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If you’re looking for well-made, special, and tasty bourbon, you don’t need to look too far beyond the $50-$60 price point. I’m not exaggerating or being glib. Bourbon really starts getting special just as you reach sixty bucks a bottle.

There are special barrel finishes, allocated masterpieces, single barrel spectaculars, crafty gems, and some of the biggest names in the game at their best. It’s a definite sweet spot.

To that end, I’m calling out 20 bottles of bourbon that you 100% should buy, try, and add to your rotation. Yes, 20. The best part is that we’re at the beginning of the year and some seriously hard-to-find bottles are hitting shelves right now (I’ll get to that below,scroll to the top five).

These bottles are ranked, as the title promises. While all of them are fire, some are just deeper, tastier, and more iconic. That also means that some of these might be harder to find depending on where you live in the U.S. For context, the prices below are linked to Total Wine in Louisville, Kentucky.

Let’s dive in!

• The 100 Best Bourbon Whiskeys Of 2023, Ranked
• The ‘Smoothest’ Bourbons Under $100, Blind Tasted And Ranked
• The Best Bourbons Under $100 For Thanksgiving Dinner, Ranked
• The Absolute Best Bottle Of Whiskey From Each Of The 50 States
• The Best Mainstream Bourbons Under $40, Blind Tasted And Ranked

20. Fern Creek Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

ABV: 50%

Average Price: $50

The Whiskey:

This new(ish) KY bottler is sourcing some serious Kentucky bourbon barrels. This small batch is made from a mash of 78% corn, 10% rye, and 12% malted barley. That whiskey is left to age for five years and 10 months before batching, proofing, and bottling.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Buttery berry crumble with a scoop of vanilla ice cream dominates the nose with a hint of cinnamon toast and freshly cracked black pepper.

Palate: That creamy vanilla dries the palate toward spiced oak with cinnamon bark, clove, and allspice next to woody berries and a hint of tobacco warmth.

Finish: That spiced oak drives the finish with a hint of blackberry and vanilla tobacco packed into an old cedar box.

Bottom Line:

This is a great bottle to grab for mixing up some serious fruity-forward bourbon cocktails. It also works as a nice summer sipper over some ice thanks to the light berry profile with a deep classic bourbon foundation.

19. Rieger’s Straight Bourbon Whiskey Bottled In Bond

ABV: 50%

Average Price: $59

The Whiskey:

This small craft whiskey from Kansas City, Missouri is made with a mash of 56% corn, 30% rye, and 14% malted barley. The whiskey was left to age for six years before batching, proofing, and bottling.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: The nose is old and leathery with a good layer of salted caramel over pecan waffles with buttercream and cinnamon syrup next to a hint of black peppercorn and woody orchards.

Palate: Maple syrup attaches to the pecan waffles with a sense of Christmas nut cake, dried cranberry, and vanilla cream with a touch of winter spice barks and burnt orange.

Finish: The end has a classic warmth derived from spiced wood notes next to a hint of winter cake tobacco with plenty of dark and spicy syrup and buttery caramel.

Bottom Line:

Reiger’s is helping put Missouri on the map for great bourbon (more on that below too). This is just good bourbon, folks. I tend to lean more toward classic whiskey cocktails with this one, but you can sip in over ice without hesitation.

18. Barrell Foundation Bourbon Aged 5 Years A Blend of Straight Bourbon Whiskeys

ABV: 50%

Average Price: $54

The Whiskey:

Barrell Craft Spirits have cornered the market on cask-strength single barrels and batched blends of bourbon, rye, and American whiskey. Now, they’re finally releasing a non-cask-strength bourbon for the masses. This whiskey is a batch of bourbons from Kentucky, Indiana, Tennessee, and Maryland that is proofed down to 100-proof.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Candied cherries and cranberry sauce drive the nose toward hints of dark chocolate, brown butter, and cardamon cake.

Palate: Pecan waffles dripping with brown butter and maple syrup lead on the palate with a sense of rye fennel and anise notes next to lemon poppyseed cake, a note of cinnamon cookie, and maybe a touch of eggnog-spiked lattes.

Finish: That creaminess leads back to the rich vanilla and woody spice barks with a sense of toffee rolled in roasted almond and dipped in salted dark chocolate before a rich pipe tobacco rolled with old saddle leather arrives.

Bottom Line:

Barrell Craft Spirits has finally made a blend for the masses and it’s a homerun. Overall, you’ll want to focus on refined whiskey cocktails with big rye vibes — so Manhattans, Sazeracs, boulevardiers, etc.

17. Heaven’s Door Revival Tennessee Straight Bourbon Whiskey

ABV: 46%

Average Price: $54

The Whiskey:

This new re-design of Heaven’s Door Tennessee Bourbon is a minimum of six years old. Those barrels are left in single-story rickhouses in Tennessee where cool air dominates and you never get the extremely high temps of crow’s nests on high floors. Once just right, the barrels are batched, the whiskey is proofed, and the bourbon is bottled.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Rich vanilla and caramel lead the nose toward crafty sweet grain porridge, old firewood, and a mild sense of chocolate malt milkshakes just kissed with winter spice.

Palate: That winter spice amps up through the palate with a sweet sense of eggnog and cinnamon toast with a hint of toffee and earthiness tied back to the old firewood on the nose.

Finish: That woodiness drives the warm finish with plenty of spice accented by creamy cinnamon honey.

Bottom Line:

Heaven’s Door really came into its own in 2023. Their core line was re-envisioned and the juice in the bottles is that little bit better to make it a must-try. This whiskey is best used for classic whiskey-forward cocktails or easy everyday sipping over some rocks.

16. Conecuh Ridge Straight Bourbon Whiskey

ABV: 50.3%

Average Price: $55

The Whiskey:

This new whiskey is a highlight for Alabama’s Clyde May’s new Conecuh Ridge Distillery in Troy, Alabama. The whiskey in the bottle is sourced from Indiana and is a blend of five-year-old barrels. The blend is meant as an example of the whiskey that’ll be produced at the new Troy distillery.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: There’s a nice dark and almost tart cherry on the nose with a sense of rich toffee rolled in almonds and dipped in chocolate with a whisper of rummy molasses and mulled wine spices.

Palate: The palate is classic in all the right ways with a deep and rich caramel and vanilla creaminess touched by dark cherry, orange zest, almond paste, and mulled winter spices.

Finish: The end is long and creamy with deep caramel, soft cherry tobacco, and a fleeting sense of an old barrel house full of aging oak.

Bottom Line:

This is another whiskey that’s just solid and on point and flat out good. It’s exactly what you want from a classic and deeply hewn bourbon for simple and tasty cocktails.

15. Nelson Bros. Whiskey Reserve Bourbon

ABV: 46.65%

Average Price: $58

The Whiskey:

This release from Nelson’s Green Brier is a big evolution for the brand. This high-rye bourbon is aged for four years before it’s masterfully blended into his expression. It’s then bottled without any fussing or meddling.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: A vanilla wafer with soft nougat greets you on the nose with a hint of burnt orange zest, Christmas cake, candied cherry, and a little bit of apple pie filling.

Palate: The taste has a moment of grilled pineapple that leads to brandy-soaked dark chocolate-covered cherries with a supporting act of zucchini bread, pecan pie, and a whisper of lemon meringue pie — it’s kind of like being in an old-school diner.

Finish: A mild dusting of white pepper ushers in the finish with a smooth green tea cut with menthol tobacco.

Bottom Line:

This is a great high-rye bourbon with a deep finish that takes you well beyond “classic” bourbon notes. I’d tend to use this as a rye replacement in Manhattans but you can easily sip it too.

14. FEW Spirits Alice in Chains “All Secrets Known” Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Tequila Barrels

ABV: 50.5%

Average Price: $53

The Whiskey:

FEW Spirits just dropped their second Alice in Chains collab and it’s a doozy. The whiskey in the bottle is made with FEW’s award-winning bourbon that’s been re-barreled into ex-tequila casks for another six months of maturation. Those barrels were batched and then the whiskey was just kissed with local water before bottling. Finally, a special label was created by creative artist Justin Helton, who worked with the band on the artwork.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: The whiskey draws you in with a classic sense of spiced cherries over vanilla pound cake with plenty of deep and rich oak, caramel, and winter spices with a hint of apple orchards full of falling leaves.

Palate: Those falling leaves and hints of smoldering smudging sage lead back to the dark cherries soaked in brandy and dipped in dark chocolate with a flake of salt before a rich and creamy caramel arrives.

Finish: That caramel binds with lush vanilla on the finish next to moments of apple orchards, cherry pie, and dry bales of straw next to piles of cedar-laced tobacco in leather pouches.

Bottom Line:

This is the perfect bottle to crack open when you’re feeling that early 1990s grunge vibe and need a bold neat pour to enjoy while spinning some era-appropriate vinyl.

13. Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey 1856

ABV: 50%

Average Price: $52

The Whiskey:

This Tennessee whiskey blend was how we were introduced to Uncle Nearest five years ago. The expression remains the core bottle of the line with subtly blended Tennessee whiskey (which is legally bourbon) that’s at least five years old and cut with a touch of water before bottling.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: The nose opens with a medley of winter spices, soft molasses, pecan waffles, and plenty of maple syrup just kissed with salted butter and vanilla extract.

Palate: The spices notch up on the palate with a clear clove, cinnamon, and cardamom vibe next to burnt orange syrup over sourdough cinnamon rolls, a hint of pecan pie, and rum raisin.

Finish: The end thins out toward orange-chocolate tobacco with a hint of musty oak and woody spice barks.

Bottom Line:

This is where Uncle Nearest really finds its feet as a sipper and great cocktail base. Pour this into your favorite whiskey cocktail and enjoy the ride.

12. New England Barrel Company Single Barrel Select 5 Year Bourbon

ABV: 61.9%

Average Price: $59

The Whiskey:

These single barrel selections come from Green River Distilling down in Owensboro, Kentucky. Great barrels are selected by the New England Barrel Company team and bottled 100% as-is.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Soft dried red fruits, old spice barks, and lush vanilla lead on the nose with a sense of wet brown sugar and spiked cider with a fleeting sense of old oak and fall leaves.

Palate: The fruitiness gets leathery on the palate as the vanilla leads to eggnog spice and creaminess with a light sense of minced meat pies, winter spice cakes, and almond paste dipped in pear brandy with a touch of cherry lurking underneath.

Finish: That dark cherry attaches to the tobacco and spice barks on the finish as warmth builds towards a long Kentucky hug.

Bottom Line:

Green River has some amazing single barrels sitting in their warehouses that are just starting to trickle out. This is a great example and should get you pretty excited about what’s to come from the distillery over the next years. Pour it neat or into your favorite bourbon cocktail and you’ll be in for a treat.

11. New Riff Single Barrel Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

ABV: 55.8%

Average Price: $51

The Whiskey:

These releases from New Riff will vary from location to location as they’re largely reserved for retailers. The whiskey in the bottle is New Riff’s standard bourbon mash of 65% corn, 30% rye, and 5% malted barley. The spirit is aged for at least four years before they’re bottled individually without cutting or filtration.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: The nose on these tends to be soft, kind of like freshly baked rye bread, with notes of eggnog spices, slick vanilla flan, thin caramel sauce, and hints of spicy orange zest.

Palate: The palate amps everything up as the orange peel becomes candied and attaches to a moist holiday cake, dried cranberry and cherry, more dark spice, a touch of nuttiness, and plenty of that vanilla.

Finish: The end takes its time as the whole thing comes together like a rich and boozy fruit cake as little notes of leather and tobacco spice keep things interesting on the slow fade.

Bottom Line:

New Riff Single Barrel Bourbon is one of the best hidden gems of the Kentucky bourbon scene. If you can find it, grab a case and make it your house pour for the rest of the year.

10. Larceny Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Barrel Proof A124

ABV: 62.1%

Average Price: $55

The Whiskey:

The first Larceny Barrel Proof release of 2024 is a classic. The whiskey in the bottle is a blend of six- to eight-year-old bourbons from the wheated bourbon barrels at Heaven Hill. Those barrels were batched and then went into the bottle 100% as-is.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: This feels warm on the nose with a sense of cinnamon toast, pecan waffles covered in maple syrup, and buttery vanilla paste with a hint of prune and maybe some dates swimming in mulled wine with a whisper of dark fruity brandy.

Palate: Rummy syrup with a deep sense of Nutella spread over a toasted brioche drives the palate toward fig jam, sticky toffee pudding, and a dark caramel cut with burnt orange and salt flakes on the mid-palate.

Finish: That caramel gets so dark that it turns into cinnamon-laced dark chocolate with a touch of allspice and clove before a dry sense of old oak staves wrapped in tobacco round out the hot and dry end.

Bottom Line:

This just dropped so you should be able to find it for the suggested retail price. It’s also a classic bourbon with a deep sense of dessert and dry barrels houses, which makes it very fun to sip after a big meal.

9. Starlight Distillery Single Barrel Huber’s Rickhouse Select Indiana Straight Bourbon Whiskey

ABV: 57%

Average Price: $59

The Whisky:

These single-barrel releases from Huber Winery’s Starlight Distillery are starting to light up the craft bourbon scene. The Indiana bourbon is real craft from a family tradition going back to the mid-1800s on the same farm (this isn’t MGP). Depending on the barrel, the mash here is a unique one with 58% corn, 27% rye, and 15% malted barley. That whiskey is aged for at least four years before it’s considered ready for single-barrel bottling as-is.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: The nose on this meanders from sheet cake with vanilla frosting toward chili-laced dark chocolate ice cream to old leather gloves with a hint of potting soil, soft cedar planks, and a twinge of an orange creamsicle.

Palate: The taste balances a lemon meringue pie with silky cream soda, red peppercorns, and thick toffee sauce with plenty of brown butter.

Finish: The end has a bit of woody spice next to spiced cherry syrup, a crack of black pepper, and crumb more of that cake from the nose with a counter of those old leather gardening gloves finishing off the taste.

Bottom Line:

This is a great example of craft distilling in 2024. This is great whiskey. Mix it, pour it neat, throw in a rock, whatever floats your boat … this whiskey is going deliver.

8. Baker’s Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Single Barrel Aged 8 Years 1 Month

ABV: 53.5%

Average Price: $56

The Whiskey:

Baker’s is pulled from single barrels in specific warehouses and ricks across the Beam facility in Clermont, Kentucky. The bourbon is always at least seven years old. In this case, it was aged eight years and one month before bottling as-is.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Sourdough rye crusts and star anise with a fleeting hint of caraway counter cellar funk and cherry/vanilla tobacco on the nose.

Palate: The palate lets that vanilla get super lush with a sense of cinnamon bark and allspice berries next to hints of dill and fennel.

Finish: The end has an eggnog softness with a bit of Red Hot and chili-laced tobacco.

Bottom Line:

This is where the team at Beam really gets to have fun with unique flavors. This is a great neat pour that goes in so many directions while making total sense at the end. Try it neat, add water, and let it guide you on a flavor trip through Kentucky bourbon that few other whiskeys can.

7. Knob Creek Single Barrel Select Bourbon Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Aged 9 Years

ABV: 60%

Average Price: $56

The Whiskey:

This single-barrel bourbon is from Beam’s private barrel pick program for retailers and at the distillery. That means your local retailer goes out to Clermont, Kentucky, and picks a single barrel for their store only. That then means these will vary from store to store ever so slightly but still carry that classic Knob Creek vibe.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: This is bold on the nose too with plenty of lush vanilla next to salted caramel, a touch of barrel char, brandy-soaked cherries, and a hint of dark chocolate-covered espresso beans with a little date/prune action.

Palate: The palate pops with dark chocolate Almond Joys next to cherry root beer and old oak with a hint of potting soil.

Finish: The end softens toward a mocha espresso with a dash of nutmeg next to dry cedar and cherry tobacco wrapped around a box of Red Hots.

Bottom Line:

This is another Beam product that slaps. Overall, if you’re looking for quintessential Kentucky bourbon with a big bear hug on the finish, this is it.

6. Green River Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Full Proof

ABV: 59.5%

Average Price: $59

The Whiskey:

The latest addition to the core Green River lineup is a doozy. The Kentucky whiskey is a rye-forward single-barrel bourbon. The mash bill is 70% Kentucky-grown corn with 21% rye and 9% malted barley. That whiskey rests for at least five years before water is added to bring the proof back down to entry proof, hence “full proof”. The whiskey is then bottled directly from the barrel as-is.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Cream soda and honeycomb greet you on the nose with a light sense of spiced holiday cakes, vanilla sheet cake, soft-dried chili, and old woody spice.

Palate: The honey and vanilla bond on the palate to create a luscious mouthfeel that leads to balanced notes of sharp dried chili spice, soft worn leather, pipe tobacco, and rich walnut bread with plenty of butter, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.

Finish: The end leans toward the leather and tobacco with a chili-choco vibe that’s accented by soft walnut and even softer vanilla.

Bottom Line:

This is the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the greatness we’re about to see coming out Green River in the next years. You should be very excited. Gradioisity aside, this is a wonderfully deep sipper that delivers a sharp profile that’s still approachable and very sippable without blowing out your palate with too high ABVs.

5. Holladay Soft Red Wheat Bottled-In-Bond Missouri Straight Bourbon Whiskey

ABV: 50%

Average Price: $58

The Whiskey:

This new kid on the block (relatively) from Missouri is making big waves thanks to incredible juice. The whiskey in this bottle is made from a 73/15/12 mash bill of corn/red wheat/malted barley that’s grown and processed in Missouri. The whiskey is made at the Holladay Distiller in Weston, Missouri where it’s filled in Missouri white oak barrels and left to age for six years.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Rich and buttery toffee leads to floral honey, moist vanilla sheet cake, and a hint of woody winter spices with a nice layer of brandy-soaked raisins and plums on the nose.

Palate: There’s a deep berry crumble on the palate with a big dollop of rich vanilla buttercream next to cinnamon sticks and spice barks over a hint of marshmallow, strawberry shortcake, and old oak staves.

Finish: Those oak staves get dipped in salted dark chocolate with a hint more of that rich vanilla buttercream next to spiced tobacco rolled with spicy winter cakes stuffed with plum jam and mulled wine.

Bottom Line:

This whiskey has grabbed the attention of the American whiskey nation and it’s not letting go. It’s great whiskey that feels “of a place.” It’s also a great sipper that makes a hell of a cocktail.

4. E. H. Taylor, Jr. Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Bottled In Bond

ABV: 50%

Average Price: $54

The Whiskey:

Buffalo Trace’s Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Small Batch is an entry point to the other 12 expressions released under the E.H. Taylor, Jr. label. The whiskey is made from Buffalo Trace’s iconic Mash Bill No. 1 (which is a low rye recipe). The final whiskey in the bottle is a blend of barrels that meet the exact right flavor profiles Buffalo Trace’s blenders are looking for in a classic bottled-in-bond bourbon for Taylor.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: The nose opens with a sense of soft corn mush with a hint of fresh green chili, Saigon cinnamon (a little sweet), orchard tree bark, and the black mildew that grows on all the whiskey warehouses in Kentucky.

Palate: The palate leans into buttery toffee with a twinge of black licorice next to cinnamon-spiced dark chocolate tobacco and a hint of huckleberry pie with vanilla ice cream.

Finish: The end has a salted caramel sweetness that leads back to a hint of sweet cinnamon and dark tobacco with a light sense of the fermentation room with a hint of sweet gruel.

Bottom Line:

Normally, I’d list this whiskey at its secondary price. But this is on shelves right now at this price. I got two bottles last week for $52 each. If you can, hit your local high-end liquor store now and you might get lucky too. This is great small-batch bourbon. It sips perfectly. It makes a mean cocktail. And you’ll impress your whiskey friends when you pull this off the shelf (especially if you paid $50 for it).

3. Chattanooga Whiskey Bottled in Bond: Fall 2019 Vintage Straight Bourbon Whiskey

ABV: 50%

Average Price: $52

The Whiskey:

The latest Chattanooga BIB is made from whiskey barreled back in the fall of 2019. After four years, 10 to 12 barrels were batched and proofed to create this release.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Milk chocolate lattes mingle with sharp root beer, almond oils, and deep cinnamon pudding with a hint of pumpkin pie by way of a buttery pie crust and a dollop of vanilla-laced whipped cream.

Palate: That root beer gets sweet on the palate as cinnamon spice cakes cut with almond oils and orange zest drive the taste toward sweet potatoes soaked in brandy-laced molasse.

Finish: The chocolate circles back on the finish with a sense of Amaretto cut with orange oils and a whisper of buttermilk laced with nutmeg before a rich pipe tobacco in an old leather pouch finishes things off.

Bottom Line:

This is another hidden gem that should be on your shelf right now. This is f*cking delicious whiskey. Period.

2. Weller The Original Wheated Bourbon Antique 107 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

ABV: 53.5%

Average Price: $55

The Whiskey:

This is a non-age-statement bourbon that’s called “Old Weller Antique” (OWA) by those who love the old-school vibes of the expression’s previous iteration. The ripple with this expression is the higher proof. The barrels are vatted and barely proofed down to 107-proof before bottling (the entry proof is 114).

Tasting Notes:

Nose: The nose opens with a lovely sense of vanilla pods and orange blossom with a hint of old saddle leather and cedar bark next to wild sage, cinnamon and caramel apple fritters, and salted black licorice with a bundle of holiday spices and barks tied up with burnt orange and pine.

Palate: The palate is lush with a cream soda float with malted vanilla ice cream cut with cherries, dark chocolate chips, and espresso flakes next to cinnamon cherry bark tobacco on the mid-palate.

Finish: The end dives toward a thick braid of cedar bark, sage, and blackberry tobacco with a thin line of sweetgrass and vanilla pods woven in there.

Bottom Line:

Again, this would usually fall under a higher price point but you can get this right now at MSRP at the lqiuor store. Get as many as you can as it’ll likely be another year before you see it again.

Not for nothing, this is the best cocktail borubon on the list by a country mile.

1. Four Roses Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

ABV: 50%

Average Price: $57

The Whiskey:

This Single Barrel from Four Roses is a slightly proofed version of their famed OBSV recipe (read about what that means here). That’s a bourbon recipe with delicate fruit yeast and a high-rye mash bill. A single barrel of that was picked from the north side of Warehouse P (a beloved position for Four Roses’ single barrel fans — yes, barrel position and warehouses make a big difference).

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Woody maple syrup and cinnamon sticks lead to a hint of pear candy with a vanilla underbelly on the nose.

Palate: The palate lets the pear shine as the spices lean into woody barks and tart berries next to leathery dates and plums with a butteriness tying everything together.

Finish: A spicy tobacco chewiness leads the mid-palate toward a soft fruitiness and a hint of plum pudding at the end with a slight nuttiness and green herbal vibe.

Bottom Line:

Bourbon or not, this is a great whiskey. An all-time great. It’s succinct and carries a deep bourbon vibe that then goes so much further. When you see these on the shelf, it should be an automatic grab.

Last week the frontunner for the GOP’s presidential ticket was ordered by a jury to pay $83.3 million to a woman he’s said to have sexually assaulted. The former president, who acted like a petulant child throughout the trial, has sworn to appeal the decision. But when/if writer E. Jean Carroll, who’s sued him for defamation twice so far, gets that fortune, she wants to spend it in ways that make him even angrier than he is already.

“I’d like to give the money to something Donald Trump hates,” Carroll said on Good Morning America, per Raw Story. “If it will cause him pain for something, to give money to certain things. Perhaps a fund for the women who have been sexually assaulted by Donald Trump.”

There sure are a lot of women who have alleged that Trump assaulted or sexually harassed them. Not that his dedicated fanbase cares. Again, this guy, who racked up four indictments last year totaling 91 criminal charges, is killing it in the polls, at least among GOP voters.

Elsewhere during Carroll’s GMA appearance, she talked about what it was like to see Trump, who she claims raped her in a department store dressing room in the ‘90s, in court.

“He was like nothing, like an emperor without clothes,” Carroll said. “All my terror leading up to it, and there he is. He’s just something in a suit.” Seeing him without his usual posse, just standing there in court he was, she said he had “no power. He was zero.”

On Monday, The View found creative way to weigh in on the enormous sum Trump owes Carroll, walking onstage to the theme from his old TV show, The Apprentice.

(Via Raw Story)

When thinking of California wine country, the area that comes to mind first is undoubtedly Napa. Or Sonoma. Both. It’s a tie.

Everyone else is a few miles down the list, in terms of notoriety. And while I fully agree that those legendary wine regions are well worth the bucket list trip, I was surprised to find that just around an hour and a half East of Napa lies America’s largest wine-growing region – producing more wine than Napa and Sonoma combined.

Kinda wild, right?

Lodi, the unassuming wine region south of Sacramento, with its 100,000 acres of wine grapes, boasts over 85 wineries, and the country’s highest concentration of old vines. Known for its zinfandels, there are over 125 grape varieties grown in the region, with enough gorgeous wineries, approachable tastings, and excellent food options to make it the ideal spot for a more low-key California wine getaway.

Here are my recommendations on where to sip, eat, sleep, and explore when you visit:

PART I — WHERE TO SIP

With over 85 wineries in a town of just 67,000 people, you have options. Like, a lot of options. Here are the ones I recommend for a first-time visitor:

ACQUIESCE WINERY

Although Lodi is known for its zinfandels, I was excited to try some white varietals. Acquiesce, a winery specializing in white Rhône grape wines, was the perfect stop. The family-owned and operated boutique winery is eclectic and friendly, offering expertly paired tastings with delicious small bites. I spent time with the owner/founding winemaker Susan Tipton and current winemaker Christina Lopez, who happily answered my many questions.

I recommend the Elevated Tasting Experience and can’t wait to return for a Harvest Educational Vineyard Tour.

Tasting Info: Elevated Tasting Experience is $20 per person and includes four wines, each paired with a bite. Reservations can be made here.

HARNEY LANE VINEYARDS

Harney Lane Vineyards is a fifth-generation family-owned and operated vineyard the family has farmed since 1907. Under the Lodi Rules sustainable viticulture program, the Certified Green vineyard has been developing estate wines from their vineyards since 2006. The tasting room and gardens are stunning and the perfect spot for a tasting or a glass (or a bottle, I won’t judge).

I especially enjoyed tasing the Albariño and dry rosé.

Tasting Info: Hosted tastings cost $30 per person and up to $50 for the most elevated tasting.

Reservations can be made here. Walk-in tastings and bottle/glass service are available in the tasting room.

BOKISCH VINEYARDS

Markus and Liz Bokisch fell in love with Spanish wines while living in Spain and traveling across the country in their VW bus after meeting in the 90s. After returning to California, they bought their vineyard and produced Spanish varietals, including Albariño, Tempranillo, and Graciano. Their vineyard has grown through the years to produce nine estate Spanish varieties, including Garnacha Blanca, Verdejo, Garnacha, and Monastrell, and now the Tizona label, which produces Malbec, Petit Verdot, Old Vine Zin, and specialty blends. The vineyard was highly recommended for its wines and incredible views – and I wasn’t disappointed.

The perfect spot to spend an afternoon, the property in Clements Hills – just 15 minutes outside of Lodi – is spectacular, and the wines live up to the atmosphere.

Tasting Info: Tastings of 5 wines start at $20, and walk-ins are welcome. More information here.

OAK FARM VINEYARDS

Oak Farm Vineyards is another family owned and operated estate winery that I highly recommend visiting in Lodi. The 70-acre property is truly stunning, with a modern and warm tasting room with knowledgeable and friendly staff. I visited for a tasting bar experience and learned so much about the estate wines made from 14 different grape varietals. The atmosphere inside and out at Oak Farm is lovely, with charcuterie boards available, glasses and bottles.

I could easily spend an entire afternoon here.

Tasting Info: Tasting bar experiences vary from $20 to $30 and include five wines. Reservations can be made here.

METTLER FAMILY VINEYARDS

The Mettler family has been growing grapes in Lodi for over 100 years, and its evident when tasting the wines at Mettler Family Vineyards. The vineyard is proudly farmed using responsible practices to produce certified organic and sustainable wines. Farming grapes for eight generations, the family is involved in every step of the winemaking, producing many varietals from Estate Grown Old Vine Zinfandels, Cabernet Sauvignon, Albarino, and Roses. I especially loved tasting the Pinotage in the exceptionally friendly and helpful tasting room before heading out to the immaculate and relaxing grounds to enjoy the pond and willow trees.

Tasting Info: The tasting fee is $15, and reservations for the tasting room are required. Make reservations here.

PART II — WHERE TO EAT

TOWNE HOUSE RESTAURANT

The on-site restaurant at Wine & Roses resort came highly recommended. With an extensive wine list, including over 80 wines just from the Lodi Appellation, the fresh, seasonal menu is upscale and delicious. I loved starting my meal with warm honey wheat bread and cranberry butter, followed by risotto with Hubbard squash mascarpone sauce, sherry, and foraged mushrooms.

The ambiance was elegant with a lively crowd of people and daily live music.

PEITRO’S TRATTORIA

A travel truth: when you enter into an unassuming quiet neighborhood restaurant, but still have to circle the block more than a few times to find parking — keep at it because you’ve found something special. From the minute I walked into the crowded Peitro’s Trattoria I knew I had found a new place to add to my running “best meals ever” list. The family-owned and operated Italian restaurant was first opened in Vacaville, California, in 1956 and the Lodi location in 1985. The atmosphere was lively and fun, the decor was authentic without feeling cheesy, the wine list was – like most places in Lodi – exceptional, and the food.

Where do I start? The fresh, housemade bread service is something I’ll be dreaming about for years to come, followed by the best lasagna I’ve ever tasted, accompanied by a local Bokisch Tempranillo.

LODI BEER COMPANY

Despite being known for its wine, Lodi is also home to a not insignificant number of breweries and taprooms. I visited Lodi Beer on my last visit for lunch with a brew, and wasn’t disappointed. The large restaurant and brewery is perfectly located downtown, family-friendly, and offers a large menu alongside its substantial beer list ranging from classics to innovative sips.

I enjoyed the refreshing Raspberry Hefeweizen alongside my Buffalo Chicken Sandwich.

DANCING FOX WINERY & BREWERY

Stop for a meal and a glass of wine or a brew downtown at Dancing Fox Winery & Brewery. The eclectic family owned and operated restaurant offers a large menu along with their wine and beer. I enjoyed a club sandwich with a raspberry sparkling wine, enjoying the ambiance and friendly service before heading out for an afternoon of exploring.

TOWNE CORNER CAFE & MARKET

Stop by Towne Corner Cafe on the grounds of Wine & Roses for your morning coffee and breakfast, or for lunch a some wine later in the day. The always changing seasonal fresh menu items are delicious, and the vibe is clean, lively, and innovative.

PART III — WHERE TO SLEEP

WINE & ROSES

During my recent trip to Lodi, I stayed at the aptly named Wine & Roses, a locally owned hotel. The luxurious property offers 66 hotel rooms and suites, botanic gardens, a restaurant, a spa, several event spaces, and a coffee shop/market. I loved that the resort is in town but somehow feels very separate and serene.

My room was luxe, with a spa bathroom, comfy bed, and a large patio to enjoy a glass of wine or sip of coffee surrounded by beautiful landscaping and chirping birds. I didn’t have a chance this visit to spend any time at the pool or full-service spa – but they are on my list for next time.

PART IV — WHERE TO EXPLORE

DOWNTOWN LODI

If you have time between tastings, head to the walkable downtown area of Lodi for some shopping, gallery hopping, and maybe more wine tasting (there are 13 tasting rooms downtown). The downtown area is quaint and feels almost movie-like, with plenty of stops for an afternoon. I recommend visiting (and tasting) at Cheese Central, walking under the Lodi Mission Arch for a fun photo op, and visiting Jeremy Wine Co. for a tasting.

SIDE TRIPS — 2.5-ISH HOURS FROM LODI

If you’re in Lodi for a couple days and want to explore more of what’s in the area, it is perfectly situated for adventure. Just under two and a half hours from Yosemite in one direction and about the same distance in another to Lake Tahoe, its the perfect relaxing and boozy stopover.

Looking for a little inspiration this afternoon, but don’t actually want to be uplifted?

Well, then get a boost from the solemn Teutonic prose of legendary filmmaker Werner Herzog via the genius Tumblr project Herzog Inspirationals.

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Take comfort and advice from the man for whom getting shot in the gut was NBD as you learn about the humble simplicity of the chicken or the inner life of birds.

This article originally appeared on 09.18.17

Have you heard the one about how Taylor Swift and the Deep State are teaming up to rig the Super Bowl so Joe Biden wins re-election? It’s a real conspiracy theory, touted by arguably the most annoying former GOP presidential candidate. But one thing could actually happen: Swift could inspire legions of Swifties to vote Democrat in November. That might not be enough to trigger a landslide, but it still chills one Fox News contributor to their core.

On Monday Fox News host Martha MacCallum brought on Outkick host Charly Arnolt, who last year got in a tizzy over Disney casting a non-white actress to play Snow White — you know, despite her name. This time Arnolt was, as many on the right weirdly are right now, up in arms over Time’s 2023 Person of the Year, especially since her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, is going to the Super Bowl.

Noting grimly that Swift endorsed Biden in 2020, Arnolt said she’s so worried about her boyfriend going to the Super Bowl that she was rooting for the Baltimore Ravens to beat the Chiefs, “just because we have had enough of Taylor Swift for now.”

Alas, the Ravens lost and Swift’s boyfriend is going to the Super Bowl. But all is not lost. Arnolt noted that there’s an online poll “begging people to become 9ers fans for the next two weeks, just so it doesn’t raise Travis Kelcie aka Mr. Phizer’s star power along with, of course, Taylor Swift.”

Nevermind that it’s probably not possible for Swift to become any more famous than she is already. But that’s what so freezes Arnolt’s blood.

“It is so scary! There’s a recent poll: 1/5th of Taylor Swift fans said they would back whatever candidate she endorsed,” Arnolt warned viewers. She allowed that a good chunk of her fanbase are “15-year-old girls who can’t vote anyways” and that “a lot of the others are liberal women who would support the DNC no matter what.

“But,” Arnolt prophesized, “there’s a lot of other people who need to be careful, because she doesn’t do what she says. For example, the other day, yesterday, she flew private from New York City to Baltimore. Yet she constantly talks about climate change.”

Arnolt asked anyone watching her to “please don’t believe everything Taylor Swift says. We’re all begging you.”

And so continues the right’s bizarre war on someone whose fanbase is not only gargantuan but militant against anyone who dares besmirch her, be they Golden Globes hosts or, possibly, Fox News regulars. Besides, what better way to lock down the youth vote than to the most popular celebrity under 35.

Social media has made it very easy to alter your appearance using filters. They may come in handy when you need to record a video but look a bit under the weather—just turn on a soft glow or a makeup filter, and boom, you’re camera-ready in less than two seconds. But there has been a lot of talk around the use of filters and teen girls’ self-esteem and unrealistic expectations seemingly placed on women.

One woman has taken it upon herself to strip away the filters to prove that, while she is beautiful, her face doesn’t actually look the way it does with the filter on. The most interesting thing about these filters is that they’re so good, you can’t tell they’re filters. Gone are the days of filters that made everyone look like a Glamour Shot from the 90s. These filters move with you and even have pores so no one can tell it isn’t actually your face.

Well, it is your face—kinda.

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Mimi Webb starts off the 20-second clip using the infamous Bold Glamour filter. It’s the filter that has people questioning their perception of their own faces because the contrast is so jarring. But Webb doesn’t stop with one filter. She puts on another and makes sure she emphasizes her use of a ring light. After turning the ring light off and taking all the filters off as the video is ending, the woman removes her makeup, revealing an inflamed, irritated and blemished face.

People flocked to the comments to thank her for exposing the truth behind filters.

“You’re beautiful & this message is SO important thanks for the reminder,” one person wrote.

“You are beautiful. In real life, we all have imperfections. As a mature woman, I appreciate your honesty. Thank you,” another said.

“Thank you so much. You did not know how much this was needed,” a woman commented.

Social media can really do a number on people’s self esteem, especially when they’re comparing themselves to something that’s not real. Messages like the one Webb shared can help pull back the curtain on the reality of social media. Watch her video below.

@missmimiwebb

#greenscreenvideo

This article originally appeared on 6.9.23

When it comes to babysitting, you can hit the jackpot with someone who not only enjoys hanging out with your kiddos but also cleans out of boredom. The only babysitter I’ve had that experience with is my mom, but I do hear they do exist. While walking into a spotless house after a much-needed night out would be amazing, it’s not really part of a standard babysitting package.

Typically, whoever babysits for you is solely there to focus on the well-being of your children. They feed them snacks, play games with them, and follow their bedtime routine to the letter. Then they hang out on your couch reminding Netflix that they’re still watching and wait for you to return. Sure, they clean up dishes from dinner and whatever toys were pulled out during their time with your kids, but they don’t typically clean your house.

But in a private parenting group I belong to, a long debate was started when a mom asked a group of 260k of her closest friends if it would be appropriate for a parent to ask a babysitter to clean their home.

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The anonymous mom explained that her college-aged daughter had recently started babysitting for a family, but on the second day, her duties suddenly changed. There was a list of chores waiting for the babysitter that included cleaning the family’s dishes and cleaning up messes that were there before the sitter arrived.

This revelation set off a firestorm of comments with many agreeing that anything outside of cleaning up after the children while they’re in your care is a separate job. But not everyone was on the same page and it was clear that this was a topic that was going to cause some intense debate. Since summer months are here, there’s no wonder this topic is coming up and views are split.

Scary Mommy recently published an article posing a similar question, only this was coming from a parent who wanted her babysitter to clean while her children slept. Elizabeth Narins explains that she and her husband are stretched thin and have an active toddler she jokingly calls a “toy tornado.”

“Given the amount of housework that clearly needs to be done, paying someone to sit on our toy-covered couch during naps or after bedtime just seems… inefficient,” Narins wrote before posing the question. “Is it completely out of line for me to ask her to declutter when my kids are in bed?”

Whether it’s the expert interviewed for the Scary Mommy article or the parents in the private group, there does seem to be one common theme among the discourse: Any additional chores should be clarified in the original job description, and if it wasn’t, then it should be directly brought up in a conversation with the babysitter.

Many parents in the comments believed that a housekeeper should be hired in addition to the babysitter, while others thought the babysitter should be offered more money for the additional work. But there were several people who thought it was just common courtesy for a babysitter to clean the house while the kids were asleep.

It may seem that you’re paying a babysitter to do nothing while your children sleep, but you’re paying them to be there in the event of an emergency. No matter which side of the debate you’re on, it seems proper communication about expectations will save everyone a headache in the future.

Do you think cleaning should be expected from a babysitter?

This article originally appeared on 6.8.23

The reality era of professional wrestling has consistently blurred the lines between what’s happening in a star’s real life against what’s being presented on television. The natural interest in what goes on behind the scenes has led to WWE pulling the curtain back even further in recent years, giving insight into the thoughts, feelings, and emotions of these larger than life athletes.

WWE’s latest splash mixes reality and wrestling through the lens of superstars Bianca Belair and Montez Ford in Hulu’s “Love & WWE: Bianca and Montez.” The series follows Belair and Ford as they navigate their own respective paths through life, while balancing the love they share with their passion for professional wrestling.

The eight-episode series takes fans from last year’s Royal Rumble through WrestleMania 39, following Belair on her path to defend the Raw Women’s Championship, Ford in his aspirations for singles stardom, and the duo as they discuss life milestones like having a baby.

“For my husband and I, we’re blessed to do what we love with the person we love,” Belair tells Uproxx Sports. “We travel together, we work together, we live together. Why not do this reality show and turn this amazing opportunity and provide something fun and positive, showing what we actually go through, how we balance the life of a worker versus being a husband and a wife, and how it can affect sometimes our marriage and how we move in our life outside the ring.”

Throughout the series, fans watch Belair juggle the internal conflict many families face in not sacrificing her career to have a baby, while not wanting to sacrifice having a baby for her career.

“That’s something a lot of women actually go through, so it was a great opportunity to really open myself up and show that process, show those conversations that I have with my husband and my family,” Belair continues. “Everyone definitely drills in my mind that you’ll never be completely ready, you just have to go for it. It is amazing to see so many women in WWE having kids and having it all, and seeing that they don’t have to pick and choose. (They’re) very honest and raw about how it is challenging, but rewarding at the same time.”

The series also follows Ford as he gets a chance to show his abilities as a singles star while at the same time working alongside tag partner Angelo Dawkins on how to be apart of WrestleMania 39.

“Anytime in the WWE, you get a chance to show what you can do, in a different sense of what the WWE Universe already sees you as, you always try to take full advantage of that,” Ford says.

The series takes a pivot from the typical high stress and high drama that comes with reality television to instead show Belair and Ford as they balance life on the road, while finding time for family and friends.

They do everything together, from Ford agreeing to do a fitness competition with Belair all the way down to their shared appreciation for fashion, something Belair and Ford say began with they first started dating.

“One of the things we were most excited about when we met each other was that we both had the same love for fashion. I know for my husband, he grew up in a church, so he was always in suits. My mom was super into fashion. That was something that was instilled in us as kids,” Belair says. “One of the things that we really connected on when we first met was fashion. We love coordinating together, we love matching. He enjoys it just as much as me and it’s something that we have a passion for. We’ve always connected with fashion. We feel like matching is a love language.”

Ultimately, the change-of-pace reality series offers an opportunity for Ford to put positivity out into the world.

“There’s a lot of things happening in the world right now, and we just want to put out some good feelings, some good positive efforts on our show, and show people there’s a lot of things that we attempt to do, and we aren’t necessarily successful all the time, but we continue to try,” Ford says. “Just providing a sense of escape, showing how we manage our situation, and the base of it all is what everything should be, which is LOVE.”

For Belair, more than just pulling the curtain back for wrestling fans, this was yet another opportunity to show the endless possibilities of what they can accomplish.

“My main goal and my why and my purpose is always about representation,” Belair says. “When you see someone that looks like you doing something that you want to do or doing something that you never thought was possible, when it comes to wrestling, when it comes to the cover of video games, when it comes to highlighting our love on a Hulu show, it’s amazing to know that we’re able to be an inspiration in some type of way. We just want to encourage people to go out there, do it your way, go for your dreams. At this point, we’re just trying to do it our way and hoping that people can relate to that.”

It has been a little over two months since our last Everything To Know post about the ongoing Young Thug racketeering trial, and a lot has happened since then. We’ll cover the basics, but also everything that we weren’t able to update as the trial continued.

What Is Young Thug Charged With In The YSL RICO Trial?

Young Thug was accused of violating Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. The RICO law was intended to curtail organized crime — think the “leave the gun, take the cannoli” guys — but a broad application of the law is being used to prosecute this case. The state argues that Young Stoner Life, Thug’s label, is actually a cover for Young Slime Life, a violent street gang responsible for assault, dealing drugs, and murder in the Atlanta area.

28 members of YSL including Gunna, Yak Gotti, and Unfook, Young Thug’s brother, were indicted, with Thug being accused of being the leader of this gang. Although he was only accused of violating the RICO Act at first, a raid of his home added charges of possession of illegal firearms and possession of drugs with intent to distribute.

Who Are The Prosecutors In The YSL RICO Trial?

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Taifa Willis brought the case, one of several focusing on organized crime including one against Donald Trump.

Who Is Young Thug’s Lawyer In The YSL RICO Trial?

Veteran Georgia defense attorney Brian Steel is working with Young Thug. Steel claims the use of Young Thug’s lyrics as evidence is racist.

Why Are Young Thug’s Lyrics Being Used As Evidence?

The state’s case against Young Thug hinges on proving his membership and leadership of YSL as a gang. Young Thug’s lyrics made frequent mention of YSL, so they would like to use his own words to prove that he is the YSL shot caller — but they also have to prove that YSL is a gang in the sense of committing organized criminal activity.

Which Young Thug Lyrics Are Being Used As Evidence In The Case?

The lyrics in question come from a variety of songs, including “Just How It Is”:

“I just beat a murder rap, paid my lawyer 30 for that”

2014’s “Eww”:

“Honestly truth be told YSL won’t fold / Pick his ass off from the balcony/ YSL wipe a n**** nose”

“Bad Boy” with Juice WRLD:

“I shot at his mommy, now he no longer mention me”

“Take It To Trial” with Gunna:

“I rep my life for real/For slimes you know I kill”

What Are The Updates In Young Thug’s YSL RICO Trial?

Since the start of the trial, it’s been delayed a number of times. In December, the trial was paused after a co-defendant, Shannon Stilwell, was stabbed in jail.

As the trial continued in January, Young Thug’s verse from “Lifestyle” was played in court, a TikTok of LeBron James was presented as evidence, and the prosecution has asked to ban cameras during witness testimony.

Meanwhile, video from a jail call between Thug and his girlfriend Mariah The Scientist was leaked online, prompting Drake to call out the authorities for failing to take the case seriously.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Sofia Vergara stars in Netflix’s Griselda as Griselda Blanco, a kingpin who earned the nickname the “Cocaine Godmother” during her reign in the 70s and 80s. The series portrays Blanco’s rise to power in Miami’s criminal underworld, while also struggling to protect herself and her family from her various powerful enemies.

Blanco was extremely powerful thanks to the massive wealth she acquired over the years. In 2012, it was reported that Blanco amassed a cool $2 billion while she was working as a kingpin. It was estimated that her business brought 1.5 tons of cocaine to the U.S. every month. She was killed in 2012, though her killers were never identified.

Her story is told in Griselda, which is from the same folks who brought us Narcos. Here is the official synopsis:

La Jefa is coming. Sofia Vergara transforms in this series, inspired by Griselda Blanco, a woman who rose from obscurity to become ‘the Godmother’ of the underworld. Witness her lethal blend of charm and ruthlessness in this captivating series.

Blanco’s family does not approve of the Netflix series, but Vergara explains that she tried to show that Griseldea was a “complex” person beyond her drug lord tendencies. “I really wanted to explore that from the point of view of, you know, of her being one of the only women in history to have gone as far as she did,” she explained.

Griselda is now streaming on Netflix.