At long last, we finally know when Don Toliver‘s highly anticipated third studio album, Love Sick will arrive. Today, the Houston-native R&B singer revealed that the album will arrive next week.
The announcement follows the release of Toliver’s steamy Kali Uchis collaboration, “4 Me.” On top of the announcement, Toliver has also shared a new collaboration with Lil Durk and GloRilla called “Leave The Club.” On the bouncy new track, Toliver and Durk detail messages they receive from women, prompting them to leave the club and come home for some naughty escapes. But at the switch of a beat, Glo reminds them that the game is in her hands.
Upon its release, Love Sick will be accompanied by a short film, appropriately titled Love Sick: The Short Film. In the trailer, Toliver is seen welcoming people to a diner, also called Love Sick, as this clip is juxtaposed with clips of debauched nights at the club, with new music playing throughout. The short film will be available to stream on Prime Video upon the album’s release.
You can check out the cover art for Love Sick below and the trailer for the short film above. You can also listen to “Leave The Club” above.
Atlantic Records
Love Sick is out 2/24 via Atlantic Records. You can pre-save it here.
Don Toliver is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
The Celebrity Game is usually filled with people who are not especially good at basketball trying to play basketball and looking pretty silly. When there is an exception to this, it’s usually because a professional athlete does a professional athlete thing — think of the years where Terrell Owens played in the game and was so clearly better than literally everyone else on the floor.
Owens isn’t playing in the game this time around, but there is a wide receiver who doubles as a freak of nature playing in the 2023 edition of the Celebrity Game. DK Metcalf of the Seattle Seahawks usually makes fellow NFL players look like they can’t keep up with him, so as you can guess, this event lets him put on a show.
Metcalf managed to do that from the jump on Friday night. The Pro Bowl pass catcher got the ball in the open court and only had Diamond DeShields of the Dallas Wings standing between himself and the rim. DeShields made a business decision to get out of his way (which, to be clear, is 100 percent the correct move), which cleared the path for Metcalf to go up and throw down with authority.
Fidlar has officially announced that their new EP, That’s Life, will be dropping next month. Spanning six tracks, they previewed it today with a punk-influenced new song, “Centipede,” and a video directed by Ryan Baxley.
As for the rest of the EP, it was all recorded with Dave Sardy (LCD Soundsystem, Spoon) at Rick Rubin’s studio.
“These are very addictive songs,” Fidlar shared in a statement according to Spin. “They are meant to be heard if you want to feel. May cause drowsiness. Do not listen while operating heavy machinery.”
Check out “Centipede” above. Continue scrolling for the complete tracklist and Fidlar’s upcoming tour dates — which kick off tonight in Santa Cruz, CA.
1. “Centipede”
2. “On Drugs”
3. “Sand On The Beach”
4. “FSU”
5. “Taste The Money”
6. “That’s Life”
02/17 –- Catalyst @ Santa Cruz, CA
02/18 –- Ace of Spades @ Sacramento, CA
02/20 –- Noise Pop 30th Anniversary @ San Francisco, CA
02/21 –- Fremont Theater @ San Luis Obispo, CA
02/22 -– Observatory North Park @ San Diego, CA
02/24 -– Ventura Theater @ Ventura, CA
02/25 -– The Observatory @ Orange County, CA
03/03 –- Rickshaw Theatre @ Vancouver, BC
03/04 –- Wonder Ballroom @ Portland, OR
03/05 –- Freakout Weekender 2023 @ Seattle, WA
03/15 -– Studio 230 @ Auckland, New Zealand
03/17 -– Roundhouse, Sydney @ Kensington, Australia
03/18 –- Super Fun Day 2023 @ Brisbane, Australia
03/20 -– The Basement Canberra @ Belconnen, Australia
03/22 -– Forum Theatre @ Melbourne, Australia
03/23 -– The Gov @ Adelaide, Australia
03/25 -– Metropolis Fremantle @ Fremantle, Australia
05/05 -– Shaky Knees Festival 2023 @ Atlanta, GA
That’s Life is out 3/17 via Fidlar. Pre-order it here.
It’s time to talk about expensive rye whiskeys that are actually worth those hefty price tags. We’ve already covered the cheap stuff under $50 and the pricier bottles under $100. There are gems to be had at both price points. But the real “wow” bottles are often (far) more pricey, and those are the bottles I’m going to list below.
Before we dive in, it’s always worth asking if a $150, $500, or even $1,000 bottle of whiskey — rye or not — is ever worth it. The answer is a little harder than a clear “yes” or hard “no.” I like to look at it this way, expensive whiskey is often expensive for a reason. None of this happens in a vacuum. When anyone is talking about the whiskeys below, they’re dealing with rare whiskeys that you simply do not see that often. Add in the undeniable layer that the better a whiskey tastes, the more it’ll be sought after, and you have a perfect storm for prices to rise.
Rare whiskey doesn’t have to be expensive; tasty whiskey doesn’t have to cost a fortune; but when whiskey is rare and delicious the price is going to be steep. That’s just the world we live in, folks. I suppose that’s a long way to answer the question and boils down to “yes… sometimes.”
Okay, semantics out of the way, let’s look at 20 rye whiskeys that cost over $100 and are actually worth it because they, yes, taste great. These are whiskeys that truly wow on the palate in different ways and are worth adding to your bar cart right now. Make sure to click on those price links to see if you can snag a bottle in your neck of the woods.
Also Read: The Top Five Rye Whiskey from the Last Six Months on UPROXX
This new expression from awards-darling Kentucky Peerless takes its success with Double Oak Bourbon and applies it to its phenomenal rye whiskey. The rye is a local sweet mash whiskey (made with 100% new batches of ingredients every time) and ages for around four years in new oak. Then the whiskey is re-barrelled into a new American oak barrel for a finish run. Once those barrels hit the exact right moment, they’re batched and bottled as-is.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: There are roasted chestnuts on the nose that leads to a deep sense of pitchy fresh firewood, sweet cinnamon bark, and dark burnt orange rinds with a light moment of vanilla-laced marzipan.
Palate: Crème brûlée leads to fresh oak staves, more cinnamon bark, and a rush of dry wild sagebrush next to orange pekoe tea leaves, a hint of raw brown sugar cubes, and a chewy tobacco spiciness layered into an old leather pouch.
Finish: That chewy tobacco drives the finish with a heady buzz from the ABVs (no burn though) as the sharp cinnamon, soft marzipan, and dark orange oils ebb and flow until the very end.
Bottom Line:
This is fresh, a little funky, and f*cking delicious. The nuttiness and dark citrus oils really meld well on the palate and provide a nice accent to the woodiness at play. Overall, this feels like an advanced rye whiskey that’s open enough to help a beginner take the next step toward true adoration for the style. This is very much an “I get it now” rye.
Kentucky Owl Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey Aged 11 Years Limited Edition Bayou Mardi Gras XO Cask
The latest limited edition from Kentucky Owl celebrates Mardi Gras with a small release of rum-finished whiskey. The whiskey in the bottle is 11-year-old Kentucky straight rye that then spends another year in Bayou Rum XO casks from Louisiana.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: There’s a soft leatheriness on the nose with a sense of old rye bread, sweet butter, and winter spices layered into a vanilla cake.
Palate: The taste is on the sweeter end with dark cherry and stewed plum next to orange marmalade, allspice berries, creamy vanilla pudding, and a mild sense of dry and old herb gardens.
Finish: The lush end layers in that sweet butter and creamy vanilla with a sense of clove tobacco, sharp and spicy root beer, and lush eggnog with plenty of nutmeg.
Bottom Line:
This works really well for anyone looking for a rye with a slightly sweet edge. The King Cake Mardi Gras vibe is front and center with rich and sweet vanilla and dark fruit driving the whole show here. Sweet(er) whiskey fans will rejoice with this one.
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.
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 singed marshmallow between lightly burnt Graham Crackers.
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.
Bottom Line:
This is quintessential Kentucky rye. It’s classically spicy, darkly sweet, and very deep. There’s a balance here that makes it a “wow” sipper for the newbies and a must-have modern classic for the devotees. It also makes one hell of an old fashioned.
High West A Midwinter Nights Dram A Blend of Straight Rye Whiskeys
Each year, this limited drop from Utah’s High West varies slightly. 2022’s release was a mix of MGP rye (95% rye) and High West rye (100% rye) finished in French oak barrels that previously held ruby and tawny port. The barrels picked for this batch were between four and seven years old with the older barrels coming from Indiana and the younger ones from Utah.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: This is a pretty complex nose with sour berries next to dried apricot, woody and slightly sweet cinnamon, French toast, and a mild note of something umami (dried mushroom adjacent).
Palate: The palate gets more savory with a rhubarb vibe as dark chocolate with a serious woody spiced edge meets old leather laced with years of tobacco, lush vanilla cream, and salted caramel.
Finish: The end is as silky as eggnog with a whisper of black tea bitterness and minty tobacco rounding things out.
Bottom Line:
This is a distinctly funky rye that ends lush and mildly spiced. This is one of those bottles that experts adore and clamor for that also happens to be amazingly approachable thanks to that low-ish proof. You can really fall in love with rye whiskey with this one and many have.
This new whiskey from the multi-award-winning Master Blender Victoria Eady-Butler is a true traveling whiskey. The whiskey is made up in Canada with 100% locally grown rye, according to American straight rye whiskey specifications. That whiskey is then sent to New York where it is barreled and aged for at least four years. Finally, Eady-Butler steps in and selects the honey barrels, and ships them to Tennessee where she blends this whiskey and bottles it as-is.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: There’s a hint of fresh sourdough rye bread (the good real stuff you still get in Central Europe) next to a hint of fennel and almost woody black currants with a touch of soft cardamon.
Palate: The palate leans toward dry wicker and fresh green herbs with a snap of spiciness (almost chive) next to woody cinnamon and allspice berries with a hint of spicy orange chocolate.
Finish: There’s a hint of salt on the backend with wonderfully layered dry cedar bark, herbal tobacco note, and a touch of dried nasturtium that ultimately leads to a silky vanilla/cinnamon finish.
Bottom Line:
This whiskey really highlights the quality of Canadian rye distillate. The nuance and uniqueness are apparent from top to bottom. Overall, I’d grab this to help round out my rye knowledge and/or deepen my understanding of the great whiskey coming out of Canada right now.
Leopold Bros Single Barrel Three Chamber Rye Whiskey 2022 Release
The latest release of Leopold Bros.’s famed Three Chamber rye is a stellar single barrel release made in a bespoke still designed by Todd Leopold specifically to make this whiskey. The 2022 release is made with Abruzzi rye and sourced from the best five-year-old barrels in the warehouse, according to Todd Leopold’s master-level palate. Once a single barrel is selected, the whiskey is then slightly touched with water before bottling.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: There’s a crafty sense of rich grain porridge cut with maple syrup and rum-raisin next to creamy Nutella and salted peanut shells on the nose.
Palate: The taste is luxurious and opens with a molasses-filled bran muffin crafty vibe that leads to a deep and murky apple cider, Cherry Coke, cloves, allspice, and creamy eggnog.
Finish: The finish leans botanical and spicy with salted black licorice, cinnamon candies, bright nasturtiums, and chewy apple-candy tobacco on the very end with a flutter of dry prairie sweetgrass.
Bottom Line:
This is a 100% unique rye whiskey that feels like it’s from a different century while also feeling fresh as can be. It’s a great balancing act. That said, this is the whiskey you buy when you’re looking for something completely different from rye whiskey. There’s really nothing quite as refined and singular as this whiskey.
Guero Rye Whiskey Aged 6 Years Finished in Cognac Barrels
This whiskey from Savage & Cooke is a Tennessee and California collaboration. The juice is a 51% rye that’s cut with 45% corn and 4% malted barley in the mash. After several years of resting, the whiskey is re-barreled into Fine Champagne cognac casks for that final rest. Once ready, the barrels are batched and the whiskey is proofed down with local spring water from the Alexander Valley.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose opens with a sense of Swedish Fish next to orange marmalade on scones with a touch of rum-raisin, walnuts, and winter spices rolled into soft tobacco.
Palate: The palate layers pine-y honey with salted caramel, oatmeal cookies with walnuts, raisins, and plenty of cinnamon and vanilla next to a hint of Cherry Coke.
Finish: The end fades through woody cinnamon sticks and old star anise as apple-cinnamon tobacco folds in with dry sweetgrass and old cedar bark.
Bottom Line:
This has a wonderful balance of nuttiness and dark fruitiness that just works. This whiskey doesn’t reinvent the wheel. Instead, it’s like the nicest, best version of a wheel you could ever find. I’d say pick this up if you’re looking for a lush and well-defined rye whiskey.
Bardstown Bourbon Company West Virginia Great Barrel Company Blended Rye Whiskey
This nationwide release is a collaboration with Bardstown Bourbon Company and West Virginia Great Barrel Company, one of the most interesting cooperages in the game right now. The whiskey in the bottle is a blend of 95/5 rye from Indiana that’s about seven years old and a 12-year-old 100% corn whiskey from Ontario. The blend was then refilled into infrared toasted cherry oak barrels for a final maturation run before mild proofing and bottling.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose opens with a rich cinnamon bark touched with apple cider, sharp spearmint, and marzipan with a soft layer of chamomile tea cut with honey and rose water lurking beneath.
Palate: The palate is luxurious with a thick cherry stew over clotted cream and scones next to smoldering apple, cinnamon, and cherry bark, a sense of old sweet oak staves, and cellar funk.
Finish: The end has a dried cranberry dipped in dark chocolate vibe next to more of those spice and orchard barks with this fleeting sense of tannic sharpness and cherry cola spice.
Bottom Line:
This is a great sipping whiskey that has a fascinating story. The rye whiskey blend really takes to the cherry wood finishing in new and interesting ways, there’s really nothing else out there like this. That finish gives this a vivid fruit orchard vibe that’s unparalleled (and really luscious). This is one of those whiskeys that you just have to try because it feels like the future in a glass.
This late edition 2022 whiskey is built to highlight deep blending prowess. The whiskey is made from only eight barrels of 15-year-old Indiana rye. Those barrels were sent down to Nashville where the Nelson Bros. Whiskey team built an iconic rye with them, leaving the whiskey at cask strength and unfiltered to highlight the perfection in those barrels.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: There’s a sense of an old axe handle and worn leather gloved on the nose with wet Earl Grey tea leaves, vanilla pound cake with poppy seeds, and cinnamon candies crumbled over gingerbread on the nose.
Palate: A deep earthiness drives the palate from vanilla cream and stewed apple drizzled with dark chocolate and caramel toward spicy mint tobacco, cedar kindling, and old cellar dirt with a hint of that old wood axe handle and leather again.
Finish: The end leans into the sharp mint tobacco and dips it into sticky toffee pudding cake batter and packs it into an old cedar box wrapped up in wild sage, soft leather, and burnt sweetgrass rope.
Bottom Line:
This is one of those whiskeys that we may never see again. It’s the perfect balance of rare and delicious that justifies the price. It also hits every funky, fresh, and classic rye whiskey note perfectly from start to finish and truly takes you on a journey. Who doesn’t want that?
Chicken Cock Cotton Club Rye Aged 20 Years Canadian Rye Whiskey
The whiskey in this bottle is made with a 90% rye and 10% malted barley mash bill, which is a standard you see with other big-name Canadian brands. In this case, that hot juice was left to mellow in ex-bourbon barrels for 20 long years somewhere in Canada (likely Manitoba). The barrels are sent down to Kentucky where they’re batched and proofed down to 100 proof before bottling.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Green and wet grass mingle with a stack of pine firewood on the nose as a pink bubble gum sweetness leads to a vanilla-heavy cream soda with a whiff of Orange Julius.
Palate: The palate leans into the orange with a zesty vibe as a lemon meringue pie tartness and creaminess kicks in next to dried ginger, floral honey, and a sweet pine resin.
Finish: The mid-palate really leans into the honey while adding in candied orange peels with a hint of allspice and anise leading toward a dry white pepper and old cinnamon sticks soaked in tart apple cider before a final rush of old cellar beams and dry black soil round out the end.
The Bottle:
This is an essential buy for a Canadian whisky fan. This is Canadian rye (by way of Kentucky) at its absolute best.
This rye is made from that magical Canadian 100% rye mash bill. The juice went into the barrel back in May of 1999 and was left alone in the cold north for over two decades before Lock Stock & Barrel blended and bottled this without any fussing.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose balances old cellar oak against a spicy sticky toffee pudding, candied cherry, burnt orange rinds, and marzipan.
Palate: The palate has a hint of tannic bitterness — this is old — next to vanilla sheet cake topped with orange zest frosting sprinkled with toasted coconut and dark chocolate powder.
Finish: There’s a sense of butterscotch and Almond Joy on the mid-palate that leads to a finish full of silky molasses, woody winter spices, and tobacco leaf layered with brandy butter and burnt orange and wrapped up in old leather and cedar bark.
Bottom Line:
This is heavenly on the senses. It’s also another essential Canadian rye whiskey to have on hand. This is the stuff you pour when some motherf*cker starts slagging off Canadian whiskey as inferior to set them straight.
The whisky in the bottle is rye whisky that spent 13 years chilling in the cool Cascade Hollow warehouses in Tennessee (where George Dickel is made). The barrels for this bespoke blend were hand-selected by Cascade Hollow’s general manager and distiller Nicole Austin for their perfection. They were then proofed down to 100 proof and bottled as-is.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose is incredibly fresh with bursts of green apple, freshly cut sweetgrass, dark citrus oils, semi-dry roses, and fresh cinnamon sticks.
Palate: The palate leans into the green apple with a tart edge as the spices kick up a wintry vibe before a savory note arrives with a hint of dill, anise, and maybe some rosemary. On the mid-palate, the citrus comes back with a bright orange and grapefruit touch that turns into wet black peppercorns, white moss, and an echo of dried green tea leaves.
Finish: The finish lets that green tea vibe settles into the earthiness and savory herbs as the sip slowly fades out, leaving you with a whisper of dried wicker deck furniture.
Bottom Line:
This is an excellent whisky from Tennessee. It’s fresh and deep. It feels nostalgic and new at the same time (it’s a great balance). If you’re looking for something new in the rye whiskey scene that feels both respectful of the past while blazing a new path into the future, this is the bottle to get.
This whiskey started its journey back in 2003 and 2004 when the juice was distilled with Minnesota rye, Kentucky corn, and North Dakota barley. The spirit was loaded into new white oak from Independent Stave from Missouri with a #4 char level (55 seconds) and left to rest in warehouses K, M, and P on the second, third, and fourth floors. Overly nearly two decades, an average of 74% of the whiskey was lost to the angels before proofing and bottling.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: This one opens with a pile of candied and burnt orange peels next to a rich lemon bread with plenty of rich vanilla and poppy next to sweet layers of molasses, old leather tobacco pouches, and an old set of lawn furniture that’s spent too much time under and an old oak tree.
Palate: The palate swells with a deep molasses sweetness next to a dash of freshly cracked black pepper countered by musty cumin, dried red chili pepper flakes, and a whisper of fresh bay leaf that leads to singed wild sage, rye bread crusts covered in coriander seeds, and a touch of maple syrup cut butter with a hint of cinnamon.
Finish: The end slowly descends into a creamy mint chocolate chip tobacco vibe next to flaked cherry bark ready for a smoker and old oak leaves resting in dead sweetgrass.
Bottom Line:
This tastes so damn good that you immediately understand why the price balloons so much on this bottle from the first nose and sip. This is one of the prime examples of taste and rarity combining to create an expensive whiskey that’s actually worth it.
Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey 13 Years Old
This is the only non-bourbon whiskey in the Van Winkle line. While we don’t know the exact mash bill, Buffalo Trace does use a rye mash bill that’s very low-rye (how low we’ll never know, but it’s close to 51% … I heard somewhere). Either way, the juice is then barreled and allowed to mellow for 13 years before batching, proofing, and bottling in the sweetest spot in the sweetest warehouse at Buffalo Trace in Kentucky.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Imagine old rye crusts with a hint of caraway spiked with red peppercorns next to rich salted caramel apples and plenty of Christmas spices layered into a sticky toffee pudding all wrapped up in old worn leather with hints of fatty nuts and dried fruits on the nose.
Palate: The pepperiness mellows quickly as powdery white pepper leads to a soft vanilla cream pie cut with bitter orange zest, dark chocolate flakes, and a hint of salted black licorice.
Finish: The end pops with sharp anise and clove next to a fleeting sense of mint chocolate chip tobacco folded up with that old leather and plenty of soft cedar.
Bottom Line:
This is another perfect storm of rarity and delectability. This whiskey 100% lives up to the hype and truly feels like a quintessential Kentucky rye. And look, it’s a Pappy bottle. A lot of these are bought for investment these days. That’s fine. But you really need to crack this and enjoy it, it’s that good.
This very limited and high-end version of Barrell’s Seagrass rye is made from two sets of 100% rye whisky from Canada. The first set was finished in apricot brandy casks before heading to Barrell’s blending house in Kentucky. The second set was finished in Martinique rhum barrels before transport to Kentucky. Finally, a little bit of each set was then re-barreled and into Malmsey Madeira barrels for a final rest. All of those barrels were then slowly blended into this whiskey and bottled completely as-is.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose opens with a hint of caramel malt next to apricot jam, old lawn furniture, grilled pineapple skins, Nutella, and some orange blossoms with a whisper of rye crust with caraway leading to a dry sense of hazelnut shells and wild sage.
Palate: The palate opens with rich honey next to orange oils, dusty prunes, mango skins, and maybe a hint of cumin and dried red chili.
Finish: The end mixes a touch of lemon oils with black peppercorns as the honey and mango cream toward a sweet and tropical fruit end that’s countered by rich notes of nutmeg and pineapple tobacco.
Bottom Line:
This is next-level finishing on a next-level Canadian whiskey. The brilliance of this pour is that you can nose and taste this over and over again and always find something new hidden in the build. It’s like a never-ending journey of rye deliciousness. And while that sounds like something for an “advanced” palate, it totally works on a newbie palate as well since there’s always going to be something in the nose and taste to find and latch on to and enjoy.
Kiamichi A Willett & Followill Family Collaboration Aged 8 Years
This whiskey is the second in a series of collaborations between Kings of Leon and Willett Distillery. The whiskey is a six-barrel small-batch blend of Willett’s low-rye mash bill. The hot juice was loaded into ISC oak barrels that were cured for nine months before getting a semi-high char. The band hand-selected the barrels themselves and the team at Willett made sure the rest was done exactly right.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Subtle notes of old glove leather kissed with years of menthol cigarette smoke mingle with a spicy cherry-cinnamon cake frosted with creamed walnuts and vanilla with a brandy butter with a whisper of tannic old oak staves that has a twinge of waxy cacao nib.
Palate: The palate soaks some dried figs in spiced honey with an Earl Grey vibe accentuating a bitter salted dark chocolate, rummy minced meat pies, and wet brown sugar cut with dried ancho chili flakes.
Finish: The end leans into the spice with a Hot Tamales cinnamon candy sweet/spicy sensation next to a lush mouthfeel.
Bottom Line:
Look, this is just f*cking delicious whiskey, rye or not. It’s so well-balanced and deep that you can’t help but fall in love from the first nose and sip. And if you’re a fan of the band (at all), this is a no-brainer buy. If you’re not a fan, this is still an essential rye whiskey thanks to that pretty much perfect profile of classically nuanced and lush rye whiskey.
This is the first rye whiskey that Wild Turkey released for the Master’s Keep line. Eddie Russell devised this whiskey from nine to 11-year-old barrels from the prime sections of various rickhouses. Once batched, the whiskey was just proofed before bottling.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: There’s a sense of apple old-fashioned doughnuts on the nose with a cinnamon-maple glaze next to old rye bread crusts with caraway and fennel with a slight whisper of dry dill before a whisper of white pepper and dried chili starts to sneak in.
Palate: Salted apple chips dipped in floral honey drive the palate toward sour mulled wine full of star anise, clove, cardamom, and mace with a dash of molasses and rum-raisin.
Finish: The end leans into the woodiness of the spices with cinnamon bark and allspice berries with the faintest line of sasparilla and black licorice-laced tobacco braided with old wicker canes.
Bottom Line:
Wild Turkey makes great rye whiskey. Their 101 Rye, Rare Breed Rye, and Russell’s Reserve versions are all great and accessible whiskeys. This is the pinnacle of that journey. This whiskey is for hardcore fans of the brand, sure. But it’s also for anyone looking to drink amazingly well-built Kentucky rye with that great balance of orchard vibes, dark sweetness, and woody winter spice accented with enough funkiness to really keep you on your toes.
Rare Character Single Barrel Series Straight Rye Whiskey Finished in Amburana Casks
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 Shapira’s 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.
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.
Bottom Line:
This is instantly a great and unique whiskey from the jump. There’s really nothing quite like it on the scene right now. That makes this a must-have for the whiskey searchers out there looking for the next big thing.
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 come together to create this barrel-strength bottling of only 620 bottles.
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.
Bottom Line:
This is among the top whiskeys of 2023 already. It’s a perfectly balanced rye whiskey that just won’t quit on the nose and palate. This is the bottle that true rye whiskeys fans are going to hoard this year.
Michter’s Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey 10 Years Old
2022’s only Michter’s 10-Year release was an instant classic. The whiskey is made from a corn-rich rye whiskey mash bill with a good dose of barley in there. The absolute best barrels are chosen — with some up to 15 years old — for this release. Then each of those barrels is individually bottled as-is with a hint of proofing water.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Rich and lush toffee combines with soft marzipan on the nose as a dash of freshly cracked black pepper lead to cinnamon-laced apple cider and cherry-soaked cedar bark.
Palate: The palate is part Red Hot and part zesty orange marmalade with creamy vanilla pudding, sweet and spicy dried chili peppers with a hint of smoke and woodiness, and this fleeting whisper of celery salt.
Finish: The end dries out the almond with a vanilla cream tobacco, soft and sweet cedar, and dark chocolate orange vibe all balanced to damn near perfection.
Bottom Line:
This is the most classic Kentucky rye on the list. It’s the ultimate expression of how fruity and dark Kentucky sweetness can balance with sharp spice, deep woodiness, and soft nuttiness. This is the closest to “perfect” of any whiskey on this list. Plus, it makes the best Manhattan you’ll ever sip.
While fun and helpful (as outlined in this handy Chat GPT overview) the wild, chaotic phase of Chat GPT has jumped out of the trenches and into the war on academic integrity. Deans and university professors are now debating how to properly counter the plagiarism enabled by this new technology. It’s a big issue and not going anywhere.
If you’ve tried it out, you know Chat GPT can whip up results in seconds, and if a hungover freshman is tasked with turning in an analysis on how the Panopticon relates to postmodern sexuality, you’d be foolish to assume they wouldn’t call upon Chat GPT for backup. Plagiarists now have the keys to the ultimate super weapon. So what new futuristic technology will have to be created to counter it?
Plagiarism has always been an issue an academia and, for years, Turnitin.com was the professor’s best antidote. The only problem is, Turnitin.com identifies info copied from the internet. Chat GPT doesn’t copy from the internet and its sources are untraceable. So Turnitin.com isn’t a fix.
22-year-old Princeton Computer Science student, Edward Tian saw an opportunity and created GPT Zero, an app that basically deciphers whether something was likely to have been written by AI. Open AI (makers of Chat GPT) then created there own deciphering app, Hugging Face. But here’s the twisted bit. Even if there’s a 99% similarity match to an AI, there’s no actual way (as of right now) to prove it was written by an AI. Remember, the source is untraceable. It’s merely suspicious.
For this reason, students still use Chat GPT to fly through work. In an anonymous poll published by The Stanford Daily 17% of Stanford students reported using Chat GPT on their finals, albeit mostly for brainstorming. Some have taken to the internet to share their not-so-discreet cheating dilemmas.
But even if AI detection software can’t sift through cheeky edits, and even if it can’t be proven entirely, some professors can just tell when something is fake. With a very powerful tool of their own — the human brain.
“The first indicator that I was dealing with A.I. is that, despite the syntactic coherence of the essay, it made no sense to someone familiar with the material. ChatGPT also sucks at citing, another flag. This is good news for upper-level courses in philosophy, where the material is pretty complex and obscure. But for freshman-level classes, this is a game-changer.”
Perhaps these theories are actually right on the money, as many professors have returned to the old, ancient systems of 1995.
In that same Facebook post by Professor Hick, he suggested: “In the future, I expect I’m going to institute a policy stating that if I believe material submitted by a student was produced by A.I., I will throw it out and give the student an impromptu oral exam on the same material.”
Additionally, in that same article from Stanford Daily, a Senior Lecturer in Computer Science revealed that Chat GPT had become so prevalent in efforts to cheat, his class has now returned to pencil-and-paper exams. OG analog stuff.
It’s crazy to think that we’ve advanced so far technologically that the seemingly brilliant counter maneuver, at least for now, is to unplug and return to a simpler time. Effectively, the old school could become the new school, with students being forced to present work in person. Would that be anti-progress or a renaissance? Only time will tell. But for now, it’s the only real solution to Chat GPT on campus.
On her new single “Bang Bang,” a heartbroken Nessa Barrett comes face-to-face with the internal chaos brewing within her. The new song features Barrett expressing rage and anger toward her ex.
Over a drum-driven, rock-driven beat, Barrett expresses her fantasies about killing someone who did her dirty.
“I hate the way you drive your car / So I cut the brakes and key your heart / You talk too much, you’re not that smart / So I shut you up with a crowbar,” Barrett says on one of the song’s verses. Clocking in at only two minutes and 15 seconds, the song packs a hell of a punch.
“The song was written about my borderline personality rage,” said Barrett in a statement “There’s times where I just get so mad that I think about the craziest things I want to do in that moment, I feel like everyone deep down has intrusive thoughts even though they don’t want to admit it.”
The song’s accompanying video features solo shots of Barrett, as she wields a crowbar, poses for a mugshot, and directs her rage at various targets.
You can check out the video for “Bang Bang” above.
Nessa Barrett is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
Ahead of the late rocker Kurt Cobain’s birthday taking place this Monday (Feb 20), pro-skateboarder Tony Hawk took to Instagram to reveal that he purchased the musician’s decked-out Iron Maiden-themed skateboard in an auction last year.
The artwork was originally done by Cobain himself, according to Rolling Stone, on a model by skateboarder Jeff Phillips, who tragically passed away three months before Cobain. It features Iron Maiden’s classic logo with an image of their skeleton creature carrying an ax.
Because of this, Hawk revealed that he has something planned — tied to Cobain’s skateboard — to benefit those struggling with mental health. While his message was still a little secretive, he did note that he’d be sharing more next week.
“Two icons that had immense influence on their respective fields, both of whom passed away tragically and much too young,” Hawk wrote. “I even tracked down the original owner to understand its provenance. With the incomparable help of @dupedupe, we are hoping to make something good of this acquisition by raising awareness for emotional health, and to help provide resources for those who are struggling mentally. More to come on February 20 (Kurt’s birthday).”
Fans of Hawk, Cobain, and even Iron Maiden are very interested in being along for the ride in the comments section.
“That is insanely cool,” one wrote.
“Ask your friends who are really nice and always seem to be happy how they are and how they are feeling,” another added.
For now, check out the photos of Kurt Cobain’s original skateboard above.
Bebe Rexha is back, and she’s jamming to a brand new beat. On her latest single, “Heart What It Wants,” she has come to terms that she is fed up with her partner, and is on a mission to find joy on her own.
On the track, Rexha delivers breezy, pop vocals, over a groovy, disco-inspired track, ready to hit the dancefloor and open a new chapter in her life.
“‘Heart Wants What It Wants’ is about the time in relationships where you fall out of love with your partner,” said Rexha in a statement. “It’s an anthem about wanting what you want and not being apologetic for it. It could be anything you feel conflicted about wanting and not specific to romance.”
She continued, saying, “At a place in life after a pandemic where sad songs are of the past, I just want everyone to have a good time.”
In the song’s video, she is seen filming a video audition, channeling the likes of Madonna and Cher as she basks in her newfound confidence. Later, she is joined on the dancefloor by an equally stylish and eclectic dancing crew.
You can check out the video for “Heart Wants What It Wants” above.
Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
Disclaimer: While all of the products recommended here were chosen independently by our editorial staff, Uproxx may receive payment to direct readers to certain retail vendors who are offering these products for purchase.
Welcome to SNX DLX, your weekly roundup of the best sneakers to hit the internet. We’re only in the second month of 2023 but we’ve already gotten our big cultural attention-grabbing release in MSCHF’s Big Red Boot. By now you’ve no doubt seen the viral photos of people wearing comically big cartoonish boots. If you’re a self-proclaimed sneakerhead, you probably hate the Big Red Boot, but if you like fun, you no doubt appreciate the insanity.
We’ve always been big fans of MSCHF and their antics, so we consider it a win for sneaker fans everywhere. Do we think it’s an essential piece for your wardrobe? Absolutely not. But it’ll probably go down as the most fun sneaker drop of the year, and that fills us with joy. If you’re not into antics, you’re in luck because this is always a very strong week for regular sneakers too.
This week we get a new Nike and Stüssy team-up, Jun Takahashi’s Nike Moc Flow, a few notable Jordan drops, and the latest collaborations between Stone Island, JJJJound and New Balance. There is a bit of something for everyone this week (unless you’re an Adidas fan) so let’s dive in!
Nike Air Penny 2 x Stüssy Rattan and Limestone
Nike
The Air Penny 2 is getting a lot of love from Nike with three different releases all landing this week, but the best of the flock is easily this team-up with Stüssy.
Featuring a hemp canvas with synthetic suede overlays, the Rattan and Limestone combine a mix of earthy weathered colors with a swirling black midsole with subtle Stüssy branding at the midfoot over a Zoom Air sole.
The Nike Air Penny 2 x Stüssy Rattan and Limestone is out now for a retail price of $200. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app.
NikeNike
Air Jordan 1 High ’85 Black White
Nike
If you missed out on those Panda Jordans you may be able to try your luck with this AJ 1 in the same color scheme. Featuring the ’85 design specs (a higher collar, wider toe box) this Jordan 1 sports a premium black and white leather upper with a Nike Air-equipped midsole.
It’s a classic Jordan silhouette in a beloved colorway — it’s like Nike is printing money.
The Air Jordan 1 High ’85 Black White is out now for a retail price of $200. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app.
NikeNike
Nike Moc Flow x UNDERCOVER Light Bone/ Ale Brown
Nike
Nike and Jun Takahashi continue the team-ups with this week’s super dope futuristic Moc Flow. This sneaker combines the midsole and outsole design of the ISPA Flow with the look of the ACG Moc, resulting in a new design that represents the most of both worlds.
Featuring a premium leather upper with a cord lacing system and a toggle lock, the Moc Flow represents a new era in utilitarian sneaker design. The sneaker drops in two colorways, the minimal Light Bone, and the camo-inspired Ale Brown.
The Nike Moc Flow x UNDERCOVER in Light Bone and Ale Brown is out now for a retail price of $160. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app.
NikeNikeNike
MSCHF Big Red Boot
Well by now you’ve surely seen the Big Red Boot everywhere. It’s clunky, stupid, and yet, addictive to look at. Will you be able to walk down the street in the Big Red Boot and be taken seriously? Absolutely not, in fact, not even all the people MSCHF sent the sneaker out to could rock it right, but if you’re down for a high-concept photo shoot with an expensive price tag, nothing is going to look as conversation-starting as the Big Red Boot.
Live out your anime dreams with MSCHF’s latest, and possibly greatest, sneaker drop.
The MSCHF Big Red Boot is set to drop on February 16th for a retail price of $350. Pick up a pair at GOAT.
This week New Balance is teaming up with Italian luxury label Stone Island for a dope take on the 574 Legacy. Featuring a streamlined rebuild with premium materials, this take on the sneaker sports pigskin suede overlays atop a ripstop upper with mesh details, hairy suede lining, and Stone Island compass branding on the tongue.
New Balance is getting to a point where they are dropping dope collaborations from week to week. Watch out Nike, someone is coming for the crown.
The Stone Island x New Balance 574 Legacy is set to drop on February 16th at 6:00 AM PST for a retail price of $139.99. Pick up a pair at New Balance.
New BalanceNew Balance
Nike Women’s Air Jordan 1 Game Royal and Varsity Maize
Nike
If you’re all about that school spirit (and have small feet) this week’s Game Royal and Varsity Maize Jordan 1 is for you. This colorway is a nod to Michael Jordan’s high school colors at Laney High in Wilmington North Carolina and features a weathered leather upper, an air-cushioned sole, and a retro black and red print tongue.
The sneaker is available exclusively in women’s sizing.
The Nike Women’s Air Jordan 1 Game Royal and Varsity Maize is set to drop on February 17th at 7:00 AM PST for a retail price of $180. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app.
NikeNike
New Balance x JJJJound MADE in UK 991
New Balance
We covered this sneaker last week when it got a limited release but this week it gets the wide-release treatment at New Balance’s webstore. Featuring a modernized take on the 991, this MADE in UK collaboration with JJJJound sports a mesh base with suede overlays, JJJJound branding at the heel, and reflective details throughout about an ABZORB midsole.
The New Balance x JJJJound MADE in UK 991 is set to drop on February 17th at 7:00 AM PST for a retail price of $249.99 in both Men and Women’s sizing.
New BalanceNew Balance
Nike Air Jordan 13 Playoffs
Nike
If the Jordan 1s dropping this week are a bit too flashy for you, don’t worry, the Jordan 13 is getting a new stealthy rendition. Featuring an all black-upper with a white midsole, this Jordan 13 sports dimpled leather side panels, and a green cat’s eye emblem at the collar, over a crispy white and university red midsole.
The Nike Air Jordan 13 Playoffs is set to drop on February 18th at 7:00 AM PST for a retail price of $210. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app or aftermarket sites like GOAT and Flight Club.
The best way to escape the last week or so of winter (and general responsibilities, for that matter) is by going off the grid with a desert vacation. Turn your phone off, grab your closest friends, bring your own booze, and have a weekend by the pool with no worries other than the threat of potential sunburn. It’s a recipe for a damn good time. (Especially with Coachella on the way.)
When it comes to finding the ultimate desert destination in the United States, California’s three desert towns of Palm Springs, Indio, and Joshua Tree are hard to beat. Fortunately, each dry and cacti-filled enclave comes complete with a slew of badass rental properties that are basically begging to be visited. And with Coachella coming, now is the time to pick which one best fits your crew.
Below, we’re sharing the coolest and sexiest rental properties in Palm Springs, Indio, and Joshua Tree. So grab your SPF and your sunglasses, and head to one of the vacation rentals.
-Chloe Caldwell
PART I: JOSHUA TREE
EDITOR’S PICK — The Onyx House: Secluded Villa, Pool & Yoga Deck
Steve Bramucci
The Property:
I could wax poetic about the lines and angles of this midcentury desert oasis quite easily. In fact, it deserves that — especially because so many rentals these days try desperately to hit those midcentury-minimalist-Nordic design notes and miss. Or skimp on the wrong features. Everything looks awesome until you walk into a room and see a generic piece of artwork (this happens in even the best rentals and I totally get it — stylish shit is expensive!).
The Onyx House gets everything right. You walk into the place and immediately feel 20% cooler. Clearly, it was created by someone with good taste. But as great as the design and layout are, those aspects aren’t the property’s biggest perk. Here’s what hit me the hardest during a recent stay:
Best Pool And Hot Tub Of Any Rental I’ve Ever Stayed In. This isn’t even up for debate. The pool gets up to 90 degrees (I didn’t figure this out until the morning I left, sadly) and the hot tub fits eight comfortably. Both are in-ground and incredibly sleek. Call me a weird hippy but I’ve never liked boiling in a big extruded plastic container. The inherent sexiness of a hot tub is killed by the human-soup-in-plastic vibe. By comparison, this tub and pool are both poured from concrete and feel clean and new. They’re also both saltwater — meaning your skin doesn’t get dry and your eyes don’t water from excessive chlorine. Oh, and they have lighting systems for your night hangs! And they’re incredibly photogenic, as evidenced by my wife:
Steve Bramucci
A Very Cool Gathering Space. The main living room of the Onyx house is actually separated from the bedrooms and kitchen by a hallway. There you’ll find a massive TV linked to all the streaming apps, a very comfy couch, and even barn doors to open the space up. Does it feature a bunch of cool art and rustic ceramics? You’d better believe it.
A Yoga Platform. Every morning of my life, I wake up saying “I want to do breathwork! I want to do yoga!” But I almost never have time. I did both breathwork and yoga during my stay at the Onyx House because the space spoke to those sorts of pursuits but more importantly because I had room to practice them without distraction. The yoga platform is surrounded by desert and rocks and if you’re going to do some sun salutations I can’t think of a better place to do them than while watching the sun crest over the craggy hills.
Nature All Around. The past few years have seen a land grab in “J-Tree” as LA folks with tons of style buy up properties on the cheap, remodel them, and give them cool names. But as much as everyone wants to lay claim to being an “oasis,” I’ve rarely seen a property that is truly built into the hills in this way. Whereas many trips to the desert include driving to trailheads, at the Onyx House we just walked straight up into the wilderness from the backyard. It was beautiful and made the home feel incredibly private.
Big Hotel Energy. The Onyx House is not one of those “clean every dish, strip the beds, and mop the floors” type rentals that everyone (rightfully) hates. This property is refined and operates much more like a true hotel. Check-in was easy, check-out was easier, and the property was beautifully appointed. I didn’t feel like I was in someone’s bedroom — I felt like I was at a hotel. Except better because we were the only guests.
Bottom Line:
Break that price down for three couples: ~$300 per couple, per night for a private hideaway with the sexiest pool and hot tub for miles? It’s an absolute steal. – Steve Bramucci
If I would brag about anything in this life, it’s that my taste is on point. That can be hard when covering hotels or rentals because if something is cheesy, I’m gonna catch it. While staying at Seven Arches in 2022, I said, at least ten times: “There’s nothing I would change about this place.” From the plates to the kitchen layout to the hot tub to the sprawling grounds (dirt bike track! cornhole! horseshoes!), it was dialed and buttoned up.
Want to get more granular? I was just there so it’s very fresh in my mind:
Best bedding I’ve ever had at a rental. Period. Soft pillows, high thread count sheets, wide beds — perfection.
Art by RealFunWow. A very stylish artist who works in earth tones that match the property’s upscale-meets-desert vibe. (In fact, I found out about this spot when I saw the RealFunWow mural being painted on Instagram.)
Tons of space. There are “pretty spacious” bnbs and then there are “desert spacious” properties — spots that sprawl in a way that leaves plenty of room for chilling, eating, being loud. This property boasts the latter.
Insane degree of Instagram-ability. Be honest, we all want to tell the stories of our trips. This property was clearly designed with that in mind and by looking at IG tags, you can see how popular it’s been with influencers. Every corner begs to have a photo taken — just see my own pic below.
Organic in the best way. Earth tones. Nothing feels fake. There are jars of water at the bedsides and the forks are wrought iron. If you’re into the mushroom scene, this spot is a dream — there’s no plastic and no flashing lights from excessive electronics. Even if you’re not, you’re sure to note that the amenities are built to last.
Bottom Line:
It doesn’t get much sexier than this. Or much more engaging. There’s so much to do and the house is so incredibly comfortable, don’t be surprised if you stay home all day before spending the evening alternating between the plunge pool and the hot tub. – Steve Bramucci
There’s no better place to find your zen than in a secluded desert hideaway — with the comfort of knowing downtown Joshua Tree is only minutes away. This rental property delivers an authentic Japanese experience in the desert with one-of-a-kind design pieces that are ethically sourced. The property includes a tatami room (or zen room) that’s meant to be used for gathering, reflecting, meditating, or having an intimate conversation. This combined with the two comfortable bedrooms, fully equipped kitchen, private outdoor lounge area, and the record player and vinyl collection makes the property a serene desert escape.
Bottom Line:
Where else are you going to find a tatami room in Joshua Tree? If you’re in need of healing and rejuvenation, this is the place to do it. – Chloe Caldwell
If you want a desert escape that’s not too far out from civilization, this house is an excellent option. It’s nearby Joshua Tree National Park, local art exhibits, farmers markets, and thrift stores. You can keep yourself entertained during the day and night with the backyard amenities, which include a fire pit, hot tub, and bocce ball.
If it gets too hot, you can head inside to the game room to play vintage arcade games and shuffleboard.
The property’s interior is designed to reflect the calming essence of the surrounding area. It features classic desert colors like beige, orange, and yellow, and unique artwork of the famous local Joshua Trees.
Bottom Line:
When you’re out in the desert with your friends, it’s nice to have a wide selection of games to keep you busy. Plus, the fire pit, hammocks, and hot tub make the backyard a great place to sit back under the stars, which you generally miss out on if you’re visiting from a big city. – Chloe Caldwell
One of the best parts of escaping to the desert is the opportunity to connect with nature. That’s what this property is all about. The minimalist yet modern hideaway focuses on “fusing natural simplicity with contemporary luxuries.” It’s exactly the kind of place one goes to rest and reflect. The property offers several outdoor living areas, including a covered patio with a fire pit, a saltwater hot tub, and a 600-square-foot rock and cactus garden courtyard.
Yep, we’ll take it.
Bottom Line:
Overall, this property is great for a romantic getaway with someone special. The unobstructed views of the desert hills and stars, the saltwater hot tub, and the general intimacy of the property make it a sexy desert escape. – Chloe Caldwell
This five-acre, eco-conscious property is coined as the “Togetherness House,” and for good reason. It’s ideal for a group of friends who want to connect with nature and with each other on a deeper level, while still maintaining the comfort of modern conveniences like WiFi and high-quality cleaning services. The property’s patio and outdoor lounge spaces deliver some of the best views in Joshua Tree, where mountainous landscapes and clear skies take center stage.
Bottom Line:
Great views with good people. That’s all you really need to enjoy this intimate desert retreat. – Chloe Caldwell
This 1,200-square-foot ranch-style property sleeps up to six people and features brand new appliances and furniture throughout the house. The backyard comes complete with both a hot tub and a cold tub, so you can soak during the day and at night. There is tons of space to spread out in the backyard, where you’ll also find a deck, multiple hammocks, a variety of games, and several lounge areas.
The interior of the property combines rustic chic decor with pops of color, creating an inviting environment. In fact, the home was designed by one of Bravo TV’s Best Room Wins designers.
Bottom Line:
This ranch-inspired property is an affordable option that still offers great amenities and lots of space for groups. Plus, it’s only a few minutes from town, so you’ll have the option to explore the area outside of the rental. – Chloe Caldwell
This mid-century masterpiece features three bedrooms and fits up to six guests, making it roomy and comfortable enough for your friend group to spread out. There’s also the full-sized private pool, cushioned lounge chairs, outdoor tables, and lounge area with a couch and pool table — making the backyard the perfect place to hang, both during the day and after the sun goes down.
Aside from the amenities, the property’s chic design sprinkled with pops of neon color is exactly the kind of young yet sophisticated environment you need for a weekend in the desert.
Bottom Line:
Pool, games, spacious living room, and kitchen…check! – Chloe Caldwell
If you’re on the search for a massive backyard and an ultra-modern space, look no further than this newly refurbished mid-century property. The backyard features several lounge areas to kick back in, a saltwater pool and spa, and plenty of room for party games. The main living area inside the house includes porcelain flooring, a fireplace, and bar seating. It truly is the perfect place to celebrate a weekend with your friends away from home.
Plus, it’s close to downtown Palm Springs where shopping and dining options abound.
Bottom Line:
For a group of eight people in Palm Springs, this freshly upgraded rental property covers all the necessities for an epic desert vacation. – Chloe Caldwell
Made for a serene weekend away, this fully remodeled eco-friendly oasis fits up to four people in two bedrooms. Designed with original artwork, mosaic tiles, and a remodeled floorplan, it’s ideal for a low-key couples retreat or small group of friends in need of rejuvenation. The private property also features a large saltwater pool and in-ground spa, so you can soak in all the good energy the house has to offer.
If you feel like venturing out for an afternoon, the property is only a mile away from the bustling downtown area and only a few minutes away from several popular golf courses.
Bottom Line:
All-day ragers by the pool are great, but sometimes it’s nice to have something a little more tranquil to help you feel refreshed. – Chloe Caldwell
Yes, you can have desert vibes and lakeside living in one place. Located within a gated community, this two-story, four-bedroom home that fits up to 12 guests really is a lakefront dream. Picturesque mountains and desert sunset views surround the property, which are easy to see from the backyard patio or second-floor balcony. The backyard alone features an infinity pool and spa looking over the lake, an expansive patio with a built-in barbecue, an outdoor bar, seating areas, and a fire pit for roasting marshmallows at night.
Bottom Line:
The bottom line is that this classic lakefront property couldn’t be more perfect for a large group. Whether you’re hosting a bachelorette party, birthday celebration, or family vacation, this property offers more than enough space for your gathering. – Chloe Caldwell
When you first walk up to this Indio home, you’ll notice that it’s the epitome of desert aesthetic — from the loose dirt and cacti to the stone tortoise statue guarding the front yard (hence, the rental’s name). However, the inside of the house reflects a more modern, sexy, chic design with sleek white counters and light-wash wooden and tile floors that create an open and airy space. The rental fits up to 10 people and all four bedrooms feature a king-sized bed and smart TVs.
The pool is what sets this property apart from others in the area. The private backyard includes beach-like access to the saltwater pool and an oversized spa. You’ll likely want to spend every minute of daylight wading in the water. It’s the ultimate play space for a large group gathering.
Bottom Line:
If you’re spending time in Indio, you’re going to need a good pool to cool off in. This backyard saltwater haven is exactly the remedy you’ll need. – Chloe Caldwell
Luxury, relaxation, and fun collide at this epic Indio rental property. It’s a little piece of paradise in an otherwise desolate desert. For starters, the backyard is so nice that you’ll likely spend most of your time in town just lounging by the pool. The large pool itself features deck jets, a waterfall spillway, a tanning shelf, multiple seating ledges, and sparkling pebble tech that glimmers in the sun for an added touch of glamour.
Next to the pool, you’ll find a four-hole, thirty-foot putting green, a ping pong table, a foosball table, Jenga, lawn darts, Connect Four, and a ring toss. When you’ve had your share of fun, you can relax in the lounge area while you watch sports on the outdoor TV. The interior of the house is just as nice as the backyard, following a rustic-style theme where cow print and wooden accents are aplenty.
Bottom Line:
This vacation rental is like an adult playground. If you’re looking for party vibes without skimping on luxury amenities, you’re going to want to book this spot ASAP. – Chloe Caldwell
This luxurious rental property is on the pricier side. However, it fits up to 14 people, making it more affordable for large groups. The newly renovated home is ultra-spacious and comfortable, but the backyard is likely where you’ll spend most of your time. It features turf on both sides of the heated saltwater pool that comes complete with two waterfalls and a hot tub. You’ll also find a putting green, corn hole, a ping pong table, and a barbecue, as well as a pool table inside.
Bottom Line:
Between the games, pool, barbecue, and roomy interior, this vacation rental is the perfect friend group getaway. – Chloe Caldwell
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