With summer inching closer, rap and hip-hop are back outside — so to speak. New York standard-bearers The LOX led the charge with their Red Bull Spiral freestyle:
Meanwhile, the girlies took control, with Rico Nasty dropping yet another video from her new album, Lethal: “Son Of A Gun.”
Samara Cyn joined her tourmate Smino in showing off their “Brand New Teeth.”
Clipse made their long-awaited comeback with “Ace Trumpets.”
And Sexyy Red gave one hell of a co-sign to rising star Pluto on her “Whim Whammiee” remix.
Here is the best of hip-hop this week ending May 30, 2025.
Albums/EPs/Mixtapes
Benji Blue Bills & BNYX — Out The Blue
Benji Blue Bills
The burgeoning Atlanta rapper and superstar-stamped Philly producer team up to craft a hard-hitting collection of trap rap bangers, led by the surprisingly soulful “I Wonder.” Together, they establish a truly unique sound, making for a standout project that unlike anything else on the market today.
Bruiser Wolf — Potluck
Bruiser Wolf
Detroit native Bruiser Wolf is best recognized as a member of Danny Brown’s Bruiser Brigade, Wolf has as quirky a delivery as that of his benefactor (somewhere between Danny’s, E-40’s, and Cee-Lo Green’s) with the off-beat sense of humor that is the hallmark of Motor City rap. Featuring production from Harry Fraud, Knxwledge, Sango, and more, it’s a sleeper hit in the making.
GoldLink — Enoch
Goldlink
Okay, look… This may be controversial, but I’m going to posit a question: has GoldLink been in artist jail for long enough? I know we are all supposed to be mad at the guy, but on the scale of horrid things rappers have done and said over the last couple of years, maybe disrespecting Mac Miller is small potatoes compared to, say, advocating for literal Nazis? All I’m saying is, there are only a handful of rappers bridging the gap between EDM and rap, and he’s one of, like, the five best at it. Here’s a reminder, at least.
Luh Tyler — Florida Boy
Luh Tyler
Nearly every song that Tyler has released in the run-up to his latest album has been good to great, so it should come as no surprise that the completed project justifies the 19-year-old’s hype. While I’d like to see some more artistic growth in the near future for him, the recent output of his immediate predecessor as teen rap star du jour, Lil Tecca, suggests a better than decent chance that’s on the way.
Ovrkast. — While The Iron Is Hot
Ovrkast
Oakland rapper Ovrkast. is perhaps best known for his production on Earl Sweatshirt’s 2019 EP Feet of Clay, but he’s just as compelling as a solo artist in his own right. Although he reset his career in 2023 (literally, with an EP, RESET!), his recalibrated approach has resulted in some magnetic alt-rap that weaves in influences from jazz, hardcore boom-bap, and more contemporary sounds. My pick for best release of the week.
Singles/Videos
Busta Rhymes — “New York Knicks Anthem (Remix)” Feat. Joey Badass, Papoose, and Nems
Busta repurposes his 2006 Big Bang Theory single into a celebratory anthem cheering on his beloved hometown team as they stave off elimination in the Eastern Conference Finals. The additions of Joey and Nems are timely; Joey has put the city on his back as the current bearer of the Big Apple flag in a one vs. everybody rap battle that has him tussling with seemingly every underground rapper in LA, while Nems famously coined the catchphrases that New Yorkers can be heard screaming into any available microphone or camera with every New York win.
DMX — “Bring Out The Worst” Feat. Joyner Lucas
A posthumous single from the notorious dog lover, “Bring Out The Worst” is a fascinating glimpse at Earl in his mid-90s form, rapping over more contemporary production. I’m not sure if he’d have appreciated or hated Joyner Lucas, but presumably, his estate has a better grasp on his wishes than those of us who’ve been chronically online for the Mass rapper’s mishegoss.
IDK — “Winston Wolf” Feat. No ID
The title card of IDK’s latest loosie music video posits that rap music has gotten a little too serious lately. Arguably, this is true. But besides injecting a little whimsy into our musical day-to-day, the larger, more pressing need filled by “Winston Wolf” is matching a playful No ID with IDK’s sharp wit. The Chicago producer just did a full project with one of my favorite rappers — is it greedy if I ask for one more?
Lexa Gates — “Uber Black”
First of all, huge ups for the interpolation of The Miracles’ “Ooo Baby Baby.” That’s the kind of inspired sampling that can truly bridge intergenerational gaps, and earn the appreciation of old heads everywhere. Lexa has slowly built a small but fiercely loyal following, and “Uber Black” is yet another example of how.
Meek Mill — “Survivor’s Guilt” Feat. G Herbo
It gets lost in his antics, but Meek was and remains one of rap’s premiere street storytellers. Sampling Nipsey Russell’s song “What Would I Do If I Could Feel” from the musical The Wiz (the same song Nas interpolated for “Surviving The Times”), Meek contemplates what it means to be one of the ones who made it out — and the cost of staying too accessible once you do. Meek doing subtle is a new career shift for him… but hey, that’s the sort of growth you love to see.
Ranking Kentucky’s best distillery is damn difficult, but what if we limited it to just one bottle?
Practically every distillery out there has a plethora of great offerings that could be considered “most representative” of what they do. Whether that bottle nails the “house style” of said distillery, is their most iconic offering, or is simply the best juice they’re putting out, there are a lot of ways to judge each one’s overall output. How about this simple test: What’s the best bourbon under $40?
While it may seem arbitrary, the $40 price point is a scope broad enough to include some of the Bluegrass State’s newer distilleries who aren’t yet able to take advantage of the economies of scale to put out a <$20 product, yet narrow enough that there are very few well-aged, premium products sneaking into the category. In short, it’s perfect for rounding up and ranking the best of the best.
Now for the parameters: The brand must be currently distilling in Kentucky, and 100% of the bottle in question must be composed of that distillate. Next, the bottle must be less than $40 on the shelf to qualify as a “budget bottle”, which we already touched on. Finally, it has to be the distillery’s absolute best bottle that fits the criteria. Sounds fair?
Let’s dive in and rank Kentucky’s distilleries by their best budget-friendly bottle of bourbon.
Ezra Brooks is one of the more established names in bourbon, with a history that traces back to its founding in 1957. In 2024, however, this port-finished bourbon represents the newest lineup extension for the respected brand.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Aroma notes of candy cane, rich cherries, warm vanilla, and wood chips greet the nose at first before accents of tobacco leaf and clove enter the fray.
Palate: The ripe cherry note rushes in at first with nectarines and bananas, chocolate chips, and vanilla, painting the palate with a lush layer of sweetness. This whiskey has a lot of grip on the palate, punching well above its weight proof-wise and delivering a sipping experience more in line with whiskey in the 110 range.
Finish: The finish is lingering, marked by vanilla, oak, and milk chocolate. At the very end, this whiskey reintroduces the cherry note found early in each sip. This is surprisingly tasty stuff.
Bottom Line:
Ezra Brooks’ entire brand portfolio is full of incredible value bourbons, capable of delivering outstanding quality for a wallet-friendly price. This brand-new expression delivers the most flavor of the bunch thanks to its artful deployment of delicious Port wine casks, which help to drive even more depth into the distillery’s already rock-solid base bourbon.
Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon blends four of the brand’s recipes: OBSK, OESK, OBSO, and OESO, to create one product. The whiskeys are aged for six to seven years before being blended, cut with soft Kentucky water, and bottled.
The Whiskey:
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose on Four Roses Small Batch bourbon opens with a nice, inviting wave of honey, torched orange peel, and apricots, before revealing a hint of black pepper spice. There are some slightly sour notes, with red berries featuring prominently in this regard, and some clove and nutmeg in the mix as well.
Palate: Once on the palate, this whiskey is all red berries (think ripe raspberries), and salted caramel. On a second sip, there’s a bit of red apple flavor to go with faint citrus tones, a splash of dilute honey, and youthful oak. Some sweetgrass notes, allspice, and sage start creeping in as it transitions to the finish.
Finish: The finish on this whiskey is fairly succinct, but it features a balanced, dialed-down display of the bourbon’s most prominent notes. That means reserved honey, apple chips, and allspice are the last partygoers on your palate.
Bottom Line:
Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon is a damn good pour that does a great job of exemplifying both the quality of the distillery’s base liquid, and the blending prowess of their team, led by Master Distiller Brent Elliott. While I tend to spring for the brand’s single-barrel expression, which sits just a few singles above our $40 limit, when it comes to the budget-friendly options in their portfolio, this is undoubtedly the one you need.
13. Wilderness Trail Distillery: Wilderness Trail Single Barrel Wheated Bourbon
Wilderness Trail Distillery is one of the newer outfits on this list, but they’re already keeping pace with the big boys thanks to their tremendous head start. Founders Shane Baker and Dr. Pat Heist initially gained experience in the industry as “yeast guys,” troubleshooting problems for much larger distilleries before deciding to venture out on their own. When it was initially launched, this wheated bourbon was the first bottled-in-bond wheated sweet mash bourbon released since the end of Prohibition.
Notably, this is one of the few “lower-proof” bourbons that isn’t chill-filtered, which preserves a bit of flavor.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Dried raspberries and black pepper kick things off on the nose, with oak and leather encroaching as you inhale more deeply. There are also intriguing additional layers of cream cheese, allspice, and lemon zest uncovered after swirling the glass with some bubblegum lurking underneath.
Palate: Black pepper and bubblegum hit the palate at first before rich oak tones make their presence known, along with a tasty semi-tart dose of the dried raspberries from the nose. The liquid itself has some elbows, pricking various parts of your tongue with a punctuation of flavor and a grainy, honeycomb-like texture.
Finish: On the finish, this whiskey introduces butterscotch and vanilla custard before the black pepper notes seize control and coast into the sunset after a moderate length.
Bottom Line:
Wilderness Trail is one of those unique distilleries where there isn’t really a consensus around what their best bourbon is. Their first expression to market, this Wheated Bourbon, is a prime candidate, but its rye-recipe bourbon is equally flavorful, with a touch more bite. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference.
Electing this one as the distillery’s best budget-bottle makes sense, though, given the fact that wheated bourbons are a bit rarer, and thus it offers better insight into what sets the brand apart: They care a lot about production practices. It’s evident every step of the way, and the “clean” mouthfeel of this sweet mash wheated bourbon is the proof in the pudding.
Maker’s Mark features an iconic bottle design, the same one they’ve been utilizing since their founding in 1953, and a mash bill that’s been used for just as long. This wheated bourbon is one of the best-selling whiskeys in the entire world, making it a ubiquitous sight on liquor store shelves.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: On the nose, you’ll find a bit of corn pudding, vanilla extract, and indistinct red berry aromas wafting out of the glass. There’s also a bit of graham cracker sweetness and white pepper.
Palate: On the palate, Maker’s Mark greets the tongue with a bunch of honeyed graham cracker notes that soon make way for vanilla pod and cornbread. A second sip morphs the vanilla pod into a custard note, complete with caramelized sugar and some red berry compote.
Finish: The finish of Maker’s Mark features some mellow spice and more red berry compote, as those natural sugars fuse with vanilla notes to quickly dissipate from the palate.
Bottom Line:
Despite its modest proof point, Maker’s Mark has a ton of sweet flavors, meaning you won’t blow out your palate or scare off bourbon novices if you decide to sip this one neat. It’s ubiquitous on liquor store shelves and should be a staple on your bar cart, especially if you aim to offer guests a smooth bourbon they can enjoy at their leisure.
Woodford Reserve Bourbon is frequently cited as one of the best bourbons for beginners for two main reasons: it’s bottled at a relatively low proof and has an assortment of rich, balanced, and crowd-pleasing flavors. Woodford Reserve is owned by Brown-Forman, which also includes Jack Daniel’s and Old Forester in its portfolio.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Plums, rich oak, and sticky toffee notes are immediately evident on the nose of this whiskey, and the aroma of vanilla pods, clove, and cinnamon bark joins them.
Palate: The palate of this whiskey introduces the toffee note from the nose right off the bat, and that’s joined by a surprising yet welcome splash of citrus to go with the additional flavors of vanilla, mellow oak, and gentle black pepper spice. The mouthfeel is lean, but rather than contrasting with the richness of the flavors, it helps to make them more pronounced while maintaining the whiskey’s general agreeable smoothness.
Finish: The finish is brief but marked by more vanilla and sweet oak, with a final kiss of sticky toffee and candied walnuts.
Bottom Line:
Woodford Reserve deserves all the praise it receives for being a fantastic beginner bourbon, but it’s also so much more. Sure, its proof point might make bourbon snobs turn up their noses. However, there’s absolutely no denying that this whiskey still manages to pack a ton of sweet, oak-driven flavor, free from any jagged edges, making it one of the best, easy-sipping whiskeys of any category on the market.
10. Bardstown Bourbon Company: Bardstown Origin Series Bourbon
Bardstown Bourbon Company launched its Origins Series in 2023, and since then, it’s been a total hit for whiskey enthusiasts looking for full-flavored, polished expressions at a reasonable price. This expression in particular uses a 36% high-rye mashbill and is bottled at 96 proof.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Stone fruits, confectioners’ sugar, vanilla, and butterscotch chews are the most readily apparent aroma notes on the nose of this whiskey. It has an almost dusty quality, like the aroma of a library or well-aged leather, which adds depth.
Palate: On the palate, I’m getting the flavors of dried raspberries and butterscotch chews right off the bat. At midpalate, I’m picking up some mineral water as it opens up to reveal its rich texture. There’s a clean delineation between flavors, with the sweetness sitting at the tip of the tongue while hints of oregano and some gentle baking spice are evident on the back of the palate.
Finish: The moderate finish has a bit of earthiness with hints of peppermint and rye spice to remind you that this is a high-rye bourbon, after all.
Bottom Line:
The Bardstown Origin Series lineup has so many bangers, it’s easy to hone in on your favorite and forget the rest. While my personal favorite is the High Wheat Bourbon, revisiting this low-proof bombshell, I find myself blown away by the incredible balance of flavors. It has a significant spice kick, courtesy of its high-rye content, which allows it to “drink above its proof.”
Point-blank: This is a delicious whiskey with the familiar “bite” that many bourbon enthusiasts love.
9. Bulleit Distilling Company: Bulleit Bottled In Bond Bourbon
Bulleit’s brand-new bottled-in-bond bourbon really hits the sweet spot for fans of the brand who love their classic flavor profile but would love a little extra flavor even more. What makes this one so special is the fact that it’s comprised entirely of Bulleit’s own distillate — a first for the brand.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose opens with floral notes accompanied by black currants, fresh hazelnuts, juicy clementines, caramel, and nutmeg.
Palate: On the first sip, it’s clear that this whiskey has a really clean mouthfeel, with distinct notes of fresh hazelnuts, sweet, gooey caramel, and fresh red apples coating the tongue at first. It has very well-defined albeit limited layers of flavor, and it’s very tasty; you’ll want to take repeat sips.
Finish: The finish is medium length, surprisingly, but relatively mild, with black pepper and seasoned oak joining red apples before sage emerges as it fades off.
Bottom Line:
Bulleit has made a resounding splash in each of the last two years, first with the return of its celebrated 12-year rye and now with a bottled-in-bond line expansion that is entirely comprised of its own distillate. This new expression deserves praise as it strikes a nice balance of flavors and indicates a ton of promise for future tasty offerings.
8. New Riff Distillery: New Riff Bottled In Bond Straight Bourbon
New Riff Distillery, located in Newport, Kentucky, which is situated about an hour and a half north of Louisville, has been releasing some incredible and incredibly inventive bourbons since its founding back in 2014. Now, with over a decade under its belt, they’ve expanded into age-stated and experimental products. Still, the best of their budget bottles remains the bourbon that started it all: This high-quality Bottled in Bond offering.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose on New Riff’s flagship bourbon is surprisingly “clean,” which is to say there’s a clear delineation among the aromas, and they all smell fresh. We’re talking about ripe apples, organic honey, peppercorns, juicy orange notes, and just a smidge of woodchips. It’s all well-balanced, restrained, but pleasantly fragrant.
Palate: On the palate, this whiskey delivers on all of the promise of the nose. That means that it’s full of honey-roasted peanuts, orange rind, peppercorns, and youthful woodsy notes. It also has a strong presence of nutmeg, apple chips, and faint caramel. Similar to the nose, each of the layers of flavor is clearly defined, which makes it easy to appreciate each of them on their own merits.
Finish: The finish is fairly short, but it features more black pepper and caramel notes, with a fresh infusion of ripe apricots and cloves.
Bottom Line:
New Riff’s flagship bourbon is the perfect example of what the brand does. Delicious, sweet mash bourbon is their calling card as-is, using the bottled-in-bond standard for their core releases. The sum of those parts makes for an excellent entry-level bourbon that proves New Riff, despite an initial splash in the industry, might still be underrated ten years in. Don’t overlook this outstanding everyday option.
Benchmark Full Proof was first released last year and is now the premier expression in the Benchmark lineup. Always bottled at 125 proof, it is the highest ABV offering from the Benchmark brand.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose is full of cinnamon Red Hots, peanut shells, caramel, and oak. It’s a pretty straightforward medley of flavors, but despite that knock, they all work well together and come across boldly on the nose.
Palate: On the palate is where the brashness of those flavors really runs wild as it drinks a bit hot and is marred, rather than aided by, the simplicity of its flavor wheel. You get peanuts, cinnamon, caramel, oak, and…nothing else. That said, the flavors are fairly well-developed, and because of their distinctiveness and the clear delineation between each note, they’re easy to appreciate one by one.
Finish: The finish is flush with black pepper, more oak, and charred green pepper skin. It’s medium-length, which is a plus if you appreciate its brashness but a distraction if that boldness is overwhelming.
Bottom Line:
When it was first launched, many Buffalo Trace fans posited Benchmark Full Proof as a sort of “Stagg Jr., Jr.” The hope was that it would present similar flavors in a much easier-to-find and affordably priced expression. How’d that turn out? Well, it would be an oversimplification to call it such, but it contains a few flavor notes that make Stagg so beloved. As long as you temper your expectations and are in the market for a bold, uncomplicated bourbon, there’s plenty here to enjoy at a killer price.
6. Heaven Hill: Evan Williams Bottled In Bond Bourbon
Evan Williams Bottled in Bond is often named as one of, if not the best, bourbon under $20. Aged for at least four years, per the Bottled in Bond regulations, this 100-proof bourbon is almost as readily found around the country as Evan Williams ‘black label.”
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nosing notes open with honey, lemon zest, and a distinct peanut note on this bourbon. From there, the periphery aromas are faint — a touch of brown butter, apricots, and cumin, but otherwise nondescript.
Palate: In the mouth, those initial three notes make the most substantial impression, along with a piquant texture that slightly prickles the tongue and adds a bit of pop to the citrus flavors in the liquid. One thing I love about this whiskey is how well-balanced its flavors are, with none of them overpowering the others.
Finish: On the finish, you’ll find some black pepper spice and youthful oak that curtail the peanut and lemon zest flavors. The finish is short to medium, providing just enough room to make a satisfying impression on the palate before encouraging repeat sips.
Bottom Line:
Two things need to be said upfront: One, this might be the dollar-for-dollar best bourbon on the list, and two, Heaven Hill probably has the most excellent budget bottles of any distillery in Kentucky. I went with this one because Evan Williams’ Bottled in Bond Expression is a masterclass in delivering a high-quality, no-frills, wallet-friendly bourbon.
At 100-proof, it can stand tall in cocktails, bringing an abundance of flavor to classics like an Old-Fashioned, but it has just enough depth to perform well on its own, making for a delicious, cost-friendly, everyday sipper.
Old Forester’s Signature 100 Proof Bourbon takes the brand’s flagship 86-proof offering and significantly kicks up the flavor. This bourbon is made with a grain recipe of 72% corn, 18% rye, and 10% malted barley.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Old Forester 100 Proof greets the nose with a slightly medicinal cherry note that sets the stage for a layer of complementing aromas like caramel, barrel char, hazelnut spread, and moderate oak.
Palate: The medicinal cherry note from the nose of this whiskey shows up in a big way on the palate, streaking across the tongue and laying a foundation for accenting notes like oak, black pepper spice, and toasted almonds to blossom. The texture in the mouth is fairly robust and slick, which rewards repeat sips as the liquid begins to coat your palate.
Finish: The finish features black cherry and caramel notes and hangs on for a medium length, making this a great sipping whiskey for enjoying neat.
Bottom Line:
Old Forester 100 Proof is perfect because it’s robust enough to stand up to your palate, thanks to its backbone of black cherry and sweet oak notes, while being sufficiently spice-laden to hold its own in mixed drinks. The price is right, but the high-quality sweetness that comes with this affordable cost is what makes it a real hero of the bottom shelf.
Michter’s was recently voted the World’s Most Admired Whiskey Distillery and its flagship bourbon is the most readily available example of why. For this expression and the rest of its whiskey lineup, Michter’s uses a proprietary filtration process to optimize the flavor coming from its barrels.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Michter’s US*1 Bourbon has a dense aroma bouquet that immediately appears well-refined. Notes like honeysuckle, brown sugar, raisins, and youthful oak fill the air, with each well-developed layer greeting the olfactory senses warmly.
Palate: On the palate, what’s immediately remarkable about this bourbon is the texture, as it gently coats your tongue with moderate warmth, and before you know it, the taste of brown sugar, raisins, and walnuts is suddenly everywhere on your tongue. That deceptively viscous texture works well here and is a credit to Michter’s proprietary filtration process and their atypical proof-point.
Finish: The finish here is brief, with brown sugar and cinnamon coexisting harmoniously alongside new oak and clove, making for a gentle send-off after every sip.
Bottom Line:
It never ceases to amaze me how flavorful Michter’s whiskey is, even at a relatively lower proof. Michter’s US*1 Bourbon perfectly threads the needle of being sweet and well-rounded. Free from any harsher elements, your palate will take to this whiskey like a fish in the water as those enchanting, mellow notes wash over your tongue and coat your mouth with a remarkable range of flavors that make this one of the best values in the bourbon world.
3. Willett Distillery: Old Bardstown Bottled In Bond Bourbon
Old Bardstown Bottled in Bond Bourbon is one of those IYKYK expressions from the Willett Distillery. It is sold exclusively in Kentucky on the bottom shelf of liquor stores. This bottled-in-bond offering is not to be confused with the 101-proof small-batch variant available nationwide.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: It begins with a really round butterscotch note with some intriguing menthol and tobacco leaf aromas that make you dig deeper in the glass to uncover additional layers of Brooks cherries, pecans, and vanilla extract.
Palate: Old Bardstown Bottled in Bond Bourbon is dense and full-bodied on the palate despite the proof, and it opens with sticky toffee and Brooks cherries while a touch of the menthol from the nose streaks up the middle of the tongue and introduces some dark chocolate at midpalate.
Finish: The moderate finish sees the blossoming of dark chocolate flavor with some fresh hazelnuts, caramel, and white pepper notes rounding things off.
Bottom Line:
This one is a bit of a dark horse in the race, but Willett’s most unassuming bottle packs a real wallop with a substantive mouthfeel and a dark, rich flavor profile that will have you double-checking your receipt to be sure you didn’t steal this bottle at roughly $20 USD. Rest assured, your receipt is correct; hell, all is right with this sweet, fruit-forward bourbon in your glass.
The new and improved Jim Beam Black Label is the result of tireless tinkering from Master Distillers Fred and Freddie Noe. New for 2024, the long-standing Jim Beam expression now has an age statement and a slightly altered flavor profile designed to optimize the distillery’s 7-year-old bourbon profile.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Peanut brittle, bubble gum, and caramel are all featured prominently on the nose of Jim Beam’s 7-Year Black Label on the first pass. A second sniff introduces accenting notes of orange rind and leather.
Palate: The dense, substantial texture hits at first before a clash of peanut brittle, butter, and hazelnuts dances across the palate. There are notes of lemon zest and honey that take root on the roof of the mouth before the flavor of barrel char and black pepper usher in the transition to the finish.
Finish: Nutmeg and honey roasted peanuts show force on the finish along with some chocolate truffle dust as it warms the entire mouth and hangs around for an impressively long time.
Bottom Line:
Jim Beam Black Label boasts the perfect blend of sweetness, spice, flavor, and wallet-friendly price to be a game-changer for your whiskey collection. The recent reemergence of an age statement on this bottle is enough of a reason to welcome it into your collection, but that number on the front required a lot of fine-tuning on the back end by Fred and Freddie Noe, a task they’ve admirably knocked out of the park.
Russell’s Reserve’s 10-Year Bourbon was initially released in 2001 as an age-stated, 101-proof expression. In 2005, much to the chagrin of Wild Turkey fans, the ABV was brought down to its current level, making this a 90-proof expression.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose on Russell’s Reserve 10-Year-Old Bourbon contains varying vanillas, from ice cream to vanilla extract. There are also pastry notes and the aroma of brioche buns, along with a touch of salted caramel, warm oak, and fresh nutmeg.
Palate: The palate on Russell’s Reserve 10-Year Bourbon is distinctly earthy at first, with toasted walnuts, apple leather, and mature oak leading the charge. As you chew the bourbon, you’ll notice that those notes grow in prominence with the oak and walnut flavors outpacing the restrained fruitiness, and baking spices like clove and cinnamon become more pronounced. The mouthfeel is middle of the road, which serves well to carry all of those earthy flavors without being overly slick and distracting from them.
Finish: The finish is marked by more vanilla tones, think vanilla pod more so than vanilla extract, and there’s more hazelnut flavor to be discovered alongside oak and red apple skin. It’s a medium-length finish that works well because it fades before that mature oak begins to dry out the back of your palate.
Bottom Line:
Wild Turkey is absolutely crushing it with affordable bourbon right now, as they have the classic 101-proof, a brand-new 8-year alternative to that classic, and this criminally underrated 10-year Russell’s Reserve Bourbon all floating around, or well under, the $40 mark. Simply put, it’s impossible to go wrong with well-priced Wild Turkey whiskey, but if you want to get the best feel for what the Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, powerhouse is doing right, look no further than Russell’s Reserve 10-Year Bourbon.
Welcome to SNX DLX, your weekly roundup of the best sneakers to hit the internet. It’s another week that feels tailor-made for Nike fans. Rare SB Dunks variants, an alternate universe take on the Jordan 3, a new take on the Jordan 1 Chicago, and an LA-inspired Game Royal Kobe Protro 6? It’s like Christmas in late spring if you’re a Swoosh-loyalist. That’s great news for Nike heads, and sad news for just about everyone else.
But despite the heavy outpouring from Nike, if we had to pick a single sneaker to call this week’s best, we have to give that honor to the New Balance 1300JP. The sneaker features premium Made in USA construction and a design that only emerges every five years. The hype is real for this sneaker, so expect to pick it up on the aftermarket if you want to cop a pair. Aside from Nike and NB, we’ve got a new Sporty & Rich Adidas Blanc, so if you’re repping the three stripes but have big feet, you’re completely out of luck. Hopefully next week brings some brand variety!
Let’s dive into the best sneakers to hit the internet this week, and where to find them.
Every five years, New Balance drops this Made in USA 80s-inspired runner, and it feels a bit ridiculous to call it when we’re only halfway through the year, but let’s be real, this is one of the best sneaker drops of the year.
It’s hard not to love this sneaker, it features a mesh upper with a leather collar lining, nubuck leather overlays, a full-length ENCAP midsole, and an eye-catching olive and blue-silver colorway. Without a doubt this sneaker is going to sell out instantly, so you’re probably better off picking it up on the aftermarket. At this price point, that’s a bitter pill to swallow, but we all must suffer for fashion.
The New Balance Made in USA 1300JP is out now for a retail price of $329.99. Pick up a pair at New Balance.
This sneaker expertly combines two things every hardcore Nike sneakerhead can get behind: the legendary Game Royal colorway and Kobe’s greatest sneaker silhouette, the 6 Protro. Dubbed the Kobe “Dodgers,” this sneaker serves as a sort of tribute to Los Angeles. It features a textural snakeskin upper, white accents, and a heel featuring the number “8” in University Red baseball stitching.
This poses the question — does the Kobe 6 Protro Game Royal take the crown from the Nike Cortez for most iconic LA shoe? That’s something we’ll let the other LA sneakerhead’s debate.
The Nike Kobe 6 Protro Game Royal is set to drop on May 30th at 7:00 AM PST for a retail price of $180. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app or aftermarket sites like GOAT and Flight Club.
The Rare Air concept is an interesting one. Basically, the Rare Air sneakers take all the mistakes and discarded elements from early Jordan samples, and infuses them into the final silhouette. Only Nike could make a series of sneakers out of discarded ideas; that’s the strength of their brand!
The Jordan 3 Rare Air features mirrored Nike Air heel branding, suede overlays in place of the usual elephant print, and a color combination that looks familiar, but is just slightly off. Does it look better than an actual Jordan 3? No, it looks a bit like a cheap knock-off, but in a weird way, that comes across as incredibly fresh. We love to see this sense of play from the Nike design team.
The Nike Air Jordan 3 Rare Air is set to drop on May 30th at 7:00 AM PST for a retail price of $210. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app or aftermarket sites like GOAT and Flight Club.
Time has not been kind to the SB Dunk Pro B Model. It first dropped over 25 years ago and was meant to feature even more performance upgrades aimed at skaters, including elastic straps, wider laces, and more padding. And for whatever reason, it is nearly forgotten in favor of the OG SB Dunk.
But Nike is trying to change that. This week, they are bringing back the Pro B with a new Pale Ivory colorway. The sneaker sports a nubuck upper, a white midsole, and a semi-translucent gum outsole. It looks great! Here is to hoping it catches on.
The Nike SB Dunk Low Pro B Pale Ivory is set to drop on May 31st at 7:00 AM PST for a retail price of $125. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app.
The Jordan 1 High OG Ruby serves as a victory lap for the sneaker. It’s a celebration of its own legacy, utilizing and playing off of the AJ 1’s most iconic colorway. In place of the usual red leather, the Ruby features a cracked, semi-metallic finish and is adorned with a blacked-out Wings logo.
Other than that, there are very few design differences between the Ruby and the OG Chicago — think of this sneaker as simply an elevated — and maybe slightly gimmicky — take on a classic. It’s not a AJ 1 Chicago, but it’s kind of the next best thing.
The Nike Women’s Air Jordan 1 High OG Ruby is set to drop on May 31st at 7:00 AM PST for a retail price of $180. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app or aftermarket sites like GOAT and Flight Club.
The Los Angeles-based lifestyle brand Sport & Rich have linked up with Adidas for a three-sneaker collection, but the best design hands down is the Blanc. The sneaker combines Cloud White and Court Green over a leather upper with textile elements and a classic shape.
It captures everything we love about Sporty & Rich (mainly, it’s elegant, minimal, and preppy aesthetic) with the sort of simple design that makes Adidas’ early sneaker silhouettes so timeless.
The Adidas Sporty & Rich Blanc is set to drop on May 30th at 7:00 AM PST for a retail price of $140. Pick up a pair via the Adidas CONFIRMED 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.
MobLand somehow hasn’t been renewed yet, but give it time. There’s virtually no way that Paramount will pass up the chance for more of Tom Hardy as a fixer when Hardy has expressed enthusiasm to continue portraying Harry Da Souza, and Helen Mirren digs embodying Maeve because “she absolutely doesn’t give a sh*t… It was like getting into a warm bath when you’re a bit cold, like, Oh, I love this.” The people love Helen in Lady Macbeth mode, too.
After last week’s jam-packed penultimate episode featured a “normal” Harrigan dinner and saw Maeve threaten to take somebody’s tongue and eyes among other maneuverings, and it’s unlikely that she’ll be pulling any punches for this season finale when it airs.
When Will Tom Hardy’s MobLand Season 1 Episode 10 Come Out?
June 1. The tenth episode, “The Beast In Me,” received a brief Paramount tease of a description: “Kevin solves a problem; Tattersall keeps his promise; Richie prepares for war.”
From there? The good news is that Hardy wants more MobLand even though (after a hefty action movie career and his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu pastime) he has hinted that his bod “all falling to bits now, and it’s not going to get better” due to the blows that he’s taken during his career. Maybe that’ll push him further toward Peaky-type roles, a development that would make nobody mad.
Speaking of slight anger, the very Irish Pierce Brosnan spoke with Radio Times to address the ire pointed toward his “full tilt” accent in this series. The difference between his own “soft” accent purposeful, and a dialect coach helped Brosnan get there. In other words, that accent is going nowhere if a second season happens [hint hint].
Maybe you’ve seen Cil opening for Stevie Nicks, or maybe you saw that InStyle named her as one of their 25 musicians to watch this year. Whatever the case, Cil is here, as her new EP Don’t Hold Me Accountable is out today (May 30).
The release arrives alongside a video for project highlight “Hot Sh*t.” The piano-led bop is ready for the incoming summer, and if you’d like to hear it on stage, Cil is performing at WeHo Pride this weekend, on June 1 at 7:50 p.m. PT.
On a new episode of the Women In Pop podcast, Cil explained the inspiration behind the album:
“The title is definitely ironic, but it’s not at the same time. It was during the time that I was writing this I was going through a very toxic time in my life. I was going back to old habits, old things, old people, and everybody in my life was like, ‘You know this isn’t healthy for you, we worry about you, we want you to be okay,’ and I was like, ‘Okay, yeah, I hear you guys and I’m completely aware of what’s going on, but […] I’m warning you, I’m going to go back. It’s like, ‘Okay, yes, thank you for being there for me, but don’t hold me accountable.”
I didn’t want to change, I didn’t want to say goodbye to those cycles, and the only thing that changed that was me, and the music also was honestly a catalyst to forcing me to change, because once I wrote it out all on the page, once I recorded it and I heard myself telling me all of these things, I was like, ‘Oh, this is… yeah, you got to go.”
Watch the “Hot Sh*t” video above and find the Don’t Hold Me Accountable cover art and tracklist below.
Cil’s Don’t Hold Me Accountable Album Cover Artwork
Warner Records
Cil’s Don’t Hold Me Accountable Tracklist
1. “You’re A Liar (You Love Me)”
2. “Loser”
3. “Hot Sh*t”
4. “Pretty Years”
5. “Forgot To Be My Lover”
6. “Don’t Pick Up”
7. “Rhythm Of Love”
Don’t Hold Me Accountable is out now via Warner Records. Find more information here.
Lil Tecca‘s a few years removed from his viral breakout, “Ransom,” and since then, he’s evolved both artistically and personally. That growth was recently seen most starkly on Tecca’s March single “Dark Thoughts,” but remains in his latest release, the Buggles-sampling “OWA OWA.”
Crafted around an interpolation of the portentous 1979 hit, “Video Killed The Radio Star,” “OWA OWA” presents Tecca as the ultimate ladies’ man. “She want a pop star, rock star
I got new hoes on my roster, I’m proper / Look through my records, say that’ll cost ya /
It’s a long time tryna get to Waukesha,” he raps.
In the video, Tecca takes a date to the arcade (it looks like a Round 1, a growing chain packed with Japanese-style arcade and claw games and karaoke rooms, along with bowling and the like), and roams through a grassy field, performing in front of a graffitied wall reading “Dopamine” –which could be the title of Tecca’s next project. After all, he’s currently gearing up for his Dopamine Experience tour in Europe, so it would stand to reason that Dopamine might be his next full-length album. We should be receiving more info in the coming weeks, so stay tuned.
New Conan Gray era alert: The Uproxx cover star announced his new album, Wishbone, last week, and now he’s back with a video for a new single, “This Song.” His latest album, last year’s Found Heaven, was overtly ’80s-inspired, but that’s not the case with “This Song,” which has a vintage feel but isn’t overtly retro.
On top of the song and video, Gray also announced The Wishbone Pajama Show, a tour kicking off in September. Ticket sales start with an artist pre-sale, sign-ups for which are open now until June 1 at 10 a.m. PT. The general on-sale starts June 5 at 10 a.m. local time. More information is available on Gray’s website.
Gray previously wrote of the new album, “over the past two years, i’ve been secretly writing songs. after shows in the basements of the venues, in the sheets of my hotel beds, in narrow gaps between tours— i’d come back home and write all the things i felt nobody wanted to hear. maybe even the things i didn’t want people to hear. i didn’t tell my friends. i didn’t tell my label. after all, i didn’t know i was making anything, and i had no plan to release any of it. […] i played the songs to the very first person i’d ever made music with, [producer and writer Dan Nigro], and i began to record. i didn’t know why i was recording, i just was. i didn’t know what story i was telling, i was just living in it. slowly i started to see myself in full picture. the slivers of myself i’d always been, but never faced. the songs i’d always been writing, but never singing.”
Watch the “This Song” video above and find Gray’s upcoming tour dates below.
Conan Gray’s 2025 Tour Dates: The Wishbone Pajama Show
09/11 — Cuyahoga Falls, OH @ Blossom Music Center
09/13 — Cincinnati, OH @ Riverbend Music Center
09/14 — Tinley Park, IL @ Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre
09/16 — Pittsburgh, PA @ Petersen Events Center
09/17 — Clarkston, MI @ Pine Knob Music Theatre
09/19 — Bridgeport, CT @ Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater
09/20 — Fairfax, VA @ EagleBank Arena
09/22 — Hollywood, FL @ Hard Rock Live
09/24 — Nashville, TN @ Ascend Amphitheater
09/26 — Charlotte, NC @ PNC Music Pavilion
09/28 — St. Louis, MO @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheater
09/29 — Kansas City, MO @ Starlight Theatre
10/01 — West Valley City, UT @ Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre
10/03 — Mountain View, CA @ Shoreline Amphitheatre
10/04 — San Diego, CA @ Viejas Arena
10/06 — Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre
10/16 — Mexico City, MX @ Palacio de los Deportes
10/17 — Guadalajara, MX @ Auditorio Telmex
10/19 — Monterrey, MX @ Auditorio Banamex
Wishbone is out 8/15 via Republic Records. Find more information here.
Golden State Warriors guard, and Drake superfan, Steph Curry is getting his own sports drink. Launched a couple of months back in partnership with Michelle Obama’s PLEZi Nutrition, PLEZi Hydration follows the company’s mission of creating healthier alternatives to popular snacks with a laser focus on the sort of performance-enhancing nutrients and ingredients we expect from a hydrating sports drink.
If you want to be at the top of your game, you’re going to have to hydrate, but if your way of hydrating is guzzling down a high sugar drink, aren’t you doing more harm than good? We’re all looking for an edge and something that brings a little more to the table than just water alone, but not at the expense of putting on unwanted pounds and dealing with a sugar surge come down? Enter PLEZi as an alternative.
But putting aside the science and star power for a second, how does it taste? We gave it a shot to see if you should too.
PLEZi Hydration
Dane Rivera
Thoughts & Tasting Notes:
The Lemon Lime flavor has a pleasantly faint apple smell on the nose, while across the palate we’re getting a touch of citrus, some juicy pear notes, and a zesty kick at the back of the throat. The drink is surprisingly subtle and nuanced, way more so than expected from a sports drink.
That is also subtly present in the Tropical Punch flavor. Rather than attacking your taste buds with intense sweetness like the other sports drinks on the market, PLEZi’s Tropical Punch is tame. Again, I’m tasting pear, but also juicy berry notes, with a subtle dry and tart finish that is reminiscent of pineapple and cranberry. It doesn’t deliver that onslaught of dopamine that tasting the competition provides, but it tastes noticeably healthier, which is what the brand is clearly going for.
If you want to experience the absolute best of the best, you’re going to want to reach for the Orange Mango Twist. Now, full disclosure — I’m not the biggest mango fan, so my expectations for this one were pretty low. What I found was a pleasant bouquet of tropical fruit flavors like watermelon and mango with a twist of orange citrus, again, more pear, and a lingering finish that stayed on the tongue the way a good piece of fruit does, rather than the bad-breath-inducing tongue stain that something like a sugary juice “drink” provides.
The Bottom Line:
Consider us sufficiently impressed with what PLEZi is delivering here. If you’re in the habit of drinking hydrating sports drinks but want something healthier, and more nuanced and complex in your rotation, PLEZi is the move. For the best flavor, hit Orange Mango Twist first.
PLEZi Hydration can be found in California at Walmart, Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, and Pavillions, or nationwide on Amazon.
Two of SoundCloud rap‘s late heroes finally unite on the “Whoa (Mind In Awe)” remix. XXXTentacion and Juice WRLD only ever really crafted one song together — the original version of “Whoa” — but it’s only now that the world gets an official release. Juice had recorded the verse specifically for XXXTentacion’s song “Whoa,” but both artist passed before they were able to finish the collaboration.
However, both artists’ estates have since teamed up to ensure that the dream collab becomes a reality, releasing “Whoa” in conjunction with a touching music video following a group of kids in Jamaica pursuing their own dreams. The video aligns with the song’s theme of “doing things with meaning and following your dreams,” while its shooting location ties into their shared roots, with families from Jamaica.
Additionally, the soccer jerseys worn by the children in the video are being made available in a limited-edition release, the proceeds of which will go to the XXXTentacion Foundation and Juice WRLD’s 999 Foundation. They’ll help support youth, community, and infrastructure in Jamaica and mental health resources. The kits will be available for purchase on Friday, May 30 at 12:00 PM Pacific at xxxtentacion.com.
You can listen to XXXTentacion’s “Whoa (Mind In Awe) Remix” featuring Juice WRLD above.
Leon Thomas’ new album Mutt has been the definition of a breakout; its self-titled lead single was a viral hit, propelling him to an appearance on Tiny Desk, a Best New Artist nomination at the upcoming BET Awards, and collaborations with stars likeHalle Bailey, Freddie Gibbs, and Ty Dolla Sign.
This week, he updated the album, releasing a deluxe edition titled Heel. Nine new songs, such as “Not Fair,” a James Fauntleroy-produced standout, and the Big Sean-featuring “Party Favors,” mark a shift in the unapologetic outlook of the original album, presenting a Leon Thomas that isn’t quite housebroken yet, but might just be on his way there.
On “Not Fair,” Thomas sings about a romantic rendezvous, but instead of being the swaggering lothario, he’s a helpless servant to his impulses and his partner’s charms. “It’s not fair,” he croons. “How you just gon’ take off your clothes and sit right there? / How you just do whatever you want? / How you gon’ put a spell on me just to front? / How you keep make me falling in love, it’s just not fair.”
You can listen to Leon Thomas’ “Not Fair” above.
The Mutt deluxe edition, Heel, is out now via EZMNY Records and Motown Records. You can find more info here.
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