said to be sourced from the ill-named stock of “Buff Turkey” floating around the industry, O.K.I. is back again with a 16-year version. Let’s see what one extra year does to this well-rounded, hyper-aged stock.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Candied pecans stand out on the nose in addition to fresh figs, pie crust, and a slightly vegetal note. Black pepper and hazelnut spread soon enter the fray and add a bit of depth, but the top notes definitely dominate the aroma profile.
Palate: Peanut brittle, creamy vanilla, and hazelnut spread immediately detonate on the palate. I’m not one to call whiskey an *insert tasting note* bomb, but this one definitely lands with explosive assertiveness. The thick, oily mouthfeel helps to contain the heat as blackberry jam, allspice, and mature oak grow in prominence at midpalate.
Finish: The lengthy finish welcomes butterscotch and nougat to the mix, while the blackberry note from midpalate carries over and ends with a bit of peanut brittle.
Bottom Line:
While we’re proponents of the popular wisdom that bourbon hits its sweet spot between 8-12 years of age, there’s no denying the brilliance that well-managed barrels can reach at a more mature age. OKI’s new bourbon is proof that, under careful stewardship, bourbon old enough to celebrate its sweet 16 can maintain a vibrancy typically reserved for younger stock. We first highlighted this bourbon back in early March as a top whiskey you need to chase down, and the prestigious tasting panel in San Francisco agrees. This is a killer release.
4. Augusta Distillery Buckner’s 17-Year-Old Single Barrel Bourbon
Augusta Distillery has been racking up awards for the past few seasons, and their highest age-stated bourbon is just the latest to do so. Alongside the brand’s 15- and 10-year-old Buckner’s winning Double Gold in San Francisco, this 17-year version is a single-barrel product, bottled at full cask strength.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose on this whiskey is effusive with caramel corn, honey roasted peanuts, toffee, and oak. Faint cola nut notes are also found alongside wet tobacco leaves and cayenne-dusted dark chocolate.
Palate: Once on the palate, this whiskey reveals its maturity with well-aged oak seizing the flavor wheel while caramel, nougat, and cola nut notes help to buoy that initial earthiness. Accents of vanilla beans, brandied cherries, and nutmeg help to round out the flavor profile, which is full of sweet notes but actually takes a much earthier track.
Finish: The finish here is incredibly lengthy and full of black cherry syrup, black pepper, and cloves. Tobacco leaves and oak are also prominent on the finish.
Bottom Line:
How is Augusta Distillery still under the radar!? We’ve been singing the praises of this Northern Kentucky gem for months on end, but its latest Double Gold Medal from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition should seal the deal for any doubters. Buckner’s age-stated lineup is full of bangers, with its 10- and 15-year expressions also receiving Double Gold honors, but this elusive 17-year bourbon is definitely the one you’ll want to try your hardest to find.
It’s a pricy, hard-to-find bottle, but boy, is it worth it.
Made in eight super-limited 5-barrel blends, this latest Case Study expression from Frank August continues their trend of experimenting with some of their most delicious whiskey stock. Non-chill filtered, cask strength wheated bourbon, aged for 7+ years, and produced in Bardstown, Kentucky? Yes, please.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose on Frank August’s latest Case Study whiskey is full of funky wheat notes with creme brulee, vanilla ice cream, Golden Delicious apples, and cinnamon bark. After a few swirls of the glass, it picks up a bit of steam with more baking spice notes in the form of peppercorns and cloves.
Palate: On the palate, this whiskey fully realizes its wheated bourbon potential. Caramel-dipped apples, wheat funk, and vanilla frosting notes seep deep into the palate, while black pepper and nutmeg notes flit along the sides of the tongue. The mouthfeel is really creamy, which helps to highlight the generally sweet flavor profile.
Finish: The long, lingering finish is where you get a bit of honey, more cinnamon, baked apples, and caramel before it slowly recedes with gentle baking spice notes.
Bottom Line:
You may not be aware of just how great Frank August’s Case Study series is yet, but this should prove once and for all that the brand belongs on the world stage. Case Study: 05, their newest release, is the first wheated bourbon in the series, and given the popularity of the category, it’s clear that this one is going to turn the American whiskey world upside down once people have a chance to try it.
George T. Stagg Bourbon, first launched in 2002, has since taken the whiskey world by storm, introducing consumers to a brand of full-throated, high-intensity bourbon that has slowly become the most coveted expression of the category by enthusiasts. The 2024 George T. Stagg was matured for 15 years and 2 months.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The aroma of cinnamon rolls, with their beautifully sweet blend of baking spice, vanilla frosting, and baked pastry dough, comes tumbling out of the glass at first. Soon to follow are some impressive Rainier cherry notes, which is an unexpected zag given the proof and Stagg’s prototypical dark cherry vibes. Finally, there are some blood orange and nutmeg notes, which add nuance, along with some dark chocolate, tobacco leaf, and mature oak tones.
Palate: This bourbon entrances your palate with a sensuous, multi-layered experience right off the bat. We’re talking about cooked apples and Rainier cherries, joined by cinnamon rolls and allspice, honey, and peanut brittle, with freshly cracked black pepper and barrel spice showing up late to the party. The mouthfeel is dense, bordering on decadent, and the liquid subsumes your senses, forcing you to contend with each layer of full-bodied flavor.
Finish: The lingering finish continues the complexity found at midpalate as red apples, oak, cinnamon bark, and black pepper all have equal footing as this bourbon takes its time leaving your palate.
Bottom Line:
Simply put, George T. Stagg is the king of 2024’s BTAC releases. Not only does it have the most lengthy finish and a formidable nose, but it delivers an incredible amount of densely-packed flavor on the palate, checking every box for sublime bourbon you could ask for.
You may have heard great things about George T. Stagg and doubted them, but a panel of the world’s most prestigious experts tried and blind, and we all agreed: this bourbon deserves all of the praise.
Kings County is New York City’s oldest distillery, and all that experience is brought to full bear with their Barrel Strength Bourbon. For their premier, undiluted offering, the brand uses some of their oldest barrels, which are aged between 4 and 7 years.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Green grape skin and brown sugar are striking at first, but wait…there’s more. Enter the custard with lemon zest, black pepper, nutmeg, Brazil nuts, and honey to add to the depth.
Palate: The flavor of corn pudding, honey, and golden raisins splash across the palate, adding surprising levity to the dense and dark liquid in the glass. It coats your palate at once and beckons the back of your tastebuds to explore more as each sip slowly dissipates.
Finish: The finish is incredibly long-lasting, and it’s there that you’ll find more baking spices and barrel char to corral those sweeter top notes.
Bottom Line:
It’s well-known by now that Kings County produces bourbon that can punch above its weight on the national scene. If more people were to try the best of their bourbon — and these barrel-strength releases are definitely the best of their bourbon — next to some of Kentucky’s heavyweights, it would be more well-known that Kings County can hold its own in any race, and at any price point.
Hopefully, its placement on this list and a shiny new medal from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition are all the indication you need to seek these bottles out ASAP. They’re worth their weight in Double Gold.
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