Back in May, Blxst told Uproxx that he and Bino Rideaux were working on the third installment of their popular Sixtape series. Today, we now know when exactly they plan to release it. Blxst shared the project’s artwork and release date on Twitter — never calling it “X,” sorry, Elon — and prompting a fan furor over the hotly anticipated project. The third Sixtape is due September 1, a little over two years since Sixtape 2 and a little over a year since each rapper released their most recent solo projects (Before You Go, by Blxst, dropped last April, while Bino’s Sorry 4 Tha Wait II followed in July).
https://x.com/blxst/status/1691494178612555806
While Bino has been pretty low key since releasing Sorry 4 Tha Wait II, Blxst has been in high demand as rap’s current go-to hook master. As he says in the lyrics to his fan-favorite No Love Lost single “Pressure,” “He the new Nate Dogg / He the West back bone.” He proved as much by providing catchy choruses to tracks from Tyga and YG (“West Coast Weekend“) and Roddy Ricch (“Passionate“), as well as a posthumous release from Nipsey Hussle featuring DJ Drama and Jeezy (“Raised Different“).
Sixtape III is out 9/1 via EVGLE / Out The Blue/Def Jam and Red Bull Records.
Kristaps Porzingis was part of the biggest trade of the NBA offseason (so far), as he was dealt from Washington to Boston in a three-team blockbuster that saw the Celtics send Marcus Smart to Memphis to bring in the star big man.
Porzingis is coming off of one of the best seasons of his career, as he averaged 23.2 points and 8.4 rebounds per game on 49.8/38.5/85.1 shooting splits. Boston’s hope is that Porzingis can give their offense a different dimension and alleviate some of the pressure placed on Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown’s shoulders on that end of the floor. The question with Porzingis has always been his availability rather than his ability, as he’s been highly productive when healthy, but has also suffered a number of injuries over his career.
Last year he was able to play in 65 games, the most he’s appeared in since his second season in the league, and Boston is banking on him staying healthy after giving up a key piece of their team to get him. Unfortunately, that goal is already off to a rocky start as Porzingis announced on Tuesday that he is dealing with plantar fasciitis in his foot that has forced him to withdraw from the Latvian national team ahead of the FIBA World Cup at the end of this month.
Ir grūti, es jūtos ļoti atbildīgs savu un Latvijas valstsvienības atbalstītāju priekšā, taču ir pieņemts lēmums, ka es nespēlēšu Pasaules kausā.
Pēc vairāku nedēļu atlabšanas procesa un atkārtota MRI izmeklējuma, vēl joprojām pēdas plantārais fascīts man neļauj atrasties uz… pic.twitter.com/mvyk4Dj8lU
The rough Google translation of Porzingis’ tweet reads as such:
It is difficult, I feel very responsible to myself and the supporters of the Latvian national team, but a decision has been made that I will not play in the World Cup.
After several weeks of recovery and a repeat MRI examination, the plantar fasciitis of my foot still prevents me from being on the field in full readiness.
This joint decision has been made by both the medical staff and coaching staff of the national team, as well as the Celtics team – with the advice and opinion that it is now necessary to continue the recovery process.
Such a decision is not easy to make, but I promise that I will be there and support the team as much as I can.
Hopefully Porzingis can rest and get his foot healthy by the time training camp starts in October, but it is a bit concerning for a big man who has dealt with lower body injuries in the past to be starting the season with a plantar fasciitis issue. The Celtics will be holding their breath that he can make a full recovery and not suffer any setbacks during the season, but it will be a concern after making such a bold move to bring him in this summer.
For the past few years now, Deftones have hosted Dia De Los Deftones, their own festival that’s become something to look forward to in the Southern California area. Now there’s more to get excited about as the band has just unveiled the details up the upcoming fourth annual installment.
The one-day festival is set to go down on November 4 at Petco Park in San Diego, California. Aside from Deftones themselves, the diverse lineup, which will be spread across two stages, also features 100 Gecs, Doechii, Knocked Loose, Pinback, Pieri, Rile, and Capra.
#DiaDeLosDeftones returns to San Diego on Nov 4, 2023 for our annual celebration of music and culture. This year we’ll be joined by 100 gecs, Knocked Loose, Doechii, Pinback, Pieri, Rile, and Capra. Tickets go on sale this Friday, 8/18, at 10AM PT. Our pre-sale begins tomorrow at… pic.twitter.com/kGLnspab5j
As press materials note, the event offers more than just music: “Inviting complete immersion and an inimitable experience, its concourse comprises art installations, local vendors, exclusive merchandise, and more.” Deftones describes the event as their “annual celebration of music and culture.”
As far as tickets, those go on sale on August 18 at 10 a.m. PT via Ticketmaster. Meanwhile, Deftones will have an Artist Presale from August 16 at 10 a.m. PT to August 17 at 10 p.m. PT. There will also be Live Nation, Ticketmaster, Padres, and local radio pre-sales on August 17 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. PT.
Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
Two Roads/Dogfish Head/Lupulin/Russian River/istock/Uproxx
While there are arguments to be made about the most popular beer styles in America, it’s tough to beat the IPA in terms of overall numbers. There are over 9,000 breweries currently operating and it’s a safe bet that most are producing at least one (if not a handful of) IPA riffs. How could you possibly find the time to try them all? While there are many West Coast, New England-style, and other IPA varieties worth your time, there are many that don’t deserve your attention.
Saturation tends to do that. As a result, quality recommendations grow more vital.
With all of these great IPAs, it would seem almost impossible to pick only one to drink for the rest of your days. How could somebody possibly take on this gargantuan task? Would you look for aggressively hoppy, piney bitter bangers? Would a balance between malts and hops be key? How about juicy, cloudy, tropical fruit-filled hazies? Which IPA would you choose?
Luckily, you don’t have to. We still tasked some professionals with this question — asking a handful of craft beer experts and brewers to tell us about their picks for the one IPA they’d bring to a desert island. Keep scrolling to see them all.
Fat Head’s Head Hunter. It is everything that a West Coast IPA should be. Golden, crystal clear, with just enough body to stand up to the hop load. 7.5% might not be ideal for a desert island, but I could never choose a different IPA.
Tasting Notes:
The mix of new school hops with classic “C” varieties offers pineapple, citrus, and pine. Aggressively hopped, but perfectly balanced.
Bell’s Two Hearted always makes me happy. Partly because I can’t get it regularly, but also because it is reliable and classic. It’s a great desert island beer because of its balance.
Tasting Notes:
Centennial hops are awesome and the citrus, resinous quality they lend work exceptionally well with the honey, light caramel scone-like, malt backbone.
Founders’ Mosaic Promise is a can’t-miss IPA. It’s perfect as a desert island beer. Golden Promise is one of my favorite malts and it works well with Mosaic hops in this beer.
Tasting Notes:
Aromas of tropical fruits and caramel malts lead to a palate of orange peels, bready malts, and grapefruit.
Bale Breaker Top Cutter IPA. Their brewery is surrounded by hop fields and located in the mecca of American hops in Yakima, Washington (which is one of my favorite places on the planet).
Tasting Notes:
This West Coast IPA hits all the notes of pine and citrus you want, and it’s nice and bright in the age of haze.
If forced to enjoy a single IPA, my choice would be Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA. The distinctive flavors are brought to the beer by DFH’s continuous hopping process.
Tasting Notes:
The brew just drips with citrus and pine and each sip invites another. Like the hopping process itself, it’s just wave after wave of flavor.
I am stuck on a desert island, it is likely to be hot most of the time and in that case, I don’t know if I want to be drinking beer that often, but if I had to choose, I would take as much Blind Pig from Russian River Brewing Company as possible.
Tasting Notes:
Blind Pig doesn’t get the same hype as big brother Pliny, but for my money, it is a smoother, easier-to-drink beer. Classic IPA notes of pine and citrus, with just enough malt backbone and bitterness to leave you refreshed.
Lupulin Hooey
Lupulin
Garth Beyer, certified Cicerone and owner of Garth’s Brew Bar in Madison, Wisconsin
Normally when you get six plus hops into a beer, it becomes a muddy mess of competing flavors and aromatics, but Lupulin Brewing has managed to harmonize Simcoe, Citra, El Dorado, Mosaic, Amarilla and Mandarina Bavaria hops in their Hooey.
Tasting Notes:
It’s insanely juicy (tropical and citrus flavors) and it’s perfectly medium-bodied due to its unfiltered nature. There’s simply no getting tired of drinking Hooey.
Maine Beer Lunch
Maine Beer
Frederic Yarm, USBG bartender at Josephine in Somerville. Massachusetts
Maine Beer Company’s Lunch is the IPA that I would take to a desert island. Named after a whale that’s survived an attack that damaged its fin, it’s the perfect allegory for the persistence needed to survive on a desert island.
Tasting Notes:
Given its delightful tropical, melon, grapefruit peel, orange, floral, and berry hop notes that are balanced by the right level of caramel malt sweetness.
My desert island IPA would be Russian River R n D Series #18 IPA – super light and crip with a good hop aroma and flavor and assertive hop bitterness that is balanced and not over the top.
Tasting Notes:
Easy drinking yet full of hop character both in the flavor and the aroma – a total winning beer. Try it if you can find it.
Two Roads Lil’ Heaven Session IPA
Two Roads
Andrew Hueston, USBG bartender at El Vez in Philadelphia
My go-to desert island beer is Two Roads Lil’ Heaven Session IPA. It’s a sessionable, crushable 4.8% ABV, but is still balanced and full flavored. It’s definitely the kind of beer you always want in your fridge.
Tasting Notes:
A caramel malt backbone melds with floral, citrus, and gently bitter, piney hops. All in all, a well-balanced IPA.
The first few months of the 2023-24 NBA season will feature the first ever NBA In-Season Tournament, where each team has been placed into a group with four other teams, with the six group winners and two other teams advancing to the knockout rounds. All of the games up until semifinals and finals will also count as normal, regular season games, ensuring that teams that reach the finals only add two extra games to their schedule.
On Tuesday, the NBA announced the group play schedule, which runs from November 3-28, where each team will play four group stage games (two at home, two on the road). Those games will count towards their regular season record while also determining who moves on to the knockout rounds. The league will then schedule each team for a game on December 4 or 5 to fill the quarterfinal slots or round out the only unscheduled game on each team’s 82-game regular season schedule.
Here is the group stage schedule for East Group C, which includes the Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, Toronto Raptors, Chicago Bulls, and Orlando Magic.
Boston Celtics:
11/10: vs. Nets (7:30 pm. ET, ESPN)
11/17: at Raptors (7:30 p.m ET, League Pass)
11/24: at Magic (2:30 p.m ET, NBA TV)
11/28: vs. Bulls (7:30 p.m ET, League Pass)
Brooklyn Nets:
11/3: at Bulls (8:00 p.m ET, League Pass)
11/10: at Celtics (7:30 p.m ET, ESPN)
11/14: vs. Magic (7:30 p.m ET, League Pass)
11/28: vs. Raptors (7:30 p.m ET, League Pass)
Toronto Raptors:
11/17: vs. Celtics (7:30 p.m ET, League Pass)
11/21: at Magic (7:00 p.m ET, League Pass)
11/24: vs. Bulls (7:30 p.m ET, League Pass)
11/28: at Nets (7:30 p.m ET, League Pass)
Chicago Bulls:
11/3: vs. Nets (8:00 p.m ET, League Pass)
11/17: vs. Magic (8:00 p.m ET, League Pass)
11/24: at Raptors (7:30 p.m ET, League Pass)
11/28: at Celtics (7:30 p.m ET, League Pass)
Orlando Magic:
11/14: at Nets (7:30 p.m ET, League Pass)
11/17: at Bulls (8:00 p.m ET, League Pass)
11/21: vs. Raptors (7:00 p.m ET, League Pass)
11/24: vs. Celtics (2:30 p.m ET, NBA TV)
The first few months of the 2023-24 NBA season will feature the first ever NBA In-Season Tournament, where each team has been placed into a group with four other teams, with the six group winners and two other teams advancing to the knockout rounds. All of the games up until semifinals and finals will also count as normal, regular season games, ensuring that teams that reach the finals only add two extra games to their schedule.
On Tuesday, the NBA announced the group play schedule, which runs from November 3-28, where each team will play four group stage games (two at home, two on the road). Those games will count towards their regular season record while also determining who moves on to the knockout rounds. The league will then schedule each team for a game on December 4 or 5 to fill the quarterfinal slots or round out the only unscheduled game on each team’s 82-game regular season schedule.
Here is the group stage schedule for East Group B, which includes the Milwaukee Bucks, New York Knicks, Miami Heat, Washington Wizards, and Charlotte Hornets.
Milwaukee Bucks:
11/3: vs. Knicks (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
11/17: at Hornets (7:00 p.m. ET, League Pass)
11/24: vs. Wizards (8:00 p.m. ET, League Pass)
11/27: at Heat (7:30 p.m. ET, TNT)
New York Knicks:
11/3: at Bucks (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
11/17: at Wizards (7:00 p.m. ET, League Pass)
11/24: vs. Heat (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
11/28: vs. Hornets (7:30 p.m. ET, League Pass)
Miami Heat:
11/3: vs. Wizards (8:00 p.m. ET, League Pass)
11/14: at Hornets (7:00 p.m. ET, League Pass)
11/24: at Knicks (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
11/28: vs. Bucks (7:30 p.m. ET, TNT)
Washington Wizards:
11/3: at Heat (8:00 p.m. ET, League Pass)
11/10: vs. Hornets (7:00 p.m. ET, League Pass)
11/17: vs. Knicks (7:00 p.m. ET, League Pass)
11/24: at Bucks (8:00 p.m. ET, League Pass)
Charlotte Hornets:
11/10: at Wizards (7:00 p.m. ET, League Pass)
11/14: vs. Heat (7:00 p.m. ET, League Pass)
11/17: vs. Bucks (7:00 p.m. ET, League Pass)
11/28: at Knicks (7:30 p.m. ET, League Pass)
In a little over two weeks, Power Book IV: Force will make its return to STARZ for season two. It comes a little over a year after the series’ inaugural season that, like all finales in the Power Universe, concluded with a shocking ending. (SPOILER INCOMING:) Liliana was killed during a shootout between her and Tommy and the Flynn family. Walter successfully orchestrated and framed Tommy for the shootings of Vic and Gloria which the latter died from. In season two, Tommy looks to avenge Liliana and Gloria’s deaths and he’s more motivated than ever to take over Chicago’s drug game.
So ahead of the new season, let’s take a moment to go over everything to know for Power Book IV: Force season two.
Release Date
Season two of Power Book IV: Force will premiere on STARZ on Friday, September 1. New episodes will be available to watch on Fridays at midnight on the STARZ app. The weekly new episodes will also air on the STARZ channel at 8 PM EST/PST.
Cast
The cast for season two of Power Book IV: Force includes the following main cast members: Joseph Sikora as Tommy Egan, Isaac Keys as David “Diamond” Sampson, Tommy Flanagan as Walter Flynn, Lili Simmons as Claudia “Claud” Flynn, Shane Harper as Victor “Vic” Flynn, Kris D. Lofton as Jenard Sampson, Anthony Fleming as JP Gibbs, Lucien Cambric as Darnell “D-Mac” McDowell, Blythe Howard as Adrienne, Monique Gabriela Curnen as Detective Blanca Rodriguez, and Patricia Kalember as Kate Egan.
New additions to the cast this season include Adrienne Walker as Shanti “Showstopper” Page and Carmela Zumbado as Mireya Garcia.
Plot
Here is the official logline for season two of Power Book IV: Force:
Tommy Egan is on a mission to avenge the death of Liliana, and with the Flynn organization weakened, he’s more determined than ever to take over the Chicago drug world. But with CBI split down the middle, Tommy and Diamond first must maintain their edge over Jenard. As their factions feud in the streets, Tommy capitalizes on another rivalry between the Serbs and Miguel Garcia, the most formidable drug lord in Chicago. After setting off a chain reaction of violence in pursuit of his ambition, Tommy must race to stay ahead of the men who are coming for what’s theirs, a federal task force that’s closing ranks, and a sadistic supplier with a direct line to the Cartel. All the while torn by the promise of a second chance with his blood family, Tommy must decide what he is willing to sacrifice to finally ascend the throne of a kingpin.
Trailer
Here is the official trailer for Power Book IV: Force season two:
How Many Episodes?
There will be ten episodes in season two of Power Book IV: Force. The first episode will air on September 1 on STARZ, and the following episodes will air weekly on STARZ and continue until the season finale on November 10.
Where To Stream
Season one of Power Book IV: Force is currently available to stream on STARZ. New episodes in season two will be available to stream Fridays at midnight on the STARZ app and they will also air at 8pm EST/PST on the STARZ television channel.
‘Power Book IV: Force’ returns on September 1 on STARZ.
The first few months of the 2023-24 NBA season will feature the first ever NBA In-Season Tournament, where each team has been placed into a group with four other teams, with the six group winners and two other teams advancing to the knockout rounds. All of the games up until semifinals and finals will also count as normal, regular season games, ensuring that teams that reach the finals only add two extra games to their schedule.
On Tuesday, the NBA announced the group play schedule, which runs from November 3-28, where each team will play four group stage games (two at home, two on the road). Those games will count towards their regular season record while also determining who moves on to the knockout rounds. The league will then schedule each team for a game on December 4 or 5 to fill the quarterfinal slots or round out the only unscheduled game on each team’s 82-game regular season schedule.
Here is the group stage schedule for East Group A, which includes the Philadelphia 76ers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Atlanta Hawks, Indiana Pacers, and Detroit Pistons.
Philadelphia 76ers:
11/10: at Pistons (7:00 p.m. ET, League Pass)
11/14: vs. Pacers (7:00 p.m. ET, League Pass)
11/17: at Hawks (7:30 p.m. ET, League Pass)
11/21: vs. Cavs (7:30 p.m. ET, TNT)
Cleveland Cavaliers:
11/3: at Pacers (7:00 p.m. ET, League Pass)
11/17: vs. Pistons (7:30 p.m. ET, League Pass)
11/21: at Sixers (7:30 p.m. ET, TNT)
11/28: vs. Hawks (7:30 p.m. ET, League Pass)
Atlanta Hawks:
11/14: at Pistons (7:00 p.m. ET, League Pass)
11/17: vs. Sixers (7:30 p.m. ET, League Pass)
11/21: vs. Pacers (7:30 p.m. ET, League Pass)
11/28: at Cavs (7:30 p.m. ET, League Pass)
Indiana Pacers:
11/3: vs. Cavs (7:00 p.m. ET, League Pass)
11/14: at Sixers (7:00 p.m. ET, League Pass)
11/21: at Hawks (7:30 p.m. ET, League Pass)
11/24: vs. Pistons (8:00 p.m. ET, League Pass)
Detroit Pistons:
11/10: vs. Sixers (7:00 p.m. ET, League Pass)
11/14: vs. Hawks (7:00 p.m. ET, League Pass)
11/17: at Cavs (7:30 p.m. ET, League Pass)
11/24: at Pacers (8:00 p.m. ET, League Pass)
The first few months of the 2023-24 NBA season will feature the first ever NBA In-Season Tournament, where each team has been placed into a group with four other teams, with the six group winners and two other teams advancing to the knockout rounds. All of the games up until semifinals and finals will also count as normal, regular season games, ensuring that teams that reach the finals only add two extra games to their schedule.
On Tuesday, the NBA announced the group play schedule, which runs from November 3-28, where each team will play four group stage games (two at home, two on the road). Those games will count towards their regular season record while also determining who moves on to the knockout rounds. The league will then schedule each team for a game on December 4 or 5 to fill the quarterfinal slots or round out the only unscheduled game on each team’s 82-game regular season schedule.
Here is the group stage schedule for West Group A, which includes the Memphis Grizzlies, Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Lakers, Utah Jazz, and Portland Trail Blazers.
Memphis Grizzlies:
11/3: at Blazers (10:00 p.m. ET, League Pass)
11/10: vs. Jazz (8:00 p.m. ET, League Pass)
11/14: at Lakers (10:30 p.m. ET, League Pass)
11/24: vs. Suns (5:00 p.m. ET, NBA TV)
Phoenix Suns:
11/10: vs. Lakers (10:00 p.m. ET, ESPN)
11/17: at Jazz (10:00 p.m. ET, ESPN)
11/21: vs. Blazers (9:00 p.m. ET, League Pass)
11/24: at Grizzlies (5:00 p.m. ET, NBA TV)
Los Angeles Lakers:
11/10: at Suns (10:00 p.m. ET, ESPN)
11/14: vs. Grizzlies (10:30 p.m. ET, League Pass)
11/17: at Blazers (10:00 p.m. ET, League Pass)
11/21: vs. Jazz (10:00 p.m. ET, TNT)
Utah Jazz:
11/10: at Grizzlies (8:00 p.m. ET, League Pass)
11/14: vs. Blazers (9:00 p.m. ET, League Pass)
11/17: vs. Suns (10:00 p.m. ET, ESPN)
11/21: at Lakers (10:00 p.m. ET, TNT)
Portland Trail Blazers:
11/3: vs. Grizzlies (10:00 p.m. ET, League Pass)
11/14: at Jazz (9:00 p.m. ET, League Pass)
11/17: vs. Lakers (10:00 p.m. ET, League Pass)
11/21: at Suns (9:00 p.m. ET, League Pass)
There’s a lot of value in drinking a “smooth” bourbon. For one, it goes down easy — who doesn’t want that? Moreover, smooth whiskey draws you back for more. Let’s be honest, something that burns and feels like chewing on the inside of a barrel is a very acquired taste. Yes, barrel-proof and cask-strength bourbons can challenge your palate and expand your overall sensory perceptions. But it’s the easy-going, everyday, feel-good bourbon whiskeys that most of us go back to again and again.
That’s why I’m conducting yet another blind taste test of smooth bourbons to find the best one for your everyday easy-sipping bourbon enjoyment. For this blind tasting, I am looking at a narrow-ish panel of bourbons. I’m keeping the whiskeys under $100 and accessible (that means you generally should be able to find these whiskeys). Of the 20 bourbons I picked for this blind, the majority fell in the $30-$70 range. So we’re talking about bourbons that range from single barrels, bottled in bonds, limited editions, small batches, and classic standards. Jim Beam is in here. So are Weller, Bulleit, Four Roses, Eagle Rare, and Wild Turkey.
After all, some of the most beloved bourbons on the shelf today are beloved because they’re fun to drink … more than once. That makes our lineup today the following smooth bourbons under $100:
Four Roses Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch Blend of Straight Bourbon Whiskeys
Rebel Cask Strength Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Single Barrel
Weller The Original Wheated Bourbon Antique 107 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Gentleman’s Cut Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Ezra Brooks Cask Strength Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Single Barrel
Brother’s Bond Straight Bourbon Whiskey Original Cask Strength
Hirsch The Bivouac Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Traverse City Whiskey Co. Sherry Barrel Finished Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Heaven’s Door Revival Tennessee Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Michter’s US*1 Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Eagle Rare Aged 10 Years Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Chattanooga Whiskey Bottled In Bond Fall 2018 Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Henry McKenna Single Barrel Aged 10 Years Bottled-In-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Knob Creek Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Aged 12 Years
George Dickel Bottled in Bond Tennessee Whisky Aged 13 Years
Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
After I blindly tasted these bourbons, I ranked them according to taste and smoothness. When it comes to what is “smooth,” I was looking at silkiness, lusciousness, and depth. Smooth means that the rough edges have been sanded down without losing the soul of the bourbon in the process. That means that we’re mostly dealing with whiskeys in the 90-100 proof range with a few single-barrel cask-strength bottles thrown in for good measure. Maybe one will sneak into the top of the ranking.
Let’s dive in and find out!
Also Read: The Top 5 UPROXX Bourbon Posts Of The Last Six Months
Nose: Soft and sweet apple and cherry woods greet with a good dose of sour red berries dusted with brown winter spices, especially clove and nutmeg.
Palate: The palate leans into soft and salted caramel with a hint of those berries underneath while the spices get woodier and a thin line of green sweetgrass sneaks in.
Finish: The finish is silky and boils down to blackberry jam with a good dose of winter spice, old wood, and a hint of vanilla tobacco.
Initial Thoughts:
This is solid bourbon with great depth. It’s also very easygoing.
Taste 2
Zach Johnston
Tasting Notes:
Nose: This opens pretty thin with hints of caramel, vanilla pods, and maybe a touch of leather and oak with a mild berry vibe.
Palate: The palate is subtle. There are notes of classic bourbon caramel and vanilla countered by a hint of stewed apple, buttery toffee, and maybe a hint of nutmeg.
Finish: The end stays pretty mild but does build to a nice finish full of classic bourbon notes.
Initial Thoughts:
This is a very mild whiskey. It’s not bad but it needs more depth and body.
Taste 3
Zach Johnston
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Pecan waffles, pancake syrup, and blueberries drive the nose with a hint of toasted marshmallow and old oak.
Palate: Those blueberries drive the palate toward honeyed Graham Crackers with a sense of almost floral honey, wet brown sugar, and old boot leather.
Finish: That honey amps up through the finish with the leather as cedar kindling and dry tobacco round out the hot finish with a sense of chili peppers stewed in brown sugar syrup with cinnamon and clove.
Initial Thoughts:
This is nice but very woody and hot on the end. So it’s smooth to a point.
Taste 4
Zach Johnston
Tasting Notes:
Nose: There’s a hint of dry cornmeal on the nose with clear and rich butterscotch (which feels a little young) alongside vanilla pudding cups, wet brown sugar, and a hint of an old leather jacket.
Palate: The taste holds onto that leather note as a foundation and builds layers of sticky toffee pudding with vanilla buttercream, a handful of roasted almonds, and a thick buttery toffee sauce tying it all together.
Finish: The finish is green with a big note of fresh mint that leads back to the leather with a whisper of dark fruit leather and Red Hots.
Initial Thoughts:
This is a solid bourbon. I don’t know if I’d call it smooth — there’s a fair amount of grain at play. But it feels good going down and doesn’t burn at all.
Taste 5
Zach Johnston
Tasting Notes:
Nose: There’s a lot going on with butter and spicy stewed apples, kindling, Christmas cakes full of nuts and dried fruit, and a hint of savory herbs all pinging through your nose.
Palate: The palate brings about soft vanilla with plenty of butter toffee, sourdough crust, more winter spice, cedar bark, and a hint of dried roses.
Finish: The finish is short and hits on the barkier aspects of the woody spice and vanilla with a hint of sharp orange zest and old oak.
Initial Thoughts:
This is pretty nice too but a little average overall.
Taste 6
Zach Johnston
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose opens with a lovely sense of vanilla pods and orange blossom with a hint of old saddle leather and cedar bark next to wild sage, cinnamon and caramel apple fritters, and salted black licorice with a bundle of holiday spices and barks tied up with burnt orange and pine.
Palate: The palate is lush with a cream soda float with malted vanilla ice cream cut with cherries, dark chocolate chips, and espresso flakes next to cinnamon cherry bark tobacco on the mid-palate.
Finish: The end dives toward a thick braid of cedar bark, sage, and blackberry tobacco with a thin line of sweetgrass and vanilla pods woven in there.
Initial Thoughts:
This has serious depth, a nice balanced heat, and really feels lush.
Taste 7
Zach Johnston
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Rich vanilla and salted caramel dance with dried red chili and old saddle leather on the nose with a hint of winter spice, malted vanilla, and chocolate-covered espresso beans.
Palate: The taste opens with honeyed doughnuts next to cinnamon apple cider, eggnog, and more of that salted caramel with a buttery underbelly cut with dark chocolate.
Finish: The end stays soft and supple with a hint of old oak, leather tobacco pouches, and winter spice cake covered in hard dark chocolate with a hint of salt.
Initial Thoughts:
This is pretty damn good too. It’s also pretty easygoing while offering good depth.
Taste 8
Zach Johnston
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Orange creamsicles and nut cake drive the nose with a soft vanilla malt shake, honey cookies, and touches of cinnamon powder.
Palate: That cinnamon and nut cake pop on the palate as dark chocolate oranges and gingerbread drive the taste toward spiced cake and hot chocolate.
Finish: That spice starts to mount on the finish with a hot end that’s very woody and spicy with an almost bitter dark chocolate vibe.
Initial Thoughts:
This is smooth until it’s not. That end is a lot.
Taste 9
Zach Johnston
Tasting Notes:
Nose: This opens with a balance of old leather boots and freshly cracked black pepper next to a hint of walnut shell, vanilla pod, and orange zest.
Palate: The palate leans into what feels like star fruit as orange marmalade, salted butter, and fresh honey drip over rye bread crusts.
Finish: The end comes with a good dose of peppery spice and old leather as those walnuts and orange combine with a handful of dried fruit and a dusting of winter spices on the warm finish.
Initial Thoughts:
This balances its heat with the depth of the profile very nicely. I’m guessing this is cask strength, but it doesn’t overpower you with ABVs at all. Still, that’s me. I can see this being bolder to a passive bourbon drinker.
Taste 10
Zach Johnston
Tasting Notes:
Nose: This opens with a sense of sweet vanilla next to apricot jam cut with nutmeg and allspice, a hint of apple pie, and some dry straw baled up with thick twine.
Palate: The palate opens with sweet creamed honey inside dark chocolate bonbons with a dash of salt and sweet cinnamon next to a scone covered in that apricoty jam with a dollop of brandy butter.
Finish: The end warms slightly with the cinnamon and allspice toward peach tobacco rolled with old cedar bark and loaded into an old leather pouch for safekeeping.
Initial Thoughts:
This is really nice and very balanced. It’s just warm, like a hug and a cold winter’s morning.
Taste 11
Zach Johnston
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose is lighter but leans into rum raisin and caramel with a hint of Cherry Dr. Pepper and cinnamon toast.
Palate: There’s a good amount of cinnamon and vanilla on the palate with a touch of walnut bread with plenty of butteriness, clove, and anise.
Finish: The end hints at apple cinnamon tobacco and vanilla beans but ends very lightly.
Initial Thoughts:
This is tasty but feels kind of bready. I like it though.
Taste 12
Zach Johnston
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Rich vanilla and caramel lead the nose toward crafty sweet grain porridge, old firewood, and a mild sense of chocolate malt milkshakes just kissed with winter spice.
Palate: That winter spice amps up through the palate with a sweet sense of eggnog and cinnamon toast with a hint of toffee and earthiness tied back to the old firewood on the nose.
Finish: That woodiness drives the warm finish with plenty of spice accented by creamy cinnamon honey.
Initial Thoughts:
This is a little all over the place — it doesn’t feel like it knows where to be woody and creamy — but ultimately kind of smooth by the end.
Taste 13
Zach Johnston
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose on this is very fruity with a mix of bruised peach, red berries (almost like in a cream soda), and apple wood next to a plate of waffles with brown butter and a good pour of maple syrup that leads to a hint of cotton candy.
Palate: The sweetness ebbs on the palate as vanilla frosting leads to grilled peaches with a crack of black pepper next to singed marshmallows.
Finish: The end is plummy and full of rich toffee next to a dash of cedar bark and vanilla tobacco.
Initial Thoughts:
This is good classic bourbon whiskey.
Taste 14
Zach Johnston
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Old leather boots, orange pudding, oily sage, old oak staves, and rich buttery toffee pop on the nose with a sense of mulled wine spices and soft plum pudding.
Palate: Marzipan covered in dark chocolate opens the palate as floral honey and ripe cherry lead to a winter cake vibe full of raisins, dark spices, and toffee sauce.
Finish: The end has a balance of all things winter treats as the marzipan returns and the winter spice amp up alongside a hint of spicy cherry tobacco and old cedar.
Initial Thoughts:
This is like drinking silk. The finest silk that caresses your whole body. This is great.
Taste 15
Zach Johnston
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Cinnamon, butter brown sugar, walnut, and raisins meld on the nose with some vanilla to create a moist oatmeal cookie next to buckwheat pancakes griddled in brown butter and topped with apple butter, and maybe some apricot jam with a dash of nutmeg, dark chocolate shavings, and creamy vanilla whipped cream.
Palate: The palate leans into cherry hand pies and vanilla wafers with a counter of dried wild sage, orchard tree bark, and meaty dates.
Finish: The end has a sharp turn into dried red chili pepper cut with pipe tobacco, dark chocolate bars, cedar bark, burnt orange, and lime leaves with this whisper of cinnamon cookies at the very end.
Initial Thoughts:
Wow, there’s a lot going on here and it’s all very tasty. There are no rough edges but it’s a little hard to focus it in this setting. Regardless, this is a tasty pour of whiskey.
Taste 16
Zach Johnston
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose is as bold as it is classic with a spice matrix brimming with cinnamon, clove, star anise, cardamom, and nutmeg next to dry cedar kindling, black-tea-soaked dates, rum-raisin, and tart dried cranberry tobacco.
Palate: The vanilla creates a lush underbelly as old boot leather mingles with marzipan, orange blossoms, and creamy dark chocolate flaked with salt.
Finish: The end is softly warm with a sense of that marzipan covered in lightly spiced dark chocolate next to old tobacco braided with old wicker and dry cedar bark.
Initial Thoughts:
This is also just freaking excellent. The balance! The depth! The soft smoothness! This and Taste 15 are neck and neck.
Taste 17
Zach Johnston
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose opens slightly tannic with rich orange zest and vanilla cream next to woody winter spice, fresh mint, and wet cedar with a hint of gingerbread and burnt cherry.
Palate: The palate hits on soft vanilla white cake with a salted caramel drizzle and burnt orange zest vibe next to apple/pear tobacco leaves dipped in toffee and almond.
Finish: The end has a sour cherry sensation that leads to wintery woody spices, cedar bark, and old cellar beams with a lush vanilla pod and cherry stem finish.
Initial Thoughts:
This is fine classic bourbon. There’s good depth but it feels kind of average overall.
Taste 18
Zach Johnston
Tasting Notes:
Nose: This opens with clear notes of dark rum-soaked cherry, bitter yet creamy dark chocolate, winter spices, a twinge of a sourdough sugar doughnut, and a hint of menthol.
Palate: The palate leans into a red berry crumble — brown sugar, butter, and spice — with a hint of dried chili flake, salted caramels covered in dark chocolate, and a spicy/sweet note that leads toward a wet cattail stem and soft brandied cherries dipped in silky dark chocolate sauce.
Finish: The very end holds onto that sweetness and layers in a final note of pecan shells and maple candy.
Initial Thoughts:
This is another one that just nails the balance of depth and warmth with a great bourbon body. This is the good stuff.
Taste 19
Zach Johnston
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Sour cherries, maple syrup, and pecan waffles mingle with dried apple chips, old leather boots, and winter spice with a hint of vanilla wafers on the nose.
Palate: The taste leans toward spicy apple pie filling with walnuts, plenty of cinnamon, and some raisins before malted vanilla milkshakes, blueberry cotton candy, and dark chocolate milk arrive on the mid-palate and lead toward a moist oatmeal cookie dipped in salted caramel.
Finish: The end has a dry woody spiciness with star anise, cinnamon, and allspice mingling with marzipan and cherry/cinnamon tobacco.
Initial Thoughts:
This is very nice but I don’t know if I’d call it “smooth”…? I’d slot this as a “dry whiskey” first, which 100% has its place.
Taste 20
Zach Johnston
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose draws you in with a sense of orange Jolly Ranchers, powdered cacao, and stewed peaches with classic bourbon vanilla and an oaky vibe.
Palate: The palate is a mix of apricot jam, pear cores, and red berries with a mix of spiced orange candy tobacco wrapped around dry wicker and cedar bark.
Finish: The end leans into the sweet and spiced orange while the tobacco slowly fades through sweet caramel and vanilla buttercream toward a silky finish.
Initial Thoughts:
This is good too but feels a tad more like something you mix cocktails with than anything else.
Part 2 — The Smooth Bourbon Ranking
Zach Johnston
20. Jefferson’s Very Small Batch Blend of Straight Bourbon Whiskeys — Taste 2
This is a sourced bourbon from around Kentucky. The age, mash, and vital details are undisclosed. What we do know is that the team at Jefferson’s spends a lot of time tinkering with their barrels to create accessible and affordable bourbons.
Bottom Line:
This was just too thin on the nose, palate, and finish. That said, this is very easy to drink neat. But there just wasn’t enough “there” there to call it smooth. I’d use this for highballs or just skip it for now.
This new limited edition single-barrel Ezra Brooks is a classic bourbon. The whiskey is aged for at least five years before it’s charcoal filtered, batched, and then bottled at cask strength.
Bottom Line:
This was perfectly funcational bourbon and will make a great cocktail.
This is Lux Row’s classic wheated bourbon recipe from 1849. The mash is made with 68% corn, 20% wheat, and 12% malted barley before it’s distilled and then left to mature for at least four years. Once aged, the whiskey barrels are batched and then bottled as-is at cask strength.
Bottom Line:
This is good bourbon that feels perfect for mixing up your favorite whiskey-forward cocktail.
17. Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey — Taste 20
This brand-new release from Bardstown Bourbon Company is 100% their own whiskey. The juice is made from a wheated bourbon mash bill — 68% corn, 20% wheat, and 12% malted barley — down in Bardstown, Kentucky. The whiskey spends about six years mellowing before it’s just kissed with local water and bottled at 100 proof.
Bottom Line:
Not to sound like a broken record, but this is a very solid classic bourbon that’ll shine brightly in a cocktail. I think if you pour this over a rock or two, you’ll get a nice smoothness with this one.
This new re-design of Heaven’s Door Tennessee Bourbon is a minimum of six years old. Those barrels are left in single-story rickhouses in Tennessee where cool air dominates and you never get the extremely high temps of crow’s nests on high floors. Once just right, the barrels are batched, the whiskey is proofed, and the bourbon is bottled.
Bottom Line:
This was good classic stuff. Again though, this felt more like a cocktail base than a smooth sipper. This had a tad more depth so I can see it working over ice as a sipper very easily.
15. George Dickel Bottled in Bond Tennessee Whisky Aged 13 Years — Taste 19
Nicole Austin has been killing it with these bottled-in-bond releases from George Dickel. This release is a whiskey that was warehoused in the fall of 2008. 13 years later, this juice was bottled at 100 proof (as per the bottled-in-bond law) and left to rest. This fall, new releases of that Tennessee juice were sent out to much acclaim.
Bottom Line:
This is where we get into whiskeys that feel like they’ll be nice smooth sippers over ice.
This is classic award-winning Traverse City high-rye bourbon that’s re-barrelled in sherry casks for a final rest. Those sherry casks were then blended, proofed with local Michigan water, and bottled.
Bottom Line:
This has a nice sherried depth that elevates it beyond average. Still, I think this will drink better over some ice to get that creamy smoothness.
13. Green River Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey — Taste 4
Green River Distillery has been pumping out contract distilled juice for a while. In the spring of 2022, they finally released their much anticipated Green River Bourbon to much hoopla. The bourbon is a blend of five years and older barrels of bourbon made from a mash bill of 70% corn, 21% winter rye, and 9% malted two-row and six-row barley.
Bottom Line:
This is nice and smooth and very classic with a hint of crafty edge. It’s dynamic but feels like a cocktail base or on the rocks whiskey more than anything else.
This is classic (sourced) Bulleit Bourbon that’s aged up to 10 years before it’s blended and bottled. The barrels are hand-selected to really amplify those classic “Bulleit” flavors that make this brand so damn accessible (and beloved) in the first place.
Bottom Line:
This is some good whiskey. It’s classic and that’s it. Pour it over some ice and have a good time.
11. Brother’s Bond Straight Bourbon Whiskey Original Cask Strength — Taste 9
The newest release from Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley is an evolution of their brand. The whiskey in the bottle is a blend of three bourbons (all MGP of Indiana) which create a four-grain bourbon with a mash bill of 65% corn, 22% rye, and wheat and barley mixed for the final 13%. That blend was then bottled as-is.
Bottom Line:
This is a nicely balanced whiskey that I really want to make a Manhattan or old fashioned with.
10. Henry McKenna Single Barrel Aged 10 Years Bottled-In-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey — Taste 17
This very affordable offering from Heaven Hill is hard to beat at its price. The juice utilizes a touch of rye in the mash bill and is then aged for ten long years in a bonded rickhouse. The best barrels are chosen by hand and the whiskey is bottled with just a touch of water to bring it down to bottled-in-bond proof.
Bottom Line:
Again, this is classic bourbon and that’s it. Drink it when you’re looking for good old-school Kentucky bourbon vibes.
Michter’s really means the phrase “small batch” here. The tank they use to marry their hand-selected eight-year-old bourbons can only hold 20 barrels, so that’s how many go into each small-batch bottling. The blended juice is then proofed with Kentucky’s famously soft limestone water and bottled.
Bottom Line:
This felt like the most approachable whiskey on the list. It wasn’t overwrought or overly deep. It was just right for pouring over ice or into your favorite whiskey cocktail.
8. Chattanooga Whiskey Bottled In Bond Fall 2018 Straight Bourbon Whiskey — Taste 15
The latest seasonal drop from Tennessee’s Chattanooga Whiskey is another great. The whiskey is a blend of four of their mash bills. 30% comes from mash bill SB091, which is a mix of yellow corn, malted rye, caramel malted barley, and honey malted barley. Another 30% comes from mash bill B002, which has yellow corn, hardwood smoked malted barley (smoked with beech, mesquite, apple, or cherry), caramel malted barley, caramel malted, and honey malted barley. The next 20% is mash bill B005, which is yellow corn, malted wheat, oak smoked malted wheat, and caramel malted wheat. And the last 20% is from mash bill R18098, which is yellow corn, pale malted barley, naked malted oats, double roasted caramel malted barley, peated malted barley, cherrywood smoked malted barley, chocolate malt, and de-husked chocolate malt.
Bottom Line:
This had so much going on and it somehow works. This over ice would be a creamy smooth bomb of a whiskey.
This brand-new bourbon from NBS superstar Steph Curry is a classic Kentucky bourbon done right. The whiskey is made with a mash of 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley. After distillation, it’s left to age for five to seven years before batching, proofing, and bottling.
Bottom Line:
This is just really good bourbon and super easy to drink, even neat. It didn’t “wow” but it didn’t need to. This is a very come-as-you-are bourbon pour that’ll satisfy.
6. Four Roses Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey — Taste 1
Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon is a blend of four whiskeys. The blend is split evenly between the high and low-rye bourbons with a focus on “slight spice” and “rich fruit” yeasts — that means OBSK, OESK, OBSO, and OESO Four Roses recipes are in the mix. After six to seven years of aging, the whiskey is blended, cut with soft Kentucky water, and bottled.
Bottom Line:
This had a very nice depth that went beyond the average or classic. It was also super easy to drink neat. This is smooth bourbon.
Pronounced “be-voo-ak,” this whiskey celebrates the take-it-easy and travel-light ideal of many travelers in Northern California and the wider Pacific Northwest. The actual juice is sourced from Bardstown, Kentucky, and blended from two bourbons. 95% of the blend is a pretty standard 74% corn, 18% rye, and 8% malted barley whiskey. The other 5% of the blend is a high-malt bourbon that’s aged for eight years.
Bottom Line:
This was smooth plus that little more I was looking for. It’s a good, deep, and fun whiskey that I want more of.
4. Weller The Original Wheated Bourbon Antique 107 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey — Taste 6
This is a non-age-statement bourbon that’s called “Old Weller Antique” (OWA) by those who love the old-school vibes of the expression’s previous iteration. The ripple with this expression is the higher proof. The barrels are vatted and barely proofed down to 107-proof before bottling (the entry proof is 114).
Bottom Line:
Okay, this is where we get into splitting hairs territory. This is excellent and goes down so easily. This is a winner. If I had to split said hair, I want to drink this in a smooth AF cocktail more than neat. But that’s just me.
3. Knob Creek Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Aged 12 Years — Taste 18
This is the classic Beam whiskey. The juice is left alone in the Beam warehouses in Clermont, Kentucky, for 12 long years. The barrels are chosen according to a specific taste and mingled to create this aged expression with a drop or two of that soft Kentucky limestone water.
Bottom Line:
This is excellent whiskey. Drink it however you like to drink your whiskey.
Bourbon legend Jimmy Russell hand selects eight to nine-year-old barrels from his Wild Turkey warehouses for their individual taste and quality. Those barrels are then cut down ever-so-slightly to 101 proof and bottled with their barrel number and warehouse location.
Bottom Line:
This was close. I loved this pour. It’s deep, incredibly luscious, and had a nice Kentucky hug at the end. And the only reason it’s second instead of first is that warm end, which might be a lot warmer to a novice drinker than, say, me. Otherwise, this is a perfect pour of bourbon.
This might be one of the most beloved (and still accessible) bottles from Buffalo Trace. This whiskey is made from their very low rye mash bill. The hot juice is then matured for at least 10 years in various parts of the warehouse. The final mix comes down to barrels that hit just the right notes to make them “Eagle Rare.” Finally, this one is proofed down to a fairly low 90 proof.
Bottom Line:
This had everything. It was lush, smooth, deep, quintessential, and drank like a dream. This is the epitome of great smooth bourbon with real depth.
Part 3 — Final Thoughts on the Smooth Bourbon Tasting
Zach Johnston
I’m going to cut to the chase here. The top two bourbons are the ones you want.
If you’re accustomed to a little bit of that warm Kentucky hug on your whiskey, then go with the Wild Turkey. If you’re not into that touch of warmth, then go with Eagle Rare. It’s that simple since they both are perfect pours.
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