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It’s a new day and that means there are new bourbon whiskeys on the shelf. The rate of new bourbons hitting shelves all around America is pretty much non-stop this time of year, so much that it’s almost impossible to keep up with. But that’s where we come in. Folks, it’s time for another brand-new bourbon blind taste test (a BNBBTT, if you will).

Below, I’ve compiled nine bourbons that basically just came out (or the 2022 edition that just came out). Some of these are so new that you might not even be able to find them outside of the distillery bottle shop yet. All of that aside, there are some exciting new bourbons hitting shelves right now. Bourbons cut with New York City’s famed water, grain-to-glass crafties, and even a brand-new Basil Hayden are all in the mix.

For the ranking of these whiskeys, I’m keeping it very simple. Is it well made? How good does it taste? And do I want to actually drink the stuff (besides just taste it for work)?

Our lineup today is:

• Horse Soldier Reserve Barrel Strength Bourbon Whiskey
• Filibuster Distillery Bottled-in-Bond Virginia Straight Bourbon Whiskeys Aged 5 Years
• Noble Oak Double Oak Bourbon
• Jefferson’s Ocean Aged At Sea New York Edition
• Samuel Maverick Private Reserve Texas Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Penelope Valencia
• Shortbarrel Toasted 101
• Lil’ Guero Aged 7 Years Bourbon Whiskey
• Basil Hayden Red Wine Cask Finish

Let’s dive in and rank some new bourbons!

Also Read: The Top 5 UPROXX Bourbon Posts Of The Last Six Months

• We Blind Tasted A Whole Bunch Of $30-60 Bourbons To See If Any Could Beat Weller
• We Put A Whole Bunch Of Bourbons To A Giant Blind Test And Discovered Some Absolute Gems
• We Blind Tasted Classic Bourbons And Were Shocked By The Winner
• The Best-Known Basic Bottles Of Bourbon, Blind Tasted And Ranked
• All The Double Gold-Winning Straight Bourbons From This Year’s San Francisco World Spirits Competition

Part 1: The Tasting

Taste 1

Tasting Notes:

There’s a mild crafty, sweet grain nose that opens toward a pile of freshly chopped firewood, lemon pepper, creamy vanilla-laced honey, winter spices, and Kiwi boot soap. The palate has a hint of caramel malts next to Vanilla Coke, a buttery and spiced apple pie with plenty of brown sugar, and a hint of ginger next to some orange blossoms in the background. The end is solid with a spicy warmth next to more of that dry firewood and a smidge of sweet oatmeal cookies.

This is a very nice sip of bourbon that leans pretty crafty, but not overly so. There’s depth here that feels nice on the palate.

Taste 2

Tasting Notes:

The nose opens with a waft of old porch wicker next to floral honey, burnt orange, black tea leaves, and a classic sense of woody cherry and vanilla. The palate creams the honey while adding in soft oak and cherry pie filling with a hint of vanilla malt next to mulled wine spices — heavy with star anise, clove, nutmeg, and cinnamon with a pinch of mace or cardamom. The end has a dark chocolate-covered espresso bean vibe that leads to a mild dried cranberry note next to a strawberry-rhubarb-walnut crumble with a scoop of vanilla malted ice cream that finished back at the old porch wicker braided with dark cherry tobacco and dry cedar bark.

This is a hell of a pour. It felt both classic and fresh at the same time. It has serious depth and really enticed me back for more.

Taste 3

Tasting Notes:

There’s a hint of cherry and vanilla cream with a honeyed sweetness on the nose that’s countered by mild winter spices. The palate is light but full of dark cherry and chocolate next to raisins and maybe some Mounds bar vibes. The end has a touch of old leather and cherry bark with a hint of tinniness to it.

This was moseying along nicely until the finish. It just didn’t land for me.

Taste 4

Tasting Notes:

There’s a nice sense of soft caramel chews on the nose with a dash of cigar tobacco and old humidors next to old leather cloves, burnt orange, and a hint of saline. The palate leans into brash winter spices with spicy and woody cinnamon, fresh nutmeg, cloves, allspice, and a hint of cardamom next to lush crème brûlée with a hint of that cigar vibe. The end stays strong with the spices and tobacco next to a soft vanilla creaminess and slightly salted pasta water finish.

This was interesting. I don’t that I’ve ever had a whiskey that was so obviously proofed that worked so well. That saline/salted pasta water vibe just works.

Taste 5

Tasting Notes:

There’s a clear sense of a very crafty bourbon on the nose with big grain notes leading to molasses-filled bran muffins and raw oatmeal cookie dough with plenty of vanilla extract. The palate has a similar vibe but layers in pecan waffles with high-fructose pancake syrup, more vanilla, and sweet cornbread. The end has a hint of mineral water next to caramel candy and more of that bran muffin.

This is very crafty and grainy. It was tasty but not amazingly so.

Taste 6

Tasting Notes:

There’s a light sense of burnt orange and cinnamon toast on the nose that leads to a hint of cherry vanilla cream soda with chocolate chip cookies cut with orange zest. That orange zest turns into chunky orange marmalade on the palate over buttery southern biscuits, woody mulled wine spices, wet brown sugar, and oily vanilla pods. The end has a nice bitterness to it tied to the orange rinds and seeds with a hint of orange blossom next to salted dark chocolate.

This is really freakin’ tasty. It’s very orange-forward but it balances that note with complementary flavors throughout. It all makes sense on the palate and it’s kind of fun.

Taste 7

Tasting Notes:

There’s a classic nose with dark cherry and maple syrup countered by Almond Joy, salted apple chips, and a hint of old oak staves in a musty old rickhouse. The palate has a sense of pecan waffles and cinnamon toast next to Honey Nut Cheerios, vanilla cream, and burnt orange. The end has a peach pie vibe with plenty of cinnamon and nutmeg next to dark cherry tobacco dipped in buttery dark chocolate tobacco.

This was a nice pour.

Taste 8

Tasting Notes:

This is another classic nose full of maple syrup over pecan waffles, dried cherries, salted caramel, meaty dates, old leather, and singed cedar with a hint of old musk lurking in the background of the nose. The palate has a hint of caramel next to vanilla malt with dates, prunes, and raisins leading to dark chocolate-covered dried cranberries with a hint of spiced tobacco. That spiced tobacco mingles with old leather and cedar on the back end.

This was solid and very enticing. It hit every note clearly and deeply.

Taste 9

Tasting Notes:

There’s a hint of orange zest on the nose with sour mulled wine spices — star anise, cardamom, cinnamon — next to Cherry Coke and vanilla cake with white frosting. The palate is soft yet creamy with a nutty spiced cake vibe next to zucchini bread with a dollop of butter next to tart dried berries dipped in brandy with a hint of dark cacao in the background. The end is pretty short (low-proofed) and finishes with a sense of old oak staves soaked in sour red wine with a dash of burnt orange and dried winter spice rounding things out.

This was pretty nice overall and had a nice depth, albeit very low-proofed.

Part 2: The Ranking

9. Noble Oak Double Oak Bourbon — Taste 3

ABV: 45%

Average Price: $36

The Whiskey:

Noble Oak is an Ohio bourbon sourced from MGP. The whiskey is aged in new oak for a spell. Then sherry staves are added to the barrels to create this unique dram. Moreover, for each bottle sold, Noble Oak plants a tree. So far, they’ve planted over 750,000 trees and counting.

Bottom Line:

This was really nice right up until the finish. That tinniness was a little off-putting.

8. Samuel Maverick Private Reserve Texas Straight Bourbon Whiskey — Taste 5

ABV: 45%

Average Price: $75

The Whiskey:

This grain-to-glass Texas whiskey is made from select Texas-grown corn, rye, and barley that’s distilled and aged on-site in the historic Lockwood National Bank building. After four years, seven 30-gallon barrels were picked and blended for this small-batch expression.

Bottom Line:

This was very crafty with those huge sweet grainy notes. That said, that’s the vibe of a lot of new craft bourbon right now. I’m not quite sold… yet.

7. Basil Hayden Red Wine Cask Finish — Taste 9

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $60

The Whiskey:

Freddie Noe — Beam’s eighth-generation Master Distiller — created this expression by blending classic Basil Hayden with bourbon partially aged in California red wine casks. The resulting batch is then proofed down and bottled.

Bottom Line:

This is where things get fun. This has no business being as good as it is for an 80-proof whiskey. It’s deep and fun. That said, I think I’d focus on using this in cocktails more than as a sipper.

6. Jefferson’s Ocean Aged At Sea New York Edition — Taste 4

ABV: 49%

Average Price: $99

The Whiskey:

This version of Jefferson’s famed Oceans Series sailed through the North Sea, around Europe, along the Atlantic Seaboard, and through the Panama Canal before ending up in New York City. Once there, the whiskey was batched and proofed down with New York City’s famed water (which is unfiltered and from closer to the Catskills).

Bottom Line:

This is a very niche expression. This was pretty good whiskey overall. I can’t say that the NYC proofing water made that much difference, but this definitely had its own feel to it with that saline minerality. All of that said, I’d likely use this more for a Manhattan than anything else.

5. Shortbarrel Toasted 101 — Taste 7

ABV: 50.5%

Average Price: $80

The Whiskey:

This Kentucky whiskey is aged through a few years before it’s vatted and re-barreled into new toasted oak barrels. After 21 days, those barrels are blended and the juice is just kissed with water before bottling.

Bottom Line:

This was a little fruity but ultimately really nice overall. I think it’d make either a solid cocktail bourbon or a perfectly suitable on-the-rocks sipper.

4. Horse Soldier Reserve Barrel Strength Bourbon Whiskey — Taste 1

ABV: 60.25%

Average Price: $98

The Whiskey:

The bourbon in this bottle was contract distilled in Ohio at Middlewest (but it’s now being made in Kentucky too). The juice is a wheated bourbon that spent eight years mellowing before bottling. Each barrel was hand-picked before being married into a barrel strength expression that’s bottled as-is.

Bottom Line:

This was a really solid pour of bourbon. It had a hint of that grainy craftiness but was otherwise a classic bourbon. In the end, the high ABVs did make this feel like a great cocktail candidate that needed a couple of rocks as a sipper.

3. Lil’ Guero Aged 7 Years Bourbon Whiskey — Taste 8

ABV: 50%

Average Price: $100

The Whiskey:

This small batch from Savage & Cooke out in California is made from an MGP of Indiana 7-year-old high-rye bourbon. Master Distiller Jordan Via hand picks only 38 barrels for this blend and then cuts that juice with Alexander Valley spring water before bottling.

Bottom Line:

This was just good bourbon. It felt like a solid sipper all around, even neat. I’d be willing to bet this also makes one hell of a Manhattan or Sazerac too.

2. Penelope Valencia — Taste 6

ABV: 49%

Average Price: $83

The Whiskey:

This bourbon starts off as Penelope’s beloved and much-lauded four-grain bourbon. That whiskey is then re-barreled into Spanish Vino de Naranja casks from Valencia before small batching, proofing, and bottling.

Bottom Line:

This was a great whiskey all around. It’s a wonderful sipper and I can see it really popping in an old fashioned. It also gave me a chance to use one of my favorite memes from The Simpsons.

1. Filibuster Distillery Bottled-in-Bond Virginia Straight Bourbon Whiskey Aged 5 Years — Taste 2

ABV: 50%

Average Price: $90

The Whiskey:

This Virginias whiskey is a grain-to-glass experience. The juice is made from locally-grown grains — 70% corn, 20% rye, and 10% malted barley — and local spring water in the Shenandoah Valley. After five years of mellowing in Appalachia, a small bundle of barrels are batched and proofed to 100 proof before bottling.

Bottom Line:

This was really solid. It has serious depth and felt like a truly classic bourbon whiskey from the jump. This was the one I actually wanted to drink after all of this.

Part 3: Final Thoughts

Well, that was a surprise. A whiskey brand I’d never even heard of before this month came out on top. That’s the great thing about these blinds — you never know what hidden gem you might find.

Pontificating aside, the Filibuster Bottled-In-Bond bourbon was really solid. It just hit every note so well while offering a truly classic vibe. As for the rest, the only one I didn’t care for was the Noble Oak because of the finish. The rest were all solid with the Basil Hayden Red Wine Cask finish being the biggest surprise — it still has no business being that deep with only 40 percent ABV.

If you can’t find the Filibuster, then Penelope Valencia is the play if you’re looking for something new right now. Lil’ Guero and Horse Soldier are also easy wins as well.

As it stands, we’re halfway to finding out who will fill out the roster for Jeopardy‘s Tournament of Champions. This year, the show added a wrinkle to deciding just who should play in the annual invitational: bringing back a slew of non-winners to get another shot at glory. Two players will advance from the Second Chance Tournament into the Tournament of Champions, which starts on Halloween night.

Friday’s airing brought one side of that bracket to a finish, as Jessica Stephens cruised to a victory in the Week One final. The victory was impressive: not only did Stephens outlast some strong players, she managed to do it in runaway fashion. And as the Jeopardy! YouTube channel pointed out in a video on Monday, the win makes a bit of Jeopardy! history dating back to her first appearance on the show.

The Second Chance Tournament is full of almost-winners for one reason or another. But Stephens had a unique distinction: her Season 38 performance came against 38-day champion Matt Amodio and the man who ended his run, Jonathan Fisher. Stephens was just $200 off the lead headed into Final Jeopardy and finished in second place, ahead of Amodio, in the game. But Fisher won, the first of his 11 game streak that earned himself a spot in the Tournament of Champions, too.

Stephens punching her ticket, then, marks the first time a regular season trio of contestants have all qualified for the Tournament of Champions. Put it this way: contestants can only appear in regular season matches once, and while a 5+ game winner could lose to another contestant who also makes the Tournament of Champions, there’s always a third contestant playing just one match and going home. Except, well, Stephens, which makes that first matchup quite a heavyweight battle to say the least. And, as Stephens explained, certainly put her a bit more at ease when it came to the Second Chance Tournament.

“The fact that I played against two super champions in that first game… it felt familiar this time to play against such great former contestants,” Stephens told Jeopardy’s website. “I’m still surprised [because] when I said that I would love to see Jonathan and Matt again I was joking.”

Amodio, Amy Schneider and Mattea Roach will certainly be some of the big favorites heading into the actual Tournament of Champions next week, but if you’re looking for a dark horse to keep an eye on, you could certainly do worse than Stephens right now.

As House of the Dragon has proven over the past several weeks, Game of Thrones fever is still burning strong. And, now, comes word that a town in Texas has taken that fever to a whole new level by naming several of its streets after the hit HBO series. In 2020, a new subdivision in Hausman, Texas called Archer Oaks went ahead with its Game of Thrones theme even after the series finale did not get the warmest reception. Heck, even Maisie Williams has recently admitted that the show fell off, and her character, Arya Stark, had one of the better endings.

However, Archer Oaks remained undeterred and pulled the trigger on three street names: Westeros Path, Arya Way, and Needle Creek. Fittingly, the last two intersect each other as Arya famously carried her sword Needle throughout most of the series.

As for how you get to just name streets after badass dragon shows, it turns out the trick is making sure you weren’t beat to the punch in the same county. After that, fire away. Via MySA:

Isaac Gonzales, a consultant with Chesmar Homes, told MySA that the staff developing the subdivision are big fans of the series, which led the team to name several streets in honor of GOT. Ximena Copa-Wiggins, the public relations manager for the city’s development services, told MySA they don’t come up with names in subdivisions. Developers do have to check to see if their street names don’t duplicate others. In this case, she said no other streets in Bexar County were named like the ones in Archer Oaks.

Of course, the big question is whether there was a Daenerys Drive in the works only to be pulled after the finale hit when she went got all… genocide-y.

(Via MySA)

Fans have been speculating about the possibility of a Beyonce tour for months, ever since the release of her seventh studio album, Renaissance. While industry insider reports suggested that a tour could be on the way as early as next year (along with stadium runs from the likes of Adele, Ed Sheeran, and Rihanna), details remain tantalizingly (and frustratingly) scant.

Meanwhile, over the weekend, during WACO Theater‘s Wearable Art Gala, one of the items on auction included a concert ticket package for a chance to see Bey on tour, “starting in the summer of 2023.” And although it was later clarified that the copy writer for the package was only assuming about the tour and the tickets would be good for it whenever it actually launched, fans already began excitedly making plans (and started saving) for what many worry will be a pricey night out. Still, the question remains:

When Will Beyonce Announce Her ‘Renaissance’ Tour Dates?

The short answer is: It’s anybody’s guess. Beyonce is known for moving on her own time. Fans have already expressed imipatience with her for not putting out any videos for Renaissance — and for what it’s worth, she’s unlikely to, considering the era that the album represents — and she apparently delights in teasing and surprising them in equal measure. So, the long answer (such as it is) is: “Beyonce will announce her tour dates whenever she’s good and ready to do so.” The good news, when she does, you’ll be sure to hear about it, as the BeyHive will almost certainly break Twitter the day she makes the announcement. From there, you’ll need quick clicking fingers, a fast internet connection, and maybe a few bots if you’re willing to break the bank.

No one can ever accuse Jason Momoa of a lack of enthusiasm. Whether he’s simply having a good time by rolling around on a car hood (like he’s in a Whitesnake video) to make Fast X co-star Vin Diesel laugh or playfully insulting Michael Bay, the man knows how to promote. Even more often these days, he’s genuinely spreading a valuable message while soaping up his armpits in a parking lot or doing something equally savvy.

Momoa will gamely go to great lengths while showing it all off, and that includes promoting his non-plastic water brand, which he talked up on Instagram while also posting a video of himself fishing in an itty bitty loincloth. And yes, the tush was bare, and people have to click through several photos to get there.

‘Twas all in the spirit of “sunday funday”:

rainbows in my @mananalu.water sunday funday. amazing time with da ohana. big mahalo to captain hopper and J for helping us catch some aku. dried aku all week. cheeehuuu @brianandrewmendoza @love_cycles @monamabel cliff @kahookahi @mananalu.water aloha j

Well, it looks like the fishing expedition was also a successful one, and onto the next Momoa adventure. Speaking of nature-inspired jaunts, See has wrapped up on Apple TV+ this month, if you want to watch a world where very few people can see Jason Momoa.

Vodka is an interesting spirit. For many drinkers who only use it as a mixer or avoid it completely, it’s a flavorless, boring, clear spirit at best. At worst, it’s a harsh, ethanol-flavored liquid that seems like it would better at starting a lawn mower than adding flavor to a cocktail. Regardless of how you personally feel about vodka, you should know that for every awful, bottom-shelf vodka out there, there are numerous underrated, flavorful, well-made vodkas.

Even if you only use it as the base for your favorite cocktail, you still wouldn’t want to buy a harsh, bottom-shelf, plastic-handled bargain vodka. Not only might it have a horrible flavor profile, but it also might leave you with an epic hangover the next day from the lackluster distilling process.

This is where high-quality, underrated vodkas come into play. You don’t need to spend a month’s rent to buy a great, well-made, flavorful bottle of vodka. You do need a little help from the pros though. That’s why we asked a few well-known spirits experts and distillers to tell us the best, underrated vodkas you can buy today. Keep reading to see them all.

Finlandia Vodka

Eric “ET” Tecosky, bartender and founder of Dirty Sue in Los Angeles

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $20 for a liter bottle

Why This Vodka?

When I started bartending in the early ’90 s, there was a bottle of Finlandia in every bar I worked. And it wasn’t just ’there,’ it was called for by name. And then one day it was much harder to find. I still don’t really know why. I do know that I brought a bottle home recently and it still tastes great. Clean, crisp, and well-balanced. If a great-tasting, reasonably-priced vodka isn’t enough to entice you here are some fun facts: it’s made from pure, glacial spring water. And if you like the earth, they are a zero-waste facility and really into sustainability. And if you still need more – the grapefruit-flavored Finlandia is also delicious.

Breckenridge Vodka

Frank Caiafa, author of “The Waldorf Astoria Bar Book” and global beverage and hospitality consulting for Handle Bars NYC in New York City

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $21.99

Why This Vodka?

What I generally look for in a vodka is a spirit with a touch of identity, let’s say to stand up to a couple of ice cubes, but enough of a welcoming canvas that it doesn’t clash with modifying ingredients when mixed. Two tough criteria that Beckenridge Vodka fits to a T.

E11VEN Vodka

Gabriel Urrutia, USBG member and bartender at Gramps in Miami

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $21.99

Why This Vodka?

E11VEN Vodka is made in Miami, locally sourced, distilled, and bottled in Miami, and is also women-owned using 100% Florida-grown corn. It’s clean, and dry, and works just as well as a light sipper with a few ice cubes (if you enjoy vodka like that) and as the base for a vodka soda or your favorite vodka-based cocktail.

Square One Organic Vodka

Dr. Nicola Nice, founder and CEO of Pomp & Whimsy in Los Angeles

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $28

Why This Vodka?

I don’t drink a lot of vodka, but when I do it’s usually Square One Organic Vodka. Square One was the first women-owned, fully organic craft vodka launched by Alison Evanow in 2006. While often overlooked by the younger, flashier start-ups it remains the best in its class. The Square One Cucumber mixes perfectly with Pomp & Whimsy Gin Liqueur in a gimlet, which is one of my favorite cocktails. The Cucumber is green, luscious, crisp, and full-bodied, with notes of mint and black pepper that come from using all parts of the cucumber.

The Community Spirit Vodka

Christine Wiseman, beverage director at Bar Lab in Miami

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $29.99

Why This Vodka?

I love the undertone notes of corn and the creaminess of The Community Spirit Vodka. A lot of people say vodka is tasteless but when it’s done right, you can find great texture and flavorful undertones. So the liquid is amazing, but the purpose of The Community Spirit Vodka is what takes it to the next level. The brand is all about bringing people together and celebrating and showcasing organizations and individuals working to do that. As they say, people over everything.

Penn 1681 Rye Vodka

Melissa Katrincic, founder of Conniption Gin in Durham, North Carolina

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $28.50

Why This Vodka?

Asking a gin distiller about their favorite vodka? I had to really think about this one. The only time I drink vodka is in a Vesper so my bias is right in the open. But for a U.S. vodka that deserves a look – seek out Philadelphia Distilling’s Penn 1681 Rye Vodka. The important history of rye in the U.S. is often overlooked. A rye vodka has a unique character giving it more depth. It doesn’t go unnoticed in cocktails – and that’s the fun of it.

Tito’s Handmade Vodka

Josh Miller, co-founder of Owen’s Craft Mixers in New York City

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $28 for one-liter

Why This Vodka?

There’s only one Vodka in my opinion, and that’s Tito’s. This corn-based, slightly sweet vodka has subtle notes of sweet corn, vanilla, and slightly spicy cracked black pepper. Even with its popularity, it’s still highly underrated. Great as the base for a bloody Mary or any other vodka cocktail. It’s a must-have for home bartenders.

St. George Green Chile Vodka

Nora Ganley-Roper, co-founder of Lost Lantern in Weybridge, Vermont

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $29.99

Why This Vodka?

St. George Green Chile Vodka. We aren’t huge vodka drinkers, but this is the exception: we always have at least one bottle of this on hand. Unlike the vast majority of flavored vodkas, this is not made with flavorings but with actual, real ingredients – in this case, hot peppers, cilantro, and lime. We’ve actually been to St. George when they’re processing the jalapenos that go into this vodka, and it gave the entire distillery an amazingly pungent spicy aroma. This is the real stuff: bright, refreshing, and quite spicy. It’s the only vodka we ever use for bloody Marys, and its herbal, vegetal notes make it amazing for lots of other cocktails as well (and it can be a great substitute for tequila too).

Painted Stave Off The Hoof Vodka

Jason Barrett, founder and distiller at Black Button Distilling in Rochester, New York

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $25

Why This Vodka?

Painted Stave Off The Hoof Vodka. Possibly the only Scrapple-flavored vodka, they truly capture the essence of this mid-Atlantic staple. What flavors make it great? Everything that is great about barbecue and pork and beef can be found in this elixir. It sounds strange, but it has to be tasted to be believed. It’s also a great base for a bloody Mary.

Zubrowka Bison Grass Vodka

Patrick Pistoles, mixologist at NIO Cocktails in Milan, Italy

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $25.99

Why This Vodka?

The strength of today’s gin and the contemporary palate has created more delicate vodkas as well as experiments and simplifications in terms of tasting profiles. For example, many flavored Vodkas now cater to new generations of connoisseurs and drinkers and certainly more commercial palates. In that vein, if I had to pick one underrated vodka, it would be Zubrowka Bison Grass Vodka. Infused with Bison grass, this Polish vodka is earthy, slightly spicy, and has hints of ripe fruit and vanilla.

A lot has been made about critics being “harsher” to, for lack of a better word, nerd stuff than audiences. That dichotomy was the basis of a “fans matter most” tweet from Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who thanked Rotten Tomatoes users for giving Black Adam a 90 percent “audience score,” compared to 39 percent among critics. But sometimes, the audience and critics see eye to eye, like everyone agreeing that the final season of Game of Thrones stinks. Even one of the show’s stars seems to think so.

Maisie Williams, who played Arya Stark on Game of Thrones, revealed on Twitch that she recently rewatched the HBO series, and had to admit that it “definitely fell off at the end.” She continued, “It kinda popped off. For the longest time… I could never see it from the outside. So I could never say that and actually understand it. For the first time, it feels good to be proud of it. It was 10 years of my life.”

In the (hopefully unlikely) event that House of the Dragon falls off, at least it will only be three or four seasons of everyone’s lives.

Williams previously admitted that as a teenager, she “resented” Arya “because I couldn’t express who I was becoming. And then I also resented my body, because it wasn’t aligned with the piece of me that the world celebrated.” She doesn’t miss being on the biggest show in the world, but “I loved it. I look at it so fondly, and I look at it with such pride. But why would I want to make myself feel sad about the greatest thing that ever happened to me? I don’t want to associate that with feelings of pain.”

(Via Variety)

Tucker Carlson has reportedly threatened a Republican congressman over a quote about his son, Buckley Carlson, being a nepotism hire. The situation started with a Daily Beast article that broke down the contentious leadership battles happening behind the scenes of the Republican Party. One such battle involves Minnesota Rep. Tom Emmer and Indiana Rep. Jim Banks, who are both vying for House Republican whip, placing them at No. 3 in the party ranks.

In the course of the reporting, an anonymous “GOP strategist” threw a barb at Banks for hiring Buckley. “Deep down, he dies to be liked by the Establishment. He hires Tucker Carlson’s son, a 24-year-old kid, to be his communications director.”

According to Axios, Carlson was not thrilled about the quote and called up to issue Emmer an ultimatum that basically boils down to reveal which staffer said it, or I’m going to light you up on my show:

According to four sources briefed on their Friday morning phone call, Carlson told Emmer he needed to name the staffer who brought up Buckley Carlson — or Carlson would have no other choice but to blame Emmer himself.

Emmer repeatedly asserted to Carlson that his office had nothing to do with the background quote about Carlson’s son. Carlson was unpersuaded. He made clear to Emmer that he now had a personal problem with him.

Of course, nothing defuses an argument that your son is a nepotism hire like calling up a United States congressman and (allegedly) making a threat about nepotism. Well played?

(Via Axios)

Stage crashers are beginning to become a “thing” and to be honest, it’s getting more and more unnerving every time. While stars like Thundercat, Megan Thee Stallion, and Lil Uzi Vert have taken the intrusions in stride, the recent incident at Dave Chappelle’s Hollywood Bowl show should highlight exactly why this should be more of a concern — and why security guards at shows for Future, Lil Baby, and Roddy Ricch have become increasingly more aggressive in their removal strategies.

The latest artist to experience an overzealous fan inviting themselves onstage during his set is Pusha T, who took to Twitter with a warning for other fans who might be planning similar stunts. “Pls guys… don’t sneak on the stage,” he wrote. “My team doesn’t think it’s funny and u won’t either after they are finished with you.”

In May, when Dave Chappelle was attacked onstage during his set by an attendee brandishing a replica handgun with a knife in it, the incident ended without any serious injuries after the attacker was tackled. And while Chappelle returned to the stage to joke that he and his entourage “stomped” the attacker backstage, the possibility of a different outcome shouldn’t be too far from anyone’s mind. And look, Dave may have been joking, but it’s probably worth it to consider the consequences the next time you think about inserting yourself with the wrong artist on the wrong night.

Two of Brazil’s top drag pop stars have joined forces. On Friday (October 21), Pabllo Vittar and Gloria Groove teamed up for their new single “Ameianoite.”

Vittar is breaking down boundaries for drag queen singers. In April, Vittar made history as the first drag queen to perform on the Coachella mainstage. Last year, Lady Gaga enlisted Vittar to remix and feature on a new version of “Fun Tonight.” Earlier this year, Rina Sawayama featured on Vittar’s hit single “Follow Me.”

Groove is following in Vittar’s footsteps as a Brazilian pop drag superstar. On Instagram, Vittar and Groove are the most-followed drag queens. Groove moved into second place earlier this year when she surpassed RuPaul among the most-followed drag queens. Vittar and Groove previously featured on Aretuza Lovi’s 2018 song “Joga Bunda.”

Vittar and Groove have reunited for “Ameianoite.” Backed by frenetic baile funk beats, the two drag queens trade verses about transforming into bewitching baddies at midnight. Vittar and Groove come through with a spellbinding club banger that’s perfect for Halloween season.

Vittar and Groove also sang “Ameianoite” for the first time live together over the weekend. Towards the end of the performance, they shared a kiss that had the crowd going wild. A spooky lyric video for their collaboration was also released.