As the ancient proverb says, “Brevity is the soul of wit,” but communicating big, essential ideas clearly and concisely is also a great indicator of wisdom. In a world awash with information, the ability to take a complex idea and turn it into simple, understandable statements is a true gift.
Succinct, bite-size pieces of wisdom are also a way to help people remember what’s truly important. As theologian François Fénelon once said, “The more you say, the less people remember.”
The ability to communicate big ideas simply, reveals the level of understanding one has on a subject. Albert Einstein once said, “If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.”
In an attempt to collect some of the pithiest bits of wisdom known to humankind, a Reddit user named Upset-Document-8399 posed a big question to the AskReddit forum: “Wise people of Reddit, what’s a one-liner pearl of wisdom you know?”
The Redditors shared a lot of real wisdom on everything from infatuation to tattoos. So we took 22 of the most profound (and short) pearls and listed them by topic.
1. Safe driving
“Better to lose a second of your life than lose your life in a second.” — Ballsack2025
“A drivers ed teacher said, ‘It doesn’t matter who’s right, if you’re dead.’ Goes beyond driving, but definitely applies to driving.” — xwhy
“It’s better to be late in this life, than early in the next.” — Hughdapu
2. Advice
“Don’t discount good advice just because it comes from an unexpected source.” — Ambitious Angel
3. Perfection
“Only fake flowers are flawless.” — komor3bii
4. Difficulty
“Sometimes the hardest thing and the right thing are the same.” — VellichorVisum
“Why are difficult decisions difficult? Because you know that taking the easy option is the wrong thing to do.” — Consult-SR88
5. Attaining wisdom
“Confucius: “By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.” — BolognaAunt
6. Technology addiction
“A ringing phone is an invitation, not a command.” — MajesticValuable
7. Healthy society
“A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they know they shall never sit.” — libra00
“And society grows sh*t when old men cut down trees because they don’t need shade when they’re dead.” — CrimpsShootsandRuns
8. Life is…
“Life is like a camera – focus on what’s important, capture the good times, develop from the negatives and if things don’t work out, take another shot.” — RubyPerry
9. Tattoos
“My dad always said never get a tattoo where a judge can see it.” — ttw81
“Know what you call a visible tattoo? A salary cap.” — Bluto58
10. Infatuation
“Infatuation is holding on for all you’re worth. Love is being afraid and letting go anyway.” — JamesCDiamond
“Infatuation is Love, minus Information.” — milescowperthwaite
11. Intelligence
“You’ve got to learn to spot those who claim common sense but are really just shallow thinkers.” — Audiate
“People who think they are smart are usually the least. They’re usually the most vocal as well.” — Karmagod13000
12. Reason
“You cannot reason someone out of a belief they didn’t reason themselves into.” — HarrargnNarg
“Ideology: The clean and well-lit prison of one idea.” — defdac
13. Opinions
“You always have the option of having no opinion.” — flew1337
“Whatever your opinion may be on any given topic, you aren’t obligated to share it with anyone.” — WeirdCoolWilson
When I say “picture a birthing clinic,” you’re likely to imagine all white rooms and hospital beds…not luxury suites and spa vibes.
But the latter was what Nicole Patrice, who had moved to Japan from Kentucky and underwent a c-section at the Nagoya Birth Clinic, where her husband purchased a 5-day stay in the “precious suite” as a Christmas gift.
Her tour of the facility and all its next level amenities—not to mention its price—left viewers in shock.
Though Patrice was separated from her baby for 24 hours as she received phototherapy treatment for jaundice, the clinic provided in-person snuggle time when able, even bringing him up to her suite for morning visits.
The rest of the time, Patrice was free to focus on her own healing, and it was as though every aspect of the clinic was specifically designed to facilitate that. From the restaurant worthy meals (all of which are apparently “made to promote healing, excite the palate and encourage lactation” to the cozy reading nooks, to the on-site aesthetic clinic for rejuvenating facials. Yes, really.
But wait, there’s more: Nagoya also provided adorable props for family photos, an in-room hot water heater for tea and coffee, plus in-room breakfast and afternoon tea.
“They really care about mothers here, and they just want us to rest and relax and really enjoy our time,” Patrice said in the video.
“I wouldn’t want to leave. Good food, baby nursery, facials to which Patrcis replied “Smae .It felt like ‘mommy camp.’”
“5 star maternity hotel is what it is.”
“I just love how progressive, considerate and healing the Japanese view and approach the birthing and recovery period.”
The underlying reason why Japanese and American approaches to childbirth differ so greatly could be due to fundamental cultural views. An article in PubMed states that while “autonomy is cherished in America,” Japan still adheres to more traditional gender roles, and maintains a “women-centered” approach to birth practices. Male partners often do not even help in labor. Additionally, Japan prioritizes natural births, believing it strengthens the bond between child and mother.
This system is, of course, not without its flaws due to those social norms, but in an ideal scenario, we would be able to blend both Western and Eastern modalities to create a birthing experience that truly caters to the needs of new mothers and prioritizes their healing journey.
It goes without saying that water is a basic human right that should never be denied to anyone. So when a homeless woman named Polly in Cardiff, Wales, was refused a drink at her local McDonald’s recently, a good Samaritan wouldn’t stand for it.
Jonathon Pengelly couldn’t believe his eyes when the cashier told the woman no. “I don’t know what was going through their minds but a lady, clearly homeless was asking for a basic human right; and for a multi-billion pound company, for them to say no is disgusting!” Pengelly wrote on Facebook.
Pengelly was behind the woman in line, so he offered to buy her and her friend something to eat and was shocked at Polly’s response.
“She asked for a single cheeseburger and that was it,” Pengelly said. “We bought as much as we could carry so I knew she wasn’t going to be hungry.” He then sat and ate with them and was blown away by their positive attitudes. So he brought them back to his house, where they showered and brushed their teeth. While they cleaned up, Pengelly prepared some food to tide the women over for a few days.
Pengelly posted about the evening’s events on Facebook to raise awareness about the problem of homelessness in the U.K. “I’m no saint, but this small act of kindness cost me about £20,” he wrote. “I know 90% of people reading this will earn about 10 times that a day. … If you see someone on the streets, don’t look down on them like they’re nothing. You don’t know what they’ve been though! Spare a little thought!”
Pengelly’s experience didn’t just open up his eyes to a real problem, he made a friend as well. “Me and Polly have chatted on the phone and I’ve promised her that she will never go hungry or cold again!” he said.
Here’s Pengelly’s full post:
“Well, my night took an unexpected turn! So I finished my night out, ended up in the dreaded McDonald’s queue. I couldn’t help but notice the lady in front me, all she asked for was a cup of hot water.
The member of staff told her no. I don’t know what was going through their mind but a lady, clearly homeless was asking for a basic human right; and for a multi billion pound company, for them to say no is disgusting!
My heart was shattered! So I spoke to her and told her to order what she wanted, expecting her to order everything. I was so shocked. She asked for a single cheese burger and that was it. We bought as much as we could carry so I knew she wasn’t going to be hungry.
I couldn’t just leave this lady go, she was so warming and so lovely. So I sat with her, on the cold hard floor, in the middle of winter and you know what I did? I cried my eyes out.
You know if people of Cardiff walked passed them and didn’t do anything because, financially, they weren’t in the position, I would understand. But people walked passed and laughed at them. I don’t care who you are, If this was you; and you’re reading this I hate you!
When I got to speak to them I was genuinely shocked at their story and how educated they were! So full of life and enthusiasm and they literally have nothing!
I invited polly and her mate back to my house and we all cooked enough food to feed them and their friends for the next few nights. We boxed them up and packed them in their bags.
Polly and her mate have had showers, brushed their teeth and they both said they have ever felt so appreciated in their life. I’m no saint, but this small act of kindness cost me about £20. I know 90% of people reading this will earn about 10 times that a day.
It costs nothing to be kind, and I genuinely hope people share this to raise awareness of homelessness throughout the UK! Me and polly have chatted on the phone and I’ve promised her that she will never go hungry or cold again! I’ve given her blankets, pillows and a backpack full of food.
If you see someone on the streets, don’t look down on them like they’re nothing. You don’t know what they’ve been though! spare a little thought!
I don’t care if I look like shit cause I’m crying!
It’s hard to truly describe the amazing bond between dads and their daughters.
Being a dad is an amazing job no matter the gender of the tiny humans we’re raising. But there’s something unique about the bond between fathers and daughters.
Most dads know what it’s like to struggle with braiding hair, but we also know that bonding time provides immense value to our daughters. In fact, studies have shown that women with actively involved fathers are more confident and more successful in school and business.
You know how a picture is worth a thousand words? I’ll just let these images sum up the daddy-daughter bond.
A 37-year-old Ukrainian artist affectionately known as Soosh, recently created some ridiculously heartwarming illustrations of the bond between a dad and his daughter, and put them on her Instagram feed. Sadly, her father wasn’t involved in her life when she was a kid. But she wants to be sure her 9-year-old son doesn’t follow in those footsteps.
“Part of the education for my kiddo who I want to grow up to be a good man is to understand what it’s like to be one,” Soosh told Upworthy.
There are so many different ways that fathers demonstrate their love for their little girls, and Soosh pretty much nails all of them.
Get ready to run the full gamut of the feels.
1. Dads can do it all. Including hair.
2. They also make pretty great game opponents.
3. And the Hula-Hoop skills? Legendary.
4. Dads know there’s always time for a tea party regardless of the mountain of work in front of them.
5. And their puppeteer skills totally belong on Broadway.
6. Dads help us see the world from different views.
7. So much so that we never want them to leave.
8. They can make us feel protected, valued, and loved.
9. Especially when there are monsters hiding in places they shouldn’t.
Seeing the daddy-daughter bond as art perfectly shows how beautiful fatherhood can be.
We live in an interesting era where we’ve gone from being told never to get into a car with a stranger to regularly hopping into strangers’ back seats and paying them to drive us around. We have long had taxis for that purpose, of course, but with the advent of rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft,more people than ever are paying strangers to give them rides.
While Uber and Lyft have both implemented various safety features, including background checks for drivers, the option to share your ride details and real-time location with someone and matching women drivers with women riders, sometimes you still might not feel 100% safe. Whatever the reason, one man has a resource that can put your mind at ease if you’re in a car and alarm bells start going off in your head.
Actor Joshua Summerfield shared a video to Instagram that says, “Ladies: Use this sound when you feel unsafe in an Uber, Lyft or taxi.” It begins with a ringtone (as if you’re calling someone on speaker) and then his voice “picks up,” saying “Hey babe, what’s up.”
Whenever it says “You” on the screen, you read what the text says, so it ends up sounding exactly like you’re having a conversation with your partner, who is tracking your location and will be waiting for you when you get dropped off at your location.
The driver can’t see the phone screen, of course, so they wouldn’t know you weren’t talking to a real person. It’s a simple ruse, but enough to send a message.
Summerfield has been creating videos like this for a few years and shared that he’ll have a website up soon where people can buy different versions of these sounds in different formats. (If everyone uses the same sound, it will soon lose its effectiveness.)
People in the comments are so appreciative.
“Can confirm, Uber drivers have not said a word to me when I use this,” shared one person.
“Men protecting women. I’m here for it,” wrote another.
“Thank you so much for making this 🙌🙏 This is really kind of you to help us feel safe!” wrote another.
Summerfield told Newsweek that he’s received ample confirmation that his videos are serving their purpose. “The number of messages I have received from people, saying they have saved the video and shared it with their friends to protect them in certain situations has been mind-blowing,” he said. “At the same time, it lets me know I’m doing the right thing and helping people feel safe.”
Summerfield has other videos for various scenarios as well, such as this one for women who are being harassed or followed:
Of course, someone could call their actual dad or partner in these situations, but not everyone has that option and sometimes they can’t be reached. This is a handy tool to have bookmarked just in case you ever feel the need to use it.
You can follow Joshua Summerfield on Instagram here and TikTok here.
Double H Canine Academy in Louisville, Kentucky is a place where dog owners can take their rambunctious pets and have them turned into respectable members of the family.
However, as you can tell in this hilarious video, not all dogs are meant to follow orders.
Ladies and gentleman, meet Ryker.
Double H Canine Training Academy… Epic Service Dog Training Failure
Ryker giving it his all before flunking our of Service Dog Training School
As you can see below, Ryker is living his life to the fullest. While he may never be the world’s greatest service dog, he continues to provide an invaluable testament to being true to one’s self.
A punch got thrown during an altercation prior to Wednesday night’s game between the Detroit Pistons and the Phoenix Suns. While the details of what happened are sparse, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports that Pistons big man Isaiah Stewart swung at Suns center Drew Eubanks and landed a punch.
Sources: Detroit Pistons F/C Isaiah Stewart punched Phoenix’s Drew Eubanks in the back tunnels of Suns arena today. It’s unclear what sparked the altercation. The NBA is expected to receive footage to review. More to come. pic.twitter.com/lxvS4wirdK
Charania noted that, while the events leading up to the incident are unclear, the two did get into it before Stewart threw a punch.
Both Stewart and Eubanks were going chest-to-chest before a swing to Eubanks’ face connected on Wednesday, sources said. Both were separated and there is police presence involved with the situation in Phoenix tonight. https://t.co/Kif6SiVp7q
The game is taking place in Phoenix, and marks the second time this year that the Pistons and the Suns will take the floor — Phoenix won their previous game in Detroit, 120-106, back in November. As of this writing, both Stewart and Eubanks’ statuses for Wednesday’s game are unclear.
Stewart has spent all four years of his NBA career in Detroit, and has started 34 of the 35 games in which he’s appeared. He has not, however, played in a game since Jan. 28, as he’s been sidelined with an ankle injury and is not expected to return until after the All-Star break.
Eubanks joined the Suns this past offseason as a free agent after spending the first five years of his NBA career with the San Antonio Spurs and the Portland Trail Blazers.
You may not know it, but Costco’s Food Court is one of the busiest fast-food restaurants in the country. A lot of that traffic is due to their iconic $1.50 hot dog that still comes with a refillable soda and their huge slices of pizza for $1.99. Another part of that is that Costco doesn’t only stick to the classics. They experiment and grow. They’re willing to fail and learn.
It’s a great ethos to have. Good for you, Costco.
Speaking to all of that, 2024 opened with Costco adding a brand-new item to their U.S. Food Court menu — the Double Chocolate Chunk Cookie (served warm). As an avid Costco Food Court fan, I knew I had to review this cookie ASAP. I love the flavors of a good chocolate chip cookie, which often lean into flavors of some of my favorite bourbons (vanilla, brown butter, dark chocolate, brown sugar, and so forth).
Just looking at the cookie on the Costco Food Court menu, this felt like it was going to be my new favorite item on the menu. So below, I’m breaking down exactly what this new item is and how it stands up. Let’s just get straight into it.
Read Our Costco Coverage By Clinking The Links Below:
The cookie is “served warm” as mentioned. And that’s pretty awesome. You can see the cookies resting in the heating tray next to Costco’s warm but underwhelming churros, Chicken Bakes, and so on. The “double” aspect is apparent. The cookie looks like a cookie baked over another cookie, giving this treat some real girth.
The chocolate chips (“bittersweet and semi-sweet”) are big and chunky as advertised as well. They’re also abundant. There’s a good ratio of cookie to chunk in the actual cookie.
This is also advertised as being “all butter” on the menu. We’ll get to that in a moment. Overall, this looks and smells like a great chocolate chip cookie.
Taste:
First, this had a great soft chewiness to the center with a nice crisp outer rim. It’s a perfectly baked cookie.
The actual taste was … mediocre. There was zero butteriness. It felt like it was made with a butter substitute that was completely stripped of the fats needed to brown to add that delicious brown butter flavor that you need in a good cookie. There was a hint of vanilla but it too felt stripped down. You could tell the “vanilla” was from a plastic bottle, is what I’m getting at.
The chocolate was pretty damn good. It was creamy, bitter, and semisweet in all the right ways. You could tell this is where all the money went into the cookie.
Bottom Line:
Zach Johnston
It just felt sort of soulless. There was no rich butteriness, much less a brown-butter vibe. There was a sense of the vanilla but it was fake-feeling.
As I ate this cookie, I kept coming back to “soulless” as the only adjective I could think of. It wasn’t bad by any stretch. But it felt more like a Chips Ahoy! than a delicious bakery fresh cookie. And for 750 calories per cookie (HOLY SHIT!), I don’t want “soulless.” I need soulful.
Without getting too much into Ebbinghas and Proust and the ins and outs of involuntary memory, this cookie should have transported me to something beautiful in my mind. A fond memory of my grandmother’s cookie jar or a bespoke bakery in visited in Manhattan or London or … something, anything. Instead, I just sort of sat there thinking, “Meh…” while waiting for it to be over and writing off the calories in my mind as a work-based obligation.
In fact, I kind of wanted to dip this into some good bourbon to give it a better and deeper flavor profile — something to help it be … more. But then I probably would have been kicked out of Costco. Sadly, I’ll probably never get this again.
Below, I’ve listed 10 bottles of Scotch whisky that are delicious and all cost just under $90. The pickings might seem slim, but there’s some real variation and depth in this selection of whiskies. This might be the first time I’ve said this, but you should buy each one of these whiskies. It’d be a masterclass in Scottish whisky knowledge and would help you develop your palate!
While I really do think buying all of these is a smart play, I also ranked them. Some of these whiskies are simply a tad more nuanced than others, run deeper, and offer that little bit more. Sound good? Let’s dive in!
Also Read: The Top 5 UPROXX Scotch Whisky Posts of The Last Six Months
This dram from Glenmorangie is a much-loved Highland malt. The juice is matured in ex-bourbon barrels for an undisclosed number of years. The whisky is then transferred to French Sauternes barrels which held sweet dessert wines where it spends two more years finishing.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: This has that classic “shortbread cut with lemon and vanilla” vibe that makes some single malts so approachable on the nose while still offering a deep pear, apricot, and marmalade vibe that dances with heather-infused honey and soft malt cookies.
Palate: The sip has a buttery toffee that’s layered with subtle oak, mild brown spices, and more fruits tied into a creamy pudding body with a lush creamed honey foundation.
Finish: The spice leans a little towards ginger on the finish with that buttery shortbread as it slowly fades out through fruit orchards and old honey pots.
Bottom Line:
This is a great place to start any Scotch whisky journey. This is soft and supple. It’s so welcoming and easy-sipping but still offers a great depth and delicious profile.
9. Buchanan’s Special Reserve Blended Scotch Whisky Aged 18 Years
This Scotch blend is a mix of Diageo single malt and single grains at least 18 years old. Those whiskies are aged in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks before they are married into this well-crafted expression.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: There’s a sense of malt next to hints of orange zest, honey, and bright cherry on the nose with a touch of oak and old barrel houses.
Palate: The palate delivers on the cherry as the orange zest becomes candied and a nutty edge arrives, ushering in a subtle and almost sweet smoke.
Finish: The smoke dries a bit as a note of pine arrives late, supported by the orange, cherry, and honey with a touch of warm spice.
Bottom Line:
This is a nicely subtle smoky whisky. It has touches of old bourbon underneath a smoked maltiness with a good orange creaminess throughline. Pour this over some rocks or into your favorite cocktail and you’ll be all set.
8. Chivas Regal Blended Scotch Whisky Aged 18 Years
Chivas 18 is the brand’s signature higher-end blend. The juice is built around a specially made Strathisla 18 single malt. That whisky is supported by 20 other single malts from around Scotland with various casking processes.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: This smells like classic “Scotch” from the first sniff thanks to layers of creamy dark chocolate, dried tart berries, buttery toffee, and a sense of marzipan just kissed with rose water and orange oils.
Palate: The palate has a mild old leatheriness that leads to dried roses, salted dark chocolate bars, and smoked cranberry next to a whisper of raspberry vanilla cake.
Finish: The end has a hint of dry and almost woody florals and winter spices next to smoked berries and dry cedar bark.
Bottom Line:
Chivas was made for “on the rocks” sipping and this is the mountaintop of that brand. You know what to do.
7. Bunnahabhain Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky Toiteach A Dhà
This smoky Islay peated malt, called “Toiteach A Dhà,” means “smoky two.” The whisky is a peated malt that’s matured in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks and then vatted with an eye cast towards the sea and all that sherry wood.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: There’s a clear sense of sweet and stewed plums with a focus on cinnamon sticks and an almost spicy smokiness on the nose.
Palate: The palate shifts towards a savory fruit (think pumpkin) with flourishes of dark chocolate next to meaty dates and lightly salted sardines.
Finish: The end leans back into the spicy and very briny smokiness as the malts ebb and flow between sweet and dry with a plummy texture.
Bottom Line:
This is a softly peated whisky that slowly builds on your senses with deeply smoked fruit and chocolate before veering into deep funkiness. It all works and serves as a great palate expander without going too deep on any peated note.
6. Lagavulin Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky Offerman Charred Oak Cask Aged 11 Years
This new release is the third collaboration between Lagavulin and Nick Offerman. This time around, the team at Lagavulin took 11-year-old malt and finished it in heavily charred casks that used to hold bourbon and red wine. Those barrels were then batched and built around flavor notes that pair perfectly with a steak dinner.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose opens with a rich peatiness that’s tied to pecan chocolate clusters and dried cranberries with a dusting of sea salt, burnt orange zest, and fine nutmeg.
Palate: The palate dips those red tart berries in dark salted chocolate with cinnamon bark and clove buds next to espresso cream and a whisper of malty vanilla wafers with fresh honey in between.
Finish: The end has this enigmatic mix of smoked toffee, salted black licorice, and brandied cherries wrapped in cinnamon-laced tobacco and folded into an old cedar box.
Bottom Line:
This is a very approachable but classic peated Islay malt. There’s a clear peated smokiness that serves as an accent to all the other deep and nuanced flavors of the profile. You might need a rock to get past the peat, but you’ll be rewarded for taking your time to break through.
5. Caol Ila Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky Aged 12 Years
Caol Ila is a tiny Islay distillery that is more familiar to hardcore whisky fans than the casual drinker. This expression is the distillery’s entry-point whisky that highlights the subtle peatiness, gentle aging, and the soft lapping of the sea against the distillery’s outer white walls.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose opens with a matrix of dried roses soaked in water touched by orange oils, almonds, and a trace of classic Listerine buzziness.
Palate: The sip has a savoriness that feels like olive oil speckled with coarse sea salt next to a distant billow of briny smoke, all counterpointed by sweet malts and fruits.
Finish: The finish sweetens the smokiness with a fruity-yet-spicy tobacco edge while the end fades towards an almost salty-sour hint of citrus.
Bottom Line:
This is probably the best “entry-level” whisky there is. Caol Ila 12 is a quintessential Islay malt that will help you fall in love with the island’s distinct style. Just take it slow, use water to ease into it, and then play around and have fun with it.
4. Old Pulteney Single Malt Scotch Whisky Coast Series Pineau Des Charentes Wine Cask Matured
This limited edition expression is all about seaside aging. The whiskey is left in old American oak casks for years, right next to the sea. Those casks are vatted and re-barreled into hand-made ex-Pineau des Charentes casks from France. Once those barrels are just right, they’re vatted, proofed, and bottled.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: There’s a classic malted honey vibe on the nose that’s accented by a whisper of bourbon vanilla before apricot jam over buttery scones leads to rum raisin, white pepper, and smoldering winter spice barks.
Palate: Candied almonds and pecan pie lead to Nutella spread over malted honey cakes that turn toward rain on a rocky beach with a whisp of smoked nori floating on the air.
Finish: The Nutella leans into espresso beans as the spices get soft and powdery on the end with a sense of sea salt-flaked dark chocolate-covered orange closing things out.
Bottom Line:
This is kind of like a subtle malted bourbon that’s been gently kissed by a mermaid. It’s so subtle with its savoriness while delivering a truly dark and deeply aged whisky character. It’s kind of delightful. This also makes one hell of an old fashioned.
3. The Glenlivet Nadurra Oloroso Single Malt Scotch Whisky
This version of The Glenlivet is aged for years in first-fill Oloroso sherry oak. Those casks are vatted and rested and then the whisky goes into the bottle at cask strength.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Mince meat pies, sticky toffee pudding, and dark caramel drive the nose toward apricot jam and marmalade next to buttery scones cut with cinnamon and a whisper of real black licorice.
Palate: The palate is luscious with a sense of creamed honey leading to whipped butter, dark and sharp marmalade, and a thick layer of salted dark chocolate cut with lavender and cinnamon.
Finish: That cinnamon takes on sharpness with anise and allspice on the finish next to soft creamy vanilla, chocolate, and orange cream as warmth builds toward buzzing on the back of your senses.
Bottom Line:
This hides its high ABVs so well. You don’t get that “burn” until the very end and even then it’s well hidden behind creamy spice and orange. Pour this one neat and let it wash over you, and then make an amazing Manhattan with it.
2. Ardbeg BizarreBQ Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
This new release from Ardbeg is their first-ever barbecue-inspired release. Ardbeg’s Master Distiller Dr. Bill Lumsden teamed up with DJ BBQ (Christain Stevenson) to build a three-cask whisky. The casks, in this case, were double charred oak, Pedro Ximénez sherry, and “BBQ” casks. The blend was then vatted and bottled as-is at cask strength.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: There’s a creamy essence to the nose kind of like the fat on a smoked brisket that leads to an espresso and winter spice rub deep in a charred fattiness with marmalade hints and whispers of smudging sage and singed provencal herbs with this light sense of smoldering hickory ash underneath.
Palate: The taste is creamy as well with a sense of fatty pulled pork smothered in a chili-spiked gingery bbq sauce with creamy honey and plenty of winter spice layered with grilled steak fat flaked with salt and dusted with white pepper as a fainter twinge of black licorice and that smoldering hickory draw a line from the nose to the back of the palate.
Finish: The end leaves you with fatty smoked meats, soft spices tied to burnt orange, and a sense of chili creamed with espresso pudding next to the ashes from a 24-hour smoker smoke session.
Bottom Line:
Spring is on its way and BBQ season with it. This is going to be your go-to for backyard smoking in 2024. The profile is perfectly dialed for slabs of smoked ribs, brisket, salmon, and pork butt.
1. Highland Park Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky
This yearly drop is part of a new line from the Orkney Island’s distillery. The whisky is a blend of single malts that are aged exclusively in old American oak that previously held sherry. The barrels are married and bottled as is, to assure you’re getting all the nuance and flavor of their malts meeting that oak.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: There’s a light sense of wildflowers on the nose with a rich vanilla husk that leads towards a touch of peat.
Palate: The taste is surprisingly silken (for a cask strength) with rich and buttery toffee next to honeysuckle, eggnog spices and creaminess, and a small dose of orange zest as a counterpoint.
Finish: The end holds onto the creaminess and spices as the peat just edges in with a whisper of resinous pine smoke.
Bottom Line:
This is probably the best whisky to get for fans of bold and strong bourbons to get them into Scotch. This is just really good whisky, folks. If you like a bold bourbon, you’ll likely love this too.
On Tuesday House Republicans’ already narrow hold on the chamber was shrunk by one. A special election to replace the seat that once belonged to booted serial fabulist George Santos didn’t go to Republican candidate Mazi Pilips. It went to Democrat Tom Suozzi, who’d already held the same gig from 2017 through 2023. Whoops! Should the blame fall on Santos, who ran a creatively dishonest campaign that ultimately led to his ouster? Santos didn’t think so. He blamed his former colleagues for booting him in the first place.
Per Semafor, after the seat was flipped blue, Santos sent out a profanity-laden message to his old New York delegation group chat.
“I hope you guys are happy with this dismal performance and your 10 million for futile Bull S*it cost the party,” Santos steamed. “I look very forward to most of you losing due to your absolute hate filled campaign to remove me from Congress arbitrarily. Now go tell the Republicans Base what you f*cking idiots did and good luck raising money next quarter.”
According to screengrabs of the group chat provided by Santos, it appears only one member replied: Andrew Garbino, who wrote, “Sorry, new phone, who dis?”
After Suozzi trounced Pilips, Santos took a succinct victory lap on Twitter/X, writing simply “-1.”
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