Calling any of the bourbons whiskeys below “losers” is a misnomer. The bourbons below lost to, in some cases, some of the best bottles of whiskeys on the planet when tasted blind. When blind tasting these whiskeys, there are a million variables at play — weather, time of day, mood, and most importantly, what bottles you’re tasting them with. Sadly, the 10 whiskeys that I’m blind tasting today just didn’t pass muster on their respective days when I blind tasted them the first time around.

To see if these really are that bad tasting or how mediocre they really are, I collected the 10 last place bourbons from the last 10 bourbon whiskey blind taste tests I did over the last couple of months. The thrust of this tasting is to find redemption for bottles I know are good and give them a little glow-up at the same time. That said, I also want to find out if the bad is really that bad. Or were these bottles just dinged because everything else was crazy good on that particular panel on that particular day? Which is a long-winded way to say that this blind tasting is going to come down to taste, balance, and execution.

Our lineup today is:

• Benchmark Old. No. 8
• Maker’s Mark
• Cedar Ridge Iowa Bourbon Whiskey Bottled-in-Bond Release 003
• The D12tance Puncher’s Chance Aged 12 Years
• Off Hours Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• The Clover Single Barrel Tennessee Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Jim Beam Single Barrel
• Samuel Maverick Barrel Proof
• Silverbelly Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Pursuit United

Let’s find a little redemption for these whiskeys!

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:

Vanilla wafer, oats, straw, a little honey, a smidge of apple core, and maybe a little lemon soda mingle on the thin nose. The palate touches on dry cornmeal and some more vanilla with a hint of caramel popcorn balls. The finish has the essence of leather and holiday spice but is very thin and watery… and cheap.

I’m guessing this is the Benchmark. It’s not bad — it’s clearly well-made — but there’s not really anything there beyond the basic.

Taste 2

Tasting Notes:

There’s a brief hint of chocolate malt on the nose that leads to a lot of porch wicker, sweet grass, sour apple, and vanilla caramel candy. The taste layers some salt into that caramel with a hint of winter spice, butter, apple pie filling, and maybe some dates with a hint of dry straw and cherry wood bark. The end has a nice wintry spice mix next to plums and apples with a slightly tart and woody edge next to mineral water and old leather.

The end of this is a little watery but it doesn’t kill it. It’s the sort of low-proof finish that you can easily cover up in a cocktail.

Taste 3

Tasting Notes:

This is light with a raw cookie dough vibe next to cinnamon, nutmeg, and raisins. The palate has a nice bitterness next to bales of straw and Frosted Mini-Wheats, creamed vanilla, and a hint of winter spice. The end leans into that spice and layers in cornmeal, raisins, and a hint of mint.

This was thin overall but fine.

Taste 4

Tasting Notes:

Tennessee comes through on the nose with a vanilla protein powder, a few sour cherries, and a hint of sage. The palate leans into vanilla Necco Wafers with a soft bourbon oatmeal cookie vibe layered with raisins, brown sugar, butter, brown spices, and walnuts. A light toffee sweetness drives the end towards a finish with a hint of cherry next to apple pie, old cellar beams, and dashes of old leather.

This was pretty nice overall. It’s not mind-blowing but it gets the job done.

Taste 5

Tasting Notes:

The nose is full of wet straw and leather with a faint dash of clove and cinnamon. The palate has a bit of apple skin next to vanilla, some wicker, and maybe a little dill with a grainy vibe overall. The end has a little brown sugar sweetness and grilled pineapple next to sour cherry and dry sweetgrass.

This very much feels like a two-year-old MGP with all that graininess and tropical fruit.

Taste 6

Tasting Notes:

This is very basic on the nose with leather next to banana Necco Wafer, a hint of cherry, and maybe some caramel. The palate is grainy like a bran muffin with a sense of cherry protein powder, some almond, and a vanilla wafer. The end has a sense of toasted cedar next to vanilla and cherry.

Meh.

Taste 7

Tasting Notes:

Rich vanilla and caramel come through on the nose with salted popcorn and thick cherry pie with a hint of cinnamon and leather boots. The palate layers some orange zest over cherry tobacco leaves, winter spices, a hint of old wicker, and a nice edge of that old leather. The end is bursting with spice, toffee, and cherry all layered into tobacco and stuffed in an old humidor.

This is pretty freakin’ great. It’s straightforward but deeply hewn.

Taste 8

Tasting Notes:

The nose on this is a steel and wet grain mess with savory notes of fake cucumber and maybe some dark chocolate powder and leather, but that’s reaching. The palate is also grainy and somehow soggy with bruised apples and more of that steeliness. It doesn’t even taste like whiskey by the end.

This is bad. Really bad.

Taste 9

Tasting Notes:

The nose greets you with an old boot leather vibe next to salted caramel, ripe tart apples, sour cherry, and corn muffins with a hint of butter and salt. The palate has a light graininess that leans into soft oatmeal raisin cookies with a hint of walnut and nutmeg and a drizzle of caramel sauce with clear vanilla tying it all together. The end wraps those cookies in a soft leather sheet and adds in some cinnamon-apple tobacco with a very slightly thin finish.

This is pretty good but does have a little watery of an end. Still, it’s really solid throughout.

Taste 10

Tasting Notes:

Spicy and sweet mulled wine with a layer of honey, raisins, cinnamon/clove/nutmeg, and a hint of toffee round out the nose as a lurking sense of old porch wicker sneaks in underneath it all. There’s a nice balance of chocolate tobacco and honey cake with cardamon and clove on the palate that leads to a hint of orange oils and sticky toffee pudding. The end leans into warm spices and a sense of prunes and dates with a hint of soft cedar and tobacco.

This was a solid end to the panel. Good stuff!

Part 2: The Ranking

10. Samuel Maverick Barrel Proof — Taste 8

ABV: 57%

Average Price: $65

The Whiskey:

This Texas craft whiskey is made from 72% Texas-grown corn, 18% rye, and 10% malted barley. That spirit ages for two short years before it’s bottled at barrel proof without any fussing.

What I Said Last Time:

“Well, that makes sense, this being two years old and still very steely and grainy. There was potential here but it needs a few years to find it. For now, this is a hard pass.”

Bottom Line:

I wanted to pour this whole bottle down the drain. Had I been tasting this in a spirits competition, I would have eliminated it. Yes, it’s that bad.

9. The Clover Single Barrel Tennessee Straight Bourbon Whiskey — Taste 6

ABV: 45%

Average Price: $46

The Whiskey:

This whiskey is a celebration of golf legend Bobby Jones. The juice in this bottle is a sourced (from an undisclosed distillery) single barrel of whiskey that’s bottled with a touch of proofing water.

What I Said Last Time:

“This is a good whiskey overall. It was just up against some crazy competition today and fell to the bottom of the list. That said, I would recommend giving this a shot both for its taste and price.”

Bottom Line:

This is fine. It’s a million miles ahead of the pour above, in that it’s a functioning whiskey that’s competently made. Still, there’s not a lot to get excited about with this one. May I suggest that if you have a bottle, you mix it into a hard Arnold Palmer? That feels like the right use.

8. Off Hours Straight Bourbon Whiskey — Taste 5

ABV: 47.5%

Average Price: $38

The Whiskey:

This release from Off Hours Spirits is sourced from MGP of Indiana. The juice is a no-age-statement bourbon from MGP’s standard 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley mash bill. The whiskey spends about four years in the barrel before it is blended and bottled by Off Hours with a good dose of proofing water.

What I Said Last Time:

“As I mentioned above, this was fine. I never in a million years would have guessed it’s an MGP product though. It tastes very crafty with that wet straw and grainy vibe. Still, this would work fine in a highball.”

Bottom Line:

Well, there you go, a young MGP. Again, this was fine but nothing to write home about.

7. Cedar Ridge Iowa Bourbon Whiskey Bottled-in-Bond Release 003 — Taste 3

ABV: 50%

Average Price: $45

The Whiskey:

This very local whiskey is made with 74% corn, 14% malted rye, and 12% two-row malted barley. After mashing and distilling, the juice is aged for at least four years in Iowa. Once just right, the whiskey is touched with a little water to bring it down to proof and bottled without any fussing. For this 2021 release, only 400 cases were released, but it was the first Cedar Ridge Bottled-in-Bond to make it out of Iowa.

What I Said Last Time:

“This was the thinnest bourbon of the day. It felt crafty with those grainy notes but it was still perfectly fine. It’s not overly crafty or young by any stretch. That all said, I’d likely use this for cocktails more than anything else.”

Bottom Line:

I still think this would be fine for cocktails. As a sipper, there’s just not a whole lot going on.

6. Benchmark Old. No. 8 — Taste 1

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $10

The Whiskey:

The juice in this bottle is from the famed Buffalo Trace Mash no. 1, which is very low rye (supposedly). This is a standard straight bourbon. Once the barrels are vatted, the whiskey is proofed all the way down to 80 proof for bottling.

What I Said Last Time:

“Ah, the old black label from Frankfort. This was just too washed out to really be a contender. I can see mixing this with Coke or ginger but I’d probably avoid mixing it with fizzy water or into cocktails.”

Bottom Line:

Wow! This is the biggest surprise by far. It’s still washed out on the finish but does have a much stronger flavor profile when tasted amidst this crowd of whiskeys. That all said, high-ish ranking or not, this is clearly a cheap mixing whiskey… with a decent flavor profile.

5. The D12tance Puncher’s Chance Aged 12 Years — Taste 4

ABV: 48%

Average Price: $129

The Whiskey:

This sourced whiskey is a 12-year-old Tennessee straight bourbon whiskey. Those barrels are emptied and the juice is refilled into old Cabernet Sauvignon casks for a final maturation before proofing and bottling.

What I Said Last Time:

“While this was very obviously a Tennessee whiskey on the taste, it really does shine as a lighter sipper. I’d say this is a good entry point into higher age statements and bigger prices that are not going to blow out your palate with high ABVs and big tannic notes.”

Bottom Line:

This was a perfectly fine Tennessee whiskey. There was nothing that jumped out. Likewise, there was nothing wrong with it all. It’s an easy pour. Drink it over some rocks or in a cocktail.

4. Maker’s Mark — Taste 2

ABV: 45%

Average Price: $24

The Whisky:

This is Maker’s signature expression. It’s made from red winter wheat with corn and malted barley and then aged in seasoned Ozark oak for six to seven years. This expression’s juice is then built from only 150 barrels (making this a small batch, if you want to call it that). Those barrels are blended, proofed, bottled, and dipped in red wax.

What I Said Last Time:

“If this had a little more proof to it (and less water), it would have been way higher. This is good whiskey at a great price. But because of that watery end, you kind of need to build this into a cocktail to plaster over that thin finish.”

Bottom Line:

This had way more of an impact today. The flavor profile was concise and full-bodied. There’s enough going on that you can forgive the low-proof finish. Just layer this into a Manhattan and you’ll be all set.

3. Pursuit United — Taste 10

ABV: 54%

Average Price: $65

The Whiskey:

This whiskey is vatted from 40 total barrels from three different states. While the team at Pursuit United doesn’t release the Tennessee distillery name, we know the juices from Kentucky and New York are from Bardstown Bourbon Company and Finger Lakes Distilling, respectively. Once those barrels are vatted, they’re slightly touched with water before bottling.

What I Said Last Time:

“I usually dig this! That said, on this lineup, it just didn’t quite hit the same. That’s easy to square as this is a blended bourbon. It’s not quite as succinct as the rest of the whiskeys on this list (single barrels, etc.), and that’s not this whiskey’s fault at all.”

Bottom Line:

This is a well-rounded sipper that I also wanted to immediately make some awesome cocktails with.

2. Silverbelly Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey — Taste 9

ABV: 45.5%

Average Price: $40

The Whiskey:

This whiskey is a sourced Kentucky Bourbon that’s built for country music legend Alan Jackson. The juice is named after the color of Jackson’s iconic “silverbelly” hat. That juice is made in Owensboro, Kentucky, and then built from barrels that Jackson hand-selected with his daughter Mattie Jackson Selecman, who’s a certified sommelier by day.

What I Said Last Time:

“As I mentioned in my tasting notes, this is perfectly fine. Another day and another lineup of bourbons, and this might have been closer to the top. Today, it just couldn’t compete with the bigger hitters.”

Bottom Line:

This had a really solid palate with a slightly washed-out finish (like so many on this list). I can see this working well on the rocks or in your favorite cocktail easily.

1. Jim Beam Single Barrel — Taste 7

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 juice is pulled from less than 1% of all barrels in Beam’s warehouses, making this a very special bottle at a bafflingly affordable price.

What I Said Last Time:

“This is a pretty solid whiskey and it’s in last place — there are some killers on this list, folks. I like this as an easy everyday sipper on a rock or two. It’s also a great cocktail base, especially for a simple old fashioned.”

Bottom Line:

This was the most well-rounded whiskey, kind of by far. It was deep, the finish landed, and the profile was distinct. This is a great sipper (on the rocks or neat) and makes one hell of a Manhattan or old fashioned.

Part 3: Final Thoughts

You know, usually, I’ll break down these rankings into sections of “these three are good for x” and “these two are must haves” and so forth. I’m not doing that this time.

Go and buy a bottle of Jim Beam Single barrel (the higher-proof one listed above). It’s great. Amazingly well priced. Available. It sips well. It mixes well. And it tastes like a stone-cold classic bourbon. You really cannot ask for more from a whiskey.

If one of the other, say, top four entice you according to my tasting notes, then knock yourself out. But it’s the Beam for the clear win.

As for the redemption arc on these bottles. Well, all but one deserve it. That Samuel Maverick is a complete miss. The rest are all fine in their own ways but don’t expect anything more than just that — fine.

Vincent Van Gogh‘s “The Starry Night” is one of the most recognizable and beloved paintings in the world. It was completed in 1889 and has been part of the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York City since 1941. It is not up for sale, but if it were to go to auction there is a chance it could fetch as much as billion dollars.

Such a priceless work of art is perhaps a strange object for a parlor trick, but trust me when I tell you this one is worth it.

Whether they are oases in the desert created by heat shimmer, an elephant with an indeterminate number of legs or straight lines that look crooked, optical illusions can throw our brains for a loop. They can also be super fun, and an optical illusion that makes the “Starry Night” painting turn into a moving picture is most definitely fun.

The illusion, shared by Alex Verbeek on Twitter, involves two steps. First, you stare at the center of a spinning spiral image for 20 seconds, then you look at the painting. Staring at the spinning spiral isn’t as easy as it sounds—it makes your eyes buggy and your brain hurt a little—but even if you don’t do the full 20 seconds, you can probably get the effect.

Aim for staring at the center of the spiral for at least 10 seconds, then watch “The Starry Night” come to life before your eyes. (You have to click “play” first, by the way. The spirals need to be swirling.)

u201cud83cudfa8 nnThe best way to see Van Gogh’s “Starry Night” is to stare at the center of the spiral for 20 seconds and then look at the painting.nnRT when it works for you. nnhttps://t.co/SsEN8K0nSfu201d

— Alexander Verbeek ud83cudf0d (@Alexander Verbeek ud83cudf0d)
1663275946

Want a larger version of the painting to try it out on? Here you go:

The effect doesn’t last long, but phew. Our brains are so bizarre.

According to a 2009 study by Japanese researchers, motion in optical illusions is still processed in the brain the same way real motion is. So don’t be surprised if the moving painting makes you feel a bit woozy, if you’re prone to motion sickness.

It’s hard to believe that Van Gogh’s “Starry Night” could be improved upon, but here we are. Definitely a “moving” experience to share with your friends.

It’s been over five years since Paramore release their last album, 2017’s After Laughter. Singer Hayley Williams, who launched her solo career in the years since After Laughter, sent a note to fans in late 2021 saying that “Paramore can’t be ‘on a break’ forever now, can we?” It proved more than a smokescreen as the band have become active as of late offering up not only some information on an upcoming album, but also announcing a tour that’s set to begin this year, including an appearance headlining the emo-palooza known as When We Were Young Fest. The band has also teased their first single in over years and it begs the question of when Paramore will be releasing their sixth album?

Everything We Know About Paramore’s Upcoming Sixth Album

In early 2022, Williams did an email interview with Rolling Stone saying that the new Paramore album would have, “1) More emphasis back on the guitar, and 2) Zac (drummer, Zac Farro) should go as Animal as he wants with drum takes.” That effectively stoked the fire and anticipation has been building all year.

Then in July, on the Everything Is Emo podcast, Williams went a step further and said that Paramore’s next album was inspired primarily by the UK band Bloc Party. Saying that, “From day one, Bloc Party was the number one reference because there was such an urgency to their sound that was different to the fast punk or the pop-punk or the like, loud wall of sound emo bands that were happening in the early 2000s.”

And now, we have the promise of a new song. “This Is Why,” is set to drop on September 28th, the band said in a tweet dated 09/16.

No word yet on whether the new Paramore album will be out in 2022 or 2023, but given their tour schedule through the year, it’s looking like 2023 is a safer bet. Until then, there will be singles to look forward to.

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

The Los Angeles Lakers are brining back an old friend. According to Marc Stein and The Athletic’s Shams Charania, the Lakers have decided to sign Dennis Schroder on a 1-year contract that will pay him $2.64 million. It marks a return to Lakerland for Schroder, as he previously played for the team in 2020-21.

Stein noted that a number of teams were interested in acquiring the services of Schroder, who last played for the Houston Rockets. But ultimately, he wanted to suit up in the purple and gold again.

Schroder’s return to the Lakers comes on the heels of some absolutely spectacular play at EuroBasket, as the veteran guard was a main reason Germany made it to the semifinals before falling to Spain on Friday. He was one of the top scorers at the tournament, averaging 21.6 points on 43.1 percent shooting from the field to go along with 7.3 assists per game.

After joining the Boston Celtics last offseason on a 1-year deal, Schroder was part of a package that was traded to Houston for another German, Daniel Theis. He played in 15 games for the Rockets before getting shut down with a shoulder injury. He started all 61 games in which he appeared during his one season on the Lakers, although more headlines were made by reports that he turned down an $84 million extension with the team. He has said that he never had such a deal placed in front of him.

Since we’re on the cusp of fall, you’re going to see a ton of stories on fall beers. Specifically, a lot of articles on Oktoberfest-style beers, stouts, dark lagers, and the divisive, oft-hated pumpkin ale. But just because another season is headed our way, one in which drinkers are supposed to head towards heavier brews, doesn’t mean you need to drop drinking crisp, refreshing pilsners.

Actually, we think the pilsner style, especially Bohemian (and Bohemian-style) pilsners are perfect for any time of year. Fal Allen, brewmaster at Anderson Valley Brewing Company in Boonville, California shares our sentiment. But when he’s looking for a Bohemian-style pilsner, he heads for Mexico.

“There are some great versions out there but sometimes it can be a gamble to try some American craft brewer’s interpretations of a Bohemian pilsner — they can be overly malty or lack balance, or worse yet they can have the defect of Diacetyl.” He adds, “On the safe side one of my favorites is Bohemia from Mexico. True it may be a bit light for the style according to the World Beer Cup guidelines, but it is still a great beer. It is super-easy drinking, with a fresh refreshing snap of hops that balances the light malt character. It goes great with any food, but especially with spicy Thai or Mexican food. It’s a well-made pilsner.”

The best thing about Bohemian-style pilsners is the fact that even though they had their genesis in the Czech Republic, they are brewed all over the world. Not simply in their birth country or Mexico (as Allen pointed out earlier). To find them, we turned to professionals for help. We asked some well-known brewers and craft experts to tell us the best Bohemian-style pilsners to drink all year long.

Red Stripe

Pedro Goicouria, community and partnerships manager at Veza Sur Brewing Co. in Miami

ABV: 4.7%

Average Price: $7.99 for a six-pack

Why This Beer?

Red Stripe for sure. It’s crisp, slightly bitter, and highly carbed. All these make for a very easy-to-drink beer. The best things? It’s fairly cheap, refreshing, and available pretty much anywhere. What’s not to love?

Pilsner Urquell

Joe Pawelek, brewmaster at Wicked Weed Brewing in Asheville, North Carolina

ABV: 4.4%

Average Price: $9.99 for a six-pack

Why This Beer?

Pilsner Urquell is my pick. It is one of the oldest in existence and is truly a crafted high-volume beer. We currently don’t have all of the necessary equipment to produce this style. The light grassy and herbal aromas balance out the light biscuit and toasty notes from the malt. Truly one of the best Bohemian pilsners out there.

Czechvar Budvar

Tim Moore, production manager at Blackberry Farm Brewery in Maryville, Tennessee

ABV: 5%

Average Price: $9.99 for a six-pack

Why This Beer?

Fresh Budweiser from Czechvar. The original Budweiser, known as Budvar in the US. I have a friend from Austria that always brings me fresh 500ml cans whenever he comes back from a visit. It’s a perfect balance of fresh whole cone Saaz hops aromas, rich malty flavors, and a beautiful golden appearance. I love it.

Wayfinder CZAF

Sam Tierney, Propagator brewing manager at Firestone Walker Brewing Company in Paso Robles, California

ABV: 4.9%

Average Price: $6.99 for a 16-ounce can

Why This Beer?

I was recently at Wayfinder Beer in Portland, Oregon, and their Czech-style pilsner, aptly named CZAF was heaven in a glass poured expertly from their Lukr side-pull faucets. Brewmaster Kevin Davey has gone to great lengths to capture authentic Czech sensibility including Czech pilsner malt and Saaz hops, a triple decoction mash, and expertly-handled cold lager fermentation. It’s both bracingly bitter and sublimely drinkable at the same time, the balancing act that has made the authentic pilsner such a compelling beer for the past 179 years or so.

Sunken’ Silo Deemed Essential

Jeremy Flounder Lees of Flounder Brewing Company in Hillsborough Township, New Jersey

ABV: 5.5%

Average Price: Limited Availability

Why This Beer?

Sunken’ Silo Brew Works Deemed Essential Pilsner is my favorite Bohemian-style pilsner. It’s just a delicious, clean, refreshing Pilsner made locally that has the perfect touch of Saaz hops. It’s great any time of year.

Hill Farmstead Poetica #3

Nancy Lopetegui, taproom general manager for Wynwood Brewing Co. in Miami

ABV: 4.8%

Average Price: Limited Availability

Why This Beer?

Poetica #3 by Hill Farmstead. Bready, lightly floral, and just a hint of lemon zest with grassy hops that complement. Crispy, bright, refreshing, and just what you’re looking for in a pilsner. It doesn’t get much better than this beer. Especially if you’re specifically getting into Bohemian-style pilsners.

Bunker Machine Czech Pilz

Kelsey Roth, general manager at Exhibit ‘A’ Brewing Company in Framingham, Massachusetts

ABV: 5.2%

Average Price: $10.99 for a four-pack of 16-ounce cans

Why This Beer?

With the obvious nod to Pilsner Urquell, my favorite domestic Bohemian-style pilsner is Machine Czech Pilz by Bunker Brewing Company in Portland, Maine. A Bohemian Pilsner needs to be super drinkable first and foremost, and Machine Czech Pils delivers every time. If I’m reaching for a beer to pair with my lobster roll, this beer is it.

Solid pale maltiness, light dryness, and just the right kick of balanced hops make this Pilsner one of my favorites.

Earth Rider Royal Bohemian

Garth E. Beyer, certified Cicerone® and owner and founder of Garth’s Brew Bar in Madison, Wisconsin

ABV: 5.5%

Average Price: Limited Availability

Why This Beer?

Water chemistry is insanely important to understand when brewing beer, especially a Bohemian-style pilsner. My recent favorite has been Earth Rider’s Royal Bohemian. They stick to the script of using Bohemian pilsner malt and they plus it up with German Saphir and Czech Saaz hops. To make matters even more delicious, they use Lake Superior water. It’s the cleanest water of the Great Lakes and is on the softer side, which is a tradition to have when brewing a Bohemian pilsner. Together you get a well-rounded light malt flavor with slight notes of herbal spice. This one is an instant classic and a go-to in my fridge.

Bell’s Lager of the Lakes

Caroline O’Halloran, area sales director at Sprecher Brewing in Glendale, Wisconsin

ABV: 5%

Average Price: $11.50 for a six-pack

Why This Beer?

I could drink 1,000 Bell’s Lager of the Lakes. Its crisp, clean profile highlights the subtle hop bitterness. Crushable without losing its craft pilsner profile. It’s the kind of beer you’ll crave both in the middle of the summer and the depths of the dark winter. It hits the spot any time of year.

The Los Angeles Chargers went into Arrowhead Stadium on Thursday night, and as is so often the case, the Kansas City Chiefs were able to defend their home field. Kansas City came out on top, 27-24, thanks in part to a fourth quarter pick six by Jaylen Watson that he housed from 99 yards away.

It was one of the few mistakes made on the evening by Chargers signal caller Justin Herbert, who completed 33 of his 48 pass attempts for 334 yards and three touchdowns. This came despite the fact that Herbert was playing hurt, as he took a few hits that made it look like he was in some serious pain and notably did not run for a first down in the fourth quarter when he had acres of space in front of him.

Herbert was able to finish out the game — the play immediately following that third down decision saw him uncork one of the best throws you’ll see — but it was obvious something was wrong. And on Friday, Chargers coach Brandon Staley announced some relatively good news: While Herbert is dealing with a rib injury, he will be listed as day-to-day going forward.

Herbert’s backup is longtime NFL journeyman Chase Daniel. Los Angeles’ next game will take place on Sunday, Sept. 25 at home against Jacksonville.

The best new hip-hop this week includes albums, videos, and songs from EST Gee, Ab-Soul, G Herbo, and more.

Rest in peace to PnB Rock. It is so difficult to cope with all of the losses we experience when they happen so frequently. Thankfully, music heals. I hope that any or all of the forthcoming albums and songs can be your safe escape from the ways of the world.

Here is the best of hip-hop this week ending September 16, 2022.

Albums/EPs/Mixtapes

EST Gee — I Never Felt Nun

EST Gee is one of the hottest new acts over the last few years, and I Never Felt Nun puts that on full display. The 21-song offering features the fun “Backstage Passes” with Jack Harlow, Gee getting into his menacing bag on the standout “Shoot It Myself” featuring Future, and the rap-R&B hybrid “Sabotage” with Bryson Tiller.

DJ Drama & Symba — Results Take Time

DJ Drama’s latest album treatment goes to Symba on Results Take Time. The album features Pusha T, Roddy Ricch, Key Glock, 2 Chainz, and more.

MulaManDam — Shades Of Green

MulaManDam is either focused on the environment or the cash, but the latter makes sense on Shades Of Green. The 10-track project features Turbeazy, Casey Chang, and GG Tef.

Ka$hdami — World Damination

The world may not be ready for Ka$hdami’s new album. World Damination features NoCap, Ilyfall, Slump6s, and more across its 13 tracks.

Kxng Crooked & Joell Ortiz — Harbor City Season One

Rap veterans Kxng Crooked and Joell Ortiz have plenty left in the tank and put the rap game on notice with Harbor City Season One. The 24-track project features AZ, Blakk Soul, Mrk Sx, and more.

Pink Siifu & Real Bad Man — Real Bad Flights

Pink Siifu and Real Bad Man provide some turbulence with their latest offering. Real Bad Flights features Boldy James, Amani, Armand Hammer, and more across its nine records.

AG Club — Imposter Syndrome

AG Club is known for bringing energy, but sometimes even the most talented people question themselves. Imposter Syndrome takes an introspective look at the talents through 13 songs featuring Samplelov, Na-Kel Smith, Sam Truth, and more.

Torrian Ball — Philophobia

Love can be overwhelming, almost to the point of fear and rejection of the feeling. Torrian Ball displays this internal conflict on Philophobia, a 15-track project featuring Todd Zack Jr., Xavy Rusan, TJ, and more.

Singles/Videos

Tee Grizzley — “Robbery Part 4”

Tee Grizzley opens the “Robbery Part 4” video with a heartfelt tribute to PnB Rock. The rapper then taps into his rapid flow, asserting he is ready for whatever in case anyone tries to cross him.

Young Devyn — “Outside” ft. Fivio Foreign

Young Devyn and Fivio Foreign’s “Outside” samples Maroon 5’s “Moves Like Jagger” and while the uptick of drill samples has been exhausting, this effort goes over well. Devyn’s furious flow mixed with Fivio’s signature vocals make this one worth pressing repeat on.

Asian Doll — “Prettiest Problem” ft. Damu Up

Asian Doll and Damu Up’s “Prettiest Problem” samples Drake’s “Marvin’s Room” with Drizzy’s vocals getting the chipmunk treatment. Doll and Damu operate in tandem despite their yin-yang deliveries for another fun drill record sampling something one may not expect it to.

D Smoke — “El Rey”

“El Rey” translates to “The King,” and D Smoke serves up some regal lyrics backed by a mariachi band sample. It’s a fun hybrid of Inglewood energy and Latinx sounds fit for Hispanic Heritage month. Not to mention, D Smoke flexes his bilingual rapping ability.

SixSaidIt — “Choosey”

SixSaidIt’s “Choosey” video time travels back to a 70s-like dating show. The colorful visual shows three potential suitors singing along to her lyrics as she’s dressed to the nines. Whoever ends up winning may be very lucky, but act wrong and a fiery diss track could be headed their way.

Kai Ca$h — “Can We Talk” ft. Devvon Terrell

Kai Ca$h and Devvon Terrell shook New York City up when they released “Can We Talk” back in July, as the record samples the legendary Tevin Campbell record of the same name and flips Jay-Z’s “I Just Wanna Love U.” Their new video finds the duo enjoying an NYC summer, meaning one thing: big outside energy. Throughout the visual, they trade between scenes of them having a grand time with rapper Niko Brim and producer Dizzy Banko and footage from a recent live show they appeared at. With eccentric fits and smooth bars, it’s hard to imagine a fair maiden not wanting to talk to them.

Fredo Bang — “Bee Crazy”

Fredo Bang’s “Bee Crazy” is loaded with content that stings. He reflects on Black people being thrown in jail, others threatening to murder him, and his impatience with seeing his “opps” in person. Through it all, he can still kick back and enjoy a steak in Miami.

Smoke DZA — “Wish Upon A Star” ft. Curren$y

Smoke DZA and Curren$y’s affinity for marijuana makes “Wish Upon A Star” a fitting title for their latest collaboration. Their bars soar above the moody, soul-sample-laden production, and of course, the video features them smoking a bunch. Thankfully, their lungs are capable of both inhaling haze and exhaling lush lyrics.

B-Lovee — “One Time” ft. Ice Spicee, J.I. The Prince Of NY, and Skillibeng

New York’s upcoming talents and Jamaica’s finest link up on “One Time,” as B-Lovee, Ice Spicee, J.I. The Prince Of NY and Skillibeng have joined forces. The mid-tempo record blends autotune melodies, hard-hitting bars, and spicy patois. Of course, Ice Spicee utilizes her popular coined phrase “Munch.” It’s a buffet of different talents that come together for an overall fun record.

Cam’ron & A-Trak — “Ghetto Prophets” ft. Conway The Machine

“Ghetto Prophets” is a downtempo record with the instrumentation of an anthem meant for a stadium provided by A-Trak. Cam’ron and Conway The Machine do what they do best with their descriptive lyricism, confident flexes, and cool flows.

Melvoni — “Chrome 2”

Melvoni skates over the slow drums and piano keys adorning “Chrome 2.” He croons about people pocket watching, how the “opps” can’t run from him, and kicking women out of his bed. While he asserts he has plenty of money, he has no issue doing what is necessary to gain an advantage over those who would dare threaten him.

Mavi — “Baking Soda”

Mavi’s “Baking Soda” is a soulful record fit for a Sunday afternoon and spliff for those who partake. Mavi displays that energy, rapping alongside his pal with a joint in hand or dancing through a hallway. The man is enjoying the simple pleasures of life.

G Perico & Gotdamnitdupri — “Did A Lot”

G Perico and Gotdamnitdupri’s “Did A Lot” sounds like a hybrid of live island music and a vintage California bop. As the rappers reflect on how hard they’ve worked and all they have accomplished, one could understand their desire to vacation somewhere tropical. G Perico sounds content in “Driving the newest Benz they got / Straight to the hood when I swerve off the lot” though.

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

There’s always a new whiskey hitting the shelf these days. That’s especially true as we head into the fall and brands start dropping expression after expression to corner the holiday shopping and partying markets lingering right out on the horizon. This applies to rye whiskeys as much as bourbons, scotches, Irish whiskeys, and so forth.

This means it’s time for a new rye whiskey blind taste test. To sort out the new picks hitting shelves around the country.

For this blind taste test, I pulled eight new bottles from my shelf and lined them up. The thrust of this tasting was to see which one tasted the best overall. I was looking for overall balance, depth, and, well, satisfaction. I then ranked those tasty whiskeys based on which tasted best and which ones I think you should track down.

Our lineup today is:

• High West Double Rye A Blend of Straight Whiskeys Batch No. 22B16
• Frey Ranch Straight Rye Whiskey Bottled-In-Bond
• Redwood Empire Rocket Top Bottled In Bond Batch #002
• Ragtime Rye New York Straight Rye Whiskey Bottled In Bond
• Penelope Straight Rye Whiskey Finished in Tokaji Wine Casks Batch #57
• Lock Stock & Barrel 21
• New Riff 100% Malted Rye Bottled In Bond Aged 6 Years
• Middle West Spirits Straight Rye Whiskey Dark Pumpernickel Cask Strength Barrel No. 0968

Let’s dive in and find you a nice rye whiskey for fall sipping!

Also Read: The Top Five Rye Whiskey from the Last Six Months on UPROXX

• All 19 Brands From The Buffalo Trace Distillery, Ranked
• The Single Best Bottle Of Whiskey From Each Of The 50 States
• The 50 Best Rye Whiskeys Of 2021, Ranked
• We Tasted Rye Whiskeys Blind To See If Any Of Them Could Beat Willett
• The 100 Best Whiskeys Our Head Drinks Writer Tasted In 2021

Part 1: The Tasting

Taste 1

Tasting Notes:

There’s a light fruitiness to the nose that’s just touched with mint chocolate chip, root beer, plenty of winter spice, and a hint of orris root. The palate holds onto the fruitiness as a soft spice mixes with menthol tobacco leaves, green tea, woody vanilla, nasturtiums, and a nice honeyed underbelly. The end settles into a sharp black pepper with a hint of eucalyptus and dried orange rind.

This is a nice place to start. I’m not a huge fan of the floral and botanical ryes, but that doesn’t take away from how well-made this is.

Taste 2

Tasting Notes:

This opens with a nice dose of old leather and black pepper next to a hint of dry citrus rind — orange and grapefruit — with minor notes of honey and rum-raisin. The palate adds in a spicy and tart apple crumble with a line of dried rose and floral honey that gives way to rye bread crusts and cinnamon/clove spice. The end kicks the spice up with fresh ginger sharpness, dark cacao, more black pepper, and a soft and chewy tobacco vibe.

This was perfectly fine.

Taste 3

Tasting Notes:

A sense of fresh sage mingles with meaty dates, black tea, slightly bitter bergamot orange, and a hint of squash. The palate is nicely fruity with a dark edge — think figs, prunes, dried cranberry — next to smooth salted caramel, woody winter spices, and a hint of red peppercorns. That sharp pepper adds a nice warmth to the finish as the caramel and dried fruit attaches to a hint of old cedar and tobacco.

This had a very nice complexity. It’s certainly my favorite so far.

Taste 4

Tasting Notes:

The starts off dry and woody with a feel of porch wicker, humidors, and maybe even a little fruit orchard bark next to dark and dried fruits, a hint of vanilla, and a dash of winter spices. The palate is earthy and dry with a sense of black potting soil next to more of that orchard bark, a touch of leather, and a whisper of mint chocolate chip. The end remains dry, earthy, and just touched with black pepper and vanilla.

This was really dry and woody. It was nice but I’m not sure where I fall on it yet.

Taste 5

Tasting Notes:

There’s a sense of mild citrus oils on the nose next to tart green apples, rose water, plenty of sharp cinnamon, and a touch of soft brown sugar. The palate leans into oatbread and prune jam with a hint of blackberry and fig lurking there somewhere. Those fruits drive the end with a sweet tartness that’s countered by mild winter spices, orange rinds, a touch of anise, and soft vanilla toffee.

I dig this. It’s a little fruity/sweet but very sippable.

Taste 6

Tasting Notes:

The nose balances old cellar oak against a spicy sticky toffee pudding, candied cherry, burnt orange rinds, and marzipan. The palate has a hint of tannic bitterness — this is old — next to vanilla sheet cake topped with orange zest frosting. There’s a sense of butterscotch and Almond Joy on the mid-palate that leads to a finish full of silky molasses, woody winter spices, and tobacco leaf layered with brandy butter and burnt orange and wrapped up in old leather and cedar bark.

This is a hell of a whiskey. It’s also pretty well aged with that old oak and tannic edge.

Taste 7

Tasting Notes:

There’s a hint of figs and dates on the nose that lead to a spiced Christmas cake covered in powdered sugar frosting with plenty of candied citruses, dried dark fruits, and roasted nuts next to vanilla pudding and dried pear skins. The taste has a hint of orange saltwater taffy on the front that leads to a mix of clove, allspice, and sassafras as dark fruit leather and white peppercorns pop. The end is lush and mellow with a hint of that pepper next to dark dried fruit layered into a tobacco leaf alongside cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, and dark orange oils.

This might just be the winner. It’s deliciously complex.

Taste 8

Tasting Notes:

There’s a sense of slight sourdough rye funk on the nose with a hint of pumpkin seed, caraway, sweet cinnamon, vanilla husks, and a whisper of candied ginger. The palate leans into that sour funk and caraway as oloong tea, piney honey, and spicy, raisin-filled oatmeal cookies vibe. The mid-palate kicks in hard with the heat as sharp cinnamon and chili dominate until a soft sense of vanilla, toffee, and dark fruit leather try to calm things down on the finish.

This was hot. It needs some water or ice to calm it down. That said, there was enough complexity at play to make it enticing.

Part 2: The Ranking

8. Ragtime Rye New York Straight Rye Whiskey Bottled In Bond — Taste 4

ABV: 50%

Average Price: $43

The Whiskey:

This rye from NY Distilling has a very local feel. The juice is made from 75 percent rye, 13 percent corn, and 12 percent malted barley. That whiskey is then aged for four years in New York. Finally, select barrels are blended, proofed down slightly, and bottled.

Bottom Line:

This was fine. It’s clearly made to use for good cocktails.

7. Frey Ranch Straight Rye Whiskey Bottled-In-Bond — Taste 2

ABV: 50%

Average Price: $60

The Whiskey:

This whiskey from Nevada is a single estate spirit. That means it’s made with 100 percent rye in the mash bill and that rye (Winter Rye specifically) came from the Frey Ranch farmland. The spirit was then aged a few years before only a few thousand bottles were filled.

Bottom Line:

This was better than fine but still felt like a solid cocktail whiskey more than a sipper.

6. Middle West Spirits Straight Rye Whiskey Dark Pumpernickel Cask Strength Barrel No. 0968 — Taste 8

ABV: 64.7%

Average Price: $47

The Whiskey:

This Ohio whiskey is made with dark pumpernickel rye, Ohio soft red winter wheat, yellow corn, and 2-Row barley malts. The juice is then aged for three years in new white oak before it’s bottled as-is at cask strength.

Bottom Line:

This was a lot. That heat was real. That all said, this had a really unique and enticing flavor profile. Just make sure you add some water or a rock or two to the glass before you dive in.

5. High West Double Rye A Blend of Straight Whiskeys Batch No. 22B16 — Taste 1

ABV: 46%

Average Price: $35

The Whiskey:

High West’s Double Rye is quickly becoming a modern classic. The Utah whiskey is made from a blend of 95 percent rye from MGP of Indiana and two-year rye from High West’s Utah distillery with a mash of 80 percent rye and 20 percent malted rye. All the whiskeys in the mix are at least two years old before they’re blended and proofed for bottling.

Bottom Line:

This was the whiskey that bridged the gap between a solid cocktail base and a solid sipper. I can see mixing with this as much as just pouring it over some rocks and enjoying it as is.

4. Penelope Straight Rye Whiskey Finished in Tokaji Wine Casks Batch #57 — Taste 5

ABV: 53.5%

Average Price: $85

The Whiskey:

This whiskey from Penelope really leans into the specialty cask finish. The base is a six-year-old MGP 95 percent rye. Those barrels are shipped out to Penelope and they re-barrel that juice into Hungarian Tokaji barrels for a final rest. Once the whiskey hits the right spot, the barrels are blended and bottled with a touch of proofing water.

Bottom Line:

This was a nice, but a little bit thin, sipper. Overall, it was complex and inviting. It was just missing something I can’t quite put my finger on.

I’m nitpicking for this ranking, of course. Because this really was a very nice sip of whiskey overall.

3. Redwood Empire Rocket Top Bottled In Bond Batch #002 — Taste 3

ABV: 50%

Average Price: $90

The Whiskey:

This California whiskey was made back in the spring of 2017 with a mash of 87 percent rye, five percent malted barley, five percent wheat, and a mere three percent corn. Five years later, the juice was small batched from 55 barrels and bottled with a hint of water to bring it down to bottled-in-bond proof.

Bottom Line:

This was a clear winner today. It’s subtle yet deeply built. Overall, I can see this as a solid on-the-rocks sipper or your next go-to for fall Manhattans.

2. Lock Stock & Barrel 21 — Taste 6

ABV: 55.5%

Average Price: $490

The Whisky:

This rye is made from that magical Canadian 100 percent rye mash bill. The juice went into the barrel back in May of 1999 and was left alone in the cold north for over two decades before Lock Stock & Barrel blended and bottled this without any fussing.

Bottom Line:

This is just a great whisky. It’s so dark and engaging while still feeling accessible and tasty. I’d say pour it over a single rock and really take your time.

1. New Riff 100% Malted Rye Bottled In Bond Aged 6 Years — Taste 7

ABV: 50%

Average Price: $190

The Whiskey:

This whiskey from New Riff is a whiskey lover’s dream pour. The mash is made from 100 percent malted rye (most rye that is used for whiskey is unmalted). That means more sugars are available in the grain as it goes through germination and then heating to stop that process, which helps create a lot of sugars. Anyway, the juice then rests for six years in new oak before the barrels are blended, proofed down, and bottled as-is.

Bottom Line:

This is a truly great whiskey. It’s extremely well balanced while carrying a deep flavor profile that hints at bourbon sometimes. Overall, this is the perfect Manhattan rye or end-of-the-day slow-sipping pour.

Part 3: Final Thoughts

This was a fun tasting. All eight of these whiskeys are winners in their own way. Even the eighth-ranked Ragtime Rye has a place on your bar cart as a simple cocktail mixer for cocktails where the whiskey isn’t the star of the show — think smashes, sours, nogs.

The rest are all solid in their own ways. I’d say the top four are the ones you want to hunt down. Each one has a little different flavor profile, so go back and see which set of tasting notes speaks to you.

If you don’t want to think about it, then just get the New Riff. It’s a guaranteed win for your bar cart.

The Handmaid’s Tale has just launched a new season on Hulu, and here we are with the U.S. looking a lot like Gilead. The Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade gave the green light for red states to start putting near-total bans on abortion, and in a late-breaking update, Sen. Lindsey Graham decided to push right past the GOP by proposing a national ban that doesn’t even leave the matter to states’ discretion. At the very least, Mark Cuban’s online discount pharmacy is providing some drug-based relief to women who worry about being unable to run their own bodies, and now, Chrissy Teigen is getting real about her own medically necessary abortion.

This is a subject that Chrissy (who’s married to John Legend, with whom she shares two children and is pregnant with another) took awhile to come to grips with in her own mind. As the Hollywood Reporter relates, the model and food enthusiast took the stage (on Thursday) at Propper Daley’s “A Day of Unreasonable Conversation” summit, where she reveals that she openly considered her third pregnancy a miscarriage, but now, she’s speaking out to reveal that this was a life-saving abortion. Via Hollywood Reporter:

“Two years ago, when I was pregnant with Jack, John and my third child, I had to make a lot of difficult and heartbreaking decisions. It became very clear around halfway through that he would not survive, and that I wouldn’t either without any medical intervention. Let’s just call it what it was: It was an abortion/ An abortion to save my life for a baby that had absolutely no chance.

Chrissy related how she only really realized that she’d had an abortion after the Supreme Court’s gut-punch of a verdict for women’s health. And yes, she had a difficult decision that she’d had to make at the time, but these days, the decision might be even more difficult because of how some states will inevitably scrutinize every medical decision when it comes to abortion. Lindsey Graham, who wants to abortions at 15 weeks throughout the U.S., isn’t helping matters, but awareness (and public outreach) from pro-choice advocates is vital, especially going into the fall elections.

(Via Hollywood Reporter)

Here we go again y’all: Kanye West is everywhere. After appearing on MSNBC to discuss how leaving Gap has affected the company’s stock and insinuating that he is the, “One individual in the world who could save the Gap,” he wasted no time in announcing that he’s opening a private Christian school called Donda Academy — one where parents have to reportedly sign NDAs. Talk about a scholarly week for Mr. West! But then, in a wholly unpredictable, but also obviously predictable, Ye admitted in a podcast interview that he’s actually never read a book before and said that it’s about as icky to him as, “Eating Brussels sprouts.”

On the latest episode of the yoga-centric fitness apparel company ALO Yoga’s podcast, Ye sat down with company CEO Danny Harris and host Alyson Wilson for a discussion about building lasting brands. Harris welcomed Ye to the show by saying, “I am so inspired by you, the inspiration you’ve had in Alo…your street sense and your street vibe.” Harris was smitten by Ye and how Alo’s, “Manufacturing, excellence and efficiencies,” were inspiring him. It was all a bit hokey from the get-go and Kanye wasted no time in being extremely forthcoming.

When Harris started talking about a conversation he had with Ye about a book he told the rapper he’d read 100 times, saying how Ye, “Embodies every positive attribute from this book,” Ye interjected to say: “I actually haven’t read any book. Reading is like Brussels sprouts for me. And talking is like getting the Giorgio Baldi corn ravioli.” Uhhhh…ok? Perhaps this provides some insight into the friction that caused West to sever ties with the Gap claiming that they violated their contract?

Ye went on to cite an example of a conversation he had with Mike Howe, the inventor of the ripsaw military tank, and how he admitted to only reading the first and last sentence of lengthy texts from his mother. Somehow, this anecdote validated West’s quest to never read a book. But it now begs the question: Did Kanye only read the first and last sentence of his contract with Gap?

Watch the podcast episode below, with the conversation about reading and Brussels sprouts happening at the very top.