Host Conan O’Brien’s Kendrick Lamar and Drake joke paid off big time at the 2025 Oscars. Not only because it was really good, but also because it made one of his writers 50 bucks.
During last night’s ceremony, the former Late Night host quipped, “We’re halfway through the show, which means it’s time for Kendrick Lamar to come out and call Drake a pedophile.” He added, “Don’t worry, I’m lawyered up.” Conan didn’t come up with the joke, however. Comedian and writer Skyler Higley took credit for it on X, writing, “wrote the Kendrick Lamar joke and bet our executive producer $50 that it would kill. just made $50.”
In a series of follow-up posts, Higley, a writer for Taylor Tomlinson’s After Midnight and a fan of good music, thanked “the academy and S&P for folding and not cutting this joke.” He was also told that “people being mad racist on this Nazi website. I’m not gonna break down how jokes work and structure to you. Unfortunately many of you are simply dumb and/or racist. I’m having a wonderful time tonight and that’s not changing!” The joke was so good, it even led to what Higley accurately described as the “dumbest post of all time.”
If Higley ever decides to retire from joke writing, he has a promising future as an illustrator!
This past weekend, American pop culture enthusiasts were tuned in to the Oscars. Over in the UK, though, it was all about the BRIT Awards, essentially their version of the Grammys. Indeed, big names were at the BRITs, including Sabrina Carpenter, who delivered a racy performance that got some folks upset.
The performance had many online thinking about the UK’s 9 p.m. watershed, meaning that programming not suitable for young audiences cannot be aired before that time in the UK. (In United States television broadcasting, there’s also a watershed and it’s at 10 p.m.) This had some joking that some viewers would be reaching out to Ofcom, a UK regulatory group with authority over the country’s broadcasting. One X (formerly Twitter) user wrote, “Sabrina Carpenter doing Bed Chem pre-watershed? The ofcom complaints about that performance are gonna be through the roof but I enjoyed it. That’s my girl!”
Indeed, there were upset viewers.
One wrote, “Sorry not a good idea to open up with before 9pm! It’s still family time, very inappropriate.” Another said, “As a dad of 11 and 13 year old girls I am fuming that this was the opening scenes of #BRITs2025.” Another wrote, “F*cking ridiculous. 8.23pm. Lots of little girls watching this. Learning that female artists have to dress & perform like a prostitute to become famous.. @Ofcom @ITV there’s a watershed for a reason. Who decided this was appropriate for family viewing at 8.20 on sat prime time?”
It’s not clear how many complaints Ofcom actually received, but some see the backlash as a badge of honor: One user wrote, “The fact there are threats to contact Ofcom after Sabrina Carpenter’s BRITs performance shows pop music is well and truly back.”
Peacock is the home of Natasha Lyonne portraying a fictional and accidental detective in Poker Face, but NBCUniversal’s streaming service also tackles true crime, and soon, Peacock, will head into thriller mode with a series that isn’t exactly true crime but sure could be a true story. Let’s not waste any more time and head into the abyss of Long Bright River and what to expect.
Plot
Peacock
Lone Bright River is based upon the same-named book by Liz Moore and follows the perspective of Mickey (Amanda Seyfried). As a Philly cop, she patrols the Kensington neighborhood (where she grew up), which has been devastated by the opioid crisis, and (of course) a multi-murder case ends up hitting too close to home. This will presumably be a limited series, although you know what happens when limited series are too successful, right? We’ll see if this ends up following the path of, say, Apple TV+’s Presumed Innocent, but officially, we can expect eight episodes from the Seyfried-starring series.
Executive producer Nikki Toscano (Hunters, The Offer) explained in a press release how she gobbled up Moore’s “novel in one sitting,” and she describes this “breathtakingly beautiful story” as being “as compelling in its family drama as it was in its murder mystery.” As with the book, Toscano took the challenge of hopping back and forth between past and present to fully flesh out Mickey’s connection to this case, and Toscano was thrilled to adapt “this moving love story between two sisters.”
Also importantly, Toscano aimed to make this story “deconstruct the ‘police as savior’ narrative,” and she made it a goal “to upend stereotypes: of those born into poverty and addiction, of those engaging in sex work, of those who have been written off or marginalized after they’ve seemingly fallen through the cracks of their community, and finally, of those engaged in police work.”
Further, Toscano warns, “Strap yourself in – ’cause this is Amanda like you’ve never seen her before – flawed and raw, tarred by guilt and shame and legacy, but never more compelling. She puts every ounce of her soul onto the screen and her performance will break your heart.”
Moore chimed into the press release while explaining that her inspiration for the Long Bright River novel didn’t come from a single source but includes her experiences in Kensington along with “my own family’s history of addiction,” by “being a sister,” and “living in the city of Philadelphia.” And if this series is half as successful as the book, Moore’s portrait of Kensington will be the source of much bingewatching.
Cast
Peacock
In addition to Seyfried, Long Bright River stars Nicholas Pinnock, Ashleigh Cummings, John Doman, Callum Vinson, Britne Oldford, Matthew Del Negro, Dash Mihok, Harriet Sansom Harris, Perry Mattfeld, and Patch Darragh.
Release Date
Peacock
Long Bright River debuts on March 13.
Trailer
This looks like the Internet’s next crime drama addiction.
For the true Goggins-heads out there (a.k.a. Justified fans), that moment has been going on for well over a decade. But the oft-shirtless actor has reached a new level of popularity thanks to playing “Ghoul Daddy” on Fallout and older-man-with-a-hot-younger-girlfriend Rick Hatchett on The White Lotus. But don’t forget about Goggins’ finest post-Justified role: Uncle Baby Billy on The Righteous Gemstones, which is returning for its fourth and final season soon.
Here’s everything to know about The Righteous Gemstones season 4.
Plot
Let’s begin with the official season 4 logline: “The Righteous Gemstones tells the story of a world-famous televangelist family with a long tradition of deviance, greed, and charitable work. Despite constant bickering, Gemstone family ties run deep, and this season, the family’s codependence is tested as they attempt to move forward without letting go of their storied past.”
The season 3 finale, in which Aimee-Leigh’s Force ghost watches her family crush stuff with a monster truck, could have worked as a series finale. But that’s because The Righteous Gemstones co-creator and star Danny McBride aims to have every season of his shows to feel like a complete story. “I ultimately want people to watch this more than once,” he told GQ. “We take a lot of time with the layers of this, with the type of comedy, with the nuance, because I just feel like shows that I’ve loved in the past, it’s not something that I’ve just watched week to week. It’s something I’ve watched week to week, and then I’ve gone back and revisited it just like I would a movie I like.”
As for season 4, McBride teased that patriarch Eli (John Goodman) is “going through some things in his life and trying to figure out how to take the next steps into whatever lays ahead for him,” while his son, Kelvin (Adam Devine), has “found a way to monetize being out of the closet” which “bristles” Jesse (McBride). There’s also Judy and BJ (Edi Patterson and Tim Baltz in god-tier performances), who “deal with an unexpected tragedy this season that tests their relationship and their love,” and Baby Billy (Goggins), who “has found more success than we’ve ever seen him before.”
McBride added:
“We take some massive swings this season with some stuff I don’t think the audience is going to see coming, and I’m very excited to see how it plays.”
As long as Keefe is happy, I’m happy.
Cast
The whole Gemstones extended family is back. There’s Danny McBride as Jesse, Adam Devine as Kelvin, John Goodman as Eli, Edi Patterson as Judy, Cassidy Freeman as Amber, Skyler Gisondo as Gideon Gemstone, Tim Baltz as BJ, Skyler Gisondo as Gideon, Jennifer Nettles as Aimee-Leigh, and, of course, Walton Goggins as Baby Billy Freeman and Valyn Hall as Tiffany Freeman.
The cast also includes Tony Cavalero as Keefe, Greg Alan Williams as Martin, James DuMont as Chad, Jody Hill as Levi, and Troy Hogan as Matthew.
Season 4 also welcomes some new faces to The Righteous Gemstones: Megan Mullally (Will & Grace) as Lori, a Gemstone family friend who used to write and perform with Aimee-Leigh; Seann William Scott (American Pie) as Lori’s son Corey; and Doughboys podcast favorite Arden Myrin as Corey’s wife Jana.
Everyone looks great.
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Release Date
The Righteous Gemstones season 4 premieres on HBO on Sunday, March 9, at 10 p.m. ET. It will also be available to stream on Max.
Trailer
You can watch The Righteous Gemstones season 4 trailer below.
Last year, our own Jason Tabrys wrote that The Substance “didn’t need awards to be a masterpiece,” and he was correct. The Substancedid win for Best Makeup And Hairstyling, but Coralie Fargeat and Demi Moore missed out on the Director and Best Actress awards, respectively.
In those categories, Anora swept while also scooping up Best Editing and Best Picture. If you haven’t caught NEON’s Sean Baker-directed “f*ckboi fairytale” yet, you might be wanting to catch up on the tragicomedy about an exotic dancer (Mikey Madison) who is swept up in an ill-fated romance with a Russian oligarch’s son.
At present, Anora is only available on VOD and for rent on platforms including Prime Video/Amazon and Apple TV+, but hang tight. Streaming is coming soon.
When And Where Will Anora Be On Streaming?
March 17. Hulu.
That’s right. The Walt Disney Company-owned platform will be the streaming home for the R-Rated Anora, according to Hulu’s March listings.
At that point, you can watch last year’s Palme d’Or-winner (from the Cannes Film Festival) and judge for yourself whether it deserves the Best Picture honors. Very early in the game, our own Josh Kurp called it a frontrunner, and The Academy agreed.
Anora stars Mikey Madison along with best supporting actor nominee Yura Borisov, Mark Eydelshteyn, Aleksey Serebryakov, Daria Ekamasova, and Luna Sofía Miranda. Look for it on Hulu on March 17.
While it might be an exaggeration to say that rye whiskey is better than it has ever been, it certainly seems like there are moregreat ryes readily available today than at any other time in history. That’s saying something!
With liquor store shelves overflowing with excellent and expensive options, you may be wondering which bottles are actually worth the splurge. Rest assured, because we lined up 20 of the best bottles of rye whiskey on the market today, and every single one of them is worth the price of admission. To help you with your next big purchase, we tasted and ranked each whiskey with flavor notes so you’ll know exactly which ones are for you.
Some lists cover the best overall, and some lists focus solely on fantastic budget buys, but this is our list of the best expensive rye whiskeys that are worth every single penny.
High West’s annual release of Midwinter Night’s Dram is always met with fanfare. Though the expression has seen its price creep up in recent years, the enthusiasm around the brand hasn’t abated, making the blend of rye whiskies finished in both Tawny and Ruby port barrels one of the season’s hard-to-find bottles that are actually worth it.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nosing notes open with the sweetness of the port wine casks as a slight nuttiness envelopes the overall profile before jammy red berries, allspice, cedar, and a faint bit of mint pick up in prominence.
Palate: On the palate, this whiskey begins a bit austere but soon blossoms to reveal the red berry notes from the nose in lockstep with allspice, mint, and honeyed, toasted multigrain bread. The texture, too, begins a bit austere before unwinding as the whiskey travels toward the back of the palate, revealing ribbons of black pepper and more mint before reaching the finish.
Finish: The medium-length finish is where black pepper, raspberry compote, and singed mint can be found, along with some vanilla pod flavor and restrained sage.
Bottom Line:
While High West’s Midwinter Night’s Dram offering has waxed and waned in quality over the years, what remains consistent is that this unique flavor profile is a perfect fit for holiday enjoyment. This is an ideal whiskey for Christmas enjoyment with its seasonally appropriate name and flavor profile full of red berries and baking spice.
Nose: The aroma of prunes, apricots, and black pepper fills the air above the glass once the whiskey is poured from this elegant bottle. Rye spice, a bit of sage, and nutmeg can also be found as this rye sits in the glass, and the aromas continue to evolve.
Palate: Caramel, clove, and rye spice dominate the palate up front, while accents of cinnamon, mint, and butterscotch buoy those top-heavy flavors. The mouthfeel is impressively slick despite its restrained proof, making the flavors come across as more well-developed than one might expect.
Finish: On the finish, this whiskey quickly dissipates with honey and butterscotch flavors covering the tracks of the savory spices at the heart of each sip. Cinnamon, nutmeg, and black pepper traces can be found with concentration as the liquid leaves your palate.
Bottom Line:
Hillrock Estate’s whiskey output is severely underrated, and its ability to produce high-quality baseline expressions is perhaps the best indicator of that. By taking extra steps in their production process, such as floor malting and utilizing estate-grown grains, they’re able to exert more control over the end product. That attention to detail is something you can definitely taste.
18. World Whiskey Society 12-Year Straight Rye Whiskey Finished in Awamori Cask
World Whiskey Society has no shortage of incredibly unique bottle shapes and package designs across its portfolio of equally atypical whiskey offerings. One look at this gargoyled bottle on the shelf and you’d be forgiven for taking it as a sign that they spent more on packaging than the product inside, but two factors can allay those concerns: it’s aged for 12 years, thus significantly mature, and finished in exotic Japanese Awamori casks.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Peaches, pie crust, and cinnamon bark make the initial impression on the nose of this whiskey, with some green apple, custard, and clove joining the party soon after.
Palate: Peach rings, mint leaves, and honey-drizzled baklava begin to coat your palate with rich flavor while some nice nutmeg, oak, and almond notes begin draping themselves around the edge of the tongue. Add to that grouping some faint cinnamon and golden raisins, all contained in a taught, medium-bodied texture.
Finish: The finish is medium-length, with the flavor of peaches, oak, and nutmeg standing out most prominently, while a touch of grilled green tomatoes intrigues you into extended consideration.
Bottom Line:
Given its unusual packaging and seldom utilized finishing casks, this expression will surely pique your curiosity, and for those who dare to be different, your interest will be rewarded. This off-the-beaten-path rye leads directly to flavor town; in fact, as a nod to its hefty topper, I’d even say it’s frighteningly tasty.
The whiskey pros behind Barrell Craft Spirits had a busy year, blending up some of the most unique and downright tasty expressions on the market, and one of their crowning achievements in 2024 was their Gray Label Seagrass release. This expression was created by taking a first blend of 19-year-old Canadian-born rye barrels and finishing it in Apricot brandy casks, then mingling it with a second portion of that 19-year-old rye and finishing it in Martinique rhum casks. Finally, a blend of the first and second groups was finished in Malmsey Madeira barrels until everything was just right.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The aroma of honey and green apples comes leaping out of the glass once this whiskey is poured, immediately capturing your intrigue as barrel char, sage, and peach ring aromas soon join them. More savory, exotic notes also bolster its aroma profile in the form of black olives, caraway, tobacco leaf, and cucumber.
Palate: Candied green apples, cinnamon-speckled honey drops, and fresh coconut flavors blend well with lemon oil, hazelnut spread, and peanut shells as this whiskey cascades over your palate. The mouthfeel is substantial and oily, which gives the liquid a tangible body to appreciate as you chew the whiskey and allow the sipping experience to transition to the finish.
Finish: The finish matches the impressiveness of the first two stages with a medium-length lingering sensation that brings forth tropical fruits and black pepper spice along with a whisp of cedar smoke, butterscotch, and faintly sweet mint.
Bottom Line:
Barrell’s Seagrass was an instant sensation when it was first released, and by dialing the flavors up to 11 with its latest Gray Label expression, the brand has truly outdone itself. This is a decadent, complex pour that’s sure to catch many whiskey enthusiasts off-guard, but that surprise is part of what makes the journey so exciting.
The oldest continuously maintained whiskey brand in US history, founded in West Overton, Pennsylvania, in 1810, is back with yet another cask-strength edition. Old Overholt’s standard rye is well regarded as a bar staple, ideal for mixing in cocktails, but this cask-strength version is intended for neat sipping, undiluted to elevate the flavors of the whiskey.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The whiskey begins with potting soil, ginger, sweet mint, and honey for the nosing notes on this year’s Cask Strength Old Overholt. After sitting with it a while, the earthy potting soil note morphs into more of a black tea with a hint of grassiness while the rest of the aromas hold firm.
Palate: This year’s cask strength Old Overholt expression begins rather sweet before pulling the trap door and showcasing a lot of baking spice and earthy notes. Those include nutmeg, black pepper, star anise, black tea, and mint.
Finish: The finish introduces a touch of smokiness and pipe tobacco notes as it mostly hangs around on the edges of the tongue and the roof of the mouth, taking its sweet time deploying those earthy notes before entirely dissipating.
Bottom Line:
The Old Overholt flavor profile is an absolute classic in the world of American rye, and at cask strength, aged for 11 years, the knob is cranked all the way up. This tasty, peppery rye does better than meeting expectations thanks to a lengthy finish that extends the pleasure of every sip.
Crafted from 189 barrels by Blue Run Whiskey Director Shaylyn Gammon, the brand’s Emerald Rye is its most easily found high-proof rye whiskey. The whiskey was originally contract distilled at Castle & Key before being blended for this second batch of the release.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose of Emerald Rye is full of lush butterscotch and caramel notes with a twinge of singed mint, toasted oak, and chili powder enhancing the aromas.
Palate: In the mouth, Emerald Rye really shines with an initial hit of honey, preparing your palate for a rush of vanilla buttercream, shishito peppers, cooked apple, clove, and rye spice. The texture is impressive and mouth coating, which makes chewing this whiskey an even more rewarding experience.
Finish: The finish is lingering and full of more honey and apple notes before a touch of oak and black pepper spice gives you a gentle send-off.
Bottom Line:
Blue Run has continued to impress despite its recent acquisition by Molson Coors, showing that the folks at the helm are as committed to high-quality products as ever. This Emerald Rye is the crown jewel of their regular rye releases.
Comprised of barrels that Michter’s deems too good for blending, this single-barrel expression showcases the best of their rye whiskey at undiluted cask strength. Be advised that with the exception of Michter’s 25-Year-Old Rye, this is typically one of the brand’s hardest rye whiskeys to find.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Smoked caramel leads the way, with milk chocolate, mint, and graham cracker aromas following closely behind on this whiskey’s robust nose. It immediately comes across as a proofy, dense ride, and it will leave you salivating in anticipation of the first sip.
Palate: Smoked caramel and barrel char with leather lead the way on the palate before mint flows in at midpalate, cooling the tongue and introducing milk chocolate before the finish.
Finish: The finish is full of black pepper and nutmeg, but the smoked caramel is the note that most stubbornly persists. There’s also a touch of mocha present before the liquid completely evaporates.
Bottom Line:
What happens when you take Michter’s excellent rye whiskey and offer it at its full barrel-proof potency? Predictably delicious results, as this expression proves that the brand’s cask curation is as much a science as it is an art.
For this impressive Double Oak variant of its standard rye whiskey, Peerless Distilling Co. matures the liquid in a second new American oak cask to beef up the oak wood extraction, darken the color, and enrich the flavors.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Whisps of smoke and oak cast a cloud over richer tones of orange zest, vanilla buttercream, black pepper, and cinnamon on the rich nose of this whiskey. Many of the classic rye tones are obfuscated by the robust oak tones, but that’s not a complaint, as the overall aroma is sumptuous and inviting.
Palate: Molasses-based cinnamon cookies hit the palate with your first sip, which is bolstered by robust oak tones, undercut by juicy orange peels, and elevated by vanilla buttercream. The flavor of herbal tea with mint and subtle hints of cacao nibs begins to pool at midpalate, causing the edges of the tongue to salivate and unlock further cinnamon notes along with a touch of nutmeg and brûléed brown sugar.
Finish: The lingering finish is where the rye spice and orange peel notes finally begin to win out over the darker elements, though the flavor of oak, black pepper, and herbal tea aren’t far behind.
Bottom Line:
We’ve been really impressed with several Peerless expressions this year, but it wouldn’t be a stretch to say this Double Oak Rye might be the best of the bunch. While Peerless’ base rye is an incredible, albeit overpriced, display of the dazzling flavors that capable hands can wrest from young rye whiskey, this Double Oaked offering balances the scales of value and quality to a better degree.
Raconteur Rye’s second batch, nicknamed “Brazen,” represents a subtle evolution of this ascendant brand. At a slightly higher proof with “dialed up” flavors, this 7-year-old rye was finished in Mizunara casks that previously held 17-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Dates and Fig Newton aromas mesh at first with some cracked black pepper and pie crust combined with cream soda and strawberry saltwater taffy at the center of it all. This whiskey has a really fun nose that’s lively and inviting.
Palate: It’s a lot more viscous than I expected from the nose, with great oiliness and a surprising bit of chocolate milk to go with the flavor of dates and red grapes. Fresh mint, mellow black pepper, and oregano kick in at midpalate and undulate across the palate, climbing up the roof of the mouth.
Finish: The finish has a touch of leather, more grape, and some gentle oak for balance. It has a medium length aided by the viscous texture, which grants it a supple staying power while the black pepper spice slowly recedes.
Bottom Line:
The bevy of flavors in this bottle might initially give you pause, as it takes a second for all of those tightly wound layers to unfurl, but with some time spent in the glass, this rye only gets better and better. Your only trouble will be maintaining the will to let it sit and improve because even the first sip of Raconteur Rye is sure to draw you in quickly.
Now that Batch 3 has recently hit the market, utilizing a blend of both Kentucky and Indiana rye, we can’t wait to enjoy future releases from this brand.
Heaven Hill’s brand-new Grain To Glass lineup features three whiskeys intended to highlight the carefully grown grains (Beck’s 6158 corn) they sourced from hand-selected local farming partners. For the lineup’s lone rye offering, they bottled a whiskey that utilizes a different grain source and mash bill from their other standout expressions like Parker’s Heritage 10-Year Rye and Pikesville Rye.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Tobacco leaf, almond, mint sprigs, and oak all take turns rising and falling on the nose for a dense, impressive melange that makes you want to sit with your glass for extended consideration.
Palate: The heavy mouthfeel brings milk chocolate, tobacco leaf, oak, and smoked mint across the palate on the first sip. The layers of flavor go deeper on the second sip, with cayenne, caramel, and cinnamon dancing on the center of the palate, while the influence of ethanol causes the periphery of the tongue to pulsate with delight.
Finish: The finish is long-lasting, drying the palate out a bit while black tea, oak, freshly cracked black pepper, and mint linger at the back of the tongue.
Bottom Line:
Heaven Hill’s Grain To Glass series hit the mark across the entire lineup, but the rye is easily the star of the show. They’ve delivered a bottle of rye that can go toe-to-toe with the best of them by switching up their grain source and tinkering with the mash bill to optimize it.
10. Frank August Case Study: 03 Winter Cover Rye Whiskey
For their newest Case Study release, Frank August created nine unique batches, each consisting of three selected barrels of straight rye whiskey, and blended them optimally. Notably, this is the first straight rye whiskey in the Case Study series, which has previously highlighted the impressive rising brand’s bourbon blending prowess.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Incredible apple orchard aromas that immediately transport you to a farm in the fall leap out of the glass. There’s some faint cinnamon bark and sage, along with some more distinct honey and muted orange blossom notes that make this whiskey an absolute delight to swirl in your glass and enjoy.
Palate: On the palate, there’s a ton of vanilla ice cream and clove flavor before the apple and cinnamon notes begin to trickle in. It’s incredibly creamy with crème brûlée enticing the taste buds while gentle oak streaks up the middle of the tongue and floats to the edge of the palate.
Finish: Black pepper, oak, and burnt sugar find the finish along with some salted caramel sablés
Bottom Line:
This incredibly creamy and well-rounded rye will shock people more accustomed to grassy, peppery takes on the category, but rather than being an imitation bourbon, this one really carves its own lane and leans into the lush apple orchard flavors that will make it a hit all autumn long.
With Case Study: 03 representing the brand’s most ambitious foray into the rye category, they’ve earned a ton of respect for their craft and boldly made it known that they’re not just here to stay but that they’ve got next.
Blackwood Distilling is a brand we know well and love, but this 105-proof offering represents the latest expansion in its line of toasted whiskeys. By utilizing three unique custom barrels from Kelvin Cooperage, Blackwood is able to perfectly dial in the flavor profile they desire for these 3-9 barrel batches of 7+ year Indiana-sourced whiskey.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose has gentle barrel spice and faintly floral notes to go with classic creme brulee, vanilla pod, and toasted marshmallow aromas. This is all before the rye spice kicks in, with aspects of mint tea and caramel to round things out.
Palate: The palate is lush from the first sip, with creme brulee, singed mint, and mellow black pepper spice notes washing over your tongue. From there, the whiskey picks up a more hefty body as caramel and floral tones set the stage for a crescendo of honeyed mint tea as it transitions to the finish.
Finish: The lingering finish underlines the creamy texture of this whiskey as burnt sugar, vanilla custard, and mellow mint notes close the show.
Bottom Line:
While some hardcore whiskey fans tend to want more proof in their pours, what far too many fail to recognize is that what they’re on the search for is more flavor. With this excellent, and more affordable lineup expansion, Blackwood Distilling delivers the goods to those enthusiasts with a flavorful offering that serves double duty as a delicious and approachable drink for all occassions.
Premier Drams was sprung from several great American whiskey minds, with Jack Rose’s proprietor Bill Thomas among them. These outstanding ryes come from several sources, all aged at the historic Castle & Key Distillery, formerly the home of Old Taylor. This particular single barrel was selected by Frank Dobbins III (me) and sold exclusively through Seelbach’s.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose on this whiskey is remarkably rich with honeysuckle, green apple, and mint. Each aroma note is distinct and well-developed, making this rye whiskey a pleasure to raise to your nose repeatedly, as the aromas’ limited extent is an afterthought given the heights they reach.
Palate: Once on the palate, the same rings true for this whiskey’s flavor wheel, which is limited mainly to honey, mint tea, green apples, black pepper, and oak. It’s a classic combination done well that makes this whiskey so impressive, as none of the notes bleed over into each other, taking turns finding different regions of your tongue to detonate with flavor. The mouthfeel is supple and spry, coating your tongue with ease while encouraging chewing so you can plumb greater depths of richness.
Finish: The finish is short-to-medium, but thanks to its viscous texture, it doesn’t feel like the party is cut short because it’s so packed with flavor before the finish even occurs.
Bottom Line:
The beauty of Premier Drams isn’t that they offer well-aged American whiskeys at cask strength, what brand doesn’t do that these days? The beauty lies in the brand’s twin virtues of careful cask curation and atypical maturation, which results in much lower proofs, delivering an incredible amount of flavor at exceptionally approachable ABVs. This style of American whiskey was once all the rage, and if the quality offered by Premier Drams is any indication, it’s sure to become en-vogue again very soon.
E.H. Taylor, Jr. Barrel Proof Rye has long been teased, hitting the TTB website a few years back, but it’s finally ready for market in 2024. Aged at Buffalo Trace Distillery, this brand-new release marks the second rye expression in the E.H. Taylor lineup, joining E.H. Taylor Jr. Straight Rye, which is Bottled in Bond.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The aroma of thick honeycomb, sweet peas, restrained mint, and chocolate truffle dust accent the air around the glass after pouring this dense whiskey. The proof seems tame and allows you to dip your nose into the glass and truly explore each layer of flavor, with some gooey caramel, peanut brittle, and charred red pepper also making an appearance.
Palate: The texture is immediately dense on the palate. This robust rye whiskey brings plenty of Manuka honey, rich chocolate truffle dust, and freshly picked mint rolling over the tongue in a viscous wave. On the second sip, the proof becomes more evident as the flavor of charred red pepper and vanilla ice cream’s sweetness fuse with a touch of cayenne and white pepper.
Finish: The finish is remarkably lengthy and mouth-warming as the liquid penetrates every corner of your palate and gives your upper chest a gentle hug full of clove, mint, and peanut brittle.
Bottom Line:
Expectations were high for E.H. Taylor, Jr. Barrel Proof Rye as a brand-new cask-strength bottling from one of Buffalo Trace Distillery’s most well-regarded whiskey lineups. Those expectations have been exceeded.
Despite its significant proof, this rye whiskey couples an impressive approachability with a remarkable depth of flavor that will leave you sucking your tongue and parsing additional layers long after your last sip. It’s stunning to think that this is just the first release in what will surely be a highly sought-after line extension from America’s oldest continuously operating distillery.
6. Hughes Brothers Belle of Bedford Single Barrel Rye Whiskey
Hughes Brothers has been releasing its stellar Belle of Bedford Rye series for a few years now, but these 12-year age-stated expressions are newer to their portfolio, and this particular barrel was one of 2024’s big winners. Selected by the team at Seelbach’s and featuring 95/5 rye from Indiana’s MGP Distillery, the stats on this whiskey should make any enthusiast in the know raise an eyebrow.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nosing notes begin with a luscious wave of dark chocolate as caramel chews, cooked pears, leather, and mint notes come wafting out of the glass. A few waves of the hand introduce more caramel notes in lockstep with mature oak for a classic, well-aged Indiana rye aroma wheel.
Palate: From the initial sip, this whiskey captures the full essence of what makes the nosing notes so remarkable. Each aroma translates on the palate in a stunning fashion with a distinct richness that enables you to pick them apart and savor each note individually. Finally, the mouthfeel is impressive without seizing all of your attention away from that cavalcade of delicious flavors. It’s a helluva party trick.
Finish: Once this whiskey transitions to the finish, it already has its hooks in you, and the closing impression of dark chocolate truffles, cooked apple, and barrel char is enough to leave you with an ear-wide smile before diving in for another sip.
Bottom Line:
While this is one of the lesser-known ryes on this list, as far as name recognition is concerned, most rye whiskey enthusiasts should be well-aware of the magic spell 10+ year 95/5 rye from MGP can cast. This bottle proves that the magic is real, and Hughes Brothers in partnership with Seelbach’s managed to bag themselves a whale.
Initially barreled at 125 proof over six years ago, the 2024 Thomas H. Handy saw its proof rise to 127.2 during those years spent maturing in Frankfort, Kentucky, at the Buffalo Trace Distillery. This expression is always the youngest of the group and, as such, is typically the least sought-out despite frequently being one of the collection’s better offerings.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: This year’s Handy begins with an impressive nuttiness, as peanuts, Valencia oranges, herbal tea, and a blend of cinnamon and brown sugar rush up from the glass to greet the nose at first. Over time, there’s an increasingly prominent mint note that latches on to the citrus aroma and forms the body of this whiskey’s stunning bouquet.
Palate: 2024’s Thomas H. Handy opens with a wonderfully heavy mouthfeel that carries orange marmalade, fresh hazelnuts, mint, dark chocolate, and drops of honey across the entirety of your palate. Chewing the whiskey reveals chunks of dark chocolate and touches of oak before it transitions to the finish.
Finish: The medium-to-long finish on this year’s Thomas H. Handy is full of orange blossom notes along with vanilla and peanut shells, making it a real treat from start to finish.
Bottom Line:
Thomas H. Handy is a perpetual dark horse in the race for crowning the best whiskey in the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection each year, but 2024’s release really has some legs. By impressing at every stage, from the distinct and delightful nosing notes to the incredibly flavorful drinking experience, which extends through the satisfyingly lengthy finish, the 2024 Thomas H. Handy proves that age is only one variable in the equation of what makes high-quality whiskey.
4. New England Barrel Company Single Barrel Cask Strength Rye
New England Barrel Company is one of the biggest brands in the region, and their superb, sourced stock of whiskey has been turning a lot of heads this year. Each of these exclusive single-barrel expressions is hand-selected for pick groups and liquor stores.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Dense caramel and chocolate wafer aromas come tumbling over the glass’s edge, with honeyed mint tea and graham crackers competing with cinnamon bark and flan for your full attention.
Palate: The flavor of chocolate wafers, cinnamon bark, and some fresh sprinkles of nutmeg wash over the palate at first. There’s some mocha and oak at midpalate with potting soil and mint sprouting towards the back of the mouth. The liquid has a nice, viscous, mouth-coating texture, and it drinks well below the proof
Finish: Menthol and barrel char flavors combine with lady fingers and black pepper on the lengthy finish, which lingers courtesy of the proof, which is felt primarily at the midpalate and roof of the mouth.
Bottom Line:
The world of rye whiskey covers so much ground, from light and bright whiskeys to floral, grassy ones and even lush, dark pours. These single barrels from NEBCo represent the last of the bunch, offering dense, decadent whiskeys that truly plumb depths of flavor that you can only get from well-aged rye. This is exactly the sort of pour that makes you appreciate the depth of richness in the world of rye whiskey because it’s loaded with autumnal spices and well-developed sweetness that’s easy to enjoy all year long.
Pride of Anderson County Rye was UPROXX’s 2023 Whiskey of the Year, and for good reason: it immediately thrust itself into the conversation as one of the greatest ryes of all time. This year’s expression marks the second release of the instant classic and features 10-year straight rye whiskey from the 4th floor of Wild Turkey’s Tyrone Q rickhouse.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose on this whiskey is immediately evocative of walking through a rickhouse full of aging whiskey barrels. The aroma of mature oak, rye spice, and well-worn leather immediately seeps into the senses while subtler notes of cacao nibs, ripe figs, overripe mango skin, and gooey caramel make a stark impression as well.
Palate: Once this liquid hits your lips, its intoxicating spell is cast. The viscousness of the whiskey is immediately impressive, while notes of nougat, dark chocolate, allspice, mint leaves, and Manuka honey wash over the palate.
Finish: The lengthy finish is flush with sage, semi-bitter chocolate, mature oak, and sweet mint notes, leaving you smacking your lips and enjoying the symphony of flavors long after your last sip.
Bottom Line:
Pride of Anderson County is an incredibly complex whiskey, and it serves as a dual showcase of Wild Turkey’s towering expertise in rye production as well as Rare Character’s unparalleled knack for identifying the world’s best barrels and giving them the sort of premium billing that they rightfully deserve, and might not otherwise receive.
While it isn’t number one on this list, make no mistake, it belongs in the conversation as one of the best rye whiskeys to come out in the last ten years. ‘Nuff said.
Michter’s is known for being meticulous with their releases, and not just the ultra-premium ones, utilizing proprietary custom filtration for each of their whiskeys. For 2024’s 10-year single barrel, Michter’s uses yet another custom filter to ensure this year’s version is different from years prior while maintaining the expression’s award-winning quality.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Huge scoops of vanilla ice cream with mint sprigs melt out of the glass. With Manuka honey and gentle leather accents in the background, this is such a classic Michter’s rye nose that it’s immediately identifiable. And awesome.
Palate: Rich buttercream, fresh cinnamon bark, creamy milk chocolate, crisp red apples…need I go on? Michter’s always does an incredible job with whiskey at a lower proof, and these 10-year expressions offer the grandest stage for them to showcase that prowess. Here, the mouthfeel is jaw-dropping, and the richness of the flavors hit you in lush waves, one after another, but they never threaten to overwhelm your senses. There’s enough runway for each excellent flavor note to take flight.
Finish: The finish undulates away gently after a considerable length of time, sucking your teeth for more hazelnut cream and sweet oak tones.
Bottom Line:
In an era full of legendary rye whiskeys, it should be enough to tell you, dear reader, that Michter’s 10-Year Single Barrel Rye deserves to be near the top of the heap. This is one of the whiskeys that annually helps to define the year, and if you aren’t already in love with rye, then the 2024 Michter’s 10-Year Single Barrel is Cupid’s arrow in a bottle.
Brook Hill is the Rare Character brand’s ne plus ultra expression, which, as you should already know, means this is some absolutely epic whiskey. With a history that dates back to the turn of the 19th century, the modern-day revival of Brook Hill is releasing exclusive bourbons and rye, with a highly limited number of single barrels of the rye hitting the market so far this year.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Milk chocolate, like the milk in a bowl after you finish your Cocoa Puffs, and sweet mint are most immediately alluring on the nose. Stick around a while, and you’ll also find chunks of toffee, polished leather, and paprika contributing to this dark and brooding nose.
Palate: Candied walnuts hit the palate along with a big spoonful of brown sugar before that Cocoa Puff milk note begins to pool at midpalate, whetting the edges of your tongue. Paprika and barrel char are relegated to the shotgun seat as some nutmeg, Smarties candy, and dried cranberries steer the ship before this transitions into the finish.
Finish: Almost chalky as the texture grips the back of your tongue before tapping out. There’s some oak and nuttiness on the finish, along with drops of honey, but despite the impressive length of those flavors, you’ll probably be on your second glass before you truly appreciate them.
Bottom Line:
In an era where rye whiskey is on an unprecedented upswing, Brook Hill Rye stands at the top of the heap. These bottles are already drawing comparisons to all-time legendary expressions like Booker’s Rye, with standouts that include Bedlam, Life of Luxe, Fresco, and our 2024 rye whiskey of the year, Greenprint.
Each whiskey in this top 20 list is exceptional and deserves immediate attention. However, Brook Hill’s single barrel ryes transcend this high-quality grouping and belong in the pantheon as some of the best rye whiskeys of the modern era.
Following a busy run that saw Yeule release the albums Glitch Princess in 2022 and Softscars in 2023, they’re coming back with another album: It was announced today (March 3) that Evangelic Girl Is A Gun is set for release on May 30. There’s a new single out now: “Skullcrusher.”
Yeule notes they’re inspired by Polish artist Zdzisław Beksiński and says in a statement:
“I wanted to bring homage to my life as a painter with this album. For me, Beksiński portrays so beautifully, with utmost care, the entities that crawl through his dystopian, tranquil landscapes. The nature of painting as a medium is a reflection of my emotions, both violent and gentle. A fleeting moment of time in my life, transcribed with paint and trapped in time.”
Watch the “Skullcrusher” video above and find the Evangelic Girl Is A Gun cover art and tracklist below, along with Yeule’s upcoming tour dates, which were also announced today.
Yeule’s Evangelic Girl Is A Gun Album Cover Artwork
Ninja Tune
Yeule’s Evangelic Girl Is A Gun Tracklist
1. “Tequila Coma”
2. “The Girl Who Sold Her Face”
3. “Eko”
4. “1967”
5. “VvV”
6. “Dudu”
7. “What3vr”
8. “Saiko”
9. “Evangelic Girl Is A Gun”
10. “Skullcrusher”
Yeule’s 2025 Tour Dates
07/01 — Manchester, UK @ Academy 2
07/02 — London, UK @ O2 Forum Kentish Town
07/05 — Roskilde, Denmark @ Roskilde Festival
07/07 — Berlin, Germany @ Columbia Theatre
07/09 — Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Melkweg
07/11 — Paris, France @ Le Trabendo
07/10-12 — Slovakia @ Pohoda Festival
Evangelic Girl Is A Gun is out 5/30 via Ninja Tune. Find more information here.
Don Toliver is giving a masterclass in breaking the rules of album promotion. With a new song, “LV Bag,” promising a new album coming soon, and his last video, “Tore Up,” promoting his 2024 album, Hardstone Psycho, the Houston rapper takes a hard left, bringing back his 2023 album Love Sick with his newest video for “No Pole.”
In the surreal video, Don and his driver look to have had a late-night breakdown in an abandoned supermarket parking lot. After failing to secure a tow, Don goes inside for refreshments as they wait for assistance, leaving his driver with their car. As soon as he’s out of sight, the driver notices something unusual: a woman seemingly using a nearby lamppost as a stripper pole.
As he gets out to investigate, he’s mesmerized by the spinning beauty — in fact, he enters a trance, not noticing as the concrete of the parking lot turns to quicksand, absorbing him and the car. At the same time, Toliver notices that the grocery store appears to be completely abandoned; there are no other midnight shoppers, or even a lonely night cashier. As he goes to return to the car, only to find an empty lot, and we can easily deduce what happened to all the other shoppers, clerks, and cars. It certainly looks like Don Toliver’s fate is sealed by this strip club siren.
Of course, he isn’t just dropping the video just because. Today, vinyl records for “Love Sick” go on sale on Toliver’s website. You can find more info here.
You can watch Don Toliver’s “No Pole” video above.
Vocalist Shane Barton described the thoughtful track as “a reflection on personal flaws. It cautions against maintaining stagnant relationships and serves as a reminder that doing so is more akin to an act of cruelty than a favor.” The song itself is lovely (that slide guitar!), even if the subject matter is anything but.
You can watch the “Beekeeping” video above, while Dutch Interior’s tour dates can be found below.
Dutch Interior’s 2025 Tour Dates: Moneyball Tour
03/11 — Austin, TX @ 13th Floor (SXSW)
03/13 — Austin, TX @ 13th Floor (SXSW)
03/13 — Austin, TX @ Valhalla (SXSW)
03/13 — Austin, TX @ Mohawk (SXSW)
03/14 — Austin, TX @ High Noon (SXSW)
03/17 — Los Angeles, CA @ Zebulon #
03/20 — Los Angeles, CA @ Going Underground (In-Store Performance)
03/21 — Los Angeles, CA @ Well Wishes (Album Release Party)
03/22 — Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo *
03/23 — San Francisco, CA @ Bottom Of The Hill *
03/25 — Seattle, WA @ Black Lodge *
03/26 — Vancouver, BC @ Fox Cabaret *
03/27 — Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios *
03/28 — Boise, ID @ Treefort Music Festival
04/06 — San Diego, CA @ Voodoo Room ^
04/08 — Phoenix, AZ @ Rebel Lounge ^
04/10 — Austin, TX @ Mohawk ^
04/11 — San Antonio, TX @ Paper Tiger ^
04/12 — Houston, TX @ Wonky Power ^
04/13 — Denton, TX @ Rubber Gloves ^
08/30 — Manchester, England @ Manchester Psych Festival
08/31 — Dorset, England @ End of the Road Festival
# with Iceage
* with Frog
^ with Lowertown
Moneyball is out 3/21 via Fat Possum. Find more information here.
Keeping track of all the new albums coming out in a given month is a big job, but we’re up for it: Below is a comprehensive list of the major releases you can look forward to in March. If you’re not trying to potentially miss out on anything, it might be a good idea to keep reading.
Friday, March 7
Alabaster DePlume — A Blade Because A Blade Is Whole (International Anthem)
Arny Margret — I Miss You, I Do (One Little Independent Records)
Benmont Tench — The Melancholy Season (Dark Horse Records)
Bob Mould — Here We Go Crazy (Granary Music)
The Cat Empire — Bird In Paradise (The Cat Empire Records)
Caylee Hammack — Bed Of Roses (Capitol Records Nashville)
Chase Petra — Lullabies For Dogs (Wax Bodega)
Clara Mann — Rift (The state51 Conspiracy)
Fiona-Lee — Nothing Compares to Nineteen EP (Universal Music Group)
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