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In news that should surprise no one, Steve Bannon — the right-wing conspiracy theorist who helped put Donald Trump in office — is a cheapskate.

According to a report from The Daily Beast, the former Breitbart co-founder owes possibly hundreds of thousands of dollars to members of his legal team representing him in recent federal and state investigations. Bannon’s been facing criminal charges in multiple cases over his alleged misuse of donations to a GoFundMe campaign intended to raise money to build a border wall between the U.S. and Mexico. Prosecutors have accused Bannon of money laundering and conspiracy to commit wire fraud which is why the FBI arrested him in 2020 — as he was vacationing on a Chinese billionaire’s yacht.

His legal team was instrumental in ensuring Bannon stayed out of prison and got a pardon from Trump while he was still in office, which is why insiders close to the racist demagogue are confused as to why he’d skimp on paying his own lawyers.

Bannon’s refusal to fully pay his bills has stunned some of his close advisers who’ve stuck around for years.

“I don’t have any reason to believe he doesn’t have money,” one associate said.

After all, Bannon is a former Goldman Sachs investment banker, co-founded the right-wing news website Breitbart, made tens of millions off the iconic sitcom Seinfeld, and hangs out with Chinese billionaire Guo Wengui. In fact, he was relaxing, reading a book on Wengui’s yacht just off the coast of Westbrook, Connecticut when he was arrested by FBI special agents in August 2020.

Bannon reportedly owes his longtime New York attorney Robert Costello more than $100,000 while his other lawyers, Evan Corcoran and David Schoen have either quit filing motions in his defense or asked to be removed from his counsel altogether. Bannon’s legal dine-and-dash is especially bizarre given the fact that he’s currently still under the microscope for his role in the Jan. 6th insurrection and he desperately needs representation if he hopes to win an appeal of a previous conviction relating to the House Oversight Committee’s investigation.

(Via The Daily Beast)

The world would be a lot better if we all could put our prejudices aside and see people for who they are as individuals. If we learned how to lean in with our hearts a bit more instead of our judgmental minds, we’d probably treat each other with much more sympathy.

Sadly, we still have a long way to go as a society until we reach that point.

One of the most significant ways that we misjudge others is by attributing their status, appearance and social skills to their moral compass. People who are economically disadvantaged, overweight, or socially awkward are often cast in a negative light because many think that everyone who falls short of a societal “ideal” have done so out of laziness.

However, that type of thinking is lazy in and of itself.

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The saying goes, “You never know what anyone is going through, so be kind,” and it’s true. There are a lot of people out there who are struggling with things we don’t realize. Further, we have no idea what people have overcome to be where they are today.

To help people better understand what others are going through, a Reddit user by the name of anthropocener47 asked the online forum, “What kind of people often get treated with less sympathy?” Many responses are in support of those who are struggling with issues we can’t see.

The post went viral on Reddit, earning over 8,000 comments. The responses were a great reminder that we are often quick to judge others while knowing very little about them.

So here are 17 types of people that could use much more sympathy.

1.

“Disabled people or people born with deformities/rare diseases.” — KommandaKoopa

2.

“People missing front teeth.” — bizobimba

RogerSaysHi added:

“This really sucks too. My husband fell and broke a front tooth a few years ago. We’ve tried getting it fixed several times, but the fixes just break off. We’re going to have to get him an implant, as he’s getting older, his teeth are getting more brittle. It’s just that implants cost as much as a damned used car. You can tell that it has kind of killed his confidence a little bit. He doesn’t smile as much as he used to. It absolutely blows.”

3.

“Socially inept people—can be due to disorders or simply due to awkwardness. If you can’t play the game and act ‘normal,’ sooner or later you will be made to pay for it. Sooner than later, probably.” — RavensQueen502

4.

“The homeless, the poor, the mentally ill.” — Ok-Equivalent-8509

SchemataObscura added:

“Came to say all of those and addiction.”

5.

“Poor people.” — Pretty-Benefit-233

Cmc added:

“This. There’s a real disdain towards poorer people like they should magically be able to make more money. For lots of people, they have disadvantages that make that more difficult—lack of education or support, lack of time, illness or disability, or even just being stuck in a neverending cycle and having to time/money/ability to get themselves out. For some others, they prioritize other parts of life over money, and there’s nothing wrong with making that choice for yourself.”

6.

“Ugly people 100%.” — dannywarpick

7.

“I had a hard time sympathizing with people who suffer from severe anxiety. My attitude was always ‘just deal with it, stress is temporary.’ Last summer, there was a series of events that triggered unprecedented anxiety for me, I didn’t eat for days at a time, barely slept, and could barely function at work. It was absolutely debilitating and felt completely uncontrollable. A week on vacation helped but it came back as soon as I got home. So I went to my doctor and he prescribed a few meds, which helped a lot. Now I understand that kind of crippling anxiety, and I’m a lot more sympathetic to those who struggle to manage it.” — EncanisUnbound

8.

“People in ‘unskilled’ positions. Sure, a burger flipper or custodian doesn’t need a college degree, but unskilled =/= not hard work. Having to prepare so much food in little time, deal with rude customers, and cleaning up stuff. The number of stories of people smearing poop on the walls. The stuff these people go through, people should feel sympathy.” — guzhogi

Brilliant Tourist added:

“Skilled tradespeople get no respect, and they deserve ALL the respect. We freaking NEED auto mechanics and plumbers. Without them, the world doesn’t run, period, full stop.”

9.

“Fat people. I’ve been fat and I’ve been skinny and the difference in how people treat you is astounding.” — iamanachogirl

Ragingfeminineflower added:

“I said this too. I’ve been both also. I lost weight and didn’t understand why suddenly everyone smiled at me, people started to bend over backward to help me with things, greeted me more, gave me more genuine conversation even… and yes, genuine respect. I slowly started to realize why. I am and always have been the same person, but I know who others terribly are now.”

10.

“Depressed or sad people. It’s a nightmare…” — disabled-R1ggs

11.

“People that don’t smile. My best friend is an absolute angel of a person but I’ve only seen him smile a few times over the last 7 years. Traumatic events are a mother f***er.” – rockonyou717

12.

“The extremely socially awkward among us. My younger brother has been diagnosed with OCD and autism, has zero friends, and has never been kissed or dated in even the most elementary type way (he’s almost 25 now). The world has not been kind to him throughout all this and it breaks my heart.” — [deleted]

rocket_dog 1980 added:

“Boy, this hits hard. My oldest son (17) is incredibly awkward. Adults (my friends and teachers) treat him great and have nothing but positive things to say about him. He has not been embraced by his peers though. He doesn’t have any friends his age. Most kids avoid him altogether. Sad.”

13.

“People who die of suicide. My cousin killed himself when he was 19. I was shocked at how people (many who didn’t even know him) reacted when they found out. People got angry at him and talked about how selfish he was. The priest who did the service at his funeral couldn’t even bother to express sympathy for him. He had a very hard 19 years—neglectful parents (bad enough to be removed by CPS), juvenile detention, and battling heroin addiction, and spent his last few moments hanging from an extension cord in a moldy basement. If that doesn’t make someone worthy of sympathy I don’t know what does.” — ladyphase

14.

“Shy people.” — RudolfMaster

15.

“The elderly. Elder abuse is rampant.” — janice-mericson

16.

“People who lose their temper when desperately trying to get people to understand that they have been abused.” — Salty_Technician2481

17.

“Migrant workers. Imagine moving to a different country, you work your ass off to earn a good living, and some stupid bastards tell you that you’re lazy or you’re ‘taking jobs from more deserving people.’ Xenophobia is the most prominent form of bigotry where I’m from and it is all just hateful, ridiculous slander.” — sheldonisautistic

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One video posted to TikTok showing Miles doing her thing with “B—h Better Have My Money” has already gone mega-viral at more than 11 million views.

@sainthoax #superbowl #rihanna ♬ original sound – Saint Hoax

“This gonna be the next TikTok dance trend,” someone commented.

Meanwhile on Twitter, someone declared Miles as the “true” half-time star. And that was only one of many, many, many people who had nice things to say.

shoutout to ASL interpreter justina miles for absolutely going off for rihanna’s #SuperbOwl performance pic.twitter.com/exVHkFH3Xl

— Off Colour (@OffColourOrg) February 13, 2023

SUPER BOWL ASL Interpreter Justina Miles WERK WERK Worked the Halftime Show‼️🥰❤️#SuperBowl #Rihanna #RihannaSuperBowl #FentyBowl pic.twitter.com/T67ctk0AGf

— JIGGIE Gee (@RJiggie) February 13, 2023

Rihanna’s deffo pulling some queen shit BUT ALSO CAN WE TALK ABOUT THIS ASL INTERPRETER? She’s doing such a great job and bringing so much energy ♥️♥️♥️♥️ pic.twitter.com/l8s62Jt7Rs

— Lisa (Sarah Nurse is Elite) (@justforspourts) February 13, 2023

Miles is hard of hearing herself and has a deaf mother as well as multiple family members with mixed hearing abilities. She previously came to online fame back in 2020 for her version of Lil’ Kim’s 1997 “Crush on You” music video, where instead of just mouthing the words, she signed them in her distinctive flair.

See on Instagram

The video, which was part of a viral TikTok challenge, received a flood of support online and even ended up reaching Lil’ Kim herself. Miles clearly has a knack for bringing hip-hop music to life with infectious enthusiasm. No wonder she was matched with Queen RiRi.

Prior to her halftime performance, Miles performed an equally enthusiastic ASL rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” known as the Black national anthem, during the Super Bowl’s pre-show.

Though she’s clearly having fun, Miles considers the moment as a win for more than just herself. During a press conference leading up to the event, she shared that for her, being the first deaf performer to interpret this song “was a chance to bring empowerment to millions and millions of Black deaf people all over the country who have never really seen that before. I feel that is truly lifting every voice, even my voice.”

“I value the opportunity to make it possible for all deaf people to enjoy these songs, and not have them miss out on the full Super Bowl experience,” she said in an interview with CNBC. Her aim is to not only entertain, but encourage others to “not to let any obstacles prevent you from achieving your dreams, and to always believe in yourself to go beyond.”

It’s great that we are not only making culturally mainstream events like the Super Bowl more accessible to different communities, but in turn, more people are able to connect with less mainstream ways of life. When we allow more space for different forms of expression, it’s easier to see that, language aside, we’re all moved by performances that make us feel. Thanks to Miles, many people got to enjoy music in a whole new way.

Even though Yellowstone is currently on hiatus, the Dutton family loves drama so much that they simply had to stir up some controversy to hold fans over until the summer premiere.

Earlier this month, it was reported that the original hit series would be wrapping up in favor of a new, Matthew McConaughey-led series that will take place in the Yellowstone universe, with more fan-favorite characters expected to join. But what about the patriarch of the family, played by Kevin Costner? He might be over it!

According to Deadline, Costner’s shooting schedule was the main source of frustration when filming the fifth season. Allegedly, the Golden Globe winner only wanted to work for 50 days of his planned 65 for part one of season five. But when the time came to shoot part two, Costner supposedly “only wanted to spend a week shooting,” perhaps in order to move onto his next project, Horizon, from Warner Bros., in which he will direct and star.

While they have yet to officially confirm anything, earlier this month, a Paramount Network spokesperson told Deadline: “We have no news to report. Kevin Costner is a big part of Yellowstone and we hope that’s the case for a long time to come. Thanks to the brilliant mind of Taylor Sheridan, we are always working on franchise expansions of this incredible world he has built. Matthew McConaughey is a phenomenal talent with whom we’d love to partner.”

Even if Costner doesn’t return, the numerous Yellowstone spinoffs have been doing just fine on their own, so maybe it’s time for John Dutton to hang up his ol’ cowboy hat. Or at least let Matthew McConaughey borrow it for awhile.

(Via Yahoo!)

Father’s Day is always a great time to turn the dad jokes on dads. Last year, Maya Hawke paid tribute to her dad, veteran film star Ethan Hawke, who happened to go googly-eyed over Rihanna at the 2015 NBA All-Star Game. As the story goes (and as revealed in these Getty images), Ethan attended that game and found himself with one person in between himself and Rihanna while enjoying courtside seats. That’s what Ethan alludes to with Photo #1 in an Instagram post as shown below. The “one person” happens to be Ethan’s son, Levon. Well, Photo #2 showed dad switching seats with his son, who may or may not have been face-palming in embarrassment. Photo #3 is shown above and may or may not reflect Levon’s amusement at the situation.

Ethan enjoyed Rihanna’s “brilliant” halftime show (and he is in good company, including Cardi B.), so he’s reliving his momentous 2015 occasion. On Instagram, he also wrote, “I’m hoping my son can find it in his heart to forgive a Dad for taking his moment.”

Ethan does look rather pleased with himself in Photo #2. However, he leaves some important stuff out here. As in, what are Ethan and Rihanna discussing in that third photo? That’s real “fly on the wall” territory, but I’m gonna go with this: they were definitely discussing The Purge.

The Last Of Us has been gifting us with some emotionally-charged plotlines, in between scenes of Pedro Pascal looking frustrated and that icky zombie guy. But there are people out there who seem to exist solely to complain about every move that HBO makes in regard to the show (or, like, life in general).

The series was met with backlash after a critically acclaimed episode featured a love story between two men, played by Nick Offerman and Murray Bartlett. But Bella Ramsey, who plays the fearless Ellie, doesn’t seem concerned about the haters.

In a new interview with GQ, Ramsey addressed the controversy, which she doesn’t let affect her. “I’m not particularly anxious about it,” Ramsey said about backlash over the inclusive storylines. She added, “I know people will think what they want to think. But they’re gonna have to get used to it. If you don’t want to watch the show because it has gay storylines, because it has a trans character, that’s on you, and you’re missing out. It isn’t gonna make me afraid. I think that comes from a place of defiance.”

Ramsey announced earlier this year that she identifies as non-binary, though she doesn’t have a pronoun preference. She also said that in between takes, she and Pedro Pascal would discuss sexual identity. “They weren’t always deep [conversations], they could be funny and humorous, the whole spectrum,” Ramsey said. Pascal’s sister came out as transgender in 2021, and Ramsey said that these conversations help different generations understand where each other is coming from. “We were just very honest and open with each other.”

Fans of the original video game series will note that Ellie was portrayed as a lesbian in the universe, so there will likely be more queer-inclusive storylines to come. The more the merrier!

(Via Variety)

The best Scotch whisky is going to cost you a little money — there’s no getting around that fact. You don’t have to spend a crazy amount of drink good Scotch whisky though. In fact, there are some great bottles that sneak in under $100 that you can actually find on most shelves. That’s a win-win and those are the sorts of picks that I’m focused on calling out below.

For this list of great Scotch whiskies, I’m naming 10 bottles of Scotch that both cost around $85 and freaking rule. That said, I am ranking these bottles. Scotch is not a monolith and there are some huge swings in flavor profiles in the below whiskies. Some of these whiskies are not going to be for everyone, and that’s okay because all of these whiskies are excellently made. Read the tasting notes and find something that sparks your interest.

When it comes to price, we are truly getting into the good stuff at this price point. Still, prices are going to vary by region. Click on the price links below to see if you can snag a bottle wherever you are. If you can, you’ll be in for a great whisky treat. Let’s dive in!

• Johnnie Walker Vs. Chivas: Which Scotch Whisky Brand Will Win Our Blind Test?
• The 50 Best Scotch Whiskies Of 2022, Ranked
• The Best Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whiskies Under $100, Ranked
• World Class ‘Sipping’ Single Malt Whiskies Under $100, Ranked
• The Best Peated Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Blind Tasted And Ranked

10. The Glenrothes Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky Whisky Maker’s Cut

ABV: 48.8%

Average Price: $85

The Whisky:

The bulbous bottle from The Glenrothes is all about the sherry. The expression spends an undisclosed amount of years in first-fill sherry casks. When those barrels are just right, the whisky is then batched and vatted before being proofed down only slightly.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: You’re met with candied orange peel spiked with hints of eggnog spices and a touch of gooey pine resin on the nose.

Palate: The taste holds on tightly to that candied orange while adding in a velvety vanilla cream generously dusted with those eggnog spices and a softer touch of almost sweet wood.

Finish: The finish zeroes in on the orange and nutmeg as the vanilla and oak fade away on the slow end.

Bottom Line:

This is a good spot to start, especially if you’re looking for a bridge between bourbon sweetness and Scotch whisky’s spicy malt. Overall, this is a good on-the-rocks pour that works well in cocktails with a bitter bite.

9. Jura Single Malt Scotch Whisky Seven Wood

ABV: 42%

Average Price: $80

The Whisky:

The juice from Jura is aged in ex-bourbon for an undisclosed amount of years. The whisky is then re-casked in seven barrels: first-fill ex-bourbon from the U.S. and Vosges, Bertranges, Jupilles, Allier, Tronçais, and Limousin barrels from France. The ripple here is that all of those French barrels were new (never held wine) when the whisky went in.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: You get a burnt coffee note next to a dark chocolate bar cut with candied ginger and, maybe, a hint of strawberry on the nose.

Palate: Black licorice arrives with a note of burnt orange peels and grilled peaches with a drop of honey next to a wisp of beach campfire smoke.

Finish: The end lingers for just the right amount of time as the distant smoke fades, leaving a hint of sea spray, cacao, and burnt fruit.

Bottom Line:

This is a deep whisky that’s somehow familiar and comforting, thanks to a very easygoing vibe. Overall, I’d mix this into a cocktail where I wanted the whisky to shine.

8. Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve Blended Malt Scotch Whisky

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $89

The Whisky:

This no-age-statement blend leans into that signature Walker marriage of Highland and Speyside whiskies with a small dose of Western Scottish whisky for good measure. The lion’s share of the whisky involved in this gilded bottle is Clynelish, a Highland whisky that adds a modicum of peat to the mix.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: The nose balances old leather gloves and honeyed oats with meaty sultanas, cinnamon-spiced malts, a hint of anise, and an echo of grilled fruit.

Palate: The palate leans into the grilled fruit with a smoky underbelly and a savory edge (almost papaya) next to a lush vanilla cream and a sharp clove/allspice vibe.

Finish: The finish combines the dried fruit and honey with a twinge of florals as a whisper of earthy peat sneaks in late, kind of like a dry moss slowly growing on a tree.

Bottom Line:

This is one of those whiskies that’s just good. It’s great in a highball with really good fizzy water and some botanical or floral garnishes. It also makes a killer cocktail base as well as an easy sipper over a big ol’ rock.

7. Lagavulin Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky Offerman Charred Oak Cask Aged 11 Years

ABV: 46%

Average Price: $87

The Whisky:

This brand-new release is the third collaboration between Lagavulin and Nick Offerman. This time around, the team at Lagavulin took 11-year-old malt and finished it in heavily charred casks that used to hold bourbon and red wine. Those barrels were then batched and built around flavor notes that pair perfectly with a steak dinner.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: The nose opens with a rich peatiness that’s tied to pecan chocolate clusters and dried cranberries with a dusting of sea salt, burnt orange zest, and fine nutmeg.

Palate: The palate dips those red tart berries in dark salted chocolate with cinnamon bark and clove buds next to espresso cream and a whisper of malty vanilla wafers with fresh honey in between.

Finish: The end has this enigmatic mix of smoked toffee, salted black licorice, and brandied cherries wrapped in cinnamon-laced tobacco and folded into an old cedar box.

Bottom Line:

This is a fun one. It’s not as wildly peaty as some Lagavulins and feels very dialed into an American whisky palate, making it a great addition to your bar cart. I dig this over some ice or in a cocktail.

6. Highland Park Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky

ABV: 63.3%

Average Price: $88

The Whisky:

This yearly drop is part of a new line from the Orkney Island’s distillery. The whisky is a blend of single malts that are aged exclusively in old American oak that previously held sherry. The barrels are married and bottled as is, to assure you’re getting all the nuance and flavor of their malts meeting that oak.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: There’s a light sense of wildflowers on the nose with a rich vanilla husk that leads towards a touch of peat.

Palate: The taste is surprisingly silken (for a cask strength) with rich and buttery toffee next to honeysuckle, eggnog spices and creaminess, and a small dose of orange zest as a counterpoint.

Finish: The end holds onto the creaminess and spices as the peat just edges in with a whisper of resinous pine smoke.

Bottom Line:

There’s a softness to this dram that’s very enticing. I like this neat with a splash of water to let it bloom a little in the glass. You’ll get a deeper sense of creamy orange and winter spice with a softer and fattier smoke.

5. Caol Ila Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky Aged 12 Years

ABV: 43%

Average Price: $86

The Whisky:

Caol Ila is a tiny Islay distillery that is more familiar to hardcore whisky fans than the casual drinker. This expression is the distillery’s entry-point whisky that highlights the subtle peatiness, gentle aging, and the soft lapping of the sea against the distillery’s outer white walls.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: There’s a matrix of dried roses soaked in water touched by orange oils, almonds, and a trace of classic Listerine buzziness.

Palate: The sip has a savoriness that feels like olive oil speckled with coarse sea salt next to a distant billow of briny smoke, all counterpointed by sweet malts and fruits.

Finish: The finish sweetens the smokiness with a fruity-yet-spicy tobacco edge while the end fades towards an almost salty-sour hint of citrus.

Bottom Line:

This is getting into the really good stuff. Caol Ila is the whisky lover’s whisky and this is only the introductory bottle from the brand. Entry-level aside, this whisky poured over a big piece of ice is damn near perfection in a glass, especially if you’re looking for a deep yet easy-going sipping experience.

4. Glenmorangie Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky Nectar d’Or

ABV: 46%

Average Price: $84

The Whisky:

This dram from Glenmorangie is a much-loved Highland malt. The juice is matured in ex-bourbon barrels for an undisclosed number of years. The whisky is then transferred to French Sauternes barrels which held sweet dessert wines where it spends two more years finishing.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: This has that classic “shortbread cut with lemon and vanilla” vibe that makes some single malts so approachable on the nose.

Palate: The sip has a buttery toffee nature that’s layered with subtle oak, mild brown spices, and more fruits tied into a creamy pudding body.

Finish: The spice then leans a little towards ginger with that buttery shortbread as it slowly fades out.

Bottom Line:

This is soft and so welcoming from the nose to the finish. It’s probably the smoothest experience on this whole list that gives you great depth and a nice, familiar feeling from top to bottom.

3. Ardbeg Uigeadail Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky

ABV: 54.2%

Average Price: $80

The Whisky:

The mix of peated malts, yeast, and that inky lake water from Islay creates a spirit that’s already full of flavors before it goes into the barrel. That hot juice is then aged in both ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks. When the whisky in the barrel is just right, they’re blended into this single malt expression, proofed with local spring water, and bottled without any filtration.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: The nose is a matrix of smoked plums next to lush Christmas cakes full of dried and candied fruit and citrus with plenty of fatty nuts, dark and wintry spice, and buttery caramel drizzle hit with plenty of sea salt next to a whisper of dried lavender and overripe, almost woody plantains.

Palate: The palate balances sweet berries and pear candy with smoky salmon fat and dark chocolate malts.

Finish: The mid-palate adds a hint of dried chili heat while fading towards a finish full of smoked fat, dried fruit, and a buttery dark chocolate sauce bespeckled with flakes of smoked pink sea salt and cedar chips.

Bottom Line:

This is a bold whisky that’ll have its fans and detractors. I love the peatiness here because it’s not over the top. It’s a briny, funky, fatty peatiness tied to fruitiness and nuttiness with a burnt chocolate underbelly that only widens and softens with a little water in the glass.

This is complex and dark in all the right ways and then bright and fresh just when you need it to be.

2. The GlenDronach Revival Aged 15 Years Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky

ABV: 46%

Average Price: $89

The Whisky:

Revival 15 takes its sherried nature very seriously. The juice is aged in a combination of Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks for 15 long years. Those casks are married and this whisky is brought down to a very easy-drinking 92 proof with that soft Highland water.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Dark berry brambles with tart and sweet fruit, stems, thorns, and even a little black dirt draw you in on the nose with a hint of walnut shell and cherry pie.

Palate: The palate is a creamy-yet-bitter dark chocolate orange that leads toward a semi-savory fig countered by ripe apricot.

Finish: The chocolate comes back with cinnamon spice and more dark berries and walnut at the end.

Bottom Line:

This is f*cking delicious. It’s the most classic and wonderful unpeated single malt on the list. Pour it neat, over a rock, or in a whisky-forward cocktail. You will not be disappointed.

1. Cragganmore Distiller’s Edition Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $88

The Whisky:

Cragganmore is an iconic Scottish distillery. The whisky is matured in sherry casks for 12 years. It’s then transferred into American oak casks that held port for a final maturation phase before proofing and bottling.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Fennel leads to dried fruits — sultanas, prunes, dried fig — and fresh apples on the nose with a hint of tartness and skin next to savory (almost oily) herb branches and leaves.

Palate: The taste, on the other hand, leans into sweet oak, pear candies, fresh figs, and a softness that’s almost hard to believe while this medley of caraway, fresh fennel, and sweet cardamom dance together on your palate.

Finish: The end is full of sweet fruits — think ripe pears, green tomatoes, and star fruit — and has just the right touches of soft oak, oily vanilla, and savory green herbs as it fades towards a final note of wet wicker right after a rain storm.

Bottom Line:

While I love The GlenDronch Revival, there’s something about the funky green herbal and orchard notes of this whiskey that keeps calling me back for more. It’s unique but nostalgic. It’s like silk but full of surprises. This is such a good whisky. It also truly blooms with some water added, leading you through herb gardens, fruit orchards, and creameries on a sunny day.

The Super Bowl is the biggest sporting event of the year in the United States. Pair that with the fact that Rihanna performed the halftime show this year, and it must have been a real challenge to actually get to the stadium for those lucky/rich enough to have tickets. It seems like that was the case for Cardi B and Offset, as the two ended up running in an effort to not miss Rihanna’s performance.

In a video shared on Cardi’s Instagram Story last night (February 12), Cardi and Offset are seen running to get into the stadium. It wasn’t a particularly fast run, though, as Cardi was wearing high heels that made speedy travel a challenge.

It appears their effort paid off, though, as it was apparently a really close call for them: In another Instagram Story video, Cardi films the start of the performance and exclaims, “We just made it on time.” She also offered some general excitement and cheering in other clips.

That wasn’t Cardi and Offset’s only Super Bowl presence this year. The pair just launched their own meal at McDonald’s and had a commercial for it during the game. The menu item is named after them and includes a cheeseburger, Quarter Pounder with cheese, barbecue sauce, large fries, an apple pie, a large Hi-C, and a large Coke.

Cardi B is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Due in large part to the thing where it’s hard to hide something like Hollywood movie star Ben Affleck randomly working a Dunkin’ drive-thru in Medford, Massachusetts, The Accountant star’s Super Bowl spot for his beloved coffee and donut chain wasn’t a total surprise. (It also didn’t help that Jennifer Lopez was on hand, which really gave away the game.)

However, the gag was a surprise to the unsuspecting Dunkin’ customers who pulled around to the window to see the on-again/off-again Batman handling their order. While the Super Bowl spot captured some of that fun, commercial time during the big game is crazy expensive, so a lot of the interactions were left on the cutting room floor. Until now.

Following the spot, Dunkin’ uploaded outtakes from Affleck’s time behind the register, and it’s even better than the actual commercial. The actor clearly had a ball messing with customers and, unlike on a Kevin Smith movie, he was given free rein to improv as he pretended to be out of both coffee and donuts or frantically repeated orders back to customers.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the whole concept was Affleck’s idea because, of course, the man is constantly looking for ways to get inside a Dunkin’ for hours on end. Affleck also knew how the locals would react to the hidden camera idea.

Some used invective-flecked outbursts to describe his “inept” service, he said.

“It’s Boston, after all, so we had some rather coarse and agitated people who were willing to voice their displeasure in a colorful way, and I’m still lobbying to include the most interesting of those in some of the edgiest social spots,” said Mr. Affleck.

As for how much money Dunkin’ lost by letting Affleck have full access to the coffee urns and crullers, well, we do not know as of this writing, but presumably millions. Maybe even billions.

(Via Wall Street Journal)

If you’re looking to have great sex but can’t get out of your own head and just embrace the moment (the key to the best sex) you’ve come to the right place. Smoking weed makes sex better. In addition to the plant being an anxiety-reducing, sense-enhancing, inhibitor, THC is a vasodilator — which means it dilates blood vessels — and helps to allow for quicker and stronger blood flow to the areas that need it most.

It’s almost as if weed was tailor-made for mind-blowing, senses-tingling, euphoric sex. Why? Well, for truly great sex, you need to be aware of not just your body but your partner’s body and the sensations you’re sharing. When you aren’t dealing with all the extra baggage of your overactive thoughts you’ll better be able to get in touch with the physical sensations and being present — and we cannot stress this enough — is what it’s all about.

Here is the thing though, there isn’t a single strain of weed out there that is guaranteed to boost your libido, “put you in the mood,” or turn you into a sex god/goddess/alien overlord (if that’s what you’re into). Unfortunately, that’s not really how it works and if anyone tells you otherwise, they’re straight-up lying to you. You’re going to have to listen to your body’s and its needs and select a strain that works for whatever you’ve got going on. Strain choice is important, and we’re going to get into that in a second but first, we have to talk about the science.

If you don’t care about the studies, skip this next section, we also have some wise words from experts. If you don’t care about that either and just want to get high and f*ck, well hey, more power to you — go ahead and skip to the strain selection section. But you’ll be missing out on some knowledge and there isn’t a person out there that doesn’t think “knowing cool shit” is hot as f*ck.

PART I — What The Studies Say About Weed & Sex

So you’re a skeptic and anecdotal evidence (all your stoner friends who swear it works for everything) isn’t enough for you. Respect. You’ll be happy to know that there are some real studies out there that explore THC’s potential as a sex enhancer. One large study, which was conducted at the Stanford University School of medicine and collected data from 28,176 women and 22,943 men, found that participants using cannabis were having more sex than their non-cannabis smoking counterparts. The study marked a 22% increase in sex for men and a 24% increase in women. So if smoking doesn’t necessarily make sex better, you’ll at the very least be having more of it and “practice makes perfect!”

There are also studies out there that attempt to measure the positive effect THC has on sexual satisfaction, particularly for women. According to Psychology Today, researchers at Missouri’s St. Louis University conducted two separate surveys of adult women that in both cases found that women reported that casual use enhanced both their libidos and the quality of their pleasure. A more recent study centered around marijuana’s relationship to sexual function in women and published in the medical journal Sexual Medicine found that a majority of women in the study reported an increase in sex drive, improvement in orgasm, and a decrease in pain with women who used marijuana before sexual activity. Those women also had higher odds of satisfactory orgasm compared to women who reported no marijuana use. Notably, women also reported that THC didn’t result in a change in lubrication.

If that all doesn’t sound like great f*cking news, well… it’s no wonder you aren’t having better sex!

PART II — What Do The Experts Say About Weed & Sex

Studies are great, but there is a level of coldness and detachment when it comes to reading scientific journals. That’s not sexy, so to get an even better handle on THC’s relationship to sex we reached out to sex therapist Ashley Manta, to ask her a few specific questions you might have regarding cannabis and sex. Manta is an award-winning pleasure and intimacy coach and the host of the Elevated Intimacy Podcast and the creator of the lifestyle brand CannaSexual (answers are direct quotes).

Straight up, does Cannabis actually improve sex?

In a recent study published in the Journal of Cannabis Research, Amanda Moser (the lead researcher) and her team found that “over 70% of the 811 participants surveyed reported increased desire and orgasm intensity.” This study’s findings are consistent with anecdotal reports that cannabis heightens sensations and increases pleasure, which often results in greater sexual interest and satisfaction.

Are sativa or indica strains better or worse for sex? Is it all about the terpenes?

Sativa and indica designations are largely marketing terms and conversational shorthand at this point. From a botanical perspective, while indica leaves are shorter and more bushy and sativa leaves are longer and thinner, the shape of the leaves has no bearing on the ability to predict the effects of a given strain. See Dr. Ethan Russo’s work on this topic.

Terpenes and cannabinoid content (the types of cannabinoids like THC, CBD, CBN, etc. not the percentage of THC) are much more impactful on the effects of a strain. Still, even as such, each individual’s body chemistry and tolerance, not to mention mindset and environment, will have a profound impact on their experience.

Are there strains better for male or female arousal?

The strains that are better are the ones that work best for the individual. It’s important for a person to figure out how they want to feel, and then choose strains or products that they’ve found to be most effective for that, rather than going by a particular strain name that they believe will be more arousing based on marketing. Across the board, starting with a lower dose and adding more gradually until the desired cruising altitude is reached will go better for enjoying intimacy and eroticism than “getting stoned” and hoping that increases arousal.

Cannabis is not a magic horny potion, and no amount of cannabis is going to make someone want to have sex if they genuinely don’t. That said, cannabis can help address the things that get in the way of arousal, like discomfort, shame, feeling disconnected from one’s body, or performance anxiety–and those effects transcend gender.

Are THC-infused products better for sex or flower?

It depends what the consumer is going for. Infused products like topicals are a great option for people who have pain, especially pain with penetration, and may not want to feel intoxicated. Flower is great for folks who do want to feel buzzed to help shift their minds into a more pleasure-accessible headspace. Edibles, especially low-dose edibles of 5mg or less, are a great introductory option for someone who might be newer to mixing cannabis with intimacy–but I’d always recommend trying the product first solo before bringing it into partnered exploration.

PART III — Choosing The Right Strain

Well, there you have it! Studies and an expert — now we can finally talk about the strains! But first (no, seriously, this is the last bit of preamble) let’s talk a little bit about terpenes. Terpenes are the aromatic compounds found in cannabis that make you feel relaxed, euphoric, and relieve pain. If you like the way a certain strain makes you feel, it has less to do with it being an indica or sativa and more to do with the terpenes.

So what are the different terpenes and what do they do?

That’s an article in itself (luckily we wrote it here) so we’ll just give you a crash course on some of the most commonly found terpenes in weed. Limonene tends to fill you with feelings of euphoria while damping down anxiety and depression. Linalool is a calming mood booster that puts you in a state of relaxation and enhances your senses. Caryophyllene can help decrease inflammation and pain. Notice that I haven’t said any of them explicitly enhance sex, so as Manta said, what strain you choose is very much a personal choice. The world of terpenes goes much deeper than this, but we’ve already taken up a lot of your time!

You may find that you and your partner would be better off using entirely different strains, depending on your role that night in the bedroom — so feel free to experiment, that’s part of the fun. A word of caution though, if sex is on the table (or the bed, or the floor, or the shower) refrain from getting too high! Sex is the activity here not getting high, and getting too high can increase sedation and paranoia, as well as make you too lazy to want to have sex. That’s not fun, so keep the THC% low and limit yourself to a handful of hits depending on your tolerance. Not a full bowl or you’re going to get so blazed your eyes become bloodshot, and bloodshot eyes aren’t sexy.

Okay, okay, we’ve exhausted you with studies, questions, and technicalities, now here are 12 strains that will help you set the mood in just a few hits, with a focus on strains that smell and taste as good as the sex you’re about to have. Let’s get into it!

Amnesia Haze

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Strain: Hybrid
Dominant Terpenes: Myrcene, Caryophyllene, Limonene
THC: 19%

Packed with the relaxing effects of myrcene, and mood-boosting limonene, Amnesia Haze tends to produce uplifting feelings of euphoria and a boost of energy and confidence conducive to getting creative in the bedroom.

This is an ideal strain for couples who like to role-play as this hybrid strain will fill your head with new ideas and a desire to experiment. Will all the ideas be good ideas? Well, that remains to be seen, but if a good idea ends up in a bedroom failure, at least you and your partner will have something to laugh about over a second bowl before round two.

Best For:

Euphoric creative sex and roleplaying.

Visit Weedmaps to find Amnesia Haze at a dispensary near you.

Blue Dream

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Strain: Hybrid
Dominant Terpenes: Myrcene, Pinene, Caryophyllene
THC: 18%

The famous Blue Dream, with its intoxicating blueberry taste and smell, is a legend in the cannabis community thanks to its mood-boosting and mind-sharpening effects. This hybrid strain tends to get people in a relaxed state but doesn’t completely dull the mind, keeping you sharp, active, and ready for whatever comes your way.

A couple of hits of Blue Dream go a long way and the flavor and smell are so nice that it won’t be a total turn-off once things get hot and heavy.

Visit Weedmaps to find Blue Dream at a dispensary near you.

Best For:

Couples who like to smoke together. Blue Dream smells and tastes great, and melts away any anxious or stressful feelings.

Do-Si-Dos

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Strain: Hybrid
Dominant Terpenes: Limonene, Caryophyllene, Linalool
THC: 20%

Do-Si-Dos is a bit on the higher end of sex-enhancing strains THC-wise, so if you’re already a heavy user this might be the best play if your tolerance is totally shot. Do-Si-Dos sports a floral peppermint scent and will melt your body into a buzz of euphoric sensory pleasure after a single hit.

Best For:

Pass the bowl between you and your partner (or partners!), take a few hits, reach for the blindfold, and prepare to enter a world of shiver-inducing touch with closed-eye visuals that turn sex into a psychedelic experience.

Visit Weedmaps to find Do-Si-Dos at a dispensary near you.

GSC (Girl Scout Cookies)

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Strain: Hybrid
Dominant Terpenes: Caryophyllene, Limonene, Linalool
THC: 19%

You may know GSC by its former name, Girl Scout Cookies, and this famous and beloved strain is the perfect sexual enhancer thanks to its stress-relieving, mood-boosting, and calming effects. So if you’ve had a rough couple of days and you’re full of anxiety and stress, take a few hits of this to melt your troubles away and get your mind ready for life’s pleasures.

Aside from the effects, GSC just tends to taste and look great, sporting bright orange hairs and purple-flecked leaves, making this the perfect weed to break over the body of your partner, you know, if you’re into the sort of thing.

Best For:

The rough stuff.

Visit Weedmaps to find GSC at a dispensary near you.

Granddaddy Purple

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Strain: Hybrid
Dominant Terpenes: Pinene, Caryophyllene
THC: 17%

With its fairly low THC percentage, Granddaddy Purple is the perfect starter strain for experimenting with cannabis in the bedroom. The dominant terpene here in Pinene, has relaxing and pain-reducing properties, making this strain adaptable to any type of sex you’re trying to engage in, while boosting your senses, putting you in a relaxed state, and emboldening you to go beyond the vanilla.

Best For:

Anything. This is a great all-rounder, whether you’re looking for something slow and intimate, fast and rough, or anything in-between.

Visit Weedmaps to find Granddaddy Purp at a dispensary near you.

Green Crack

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Strain: Sativa
Dominant Terpenes: Myrcene, Caryophyllene, Pinene
THC: 17%

We know, the name is an absolute turn-off, but Green Crack is one of the best sativa sex enhancers we’ve ever come across. This mind-sharpening and creativity-boosting strain will fill you with a buzz of energy and euphoria, perfect for long sessions in the sheets that you can stretch throughout your day. Green Crack is the perfect wake-and-bake strain and an ideal vacation companion.

Aside from its effects, Green Crack also sports tropical citrus and mango notes, making it a great option for bongs and vaporizers. But if you choose the former, be sure to refresh that bong water or use mouthwash after your session, there is nothing less sexy than bong breath.

Best For:

Morning sex. Roll out of bed, brush those teeth, and smoke up.

Visit Weedmaps to find Green Crack at a dispensary near you.

Harlequin

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Strain: Sativa
Dominant Terpenes: Myrcene, Pinene, Caryophyllene
THC: 5%
CBD: 9%

If you’re the type who likes microdosing, you probably read our proclamation of Granddaddy Purple as a low THC strain (17%) and shuddered at the thought of smoking something that strong — in which case, Harlequin is for you. This strain will hardly get you high, even if your tolerance is super low, but its high CBD and low THC content make it the perfect option for those looking to take the edge off.

High CBD strains tend to relieve pain and anxiety, so if those are particular hurdles for you to clear, Harlequin’s got your back.

Best For:

First timers. If you’re looking to experiment with weed in the bedroom but don’t like the idea of having super-stoned sex, start here.

Visit Weedmaps to find Harlequin at a dispensary near you.

Northern Lights

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Strain: Indica
Dominant Terpenes: Myrcene, Caryophyllene, Limonene
THC: 17%

If you’re all about spicy herbal flavors, flower aromas, and enhanced sensory experiences, Northern Lights is your strain. A few hits of Northern Lights (about five or six if you’re a heavy user) will send you into an instant body buzz as its euphoric effects take hold, making this an ideal option for extended foreplay sessions and sensory exploration.

Northern Lights has a time-slowing effect that will inspire you to take your time on everything, which will make you a better lovemaking partner. If any strain is going to sell you on the idea of cannabis as a sexual enhancer, it’s this one.

Best For:

Long sex sessions. If you want to get lost in the feelings of physical touch, this is the strain that’ll help you luxuriate in the ecstasy of pleasure.

Visit Weedmaps to find Northern Lights at a dispensary near you.

Pink Panties

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Strain: Indica
Dominant Terpenes: Myrcene, Caryophyllene, Pinene
THC: 20%

We know, the name is a little on the nose here, but whoever named this strain knew exactly why they were doing it. This strain is another stress-buster, and its tantalizing name and flowery and fruity flavor are guaranteed to put you in a good mood no matter how stressful the day has been.

But beware, Pink Panties is a high THC indica — so take it easy on this stuff or you’re more likely to hit the bed for sleep than any sort of sexual activity.

Best For:

End of the night sex. If you want to hit the hay immediately after you’re done rolling in it, this is the strain for you.

Visit Weedmaps to find Pink Panties at a dispensary near you.

Sour Diesel

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Strain: Sativa
Dominant Terpenes: Caryophyllene, Myrcene, Limonene
THC: 18.5%
CBD: 2%

Other than Harlequin, Sour Diesel is the only other strain on this list with a significant amount of CBD, which will help to melt away anxiety and pain, making this the perfect option for anyone with anxious thoughts wrecking their bedroom game.

Having said that, keep in mind that the name “Sour Diesel” is very apt, this strain has an overly pungent and chemical-infused aroma and flavor, it straight up stinks. That’s not a turn-on, so smoke this stuff with your partner outside — it’ll only be a matter of minutes before you’re hit with some cerebral enhancement that’ll have you excited to hit the bedroom. Or you know, just keep things outside. Go wild.

Best For:

Outdoor sex.

Visit Weedmaps to find Sour Diesel at a dispensary near you.

Trainwreck

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Strain: Hybrid
Dominant Terpenes: Terpinolene, Myrcene, Pinene
THC: 16%

One of the weaker strains on this list (aside from Harlequin), Trainwreck, despite its name, actually provides a super chill experience. This is the sort of strain to smoke when you need a simple head change, and a few hits will have you giggling and poking at your partner as its playful effects take hold.

Trainwreck sports a flowery and herbal flavor that’ll fill the room with a deliciously intoxicating smell, so if the smell of weed isn’t a complete turn-off, feel free to light up inside so you can get to the action even quicker. Keep this strain handy for quickies and shorter sex sessions that aren’t going to occupy your whole day, the high isn’t going to last too long with this one which is perfect if you’ve got a packed schedule.

Best For:

Thanks to its quick high and short duration of effects, this strain is ideal for quickies and short sex sessions.

Visit Weedmaps to find Trackwreck at a dispensary near you.

Wedding Cake

Strain: Hybrid
Dominant Terpenes: Limonene, Myrcene, Caryophyllene
THC: 23-25%

This list is in alphabetical order but we couldn’t find a better strain to end it on than Wedding Cake. This indica-dominant hybrid is absolutely packed with THC, so we only suggest it for hardcore smokers and heavy users, but the effects you get out of this strain cannot be denied. Its earthy and herbal flavors with hints of sweet vanilla will tantalize the palate while providing a sense-enhancing head change and a rush of euphoria with a single hit.

Plus, with a name like Wedding Cake, this strain is practically begging to come along on your honeymoon getaway or romantic weekend. If the idea of domesticity is a turn-off, Wedding Cake will still get you hella high and feeling euphoric, two ingredients for great sex.

Best For:

Stoners. If your tolerance is already pretty high, this is the sort of luxurious and premium strain that is going to get you that strong head change and those deep body sensations that mid-shelf stuff just can’t ignite anymore.

Visit Weedmaps to find Wedding Cake at a dispensary near you.