Category: Viral

The Utah Jazz are going home after losing Game 7 of their first round series against the Denver Nuggets. It was a thrilling game, one that came down to a Mike Conley shot at the end of regulation that rimmed out, fell to the floor, and punched Denver’s ticket to the second round.

Immediately following the game, an emotional Donovan Mitchell couldn’t help but hitting the deck and laying on the ground in an apparent attempt to process that the season came to an end. This led to a really cool moment where the first person to run over to and console him was Jamal Murray of the Nuggets, the player with whom Mitchell has gone shot-for-shot for much of this series.

Murray praised Mitchell after the game and said that the two “bring the best out of each other.” The Jazz star also spoke to the media, but took an interesting approach, one that touched on the current moment in the United States where racial injustice is front of mind. As he explained, while Mitchell was feeling pain, it was trivial compared to those who have lost a loved one to acts of police brutality feel far too frequently.

“The pain that’s on my face right now and the way I feel, I can only imagine what’s going through these victims’ families,” Mitchell said. “And I know I’m probably gonna go back there and cry again and sh*t, but I just wanna go out and just say look, man, this is a game. People lost their family members to police brutality and racism and sh*t. I can only imagine. So I wanted to say that, I wanted to get that out there, because the way that I’m feeling right now is nothing compared to that. And I appreciate the NBA and everybody in this league for continuing to push that message, because it’s not stopping.”

Basketball players have used their time in the Bubble to keep individuals like Breonna Taylor and George Floyd (among numerous others) in the national conscience, going as far as to strike last week in an attempt to get owners to commit more resources to battling systemic oppression following the shooting of Jacob Blake. While it is good to see Mitchell continue to use his platform up until the very end for these purposes, it is nevertheless equal parts dispiriting and maddening that he — along with the other members of the NBA family who opt to do this — has to in the country that claims to be the greatest in the world.

ASAP Mob first got their start back in 2006 thanks to the late ASAP Yams who formed the group alongside ASAP Bari, ASAP Kham, and ASAP Illz. In the following years, ASAP Rocky, ASAP Ferg, and others would join ASAP Mob and help boost its popularity. Nearly a decade after their start, ASAP Mob will continue without one of its strongest members as founder member ASAP Illz revealed on his Instagram story that ASAP Ferg rapper is no longer a part of the collective.

“Ferg aint ASAP NO MORE sorry guys,” ASAP Illz said on his story. “That n**** burnt out, songs dumb trash mr anthem cant get right.” In a second post, Illz would further voice his frustration and explain his reasoning in removing Ferg from the group. “Damn right I ain’t no yes man nut n****a don’t respect that sh*t. y’all rather have a n**** who’s not even half way on my level around just cause he a Yes man and do Whatever you want at the snap of your fingers sh*t goofy.”

After his messages about removing ASAP Ferg from the group, ASAP Illz shared screenshots of Ferg texting him and requesting that they speak about the issue on the phone. Having no desire to talk to Ferg, Illz’s screenshot shows him dismissing Ferg, telling him to “f*ck off my line.”

Check out the screenshots from ASAP Illz Instagram story above.

Going out in public is much more dangerous for a Black man in American than a white man. A Black man is nearly three times more likely to be killed by the police.

He’s at 1.5 times greater risk of being the victim of homicide than a white man and 3.3 times more likely than a Hispanic man.

Even though black men and white men sell and use recreational drugs at nearly the same rates, black Americans are 2.7 times as likely to be arrested for drug-related offenses.

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The sad reality that Black men face led the mother of Cameron Welch to create a list of 16 rules for him to follow when he leaves the house. She gave him the list at the age of 11, and at 18, he has it memorized so he shared it on TikTok to show people what life’s like as a Black man in America.

“In this moment in our country, it was necessary for me to use my voice, so I put out the video,” he told The Huffington Post. “I wanted people to hear and understand the real truth of a Black man’s daily experience.”

“Jus some unwritten rules my mom makes me follow as a young black man #blacklivesmatter,” Welch wrote on the TikTok video.

— Don’t put your hands in your pockets.

— Don’t put your hoodie on.

— Don’t be outside without a shirt on.

— Check-in with your people, even if you’re down the street.

— Don’t be out too late.

— Don’t touch anything you’re not buying.

— Never leave the store without a receipt or a bag, even if it’s just a pack of gum.

— Never make it look like there’s an altercation between you and someone else.

— Never leave the house without your ID.

— Don’t drive with a wife-beater on.

— Don’t drive with a du-rag on.

— Don’t go out in public with a wife-beater or a du-rag.

— Don’t ride with the music too loud.

— Don’t stare at a Caucasian woman.

— If a cop stops you randomly and starts questioning you, don’t talk back, just compromise.

— If you ever get pulled over, put your hands on the dashboard and ask if you can get your license and registration out.

The list of rules shows that Welch’s mother understands the reality of being a Black man in America and wanted to do her best to keep him safe when she’s not around. It’s also a sad reminder of the discrepancy between how white and Black teenagers are treated in this country.

A white teenager would never have to worry about wearing a hoodie or avoiding staring at a white woman. Parents of white children don’t have to warn their kids about being seen as a thief when they walk down to the corner liquor store.

“Saving this video for my future son,” one TikTok user told Welch.

“His future shouldn’t be like this,” Welch wrote back.

In a follow-up video, Welch talks about how he says goodbye to his friends after hanging out.

They don’t say, “I’ll see you later” when heading home. Instead, they say, “Stay safe.”

“Every Black man has that feeling of, ‘Am I gonna come home today?” he says in the clip.

The Denver Nuggets advanced to the Western Conference Semifinals on Tuesday evening, toppling the Utah Jazz and becoming just the 12th team in NBA history to erase a 3-1 series deficit. It wasn’t smooth sailing for the Nuggets, however, as Mike Malone’s team gave up a 19-point lead in the second half and needed to avoid disaster in the form of a potential game-winner as the buzzer sounded.

There is plenty to unpack from a memorable contest and, to that end, here are three takeaways from Game 7.

1. It was a throwback Game 7 in the most unexpected way

Coming into Tuesday evening, this was one of the most offensively potent series in recent memory. Jamal Murray and Donovan Mitchell headlined the action with monumental scoring displays and, while defensive moments did occur along the way, no one would mistake the first six games for the NBA basketball played in the early 2000’s. In Game 7, though, everything changed.

Neither team even approached one point per possession offensively, as evidenced by the 80-78 final score. Both teams deserve significant credit for defensive execution and effort, with the common theme of Game 7 slogs persisting. Still, this was a level that no one could have expected, with Rudy Gobert and Nikola Jokic truly stealing the show from their perimeter counterparts.

After a rough first half, Gobert was utterly dominant after halftime, producing 13 points and 17 (!) rebounds while playing all 24 minutes. He keyed a pair of huge runs from the Jazz in the second half, finishing around the rim and denying Denver’s attempts in the paint.

Jokic was consistently great in Game 7, finishing with a game-high 30 points and 14 rebounds. Though his offense was steady and efficiency throughout the series, Jokic reached new heights defensively in Game 7 and, with Murray struggling and seemingly hampered by a leg issue down the stretch, the All-NBA center converted the eventual game-winner.

Poignantly, the game ended with a bizarre sequence, as the Nuggets controversially decided to attack the rim after a Mitchell turnover. Denver missed in transition, setting the stage for Mike Conley to get a shot up before the horn.

It certainly wasn’t pretty, but it was competitive, grueling and everything Game 7 is supposed to be. This time, though, it just didn’t have very many points.

2. Mixed feelings abound for the Jazz

The Jazz blew a 3-1 lead. That isn’t great under any circumstances, especially when the team with the advantage is unable to convert multiple opportunities to close things out before Game 7. Honestly, it is tough to avoid a negative takeaway from that kind of collapse, and the rumblings could follow Utah.

On the other hand, the Jazz should be excited about the breakout of Mitchell, the strong play of Conley and another solid-or-better overall season. Mitchell likely can’t maintain the complete absurdity of the first six games against Denver, but he flashed tremendous, adding to an already impressive profile for a young lead guard. Conley struggled at times this season but, in the crucible of a playoff series, he did what the Jazz needed him to do and, with a lucrative contract option, he is likely to return to Salt Lake City.

It has to be bitterly disappointing for the Jazz to see their season end this way, particularly after a notably impressive comeback in a win-or-go-home scenario. Such is life in the NBA Playoffs, though, and Utah didn’t melt down in quite the way that the 3-1 margin could indicate.

3. The Nuggets will need to be (much) better against the Clippers

Murray was unbelievable in this series, scoring 50 points twice and scoring 36-plus points in four of the seven games. Through that lens, there isn’t much more he can do. Jokic had fewer grandiose moments in the series but, after an exceptionally ugly defensive start in the early going, he settled in, made plays and operated as the All-Star entity that he is. Elsewhere, though, Denver’s performance against Utah won’t be close to enough against the L.A. Clippers.

Granted, the Clippers weren’t quite as dominant as some predicted in the first round against the Dallas Mavericks, with Luka Doncic giving Doc Rivers’ team fits at times. Murray isn’t quite Doncic, even while acknowledging his brilliance in this series, but Denver does have a varied, effective offensive attack that should be able to generate quality looks against even a stingy defense like the Clippers.

On the other end, things might be ugly if Mike Malone can’t find answers in a hurry. Denver improved drastically over the course of the series against Utah but, against L.A., they won’t have the luxury of time. Furthermore, the Clippers have an undeniable force in Kawhi Leonard, with the Nuggets likely unable to neutralize him.

If the Nuggets deploy the defense that was the worst in the NBA Playoffs until Tuesday evening, Denver will be heading home in short order. If the defense of the last 10 quarters or so emerges, Denver could have a puncher’s chance against the Clippers, but they’ll also need to combine that effort with the obscene shotmaking from Murray (and Jokic) that flashed to the surface on a consistent basis against Utah

Mozzy already has one album under his belt, Beyond Bulletproof, which he released back in May. But he’s not been resting on his laurels. He’s announced a new album called Occupational Hazard, which will arrive on September 22, making it his second full-length release in 2020. He also released a sinister new single, “Death Is Callin,” which now has a video. It finds Mozzy and crew getting together to plan a home invasion, but the group are soon forced to flee the scene once shots starting ringing out behind them.

While Mozzy is withholding the album’s tracklist for now, the pre-order for the album reveals that it will contain 14 songs. That’s one more song than Beyond Bulletproof, which sported guest appearances from G Herbo, Polo G, Eric Bellinger, Blxst, and more. That album stood as one of the best releases of May, thanks to singles like “Body Count,” which produced a new spin on the quarantine-recorded video. That album also gave Mozzy his highest-charting album, peaking at No. 43 on the Billboard charts.

To learn more about Mozzy, check out his interview with Uproxx here.

You can watch the video for “Death Is Callin” above.

Occupational Hazard is out 09/11 via EMPIRE. Pre-order it here.

What have you accomplished during quarantine? It’s been over six months since much of the nation hunkered indoors, for fear of a rampaging super-virus that (still!) isn’t going away any time soon. More enterprising folks, such as Kevin Smith, have used the time to make like William Shakespeare during the bubonic plague and make their own King Lear. (Or so the story goes.) Channing Tatum has finished a project, too: He’s written a children’s book, which is already set to be published next year.

It’s called The One and Only Sparkella, and it’s a picture book described by its publisher as “a charming ode to self-esteem and the love between a father and daughter.” It details a little girl named Ella attending school for the first time, which doesn’t start off so well, partly because of her sparkle-heavy couture. “But with a little help from her dad,” the description reads, “she soon learns the importance of just being herself, no matter what other people say.”

On Instagram, Tatum described the genesis of the book, his first. No surprise that it’s the product of spending a lot of time hunkering down with his own young daughter. “Guys, I don’t know about you but things got a little weird for me in quarantine,” Tatum wrote. “I ended up accidentally locking myself in my 7 year old daughter’s room. And I ended up finding my inner child. So this is what I created for my little girl. From what is, I guess, the little girl in me. Thanks for reading.”

In his author’s bio on the publisher’s site, it reads that though the actor is best known for two 21 Jump Streets and as many Magic Mikes “his favorite role to date is being father to his six-year-old daughter, Everly, who loves sparkly, rainbow-y things.” Altogether now: Awwwwwww.

And now get back to creating something as charming as Channing Tatum’s The One and Only Sparkella, which is scheduled to be released on May 4, 2021.

(Via The AV Club)

It’s been over two years since we launched our definitive ranking of The Best Chicken Tenders and a lot has changed since then. No, we’re not just talking about an economic downfall, the beginnings of a second civil rights movement, or the global pandemic, we just mean a lot has changed in the fast-food fried chicken space.

Our original ranking consisted of just eight entries, this list has twelve! Two of those original eight have since been discontinued, so we’d like to take this time to pay our last respects to both the ill-advised and quietly discontinued Wendy’s Chicken Tenders and McDonald’s Buttermilk Crispy Tenders, which were, oddly enough, canceled by COVID-19. Will McDonald’s bring back the chicken tenders once COVID-19 is over? We’d be lying if we said we cared.

Our original chicken tender ranking was judged on a scale of Jon Cryer’s as Duckie from Pretty in Pink thanks to his character’s passionate lip-syncing performance of Otis Redding’s Try a Little Tenderness — that Duckie would’ve killed it on Tik Tok — and our almost romantic obsession with the chicken finger, which we think is a near-perfect food.

Who amongst us hasn’t broken out into our own rendition of Try a Little Tenderness after biting into a perfectly fried golden brown chicken tender? Oh, just us?

Moving on — as I said, times have changed. So to signify that we too have changed, we’ve switched our ranking system from Duckies to current-day Jon Cryers. We’re a little older, a little wiser, a little less smooth, but our love for chicken is still true. Now let’s get to ranking!

Del Taco’s Crispy Chicken Strips

This list had to have a bottom and unfortunately for Del Taco, the new Crispy Chicken Strips take that place. A new entry on our list, Del Taco’s Crispy Chicken Strips look good. They just taste so incredibly processed that this is practically just a chicken nugget stretched out into the finger form factor. Does that sound disgusting? Good, it should! The Crispy Chicken Strips have a fine texture and a zesty flavor that lends itself well to the dipping sauce, so well in fact that we don’t suggest you attempt to eat these things without any, which is the sign of a bad strip.

SCORE: NO CRYERS!

Who knew it was possible to get a zero on this list? We don’t want to tell Del Taco what to do but … stick with tacos … and burgers, and burritos, and mini churros, and salads. Look, Del Taco is pretty good, they just can’t make chicken strips. They have a Crispy Chicken Taco and a Crispy Chicken Epic Burrito, both of which are delicious and use the same chicken. We say, order those instead.

Sonic Crispy Chicken Tenders

Another new entry on our list, Sonic’s Crispy Chicken Tenders are billed as being “lightly breaded.” I’m sorry, but in what world? These things are mostly batter with a thin sliver of white meat chicken breast inside. Don’t get us wrong, the batter is definitely the star of the show, but if you’re looking for a chicken tender that is a little more, well, tender, this isn’t the place for you. If you want something cheap, dippable, and ultimately forgettable, this chicken will make a great midnight stoner snack run. Aside from that, skip these.

SCORE: ONE CURRENT-DAY CRYER

No one is going to sing Try A Little Tenderness while eating these babies. At best, you’ll get a Sitting at the Dock of the Bay, maybe.

Arby’s Chicken Fingers

We promise you we’re almost in FlavorTown. Please don’t sue, Mr. Fieri. Arby’s Chicken Fingers, like every chicken tender on this list, aren’t bad, they’re just nothing special. They’re essentially interchangeable with Sonic’s Crispy Chicken Tenders. But the thing is, if you’re rolling up to Arby’s, you’re probably getting the roast beef. Who orders chicken from here?

SCORE: ONE CURRENT-DAY CRYER

A boring attempt at making an American fast food staple.

Dairy Queen Chicken Strips

Dairy Queen, Arby’s, and Sonic’s Chicken Strips might be practically interchangeable, but DQ provides us with just a little more chicken and the opportunity to dip these babies in white gravy which puts it over the edge. Word to you other chicken pushers — white gravy is the superior dipping sauce. It’s better than BBQ sauce, better than Ranch, better than Thousand Island. If Dairy Queen put as much effort into its chicken as it does its ice cream, we’d have a real contender here.

SCORE: TWO CURRENT-DAY CRYERS

You can tell that for Dairy Queen, chicken strips are just a fun side item. For us? It’s a way of life.

Jack In The Box Spicy Chicken Strips

Jack in the Box has finally thrown its cone-shaped hat into the spicy chicken space and the results are pretty solid. While they aren’t quite as good as Jack in the Box’s original Crispy Chicken Strips, they still pack a lot of meat and a lot of heat. Big, greasy pieces of succulent chicken breast are nicely cased in a thick and zesty batter that pairs amazingly with Jack’s Buttermilk Ranch or BBQ sauce.

It seems easy enough to make these a menu mainstay, so we’re hoping Jack in the Box keeps this spicy offering.

SCORE: TWO CURRENT-DAY CRYERS

A solid effort from JiB but a pale comparison to the original, which somehow packed more flavor despite being less spiced!

Burger King Chicken Fries

I’ve debated even putting these on this list. Are Chicken Fries chicken strips or are they nuggets formed into a finger? Hard to say, but regardless, these are damn good. BK’s Chicken Fries are always perfectly crispy on the outside, with a unique batter seasoning that is full of pepper and we want to say … paprika? As you’re trying to figure out what the hell is in these things — and whether or not they’re actually just nuggets — you’ll find yourself out of Chicken Fries before you ever come to an answer.

Yes, they’re so good, you can get lost in them.

SCORE: THREE CURRENT-DAY CRYERS

These are mid-tier strips, and they’re pretty damn good. Fast-food chicken strips may have their lows — ahem, Del Taco — but if Chicken Fries and Jack in the Box’s Spicy Chicken Strips are considered average with a flavor this good? It’s truly great to be a chicken tender fan in fast-food country.

Jack in the Box Crispy Chicken Strips

Really flat, mostly batter, the Jack in the Box Crispy Chicken Strips have the most accurate name of all chicken tenders on this list. They are very crispy, arguably chicken, and definitely strips! They’re also leagues better than Jack in the Box’s new Spicy Chicken Strips. How did you manage that Jack in the Box? Everybody knows spicy trumps non-spicy, but you wouldn’t know it if you’ve only had spicy chicken at the ‘ol JiB.

These strips have a great flavor thanks to the well-seasoned batter that lends itself well to the inclusion of a buttermilk or bbq sauce. Our only major gripe is that they offer so little chicken. We’d love a chicken tender deluxe or something that could remedy this situation by giving us a thicker cut of juicy white meat.

SCORE: THREE CURRENT-DAY CRYERS

This is a well-textured chicken tender with a tasty batter. It’d have a higher rating if there weren’t much better tenders to come.

Chick-fil-A Chick-n-Strips

Chick-fil-A’s Chick-n-Strips are simply good. Are they the most boring thing on the Chick-fil-A menu? No, that would be the Grilled Tenders, but the Chick-n-Strips are a close second! If you already like the chicken at Chick-fil-A, it’s likely that these rank highly on your own personal list. But the Chick-fil-A nugget is far superior because its bite-sized shape delivers the perfect balance of batter and chicken. Plus, the nuggets are juicier than the tenders, which look a little too much like battered severed fingers.

Chick-fil-A has the most varied amount of sauces next to McDonald’s, but unlike McDonald’s, there are no strict sauce limit laws here. Take as many as you can carry or get a sampling of each flavor to see which pairs best with your chicken tenders. It’s a sauce utopia.

SCORE: FOUR CURRENT-DAY CRYERS

You can tell the chicken at Chick-fil-A is pre-marinated and the use of peanut oil leaves the chicken juicy yet crispy. Still, there’s something lacking about these chicken tenders. They almost feel like Chick-fil-A’s quick riff on the chicken tender, rather than an item that received proper attention.

Kentucky Fried Chicken’s Extra Crispy Tenders

Originally, we rated KFC higher than Popeye’s. That’s one of the major mistakes we’d like to remedy this time around. But that isn’t to say KFC’s Extra Crispy Tenders aren’t good. They are! The batter is crispy, but not overly flaky, offering large chunks of tender white chicken breast with every bite. What more could you ask for? How about adding in the fact that the chicken is well marinated, and the bits of black pepper in the batter is, get this, actually pepper! Unlike whatever the hell was in those McDonald’s chicken tenders before COVID-19 discontinued them.

Every once in a while, KFC will bring back Original Recipe Tenders, which we think are superior in flavor. But the Crispy Chicken Tenders are less oily which is likely why they are the permanent menu fixture.

SCORE: FOUR CURRENT-DAY CRYERS

These tenders don’t need sauce and that’s the best thing about them. The chicken is always juicy and the batter and marinade are flavorful and have a complexity that is more than just…grease.

Carl’s Jr. Hand-Breaded Chicken Tenders

When you bite into a chicken tender you’re going in with a few expectations. Oddly enough, we’ve grown accustomed to chicken tenders that don’t really taste like chicken as much as they don’t NOT taste like chicken. So it’s strangely surprising to taste a chicken tender that is both undeniably chicken and thankfully tender.

Carl’s Jr. went a little overboard with the batter but these have a slight edge over KFC because they taste freshly prepared, where the strips that proceed this entry can sometimes taste generically consistent. Carl’s Jr. has a rough-around-the-edges homemade quality that is hinted at but never fully realized.

SCORE: FOUR CURRENT-DAY CRYERS (PLUS A SMIDGE MORE)

Very delicious, but just shy of greatness and proof that maybe we should’ve implemented a HALF-CRYER rating system. Carl’s Jr.’s Hand-breaded Chicken Tenders are heavily breaded and, unfortunately, that breading is prone to absorbing lots of oil. It holds them back from being truly great because sometimes they can be a soggy mess, batter slipping off the meat and straight into your sauce, splashing all over your shirt, pretty much ruining your day and making you look foolish.

Popeyes Handcrafted Tenders

The best thing about Popeye’s chicken tenders is being able to choose between spicy and mild. But why are Popeyes’ strips lumped together while Jack in the Box gets its own entry for each strip type? Because unlike Jack in the Box, Popeyes keeps their chicken consistent, and they’re better for that! The batter is incredibly crispy and full of texture, our only gripe is that the amount of chicken inside is thinner than we’d like. It’s a shame because these tenders have a great flavor and the flakiness of the batter gives them a homemade texture that works great for capturing the dipping sauce. The added kick of the spicy tenders adds complexity to the dipping sauce and leaves your taste buds longing for more.

Occasionally Popeye’s will do a spin on the chicken tender for special promotions. Our favorite was the Wicked Chicken, a fried breast filet that is chopped in semi-disconnected strips. It leaves you with a juicier bite of chicken and we wish this was a permanent fixture on the menu.

SCORE: FIVE CURRENT-DAY CRYERS

Simply delicious. We think all tenders should come in spicy or mild. So extra points to Popeyes for not skimping out where so many have.

Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers

Raising Cane’s is a considerable cut above the rest of the chicken tenders on this list. With its menu of only chicken tenders, it’s really no surprise. They’ve made a successful business on selling just one thing. They’re like the In-N-Out of fried chicken. The chicken at Raising Cane’s is fresh and never frozen, marinaded for 24-hours, and battered in a delicious blend of seasoning with the perfect amount of crunch in every bite. Paired with Cane’s Sauce — a thousand island variation that has a deep savory finish (we think it’s Worcestershire sauce, giving a bit of an umami quality) — you really taste the difference here.

SCORE: FIVE CURRENT-DAY CRYERS AND A DUCKIE FOR GOOD MEASURE.

Full Cryer! This is the type of chicken tender you fling yourself around a record store for. When Otis Redding sang Try a Little Tenderness, the stuttering chorus was most definitely a reference to the sound you make between bites of this chicken. Was Raising Cane’s around when Try a Little Tenderness was in the zeitgeist? Probably not, but Otis Redding was a great singer. There’s no reason to believe he wasn’t also a time traveler who could look into the fast-food future.

Young Thug has been celebrated for a number of things over his career, but one description fans may never have expected him to be called is “the best, quietest neighbor.” This is what Atlanta councilman Howard Shook labeled the rapper after a mansion Thug once owned was taken over by new owners who rented it out to people so rowdy they couldn’t help but make him look good.

Since Thug’s departure from the mansion two years ago, the building has become an Airbnb hotspot for house parties. Located in Ridgedale Park, the mansion tallied 34 noise complaints and 55 other police calls between January 21 and August 21, according to Atlanta Police Department records. It was also responsible for hosting “the biggest topless pool party ever,” an event that found its way to TMZ.

Such incidents drove Shook to take action, filing legislation that would ban the short-term rental of single-family homes. “Ironically, the best, quietest neighbor we had was a rapper. That was Young Thug,” Shook told Atlanta’s Reporter Newspaper. “And God, if I had known he was gonna be the best owner we ever had, I’d have taken him a Bundt cake.”

It’s a cherry on top of a good year for Young Thug, who has lent his voice to a number of tracks, including Amine’s “Compensating,” DaBaby’s “Blind“, and Gunna’s “Dollaz On My Head.”

(via Reporter Newspaper)

Finding the best bottle of bourbon isn’t a hard task. There’s a lot of the stuff on the shelf and a lot of it is good with a fair amount being damn good if not great. It’s a good time to be a bourbon drinker is what we’re getting at. But, not all of the stuff is created equally or gets the same amount of attention as other, high-profile brands. So, that’s why we’re here to shout out some under-hyped or underrated bourbons.

What do we mean when we say “underrated”? Well, we’re talking about bottles that you don’t hear about constantly about. Maybe they’re not on every bartender’s list of great bourbons and we think they should be. Or maybe, they’re the bottles from big brands that get overshadowed by their bourbon cousins from the same distillers. Or maybe they’re just bottles that don’t get all the awards love.

The through-line of this article is simple. Does it taste good? If yes, it’s on the list. The ten bottles below are bottles we think could use a little more love. That in no way means that you might not have heard of them before. You may well have. But for one reason or another, these bottles aren’t getting the love we think they deserve. Please call out your favorite under-appreciated bottles of bourbon in the comments.

Ancient Age

ABV: 40%
Distillery: Buffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort, KY (Sazerac)
Average Price: $12

The Whiskey:

Buffalo Trace has been racking up awards and love for a while now. But, their bottom shelf bottle is something you don’t hear too much about. What’s wild is that Ancient Age is made from the same mash bill as Blanton’s over at Buffalo Trace’s facility. Granted, Blanton’s is a single barrel project but these two bourbons start out as the same thing with this expression costing about one-sixth the price. If that doesn’t get you at least curious about the whiskey, we don’t know what will.

Tasting Notes:

There’s a real sense of the corn next to classic bourbon notes of vanilla and caramel right up top. The oak does play a role but it’s only in the background. There’s a very mild spice from the medium-rye content in the mash. The sweetness leans into buttery toffee as a final note of citrus arrives on the short end.

Bottom Line:

It’s bananas that this stuff costs less than $15. Buy a case and forget that you ever heard the names “Evan Williams” or “Old Grand-dad.”

KOVAL Single Barrel

ABV: 47%
Distillery: KOVAL Distillery, Chicago, IL
Average Price: $50

The Whiskey:

There are a lot of great, interesting independent craft distillers out there. Hell, this list could be just that. However, KOVAL does stand out from the crowd for us. Their bourbon has a unique mash bill of corn and millet. The spirit then spends over four years in the barrel until it’s deemed fit enough to bottle.

Tasting Notes:

There will be slight variations in each single barrel expression. The most recent one we tasted had a classic bourbon opening with plenty of vanilla and oak. A distinct whiff of smoke arrived (think more old brisket smokers than a campfire) while tart apples covered in caramel mixed with a bright berry burst. The sip has a velvet body that really embraces the bitterness of charred oak staves with an almost graham cracker maltiness lurking in there.

Bottom Line:

You should try this simply for the uniqueness of the mash bill. The brightness makes it a great candidate for highballs and simple cocktails.

Four Roses Single Barrel

ABV: 50%
Distillery: Four Roses Distillery, Lawrenceburg, KY (Kirin Brewing Company)
Average Price: $50

The Whiskey:

This single barrel expression from Four Roses also utilized a single recipe/mash bill. Four Roses use ten different mash bills — that’s two mash bills (one high rye, one low rye) that then use five different yeast strains. This is recipe number one which uses a fruity yeast strain with their high-rye mash bill. The juice is then aged until it’s deemed ready to drink pretty much straight from the barrel.

Tasting Notes:

We were lucky enough to taste some Four Roses over the last weeks, and this bottle was a standout. The classic Four Roses mix of tart and sweet fruit was ever-present but dialed in. There was a warming spice that complimented the wood while dark and oily espresso beans mixed with dark chocolate powder, especially when water is added. There’s a softness at play that really allows this one to shine as it fades back through all that fruit.

Bottom Line:

$50 for a single barrel that’s this easy to drink is a great deal. While drinking this one on the rocks is a solid play, don’t sleep on making a Manhattan with it.

Wild Turkey 101

ABV: 50.5%
Distillery: Wild Turkey Distilling, Lawrenceburg, KY (Campari Group)
Average Price: $25

The Whiskey:

Wild Turkey is a great shingle full of stellar expressions. But Wild Turkey 101 gets a lot of static for being just … strong and nothing else. That’s the wrong way to look at this expression. Interestingly, this bourbon is actually pulled from the barrels at an even higher proof and then cut down with that soft Kentucky limestone water to keep the complexity of this one high enough to be versatile.

Tasting Notes:

This really is a classic bourbon. There are notes of bourbon vanilla next to caramel and oak. The high rye mash bill brings about a clear, sharp spiciness that warms as you drink. A hint of tart apple sits in the background as the oak, spice, and vanilla continues to take center stage. The sip fades slowly and warms your body as it does.

Bottom Line:

This is a great cocktail base given the higher ABV. It’ll make any Sazerac or old fashioned shine. Though, I also use it in highballs with nice and soft mineral water.

Noah’s Mill

ABV: 57%
Distillery: Willett Distillery, Bardstown, KY
Average Price: $60

The Whiskey:

Noah’s Mill comes to use from Willett’s much-adored and lauded stills. And given that this isn’t labeled “Willett,” you don’t have to pay a premium for this excellent juice.

Tasting Notes:

There’s an interesting marrying of nuttiness with florals on the opening. The sip adds spices and citrus to that mix with the florals leaning more clearly into spring wildflowers. Browned butter and toffee arrive late as the sip embraces the nuttiness and spice on a long fade.

Bottom Line:

This is a well-crafted sipping whiskey that costs at least half of bottles from the same still and warehouses. That’s a win.

Balcones Texas Pot Still Bourbon

ABV: 46%
Distillery: Balcones Distillery, Waco, TX
Average Price: $30

The Whiskey:

This expression marries Kentucky’s bourbon with a Texan grain-to-glass experience. The mash bill combines Texas blue corn, Texas wheat, Texas rye, and malted barley. The juice is then aged in the Balcones rickhouse in Waco for 24 months before it’s cut down to 46 percent ABV with soft Texas Hill Country water and bottled.

Tasting Notes:

Worn leather mingles with tart yet sweet apples, popped corn covered in browned butter, and dried firewood. The leather carries on as the sweetness leans into corn-syrup drenched pecan pie with a buttery crust and a dollop of clotted cream on top. A hint of spice comes in late to accent that oakiness as the sip lingers and warms the senses.

Bottom Line:

This is a great workhorse bourbon at a shockingly good price. I like to use it in highballs and cocktails mostly but have been known to sip in on the rocks.

Belle Meade Bourbon

ABV: 45.2%
Distillery: Nelson Green Brier Distillery, Nashville, TN (Sourced)
Average Price: $45

The Whiskey:

Belle Meade’s signature bourbon expression is proof of what great blending can do to create a great bottle. The bourbon is a mix of high-rye mash bills that comes together under the watchful eye of the Nelson Green Brier team in Nashville. The result is a bourbon that shines in every way.

Tasting Notes:

The sweetness of this one leans more into real maple syrup territory as notes of citrus sit next to wildflowers. Vanilla arrives early and is supported by a stone fruit presence and a slight hint of caramel. The spice distinctly becomes cinnamon-forward as a cherry candy fruity-sweetness helps the sip fade out quickly.

Bottom Line:

This is another great workhorse whiskey. I like it in cocktails mostly — think Sazeracs, Manhattans, boulevardiers — and in highballs with nice mineral water.

Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style Bourbon

ABV: 57.5%
Distillery: Brown–Forman, Louisville, KY
Average Price: $60

The Whiskey:

Old Forester was one of the ten distilleries that actually stayed open during Prohibition. This particular expression was created to mimic the bourbon they would have been selling during that time as “medicinal” whiskey.

Tasting Notes:

Maple syrup is here again! There’s also a sense of brandied cherries dipped in dark chocolate next to plenty of oak and caramel and we’re still only talking about the nose of this one. The sip has a cedar bark depth that counterpoints the rich caramel sweetness and apple pie, buttery crust, and nutmeg and cinnamon filling. A peppery spice arrives late to counter all that sweetness as the sip fades towards a wisp of smoke on the very end.

Bottom Line:

The high ABVs mean that this is a solid choice for a cocktail, especially a toddy or a smash. But, I really dig it just on the rocks.

High West American Prairie Bourbon Whiskey

ABV: 46%
Distillery: High West Distillery, Park City, UT (Sourced)
Average Price: $35

The Whiskey:

Utah’s High West is another example of the power of sourcing to create a solid whiskey. In this case, a two-year-old, six-year-old, and 13-year-old bourbons are blended by the High West team to create a distinctly western feeling bourbon. The whiskey also funnels part of the profits from this bottle to help fund the American Prairie Reserve, which is working to create the largest wildlife reserve in the lower 48.

Tasting Notes:

Fairground caramel apples and pods of vanilla lead the way. The sip dives into pans of cornbread with melting butter mingling with a slight bailed hay presence that’s then counterpointed by a creamy nougat full of dark spices. The dram then circles back around to that caramel apple and vanilla as it slowly fades while it warms.

Bottom Line:

This is a strong contender at this price range. It’s complex enough to drink on the rocks but really shines as a cocktail base.

Jim Beam

ABV: 40%
Distillery: Jim Beam, Clermont, KY (Beam Suntory)
Average Price: $18

The Whiskey:

Yes, Jim Beam in under-appreciated. Yes, it’s also ubiquitous. Still, this classic bourbon is a classic for a reason. But, right now it’s more hip to say you prefer Evan Williams or even Old Grand-Dad (which is made by Jim Beam). Look, Jim Beam is cheap and it actually a quality bourbon. What more could you want?

Tasting Notes:

The caramel sweetness is bold up top with the vanilla, corn, and fruit making appearances. The oak is lingering in the background but never pronounced next to the caramel corn and vanilla. The spice arrives late as the sip fades quickly with a lightness that’s pleasant.

Bottom Line:

This is always going to be cheap and accessible. It’s also perfectly fine for making cocktails at a party when you don’t want to spend $50 on a bottle of booze. It’s fine for shots with a beer back and it works in a highball.

The Boston Celtics were a highly effective team during the 2019-20 regular season, finishing in the top five in both offensive and defensive efficiency and cruising to a top-three seed in the Eastern Conference. While Jayson Tatum, Kemba Walker, and Jaylen Brown receive the lion’s share of attention, Marcus Smart remains a key cog for the Celtics, and his impact was on full display in the team’s Game 2 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday evening.

Smart finished the night with 19 points in 39 minutes, providing top-shelf play on both ends of the floor. The 26 year old also reminded observers of his flair for the dramatic, almost singlehandedly erasing a double-digit deficit with a three-point shooting barrage in the second half.

Smart scored 16 of his 19 points in a four-minute span to open the fourth quarter and, as seen above, he knocked down five (yes, five) three-pointers in a row. That included a four-point play to punctuate the run and, without that explosion from Smart, it is difficult to see how the Celtics would have emerged victorious against a hungry and talented Raptors team.

This offensive eruption isn’t predictable for anyone, even for players at the top of the sport on that end of the floor. Still, Smart has come a long way offensively in the recent past, especially with regard to his perimeter shooting. In his first four seasons, Smart was a full-blown liability as a floor-spacer, shooting just 29.3 percent from three-point range and earning jeers when he attempted deep shots. Since the start of the 2018-19 campaign, though, Smart is a 35.5 percent three-point shooter, displaying tangible improvement.

While no one will mistake Smart for Steph Curry or even his teammates in Tatum and Walker, it isn’t only the efficiency that has improved with Smart. He attempted a career-high 9.9 three-pointers per 100 possessions this season and, with that kind of volume, defenses simply must respect his long-range arsenal, opening the floor for teammates. Smart is also capable of creating his own shot, bringing another element to the table to feed into one of the league’s best offenses.

Game 2’s shooting display will draw the attention and, given the aforementioned four minutes of bliss, that is understandable. Smart remains an incredibly lethal defensive force, however, and he flummoxed Toronto’s leading scorers throughout the night. The exclamation was a play in the final minute in which he stoned Pascal Siakam and, while the play didn’t actually end in a turnover after an official review, it was a reminder of Smart’s brilliance and strength.

In the absence of Gordon Hayward, Smart is even more important for the Celtics. Boston does have some intriguing depth pieces but, at the highest level, Brad Stevens’ allotment of quality options took a hit without Hayward, putting increased focus on a five-man lineup of Walker, Tatum, Brown, Daniel Theis, and Smart.

Ultimately, it is a luxury for the Celtics to have a super role player available in Smart, and he is the kind of impact performer that would make a difference on any team in the NBA. Defensively, he can guard four (or even five?) positions effectively, taking away smaller guards with his size and tenacity, while leveling up against forwards with his physicality and toughness. Offensively, Smart can draw from his background as a primary creator, handling the ball effectively and creating for himself and others when needed. In the same breath, he can space the floor, doesn’t need the ball to be effective and Smart helps to unlock a Boston team that already has plenty of star power.

It may seem silly, at least to some, to laud a player that averaged fewer than 13 points per game this season, especially when compared to his peers with more impressive box-score numbers. In the end, though, Smart lands in the top 50 of the NBA in an average of catch-all metrics compiled by Bball Index and, given his All-Defensive Team pedigree in quelling opponents, a case could be made that Smart’s value exceeds his raw numbers as much as any player in the league.