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Single barrel bourbon is (more often than not) the good stuff from your favorite brand. It’s the expression that’s a little more refined, a little deeper, and a little more “extra” — it usually costs a few bucks extra, too. There’s also a ton of it from all the major brands on the shelves these days. And with 2023 releases heating up, it feels like a good time for a single barrel bourbon blind taste test from some of the biggest names in American whiskey.

When it comes to defining what makes a single barrel expression, it’s pretty straightforward. A single barrel of whiskey is selected for its exacting flavor profile either at cask strength, but usually proofed down, and bottled from that single barrel. Look at it this way, a single barrel expression is a unique flavor profile that suits that brand in the same way that their “small batch” or “bottled in bond” will have their own nuanced flavor profiles. But ideally, you’ll still be able to *feel* the distillery in those sips.

For this blind tasting, I’m going “double-blind” to keep an air of surprise and intrigue. I asked my wife to grab single barrel bourbons off the shelf and pour them for me. I didn’t really give her any parameters other than to keep it to the big brands/distillers and skip any barrel picks. That’s easily done, as my shelves are organized by parent companies — Beam-Suntory, Brown-Forman, Sazerac, Campari, Heaven Hill, and so forth.

But since I didn’t know these labels going in, you’ll have to scroll down to see what made it in too. I can tell you that there wasn’t really much to complain about in this group. There were some stunners but they all had their charms. That made ranking these whiskeys pretty easy. And no, the most expensive bottles didn’t win.

in fact… it was kind of the opposite. Ready to dive in? Let’s taste and rank some single barrel bourbon!

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• The Affordable Vs Expensive Blind Bourbon Bottle Battle
• The Absolute Best Bourbons Between $20-$30, Ranked
• The Absolute Best Bourbons Between $30-$40, Ranked

Part 1: The Tasting

Taste 1

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Vanilla pound cake and salted caramel are countered by spicy cherry tobacco, mulled wine vibes, and dark chocolate cut with orange zest and a hint of corn husk.

Palate: The palate brings in some floral honey sweetness and more orange oils with a sticky toffee pudding feel next to more spicy cherry tobacco and a hint of coconut cream pie.

Finish: The end amps up the cherry with a little more sweetness than spice before salted dark chocolate tobacco folds into dry sweetgrass and cedar bark before a hint of fountain Cherry Coke pops on the very back end with a sense of sitting in an old wicker rocking chair.

Initial Thoughts:

This is a classic pour and clearly a Beam product with all that vanilla and cherry. Also, this is good stuff.

Taste 2

Tasting Notes:

Nose: This is all about the cherry pie with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream next to a slight apple-tobacco vibe with a clear multi-vitamin chalkiness.

Palate: Red berries lead toward a cherry-choco soda pop, more vanilla cream, and a light touch of bourbon-soaked oakiness on the taste.

Finish: That woodiness leans into a musty corner of a cellar as a spicy cherry tobacco finish leaves you with a dry, almost chalky, yet sweet mouthfeel.

Initial Thoughts:

This is clearly a Dickel product but old enough to have some serious depth. Still, this really stands out next to the sweet and lush Kentucky product above.

Taste 3

Tasting Notes:

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

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

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

Initial Thoughts:

This is a funky and herbal pour that really stands out again. That said, the rye-heavy herbs and funk lead me to think that this has to be a Baker’s Single Barrel — an expression that I can’t decide if I love or not.

It’s like… it wants to be a rye but isn’t quite there.

Taste 4

Tasting Notes:

Nose: You’re met with creamy depths of vanilla next to pound cake, spicy tobacco, sweet oak, and a clear hit of orange oil.

Palate: That vanilla really amps up as hints of rose water-forward marzipan lead towards cedar, more vanilla, and a dash of Christmas spices.

Finish: On the finish, a really deep dark chocolate smoothness arrives with a more nutty almond that’s reminiscent of an Almond Joy straight from a special candy shop.

Initial Thoughts:

This is a nice, standard Kentucky bourbon. It’s a little dry but well-rounded overall.

Taste 5

Tasting Notes:

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

Palate: The palate pops with dark chocolate Almond Joys next to cherry root beer and old oak with a hint of potting soil that leads to a big ABV warmth with sharp peppery spice.

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

Initial Thoughts:

This was like pour 1 but with far more ABVs. It’s Beam, high-proof, and pretty tasty.

Taste 6

Tasting Notes:

Nose: The nose is as bold as it is classic with a spice matrix brimming with cinnamon, clove, star anise, cardamom, and nutmeg next to dry cedar kindling, black-tea-soaked dates, rum-raisin, and tart dried cranberry tobacco.

Palate: The vanilla creates a lush underbelly as old boot leather mingles with marzipan, orange blossoms, and creamy dark chocolate flaked with salt.

Finish: The end is softly warm with a sense of that marzipan covered in lightly spiced dark chocolate next to old tobacco braided with old wicker and dry cedar bark.

Initial Thoughts:

This is it right here. This goes deep and is delicious. Also, that clear and concise spice alongside dark fruity sweetness is very Wild Turkey.

Taste 7

Tasting Notes:

Nose: This opens very tannic-y (and old) with a mix of pitchy firewood, old honey barrels, dried cranberry, nutmeg, old vanilla husks, cornmeal pancake batter, and a hint of chili-laced tobacco.

Palate: The taste is bold with a fire-hot spice mix of cinnamon and dried anchos that’s eventually tempered by lush vanilla and creamy dark chocolate with a hint of sweet cherry and old wicker rounding things out.

Finish: The end is woody and full of potting soil with a hint of old chewing tobacco next to orchard wood.

Initial Thoughts:

Holy shit, the ABVs blow this one out in the middle. I had to take a 5-minute break to reset my palate after this pour. It really leaned into the burning level of high-proof heat and not the pleasant buzzing that you really want.

Taste 8

Tasting Notes:

Nose: There’s a peppery sense of cedar bark and burnt orange next to salted caramel and tart red berries with a moist and spicy sticky toffee pudding with some brandy butter dancing on the nose.

Palate: The palate blends vanilla tobacco with salted dark chocolate-covered marzipan while espresso cream leads to new porch wicker and black peppercorns.

Finish: The end has a pecan waffle vibe with chocolate chips, maple syrup, blackberry jam, and minced meat pies next to old tobacco and cedar with a sweet yet singed marshmallow on the very end.

Initial Thoughts:

This is really nice, lush, and delicious whiskey. It’s subtle yet very clearly well-built from nose to finish.

Taste 9

Tasting Notes:

Nose: The nose opens slightly tannic with rich orange zest and vanilla cream next to woody winter spice, fresh mint, and wet cedar with a hint of gingerbread and burnt cherry.

Palate: The palate hits on soft vanilla white cake with a salted caramel drizzle and burnt orange zest vibe next to apple/pear tobacco leaves dipped in toffee and almond.

Finish: The end has a sour cherry sensation that leads to wintery woody spices, cedar bark, and old cellar beams with a lush vanilla pod and cherry stem finish.

Initial Thoughts:

This was solid. It was a little thin in that it was just classic bourbon. I wanted a little something more.

Taste 10

Tasting Notes:

Nose: That orange and caramel really come through on the nose with a thin line of creamy dark chocolate and some nutmeg and cinnamon.

Palate: The palate largely adheres to that flavor profile while adding in layers of dark fruit, old leather, mild oak, and orange cookies.

Finish: The finish arrives with a sense of winter spices and dark chocolate oranges next to a twinge of cherry-kissed spicy tobacco chew and a final note of old porch wicker.

Initial Thoughts:

This was thin in a different sense. You felt the price point (low). That said, it delivered a fully-rounded profile once you got past the muted nature of everything.

Taste 11

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Woody maple syrup and cinnamon sticks lead to a hint of pear candy, rich vanilla, and a leathery dark fruit with this faint whisper of floral herbs on the nose.

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

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

Initial Thoughts:

This is fresh and fun whiskey — likely Four Roses. The herbal vibe works perfectly with the classic orchard fruit, nuttiness, and darker sweet notes.

Taste 12

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Caramel apples from the county fair, rich vanilla pods, old leather, soft oak, and spice mingle on the nose.

Palate: The palate really delivers on that nose while layering honey tobacco, eggnog spices, rich vanilla creaminess, and a hint of cherry bark.

Finish: The end is sweet and smooth with a nice mix of dry sweetgrass bundled with cherry tobacco dipped in eggnog.

Initial Thoughts:

This was good stuff but hit that “classic” vibe and ended there. There’s nothing wrong with that but it wasn’t “extra” by any measure.

Part 2: The Ranking

12. Brown-Forman’s King Of Kentucky Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Single Barrel Aged 15 Years — Taste 7

ABV: 65.3%

Average Price: $2,814

The Whiskey:

This year’s King of Kentucky is a 15-year-old bourbon made from a mash of 79% corn, 11% rye, and 10% malted barley. The spirit — made at the Brown-Forman Distillery in West Louisville (Shively) — went into the barrel on December 18, 2009, at 125% entry-proof. After 15 long years, only about 35% of the whiskey was left in the barrel. 43 single barrels were then chosen for this release and individually bottled as-is, yielding about 3,500 bottles of King of Kentucky.

Bottom Line:

This was just too hot. The proof completely blew out the palate, which is a shame since there’s a lot going on here once you get past that heat.

11. George Dickel Tennessee Whisky Singel Barrel Aged At Least 15 Years — Taste 2

ABV: Varies

Average Price: $69

The Whisky:

This is a very old whiskey for a great price. The whiskey is from single barrels, aged 15 years or more, and the proof varies accordingly (sometimes it’s cut with water, too). The whiskey showcases Dickel’s vast warehouses and the gems they have hidden deep in those ricks.

Bottom Line:

This was fine. The Tennessee-ness of it really stood out. Even though it was well-rounded, it still felt more like a cocktail base than a sipper, which is wild for a 15-year-old product (single barrel or not).

10. McAffee Brothers Benchmark Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey — Taste 10

ABV: 47.5%

Average Price: $25

The Whiskey:

This expression is from the single barrels that actually hit that prime spot/flavor profile to be bottled one at a time. This is the best of the best of the barrels earmarked for Benchmark in the Buffalo Trace warehouses. Those barrels are watered down slightly before bottling at a healthy 95-proof.

Bottom Line:

This was the thinnest pour on the panel today. It felt like it cost $20 but had a nice demeanor. That said, this is a mixer and decidedly not a sipper. In fact, I think the Small Batch Benchmark might have a little more going for it.

9. Baker’s Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Single Barrel 7 Years Minimum — Taste 3

ABV: 53.5%

Average Price: $59

The Whiskey:

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

Bottom Line:

This felt like a rye-heavy bourbon that didn’t quite choose a side. I like it but I really need to be in the mood.

8. Henry McKenna Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Bottle-In-Bond Aged 10 Years — Taste 9

ABV: 50%

Average Price: $69

The Whiskey:

This very affordable offering from Heaven Hill is hard to beat at its price. The juice utilizes a touch of rye in the mash bill and is then aged for ten long years in a bonded rickhouse. The best barrels are chosen by hand and the whiskey is bottled with just a touch of water to bring it down to bottled-in-bond proof.

Bottom Line:

This was fine, classic, and all that jazz. I know this tastes great in a cocktail, so use it for that.

7. Russell’s Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Single Barrel — Taste 4

ABV: 55%

Average Price: $56

The Whiskey:

Jimmy and Eddie Russell — Wild Turkey’s Master Distillers — hand-select these barrels from their vast warehouses for just the right bourbon flavor. The bourbon is bottled with a touch of water added.

Bottom Line:

This was better than fine. Still, it was a tad dry and feels like it’s better suited for Manhattans than neat sipping.

6. Evan Williams Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Single Barrel Vintage — Taste 12

ABV: 43.3%

Average Price: $24

The Whiskey:

This is Heaven Hill’s hand-selected single barrel Evan Williams expression. The juice is from a single barrel, labeled with its distillation year, proofed just above 43 proof, and bottled as is.

Bottom Line:

Again, this is better than fine. It’s good. It’s just not “wow” good. I would sip this over ice though.

5. Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Aged 9 Years — Taste 5

ABV: 60%

Average Price: $53

The Whiskey:

This is Beam’s Knob Creek turned up to 11. The juice is from single barrels of nine-year-old Knob Creek that hit their flavor notes at barrel strength one barrel at a time. The whiskey is bottled 100% as-is from those single barrels.

Bottom Line:

This is good stuff. The proof wasn’t overpowering. It buzzed, not burned (cough, cough, King of Kentucky cough, cough). Then there was that lush Beam spicy cherry vanilla vibe underneath. It’s nice but needs a big ice cube.

4. Jim Beam Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey — Taste 1

ABV: 54%

Average Price: $24

The Whiskey:

Each of these Jim Beam bottlings is pulled from single barrels that hit just the right spot of taste, texture, and drinkability, according to the master distillers at Beam. That means this whiskey is pulled from less than 1% of all barrels in Beam’s warehouses, making this a very special bottle at a bafflingly affordable price.

Bottom Line:

This was just good. It was clearly built whiskey with clear notes that went deep. It was also one of the easiest sipping whiskeys on the panel. You can easily sip this neat, on the rocks, or in your favorite cocktail.

3. Michter’s Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 10 Years Old — Taste 8

ABV: 47.2%

Average Price: $520

The Whiskey:

The whiskey barrels sourced for these single-barrel expressions tend to be at least 10 years old with some rumored to be closer to 15 years old (depending on the barrel’s quality, naturally). Either way, the whiskey goes through Michter’s bespoke filtration process before a touch of Kentucky’s iconic soft limestone water is added, bringing the bourbon down to a very crushable 94.4 proof.

Bottom Line:

This was just a good, classic, and deep whiskey that takes you on a journey. There’s always something new to find in this sip and that makes it very enticing. It’s great neat, kills on the rocks, and makes a mean cocktail. Those are all wins.

2. Four Roses Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey — Taste 11

ABV: 50%

Average Price: $37

The Whiskey:

Four Rose’s standard single barrel expression is an interesting one. This is their “number one” recipe, meaning it’s the high-rye mash bill that’s fermented with a yeast that highlights “delicate fruit.” The juice is then bottled at 100 proof, meaning you’re getting a good sense of that single barrel in every bottle.

Bottom Line:

This was probably the most fun pour on the panel. It was unique but made total sense from nose to finish. It offered something extra and felt fresh without sacrificing taste. I wanted to play around with this one in cocktails and keep tasting it neat all at the same time.

1. Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey — Taste 6

ABV: 50.5%

Average Price: $78

The Whiskey:

Bourbon legend Jimmy Russell hand selects eight to nine-year-old barrels from his Wild Turkey warehouses for their individual taste and quality. Those barrels are then cut down ever-so-slightly to 101 proof and bottled with their barrel number and warehouse location.

Bottom Line:

This had everything. It was unique, classic, and went deeper than everything else on the list today. It was just delicious bourbon that felt like something you wanted to spend the rest of your life sipping.

Part 3: Final Thoughts

Okay, brass tacks, I’d say the top five were all great pours of bourbon. Gun to my head, Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit is the one bottle you should run out and buy right now. It’s everything you could possibly want in a great bourbon whiskey.

I’d happily drink any of these whiskeys, except maybe the King of Kentucky — that one is… a lot. But all whiskey isn’t created equal and those top five pours were just too much more to really compare with the rest. Go and find them, enjoy them, and then buy some more. Who knows? One of them might end up being your forever bourbon.

Thanks to a crushing defeat in court that saw Infowars host Alex Jones get slapped with over a billion dollars in damages for spreading malicious lies about the Sandy Hook shootings, the conspiracy monger has filed for bankruptcy in an attempt to stave off financial ruin. Like all things Jones, this maneuver has already resulted in curious details about his personal life being revealed.

According to The Washington Post (via The Daily Beast), Jones is reportedly “holding firearms for certain January 6th participants,” and nobody seems to know what the heck he’s doing with them, or worse, where they even are.

Jones participated in the “Stop the Steal” rally that immediately preceded the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. The filing does not state how Jones obtained these firearms, why he is holding them, or where they are currently located, according to the Post.

Considering the January 6 attack is still being investigated and rioters are still facing trial, Jones disclosing that he’s holding onto their firearms is probably the last thing that whole group needs right now. Despite narratives to the contrary, it has been increasingly suggested that some members of the MAGA crowd were either armed or had access to firearms during the Capitol assault. Not only would possession of those firearms have been illegal, but it would up the severity of the January 6 to an armed insurrection. And, now, Jones is revealing that he actually has some of the participants’ guns? That’s probably not going to go away easily.

(Via The Washington Post)

Drake’s usually got a great sense of humor about all the jokes people make about him, but it turns out that even he has a limit.

The Toronto singer has been popping up on gaming streams a bunch lately, cozying up to Gen Z’s version of rap stars. This week, he surprised IShowSpeed, a streamer famous for his viral reactions to games, via a FaceTime call. The two talked about soccer a bit, including whether Drake was a bigger fan of Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi.

However, when things took a turn, Drake was apparently too flustered to continue the conversation.

As Drake told IShowSpeed how much he appreciated him, Speed made things a little too awkward by complimenting Drake’s voice. “You’re doing your thing,” Drake said. “I was talking about you the other day in the car … I’m proud of you, for real.”

Speed complimented him in return, saying, “Bro, your voice is so sexy. How is it so smooth like that? How your voice so smooth like that?” Immediately after that, the call dropped. Whether Drake meant to hang up due to the comment, lost service, or had some other pressing concern, it looks like the streamer felt like he blew his shot.

“He’s not gonna answer the phone again, bro,” he said. “I didn’t mean — I said it wrong, bruh. I meant to say his voice is smooth, but I said it wrong. On God, I said it bad.”

A reminder to the kids out there… sometimes, you just gotta touch grass.

Drake, meanwhile, is $1.4 million richer thanks to some Super Bowl bets he called “psychotic” in the moment.

That ’90s Show is a charming little reboot that features both new and familiar faces throughout its debut season, including A-list actors like Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis, along with a new gang of mischievous teens.

One of the teens is Ryan Doi, who portrays Ozzie, the friend with deadpan delivery who hangs in the Foreman basement before coming out as gay to Kitty. But one moment on set stuck out in particular to Doi, who didn’t realize that he would be meeting Kunis while working.

Doi told ET Canada about the exhilarating moment. “When we were filming the pilot, Mila was, you know, going from door to door, just kind of checking in on everyone,” the actor explained. “I think she was asking the [actors’] moms questions or something like that.” Checking in on people is pretty much the opposite of her vapid character Jackie. But while on set, Kunis had a run-in with Doi’s mother, who seemed star-struck.

He continued, “I heard a knock, [but assumed it was] someone getting me to go to set. And so my mom answered the door because she went in the room and all of a sudden [I heard a] scream from across the hall,” he recalled. “It was my mom, because she was so starstruck that Mila was like, in front of her. We knew Mila was there, but we never knew who was going to come to our dressing room.” Doi then went over the meet Kunis, who starred in the pilot episode for a brief cameo. “And then I went over across the hall, and then I was like, ‘Oh my God, it’s Mila.’”

The young actor said that watching all of the veteran actors on set helped him hone in on his own craft. “Even if we didn’t have a scene with them, being able to watch them perform, it was really, you know, it adds some knowledge to you.” The teens can use said knowledge in the longer second season that was ordered by Netflix!

(Via ET Canada)

Who is in it for the right reasons? Will someone’s head turn? Is Tom capable of answering any direct question with anything other than, “I don’t know?” Wait, what is this season’s euphemism for getting, um, handsy? These are all questions that arise when tuning into ‘Love Island UK‘ Season 9. Follow along here as Uproxx (hopefully) answers your questions about the 2023 winter season and decides which couples we think are strong enough to last to the finale.

(WARNING: Spoilers for up to episode 31 of Love Island UK season nine will be found below.)

It’s Casa Amor week on Love Island UK, meaning that each couple was split up and twelve new islanders were brought into the mix. The girls headed over to a separate villa to explore new connections while the boys were left to crack on with newcomers at the main villa — and crack on they did. In the span of just a few days, heads have been turned, kisses have been shared, and previous relationships have been put to the test.

First, let’s check in with our couples. Who are the current couples on Love Island UK Season 9? Well, right now we have Lana and Ron, Tanya and Shaq, Jessie and Will, Samie and Tom, Olivia and Kai, and Claudia and Casey… but not for long. Ahead of the next recoupling, it’s time for us to predict which islanders will choose to stick in their same couple, and which islanders will shake things up by bringing a new connection into the villa. — Carolyn Droke

Casey

Relationship Status: In a couple with Claudia
Prediction: Staying put

Casey, Casey, Casey. Out of all of the guys, Casey is having the most fun in Casa Amor. In just the three episodes of Casa Amor, he’s kissed two girls which makes him one of this season’s most active lip-lockers, along with Terrace Tom and Kai. Despite it all, I can’t help to think that Casey is doing nothing more but having a good time grafting and cracking on with the Casa Amor girls. When it’s time to make his decision, he’ll surely choose to go back to Claudia. — Wongo Okon

Did We Get It Right?: TBD

Claudia

Relationship Status: In a couple with Casey
Prediction: Staying put

If there’s one person we haven’t seen much of so far in Casa Amor it’s Claudia. She hasn’t had too much on-camera time in the three episodes of Casa Amor, but during her brief appearances, she’s expressed her growing to desire to stay put in her couple with Casey. It doesn’t look like much will change there, though she may be disappointed in Casey’s Casa Amor behavior. — Wongo Okon

Did We Get It Right?: TBD

Jessie

Relationship Status: In a couple with Will
Prediction: Staying put

Jessie is the only one worth protecting, at least for me this week. As she’s described, she’s got trust issues, and it’s clear with good reason. She even thought Will wasn’t misbehaving right across the street. She was also screwed over during (and after) her time on the Australia franchise. I truly just feel bad for her because either outcome is a lose-lose option, and we’ve all been there in some respect. We’re just hoping that the fallout isn’t as damaging. — Lexi Lane

Did We Get It Right?: TBD

Kai

Relationship Status: In a couple with Olivia
Prediction: Crack on with someone else

I had little faith that Kai was going to stick with Olivia when six new girls walked into the villa, and he proved me right. Though his kiss with newcomer Sanam initially made him realize how much he likes Olivia, the way he jumps to explore a new connection makes me think he and Olivia do have something in common after all (I kid). It’s pretty certain Kai is going to choose to couple up with Sanam, which he admitted when told the boys he was “swinging” toward her. — Carolyn Droke

Did We Get It Right?: TBD

Lana

Relationship Status: In a couple with Ron
Prediction: Staying put

Going into Casa Amor, I was half expecting Lana to stir the pot. But after everything she and Ron have been through, she’s sticking with him. It’s clear her tumultuous time with Ron has left her a bit bruised, since she told newcomer Ryan that she’s learned to hold a bit of herself back in relationships. That makes me think she still doesn’t fully trust Ron (which, who could blame her?), but returning to the villa and recoupling with him might start to rebuild her faith in him. — Carolyn Droke

Did We Get It Right?: TBD

Olivia

Relationship Status: In a couple with Kai
Prediction: Crack on with someone else

Since stepping foot into Casa Amor, Olivia has been moving mad. Her experience started with forgetting Kai’s name (seriously?) and ended with her head being scrambled by newcomer Maxwell. As the resident sensitive gal in the villa, she can’t help but let other people’s opinions get to her head; whether it’s the public voting Kai in the bottom three during the last few recouplings, or Maxwell sharing his very biased opinions on her relationship. I think I speak for a lot of people when I say that she and Kai coupling up seemed to come out of nowhere. Plus, it seems like she and Maxwell have genuine chemistry. All that to say, it’s a safe bet she opts to bring Maxwell back to the main villa. — Carolyn Droke

Did We Get It Right?: TBD

Ron

Relationship Status: In a couple with Lana
Prediction: Staying put

Wednesday night’s episode seemed like the first time in weeks that Ron wasn’t at the center of some drama. In fact, he probably got the least amount of airtime during Casa Amor compared to the rest of the islanders. After some initial flirty banter with a few of the girls, Ron admitted that he was missing Lana. So much so that he opted to sleep out on the daybed — a surprise to us all. It seems like his player days are behind him… at least for now. — Carolyn Droke

Did We Get It Right?: TBD

Samie

Relationship Status: In a couple with Tom
Prediction: Staying put

Samie has always been a wild card for me. I’ve felt that she’s sort of floated through the season, save for some of the early drama with Tanyel. Still, her relationship with Tom appeared to be getting somewhere before Casa Amor and getting her head scrambled by newcomer Ryan. Still, I’m hopeful to see if she and Tom are able to reunite and get anywhere after the recoupling. — Lexi Lane

Did We Get It Right?: TBD

Shaq

Relationship Status: In a couple with Tanya
Prediction: Staying put

While Casey has been going around getting to know all the ladies, Shaq has been doing the complete opposite. He’s been sleeping on the day bed, minding his business, and staying faithful to his relationship with Tanya. Though the couple has yet to make their relationship official or declare it as exclusive, they have shared I love yous which makes it unsurprising that Shaq hasn’t made a move in the three episodes of Casa Amor. My prediction is that he’ll stay put and choose to recouple with Tanya. — Wongo Okon

Did We Get It Right?: TBD

Tanya

Relationship Status:
Prediction: Crack on with someone else

Tanya has been the most shocking aspect of Casa Amor this season. Though her relationship with Shaq was on rocks in the week leading up to it, it’s been a bit surprising to see her dive into something new so quickly. Tanya has really been enjoying her time with Martin, and from the start, it became more and more likely that she would eventually decide to recouple with him. Then, when the two shared a kiss at the end of Wednesday’s (February 15) episode, it was almost as if Tanya made her decision right then and there. I’d bet that she indeed chooses to recouple with Martin, but we’ll just have to wait and see. — Wongo Okon

Did We Get It Right?: TBD

Tom

Relationship Status: In a couple with Samie
Prediction: Crack on with someone else

Tom truly has had a whirlwind time in the Villa, being coupled up with Zara, Ellie, and now Samie. And that doesn’t even include the girls he’s brought on dates. However, since Casa Amor started, he’s started cozying up to Lydia. There’s also clearly some logic when even your friends dub you “Terrace Tom” for your signature move. Because of this, we feel he’ll change his mind yet again. — Lexi Lane

Will

Relationship Status: In a couple with Jessie
Prediction: Stay put (maybe)

Farmer Will’s shenanigans have transformed him from the villa’s beloved best friend to a total playboy practically overnight and disappointed everyone. Sure, he’s started feeling an ounce of shame, but only after he went after Layla and two other girls in the challenge. If he can’t be loyal now, will Will ever be? Plus, no matter his decision, he’s still in hot water when the TV night rolls around. Unless, of course, both girls somehow send him packing back home to his sheep. — Lexi Lane

Did We Get It Right?: TBD

‘Love Island UK’ airs daily on the ITV2 channel at 9pm GMT/4pm EST/1pm PST.

Selena Gomez recently said of her social media usage these days, “The only thing I have on my phone is TikTok because I find it to be a little less hostile.” It seems, though, that sometimes, even TikTok isn’t completely free of hostility: In a recent live broadcast on TikTok, Gomez talked about the effects that medications she takes have on her body, apparently in response to comments about her weight.

She explained, “I tend to hold a lot of water weight, and that happens very normally. And then when I’m off of [a medication], I tend to kind of lose weight. […] I just wanted to say and encourage anyone out there who feels any sort of shame for exactly what they’re going through, but nobody knows the real story. So I just want people to know that you’re beautiful and you’re wonderful and… yeah, we have days where maybe we feel like sh*t, but I would much rather be healthy and take care of myself, and my medications are important and I believe they are what helps me.”

Gomez concluded, “So, yeah: not a model, never will be. And I think they’re awesome, mind you. I just, I definitely am… definitely not that. So, that’s it. This is getting a little too… much, but I just wanted to tell you I love you guys, and thanks for supporting me and understanding. And if not… go away, ’cause honestly, I don’t believe in shaming people for body or anything.”

Meanwhile, she recently discussed how her new music is going.

Rebel Wilson is known for her over-the-top absurd roles, and thanks to her iconic character in Pitch Perfect, she became a household name. But after many conversations surrounding her weight, Wilson revealed that she was contractually obligated to maintain a certain look while she was starring in the films.

Wilson was featured on Alex Cooper’s Call Her Daddy podcast (via IndieWire) when she detailed the surprising clause in her Pitch Perfect contract. “I couldn’t lose a massive amount of weight, because I was in the contract for that movie,” Wilson stated. The actress portrayed Fat Amy (looking back, that name was certainly a choice) in the hit comedy/a capella franchise, which spawned three films and a series.

But Wilson was forbidden to lose weight in order to keep the role of Fat Amy. She explained, “You can’t lose, I think it’s not more than 10 pounds, or gain more than 10 pounds. Yeah, you have to kind of stay at the weight. It’s in your contract.” The actress added that she began to be typecast as similar characters after her breakout role in Pitch Perfect.

“I was stereotyped in playing that fat, funny friend, which is so hard because I love those roles,” she explained. “I love doing the roles. I love those characters. But then I did want to do more things, and I felt like being the bigger girl you’re just more pigeonholed.”

Even though Wilson was discouraged from taking control of her own body, she was later able to lose weight after a doctor suggested it would be better for her fertility journey. “It really hit me hard, because I was living a fantastic bigger life,” she admitted. The actress then made headlines for her weight loss after Pitch Perfect wrapped.

Most recently, Wilson has been stepping away from those stereotyped roles. She starred in the indie drama The Almond and the Seahorse last year before welcoming a daughter with her partner last fall via surrogate. Maybe one day she can stop by the Pitch Perfect series again as just “Amy.”

(Via IndieWire)

Chief Keef, Lil Durk, and a few other Chicago natives may have birthed hip-hop’s latest subgenre, drill music, but that hasn’t stopped other regions across the globe from making it their own.

Lately, the biggest drill acts hail from the mecca of hip-hop, the Bronx, New York. As fans crown Ice Spice, the princess of the sound, in Kay Flock’s absence from the scene, his childhood friend B-Lovee has upheld the crown for the fellas. B-Lovee’s viral song, “IYKYK,” produced by ChrisSaves, has made him a fixture in New York’s thriving drill scene.

Sampling the hypnotic melody of Wayne Wonder’s “No Letting Go,” in contrast to the B-Lovee’s harsh lyrics, you don’t know whether to dance to the groove or look over your shoulder to ensure to coast is clear. The Bronx native may be cold as ice, but he makes it extremely clear that he’s with all the smoke should it come his way.

Watch B-Lovee’s UPROXX Sessions performance of “IYKYK” above.

UPROXX Sessions is Uproxx’s performance show featuring the hottest up-and-coming acts you should keep an eye on. Featuring creative direction from LA promotion collective, Ham On Everything, and taking place on our “bathroom” set designed and painted by Julian Gross, UPROXX Sessions is a showcase of some of our favorite performers, who just might soon be yours, too.

While there’s no shortage of places to stay in Madrid, few hotel spaces can date their roots back to the 19th and 13th centuries—save for Palacio de los Duques, one of the newer Gran Melía properties in the heart of Madrid. Ideally situated at the western end of the Gran Via, this historic property’s backstory is just as impressive as its current offerings. Comprising two separate buildings, a former 13th-century convent and a 19th-century palace, this centrally-located property is perfect for art lovers, cocktail aficionados, and wellness-forward travelers alike.

Also… it look like this inside:

In addition to numerous Diego Velázques reproductions scattered around the hotel’s common areas, a few original pieces (donated by the Prado Museum) are also lurking around the property’s interior. Simply post up with a book in the common area, grab a coffee, and take in the overall grandeur of the hotel’s main space.

Hey, it’s no visit to the Prado Museum itself, but it’s certainly a more relaxing experience.

With regards to F&B, while I definitely recommend taking in the city’s remarkable culinary scene, skipping the Palacio’s on-site offerings would be a serious miss—especially if you can get a res at Dos Cielos. Grab a craft cocktail at the lounge bar (I enjoyed the Palacio, made with bourbon, gin, and mint, though the Spanish Mojito made with mint, Manzanilla sherry, and lime looked equally refreshing) before exploring, then indulge in a nightcap at the hotel’s rooftop bar (PX Martini crafted with Pedro Ximenez sherry and gin, anyone?)

For those looking to sweat it out the next day, the hotel’s 24-hour fitness center offers Technogym equipment, as well as complimentary granola bars, fruit, tea, and clean towels.

WHY IT’S AWESOME:

Palacio de los Duques is home to 180+ rooms across numerous tiers, rendering the hotel accessible to a variety of price points and personal preferences. Guests in RedLevel suites will enjoy a more boutique experience, including private check-in and check-out, as well as access to a special à la carte breakfast, a private lounge area with a private garden, and more. Although I didn’t really partake in the tapas aside from a few salty almonds and chips, the all-day Nespresso machine was a lifesaver.

Most importantly, the hotel’s central location makes it easy to access nearly every neighborhood in Madrid, making exploring the city incredibly easy—though with a hotel of this standard, it’s quite tempting not to leave. The downstairs lounge space is spacious and stunning, offering a great place to get some work done or simply enjoy a coffee in peace, and while many on-site spas at hotels often fall short, the RedLevel spa is exquisite.

IN-HOUSE FOOD + DRINK

Come for the room, stay for the food and beverage. Palacio de los Duques is home to three on-site restaurants: Coroa Royal Gallery & Garden (tapas with a view), Vinoteca Montmartre Restaurant (French-Spanish fusion), or Restaurant Dos Cielos, a sustainable-forward restaurant spearheaded by the award-winning Torres Brothers.

While I didn’t have a meal at Dos Cielos, my meal at Coroa Royal Gallery & Garden was delicious, especially enjoyed al fresco. As a vegetarian, the menu items I enjoyed most were the vegetarian taco made with black beans and sweet potato, the fresh garden salad made with frisée, artichoke hearts, and asparagus, and some form of stuffed/rolled pasta (think similar to manicotti) drenched in a thick green sauce and topped with spinach and pickled onions. To kick off the meal, I started with a glass of Fino sherry to break up the cocktail drinking a bit, though Coroa’s vast array of still (non-fortified) Spanish wines by the glass—including the Terras Gaudas Albariño and Gran Caus Rosado from Penedès—were equally tempting.

In addition to the rooftop pool bar, the hotel’s lounge bar boasts an impressive list of craft cocktails, mixed up by some of Madrid’s best mixologists. Choose from modern twists on a number of classics, including the Wild Cosmo, made with blueberries, lime, vodka, and triple sec, or a Spiced Mule made with spiced vodka, lime and ginger beer. As it was late, and my sweet tooth was kicking in, I opted for the Tiramisù, made with vodka, hazelnut liquor, vanilla, and coffee. Regardless of what you choose, the only thing that promises to up-show your drink is the 360-view of Madrid by night.

Lastly, Palacio de los Duques’ breakfast buffet is arguably one of the best I’ve ever seen, offering an array of hot, cold, and made-to-prepare items. Standard breakfast offerings (scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, sausage, pastries, and more) are available, as well as an array of freshly squeezed juices and smoothies. Seeing as I was slightly hungover, I opted for a massive green juice and two cappuccinos. Next time, I’ll make sure I’m in better form to enjoy all that the breakfast has offer.

AMENITIES:

• Excellent location
• On-site cocktail bar and restaurant with outdoor patio
• Large variety of room types
• On-site spa / wellness center
• Rooftop pool
• Free Wi-Fi throughout the property
• Excellent breakfast buffet (included with certain reservations)
• 24-hour gym
• Room service
• Airport transfers available

ROOM TYPES

While I stayed in a Suite Junior RedLevel, which came equipped with a separate table/sitting area for working, there are both smaller and larger options at the hotel. For an upgrade, you can get the same room with a balcony, or spring for a Suite RedLevel with a separate bedroom—with Master and Penthouse options also available.

For those traveling more modestly, Classic, Premium, and Supreme rooms make for great—and more affordable—options. A single queen-size bed or two individual bed options are available within these tiers.

THE BEST THING TO DO WITHIN A 15-MINUTE WALK:

For hipster coffee shops, vintage shopping, and great nightlife, head up to the bustling Malasaña neighborhood, located less than ten minutes away from the hotel on foot. Despite its proximity, the neighborhood couldn’t be more different than the busy, Opera-adjacent area where the hotel is found. I grabbed a cappuccino at Töto Ice Cream & Coffee for prime people watching, though definitely skipped on the latter (it was 10 AM, otherwise I would’ve been in).

Should you visit the neighborhood on the weekend, be sure to check out the neighborhood’s weekend market in between shopping and bar hopping, or even an outdoor movie at the Conde Duque, should the weather permit.

BEST THING TO DO/EAT/DRINK WITHIN A $20 CAB RIDE:

For a taste of the urban outdoors, there’s no better place to stretch your legs and grab some fresh(ish) air than Parque de El Retiro. Simply post up with a book, stroll around the reservoir, or grab an ice cream at one of the centrally located stands and enjoy. If you’re feeling sporty, hit the Canoeing Club Vallehermoso Retiro in the center of the park and enjoy some time on the water.

Pro tip: Exit the park to the north and enjoy the ritzy shopping / cafés / fine dining in the city’s Salamanca neighborhood. The neighborhood has a little bit of everything, from Zara Home and Aesop all the way to Chanel and Balenciaga. Also, grabbing a world-famous tortilla at Casa Dani (washed down with an Estrella, of course) is an absolute must.

BED GAME:

Perhaps it was because I was hungover AF, but truly, I could have died in the bed at Palacio de los Duques. The pillows offered a perfect balance between structure and fluff, and with the AC cranked up to the max, I was able to burrow beneath the massively thick comforter.

Rating: 10/10.

SEXINESS RATING:

While the comfortable beds, rooftop access, and downstairs cocktail bar—as well as the on-site spa—are perfect lead-ups to getting “in the mood,” the rooms’ outdated decor and lack of stellar views (at least in the room I stayed in) render it an attractive experience, though definitely not the city’s sexiest.

Rating: 7.5/10

BEST SEASON TO VISIT

As with many European cities, the fall and spring seasons offer the best conditions temperature-wise, as well as a lack of crowds. While the hotel’s ample air conditioning offers a perfect reprieve from scorching summer temperatures, exploring around the heated city streets are certainly not for the faint of heart.

IF I HAD TO COMPLAIN ABOUT ONE THING:

It’s hard to find a complaint about the Palacio de los Duques. The rooms are spacious, the on-site food and beverage options are delectable, and I truly had one of the best massages of my life at the RedLevel spa.

I will say that the in-room decor is quite outdated, and the hotel’s unique layout can make it confusing to get around, but overall, these are peanuts compared to the excellent amenities and unforgettable hospitality.

BOOK NOW:

Expect to pay between $340 for a standard room, $579 for a RedLevel Room, and $660-$1,200 for various levels of suites.

INSTAGRAM IMAGES TAKEN AT THE PALACIO DE LOS DUQUES HOTEL:

Penn Badgley has ironically (and perhaps troublingly) become an internet boyfriend during the run of Netflix’s psychological thriller You. Badgley stars as Joe, a sociopathic murderer and stalker, but he seems likable in real life. He certainly buttered up Swifties with a clever “Anti-Hero” and You mashup as his first-ever TikTok in October.

“I thought for years, ‘I’ll get a TikTok when the time is right,’” Badgley explained of the viral TikTok in a recent interview with Rolling Stone. “And then when Taylor’s record came out, it just seemed the song wouldn’t have worked with anybody else. Me. Joe. Anti-Hero. Taylor Swift? It just was the perfect moment.”

The Swift connection isn’t over, either. According to IndieWire, Badgley directed the upcoming ninth episode of You‘s fourth season, and according to Badgley’s new Variety cover story, the episode “contains a Taylor Swift reference.” Naturally, Variety‘s Kate Aurthur posed whether Joe is a Swiftie.

“I think, unfortunately, he would despise her,” Badgley said. “Because she’s successful and blonde, maybe? I don’t know, but I think he would.”

The first half of You‘s fourth season hit Netflix on February 9. The second half is due out on March 9.

If you’re all caught up, watch the “Part 2” trailer below.