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Coke versus Pepsi. Star Trek versus Star Wars. Crunchy tacos versus soft tacos. Each one is a classic battle with throngs of people willing to die on hills on either side of the debate. The same is true of bourbon versus rye whiskey. The two American whiskeys have hardcore acolytes who love one over the other. Some prefer the sweet cherry/vanilla/winter spice vibes of a solid bourbon. Others want a little funk, dank, and wildness in their whiskey — hence rye whiskey being so beloved.

But is bourbon really better than rye or vice versa? Can’t we just enjoy what we like and go along our merry way without putting one thing over another?

Yes.

But also… debate is fun! So today I’m going to pit 10 new bourbons against 10 new rye whiskeys in a massive blind taste test battle. To get things prepped, I pulled 10 bottles of both bourbon and rye whiskey from my shelf. All of these are either brand-new or new editions of standard releases. They cover everything from standard bottles to cask strength offerings, special oak finishes, small batches, single barrels, and one-off limited editions.

Our lineup today features the following bottles:

• Larceny Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Batch No. B523
• Freeland Spirits Cask Strength Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished In Pinot Noir Casks (S1B55)
• Michter’s US*1 Limited Release Barrel Strength Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
• Hirsch The Cask Strength Kentucky Straight Bourbon Finished In Cognac Casks
• Rare Character Single Barrel Series Straight Rye Whiskey Finished In Amburana Casks
• New Riff Silver Grove Straight Bourbon Whiskey Barrel Proof Aged 4 Years
• Woody Creek Distillers Colorado Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Eric LeGrand Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• 291 Small Batch Colorado Rye Whiskey Finished With Aspen Wood Staves
• World Whiskey Society Class Collection Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished In Port Cask Aged 10 Years
• Woody Creek Distillers Colorado Straight 100% Rye Whiskey
• Knob Creek Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey Aged 7 Years
• Green River Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Barrell Rye Singel Barrel (S1B4)
• Blue Run Emerald Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
• Bulleit Bourbon Barrel Strength Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Blackwood Small Batch Toasted Rye Whiskey Barrel Strength
• Old Potrero Single Barrel Reserve Straight Rye Whiskey (S1B45)
• Hemingway Rye, 1st Edition A Blend Of Straight Rye Whiskeys Finished In Rum Seasoned Olorosso Sherry Casks
• Doc Holliday Straight Bourbon Whiskey Aged 10 Years

The point of all of this? It’s simple. I’m looking for a great whiskey for you to enjoy. I’m not running any tricks or special methodology. This is about what tastes best, full stop. The only thing I’m truly curious about is if there will be a balance to the bourbon and ryes as I rank them after the blind tasting — balance in the force if you want to circle back to Star Wars.

Since this is a titan-level blind-tasting battle, let’s dive right in.

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Part 1 — The Bourbon Vs. Rye Whiskey Blind Tasting

Taste 1

Tasting Notes:

Nose: The nose runs deep with dark chili pepper spice next to salted caramel, cherry cake, and rich vanilla with a hint of nuttiness.

Palate: The taste is lush with a deep sense of creamy winter spices mixed into mincemeat pies and eggnog next to malted buckwheat pancakes drizzled in toffee syrup and sprinkled with roasted walnuts, pecans, and almonds with a whisper of wild sage.

Finish: Sharp cinnamon bark and cherry vanilla tobacco round out the finish with a nice balance of creaminess and sharp woody spice leading to a warm and long Kentucky hug (ABV warmth).

Initial Thoughts:

Well, this is a nice place to start. This is a sharp yet sweet cask-strength bourbon with a classic vibe. I like it but we have a long, long way to go.

Taste 2

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Leathery red fruit and old vanilla cake with a hint of caramel and dry cranberry mingle with a nice mellow touch of eggnog spices and burnt orange that feels dry.

Palate: There’s a clear cherry pie vibe that leads to a hint of dank red berry and oak cellars with a dry leatheriness tied to the dark fruit and vanilla with a soft sense of dry sweetgrass in the far background.

Finish: The end starts off red and lush and then dives into a cherry apple pie vibe with a dry woody spiced edge.

Initial Thoughts:

This is nice. It’s a bourbon thanks to all that cherry but one that’s finished in something that held a dry alcohol (probably wine or sherry).

Taste 3

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Dark cherry and butterscotch candies pop on the nose next to sour red wine mixed with mulled wine spices — lots of cinnamon, clove, and star anise — next to tart apple skins, apple bark, and a hint of dill pickle spices/herbs.

Palate: The palate leans into spices in a subtle way with a nutmeg/eggnog vibe next to rich vanilla ice cream and smoked cherries with a minor note of fresh pipe tobacco and singed cedar bark.

Finish: The end adds some dried red chili and sharp cinnamon to the tobacco with a pinch of freshly cracked black pepper and a supple sense of a fresh fruit bowl with a lot of red berries, singed wild sage and cedar bark braided with coriander stems.

Initial Thoughts:

This is just delightful. It’s a funky and fresh rye whiskey (dill pickle spices!) with a deep classic Kentucky feel (dark cherry and sweet vanilla). This is a complex and delicious rye.

Taste 4

Tasting Notes:

Nose: The nose feels lush and oaky with a sense of Christmas cookies, mincemeat pies, and sticky toffee pudding next to stewed plums over fresh scones with a hint of brandy butter.

Palate: Old leather boots filled with cinnamon bark and a medley of dates, figs, and prunes lead to chocolate cut with red chili and vanilla and kissed with salt and dry cedar.

Finish: That cinnamon bark intensifies with dark red fruit, light chili pepperiness, and a sense of old malted cookies dipped in vanilla toffee on the very end.

Initial Thoughts:

This is just good. It’s clearly a bourbon (very dark fruit and plummy) but a damn tasty one.

Taste 5

Tasting Notes:

Nose: There’s a soft and fatty nuttiness from the wood on the nose that’s part Brazil nut and part macadamia nut with a rich and sharp woody spiciness that’s full of dry ginger, big strips of cinnamon bark, and handfuls of clove and allspice berries next to soft creamed vanilla and almond paste cut with orange oils and dark cacao waxiness.

Palate: The palate pops with that woody spice and barky florals with a touch of tart red berry, burnt orange, and dry wild sage next to white chocolate and this sense of a hippy den full of incense, oils, and old throw rugs.

Finish: The end amps up the woody spice towards a sharp cinnamon bark and dry star anise with a touch of cream soda and old straw bales before a nutty spiced pipe tobacco arrives with a fleeting sense of fruit boiled down to a thick syrup.

Initial Thoughts:

This is wild and fun. It tastes amazingly unique while still presenting as a deep and spicy rye whiskey.

Taste 6

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Sweet salted caramel and dusty old cinnamon sticks lead to oily vanilla pods, red chili spiced cherry syrup, and a sense of cedar planks soaked in red fruit and maple syrup.

Palate: Dried blueberries and woody huckleberries combine with rich salted caramel and ground almond with a sense of classic cherry vanilla bourbon notes adhering to a light sense of chewy tobacco.

Finish: That tobacco really leans into the caramel/cherry/vanilla on the finish as the bourbon-iness of everything peaks with a soft Kentucky hug and subtly sweet end.

Initial Thoughts:

Well, this was tasty. It’s classic Kentucky bourbon with a touch of berry and subtle red spice to really take it beyond average to pretty damn great.

Taste 7

Tasting Notes:

Nose: There’s a clear sense of crafty bourbon (light sweet grains) on the nose with a soft sense of winter spice, old caramel candies, and a hint of orange honey.

Palate: The taste leans into the peppery spice with an apple/pear vibe next to red fruit, vanilla beans, and caramelized grains.

Finish: The end is short and slightly spicy with an apple/pear pie filling vibe next to wet biscuit dough.

Initial Thoughts:

This was a little crafty without the best balance but fine enough.

Taste 8

Tasting Notes:

Nose: This has a nice and soft nose with classic bourbon notes of cherry, spice, vanilla, and oak with a nice hint of deeper cherry leather and vanilla cake.

Palate: The palate largely follows the nose with a stone-cold classic bourbon mix of soft cherry, lush vanilla, and mild spices tied to a slight oakiness.

Finish: The finish is light (this must be a pretty low-proof whiskey) with a short and sweet bourbon vibe.

Initial Thoughts:

This was nice for what it is, standard bourbon. There are no faults, it’s easy drinking, and it gets the job done.

Taste 9

Tasting Notes:

Nose: The nose is lush and leans into rich dark chocolate over dried cherry and cranberry with a hint of raspberry in the mix next to apricot jam cut with cinnamon and clove.

Palate: The taste runs deep with salted dark chocolate kissed with orange and red chili next to gingerbread, pecan maple syrup, and winter spices next to a rush of rye bread crispiness, lightly dried dill, and a sharp sense of fresh mint.

Finish: The salted dark chocolate smooths out the finish with a deep sense of old spice barks, moist marzipan, and a funky sense of herbal rye.

Initial Thoughts:

This is a good rye whiskey. It’s funky and herbal yet still sweet and fruity. It’s so good.

Taste 10

Tasting Notes:

Nose: There’s a sense of grape soda and orange zest on the nose with a hint of crafty bourbon grains, dry grass, and old oak.

Palate: The palate sort of leans into red fruit and dry grass with a light sense of orange and vanilla.

Finish: The end is short and has a touch of vanilla cake and holiday spice.

Initial Thoughts:

There’s really not much going on here.

Taste 11

Tasting Notes:

Nose: The nose runs deep with a sense of dark yet sweet red cherry, leathery apricot, sourdough rye bread crusts with a hint of caraway, and this whisper of cinnamon and clove.

Palate: Bourbon cherry and dark winter spice lead on the palate before green herbal botanicals and more of that rye vibe come back with a sense of toffee and vanilla.

Finish: The end leans into the sweet side with a touch of cherry and vanilla countered by chili pepper and green savory dry herbs.

Initial Thoughts:

This is a pretty nice rye. It’s not mind-blowing, but it lands.

Taste 12

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Classic Beam caramel sweetness with a vanilla underbelly drives the nose toward rye bread crusts, a hint of dried savory herbs, apple blossoms, and a whisper of soft leather gardening gloves.

Palate: The spiciness arrives after lush vanilla cream and salted caramel with a dose of freshly cracked red peppercorns, dried red chili, and sharp winter brown spices next to a spiced oak.

Finish: The creaminess, sweetness, and spiciness coalesce on the finish with a deep sense of fruit orchards full of fall leaves and apple bark.

Initial Thoughts:

This is next-level rye that feels very Kentucky (thanks to the underbelly of sweet notes). There’s so much going on and it’s all good.

Taste 13

Tasting Notes:

Nose: There’s a hint of dry cornmeal on the nose with clear and rich butterscotch (which feels a little young) alongside vanilla pudding cups, wet brown sugar, and a hint of an old leather jacket.

Palate: The taste holds onto that leather note as a foundation and builds layers of sticky toffee pudding with vanilla buttercream, a handful of roasted almonds, and a thick buttery toffee sauce tying it all together.

Finish: The finish is green with a big note of fresh mint that leads back to the leather with a whisper of dark fruit leather and Red Hots.

Initial Thoughts:

This is pretty good bourbon. It’s classic, nutty, and full-on but still feels very approachable.

Taste 14

Tasting Notes:

Nose: The nose opens with a sense of pain au chocolate next to cardamom pods, earthy spice barks, dark burnt orange, and a fleeting sense of cherry by way of tart black currants, cloves, and salted black licorice.

Palate: The dark chocolate from the pastry drives the taste toward a salted toffee dipped in roasted walnuts with a light sense of orange marzipan, lemony hops, and soft mossiness with a whisper of mustard seed, and maybe some coriander seed.

Finish: There’s an umami vibe that’s almost toasted cinnamon bark with dried forest moss next to sweet and spicy cherry syrup over chocolate-lemon balls with a flake of salt and a sprinkle of dried lavender next to fresh nasturtiums, old cedary tobacco, and freshly baked baguette with a pad of salted creamed butter.

Initial Thoughts:

This is wildly good whiskey — rye or bourbon. Well, it’s clearly rye, but still — amazing.

Taste 15

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Woody winter spices — clove, cardamom, nutmeg, cinnamon — lead on the nose with a hint of creamy toffee and vanilla cake that’s countered by chili spices and a pinch of cumin, almost like a garam masala.

Palate: The palate has a thick buttery caramel sweetness with a sharp chili pepper fresh spiciness next to stewed apples and pears with sultanas, woody winter spice, and cut with a hint of clove brandy.

Finish: The end has a leathery vibe with a buttery apple crumble tobacco vibe with a hint of old cedar bark and spiced barks rolled up with burnt orange and dried tart cherry.

Initial Thoughts:

This is a very nice, very classic rye. It leans hard into the stewed fruits with a nice balance of spiciness. Classic.

Taste 16

Tasting Notes:

Nose: The nose is full of classic bourbon notes of spiced cherry cake, vanilla pods, soft oak, and a touch of leather and nuttiness.

Palate: The taste delivers stewed peaches next to peppery spice, a hint of Christmas spices, and rich vanilla caramel cake with a twinge of cherry/ginger.

Finish: The stone fruit, cherry, woody spices, and vanilla all come together on a lush and warming end.

Initial Thoughts:

This is a really nice bourbon. That’s all.

Taste 17

Tasting Notes:

Nose: The nose is a straight-up classic with a sense of cherry and cinnamon tied to fresh and chewy tobacco with a sense of old cedar bark braided with dry sweetgrass and smudging sage with a light sense of pear candy and cream soda.

Palate: The taste leans into spiced cherry tobacco and stewed pear with a hint of marmalade and peach cobbler next to a hint of black-tea-soaked dates, salted whiskey-laced toffee, and clotted cream before a red chili pepper spiciness kicks in with a sense of cinnamon and cherry bark.

Finish: The woodies of the orchard fruit and spice drive the warm finish — but never hot — toward a luxurious and creamy end full of sharp yet sweet tobacco, a whisper of dank resin, and echoes of old fruit orchards.

Initial Thoughts:

This is another great rye whiskey. There’s just so much going on and it’s all good.

Taste 18

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Molasses heavy bran muffins mingle with dry cinnamon sticks, Granny Smith apple skins, and Red Hots next to rum-raisin and a twinge of an old oak stave and craft grain porridge with a caramelized edge.

Palate: The palate leans into ginger snaps with plenty of cinnamon and nutmeg next to vanilla pudding right out of the cup and a dry sense of cedar kindling.

Finish: The end holds onto the dry woodiness with a layer of salted caramel raisins, sweet porridge, and vanilla candy on the very end.

Initial Thoughts:

This is a nice but very crafty rye. That sweet grain crafty vibe was well balanced with the overall profile, so I’m not complaining.

Taste 19

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Rich and old oak mingles with salted caramel, dark maple syrup, and sheets of dark fruit leather next to a soft sense of caraway rye toast with a soft creamed vanilla butter and a light touch of cherry compote.

Palate: That cherry takes on a slightly tart and salted aura on the taste as the salted caramel leads to huge sticks of cinnamon bark, clove-studded oranges, and a smudging bundle full of wild sage, sweetgrass, and cedar bark.

Finish: Those smoldering botanicals linger on the finish as a soft cinnamon cake with salted toffee drizzle and a whisper of dark chocolate-covered espresso beans counter the rye dank.

Initial Thoughts:

Damn, this is really good rye whiskey. I want to return to this and keep digging into that flavor profile.

Taste 20

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Sour cherry and peach pie mix with classic oily vanilla pods, deep caramel, and soft cedar planks just touched with apricot and dates.

Palate: The sip is warm yet balanced with burnt orange, apricot jam, and soft marzipan next to black-tea-soaked dates, old figs, and brandy-stewed prunes all cut with Christmas spices and dipped in dark chocolate.

Finish: That chocolate takes on a Nutella vibe at the end with a nice mix of mincemeat pies and sticky toffee pudding.

Initial Thoughts:

This is just nice and sweet classic bourbon through and through. It’s lush and delicious.

Part 2 — The Bourbon Vs. Rye Whiskey Ranking

20. World Whiskey Society Class Collection Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished In Port Cask Aged 10 Years — Taste 10

ABV: 51%

Average Price: $164

The Whiskey:

This whiskey is distilled in Oklahoma but bottled in Georgia. The whiskey in the bottle is made from a mash bill (recipe) of 51% corn, 45% wheat, and 4% malted barley. That hot juice was then aged for almost a decade before going into a huge port cask for a final rest.

Bottom Line:

This is the only whiskey that failed today. It was a little off. I’d skip.

19. Woody Creek Distillers Colorado Straight Bourbon Whiskey — Taste 7

ABV: 45%

Average Price: $56

The Whiskey:

This Colorado craft distillery is all about that Rocky Mountain vibe. The whiskey is made from a 70% corn mash with a touch of local rye and malted barley mixed with Rocky Mountain spring water. The whiskey is aged for at least four years in deeply charred new oak before batching, proofing, and bottling.

Bottom Line:

This was fine. I could see using this for mixing highballs. But if you’re not in Colorado, you don’t need to go out of your way for this one. If you are in Colorado, give it try in a cocktail.

18. Freeland Spirits Cask Strength Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished In Pinot Noir Casks (S1B55) — Taste 2

ABV: 57.67%

Average Price: $56

The Whiskey:

This single barrel pick from ReserveBar is a great entry point for the Portland, Oregon-based Freeland. The whiskey in the bottle is made from a five-year-old bourbon made from a mash of 70% corn, 20% rye, and 10% malted barley. That whiskey was then loaded into an Elk Cove Pinot Noir barrel for a final one-year-long rest before bottling completely as-is.

Bottom Line:

This is where we get into the good stuff (I know, we’ve barely started). This is a really nice red wine-finished bourbon with a good depth. I could see pairing this with an easy meal with a lot of fresh herbs and game or cold-water seafood. It feels like it’d make a nice cocktail too.

17. Old Potrero Single Barrel Reserve Straight Rye Whiskey (S1B45) — Taste 18

ABV: 65.16%

Average Price: $86

The Whiskey:

This whiskey is a bit of a throwback with a West Coast vibe. The juice is 100 percent rye whiskey made at Hotaling & Co. in Potrero Hill, one of San Francisco’s most iconic spots for booze. As of this year, the spirit is being distilled on the waterfront in San Francisco but still carries that Anchor Brewing heritage. With that move, the bottle also got a brand new design that leans into San Francisco’s sea-faring history.

Bottom Line:

This is a nice, crafty rye whiskey. It’s well-balanced and gives you the best of the crafty and classic vibes. Overall, I could see using this for good cocktails with a hint of citrus and nuttiness.

16. Green River Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey — Taste 13

ABV: 45%

Average Price: $38

The Whiskey:

Green River Distillery has been pumping out contract-distilled whiskey for a while. In the spring of 2022, they finally released their much anticipated Green River Bourbon to much hoopla. The bourbon is a blend of five years and older barrels of bourbon made from a mash bill of 70% corn, 21% winter rye, and 9% malted two-row and six-row barley. Those barrels and batched, proofed, and bottled as-is for this new whiskey.

Bottom Line:

This is a really good standard bourbon. I can see mixing cocktails with this easily. It also would make a good table whiskey. It’s easygoing and easy to sip.

15. Woody Creek Distillers Colorado Straight 100% Rye Whiskey — Taste 11

ABV: 45%

Average Price: $42

The Whiskey:

This Colorado whiskey is made from a mash bill of 100% Colorado rye that’s grown up in the Rocky Mountains. The grain-to-glass whiskey is distilled on custom-built stills before four years of resting in new American oak.

Bottom Line:

This is a pretty good rye whiskey all things considered. It’s standard stuff but would make a killer cocktail or mid-week sipper (it’s the kind of whiskey that you don’t have to think about and can just enjoy).

14. Eric LeGrand Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey — Taste 8

ABV: 44%

Average Price: $49

The Whiskey:

This whiskey — from former college football star Eric LeGrand (whose career was cut short due to a spinal injury while playing for Rutgers) — is made from classic Kentucky bourbon. The juice is distilled in Owensboro, Kentucky, and then batched and bottled in Bardstown (via the Bardstown Bourbon Company). The whiskey is classic corn, rye, and barley mash made with that iconic Kentucky limestone water.

Perhaps more importantly, Eric LeGrand donates $5.20 of every case sold of this bourbon to the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation.

Bottom Line:

A solid whiskey that played with a lot of titans today and held its own well!

13. Larceny Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Batch No. B523 — Taste 1

ABV: 62.2%

Average Price: $59 (Coming in May)

The Whiskey:

The spring edition of Larceny is on its way. The whiskey is a barrel-strength version of Larceny wheated bourbon (68% corn, 20% wheat, and 12% malted barley) created for a small batch of six to eight-year-old barrels. Those barrels come together and go into the bottle 100% as-is.

Bottom Line:

This is where we get into the delicious whiskeys. This is a killer Larceny release. It’s a bit warm but still delivers a deep and satisfying bourbon vibe.

12. 291 Small Batch Colorado Rye Whiskey Finished With Aspen Wood Staves — Taste 9

ABV: 50.8%

Average Price: $88

The Whiskey:

This award-winning rye from Colorado’s 291 Distillery is a modern classic. The whiskey is made from malted rye in a one-of-a-kind pot still. The hot whiskey goes into new American oak with toasted aspen wood staves for a year before batching and bottling as-is.

Bottom Line:

Great! It’s kind of amazing this is only one-year-old whiskey. Still, it runs deep and delivers strong. And I would 100% say that this is worth tracking down even if you’re not in Colorado.

11. Blue Run Emerald Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey — Taste 15

ABV: 58.35%

Average Price: $110

The Whiskey:

The latest release from Blue Run is their second rye release, Emerald Rye. The whiskey is contract distilled at Castle & Key in Frankfort, Kentucky. The limited run yielded only 189 barrels that were expertly blended and bottled as-is.

Bottom Line:

Blue Run hit it out of the park with the build of this whiskey. It’s subtle yet familiar and comforting. Get some while you still can.

10. Bulleit Bourbon Barrel Strength Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey — Taste 16

ABV: 59.5%

Average Price: $92

The Whiskey:

The sourced bourbon is small-batched from hand-selected barrels and bottled at Diageo’s new Bulleit facility without any filtration or cutting down to proof. Basically, we’re talking about Bulleit dialed in to as close to bourbon excellence as it can get.

Bottom Line:

This is just good bourbon. If your local spot carries this, get two. It’s a crowd-pleasing bourbon that works wonders over some ice or in a cocktail.

9. Hirsch The Cask Strength Kentucky Straight Bourbon Finished In Cognac Casks — Taste 4

ABV: 63.5%

Average Price: $210

The Whiskey:

This cask-strength version of Hirsch is made from a classic bourbon mash of 72% corn, 13% rye, and 15% malted barley. That hot juice then rests for six years in new American oak. Those barrels are batched and then re-filled into 30-year-old Hine XO fine cognac casks for another year-and-a-half of resting. Finally, the whiskey is batched and bottled as-is.

Bottom Line:

This might be my favorite Hirsch release. It has a serious depth that’s perfectly accented by the subtle cognac notes. If you’re looking for a great food pairing whiskey, this is a must-have.

8. Rare Character Single Barrel Series Straight Rye Whiskey Finished In Amburana Casks — Taste 5

ABV: 57.64%

Average Price: $104

The Whiskey:

This is a niche whiskey company started by whiskey legend Andrew Shapira (if you know, you know) with partners Peter Nevenglosky and Pablo Moix. The whiskey is a single barrel of whiskey that was hidden away as an “experimental” cask until the Rare Character team rescued it and gave it to the world. The experiment in this case was aging classic rye in Brazilian Amburana casks to see how a non-oak wood finish would work with rye whiskey.

Bottom Line:

This is out there, wildly flavored, and bold AF, and it goddamn rules. If you’re looking for something completely new and delicious in the whiskey world (rye or not), this is it.

7. New Riff Silver Grove Straight Bourbon Whiskey Barrel Proof Aged 4 Years — Taste 6

ABV: 56.8%

Average Price: $55

The Whiskey:

This new and very limited release from New Riff (it’s a distillery-only release for now) is an hommage to Cincinnati’s Carthage neighborhood and the Edward Brinkmann Distillery’s 1933 bottling of “Silver Grove.” The actual whiskey in the bottle is made from a mash of 65% corn, 30% malted rye, and 5% malted barley. That whiskey was left alone for four years before batching and bottling as-is.

Bottom Line:

This is damn fine bourbon from one of the best “craft” distilleries working today. If you’re anywhere near Northern Kentucky, or Cincinnati, Ohio, get yourself over to the distillery for a bottle ASAP.

6. Knob Creek Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey Aged 7 Years — Taste 12

ABV: 50%

Average Price: $36

The Whiskey:

This new whiskey from Beam marks the big age-statement return of their iconic Knob Creek Rye. The whiskey in this case was aged seven years before batching, slight proofing, and bottling.

Bottom Line:

This is excellent rye whiskey for mixing up killer cocktails. It totally works as a nice on-the-rocks sipper too. Basically, this is a whiskey that can do anything!

5. Blackwood Small Batch Toasted Rye Whiskey Barrel Strength — Taste 17

ABV: 58.2%

Average Price: $150

The Whiskey:

This rye is sourced from expertly picked barrels for a very small batch offering. The mash is a classic 95/5 rye/malted barley bill. The barrels are close to seven years old before a handful came together to create this barrel-strength bottling of only 620 bottles.

Bottom Line:

This is so deep, enticing, and delicious that it almost haunts you after you taste it. This is the good stuff, folks.

4. Doc Holliday Straight Bourbon Whiskey Aged 10 Years — Taste 20

ABV: 56%

Average Price: $184

The Whiskey:

This whiskey is distilled in Georgia from a mash of 80% corn, 10% malted corn, 5% rye, and 5% malted barley. The whiskey then rests for 10 long years in Georgia before batching, a touch of proofing, and bottling.

Bottom Line:

A 90% corn bourbon is a lot of sugar. That said, this really works. It’s deep and lush and goes down like a luxurious slow sipper.

3. Hemingway Rye, 1st Edition A Blend Of Straight Rye Whiskeys Finished In Rum Seasoned Olorosso Sherry Casks — Taste 19

ABV: 50%

Average Price: $109

The Whiskey:

This whiskey is a unique one. The blend is made up of two whiskeys — 94% is a nine-year-old 95/5 (rye/malted barley) Indiana rye and 6% is a four-year-old 95/5 Kentucky rye. Those whiskeys were batched and then re-filled into a rum-season Oloroso sherry cask for a final rest before batching, proofing, and bottling.

Bottom Line:

Delicious. Great value. Get it.

2. Michter’s US*1 Limited Release Barrel Strength Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey — Taste 3

ABV: 54.6%

Average Price: $223

The Whiskey:

This rare Michter’s expression is pulled from single barrels that were just too good to batch or cut. Once the barrels hit the exact right flavor profile, each one is filtered with Michter’s bespoke system and then bottled as-is at the strength it came out of the barrel.

Bottom Line:

This is where we get into the stellar stuff. This makes a wonderful cocktail, thanks to the ice taking the edge off the high ABVs. That said, if you’re looking for a classic Kentucky rye with a spicy/fruity sweet edge with a nice kick, this is the pour.

1. Barrell Rye Singel Barrel (S1B4) — Taste 14

ABV: 56.9%

Average Price: $100

The Whiskey:

This ReserveBar barrel pick is from a single barrel of Indiana rye (95/5) that spent seven years resting before it was bottled. The whiskey when into the bottle completely as-is from the barrel.

Bottom Line:

This was also next-level stellar whiskey. The main reason that this won out is that it just goes so deep. This whiskey truly takes you on a journey that you want to never stop. It’s so good that $100 doesn’t even feel that expensive for what it is. It’s just great.

Part 3 — Final Thoughts on the Bourbon and Rye Whiskeys

I’m not really that surprised that the rye whiskeys dominated the top slots. Still, the top 10 was a 60/40 split between ryes and bourbons. Good whiskey is good whiskey, folks. Today, the ryes edged out the bourbons but tomorrow that might be flipped. It really depends on which bottles are in the test.

As for the rest of the whiskeys, I really only feel like the bottom two are skippable. The rest are pretty much as solid as it gets. Numbers 18 through 11 are good, solid whiskeys that are sure to please. Numbers 10 through four are really good whiskeys. You cannot go wrong with any of those pours.

But it’s the top three that really shine. Each one is a masterpiece in its own right. Get any one, or all three. They’re great.

Editor’s Note: Upworthy earns a percentage of revenue from sales associated with this article.

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Have you ever seen something in a movie or online and thought, “That’s totally fake,” only to find out it’s absolutely a real thing? That’s sort of how this house in Pennsylvania comes across. It just seems too fantastical to be real, and yet somehow it actually exists.

The home sits between Greencastle and Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, and houses a pretty unique public secret. There’s a cave in the basement. Not a man cave or a basement that makes you feel like you’re in a cave, but an actual cave that you can’t get to unless you go through the house.

Turns out the cave was discovered in the 1830s on the land of John Coffey, according to Uncovering PA, but the story of how it was found is unclear. People would climb down into the cave to explore occasionally until the land was leased about 100 years later and a small structure was built over the cave opening.

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The idea was to make it accessible to visitors and use the cave as a tourist attraction, and the small structure was eventually built into a two-story house. But it was closed to the public in 1954 after the land was purchased for limestone mining and it remained closed for nearly 70 years. (In the words of Stephanie Tanner, “How rude.”) Sometime during that 70-year closure, the home that contains the cave was purchased by Dara Black, and in 2021, it reopened to the public.

Currently, the home is occupied by Black, but to gain access to the cave you can simply book a tour. The best part about booking a tour is that you only have to make a donation to enter. It’s a pay-what-you-can sort of setup, but since someone actually lives in the home, you can’t just pop in and ask for a tour. You have to go during the “open house” times available.

According to the Black-Coffey Caverns Facebook page, they treat the tours truly as an open house, complete with snacks and drinks. There’s a waiting room area where people can chat and eat their snacks while they wait for the tour to start. They also offer cave yoga once a month. According to Uncovering PA, the tour takes about 45 minutes to complete and there are about 3,000 feet worth of passageways.

Imagine living on top of a cave and just taking strangers on a waltz under your floorboards essentially. It makes me wonder if the house is quiet at night or if you can hear echoes of the cave sounds while you’re trying to sleep. From the Facebook page, it appears that the cave doesn’t have any lights, but there were pictures with some Christmas lights mounted to the cave walls. Otherwise, you have to use flashlights.

Hopefully, no mischievous children decide to play hide and seek or you just might have to call in a rescue crew. Literally. But what an unbelievable “pics or it didn’t happen” kind of story to tell. It’s not every day you run into someone that has a door that leads you to an underground cave.

If you want to see what a cave tour looks like starting from the outside of the house, check out the video below:

This article originally appeared on 1.30.23

Twitter’s long-anticipated removal of blue checks from users who do not subscribe to Twitter Blue finally happened on Thursday afternoon. One thing that stuck out once that finished up was that Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James still had a check on his account, with that being notable because James previously said that his well-documented frugal nature was going to keep him from giving money to Twitter.

There are plenty of reasons why this could have happened — someone affiliated with James thought it would be a good idea for him to have a check, James changed his mind, etc. — but as it turns out, James wasn’t involved in this. According to Alex Heath of Verge, someone at Twitter reached out to James and offered to have the website’s owner, Elon Musk, pay for a subscription to Twitter Blue, to which James did not respond.

Both Stephen King and Ice-T noted that they still had checks next to their names despite not paying for Twitter Blue. James did not comment on all of this, presumably because his focus is on the NBA playoffs and the Lakers’ series against the Memphis Grizzlies and not on what’s happened to his Twitter account. If that changes, we will let you know.

Brace yourself McDonald’s fans — the Golden Arches has just tweaked the recipe for its famous burgers. Seriously, the classic burgers that seemed frozen in amber are changing. And it’s a change you can taste.

We love innovation in fast food, it’s what keeps things interesting, but messing with a staple is dangerous business. Fans freaked out when Taco Bell ditched its Mexican Pizza. I’m still complaining about KFC changing the potato wedges. Hell, Chance the Rapper started a whole campaign when Wendy’s tried to take away Spicy Nuggets. So the prospect of a giant chain known for its burgers (and fries and chicken nuggets) changing a recipe that so many people have experienced and clearly enjoyed their entire lives… that’s a big big swing.

So what’s new? A lot. But much of it probably won’t offend anyone:

1. Softer buns.
2. Meltier Cheese.
3. A new grill setting, resulting in a more noticeable sear.
4. A juicier, more umami-packed flavor, created by adding the onions to the patties while they’re still grilling.
5. More Big Mac sauce (at least for the Big Mac).

So far so good, right?!

The new changes will be implemented across the McDonald’s Big Mac, McDouble, Double Cheeseburger, and Hamburger and are set to roll out nationwide by 2024. The new recipe is already being implemented across the West Coast and you can experience the new changes at McDonald’s restaurants in Los Angeles, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Sacramento, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, Denver, Boise, Tucson, and the surrounding cities.

So do these subtle shifts create a better final product? Are they even noticeable? We found out by trying a new Big Mac, Double Cheeseburger, Cheeseburger, and McDouble.

McDonald’s New Burgers, Reviewed

Tasting Notes:

These subtle changes make all the difference, the buns aren’t just softer, they taste better, they’re buttery, and much more toasted — offering a nutty, almost-caramel-forward flavor that adds a touch of sweetness to the overall experience. The old buns had a dusty over-floured texture to them and came across as dry. By contrast, the new buns offer a nice depth of flavor. They are, undoubtedly, a huge improvement over McDonald’s old buns.

The cheese is much meltier — another noticeable improvement. It’s not melted to the point that it’s gooey and stretchy, but the old cheese tended to have this just-barely-warmed texture to it that made it come across as… sorta plasticky. Now there is some heat on it and it brings the salty flavor forward. Melted American cheese is always better than non-melted cheese, so there is nothing that anyone would have objections to here.

The biggest and most important improvement is adding those onions to the patty mid-grill. That proximity to heat may not be enough to fully grill the onions, but it does allow them to caramelize a bit on top of the patty, which then soaks into the patty itself, resulting in a flavor that is much more savory, and a bit sweet — adding a whole new dimension to this burger that not only compliments the other changes, but results in an overall better end product. The beef itself might not be different, but it tastes a lot better thanks to the way the onions interact with the meat. You do lose that sharp zip of McDonald’s white onions, but what you lose in crispness, you gain in complex flavor. That’s a trade-off we’re willing to take.

I only wish there were more onions!

The one burger I’m less impressed with is the Big Mac. It’s still a Big Mac… it just has more sauce. That makes the experience a bit tangier and messier, which some people are going to like and some aren’t. It was enough sauce to make my hands dirty as I cut the burger to photograph the cross-cut, which in turn caused me to forget to photograph it because I was too busy cleaning my hands.

Admittedly, I probably didn’t need to try four different McDonald’s burgers (two of which were double cheeseburgers) to experience the new changes, but what I did need, was an additional set of burgers without any sauce. Sauce is the easiest way to enhance flavors, and I wanted to taste if these changes actually made as big of a difference as I initially thought. I’m happy to say that even without the ketchup and mustard on the burgers and the extra Big Mac sauce on the Big Mac, these burgers were still incredibly flavorful (the Big Mac needs sauce, it has too much bread otherwise).

I can see myself skipping the sauce entirely to dip the single hamburger in some BBQ or customizing it some other way. The idea that McDonald’s burgers are now a playground for menu hackers to remix makes it all the more exciting.

The Bottom Line:

I’m never this enthusiastic about a big fast food recipe change (if it’s not broke, don’t fix it) but McDonald’s took a thing that was already working for the brand and made it better in a whole bunch of small-but-very-noticeable ways. That’s a rarity in fast food worth celebrating. At the end of the day, these changes are subtle enough that it isn’t going to ruin your favorite burger if you have some serious McDonald’s nostalgia but so substantial that you will notice a much better burger when you first bite into one.

Are we going to have to blind-taste test this stuff against the competition again? You bet.

Sometimes the best new R&B can be hard to find, but there are plenty of great rhythm-and-blues tunes to get into if you have the time to sift through the hundreds of newly released songs every week. So that R&B heads can focus on listening to what they really love in its true form, we’ll be offering a digest of the best new R&B songs that fans of the genre should hear every Friday.

Since the last update of this weekly R&B and Afrobeats column, we’ve received plenty of music and news from the genre’s artists.

SZA recruited Doja Cat for a remix of her SOS standout “Kill Bill” and announced an extended North American run of her SOS Tour as well as a visit to Europe. Miguel’s “Sure Thing” reached a new chart peak and Pharrell revealed the guests to his Something In The Water Festival. Davido shared his video for “Unavailable” while Beyonce and Steve Lacy landed on the Time list of The “100 Most Influential People” of 2023 list.

Jorja Smith — “Try Me”

The last time we heard from Jorja Smith was in 2021 with the release of her Be Right Back EP. As promised, Jorja has returned and she’s back with her new single “Try Me.” Jorja explained the inspiration for the song in a press release, saying, “Putting yourself out there, in front of a world that has many opinions, as it only ever used to be me really being my own critic.”

Yung Bleu — Love Scars II

Long before his breakout moment in 2020, Yung Bleu was relentless with his output, and that continues with his latest project Love Scars II. The 14-song project calls on the likes of Ty Dolla Sign, Chris Brown, and Tink for a sweet second installation to the Love Scars series that began back in 2020.

Omarion — “Serious”

Omarion may be readying his first project since 2020’s The Kinection. Earlier this year we received “Big Vibez” from the singer and now he’s back to follow that up with “Serious,” an airy and free-floating record that Omarion uses to acknowledge a turning point in a relationship

Dinner Party — Enigmatic Society

Nearly three years after their self-titled debut project, Dinner Party, the group comprised of Terrace Martin, Robert Glasper, Kamasi Washington, and 9th Wonder returns with their second body of work Enigmatic Society. Through 9 songs on the project, Dinner Party calls on help from Arin Ray, Ant Clemons, Tank, and Phoelix.

Josh Levi — “Ego”

Let’s give a warm welcome back to Josh Levi who is back with his first single since his 2022 project Disc Two. The sultry record touches on the moments when one’s ego and guard come down due to the effects of a head-turning romantical connection.

Devvon Terrell — “I Made You Perfect”

If you want some toxic R&B, Devvon Terrell has just that for you. His new record “I Made Your Perfect” is a response to news that a former lover of his moved on to a new man. Terrell takes things further and explains why that new man isn’t good enough for her.

K. Michelle — “Wherever The D May Land” Feat. Gloss Up

The latest Memphis connection isn’t happening in the hip-hop world, rather it’s an R&B record that’s at the center of it. K. Michelle calls on rapper Gloss Up for their new single “Wherever The D May Land.” On it, both Michelle and Gloss Up make it clear that they’re not interested in anything more than late-night intimacy when it comes to men.

Jai’len Josey — Southern Delicacy

Fresh off touring with Ari Lennox as an opener, Atlanta singer Jai’Len Josey is back with her second project Southern Delicacy. Through 11 songs, Josey displays a captivating product of the influences that pushed her into music, names like Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Nicks, and Billy Joel. She also uses Southern Delicacy to touch on having a nourishing heart, finding your way into love, and more.

Gabrielle B. — “Body”

Months after giving us her Unscripted EP, Los Angeles singer Gabrielle B. returns with her new single “Body.” The sultry, rich record touches on the moments before love when each partner anticipates the touch of how another while keeping things slow and passionate.

Jaz Karis — “Therapy”

Just a few months after releasing Dear Jaz, singer Jaz Karis is back on the scene with her new single “Therapy.” On it, Karis gets honest with herself an old lover by admitting that the feelings are still there. She sets aside the fake self-care and therapy veil in exchange for something that truly makes her happy.

MohBad — “Ask About Me”

It’s been a while since we’ve heard from afrobeats singer MohBad, but thankfully he’s back with a new record. “Ask About Me” is one of many sporadic releases we’ve received from the singer and the hope is that it’ll lead to his next project, his first since 2020’s Light.

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

If there was a hall of fame for the biggest bag fumbles in entertainment, DaBaby would certainly breeze into it as a first-ballot entry. After blowing up in a massive way in 2019 with his album Baby On Baby, he quickly became one of the most recognizable stars in rap, racking up a slew of Billboard hits on the way, including a feature on Megan Thee Stallion’s “Cash Sh*t” from her 2019 EP Fever.

Then, he blew it, first by siding with her attacker Tory Lanez after she claimed Lanez shot her, bringing out the Canadian rapper during his Rolling Loud set in 2021 (just after Megan herself left the stage), then by making some homophobic comments onstage in that same set. The true bag fumble, though, was in his refusal to acknowledge his wrongdoing, only begrudgingly issuing halfhearted apologies like a recalcitrant pre-teen; you could feel the insincerity oozing through your device screens.

Since then, his fortunes have fallen to the point he more regularly makes headlines for failing to sell tickets to his shows than for any successes he achieves. Even lions, as a collective, seemingly don’t f*ck with him anymore.

That didn’t stop him from making yet another bid to return to the public’s good graces — this time; by telling TMZ that he’s still cool with Megan Thee Stallion and inviting her to collaborate with him again.

This seems an unlikely outcome; at his lowest point last summer, he tried to garner attention for his new album Baby On Baby 2 by courting controversy with “Boogeyman,” a tired single in which he claimed to have had sex with Meg days before her shooting. The headline play backfired, with fans censuring him for his poor taste and the album still only selling a paltry 16,000 album-equivalent units in the first week (compared to the 124,000 of its predecessor).

Fans weren’t too happy to hear him still trying to ride Megan’s coattails. Twitter users dragged the North Carolina rapper like Linus’ blanket, pointing out what should be obvious: that he has effectively burned that particular bridge and has no one to blame but himself now that his career is sinking like a stone in the river below. I guess it isn’t all water under the bridge.

One of the best moments of Coachella 2023’s first weekend came at the very end of Boygenius’ set. As the trio of Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus, and Julien Baker wrapped up a performance that oscillated between delicacy and rambunctiousness, they closed with “Salt In The Wound,” from their (nearly) universally adored new album, The Record. With Bridgers and Dacus twirling around each other, the two fell to the ground in a laughing fit, as much in their own world as on the Coachella grounds. Then, they spotted Baker still playing guitar and crawled to her, trying to drag her down to their level as Baker soloed above them.

It wasn’t necessarily a moment that was unique to Coachella — the trio pulled a similar move at their Fox Theater show a few days before — but the effect here was much more giddy and silly. The pure joy that was demonstrated as the three members laughed together exemplified why they are so beloved in the first place, the idea of giving the audience a glimpse into what it is ostensibly like hanging with the band: lots of laughs, people being their true selves, caring little about what others think or say, community over everything. At that moment, it didn’t matter that the performance was a bit underattended or that it evoked skepticism of indie’s place at Coachella in the year 2023. It felt like the most inclusive inside joke ever conceived, performed under one of the biggest spotlights that the music world offers.

Throughout the weekend, it often wasn’t often the most packed sets that provided moments like this, but the ones where the artist didn’t give in to the pressure of the moment. There was The Linda Lindas, the local group of industry-connected teens that fought through a host of technical issues (and featured Best Coast’s Bobb Bruno trying to help them through it). For a band this young (the oldest is 18, the youngest 12), it wouldn’t have been surprising to see them defeated, but instead, they manifested joy. It was the kind of spirit rarely seen on the professional level and usually reserved for practice spaces and garages, where the point is being there and playing songs with your buds rather than serving an audience or a career. The band jumped, skipped, hopped, yelled, and danced their way into the hearts of the Sonora tent’s spectators.

There was Yaeji, the Korean-American Godmode affiliate who broke free of the DJ sets she typically performs at festivals. When her stage stood completely bare except for a microphone stand, it begged the question as to whether things were running extremely late. But instead, Yaeji explored the world of performance art to support her latest With A Hammer, dancing freely and striking stunning poses in silhouette in front of bright backgrounds. She incorporated DIY-adjacent production, where an office chair became a vehicle for expression, where she couldn’t help but laugh in her interactions with her small dance team. Yaeji, playing the small Gobi stage at the exact time Rosalía performed on the main (more for the livestream, though, than the actual Coachella attendees), didn’t have a large audience, but it didn’t matter. She knew that if she was having a blast, so would her fans.

This could be seen in some of the bigger moments, too. Despite being their first show back together in nine years, Blink-182 didn’t change a thing for their Coachella set, still acting like potty-mouthed teens despite the seriousness they’d endured in the interim. Weyes Blood was self-aware enough to know that her brand of orchestral indie wasn’t a direct fit for a hot Sunday afternoon in the desert, so she punctuated her set with wry wit and self-deprecating humor, making sure the set remained fun even when the songs were sad. And Latto proved that even political statements can be served in entertaining ways, as she blended raunchy raps with visuals that demanded autonomy for women’s bodies.

Largely, Coachella has become the place to put on the best show of your life. Artists like Kali Uchis and Metro Boomin took the assignment seriously and loaded their sets with standout production and guests galore. Even early afternoon performances often include dance teams, elaborate lighting concepts, and impressive staging. But with a year that concluded with the most joyless performance imaginable, where the artist seemed more interested in collecting his paycheck and fulfilling his contractual obligation, these times where the artists seemed to be rediscovering why they do it in the first place stood bright. It’s possible to play both for yourself and for your fans — something Frank Ocean might one day learn — and the larger the scale in which this is achieved, the most impressive. It’s why Blackpink’s headlining set will ultimately stand out as the best of this year’s headliners, because they make the spectacle look fun, like it was what they were born (pink) to do.

These moments of joy, also, are what separates attending from livestreaming. While YouTube can give you the feel of a performance and show you what’s happening, that shared emotion of being in the same space stays on the polo fields. Year after year, while people knock Coachella for changing — I prefer evolving and growing — it only takes one trip out there to realize that it’s still expertly curated, featuring some of the most exciting rising and established acts in music, and full of moments of pure joy. All you have to do is look.

Check out some exclusive photos of Coachella 2023 below.

Bad Bunny

Boygenius

Jai Paul

Yaeji

Wet Leg

The Chemical Brothers

Soul Glo

Saba

Pusha T

Muna

Metro Boomin w/ John Legend

Gorillaz

Doechii

Becky G

Coachella

Remi Wolf

Shenseea

The Linda Lindas

Yung Lean

Hiatus Kaiyote

Willow

Weyes Blood

Kali Uchis w/ Tyler The Creator and Omar Apollo

Porter Robinson

Latto

Knocked Loose

Jackson Wang

Dominic Fike

Alex G

Dinner Party

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

Perhaps best exemplified by the album cover, Rahill’s debut solo LP Flowers At Your Feet is a love letter to her upbringing. It features a Polaroid of herself as a child; Her head wrapped in a towel and a gold charm around her neck, she looks longingly off into the distance. Not only does her gaze represents the exciting future laid before her — as one of the founding members of indie rock four-piece Habibi, Rahill has traveled around the world and made a career out of music — but her necklace signals the importance of family.

Like music, passed-down charms preserve stories and act as a physical embodiment of love. “My grandma gifted me that necklace on my first trip to Iran when I was a year old,” Rahill says in a statement. “She’s someone who’s been ever present in life, and since her passing last year the value and appreciation of the charms have only deepened.”

Like her album cover, Flowers At Your Feet is filled with snapshots of Rahill’s life and is laced with sentimentality. The 14-track album samples field recordings, audio from her family’s home movies, and even audio of her late aunt singing in Farsi. With songs like “I Smile For E” and the Beck collaboration “Fables,” which came about when they formed a friendship after a chance encounter at a party, Rahill offers up a batch of jazzy, comforting, and nostalgic tracks.

Ahead of the release of Flowers At Your Feet, and to celebrate the newly released, breezy track “Bended Light,” Rahill sits down with Uproxx to talk poetry, Toni Braxton, and a secret talent for sports in our latest Q&A.

What are four words you would use to describe your music?

Familiar, dreamy, whimsical, evolving.

It’s 2050 and the world hasn’t ended and people are still listening to your music. How would you like it to be remembered?

I want it to feel timeless, and to inspire people to reflect on sweet memories, the same way old albums do for me. Like revisiting an old friend, that feeling of familiarity, it’s personal, it’s meaningful, it brings you back with nostalgia, and is also a refuge that can pull you out from time and head spaces that occupy.

What’s your favorite city in the world to perform?

I don’t think I’ve played it yet.

Who’s the person who has most inspired your work, and why?

Forrough Farrokhzad, she was an Iranian poet that died young. Her work is honest and pure, she never embellished the words for the sake of poetry, they just had a way of staying with you and hitting so hard, so impactful. I admire that plain language, that is also captivating and beautiful. Her poems feel like she’s reading to you from a page out of her diary. I love that.

Where did you eat the best meal of your life?

At my grandmother’s house in Shiraz. Kalam Polo.

What album do you know every word to?

There are many, Love’s Forever Changes is one that comes to mind.

What was the best concert you’ve ever attended?

ESG and Roy Ayers were amazing.

What is the best outfit for performing and why?

Monochrome white or black, because I feel most comfortable when I’m clothed in one of the two.

Who’s your favorite person to follow on Twitter and/or Instagram?

Use to be old footballer Roy Keane but then he deleted his IG, no one has filled his shoes for me yet.

What’s your most frequently played song in the van on tour?

So many! Two that come to mind are: “Goin Nowhere” by The Byrds and “Who Does She Hope To Be” by Sonny Sharrock.

What’s the last thing you Googled?

“Stretches for neck.”

What album makes for the perfect gift?

Gotta know the person you shopping for, but I guess a general great album would be Songs In The Key Of Life by Stevie Wonder.

Where’s the weirdest place you’ve ever crashed while on tour?

An old airstream trailer in Birmingham, Alabama clad with old Star Wars and Sesame Street memorabilia.

What’s the story behind your first or favorite tattoo?

I have none.

What artists keep you from flipping the channel on the radio?

If there’s an oldies channel, I’m listening. If Toni Braxton is playing, I’m listening.

What’s the nicest thing anyone has ever done for you?

Everything my parents have ever done and continue to do for me. Indebted.

What’s one piece of advice you’d go back in time to give to your 18-year-old self?

Keep staying true to yourself and follow your intuition because the right people will show up for you, it just takes time.

What’s the last show you went to?

Sudan Archives in a park in LA.

What movie can you not resist watching when it’s on TV?

Moonstruck.

What’s one of your hidden talents?

I can ball. Soccer, basketball, and tennis.

Flowers At Your Feet is out 5/12 via Big Dada. Find more information here.

Elon Musk has had a day, alright. First, his SpaceX rocket experienced “rapid unscheduled disassembly”/exploded. Then he finally put his plan in motion to strip legacy verified Twitter users of their Blue checkmarks if they hadn’t signed over $8 per month for Twitter Blue. This means that Taylor Swift and Beyoncé are no longer verified, which is a bizarre thing to behold. The takedown wasn’t universal, though. Stephen King and Ice-T discovered that they have retained Blue checkmarks, but both of them insist that they didn’t pay for the enduring symbol.

Both Ice and King have also been vocal about their intent not to pay up, and on 4/20 (yep), they’re calling shenanigans on whatever is happening behind the Twitter scenes with their accounts.

“My Twitter account says I’ve subscribed to Twitter Blue. I haven’t,” the horror maestro wrote. “My Twitter account says I’ve given a phone number. I haven’t.”

Yep, that’s what his profile says, so King is setting the record straight.

As well, the Law & Order: SVU star and rocker tweeted, “Thanks Stephen. Don’t believe the Hype.”

I smell a crossover coming. Or maybe some Body Count spoken word guest vocals. Something! Also, yep, no one knows what is going on at Twitter.