Category: Viral

Britney Spears has spent almost a year trying to end her conservatorship, or least removing her father from controlling it. While the battle continues, Britney took a moment to show love to the #FreeBritney movement as it helped bring the latest chapter in the court battle to the national spotlight.

“It’s because of them I am here today,” the singer reportedly said about the #FreeBritney movement in court on Wednesday. “It’s because of them I have the f*cking strength to speak up against my family who have silenced me for years.” She added, “The people who f*cking work for me even tried to sue my fans. MY fans, ma’am, NOT theirs.”

During a court hearing at the end of last month, she described the conservatorship as “abusive” and an arrangement that restricted her from enjoying the lifestyle she wanted. “I’ve been in denial,” she admitted during the hearing. “I’ve been in shock. I am traumatized. I just want my life back.”

The pop star also reportedly asked a judge to consider pressing charges against her father. “I’m here to get rid of my dad and charge him with conservatorship abuse,” she said, according to NBC News, adding that “this conservatorship has allowed my dad to ruin my life.” During the hearing, Britney also reportedly held back tears while telling a judge that Jamie would not allow her to drink coffee or take vitamins, which she described as “f*cking cruelty.” She added, “Their goal was to make me feel crazy and I’m not. And that’s not OK.”

Britney Spears has been fighting to end the conservatorship that has been dominating her life for the last thirteen years, and today she scored a big victory in that realm. After speaking publicly to the court for literally the first time in the history of the conservatorship about her own feelings about it, Spears has made it clear that she wants it to be over and considers her father’s role in the process to be abusive.

Even at that hearing, Britney was still represented by a lawyer the court had appointed for her, Samuel D. Ingham III, but he has since asked to resign from the case. We got word that Britney was seeking new counsel and had selected a lawyer to represent her, and that former federal prosecutor Mathew Rosengart had agreed to do so. Today, Variety reports that a judge signed off on the change up, granting Britney the right to hire her own counsel. If that sounds like it’s a right that she should’ve had in the first place, well, probate court is a place full of loopholes and corruption.

Rosengart has represented other celebrities like Sean Penn, Steven Spielberg, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Keanu Reeves in the past. According to those reporting live from today’s hearing, Rosengart said he has plans to file a motion ending the conservatorship for good.

Matt Gaetz has been under investigation by the FBI since late last year, over his alleged connection to a sex trafficking ring. But the Florida representative has been doing what many Republicans do when they’re being probed for criminal activity: ignore and distract. On Wednesday, a rally was head in downtown Los Angeles for the #FreeBritney movement, which seeks to end pop icon Britney Spears’ restrictive conservatorship, which is run in part by her father. And guess who randomly showed up to make a fiery speech?

The Florida lawmaker was there to show passionate support for a person who achieved fame when she was very young. “If this case does not result in freedom for Britney Spears,” Gaetz bellowed to the crowd, “it is a black eye for the American justice system.”

Gaetz declared that Spears — whose conservatorship is so strict that she’s not allowed to remove her IUD, which prevents her from having children — deserves “the freedom and liberty that should be offered to every single American.” He continued:

“She’s been abused by the media. She’s been abused by her grifter father. And she has been abused by the American justice system. And so we need to come together and create a federal cause of action — a federal change in the law that will free Britney and the millions of Americans [presumably referring to those who are also under conservatorships].”

He added, “One thing we can all agree on is that Jamie Spears is a d*ck.”

Preach! But a few people didn’t think Gaetz was the person who should be trying to gain hosannas for sticking up for someone like Britney Spears.

Gaetz is one of a handful of GOP lawmakers who’ve tried to get Spears to testify in Washington D.C. (Then again, one of them is Marjorie Taylor Greene.) Whatever his real motives, one wonders if he got the idea to glom onto her plight after getting made fun of three months ago in a Spears-centric SNL sketch.

(Via Variety)

Everyone’s favorite serial killer, Dexter, will return for a Showtime limited series revival sometime later this year. For awhile, the production team kept things close to the sleeve regarding whether any O.G. cast members would return. James Remar, who played Dexter’s dad and code proponent, flat-out said that none of them had been invited to return, but forensic striped-shirt evidence suggested otherwise for Jennifer Carpenter’s return as Debra Morgan. Sure enough, Deb has been confirmed to return, in spirit form, no doubt, but there’s been questions on how confirmed returning cast member John Lithgow’s return as the Trinity Killer would work out.

Well, we’re getting some answers from Lithgow himself. He spoke with Deadline to say that his appearance in the revival would be even more fleeting than his physical appearance in the original show. He shot for “one afternoon,” and he’ll be returning in flashback form. However, Lithgow is excited by what he saw on set:

[When Lithgow] arrived for the shoot, he was excited to learn about the story the revival is telling.

“I learned that it’s completely different from [the original series]. Kind of like Perry Mason, it’s a reimagination,” Lithgow told Deadline of the 10-episode limited series, show-run by Clyde Phillips. “They don’t take it into a different era, but it’s in a different part of the world, a different part of the country, and a whole new cast of characters.”

Lithgow even stressed that he was asked for one day of his time, and that’s precisely what happened. Well, fingers crossed for more than one set-day from Jennifer Carpenter. I really do hope she gives Dexter a hard time while sitting on his shoulder as his new Dark Passenger. Yep, make that role outright impossible to debate, and have her give him hell for dumping her in the ocean. That was rude, Dexter.

(Via Deadline)

Country legend-in-the-making Ashley Monroe shared some sad news with fans recently. The solo artist and one third of Pistol Annies took to Instagram to let fans know she’s dealing with a rare form of blood cancer, and will begin the battle to fight back against the illness. Check out her full story below, and as she notes, the power of community support is huge. So if you’re a fan, send some good vibes her way.

Gratitude. Moments like these I am overwhelmed with gratitude. Getting flowers delivered weekly from @genajohnson507. Enjoying a staycation in Nashville when we had to cancel our Florida trip. Sitting with my sisters the day I found out. Seeing John be my rock and the best dad to Dalton, and being surrounded (and prayed for) by the best friends (and family and manager) I could ever dream up. A few months ago my dr. was doing some routine lab work and found that I was anemic. I was like, FINE, I’ll just double up on cheeseburger patties, take some extra vitamins and call it a day.

Well my red blood count just kept falling, and they found out my iron /b12/ folic acid numbers were actually fine. short story long, they did a bone marrow biopsy, (ouch) , and VOILA.. a rare kind of blood c word called “waldenstrom macroglobulinemia” It’s causing my body to be pretty severely anemic, and I feel it. So, I start chemo tomorrow. Seems like such a negative thing to say. Until I flip that doom feeling on its head and think, wow, I’m thankful I have an illness that is VERY live with-able. I’m thankful there IS a treatment that actually works to fight what is causing harm to my body. THANKFUL for friends and family who have gathered around me praying and sending flowers and letting me lean on them during this super weird chapter of my life.

Thankful for my angel son. Who I am fighting for the most. I would greatly appreciate if no one gave me any unsolicited advice or medical opinions. I’ve done my research and have amazing Vanderbilt dr’s I’ve weighed every option with. That’s why I was hesitant to post about it, but I could use the prayers.. and I DO believe in the power of prayer guys. I also believe in the power of love healing us all on an even deeper level. I love you all big. Here I go

Donald J. Trump is tireless in his pursuit of money and power, but he’s also fundamentally lazy. To this day, it doesn’t appear he ever learned what his old gig as president of the United States entailed, and he rarely seemed to do the job anyway. So when he released one of his weird press releases praising a new book by a conservative pundit, and it turned out he’d brazenly copied-and-pasted most of it from a press release, the only response was a shruggy “of course he did.”

The tome in question was How I Saved the World, by Jesse Watters, a Fox News commentator who did no such thing. (He also once made a sex joke about Trump’s daughter Ivanka.) It’s not clear if Trump has ever read anything longer than a tweet, and after reading his rave, it’s still up in the air.

“Great new book out by Jesse Watters, How I Saved the World,” he wrote in the format that used to fuel his failed blog. He then proceeded to elaborate on his approbation. “Interspersed are his thoughtful suggestions for overcoming left-wing radicalism, maintaining American democracy, moving beyond aging hippies (like his long-suffering, loving parents), saving the world from social justice warriors and the deep state — all while smirking his way through life in only the nicest way. Get your copy today, congratulations Jesse!”

If the middle section seemed off — which is to say, more or less clean and clear, grammatically correct, perhaps even copy edited, if, of course, still generally questionable — you weren’t crazy. It was, in fact, lifted verbatim from the book’s official description. Trump’s a busy man, living in resorts and babbling to strangers about the election he lost. He doesn’t have time to read or even fake his way through what’s supposed to be fulsome praise for people who made lewd sex jokes about his oldest daughter.

It’s the kind of outside-the-box nuttiness that used to happen daily when Trump resided in the Oval Office. And lots of people noticed the combination of the weird and the slothful.

Those that didn’t catch that Trump straight up copied-and-pasted most of his rave knew something was up.

Anyway, the big boy’s still got it!

This is probably the lightest sneaker release week we’ll experience all summer. If you’re looking for someone to blame, look no further than LeBron James. As you might’ve heard, Friday brings the release of Space Jam: A New Legacy to theaters nationwide, so right now the sneaker world is all things LeBron and Space Jam.

Nike is dropping an eight sneaker collection to celebrate the critically maligned movie. Honestly, that’s honestly too many sneakers for one movie, so we made sure to include only the essential pairs from the collection — as some of them straight up aren’t good. Still… there are definitely some gems and Space Jam ends up dominating today’s proceedings (to my chagrin).

While most of the big sneaker brands are taking a well-advised break, we’re still getting dope releases out of New Balance, an Adidas Prada link-up, and easily this week’s highlight, the Air Jordan 1 Electro. Let’s get into it!

WMNS Nike Air Max 90 Legacy

Today Nike is dropping a WMNS-size exclusive take on the Air Max 90 that mixes fabrics for a more sustainable patchwork design. The sneaker features exposed stitching, a creamy off-white midsole, and a mix of canvas, denim, corduroy, and, honestly, too many textiles for us to figure out. The different fabrics were pulled from repurposed materials, continuing Nike’s push for more sustainable sneakers.

The WMNS Nike Air Max 90 Legacy is set to drop on July 14th for a retail price of $140. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app, or hit up aftermarket sites like StockX.

Xbox x Space Jam: A New Legacy x Nike LeBron 18 Low

Releasing just a day before the film drops, Nike and Xbox are linking up for a dope mismatched take on the LeBron 18 releasing alongside an Xbox controller that pays tribute to, arguably the best, Looney Tunes characters, Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner.

Featuring a low-cut silhouette, this LeBron 18 features a left shoe repping Wile E. with its desert earth tones and dynamite fuse wrapped swoosh, while the right shoe cools things down with tones of blue and a dust cloud swoosh, representing Road Runner’s wild speed. You’ll have two opportunities to cop this pair, if you wan’t the bundle with the controller, you’ll have to hit the SNKRS app on July 15th, but if you’re just looking to cop the shoes, you’ll have a second chance to grab them on SNKSR the following day on the 16th.

The Xbox x Space Jam: A New Legacy x Nike LeBron 18 Low bundle is set to drop on July 15th for a retail price of $220 on the SNKRS app. To grab the shoes without the controller, hit up SNKRS on July 16th for a retail price of $160.

New Balance MADE US 990v2

A couple of weeks back, we mentioned that New Balance would be celebrating the 40th anniversary of the brand’s 990 silhouette by paying tribute to every version of the sneaker to ever drop, and this week brings the v2 makeup. Featuring a pig suede leather upper, the 990v2 features a classic understated grey New Balance colorway with ruby red accents on the tongue, heel, and tag and sits atop an ABZORB midsole for extra cushioning.

The New Balance MADE US 990v2 is set to drop on July 16th for a retail price of $184.99. Pick up a pair at New Balance when the sneaker drops at 10 am EST.

Packer x Adidas Consortium Ultra4D

New Jersey sneaker boutique Packer is linking up with Adidas Consortium once again for yet another reimagining of the Ultra4D silhouette. The new collaboration sees the 4D dressed in a forest green colorway with white heel cages and stripes with navy and deep red accents and a suede pigskin mudguard.

Packer’s red triangle “P” logo appears at the sneaker’s tongue and on the insole. It’s another dope collaboration between Packer and Adidas Consortium, and we’re psyched for whatever the third collaboration between the labels brings, though we have a feeling it’s going to be another Ultra4D. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!

The Packer x Adidas Consortium Ultra4D is set to drop on July 16th for a retail price of $250. Pick up a pair at the Packer Shoes webstore, or in-store at 11 a.m. EST.

Air Force 1 ’07 x Space Jam: A New Legacy Computer Chip

Another sneaker dropping as part of the massive Space Jam: A New Legacy campaign, this AF-1 features a computer chip-inspired print against a black leather upper with black paneling, stitched overlays, and bold blue accents, sitting atop a glow in the dark outsole.

What we love about this particular sneaker is how different it looks from the other Space Jam branded shoes, from far away you can’t even tell that some of these circuit lines sketch out the outlines of both LeBron and Bugs!

The Air Force 1 ’07 x Space Jam: A New Legacy Computer Chip is set to drop on July 16th for a retail price of $160. Pick up a pair at SNKRS when the shoe drops at 7:00 AM local time or pick up a pair at GOAT.

Air Force 1 ’07 x Space Jam: A New Legacy Tune Squad

Remember what we said about digging on the subtleness of the AF-1 Computer Chip? Well, that all goes out the window when we’re talking about Lola Bunny. The Tune Squad features an all-white leather upper with a bright blue suede heel tab and wrap-around swoosh with stitched overlays and a graphic of Lola Bunny performing a jump shot.

I’m assuming Nike also understands the power of Lola Bunny as this is the lowest effort offering of the eight sneaker collection, Lola does all the heavy lifting here.

The Air Force 1 ’07 x Space Jam: A New Legacy Tune Squad is set to drop on July 16th for a retail price of $120. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app.

Air Jordan 1 Electro Orange

No, this isn’t another one of the new Space Jam sneakers, it just looks like it’s from space thanks to its mix of metallic silver and orange colors. The Electro Orange borrows its colorway from the Shattered Backboard Air Jordan 1, which dropped in 2015. The Electro Orange features a white and black leather upper with silver paneling at the throat with a padded orange collar.

This is easily — sorry LeBron — the dopest drop to come out of Nike all week — a must-grab colorway and probably the one that’ll result in the most Twitter chatter over the weekend.

The Air Jordan 1 Electro Orange is set to drop on July 17th for a retail price of $170. If you take the L on SNKRS be sure to pick up a pair at GOAT or Flight Club.

Prada x Adidas A+P Luna Rossa 21

Adidas might not have a ridiculous number of iconic silhouettes like Nike, but Adidas pulls some of the best collaborators: Kanye, Beyonce, Bad Bunny, and of course, Prada, who are gearing up to drop two new colorways of the Luna Rossa 21. Featuring a light and highly flexible upper made from Primegreen recycled materials, the A+P Luna Rossa borrows the design of Prada’s ’97 America’s Cup boat shoe.

Featuring a transparent hydrophobic shell over an ergonomic Adidas shape, the Luna Rossa promises a true-to-size fit and increased comfort, courtesy of the sneaker’s BOOST midsole.

The A+P Luna Rossa 21 is set to drop on July 19th for a retail price of $650. Pick up a pair via the Adidas CONFIRMED app.

Disclaimer: While all of the products recommended here were chosen independently by our editorial staff, Uproxx may receive payment to direct readers to certain retail vendors who are offering these products for purchase.

Travis Kelce has become one of the NFL’s best tight ends during his time in Kansas City, and is a household name for NFL fans. However, we have all — and I mean all — apparently been saying his last name wrong for the entirety of his career, a revelation that just came to light this week.

Kelce says his last name is not pronounced “Kel-see” as everyone has said forever, but instead should be pronounced “Kels,” but he just “rolled with it” when everyone said “Kel-see.” If this information is blowing your mind, you are not alone, as Patrick Mahomes and others on the Chiefs are having an existential crisis over this entire situation.

He apparently has said it the “correct” way before, as someone spotted in a video before the 2020 AFC title game.

However, the Kel-see/Kels drama goes all the way back to his brother, Eagles center Jason, who was listed on the University of Cincinnati pronunciation guide under “Kel-see” back in 2007.

It is very possible that Travis is doing this just to mess with everyone, as that would be in line with his sense of humor, but it’s believable enough that the entire NFL world is trying to figure out if we’ve been butchering their last name for more than a decade.

Creating a joke cryptocurrency is all fun and games until Elon Musk starts using it to fund space missions. That’s what Palmer Jackson, co-creator of Dogecoin, learned the hard way. In 2013, he, along with Billy Markus, decided to prank the burgeoning cryptocurrency market with a form of internet money whose logo was a Shiba Inu mutt. Two years later he dropped out of the scene, announcing an extended leave of absence. On Wednesday, some six years later, he returned to social media, offering his best takedown of the subject he’d been making fun of in the first place.

“I am often asked if I will ‘return to cryptocurrency’ or begin regularly sharing my thoughts on the topic again. My answer is a wholehearted ‘no,’” he wrote, in what proved to be an epic thread. He then went on to explain why he’s not coming back.

“After years of studying it, I believe that cryptocurrency is an inherently right-wing, hyper-capitalistic technology built primarily to amplify the wealth of its proponents through a combination of tax avoidance, diminished regulatory oversight and artificially enforced scarcity,” Jackson wrote. He went on to essentially decry it as an unregulated Wild West that only helps make the rich — like Elon Musk, the third richest person on the planet — richer.

Despite claims of “decentralization”, the cryptocurrency industry is controlled by a powerful cartel of wealthy figures who, with time, have evolved to incorporate many of the same institutions tied to the existing centralized financial system they supposedly set out to replace.

The cryptocurrency industry leverages a network of shady business connections, bought influencers and pay-for-play media outlets to perpetuate a cult-like “get rich quick” funnel designed to extract new money from the financially desperate and naive.

Financial exploitation undoubtedly existed before cryptocurrency, but cryptocurrency is almost purpose built to make the funnel of profiteering more efficient for those at the top and less safeguarded for the vulnerable.

Cryptocurrency is like taking the worst parts of today’s capitalist system (eg. corruption, fraud, inequality) and using software to technically limit the use of interventions (eg. audits, regulation, taxation) which serve as protections or safety nets for the average person.

Lose your savings account password? Your fault. Fall victim to a scam? Your fault. Billionaires manipulating markets? They’re geniuses. This is the type of dangerous “free for all” capitalism cryptocurrency was unfortunately architected to facilitate since its inception.

But these days even the most modest critique of cryptocurrency will draw smears from the powerful figures in control of the industry and the ire of retail investors who they’ve sold the false promise of one day being a fellow billionaire. Good-faith debate is near impossible.

For these reasons, I simply no longer go out of my way to engage in public discussion regarding cryptocurrency. It doesn’t align with my politics or belief system, and I don’t have the energy to try and discuss that with those unwilling to engage in a grounded conversation.

He concluded with a kind of olive branch, writing, “I applaud those with the energy to continue asking the hard questions and applying the lens of rigorous skepticism all technology should be subject to. New technology can make the world a better place, but not when decoupled from its inherent politics or societal consequences.”

In short, if you’re a regular person hoping to get in on the ground floor of what you see as some future form of currency, remember that you’re swimming with sharks. You can read the entire thread starting here.

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Bourbon is an interesting spirit. This classic American whiskey has a home both on the bottom shelf and on the highest possible one. You can find perfectly suitable bottles of bourbon for under $30. The $50 range holds some real gems that you can easily find nationwide. Beyond that, things get a little rarer and prices tend to be dictated by the intersection where demand meets lack of availability and hype.

Point being, there are a lot of factors at play and finding the best bottle of bourbon to spend your hard-earned dollars on can get downright confusing. To help you make that ever-more-difficult choice, I’m calling out eight bottles of bourbon from Kentucky (not a requirement for bourbon) that I think are worth the money, even if they’re marked up a little bit at retail from the original MSRP. All of these bourbon whiskeys can be purchased (depending on where you live) for less than $130. I stand by them as some of the best bourbons you can drink today.

If you’re feeling inspired, click on the prices and give them a try yourself!

Booker’s

ABV: 63.95%

Average Price: $92 (MSRP: $70)

The Story:

Jim Beam makes some of the most well-known premium bourbons on liquor store shelves. Their Small Batch collection includes Knob Creek, Baker’s, and Basil Hayden’s. But the best of the best is Booker’s. This uncut, unfiltered, high-proof bourbon is exceptionally crafted.

The best part? They release new, unique batches every year. For this review, I sampled its newest release Booker’s Tagalong Batch.

Tasting Notes:

Notes of wood char, spicy cinnamon, caramelized sugar, and a nice, nutty sweetness greet you on the nose. The palate is highlighted by candied cherries, vanilla beans, subtle spices, and just a hint of gentle smoke. The finish is long, filled with warming heat, and surprisingly mellow for a high-proof whiskey.

Bottom Line:

Booker’s is for true bourbon fans. It’s still fairly reasonably priced, there are new and exciting releases every year, and no two releases taste the same. ‎

Larceny Barrel Proof

ABV: 61.6%

Average Price: $75 (MSRP: $50)

The Story:

Similar to Booker’s, part of the appeal of Larceny Barrel Proof is the fact that each release is limited-edition. Instead of dropping just once per year, Larceny Barrel Proof drops its non-chill filtered, full barrel proof, wheated bourbon three times per year in January, May, and September.

Each release is unique and carries a different proof.

Tasting Notes:

Before sipping, breathe in the aromas of vanilla beans, earthy oak, almond cookies, and cinnamon sugar. The palate swirls with dried cherries, raisins, pecans, buttery caramel, and just a hint of spice. It all ends with a sweet, warming finish.

Bottom Line:

For the price, it’s hard to beat Larceny Barrel Proof. With the awards piling up for this whiskey, it’s easy to find something to love in every sip.

Stagg Jr.

ABV: 60-67%

Average Price: $100 (MSRP: $60)

The Story:

Stagg Jr. is named after George T. Stagg, one of the most influential bourbon makers in history. Aged for more than nine years, Stagg Jr. is unfiltered, uncut, and unabashedly rich, smooth, and full of flavor.

Tasting Notes:

The nose is filled with scents of chocolate fudge, maple candy, butterscotch, and just a hint of peppery rye. Taking a sip reveals notes of raisins, dried cherries, candied orange peel, subtle spices, and just a kiss of brown sugar and smoke at the very end. It’s a bold, complex, high-proof, and surprisingly sippable bourbon.

Bottom Line:

This is a special bottle of bourbon. Depending on where you live, it might be more difficult to find. If you can find it for around $100, I’m fairly positive you won’t find a better sip.

Weller Antique 107

ABV: 53.5%

Average Price: $100 (MSRP: $50)

The Story:

Weller is one of the most sought-after, often over-priced bottles on bourbon on retail shelves. Most Weller releases are extremely difficult to find at the suggested retail price. Weller Antique 107 hasn’t escaped this fate but is worth it either way.

Like all of Weller’s bourbons, this is a soft, mellow, wheated expression that’s so sippable you might forget it sits at 107 proof.

Tasting Notes:

The nose is loaded with the scents of candied cherries, charred oak, vanilla beans, and just a wisp of spicy cinnamon. The palate is full of flavors that include brown sugar, sticky toffee, vanilla cream, cinnamon sugar, and dried fruits. It all ends with a flavorful combination of caramel, pipe tobacco, and subtle spice.

Bottom Line:

While Weller Antique 107 doesn’t have the reputation of the others in its line, I believe that it’s the best of the bunch.

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof

ABV: 60-70%

Average Price: $80 (MSRP: $65)

The Story:

Elijah Craig is noted by many to be the inventor of bourbon whiskey since he was the first person to age it in charred barrels. Their barrel-proof expression is taken straight from the barrel, is completely uncut by the addition of water, and isn’t chill-filtered.

Depending on the release, each one has a different proof with its own slightly unique character.

Tasting Notes:

Before taking your first sip, revel in the aromas of dried fruits, caramel apples, vanilla beans, and wood char. On the palate, you’ll find notes of raisins, almonds, buttery caramel, vanilla beans, and just a hint of sweet cinnamon and cracked black pepper at the very end. It’s truly a complex, lingering expression that deserves to be sipped again and again.

Bottom Line:

One of the best things about Elijah Craig Barrel Proof is the fact that there’s a good chance you can actually find it at your local liquor store or an online retailer without too much of a markup (depending on the store, of course).

After one sip you’ll want to buy it again and again.

Blanton’s Single Barrel

ABV: 46.5%

Average Price: $110 (MSRP: $45)

The Story:

Named for whiskey pioneer Albert Bacon Blanton, this expression was first released in 1984. Since then, countless drinkers have become fans of the first-ever single barrel bourbon. While the distillery doesn’t detail the recipe or age statement, we do know it comes from the middle sections of the distillery’s barrelhouse and is renowned for its rich, oaky flavor profile.

Tasting Notes:

When you nose this whiskey, you’ll find scents of candied orange peels, caramelized apples, charred oak, and vanilla beans. The flavor is filled with hints of cinnamon sugar, butterscotch, more vanilla, cloves, and just a hint of citrus zest and subtle spice.

It’s the kind of whiskey that you’ll only want to drink neat or with a splash of water in order to fully enjoy all of the flavors.

Bottom Line:

Blanton’s Single Barrel was once reserved for VIPs visiting the distillery — now it’s available for everyone. That’s pretty good news for you (as long as you can find one for a reasonable price).

Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel

ABV: 45%
Average Price: $100 (MSRP: $40)

The Story:

If you’re thinking that my list is littered with Buffalo Trace brands, there’s a good reason for that. They consistently crank out award-winning, high-quality bourbon that people (including myself) love. One of their best is Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel. Named for the former master distiller of the same name, it’s a single barrel expression made from hand-picked barrels selected for their rich, well-rounded, and sweet flavor.

Tasting Notes:

You’ll be treated to aromas of woody oak, pipe tobacco, clove, and sweet, toasted vanilla before your first sip. The palate features hints of dried fruits, vanilla cream, clover honey, sticky toffee, and just a hint of peppery rye at the finish that bring everything together.

Bottom Line:

This expression is often overshadowed by some of the bigger names at Buffalo Trace. It deserves a spot on your home bar cart and should be enjoyed neat or on the rocks. Though don’t be afraid to throw some in your next Manhattan or old fashioned.

E.H. Taylor, Jr. Barrel Proof

ABV: 62.5-65%

Average Price: $130 (MSRP: $75)

The Story:

Another expression from Buffalo Trace, E.H. Taylor, Jr. Barrel Proof is a steal at around $120. Comprised of hand-picked bourbon barrels, it’s uncut, unfiltered, and always more than 125 proof. It’s potent, robust, and as memorable as it is flavorful.

Tasting Notes:

The nose is all caramelized sugar, toasted vanilla beans, charred oak, ripe cherries, and dried fruits. Sipping it envelopes you in a world of raisins, dried cherries, buttery caramel, sweet cream, and a nice lingering kick of spicy, peppery rye at the end.

Bottom Line:

If you only grab one bottle on this list, make it E.H. Taylor, Jr. Barrel Proof. It falls on the higher end of our range, but it’s sweet, mellow, rich, and totally worth it.

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