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2023 saw the release of some genuinely fantastic bottles of American whiskey that fell in between the classic styles of bourbon, rye, and American single malt. As a result, American whiskey was one of the most exciting corners of the U.S. whiskey industry in 2023. The beauty of the American whiskey movement is the space allowed distillers and blenders to experiment and play with whiskey as a whole.

It’s exciting! Making it sort of the perfect time to rank the best American whiskeys of 2023.

For this list, I’ve compiled 30 great American whiskeys of 2023 that helped define American whiskey as a category. These whiskeys are often blends of straight bourbon and ryes, wheat whiskeys, malt and bourbon blends, and unique mash bills (recipes). While all of these American whiskeys are high in quality, I did rank them and since this category is so broad, there aren’t as many throughlines as with straight bourbon or American single malt.

The depth and breadth of the flavor profiles are what sets these whiskeys apart from each other. Because truly there is a lot of variation at play. But that just means that there are more options for you to find and enjoy throughout the next year!

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• The 100 Best Bourbons Of 2023 (So Far), Ranked
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• The Best Mainstream Bourbons Under $40, Blind Tasted And Ranked

30. Four Walls The Better Brown Made with a Blend of Irish Whiskeys and American Rye Whiskeys

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $29

The Whiskey:

The team from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (Charlie Day, Glenn Howerton, and Rob McElhenny) have released their first permanent mainstream whiskey. This new release is an Irish American whiskey made with American rye and Irish whiskey (a blend of malt and grain whiskeys). The whiskey is batched in the U.S. and proofed down to a very dive-bar-friendly 80-proof.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Hints of dried chilis, old leather, vanilla-laced honey, apple tarts, and caramel candy mingle on the nose.

Palate: The Irishness arrives in spades on the palate with bright apple orchard vibes next to flora honey, a hint of yellow straw, light nutshells, and a moment of sultanas just kissed with caramel.

Finish: The apple swings back around on the finish with a sense of fresh apple cider just kissed with cinnamon and caramel before fading toward leathery malt.

Bottom Line:

This whiskey is built to be a dive bar sipper and highball mixer. It nails that vibe perfectly with a nice and easygoing drinkability.

29. American Hell House Legend American Whiskey Finished With Oak Staves

ABV: 45%

Average Price: $49

The Whiskey:

This new whiskey from Lynyrd Skynyrd celebrates the cabin, Hell House, where the original band came together. The whiskey in the bottles is made and bottled by Bespoke Spirits out in California based on the current band’s multiple tastings and tinkering.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Rich caramel, boot leather, and allspice drive the nose toward soft raspberry ice cream and a sense of sweet honeydew and maybe even some caramelized watermelon.

Palate: More caramelized fruit leads to woody winter spices, a light sense of dried lavender, rosewater, and almost rich cotton candy just kissed with apple or pear.

Finish: The end is light but does lean into the sweetness of the cotton candy and the dryness of the florals with a slight oakiness and minerality.

Bottom Line:

This is far better than it has the right to be as a celeb-labeled sourced bottle. It’s soft and deep and will make for a good on the rocks sipper while you spin your Skynyrd vinyl.

28. Breckenridge Whiskey Finished in PX Naranja Cask

ABV: 48%

Average Price: $125

The Whiskey:

This is a batch of Breckenridge’s four to six-year-old whiskeys. Once batched, the whiskey is re-barreled into 20-year-old PX sherry casks that were used to macerate Seville oranges for eight months. The whiskey spends about three months finishing in those casks before batching, proofing, and bottling.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Candied peach and apricot lead to bitter chinotto orange with a deep sense of rum raisin and winter spice over lush vanilla.

Palate: That rum raisin really pops on the palate with a rich marmalade over cinnamon toast, fig pudding, and a touch of old spice barks and smudging sage.

Finish: The end leans hard into the chinotto with plenty of marmalade sweetness, winter spice, and cedar cigar humidors.

Bottom Line:

This is a great candidate for old fashioneds thanks to that orange vibe. It’s also bright enough to be a good icy summer sipper.

27. Bardstown Bourbon Company Collaborative Series Amaro Nonino A Blend of Straight Bourbon & Rye Whiskey Finished in Amara Nonino Barrels

ABV: 55.5%

Average Price: $160

The Whiskey:

This brand-new release from Bardstown Bourbon Company combines Kentucky and Indiana with Italian amaro. The whiskey is a blend of 12-year-old Kentucky bourbon with two Indiana rye whiskeys. Once batched, that whiskey was re-filled in Amaro Nonino Quintessentia Riserva barrels for a long 17-month rest before batching, a touch of proofing, and bottling.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: The nose on this is like a walk through a candy store with rich caramel chews mingling with vanilla cakes, chocolate chews, brandied cherries covered in dark chocolate before dark stewed apples and pears cut with bright orange zest arrive with a whisper of … pumpkin pie.

Palate: Roasting herbs pop on the palate with hints of absinth and caraway-encrusted rye bread before pancake syrup leads back to caramel and honey sweetness with a hint of vanilla pound cake.

Finish: The end circles back around to the botanicals and herbs with a deep sense of oily rosemary thyme next to star anise, allspice, and clove over this whisper of dried lavender and chamomile.

Bottom Line:

This is probably the most “acquired taste” whiskey on the list. That said, this will work wonders in a Sazerac or boulevardier thanks to that deep and botanical amaro vibe.

26. Keeper’s Heart Whiskey Irish + American Single Barrel Finished in Maple Syrup Barrels

ABV: 55%

Average Price: $59

The Whiskey:

This new release from Keeper’s Heart up in Minnesota blends Irish whiskey with American Rye. Once batched, that whiskey was re-barreled into a maple syrup barrel for another rest. Once that barrel hit the right notes, it was bottled as-is with a hint of proofing water.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Rich vanilla custard with a hint of cotton candy drives the nose toward pecan waffles with salted butter and real maple syrup next to hints of apple fritters, nutty fruit cake, and a touch of leathery tobacco.

Palate: The taste opens with creme brûlée swimming in more maple syrup as deep and rich vanilla tobacco leads to softer notes of almond, malted chocolate, and a hint of winter spice mixes.

Finish: The vanilla creaminess and spices meld on the finish with a touch of spiced warm apple cider, soft almond, and mincemeat pies all grounded by rich and real maple syrup sweetness that nearly takes on a rock candy vibe.

Bottom Line:

This is dessert in a glass. Pour one over a big rock or into your favorite cocktail after a big holiday meal.

25. Wyoming Whiskey Outryder American Straight Whiskey

ABV: 50%

Average Price: $81

The Whiskey:

This whiskey from Wymonig is a blend of an “almost” straight rye whiskey with a Wyoming Whiskey’s high-rye bourbon. That whiskey is just touched with local water before bottling.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Rich sourdough rye bread with a hint of caraway and dill leads to beeswax and orange rinds with a whisper of Black Forest cake on the nose.

Palate: The chocolate from that cake drives the palate as a whisper of taco seasoning leads to brown butter and this fleeting sense of orange creamsicle.

Finish: Pecan waffles, butter, and maple syrup drive the finish toward more dark spice and a touch of apple fritter with that creamy orange lurking beneath it all.

Bottom Line:

This is one of the best releases from Wyoming Whiskey. The orange creamsicle vibe is very reminiscent of youthful summers with a nice rye kick, making this one perfect for whiskey-forward cocktails all summer long.

24. Chicken Cock Double Oak Kentucky Whiskey

ABV: 46%

Average Price: $99

The Whiskey:

This new release from Chicken Cock (yes, yes, get your laughs out) is a new mix. The blend in the bottle is a mix of eight-year-old Kentucky whiskeys that have been double-barreled, meaning that they were aged in new American oak for a spell and then were re-barreled in new new American oak barrels. This adds an extra layer of fresh and vibrant wood sugars to the mix, really amping up the flavor profile of the wood.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Dark caramel opens the nose before diving into creamy espresso, dark chocolate-dipped cherry and raspberry, and a mild sense of really fancy Almond Joy.

Palate: Whiskey-soaked red berries and vanilla beans drive the palate before ice cream waffle cones, cherry ice cream, and holiday cakes full of winter spice, roasted nuts, and toasted coconut thrive on the taste.

Finish: The creaminess amps up the finish with a sense of toffee pudding and cinnamon ice cream with a sense of berry compote spiked with allspice and clove over a mild sense of pipe tobacco and cedar bark.

Bottom Line:

This is a bourbon-adjacent pour that has deep and lush creaminess. It’s perfect for mixing whiskey-forward cocktails any ol’ time of year.

23. Bernheim Original Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey Barrel Proof Batch: B923

ABV: 60.2%

Average Price: $64

The Whiskey:

The second edition of Bernheim Wheat Whiskey Barrel Proof is made with a mash bill of 51% winter wheat, 37% corn, and 12% malted barley. That whiskey was then left to age for seven to nine years before prime barrels were chosen for batching. Once batched, the whiskey went into the bottle 100% as-is at cask strength.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Fresh loaves of whole grain bread vibe with rich oaky winter pieces on the nose before soft vanilla cake, hints of dry grass, old leather tobacco pouches, and a touch of dried orange round things out.

Palate: Rich buttery toffee drives the palate toward clove-laced honey next to dry orange oils, salted caramel, rum raisin, and hints of cedar bark braided with smudging sage and dry tobacco.

Finish: Piney honey and salted caramel attach to the tobacco as dry straw and back porch wicker lead to a sense of dry winter spice and soft caramel candy corn.

Bottom Line:

This is an earthy and sharp whiskey that flutters toward bourbon throughout the profile, making this a great choice for when you want to change up your bourbon routine.

22. Old Elk Cigar Cut Island Blend Straight Whiskies Finished in Port, Sauternes, Sherry, and Rum Barrels

ABV: 55.85%

Average Price: $129

The Whiskey:

This new blend from Old Elk mixes their six-year-old high-malt bourbon with six-year-old Old Elk rye and six-year-old Old Elk wheat whiskey. That straight whiskey was then finished in a combination of port, sauternes, sherry, and rum barrels before batching and then bottling as-is.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Honey cut with cinnamon sticks and clove buds drives the nose towards bruised peaches and pureed apricot over a hint of orange that’s just kissed with salt and black pepper.

Palate: Some more honey touches the tip of your tongue as a sense of tangerines and honeydew leads to more of that black pepper with a light sense of woody winter spice and vanilla oils.

Finish: A dash of fresh dragonfruit arrives late and accents the black pepper sharpness with a deep but fresh fruitness cut with more dark winter spice and a touch of rummy funkiness.

Bottom Line:

This is a fruit bomb that’ll work wonderfully with citrus-forward cocktails. It also works as a sipper over rocks if you’re looking for deep fruitiness in your whiskey.

21. Three Chord Cask-Finished Bourbon & Corn Whiskey Finished in Honey & Toasted Barrels

ABV: 55.65%

Average Price: $59

The Whiskey:

This is from a wide-ranging whiskey brand created by Neil Giraldo (Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame guitarist and producer behind Pat Bantar and Rick Springfield’s biggest hits). The whiskey in this expression is hewn from a high-rye five-year-old MGP bourbon, a standard six-year-old MGP bourbon, and an eight-year-old Kentucky corn whiskey. Those barrels are batched and the whiskey is re-barrelled into toasted barrels from ISC and Speyside cooperages for three months. Then those barrels are batched and that whiskey is then re-barreled once more into Fern Valley Farms honey casks for one final month of mellowing.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: This has a nice spiciness to the nose that leans into cedar and smudging sage with a hint of nasturtiums, creamy honey, and gingerbread cookies.

Palate: The mouthfeel is lush with a nice layering of corncake with honey, vanilla malt with a cherry on top, and bold winter spice barks and botanicals with a hint of burnt orange and red chili pepper.

Finish: The spice ramps up on the end with a good Kentucky hug (more a buzz than a burn) next to light white grits cut with butter, honey, and caramel with a hint of orchard fruit lurking behind it all.

Bottom Line:

This is classically woody and spicy with a nice balance of soft creaminess. Overall, this is an everyday sipper over ice that works in any cocktail application.

20. Whiskey Jypsi Legacy: Vol. 001

ABV: 57.5%

Average Price: $199

The Whiskey:

This new whiskey is from country star Eric Chruch. The whiskey in the bottle is a blend of American whiskeys. 70% is a corn-fueled Indiana bourbon that’s at least eight years old. 21% is a Canadian rye that’s 20 years old. And 9% is an American single malt that’s four years old.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: There’s a hint of old dried roses on the nose that leads to caramel-crusted doughnuts dusted with cinnamon next to a whisper of dried cranberry and turkey roasting herbs.

Palate: The cranberry leans toward dried cherry dipped in chocolate with a dash of woody baking spices over honey-dipped kindling with a dash of fresh pipe tobacco.

Finish: That pipe tobacco takes in the tart red cherries and woody spice as a lush vanilla base with rich caramel and soft nuttiness slowly warms your palate with sharp winter spice barks and burnt orange.

Bottom Line:

This is a very dialed whiskey with super succinct flavor notes that shine, especially over a big ice cube. The cherry spice and woody tobacco with a hint of chocolate make this a great candidate for old fashioneds or Manhattans.

19. J. Rieger & Co. 2023 Monogram Whiskey Kansas City Whiskey Solera Reserve

ABV: 50%

Average Price: $124

The Whiskey:

This whiskey is made with Rieger’s classic Kansas City blended whiskey, which is a mix of straight bourbon, straight rye, and light corn whiskey. Once batched, that whiskey is re-barreled into 10 huge Oloroso sherry butts that held 15-year-old Oloroso Especial and were 50 to 100 years old when shipped to Kansas.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: French toast leads to rich maple syrup on the nose before veering into candied orange, grilled peach, old cedar bark, and rich pipe tobacco with a sense of salted buttercream.

Palate: Pecan pies and cream soda drive the palate toward Black Forest cake, spiced winter nut cakes, rum raisin, and vanilla cookies with a hint of almond oil and fig.

Finish: The end leans into the winter cake of it all with tons of spice, brandy-soaked fruits, and nuts next to old cedar and tobacco braided together in an old leather pouch.

Bottom Line:

This is just good damn whiskey with a nice dessert vibe. Pour one of these after a big holiday meal and you’ll be all set.

18. The Beverly Reserve Barrel Strength American Whiskey Batch 001

ABV: 58%

Average Price: $79

The Whiskey:

This new release from The Beverly is a limited edition small batch at barrel strength. The blend in the bottle is 60% straight bourbon from Iowa and 40% Indiana rye. Those barrels were batched and bottled at Cedar Ridge in Iown for The Beverly, yielding only 550 bottles.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Pecan waffles with plenty of butter, vanilla, and caramel open the nose toward maple syrup, cinnamon sticks, red chili pepper, and toasted marshmallows.

Palate: The pecans take on a cookie vibe on the palate as brown butter and rum raisin mingle with cinnamon syrup cut with orange and a whisper of chocolate.

Finish: That cinnamon and orange get buttery and lush with a sense of nut cake covered in caramel drizzle with a flake of salt and tobacco before a warming sense of chili arrives on the very end.

Bottom Line:

This feels like Christmas in a glass with a great depth for sippability (especially over a big rock). But don’t sleep on this one as a cocktail base. Use it in your favorite whiskey-forward cocktails, especially during the winter months.

17. Bardstown Bourbon Company Collaborative Series Carter Cellars A Blend of American Straight Whiskies Finished in Carter Cellars Napa Cabernet Barrels

ABV: 54.15%

Average Price: $159

The Whiskey:

This new release from Bardstown Bourbon Company is a custom blend of bourbon (one 17-year-old and one 12-year-old) and rye. Once batched, that whiskey was then re-barreled into 10 Carter Cellars Napa Valley Cabernet barrels and left to mellow for 14 more months. Those barrels were then batched and the whiskey was bottled 100% as-is.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Blackberry crumble cut with plenty of cinnamon and allspice leads the nose toward dark and well-worn leather over pecan shells, vanilla malts, and hints of lavender flowers.

Palate: That blackberry and pecan vibe amp up the palate as rich and luscious vanilla buttercream makes space for old oak staves and dry espresso bean-laced tobacco rolled with cedar bark.

Finish: The end leans into the wood with a hint of mulled wine and Christmas spice cakes before the tobacco and cedar rise on the very end.

Bottom Line:

This is a bright and beautiful whiskey that works wonderfully as a food-pairing pour with a big meal with big flavors.

16. Chattanooga Whiskey Founder’s 11th Anniversary Blend A Blend of Straight Whiskeys

ABV: 50%

Average Price: $59

The Whiskey:

This very limited edition whiskey is made from a blend of Chattanooga’s own whiskey blended with classic whiskey from MGP of Indiana. All the barrels are over two years old (young by a lot of people’s “standards”) and barrelled in toasted and charred oak. Those barrels were batched (using nine to 11 barrels at a time) and that whiskey was then added to Chattanooga’s solera vat (where whiskey is always added before the old wooden vat is fully emptied). That whiskey was then lightly proofed and bottled as-is otherwise.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Dark chocolate and nutty holiday cakes dance on the palate with a sense of spiced plum jam next to soft vanilla pudding that slowly morphs into fancy cream soda.

Palate: A hint of waffle cone and walnut salted caramel ice cream drives the palate a soft sense of oak and holiday spice barks with a hint of stewed apple/pear in the background.

Finish: The orchard fruit layers into spiced chewy tobacco with a sense of plumminess that’s part holiday cake and part creamy pudding.

Bottom Line:

If you’re looking for the perfect pour to wash down that mincemeat pie this holiday season, this is the whiskey to pour.

15. Middle West Double Cask Collection Oloroso Wheat Whiskey

ABV: 50%

Average Price: $99

The Whiskey:

This limited edition release from Ohio’s Middle West is all about the locally-grown red winter wheat in the mash bill (recipe). That wheaty beer is distilled and then loaded into new American oak where it rests for five years. Those barrels are batched and that whiskey goes into Spanish Oloroso sherry casks before batching and proofing.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Classic bourbon notes of rich vanilla and spiced oak lead the nose toward rich and creamy eggnog with plenty of allspice and nutmeg next to cinnamon sticks dipped in warm apple cider.

Palate: Lush marzipan dipped in salted dark chocolate and rolled in dried dark cherries vibe with brandy-soaked prunes and dates next to subtle hints of burnt orange and old oak.

Finish: Those brandy-soaked raisins drive the finish toward an end brimming with dark chocolate, dark cherry, and dark spice vibes.

Bottom Line:

This is just nice and so easygoing while delivering deep and wintry flavor notes. It feels like a warm blanket next to a crackling fire.

14. Woodford Reserve Toasted Oak Four Grain

ABV: 45.2%

Average Price: $59

The Whiskey:

The new Distillery Series from Woodford Reserve just dropped. This year’s release is a blend of Woodford’s rye, bourbon, wheat, and malt whiskeys. Once batched, that blend was re-barreled in brand-new toasted oak barrels for another rest.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Rich butterscotch is countered by moist marzipan on the nose with a sense of cedar kindling, fresh tobacco, and rich honeycomb with. a sense of almost earthy brown sugar.

Palate: Cinnamon bark and clove buds drive the palate toward toffee and maple syrup with a sense of crisp apples and dark cherries next to light touches of orange, espresso, and grassy orchards.

Finish: The end leans into fresh firewood with a nice sense of sweet caramel sauce, fresh marzipan, and cinnamon holiday cakes with a hint of eggnog on the back end.

Bottom Line:

This balances dark winter spice and bright summer sweetness so well. It’s a fun ride that works however and whenever you want to sip it.

13. Redwood Empire Lost Monarch Blend of Straight Whiskeys Cask Strength

ABV: 58.6%

Average Price: $70

The Whiskey:

This California whiskey is a blend of two whiskeys that range from three to 12 years old. The base is a rye mash of 94% rye, 5% malted barley, and a mere 1% wheat mixed with a bourbon mash of 74% corn, 20% raw rye, 4.5% malted barley, and 1.5% wheat. Once blended, that whiskey goes into the bottle at cask strength with no fussing whatsoever.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: There’s a bold nose full of old boot leather, dried chanterelles, cedar bark, a whisper of cumin and chili powder, and creamy yet sharp mint chocolate ice cream.

Palate: The palate opens with a cherry bomb that’s tempered by mild ABV warmth and buzzing before spiced apricot jam arrives with a soft scone, creamed butter, and bright Turkish Delights on the mid-palate.

Finish: Those soft and fruity candies give way to meaty dates and rum-soaked raisins with a hint of vanilla candy, apple cider tobacco, and a flutter of white pepper.

Bottom Line:

This year’s Redwood Empire batch dialed in this whiskey even more, giving it a lovely sipability over rocks and gorgeous mixability into your favorite whiskey-forward cocktails.

12. High West The Prisoner’s Share A Blend of Straight Whiskeys

ABV: 51%

Average Price: $175

The Whiskey:

This is blended whiskey made from straight whiskeys (mostly ryes and bourbons) that are sent out to Utah for batching. Once blended, those whiskeys are then re-barreled into The Prisoner Red Blend wine barrels for a final, high-altitude rest. Finally, the barrels are batched, just kissed with water, and bottled.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: This has a fruity nose that’s bright and tart with black currants, pomegranate, and sour cherry next to darker dried fruits — prunes, dates, figs — over fermented honey, gingerbread, and a hint of dried roses and maybe some cherry blossom before cedar pops in.

Palate: The palate leans into the honey and dark dried fruits before veering into apricot jams, scones, and dark orange slices that are damn near juicy with a hint of black pepper.

Finish: The end has a coconut cream pie vibe that’s countered by oaky tobacco with a twinge of burnt orange.

Bottom Line:

This year’s Prisoner’s Batch is another must-have if you’re a fan of High West. The whiskey is nuanced and approachable while offering a deep profile that will reward patience as a slow sipper. Take your time to add water and return to the nose and palate more than once to find all the hidden notes of this one.

11. Michter’s Limited Release US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish Kentucky Sour Mash Whiskey

ABV: 43%

Average Price: $286

The Whiskey:

This release takes Michter’s signature Kentucky Sour Mash — which doesn’t have enough corn or rye to be either bourbon or rye whiskey — and finishes it in toasted barrels. In this case, those barrels are first air-dried for 18 months and then lightly toasted barrel before the whiskey is filled in. Finally, the booze is batched and bottled with a good dose of that Kentucky water.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: There’s a soft sense of a pile of firewood cut from an old fruit orchard next to dark chocolate oranges with a flake of salt and a drop of honey with a hint of vanilla cake frosted with apple cinnamon butter frosting.

Palate: The palate has a lightly smoked cherry vibe next to clove and allspice with a sense of lush and creamy eggnog and vanilla-cherry tobacco stuffed in a slightly pitchy pine box.

Finish: The end leans into the cherry tobacco with a layer of mild chili spice and more soft and sweet orchard firewood.

Bottom Line:

This year’s Toasted Sour Mash is another “acquired taste” whiskey that balances dark and deep woodiness with soft and lush stewed fruits and creamy orange/vanilla. Think of roasting marshmallows next to a backyard campfire and then smashing those marshmallows into a cherry pie and… you’ll get the gist.

10. Blackened Cask Strength A Blend of Straight Whiskeys Finished in Black Brandy Casks

ABV: 61.4%

Average Price: $80

The Whiskey:

This new line from Metallica’s Blackened is all about the cask-strength versions of their now-classic “sonically-enhanced” blend of straight whiskeys. In this case, the blend is a mix of bourbon and rye that are batched and re-barrelled in black brandy casks that are blasted with, you guessed, Metallica tunes during the finishing maturation. Finally, those barrels are batched and bottled as-is at barrel strength.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Hints of back porch wicker on a sunny day under a cedar tree mingles with dark chocolate with a hint of salt layered with dried cherry and toasted coconut next to salted caramel lattes.

Palate: Rich bourbon vanilla ice cream in a waffle cone leads to a sugary berry syrup with a hint of cinnamon and clove on the light palate.

Finish: Cinnamon-spiced vanilla tobacco rounds out the finish with a nice balance of berry ice cream and spiced pancakes with a touch of cedar sneaking back in.

Bottom Line:

Throw on your favorite Metallica album, turn it up to 11, and sip on this one as you bang your head.

9. Penelope American Light Whiskey Aged 15 Years

ABV: 64.2%

Average Price: $99

The Whiskey:

This unique release from Penelope is “light” in the sense of aging, not like a “light” beer. This is all about the barrel having no char which is classified as “light whiskey.” Anyway, this expression is a blend of MGP whiskeys (pretty much the only distillery making light whiskey) that’s left at a very high proof before bottling as-is.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: This is a wild card with familiar notes of pancake batter with plenty of vanilla, caramel corn balls, sweet apple tarts, and a mild dose of very soft yet resinous pine.

Palate: The palate moves from creamy vanilla pie toward apple crumble with plenty of butter and brown sugar, cinnamon, and tartness before a layer of soft floral citrus arrives.

Finish: The finish feels like vanilla cupcakes frosted with an eggnog frosting with plenty of powdered sugar everywhere next to a woody yet subtle spice mix.

Bottom Line:

This new version of Penelope’s Light Whiskey is a beautiful example of a style we rarely get to see. There’s a nice familiarity at play that then leads down new paths that feel fresh and unique. Add a little ice or water to let this bloom in the glass, you’ll be rewarded with a super-deep flavor profile.

8. Barrell Craft Spirits Private Release Islay Cask Finish

ABV: 62.08%

Average Price: $99

The Whiskey:

This new single-barrel release from Barrell Craft Spirits via ReserveBar is a blend of bourbon and rye whiskeys. Once batched, that whiskey went into a single barrel from Islay that held peated single malt whisky over in Scotland for years. That barrel was then selected by the team at ReserveBar and bottled 100% as-is.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: The nose leans into smoked black pepper with a hint of salted caramel next to coconut nut clusters, demerara syrup, and a twinge of dried smoked cherry.

Palate: There’s an earthiness to the palate that’s almost mossy in a dry way next to more smoked cherry and wet brown sugar with a twinge of marzipan just kissed with dark orange.

Finish: The nuttiness drives the dry finish toward very thin whisps of smoked dark fruit and winter spice barks.

Bottom Line:

Islay and American whiskey never tasted so good. If you’re a fan of peated malt and want to sneak some into your American whiskey, then this is a must-have. It’ll be exactly what you want on the front and then take you on a wildly fun journey through the rest of the profile.

7. Whiskey War Double Double A Blend of Straight Whiskeys

ABV: 56.75%

Average Price: $99

The Whiskey:

This Ohio whiskey is hewn from a rye-heavy mash bill. That spicy juice is then rested in new American oak for a spell before being vatted and re-barreled into another brand-new American oak barrel, all adding up to five years of mellowing. Those barrels are then batched and bottled as-is.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: There’s a sweet sense of salted caramel on the nose that gives way to dried chili pepper, old wet leather sheets, pink peppercorns, and a hint of burnt orange rinds over cider-soaked cinnamon bark and raw waffle batter with a whisper of pecan.

Palate: The palate hits that burnt orange and caramel note harder as minor keys of winter spice, fruit cake, and rum raisin darken the taste.

Finish: The end has a sense of pitchy firewood and sweet oak next to smudging sage and spearmint-chocolate tobacco just dusted with lemon pepper from the 90s.

Bottom Line:

This whiskey gets better and better every year (and it started pretty damn awesome). Drink this however you like to drink your whiskey, folks.

6. Bardstown Bourbon Company Chateau Doisy Daene A Blend Of Straight Whiskeys Finished In Sauternes Barrels And Toasted Oak Barrels

ABV: 54.5%

Average Price: $159

The Whiskey:

This collab is a blend of 10-year-old Kentucky bourbon with six-year-old Indiana rye (with a high-corn mash bill). Those whiskeys were batched and then re-barreled into Chateau Doisy Daene Sauternes barrels for another seven months of aging before another batching session. Then that whiskey was re-barreled again into a new toasted oak barrel for a final four months before batching and bottling as-is.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Rum raisin and black-tea-soaked dates drive the nose toward bitter marmalade, brandy-soaked marzipan, cinnamon-laced apple cider, and creamed honey with a fleeting sense of white wildflowers in the summer.

Palate: Semi-fermented raisins fresh off the vine open the palate toward caramel candies cut with freshly ground cinnamon and nutmeg next to soft vanilla pound cake drizzled with toffee cut with orange and salt.

Finish: The finish leans gently toward old oak staves in a sunny grape orchard with a light sense of orange blossom, Earl Grey tea, and fresh honeycomb with a nice vanilla lush underbelly.

Bottom Line:

Okay, this is where we get into truly amazing whiskeys. This pour is outstanding, unique, and takes you places you’d never expect (in the best possible way). This is a slow sipper that deserves your time and patience as you sip and nose and find all those hidden crooks and crannies.

5. Heaven Hill Heritage Collection 2nd Edition Kentucky Straight Corn Whiskey Aged 20 Years

ABV: 57.5%

Average Price: $289

The Whiskey:

The 2nd edition of Heaven Hill’s Heritage Collection asks what budget brand Mellow Corn would taste like when left alone for 20 years and treated like an elite whiskey. The results from the mash of 80% corn, 12% malted barley, and 8% rye ended up in 110 barrels back in October 2002. After 20 long years in Heaven Hill’s famed Rickhouse 1K, they were batched and bottled.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: There’s a mix of sweet white grits cut with salted caramel and old oak on the nose next to a slight nuttiness with a hint of sweetgrass dipped in Caro Syrup.

Palate: That dry grassy nature continues on the palate as burnt orange and dry nuts balance out next to sweet dry white hominy and a hint of vanilla pods.

Finish: The end leans into the burnt orange and nuttiness with a creamy edge and a mild sense of powdered winter spices.

Bottom Line:

Few of us thought we’d ever get a 20-year-old version of Heaven Hill’s budget Mellow Corn whiskey. Here we are and it’s great. This is a pour that exceeds all expectations of corn whiskey and delivers truly one of the most nuanced sipping experiences of the year.

4. Shenk’s Homestead Kentucky Sour Mash Whiskey Small Batch 2023 Release

ABV: 45.6%

Average Price: $179

The Whiskey:

This whiskey is made with a fair amount of rye whiskey over a bit of bourbon in a traditional sour mash style. 2023’s release varied with the use of malted rye in the mash bill, adding an extra layer of malty depth. The whiskey was then aged in specially made toasted French oak that spent 24 months seasoning in France before they were made with barrels that spent 18 months air-drying in Kentucky before they were coppered. The barrels were all batched and bottled with just a touch of Kentucky limestone water.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Soft boot leather, dried and candied orange, spiced Christmas cake, fresh vanilla beans, sultanas, and a hint of fresh firewood round out the nose with a hint of almost sweet oak char and simmering molasses cut with almond kissed with dark citrus oils.

Palate: The palate has a nice sweet spiciness like a box of Red Hots next to allspice, clove, and orange with rummy raisins, nutmeg-heavy eggnog, and a whisper of oily espresso bean sneaking in late before a bold yet measured winter spice bark sharpness arrives.

Finish: The end marries the orange oils to soft cedar notes with a woody spiciness next to soft notes of sweet cinnamon, stewed plums, minced meat pies, and brandied cherries layered with chewy tobacco leaves over a lush and creamy finish.

Bottom Line:

This is probably the best overall sipper on the list. It’s also probably the best cocktail base too. It’s versatile but so dialed that you can play dealer’s choice with it.

3. Little Book Chapter 07: Retrospect

ABV: 59.35%

Average Price: $149

The Whiskey:

You know it’s fall whiskey season when Freddie Noe drops a new Little Book. Chapter 7 is a big blend of mostly bourbon and rye barrels with a single malt (finished in applewood smoked barrels) thrown in for good measure. The bourbons in the batch are four to 18 years old while the ryes are four to 10 years old. The final batch is bottled 100% as-is.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Clove-studded oranges open the nose with a bold sense of salted caramel, dark chocolate sauce, floral honey, and old vanilla cookies just kissed with almond oils and confectioner’s sugar before hitting light notes of old earthy cellars full of old firewood and leather boots.

Palate: That floral honey opens the palate with a soft vanilla cake covered in rich buttercream amped with marzipan and salted toffee before chili-laced chocolate tobacco drives the whole taste back toward earthiness and whiskey-worn oak.

Finish: The end has a soft warmth that slowly builds with winter spice barks, clove-spiked mulled wine, black-tea-soaked dates, rum raisin, and candied orange peels and cherries with a touch of malted chocolate cookies and vanilla tobacco rolled with smudging sage and dry cedar bark.

Bottom Line:

This might be the best Little Book from Beam to date. It’s a deeply satisfying pour of whiskey that keeps giving you more every time you return to it. Plus, it’s delicious.

2. Michter’s Celebration Sour Mash 2022

ABV: 56.4%

Average Price: $7,000 (MSRP)

The Whiskey:

The fourth ever Michter’s Celebration release — and the first one since 2019 — is finally here. The bottle was slightly delayed, making it a February 2023 release this time around. This American whiskey is a collaboration between Michter’s Master Distiller Dan McKee and Master of Maturation Andrea Wilson. The duo chose seven whiskeys for this special blend that ranged from twelve to thirty-plus years old. Those barrels were batched and bottled without any cutting with water, creating only 328 bottles for the whole world.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: The nose subtly opens with a sense of dark chocolate cut with brown butter, Saigon cinnamon bark, and a light note of crème brûlée made with just a drop of cognac.

Palate: That boozy vanilla opens the luxurious palate toward a dusting of winter spices — clove, anise, nutmeg — next to stewed peached and burnt orange over singed marshmallows, old smoldering hickory, and orchards full of falling leaves next to whisper of creamy black cherry and candied pecans.

Finish: Those pecans meld with woody maple syrup, more cinnamon bark, orange-studded cloves, and a sense of bushels of orchard fruits mixed with nuts and dried fruits in an old wooden basket and wrapped with thick old twine and leather next to a spiced chocolate cherry tobacco leaf dropped in the middle of it all.

Bottom Line:

This is an excellent — albeit agonizingly fleeting — pour of American whiskey. This is the ultimate sipper that pulls off that magic trick of being easygoing and incredibly deep at the same time. The finish on this one just keeps going and going, making you want to start all over again — like a little kid running back to the back of the line for the rollercoaster to ride it for the umpteenth time.

1. Bardstown Bourbon Company Collaborative Series Foursquare Blend of Straight Whiskies Finished in Foursquare Rum Barrels

ABV: 53.5%

Average Price: $159

The Whiskey:

This is a much-sought-after blend from Kentucky darling Bardstown Bourbon Company. The blend in this case is a mix of seven-year-old Indiana straight rye with a mash bill of 51% rye, 45% corn, and 4% malted barley blended with a 17-year-old Tennessee straight bourbon with a mash bill of 84% corn, 8% rye, and 8% malted barley. Once those barrels are batched, the whiskey is re-barreled in Foursquare rum barrels for an additional 23-month rest.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Woody banana and rich marzipan pop on the nose with a deep and sharp clove, anise, and cinnamon vibe next to peanut butter clusters dusted with toasted coconut, burnt orange zest, and sea salt with this whisper of rum-soaked raisins and old oak in the background.

Palate: The rye funkiness drives the rummy oak tannins towards a soft sticky toffee pudding with rich toffee, mild vanilla oils, and a sense of spiced mincemeat pie.

Finish: The finish is lush and silken with a sense of fresh and warm vanilla pods over warm grog with a handful of dark and woody winter spices countered by luxurious and buttery salted caramel with a fleeting hint of smoldering marshmallow.

Bottom Line:

This is a whiskey that’ll make you say, “WOW!” from the moment its essence hits your senses. This is a masterpiece sipper and a highwater mark for Bardstown Bourbon Company’s team, making this one of the best whiskeys of 2023.

Americans collectively gasp reading that swaddling is frowned upon in Sweden. In the United States one of the first things the hospital does after a baby is born is to swaddle the newborn nice and snug in a receiving blanket, completing the look with a tiny hat. New moms practice swaddling on unsuspecting cats or teddy bears in preparation for the baby’s arrival.

Imagine the surprise of an American mom that gave birth in Sweden being told to never swaddle her baby again. Surely the midwife must’ve been mistaken, assuming something else was going on. Miranda Hudgens recently posted a reenactment of her experience giving birth at a Swedish hospital to social media where it went viral.

In the video, Hudgens is holding her swaddled baby when the midwife comes in and asks what she’s doing, while looking disgusted. The mom explains she’s swaddling the baby. Shortly after the midwife leaves, Hudgens’ husband tells her that the midwife said “not to do that to the baby anymore.”

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When the new mom inquires why she isn’t allowed to swaddle the baby, her husband responds, “she said it could kill the baby. Yeah, she said we don’t do that to babies in this country.”

This is the complete opposite of what Americans are taught. Swaddling is seen as a means to help the baby feel secure and calm but in Sweden it’s viewed as a dangerous practice. In the comments one mom gave insight into the reason swaddling is discouraged in the nordic country.

“I was reprimanded for it here in Sweden. She said that swaddling = too deep sleep = increased risk for SIDS,” the commenter reveals.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is an area that is continually being researched and while there are factors that increase the chances of SIDS, there is currently no definitive cause. When it comes to swaddling, the increase of SIDS and suffocation increase if the swaddled baby is placed on its stomach to sleep according to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles|The Saban Research Institute.

In another study published by the National Library of Medicine, points out that the previous study that stated swaddling increases the risk of SIDS was not peer reviewed and did not provide information on if the swaddled babies were placed on their stomachs or backs for sleep.

@mirandapandz

And this is how I found out the Swaddling is super frowned up in Sweden #swedenvsusa #americanlivinginsweden #newmom #deliveryroomstories #swaddlingbaby #swaddling #firsttimemom

In the end Hudgens decided not to swaddle, “for those wondering I decided not to swaddle after leaving the hospital and doing more research. The midwife could of been nicer though.”

Every parent has to do what they think is best with the information they have. Child birthing and child rearing practices can vary widely from country to country. While in Sweden they frown upon swaddling, co-sleeping with babies until they’re school age is commonly practiced. But in America co-sleeping is strongly discouraged while swaddling is commonly practiced.

It’s also normal for people in Scandinavian countries to leave their babies outside in freezing temperatures, whereas in America that would be considered neglect. So while it can be shocking to find out what people do in other countries and cultures, it’s important to remember not to compare. Everybody’s just doing the best that they can with children that are all going to grow into toddlers that eat lint covered snacks they found under the couch.

Every family has its own traditions and ways of doing things around the holidays, from cooking specific foods to engaging in specific cultural rituals to how the myth of Santa gets handled. In general, it’s wise to live and let live when it comes to such things, but one mom is making a strong case for rethinking what gifts Santa brings kids for Christmas in the larger context of community.

Mary Katherine Backstrom has been posting a public service announcement of sorts every year for the past decade, asking people to be mindful about other families’ economic realities and how a family’s Santa gifts can impact other people’s children. Her message makes perfect sense, but it’s something people who have never struggled financially might never consider.

“My annual PSA from a child who grew up poor,” Backstrom captioned her video plea. She began by sharing that her parents separated when she was little, and she lived with her mom, who didn’t always have the means to give her kids a lot for Christmas.

“Every Christmas, I would split my time between my mom and my dad,” she said, explaining that her dad’s side of the family had a lot of money. She would see her cousins getting thousands of dollars in gifts from Santa, while her gifts from Santa at home were far more modest. So she would go from being happy with what she’d received to questioning why Santa didn’t think she’d been good enough to receive the expensive gifts he brought her cousins.

“There is seriously nothing wrong with what you can give your child for Christmas. It doesn’t matter. That’s not the point,” she said. “But when we tell children that Santa Claus brings all of our gifts, what happens is kids like me and other children who don’t have as many things will see other children getting all of these expensive toys and they’ll wonder what they did wrong.”

As Backstrom points out, children are naturally going to compare; that’s developmentally appropriate. Kids are also very aware of what’s fair and what’s not, so when Santa lavishes some children with expensive presents and gives other kids a lot less, the kids whose parents don’t have as much end up questioning their goodness through no fault of their own.

Watch Backstrom share her story (starting at the 2:00 minute mark):

Many people in the comments expressed gratitude for the message, saying that they, too, were the kid who thought Santa didn’t like them.

“I was that child too,” shared one commenter. “I hated when school started back after Christmas and the teacher would go around the room and ask everyone to tell what they got for Christmas. It was painful and humiliating. I thought I was the only one who hated how Christmas was such a stressful time.”

“I remember very clearly my friend that lived next door getting everything on her letter to santa and I didnt understand why santa hated me! I agree 100%!!” offered another.

“100% CORRECT! I was also that child and yes, I wondered if I wasn’t a good enough girl to deserve the same things Santa was bringing the other children,” wrote another.

Other people shared that they had simply never thought of this aspect of Christmas giving and they were thankful for the widened perspective.

“Thank you for opening my eyes. I wish I had thought about this when I was Santa!!” wrote one commenter.

“I never thought of it like this. It really has opened my eyes and heart… You are so insightful and wise. Thank you,” shared another.

“I love your honesty. I never thought about this when my son believed in Santa. I wish I had,” wrote another.

Unfortunately, not everyone received the kind and gentle plea with grace and understanding. Some doubled down on their “right” to have Santa bring whatever gifts they darn well please. Backstrom posted a blunt follow-up video pointing out that she was speaking from her own lived experience, not sharing some hypothetical what-if with no basis in reality.

“This PSA is telling you that you are hurting children when you associate Santa Claus with expensive gifts,” she said. “I’m not gonna be delicate about this anymore, because I’ve been doing this PSA for 10 years now and I still get people arguing with me about it. There is nothing to argue here. We are talking about children’s feelings.”

Backstrom pointed to the number of people in the comments who shared that they were hurt by expensive Santa gifts as a child to illustrate that this is, actually, a real issue. And the solution is simple: Keep Santa simple and let the expensive gifts come from parents or other family members. It’s really not a lot to ask to preserve a little holiday magic for kids who don’t have much instead of making them question why Santa doesn’t think they’re good enough. Santa is a tradition millions of people share—let’s keep that collective reality in mind and keep the fun in it for everyone.

You can follow Mary Katherine Backstrom for more on Facebook.

Danish musician and self-proclaimed “chili enthusiast” Claus Pilgaard, aka Chili Klaus, is a YouTube star known for his Chilismagning series, where he invites celebrities to eat chili peppers with him. For one of his most diabolical challenges, Klaus asked the Herning Boys Choir—a choir he once sang for—to see if it could make it through a performance of “O Come All Ye Faithful” after consuming ghost peppers.

The ghost pepper is the 7th hottest chili pepper in the world and clocks in at around 1 million SHU or Scoville Heat Units. For some perspective, the average jalapeno pepper is measured at about 5,000 SHU.

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The video starts with the boys sounding great until 1:27 when they pop in the peppers. At 1:54, you can see them sweat as the heat ratchets up. The ghost pepper got its name because the heat sneaks up on you. At first, it tastes sweet and then the heat begins to envelop your entire head.

The fact that these kids kept singing is impressive. None of them give up until the song ends, then they all rushed to the nearest water fountain.

Chili Klaus & Boys Choir On Fire 🔥

“Some of these kids just kept going like it was nothing. Respect,” one commenter wrote on the video with over 2 million views. “I love how some of them would stop and look at one another for reassurance and that they are in it together,” another wrote.

“The fact that they all stuck through until the end was amazing. Definitely a great team-building exercise,” a commenter wrote.

People are seriously considering switching careers after finding out how much can be made as a UPS delivery driver.

Back in October, Skyler Stutzman, an Oregon-based UPS delivery driver went viral after sharing his weekly pay stub on TikTok.

In the clip, Stutzman showed that for 42 hours of work, and at a pay rate of $44.26 per hour, he earned $2,004 before taxes, and ultimately took home $1,300 after deductions.

This both shocked the nearly 12 million viewers who saw the video…not to mention it stirred their jealousy a bit.

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Several couldn’t help but compare Stutzman’s salary to their own—especially those in professions requiring degrees and certifications.

“Not me realizing that a UPS driver makes more than I do. 20 years in my field with a degree!” one person lamented.

Another added, “$44? I’m a dang nurse only making $32 🤦♀️”

@skylerleestutzman UPS Driver Paystub Breakdown… #upspay #upswages #teamsters #ups ♬ original sound – Skyler Stutzman

Many even joked (or perhaps half-joked) about applying to become drivers themselves. But as Stutzman pointed out in multiple follow-up videos, earning his rate takes patience.

According to one of those clips, it took almost six years before he was offered a full time position, followed by a four year progression of wage increases until he started earning what he earns today. That’s around a decade, which one person pointed out was around the same time it takes to become a doctor.

Stutzman added that, depending on the location, you would be required to work in a UPS warehouse before working as a driver. So while his paycheck might have you considering taking on the job yourself, just know that it’s not exactly taking the easy route. And we haven’t even touched on the amount of manual labor that goes into the job…rain or shine.

Stutzman also said that he shared his current paycheck in the spirit of transparency, which is a value that the teamsters upheld as they fought for increased wages and better working conditions earlier this year.

@skylerleestutzman Here are my THEORETICAL thoughts… “Why would you show your paystub like that?” #upsdriver #ups #upswages #teamster #upspay ♬ original sound – Skyler Stutzman

After months of tense negotiations, as well as a threat to enact what would have been the largest single employer strike in U.S. history, disrupting deliveries across the country, the postal workers union reached an agreement with UPS.

The deal included air conditioning and ventilation improvements to delivery vehicles as well as full-time UPS drivers earning an average of $170,000 in annual pay, plus benefits. By the end of the contract, part-time union drivers would also make at least $25.75 per hour while receiving full health care and pension benefits,” according to UPS CEO Carol Tomé.

From Stutzman’s perspective, his earnings shouldn’t cause envy among those in other industries, but reflect a shared need for increased wages across the board to keep up with inflation.

Big takeaways here: earning good money doesn’t always require a degree, unions are powerful, don’t underestimate the value of skilled labor…and UPS drivers deserve respect.

Ann Coulter used to be the scourge of liberals. The far right commentator has written untold columns and books painting Democrats as a pox upon America. Now look at her. Though she was on the Trump train for a while, she hopped off a couple years back. Now she’s one of his sharpest critics, which makes her the scourge of today’s conservatives. She’s become so sane that once again liberals cannot believe she’s the one making sense on a hot button issue.

On Tuesday Coulter weighed in on the tragic story of Kate Cox, a Texas woman who sought an exception to the state’s draconian anti-abortion laws after her fetus was diagnosed with a fatal disease. Doctors say her condition threatens her own life. Last week a district court said Cox qualified for an exception, but on Monday the Texas Supreme Court overruled that ruling. By then Cox had already left the state to get a life-saving abortion elsewhere. The court’s decision has prompted outrage, and not only from Democrats.

“The prolife movement has gone from compassion for the child to cruelty to the mother (and child),” Coulter tweeted. She added that the disease, Trisomy 18, “is not a condition that is compatible with life.”

Since Roe v. Wade was overturned last summer, Coulter has said something reasonable about abortions, which she’s still against. She also recognizes it as what it is: an issue that will turn voters away from Republicans. That’s what happened last year, when the much-touted “red wave,” that would hand Republicans more control over the nation, failed to materialize. They wound up only flipping the House, and not by much.

Liberals should be used to Coulter saying things that sound awful lefty, at least in the Trump era. Or maybe they’ll never get used to agreeing with Ann Coulter. Whatever the case, people still can’t get over her being the sensible conservative.

Others, though, pointed out Coulter’s long history of being fanatically anti-abortion, and of helping create the volcanic, intransigent rhetoric that has taken over the Republican Party.

But for now, welcome to the resistance, Ann Coulter. Again. Maybe Marjorie Taylor Greene will listen to her this time.

(Via Mediaite)

Next year, Wu-Tang Clan will once again make history. This time, in Las Vegas. The city is gearing up to host its first-ever Super Bowl, and in tandem, will offer other festivities. Hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan will debut a four-concert Las Vegas residency titled Wu-Tang Clan: The Saga Continues…The Las Vegas Residency, kicking off Friday, February 9 and Saturday, February 10, right before Super Bowl LVIII.

The Saga Continues… will return the following month with a second run of shows on Thursday, March 22 and Friday, March 23. This run of shows will coincide with the N.C.A.A. college basketball tournaments.

“I’m in that spirit of loving where there’s a hub of art and then loving that I — in my talent and the Wu-Tang brothers — can add to that hub and of course eventually invite more hip-hop artists to come and play in this sandbox with us,” RZA said in a statement to The New York Times.

With the exciting news, fans are already dying to get their hands on tickets, to be part of this historic moment, as this marks Las Vegas’ first-ever hip-hop residency.

How much are tickets for Wu-Tang Clan’s Las Vegas residency?

The presale for The Saga Continues…, began today via AXS. According to the website, tickets are ranging from $65 for general admission to $654. Fans can access the presale using the code “CREAM.” A general on-sale will begin this Friday, December 14.

Wu-Tang Clan is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Has it really been nearly three years since the January 6th insurrection? Yes. During that time, plenty of defendants have been prosecuted, and some, like the so-called “QAnon Shaman,” have already emerged from prison to prove that they probably learned nothing from the experience.

Then there those suspects who managed to fly under the radar nearly all this time, only to muck it all up due to their own dumb slip-ups. Such is the case, apparently, for Paul Caloia, who had been photographed (via NBC News) climbing into a Capitol building window, and he had managed to evade arrest until he began bragging via Skype. As NBC details, he used the handle “GodHypnotic” and was known as an “internet pornography personality.”

Via Raw Story, an FBI complaint against Caloia would read almost unbelievably if this wasn’t MAGA world:

“Witness 1… stated that as God Hypnotic was bragging about his involvement in the January 6 riots, another individual in the chat asked God Hypnotic why he went to the Capitol,” the complaint states. “At that point, Witness 1 said that God Hypnotic backtracked and said he went to the Capitol for reporting purposes.”

Law enforcement officials would subsequently obtain location data from Caloia’s mobile phone number and determined that it was at the United States Capitol on January 6th between the hours of 1 p.m. E.T. and 6:30 p.m. E.T.

“Location services” does it again. NBC News adds that the law enforcement who arrested Caloia knocked on his door, and he verbally answered that he was “Paul,” but then he realized that something was amiss and “refused to talk or open the door.” Clearly, that didn’t work out for him, and Paul Caloia remains in custody.

(Via NBC News & Raw Story)

Bridgerton set loins aflame in early 2021 with John Oliver (accurately) characterizing the Shondaland series in his own special, profane way. The second round kept the fires burning despite the loss of The Duke, and then, Queen Charlotte surfaced to fill in a few blanks before Hollywood turned into a mess again in 2023.

That put Bridgerton‘s third round behind schedule, but it’s coming, so let’s mull over what’s happening thus far.

Plot

With Daphne and Anthony Bridgerton both married off, a number of siblings still remain, which means that this show needs to get busy with the matchmaking. This season will focus upon Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton), who has been the object of obsession for Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) for far too long, so she will be determined to forget about him and move forth with new suitors. However, this is still technically romcom land, so expect for Colin to regret the error of his ways at some point.

The trickier part here, of course, is that Penelope wants to continue her Lady Whistledown antics, which will be harder to pull off while married and presumably having children and all that. Additionally, the audience already knows that Eloise Bridgerton (Claudia Jessie) knows about Penelope’s rather mean alter ego, and she was not thrilled at all. Yet the synopsis of this season indicates that Penelope hasn’t learned her lesson yet and still finds fulfillment in basically ruining people’s lives for gossip. That seems pretty relevant to our current times, but more to the point, there’s the central romance at hand.

Colin Bridgerton will have gained “swagger” this year, and he will apparently decide upon entering a scheme with Penelope “to mentor” her on being more attractive to men and finding a husband. These two should probably cut to the chase, but what good with that be? Here we go with how that will turn out:

[W]hen his lessons start working a little too well, Colin must grapple with whether his feelings for Penelope are truly just friendly. Complicating matters for Penelope is her rift with Eloise (Claudia Jessie), who has found a new friend in a very unlikely place, while Penelope’s growing presence in the [town] makes it all the more difficult to keep her Lady Whistledown alter ego a secret.

Cast

Coughlan and Newton take center stage, of course, but the rest of the ensemble cast will remain vast. Expect to see updates from Simone Ashley (Kate Sharma) and Jonathan Bailey (Anthony Bridgerton), which will be a nice followup since we never got much from Daphne and The Duke together again. As well, the cast includes Golda Rosheuvel (Queen Charlotte), Adjoa Andoh (Lady Danbury), Ruth Gemmell (Violet Bridgerton), Lorraine Ashbourne (Mrs. Varley), Hannah Dodd (Francesca Bridgerton), Luke Thompson (Benedict Bridgerton), Harriet Cains (Philipa Featherington), Bessie Carter (Prudence Featherington), Will Tilston (Gregory Bridgerton), Polly Walker (Portia Featherington), and Julie Andrews (the voice of Lady Whistledown).

So many Bridgertons.

Release Date

Netflix’s newfound adoration for split seasons has spread to Shondaland. The first four episodes will surface on May 16 with the final four episodes landing on June 13. Ideally, Penelope will end up married at the end of the season, or fans might rage.

Trailer

No trailer exists yet, but here’s a few hints from Netflix’s release date announcement video.

Bridgerton will get back to courting on May 2024.

This year’s Uproxx Gift Guides are brought to you by Sirius XM. Check out their site to find all the holiday music and content you need to get into the giving spirit.

Kitchen gifts have huge potential to be the hits of the holiday. They land in the sweet spot between functional and enjoyable. Sure, the way people fetishize food extends way beyond just “getting fed” but also being super into cooking feels productive on some level. Plus it’s good IG fodder. And, for the sly gift giver, it can actually end up with you getting some nice meals.

That’s a triple win. Making kitchen gifts wildly popular.

After rolling out our gift guide for the home, our gift guide for fitness lovers, the guide for music lovers… We’re ready for this biggie — the gift guide for your favorite food aficionado. As with previous years, we’ve included a few special ingredients, some innovative appliances, and the one cookbook we loved best in 2023.

The Global Pantry Cookbook

Price: $32.62

Plain and simple, this is what I would deem the “most functional cookbook of the year.” That’s a big award if you ask me. Rather than being full of a few recipes that don’t lend themselves to experimentation, this cookbook teaches you how to cook with pantry staples — sauces, prepared foods, canned goods, etc. Forgoing the “one dish per chapter” model, each section of The Global Pantry Cookbook breaks down a key ingredient and shares how to use it and what to pair it with.

There are recipes for each featured staple but you get the sense that the point isn’t so much following the instructions to a “t” as using them as a launch pad. I’ve seen a lot of books over the past few years focused on “The Indonesian Table” or “The Iranian Plate” but in my experience, telling people five dishes they can make with sambal olek or Persian sumac is a quicker way to make a home cook fall in love with a foodway that they might not have a ton of experience with.

A nice layout and grabby cover shift this from a “buy for it for me” pick to an excellent gift (that you’re going to want to borrow from the giftee).

BUY IT FOR:

Anyone who wants to learn more about cooking and flavor composition without having to follow rote recipes.

Buy Here

Typhur Sous Vide Station

Price: $999

I didn’t know at first about the size… but over these past few weeks, I’ve fallen in love with my Typhur Sous Vide. It makes the whole sous vide process more straightforward and less of a hassle. Rather than lugging out equipment each time I want to sous vide, this countertop station keeps the technique front of mind while the digital display makes the process super easy.

The Typhur website doesn’t dramatically tout this feature, but the fact that this makes the whole sous vide process so visual is super cool. If we’re being honest, much of the joy of cooking is derived from sharing it. Previous to buying this, sous vide was a thing I could tell people about but they couldn’t really visualize. Now, if I’m prepping steaks in the style of Zach Johnston, I can have them on display for my guests when they arrive — floating in their little bath.

Another feature I love is the fact that I can operate the whole device from my phone — allowing me to tweak cooking times and even pre-schedule a cook while out of the house.

BUY IT FOR:

The tech geek who wants to elevate their cooking game and likes to have the sort of gadget that fine dining chefs would surely appreciate.

Buy Here

CRUXGG Rotating Belgian Waffle Maker

Price: $23.99

I’ve vibed out with the Ghetto Gastro and CRUX appliances for a few years now, but in 2023 their designs are cooler than ever. This is a very affordable, functional, straightforward waffle maker — god knows we don’t need a “smart” waffle maker to tell us the “steam % before complete” or some nonsense. It also looks very cool in your midcentury modern monochrome-styled kitchen.

Design plus functionality is a nice landing spot for an affordable gift like this — especially if it’s going someplace you might be spending the night on occasion.

BUY IT FOR:

Anyone who values a good breakfast and a cool vibe in one utilitarian appliance.

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Hedley & Bennett Apron

Price: $60-$120

Hedley & Bennett is the kitchen standard for aprons. It’s also the cool kid apron. And they do fun collabs, like with Star Wars. Need I say more?

Okay, fine… a tad more:

This is the exact apron I use. It’s sturdy enough to be used nightly and highly functional for someone who is cooking with various implements etc. But it also looks sharp looking for someone who might be trying to cook to impress and dress to impress at the same time.

BUY IT FOR:

Anyone who loves cooking and streetwear. Or just cooking while looking good. Or just cooking and not getting food all over themselves.

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MomoFuku Pantry Starter Pack

Price: $65

As a chef who is pretty serious about cooking (although this catastrophe doesn’t further my point much), I am very into this current wave of superb chefs putting out “flavor enhancers.” This isn’t the same as a “spice mix” — which I rarely trust. This is just about deepening flavors and layering in more umami.

With that as context, I will say that I trust the Momofuku line immensely. I have been using their Savory Seasoned Salt on chicken and beef dishes with great results. Their soy is my go-to. And their chili crisp? It’s my favorite on the market — not overly heavy on the peanuts like some brands and way more in the fried onion and chili lane. As such, it’s easy to use in a wider range of dishes. The heat is very present but so is the onion-based umami.

Oh, and their hot honey? A table staple and the best way I know to elevate a fresh biscuit.

Pro tip: The Momofuku chocolate is inventive and wildly underrated. I’m giving their three packs (my favorite is the “miso potato chip”) as stocking stuffers.

BUY IT FOR:

People who love flavor and will appreciate the quality that Momofuku’s iconic peach label denotes.

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A5 Miyazakigyu Japanese Wagyu

Price: $139.99

Okay, so… I had slightly mixed feelings about cooking with Japanese A5 Wagyu the first time I tried it. It’s delicious. But also, it’s so fatty and cooks so very fast that the last time I tried it, I made too much and had to put it in the fridge overnight and then the fat congealed and you can’t exactly just warm up A5 in the microwave…

It was still pretty great — you’re dealing with the best steak on earth so there’s some margin for error (I sliced my leftovers into ramen broth) — but I still wondered, “Should I be cooking with this or am I just going to mess it up?”

I tried it one more time a few weeks ago after reading a few articles online. Here’s what I learned in a nutshell:

• Unlike most steak, you shouldn’t bring this out of the fridge and let it come to room temp before cooking — the fat will melt on your cutting board and you don’t want to lose that fat. This is crucial if you want a rare steak. If you want medium or well-done steak… why would you spend so much money on A5 Wagyu?
• Make smaller pieces. Way smaller. Like… I paired this steak with a scallop (surf and turf!) and gave a whole table of people one scallop-sized piece. That was plenty. No one complained.
• Do not butter your pan — you don’t need more fat.
• Pair it with an acid. You need something to lighten the fatty flavors here. Otherwise, it’s too dense to appreciate fully after a few bites.

Following those simple rules, I am so glad I tried this again and plan to do it as often as I can afford. Because let me tell you: This is the most spectacular beef on the planet Earth and it will bring an astounding amount of pleasure into your kitchen.

BUY IT FOR:

The hedonist who wants to max out the joys of unctuous, fatty beef in the most decadent way possible.

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Tumbler Diamond Rolling Knife Sharpener Set

Price: $98

The tricky thing about knife sharpening is… it’s tricky. Using a metal bar can dull your knives or scratch them if you don’t do it right. But at the same time, your knives are going to need sharpening. Especially if you’re anything like me and occasionally throw them in the dishwasher because you’re feeling too lazy to wash them by hand.

I really dig the Tumbler because it uses magnets (!!!).

Also because it’s very very easy and, no offence to me, but that’s what I need. This instructional video sums how to use the Tumbler up, paired with some jazzy music.

And here’s the thing you realize when knife sharpening gets exceedingly easy: It’s great to have super-sharp knives. You end up sharpening them all the time. That’s the vibe in my kitchen these days and my cooking is better because of it.

BUY IT FOR:

The person who appreciates the precision of sharp knives but doesn’t know how to sharpen them. Then force them to watch the instructional video so they fully get just how easy this product makes sharpening.

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Our Place Dream Cooker

Price: $199

I have been resistant to multi-cookers and slow cookers and rice cookers and… all the cookers. I just generally use pots on the stove. But they’re so time consuming!

And then I locked in, slowed down, and taught myself how to use the Dream Cooker. And it’s just too easy and good to deny. In a few short months, I’ve totally become one of those “set it and forget it” slow cooker people. I am also finally a person who gets his potatoes tender way faster by pressure cooking them, instead of roasting them. And I’m making rice right every time without accidentally leaving it mushy and having people say “How can you be such a cook and screw up rice?”

So it’s wins all around, for me!

I know I just said a few entries ago that I have space for a massive sous vide on my counter but (perhaps because of that!) space is currently at a premium — so the compact size of this all-in-one cooker is a plus. On the design front, I love the sleek, clay look. It pairs nicely with my kitchen (and will for anyone else trying for that austere/ minimalist energy!).

BUY IT FOR:

The person who makes stews, roasts, rices, and other simmered or pressure-cooked dishes the slow way and also appreciates design. Walk them through the instructions and let them see just how easy the Dream Cooker makes it!

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Breville Barista Express Impress

Price: $719.96

Confession time. I was spending… gulp… earlier this year, I was dropping $300 a month on coffee. No joke. And I don’t have that sort of money. Not even close.

My order is a quad mocha with 1/4 th chocolate and after a tip that’s $9.00 even at Starbucks. 10 dollars at hipster spots. And I was doing it every day.

Is that ridiculous? Sure. Wildly reckless? Def.

But every morning my body wanted the dang thing so… I was stuck paying for it. Then I looked at my credit card statement once month, thought about “working smarter, not harder,” and bought the Breville.

Is it an investment? Obviously. But in the months since, everything has changed. I care about coffee beans now. I have a roast preference. I get all technical with how I pull my espresso shots. I’m snobby about which chocolate I use. And I’ve never enjoyed coffee more.

It’s a joy to make my quad mocha each morning. It’s the closest thing I have — as a non-religionist — to a daily sacrament. It’s not tough and there are plenty of videos online to clean the machine or help tweak techniques. As for the cost savings? They. Are. Immense.

Of all the kitchen gifts we’re profiling this year, this is the one I can’t imagine life without. I still go to a shop once a week — but that’s just to see people and support local businesses. The other six days, I make my own.

BUY IT FOR:

Anyone who loves coffee and is (foolishly! expensively!) outsourcing the production process to local shops. They won’t just appreciate you the day they get the gift. They will ping you randomly over the course of months and years to say thanks!

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