Country has been all the rage in the pop music scene lately — and even when songs haven’t been outright country, they’ve incorporated elements of it, from twangy guitars to mournful organs.
Lana Del Rey is the latest artist to jump on the trend with her wistful new single, “Henry, Come On.” The track, which laments a past, tumultuous relationship, even nods toward “All these country singers and their lonely rides to Houston / Doesn’t really make for the best, you know, settle down type.”
The new direction certainly justifies Del Rey’s inclusion on the 2025 Stagecoach bill, which sees her preceding Zach Bryan’s closing set on Friday, April 25. And while that new direction might throw off some fans, Lana argued that the classic country sound isn’t actually that big a departure for her.
“All my albums are somewhat rooted in Americana, unless it’s an album like Honeymoon which has a jazz flair, so I don’t think it will be a heavy departure,” she told Vogue last August. “If anything, it will just be a little lighter lyrically, and more pointed in a classic country, American, or Southern Gothic production — which again, so many of my songs already are.”
The album, The Right Person Will Stay, is set for release on May 21.
You can listen to Lana Del Rey’s “Henry, Come On” above.
The Right Person Will Stay is due on 5/21/25 via Interscope and Polydor.
Sheck Wes returns with a woozy new single, “ILMB,” featuring his boss at the Cactus Jack label, Travis Scott. Travis had previously hinted that he would soon be releasing new music from the collective (including Sheck Wes), but the turnaround is pretty impressive.
Unlike Sheck’s signature track “Mo Bamba,” “ILMB” is a lower tempo, hypnotic ode to, well, his “b*tch,” whom he repeatedly declares his love for. In the lofi video for the track, both Sheck and Travis spend time with their respective ladies, but that doesn’t stop them from enjoying the strip club life.
Over the past few years since dropping “Mo Bamba,” Sheck has laid low, periodically popping up for feature appearances with Dreamville’s JID (on “Stick” with J. Cole and Lyrical Lemonade’s “Fly Away,” which also featured Ski Mask The Slump God). Instead of music, it seemed his focus was on pursuing the same sort of hoop career that made Mo Bamba a household name a few years ago. While he had a decent run overseas, and earned the respect of his rapper-baller peers, it looks like he’s decided to keep the main thing the main thing, returning to the creative pursuits that first made him a star.
Earlier this year, Rema announced the dates for his Heis World Tour, which included his Coachella debut this weekend. Now, as he prepares to take the stage at Coachella for the first time in his burgeoning career, he shares his latest single, “Bout U.” Like his first 2025 single “Baby (Is It A Crime),” “Bout U” blends smooth R&B grooves with the slinky vibes of his latest album, with nods to the ’80s via slick samples and, in this case, noodling electric guitar.
You can listen to Rema’s “Bout U” above. Check out his dates for the Heis World Tour below.
04/11 — Edmonton, AB @ Edmonton Expo Centre
04/13 — Indio, CA Coachella Weekend 1
04/20 — Indio, CA Coachella Weekend 2
04/24 — Mexico City, MX @ Cercle Odyssey
04/27 — Houston, TX @ 713 Music Hall
04/30 — Chicago, IL @ Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom
05/03 — New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden
05/06 — Boston, MA @ MGM Music Hall
05/10 — Montreal, QC @ Place Bell
05/11 — Toronto, ON @ Scotiabank Arena
05/24 — Mauritius Island @ Cote D’Or
06/06 — Berlin, Germany @ Uber Eat Halle
06/08 — London, England @ The O2
06/14 — Milan, Italy @ Fabrique
06/18 — Copenhagen, Denmark @ TAP 1
06/20 — Amsterdam, Netherlands @ AFAS Live
06/22 — Brussels, Belgium @ Ancienne Belgique
06/28 — Paris, France @ Accor Arena
07/20 — Okinawa, Japan @ Okinawa Arena
07/22 — Afro Jam Festival Osaka, Japan @ Ookini Arena
07/27 — Afro Jam Festival Tokyo, Japan @ Musashino Sports Plaza
08/01 — Malmo, Sweden @ Dream Park Festival
08/03 — Barcelona, Spain @ Poble Espanyol
Nelly is off the hook for supposedly unpaid royalties for members of his crew, St. Lunatics. The final remaining member of the crew continuing their lawsuit against Nelly has dropped the suit, although no reason was given.
According to Billboard, Ali Jones, Nelly‘s former St. Lunatics bandmate, moved to drop the lawsuit today (April 10), but didn’t indicate whether any sort of settlement was reached. Meanwhile, Nelly’s attorneys have requested for the judge to hold off on dismissing the case until after any culpability for the “frivolous” lawsuit was determined.
In their response, they wrote: “Plaintiff’s counsel succeeded in its frivolous campaign aimed at forcing [Nelly] to spend money defending Plaintiff’s ridiculous time-barred claim. The Court is respectfully requested to retain jurisdiction and set a briefing and hearing schedule for [potential sanctions].”
The lawsuit, filed in September 2024, alleged that the band’s members were never properly credited or paid for their contributions to Nelly’s 2000 debut album, Country Grammar. However, just a few weeks later, all the members but one moved to have their names removed from the suit, leaving Ali as sole plaintiff. Nelly’s lawyers informed the court that Murphy Lee, Kyjuan, and City Spud had never given approval for the lawsuit.
Devotees of the Law & Order universe, and particularly those who adore Detective Elliot Stabler (Christopher Meloni), didn’t enjoy those few months when the Organized Crime spin off perched on the bubble. It wasn’t a positive sign to see both the flagship series and SVU were renewed together while Stabler and his new crew languished, but good news did eventually arrive. Not only was Organized Crime re-upped for a fifth season, but word eventually arrived that the series would move from NBC to Peacock.
Actually, that was a mixed outcome. Landing on a streaming platform means less total episodes per season for this darker series, but also, Stabler can now drop F-bombs like you know that he’s always wanted to do. Additionally, Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) will make an appearance early this season, and maybe she can cuss, too. And then maybe they can, you know…. well. We shall see if that happens, but first, a time and place are important.
Will Law & Order: Organized Crime Season 5 Stream At Once?
Nope. Peacock is staying traditional even with this streaming show.
The fifth season will premiere on Thursday, April 17 with two episodes (one of which will include Olivia Benson) and then stream weekly episodes adding up to a 10-episode season.
Additionally, NBC will air the first episode on April 17 at 10:00pm EST. From there, viewers will need to make the jump to Peacock.
This season not only brings back Danielle Moné Truitt, Rick Gonzalez, Ainsley Seiger, and Dean Norris but also introduces Jason Patric.
Now it’s time to tell all of the The Lost Boys jokes. Tell me, Michael, how could several million Law & Order fans be wrong?
Finally, here is a spoiler-y tease of Olivia Benson’s impending visit:
Welcome to SNX DLX, your weekly roundup of the best sneakers to hit the internet. If the warm weather and impending music festivals weren’t indication enough that we’re officially in spring, the colorways from this week’s releases will make it abundantly clear. Expect lighter tones and fresh takes on some core classics.
If you’re not as hyped on bright colors, don’t worry, there are plenty of dark and stealthy options out there too if that’s your vibe. As is the trend this year, it looks like the brands are focusing on quantity over quality, and while this is a stark change from the release strategy of the early ‘20s, we’re not sure if we completely hate it.
Sure, it makes each week a little less exciting, but we’re digging the more focused approach. It feels like every week has at least one sneaker that could easily be someone’s all-time favorite. Let’s dive into this week’s best.
Adidas Para Bad Bunny Ballerina Off-White/Core Black
The taekwondo-inspired Adidas Ballerina is getting another Bad Bunny signature colorway. Bad Bunny dropped his first custom Ballerina last month in a vivid yellow colorway. We thought it was dope, but can understand some hesitance from sneakerheads who like their sneakers to be a little less loud and attention grabbing.
If that describes your vibe consider this new two colorway set in Off-White and Core-Black. The sneaker features a canvas and suede upper, textile lining, and gold foil “Benito” branding.
The Adidas Para Bad Bunny Ballerina Off-White/Core Black is out now for a retail price of $120. Pick up a pair via the Adidas CONFIRMED app.
We’d like to call New Balance’s strategy of waiting four months into the year to start dropping a consistent cadence of noteworthy releases a strange one. However, this has been a weird year for sneaker releases in general, so we won’t hold it against the brand.
This week New Balance is dropping two different 990v6 colorways, a pale green NB is calling “avocado,” and a fresh all-white pair. The builds are identical, featuring a mesh upper with suede and synthetic overlays, reflective accents, and premium MADE in USA construction.
The New Balance Made in USA 990v6 Avocado is out now for a retail price of $199.99. Pick up a pair at New Balance.
Jordan Brand’s Women’s line keeps getting the love! This week brings a retro take on the Sail and Cement Grey colorway with a modern touch. The colorway is the same as the classic ’88 design, but the elephant print overlays feature a glossy metallic sheen, which makes the overall design pop a bit more.
We imagine this subtle change is going to make hardcore sneakerheads lose their minds, but we like to see Nike taking some risks with its retro line, so we’re here for it.
The Women’s Air Jordan 3 Retro Sail and Cement Grey is set to drop on April 12th at 7:00 AM PST for a retail price of $200. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app or aftermarket sites like GOAT and Flight Club.
Nike has teamed up with the Berlin-based experimental electronic music label PAN for a special take on the 180 that celebrates the silhouette as an icon of late 00’s club culture. The sneaker was a favorite amongst party-goers and ravers of that era due to its comfort and durability.
The NIX edition — which takes its name from a creative research and development studio started by PAN’s founder, features an all-black upper with distressed design details and a protective shroud. We love this stealthy take on the silhouette and think it perfectly captures that ever-trendy Berlin club vibe.
The Nike 180 NIX Black and Anthracite is set to drop on April 12th at 7:00 AM PST for a retail price of $150. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app.
The Spiridon is one of Nike’s best-looking running silhouettes, so we’re glad the sneaker seems to be back in the release roster in full force. The latest take dresses this light and airy silhouette in a famous Jordan colorway, the Concord, lightens it a bit and adds metallic accents throughout for enhanced nighttime visibility.
For the tech-obsessed out there: the Spiridon is equipped with a full-length Air Zoom cushion for bouncy comfortability and energy return.
The Air Zoom Spiridon Light Concord is set to drop on April 11th at 7:00 AM PST for a retail price of $160. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app or aftermarket sites like GOAT and Flight Club.
Last year we were treated to an onslaught of Kobe drops out of Nike. This year the brand seems to have winded down production a bit, but we are getting quality over quantity and that’s a fair exchange!
The What the Kobe? takes the famous Dunk concept and brings it to the Protro VIII. The sneaker features a loud and busy upper with reflective details, semi-translucent outsoles, Volt-colored swooshes, and a mismatched psychedelic colorway. It looks like what we assume a Protro looks like while on an acid trip.
The Nike Kobe VIII Protro What the Kobe? is set to drop on April 13th at 7:00 AM PST for a retail price of $180. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app or aftermarket sites like GOAT and Flight Club.
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.
It’s an almost essential tool in every whiskey-producing region’s toolbox, capable of incredibly transforming the base spirit. While several popular secondary maturation casks are out there, rum casks continue to hold particular appeal. Pairing the grain-led sweetness of whiskey with the molasses-led sweetness of rum can result in a sumptuous flavor profile that elevates the quality of both.
That said, since the days of warmer weather are here and rum is slowly becoming in season, now would be the perfect time to shine a light on some of the most successful marriages of whiskey and rum casks.
For this list, we left aside whiskeys made from multiple finishing barrels. This one is all about how rum casks on their own can positively impact flavor. That means that fan favorites like Penelope Rio and Barrell Armida are off the table. Nothing against those expressions (they can be transcendent), but the goal here is to lead you to the best expressions that keep those rum casks front and center without any additional support from other popular barrels like brandy or sherry.
These are the best rum-finished whiskeys you can buy today!
This is Angel’s Envy’s bread and butter. The brand was launched in 2010, and in 2013, it debuted its second flagship expression, this rum-finished rye. Once fully mature, the sourced liquid for this release is further aged for up to 18 months in Caribbean XO Rum Casks.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The always potent nose of Angel’s Envy Rye is full of maple syrup, candied green apples, Tahitian vanilla, apricots, and black pepper. Accents around the edges include nutmeg, thyme, and wet tobacco leaves to go with rye spice and honey.
Palate: The palate begins with a cloying sweetness and the texture of honeycombs as the candied green apple, maple syrup, and vanilla flavors take hold. Soon after, the taste of honeyed rye bread, candied ginger, and fresh apricots join the party. It’s a mouth-coating sugar rush of a rye that thins out as it transitions to the finish courtesy of vanilla, white pepper, and wet tobacco notes.
Finish: The medium-length finish is where the black pepper spice kicks in alongside vanilla extract and hints of molasses-drenched golden raisins.
Bottom Line:
In many ways, this is the rum-finished whiskey that jumpstarted the entire category. Finished whiskey had been a dirty phrase in American whiskey production until Angel’s Envy took the bold step of making finished products their raison d’être. Its competitors have begun to outpace it, but over a big cube, this one still works really well, and thanks to its overt sweetness, it continues to hook newcomers to the rye category.
11. Redemption Rum Cask Finish Straight Rye Whiskey
Redemption Rum Cask Finish utilizes Indiana’s famous 95/5 rye recipe and sees it finished in a combination of rum casks from Barbados and Jamaica. The final product is non-age stated and finished in that combination of casks for an undisclosed period of time.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose leads with the light, faintly floral sweetness of Tahitian vanilla before folding in aromas like brown butter peaches, light leather, persimmons, clover honey, and caraway.
Palate: On the first sip, this whiskey blossoms — exceeding the expectations of its generally faint nose with juicy white peaches, apricots, clover honey, and golden raisins. Once that first wave of flavors passes, it picks up steam with a touch of guava, a more forceful infusion of rye spice, and dilute honey with a light dusting of black pepper spice.
Finish: The brief finish is tightly wound with balanced flavors from tropical fruits, allspice, cinnamon brk, and black tea.
Bottom Line:
Redemption’s Rum Cask Finish has been quietly improving under the stewardship of Master Blender Alan Kennedy. By taking the 95/5 rye recipe that whiskey enthusiasts are already familiar with and giving it a new spin with Bajan and Jamaican rum casks, the results gently amplify the spice while balancing it in layers of light sweetness. This is a perfect, easy-sipping whiskey for newcomers to the category.
10. Old Line Double Oak Series American Single Malt Whiskey Finished In Caribbean Rum Casks
Old Line, out of Maryland, was founded in 2017, and ever since then, they’ve been producing some high-quality American Single Malt whiskeys. For its Double Oak Series, the brand finishes its whiskey in secondary maturation casks. Madeira is one of the standouts from the lineup, along with this Caribbean Rum Cask finished whiskey.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose on this one leads with the sweet barley, which quickly morphs into overripe banana peels, rich Madagascan vanilla, molasses, white flowers, and dilute butterscotch. It’s a light and enticing nose that balances each aroma note well without any of them overpowering the rest.
Palate: On the palate, this whiskey against with sweet barley on the tip of the tongue before brown sugar, tobacco, clementines, and white peach notes start pooling at midpalate. Once you start chewing this whiskey, it unlocks the spice cabinet as waves of clove and black pepper come crashing in while nutmeg and hazelnut flavors start to form on the back end of each sip.
Finish: The medium-length finish introduces hazelnut spread to the party, while black pepper, red chili pepper marmalade, and toffee also sprout.
Bottom Line:
Old Line’s Double Oak Series has done a wonderful job of allowing people to think of the brand in new ways. While Old Line’s standard American Single Malt Whiskey is solid, and its Navy Strength release kicks things up several notches, this rum-finished alternative delivers a punch of sweetness that fans of the brand would do well to appreciate.
9. Starlight Distillery Rum Finished Bourbon Whiskey Selected By Seelbach’s
Starlight is no stranger to finished whiskey. The brand’s stellar finished releases have been making waves in the American whiskey space for a few years now. This single barrel of rum-finished bourbon was hand-selected by the team at Seelbach’s, aged for 5.5 years, and bottled at full cask strength.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose leads with brandied raisins, apricots, and bruleed vanilla custard. With a few waves of the hand, those top notes diffuse, and a darker base of aromas takes its place with brown sugar, smoked toffee, and faint plum notes taking shape.
Palate: The palate of this whiskey begins with a lovely balance of black pepper spice and smoked toffee before the flavor of plums, menthol, and dried apricots start to coat the tongue. Vanilla, herbal tea, and oak tones also begin to creep in as it transitions to the finish.
Finish: Once it reaches the medium-length finish, this whiskey develops a more fruit-forward flavor profile with touches of menthol and black pepper spice combining with oak to provide depth.
Bottom Line:
Starlight’s finished whiskey program is easily among America’s best, and their access to rum casks makes this expression a must-try. While other distilleries are constricted by in-house brands or a general disregard for sourcing premium casks, Starlight prides itself on the practice. The proof is in the pudding.
8. Westward Rum Finished American Single Malt Whiskey
This unique expression takes Westward’s award-winning ASM whiskey and sees it finished in Magdalena Rum casks, an all-natural, cane-to-glass Guatemalan rum that the team produces in-house. Of note, Westward doesn’t release the rum on its own — they simply go the extra mile to make sure this bottle doesn’t miss the mark.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose on Westward’s rum-finished whiskey is marked by faint stone fruit notes, sweet barley, clover honey, ripe bananas, and gentle molasses tones. A faint brush of orange zest and vanilla frosting can also be found, along with black pepper and woodsy barrel aromas.
Palate: On the palate, this whiskey kicks off with sweet citrus notes before evolving to include bruleed sugar, white peach, chocolate truffle dust, ripe bananas, and vanilla. The mouthfeel is slightly lean, but it works well with the flavor profile and slowly recedes as you roll it over your tongue.
Finish: The finish is succinct and marked by black pepper, orange pith, pineapple, black pepper, and treacled waffle cones. It really winds down with ease, encouraging a second sip soon after your first.
Bottom Line:
This one is a bit bittersweet, not the whiskey itself, mind you, but the fact that this delicious whiskey is in peril of going away. Westward recently filed for bankruptcy, placing their future in jeopardy, but while this expression is available, you’d be well-advised to buy as many bottles as you can find.
For this release, Sagamore finished a blend of its 5- and 6-year rye whiskey in rum casks from South America and Jamaica for an additional 10 months before bottling. The limited edition offering can most readily be found via online retailers or in Maryland at the distillery.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nosing notes start with nutmeg, cocoa powder, overripe bananas, chunks of pineapple, and Brazil nuts. This is all before the rye spice starts kicking in, with droplets of butterscotch joining allspice, menthol, brûléed sugar, and black pepper.
Palate: On the palate, the whiskey follows a similar tack, with tropical fruits gracing the tip of the tongue before earthy molasses, allspice, menthol, and oak tones take the fore. As it transitions to the finish, you’ll observe an uptick in the spice-driven qualities as peppercorns, faint cinnamon, and nutmeg start to rise.
Finish: The moderate finish features a final flourish of black pepper and cinnamon as the menthol, butterscotch, and ripe banana notes close things out.
Bottom Line:
Sagamore’s Rye is putting Maryland whiskey back on the map, but it’s the inventive special releases and finishes that really take things to the next level. This well-integrated rum-finished rye balances Sagamore’s mellow, flavorful rye and bolsters it with a welcome infusion of refined sweetness.
6. The Left Cross Puncher’s Chance 14-Year-Old Rum-Barrel Finished Bourbon
The Left Cross, a premium offering from Wolf Spirit Distillery’s Puncher’s Chance brand, features 14-year-old bourbon finished in freshly dumped 12-year-old Jamaican rum casks for two to six months. “The Left Cross” refers to one of Jamaica’s most formidable southpaw pugilists, Donovan “Razor” Ruddock.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose on this rye is bold, with green apples, black pepper spice, smoked honey, and allspice leading the charge. Further notes of green grapes, vanilla, and caramel can also be picked up while waxy plums kick in with ascending assertiveness — in time becoming the whiskey’s core note.
Palate: On the palate, The Left Cross is led by brown sugar, ripe bananas, waxy plums, and allspice. The dark fruit notes interact well with the brown sugar and spice, which allows the whiskey to evenly coat your palate while vacillating between both ends of the flavor spectrum.
Finish: The finish is warming and medium-length, with a bit of barrel char joining the waxy plums, brown sugar, and vanilla extracy notes to be found.
Bottom Line:
Puncher’s Chance has flown under the radar a bit in whiskey connoisseur circles purely because it’s a celebrity-associated brand (boxing legend Bruce Buffer is a partner in the company), but they’ve begun parrying that reputation with solid releases like this. This isn’t just a great rum-finished whiskey; it’s also Puncher’s Chance’s best expression to date.
5. Glenfiddich 21-Year-Old Gran Reserva Single Malt Scotch
Glenfiddich’s Gran Reserva (formerly known as Havana Reserve) utilizes ex-bourbon barrels in conjunction with the Caribbean casks used for secondary maturation.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Sweet barley, golden raisins, dried apricots, and spiced apple notes come tumbling out of the glass to greet the nose with this whiskey. The 21-year-old whiskey certainly stands tall at the base of this one with the rum’s influence seemingly less pronounced in the aroma profile.
Palate: On the palate is where an infusion of banana peel, golden raisins, caramel, vanilla pods, and sweet barley notes truly go off with a bang. The mouthfeel is lush and buttery, allowing the whiskey to carry multiple layers of flavor and massage them into your palate as the liquid gently coats your tongue.
Finish: The finish here is marked by a bit more citrus and rum-driven sweetness in the form of vanilla, golden raisins, and mellow black pepper spice.
Bottom Line:
Glenfiddich’s whiskey speaks for itself. Artfully aged for 21 years, this expression has a nuanced backbone to carry any finishing cask — but with secondary maturation in rum casks, it truly shines. Think of it as Glenfiddich Single Malt juiced with some extra oomph.
This limited edition whiskey from Chicken Cock showcases the brand’s sourced stock of Kentucky-bred 95/5 rye finished in Caribbean rum barrels. The 25-barrel blend utilizes a level 3 char and a medium toast.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nosing notes kick off with an array of nutmeg, peppercorns, and gentle rye spice. Those baking spices are faintly brushed with brown sugar and molasses notes, with candied orange peels and butterscotch trailing closely behind.
Palate: Once in the mouth, Madagascan vanilla, banana peel, candied oranges, butterscotch, and peppercorn spiced notes do most of the heavy lifting. The molasses flavor from the rum barrels is well-integrated alongside the light intensity of rye spice, and the mouthfeel is generally smooth with punctuations of spice.
Finish: The finish on this one is medium-length, with more tropical fruit and vanilla joining a touch of sweet spearmint and earthy molasses, black pepper, and nutmeg.
Bottom Line:
Chicken Cock’s Island Rooster might cost a pretty penny, but the real wealth comes on the palate where this rye bursts with tropical fruit, allspice, and refined rum-influenced flavors. The price may initially ruffle some feathers, but trust me when I say that it’s well worth it.
3. Bardstown Bourbon Collaborative Series Foursquare Barbados Rum
Bardstown’s Collaborative Series gives the distillery a chance to let its freak flag fly and try some unconventional expressions with a collaborative partner. For this expression, Bardstown teamed up with Foursquare Rum to create a blend of 7-year rye from Indiana (90%) and 17-year-old Tennessee whiskey (10%) that is then finished for 23 months in Foursquare Bajan rum barrels. Originally released as a one-time offering in 2023, bottles of this one can still be found at online retailers like Seelbach’s.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The whiskey begins with a beautifully complex aroma profile. The silky influence of Bajan rum rushes to greet the nose, and then a slight mintiness from the rye joins the fray before milk chocolate, brown sugar, and waxy stone fruit notes add to the chorus.
Palate: In the mouth, one finds dark chocolate before then some mint comes in; the palate isn’t as complex as the nose, but it delivers enough of the promise to make this eminently enjoyable. There’s some nutmeg in the middle of the tongue, and the mouthfeel is just dense enough to avoid being quotidian.
Finish: The lingering finish carries tobacco leaves and the rum’s sweet influence as more red fruit arrives on the tongue, along with white pepper, nutmeg, and brown sugar.
Bottom Line:
Bardstown Bourbon Company’s Collaborative Series has always been a site for intriguing finishes and captivating blends, but with its recent output the brand has proven it’s just getting started. This excellent marriage of straight whiskeys with premium rum casks is predictably delicious yet unexpectedly divine.
2. Balvenie Caribbean Cask 14-Year Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Balvenie’s beloved Caribbean Cask expression is an absolute standout and classic. After patiently maturing for 14 years, the whiskey is transferred into American oak casks that previously held a blend of carefully selected West Indian rums.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose on Balvenie’s Caribbean Cask whiskey opens with wildflower honey, rich toffee, and an assortment of red fruits combined with overripe mango, apricots, and white peaches. A few swirls of the glass and the toffee note is supplanted by a faint whisper of mocha, sweet barley, and butterscotch.
Palate: On the palate, this whiskey opens with a bevy of Madagascan vanilla and sweet oak with dried apricots and subtle honey on a bed of malted barley flavor. The mouthfeel on this one is fairly buttery, coating the palate and lingering gently as each layer of flavor unfolds.
Finish: The finish here is medium length, with the oak tones becoming more assertive and baking spices emerging along with more peach and a touch of brown sugar and black pepper capping things off.
Bottom Line:
This bottle is an absolute classic. Perhaps the most beloved of Balvenie’s core expressions, it features impressive balance, restrained sweetness, and a stellar whiskey base. All of the things you’re looking for in a rum-finished whiskey.
This non-chill filtered, sweet mash barrel-proof bourbon pairs some of Peerless’ finest whiskey with a rum cask finish. With this second batch now under their belt, it looks like we can expect this expression to continue into the future.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The rum is evident in the best way possible, with bananas flambé and brown sugar resting on a bed of dense oak, cooked pear, and candied walnuts.
Palate: Carmelized bananas and custard hit the tongue with gusto on the first sip, along with the walnuts and brown sugar. The liquid has a heavy mouthfeel but couples that with a slick texture that explodes on the back palate, gently spreading up the roof of the mouth with grilled pineapple, joining more vanilla and oak.
Finish: The finish is medium-length, marked by more brown sugar and walnuts, with some black pepper, more muted banana peel, and cinnamon bark rounding things out.
Bottom Line:
Peerless presents: a rum lover’s bourbon. Whereas some brands go too far, allowing the finishing cask to do the heavy lifting while the base spirit is relegated to being background noise, this expression is truly a symphony that shines a light on both the bourbon and the rum. This is one delicious bottle; sipping an island is not required.
Redemption Rum Cask
Old Line
Angel’s Envy Rye
Starlight
Westward Rum Finished American Single Malt Whiskey
Sagamore
The Left Cross Puncher’s Chance
Glenfiddich 21-Year-Old Gran Reserva Single Malt Scotch
Bardstown Collab
Chicken Cock Island Rooster
Balvenie
Peerless
Doc Swinson
Kentucky Owl Mardi Gras
Old Fo 117
Yellowstone
HIgh N Wicked Irish
Basil Hayden
High West
A couple years back, FX aired a sturdy, engaging miniseries from the creators of The OA, titled A Murder At The End Of The World. The series was notable for a number of reasons: introducing many to the charms of Harris Dickinson and Emma Corrin, helping launch legend Joan Chen’s comeback, providing a poignant spin on true crime whodunits with a peppering of ecological and technological horrors. But maybe most notable was the location that the bulk of the story is set. The titular “end of the world,” if you will.
While that framing makes it sound like the show takes place somewhere mythical, the actual location doesn’t feel too far off from that sentiment. We’re talking about the Troll Peninsula in Northern Iceland, where the Arctic Sea collides with largely unsettled terrain that’s as remote as it is visually spectacular. In the show, this is the spot where a billionaire holds an exclusive retreat. And visiting the area, which in real life is home to Flóki Studios and its associated hotel Deplar Farm, it’s easy to see where the show received its inspiration (scenes were even shot at the hotel property, though a fair amount of CGI was applied to transform the luxurious lodge atmosphere into a high-tech AI-operated fortress).
Deplar Farm
But the reality is that the “end of the world” experience isn’t limited to the 1 percent, and Flóki Studios is making it their mission to let recording artists know that access to their gorgeous, secluded studio is available to artists of all different backgrounds and financial statuses.
“We want to be able to have it be accessible for the emerging artists that don’t have [a massive] budget,” Wade Koeman, Flóki Studios Director, says over FaceTime. “It’s not as cost-prohibitive as I think people might think.”
Thanks to a rebate system — simply called Record In Iceland — artists can apply for a 25-percent return on recording costs incurred in Iceland. This can essentially negate travel costs, and from there, Flóki is determined to keep options affordable for both nearby lodging (they operate an Airbnb house that bands can stay in) and the actual studio costs (Koeman notes that while it will always be cheaper to record in your neighbor’s basement, the rates are in line with studios in major markets).
Floki Studios
And for the more established artist used to high-end accommodations, Deplar Farm is just a couple miles up the road from an all-inclusive stay at a hotel that was recently named to Condé Nast Traveler’s Gold List as one of the best hotels in the world. From Viking saunas and outdoor hot tubs with swim-up bars to sensory deprivation chambers and wellness treatments, it’s easy to imagine an artist used to a certain lifestyle finding everything they need on site. You can also get whisked off for Arctic surfing, whale watching, or fishing if you need a moment of inspiration.
So with the “how” essentially solved for artists of all levels, the biggest question remaining is “why?” Why pack up and leave the comforts of home for an entirely new setting, and why choose Flóki? “You can record anywhere now,” Koeman notes, and it’s true that with modern laptops and software, recording studios can be literally anywhere with a power outlet.
“I think some people, some artists, really excel and get into this place of creativity when all the distractions are gone,” Koeman continues. “And that’s the idea of Flóki — you’re in the middle of nowhere in a place where, most of the time, you’ve never been. You’re just in this whole new environment and it’s beautiful and peaceful, yet it can be blizzarding and chaotic. It’s nature.”
Floki Studios
“When you’re out there, there’s nothing else there,” he continues. “So I think a lot of times with sessions — and this can happen to any artist — you’re in a city and you’re at a studio, and there are just so many distractions that can go into that, from maybe there’s traffic on the way there, or maybe you had a bad experience in line getting coffee and that changed your head space a little bit. People are coming by the studio to say, ‘What’s up?’ Or, ‘I’ve got to go meet so-and-so for dinner because they’re in town for a day,’ or whatever. None of that can happen at Flóki.”
There are so many stories of albums coming from periods of isolation, whether it is Bon Iver forging his debut masterpiece in a cabin or Paul McCartney taking inspirational trips post-Beatles to lay down his first solo material. Some artists, from Bruce Springsteen to Grimes, isolated themselves in their own homes to lock in on their future classics. But in the modern world, it’s harder and harder to get away from the buzzing of the phone, the action of the street outside, the endless discourse. Flóki still has phone service, sure, but it’s far enough away that no one would be surprised if you totally detoxed from conventional living.
Deplar Farm
“I think Flóki is a place to reset and just look at [your music] with fresh eyes,” Jay Sweet, Flóki’s Music Ambassador notable for his roles as the producer of Newport Folk and Jazz Festivals, says. “I have this immense feeling of gratitude when I’m there because even when I’m there, it’s a reset for me to fall back in love with the very premise of why we as humans create music. It’s a very primal place and I think when anybody can be out there and feel that, it reignites the fire. It reignites the fire inside to be like… I call it the ‘little guy, big sky’ place. It makes you feel very small and insignificant, and not in a bad way. It makes you feel very insignificant that [with] your worries and troubles that you feel, you’re the main character of your own story. You go there and you realize, ‘Nope, I’m not the main character.’”
One other thing Flóki provides is a removal of the choices that complicate day-to-day life. When David Lynch died recently, among the numerous charming, inspiring, and humanizing stories that flooded social media was that he’d eat the same lunch daily: tuna, feta cheese, tomatoes, and olive oil. The idea was that by eliminating the need to think about what he was going to eat, he gave his mind more space for creativity. Flóki can work similarly. Sure, you can choose between a hike or swim, but you can also cut out all the unnecessary decisions that make up a typical city day. Chefs prepare food according to your likes or dislikes, transportation is arranged, and if you need an activity for inspiration, you have the coolest things in the world at your fingertips.
Floki Studios
And while the studio has been operating for years now, it still feels a bit untapped in terms of its potential. Brian Miller from Guster has recorded there, as has Wesley Schultz of The Lumineers and George Porter Jr. from The Meters. But the studio is still looking for their own classic to put Flóki in the same breath as the iconic recording spaces around the world. At some point, it will be in that conversation, and for now, it’s just awaiting that artist who wants to be the one to kickstart that legacy.
“The difficulty is finding artists that are willing to break out of the easy option,” Sweet says. “Sometimes the hardest thing is to find an artist who has that sense, that kind of new sense or revived sense of what it was like when they did their first tour, or when they finally went into a tour bus. That sense of wonderment and youthful energy about it. I think that’s the hard thing because it’s like, ‘Well, we’ve recorded our last four albums in this one place, so we know it.’ But I don’t know, man: If it’s the same producer sitting in the same chair in the same studio and this is your fourth album, are you doing it out of tradition or are you doing it out of sloth?”
Koeman agrees. “We’re going to get that word out. I think it’s happening and it’s something that, in my view, is like an organic way of that growing to where it’s got this reputation because of the people that have come there. It’s something they really want to do. To me, that’s really important, having that kind of genuine organic love of this place. And it’s starting to spread through to the artist communities. They’re like, ‘Man, if you can, go to Flóki, because it was incredible.’ That’s definitely the goal, and I think that’s the most powerful thing that can happen.”
Deplar Farm
As a non-musician visiting the space, it was hard not to be inspired. Sure, a few straight days of snow kept the Northern Lights obscured, but I rode a horse, saw a waterfall, walked the shores of the Arctic Sea, and ate food that I’ll think about for a long time. Knowing I was in a place that so few would ever visit was inspiration on its own, saying yes to the possibility of leaving the familiar and comfortable behind, and letting the mind be engulfed by the peace and brutality that pushes and pulls in nature. I didn’t leave wanting to record an album, but I did want to hear the music from those wanting to experience something similar. You know, music from the end of the world.
Uproxx was hosted for this story by Flóki Studios. They did not review or approve this story. You can learn more about the Uproxx Press Trip policy here.
A highlight of Sabrina Carpenter’s delightful Short N’ Sweet Tour is when she debuts a new “position” while performing “Juno.” Here she is pantomiming a certain, uh, job while on her knees, and don’t forget the time the Lollapalooza headliner paid respect to France with an “Eiffel Tower” pose. It’s a lot of fun, especially when pearl-clutching parents freak out.
Naturally, it did not take long for Fortnite players to come up with their own “Juno” positions after Carpenter was added to the wildly-popular battle royale game this week.
“They never should’ve added sabrina to fortnite LMFAOOO,” one person wrote on X. The accompanying (SFW!) video has Carpenter asking “have you ever tried this one?” while a Fortnite version of herself rides a magic carpet, flaps her hands like she’s trying to fly, and… I’m not exactly sure what’s happening on the picnic table. Judge for yourself here, and please let me know.
Another viral video takes place during a Carpenter concert. The camera is in the crowd behind a bouncing character. When Carpenter runs to the end of the stage to try out some “freaky positions,” she whips out a gun and shoots the jumper. She would never open fire at a fellow Sabrina girlie, however.
Snoop Dogg let his hair grow out for the classic Doggystyle era, so when 21 Savage found himself with a similar look recently, he couldn’t help but notice the parallel with the iconic aesthetic.
A couple days ago, on April 8, 21 took to Instagram to share a photo of himself with long hair flowing free. He captioned the post, “thinking about going throwback snoop on you female dogs.”
Meanwhile, T-Pain recently declared that while his use of Auto-Tune initially faced resistance, it was Snoop who made it cool: “Oh, that’s all it was. It was only resistance, until somebody cool did it. Who did that? Who made it cool? Snoop. Snoop did it, and it was totally fine. Everybody was like, you know, ‘OK, I guess we can listen to it’ [laughs].”
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