With NFL practices and preseason games scheduled to begin impractically soon, the league made a move that might in a few weeks be seen as an initial domino among many, canceling the annual Hall of Fame game that typically kicks off the preseason live from Canton, Ohio.

The game, scheduled for Aug. 6, would have been a fifth preseason contest for the Cowboys and Steelers, and with NFL owners meeting soon to discuss cutting the preseason slate down to two games, it would not have made sense to play the game, especially considering it comes earlier than the others.

However, the main reason for the cancelation seems to be protecting those who would have taken part of the Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony that happens alongside the game, including former coaches Jimmy Johnson, Bill Cowher, as well as ex-players like Troy Polamalu and Edgerrin James.

“The delay is obviously disappointing but completely understandable,” former commissioner Paul Tagliabue, who also would have been enshrined told The Associated Press.

The game will instead be played on Aug. 5, 2021, and the enshrinement will take place in early August next year as well.

This decision should not be seen as an NFL schedule decision so much as a limit-mass-gatherings-of-old-people decision, but nevertheless, as more such decisions that are made, the question of why to try an NFL season at all will continually be asked.

The average Disney Parks attendee may not realize it, but Splash Mountain, one of the more popular attractions at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom and Disneyland, is based on Song of the South. Disney tries to pretend the 1946 live-action/animated musical film never happened due to its “outdated cultural depictions” of slavery, which is why it’s not available on Disney+ and why Splash Mountain is ditching Br’er Rabbit for a frog.

On Thursday, Disney announced that Splash Mountain will be re-themed around the 2009 Oscar-nominated hit The Princess and the Frog, which notably features the first African-American Disney Princess. “We pick up this story after the final kiss, and join Princess Tiana and Louis on a musical adventure – featuring some of the powerful music from the film – as they prepare for their first-ever Mardi Gras performance,” according to a press release. “Tiana is a modern, courageous, and empowered woman, who pursues her dreams and never loses sight of what’s really important. It’s a great story with a strong lead character, set against the backdrop of New Orleans and the Louisiana bayou.” There’s already a New Orleans Square in Disneyland, so “it feels natural to link the story and the incredible music of The Princess and the Frog to our park.”

There is no mention of Song of the South in the press release. The closest the ever-cautious Disney gets to mentioning the controversy is noting how the re-theming of Splash Mountain, which debuted in 1989, is “of particular importance today. The new concept is inclusive – one that all of our guests can connect with and be inspired by, and it speaks to the diversity of the millions of people who visit our parks each year.”

“Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah” is an undeniably catchy song, and it’ll be weird not hearing it after the flume drop, but it was long past time for Disney to ditch the Song of the South concept. “Friends on the Other Side” is a better song, anyway.

(Via Disney)

On Thursday morning, a hashtag attempting to cancel Cardi B was trending. The #cardibisoverparty hashtag was flooded with posts by Nicki Minaj fans, who have had longstanding beef with the rapper. The posts claimed Cardi runs a private Instagram account solely dedicated to dissing other female musicians, like Megan Thee Stallion and Ariana Grande. Cardi was quick to dispel the rumors and took time to express gratitude to fans who have always had her back.

Upon seeing the trending hashtag, Cardi jumped to her own defense in a recorded statement posted to Twitter. Cardi denies that she has a fake Instagram account, saying she has no issues with other female musicians. “I don’t know, these people must think that I’m a 15-year-old girl,” she said.

Cardi then turned her attention to her fan base, thanking them for all the support she has received: “I’m seeing so much love from, not only my fans, but just random people that are not fan account pages, are just having my back and realizing how f*cked people could do certain sh*t. It’s crazy how that sh*t backfired on the devil. I’m so thankful, I’m so grateful for you guys. Thank you for making those other hashtags trend. When I wake up, I’m going to ask some of my main Cardi fan pages on twitter which fan pages, other fan pages, I should follow on Twitter. Because I see a lot of you guys want me to follow you guys but I’mma see if you are trustworthy. So I’m going to ask my other fan pages, ‘Are y’all trustworthy?’”

Listen to Cardi’s full responses above.

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

In Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga, which will be coming to your home via Netflix this weekend, Dan Stevens plays Russian contestant Alexander Lemtov … and he is an absolute riot. Is it even worth getting into the plot of this movie? I mean, as you might expect, it’s based on the ever-outrageous European talent contest that has a reputation of being over the top, and this movie certainly has a lot of that.

Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams play Icelandic contestants, and huge ABBA fans, who wind up getting into the competition under, let’s say, unusual circumstances. Stevens’ Lemtov is an old pro and is the favorite of the competition and serves as a perfect foil. And all of this comes together in this kind of fever dream of a film, and in no better moment then when, at a pre-show party, all the contestants perform a singalong to ABBA’s “Waterloo” that is pure, concentrated joy. Ahead, Stevens takes us through the madness.

So Eurovision, this movie is crazy. Tell me everything.

It’s pretty crazy. Were you familiar with it as a competition?

Somewhat. It’s one of those things I see everyone on Twitter talking about, then watch for a little bit.

I mean, growing up in the UK, you know it exists. It’s just a cultural thing that happens every year. And I grew up watching it with my mom and dad. When I met my wife, we were both really into it and we would host screening parties. And it’s just one of those nights where you can just have a lot of fun because it is so bizarre. It’s so varied. There’s always something crazy and it’s tricky to describe to anybody who hasn’t seen it. And particularly an American audience who sort of don’t understand perhaps why an act might not want to win and might submit something kind of subversive or ridiculous. I guess the aim is sort of European unity, and you’re going for a song that is going to perhaps unite the block. But it’s just really fun.

Oh, see? We need that here. That would be nice.

I mean, it would be interesting to see. It would be interesting to see all 50 up states come up with a song. It’s a very long night as well because you have the performances, and then you have the voting, which is almost as entertaining and can get very, very political.

What do you think is the closest thing you can compare it to in the United States? As far as cultural influence, maybe Saturday Night Live? Because when I speak to friends in other countries it’s always, “that is just not a thing here,” as opposed to other American culture.

Yeah, I mean, I didn’t grow up with Saturday Night Live in the same way. I mean we would occasionally get the “best of” VHS, it would sort of make their way over. I mean, this is kind of more epic in a way because it has kind of, I mean, it can have sort of political consequences. Very few of the songs will make their way into the charts. But very often the song, it doesn’t have that much of a life outside of the competition. But there are obviously a few notable exceptions. And Celine Dion, one of her early appearances was at Eurovision. And obviously ABBA, more famously. But, yeah, and the other thing we’re saying is that it is live, a bit like SNL. Just the usual chaos ensues and so it can be a very entertaining, weird night of television.

And not to spoil any plot points, but what we see happen in the movie with voting sounds like it could maybe happen in real life?

Yeah. I mean, listen, you can get a lot of ironic votes flying around. But each country does generally have a competition within their country before the Eurovision song contest to decide. And I think recently, the UK decided that some record company was just going to pick an act and it’s going to be that. It’s more hassle than it was worth. But I think that’s also a really entertaining process if you follow the competition for the weeks running up, all the months running up, you get to see some really weird stuff, because that’s the stuff that doesn’t even make it to the final.

I feel like this is a movie that people will either love or not be into. I am on the love side.

Sure. Yeah, listen, we weren’t out to make sort of high art cinema. We were out to make something pretty joyous and silly and fun. And it has a lot of heart, thanks in most part to the lovely Rachel McAdams.

Yes. She is so good in this.

She is. And Will, he’s brilliant and just very sweet and silly. And I think that is very much in the spirit of Eurovision. It’s a sweet, silly, hopeful thing that brings people together with some great music and some terrible music. And, I’d think it’s a very difficult thing to capture in a couple of hours, but they do a reasonable job.

Maybe a better way to word it is that there are going to be people who just “get it.” Like the scene where you are in the group singalong of “Waterloo,” it’s pure joy.

Yeah. I mean, it was incredible just to get to meet all those contestants. To get to sing with them in that kind of party atmosphere. And I mean, that sequence, as bonkers as it is, really does kind of encapsulate the sort of spirit of both our film, but also of Eurovision. Just sort of bringing such a diverse range of performers together, weaving all these kind of greats from past decades together in this sort of amazing arrangement.

What was that singing voice? I wasn’t expecting that. It’s very deep.

Sadly, the singing voice, we didn’t manage to get into the studio to record because obviously COVID struck. And so we actually went with the temp track, which is a Swedish baritone, who is great. In terms of his spoken voice, that becomes more from some of the sort of wealthier Europeans that I’ve met over the years. And, in particular, I had an interesting moment with the model Irina Shayk once. I met her in Manhattan and she asked where I live. And at the time I lived in Brooklyn and she said, “Brook-lyn,” and she just had this real kind of disdain for anything that wasn’t within her defined circle of sort of luxury and opulence. And I said, “Well, where do you live?” And she said it like in one phrase. She just said, “West Village, best place.” And I really kind of, I had that phrase in my head a lot for Lemtov. He just thinks that he knows the best things: If they’re covered in gold, whatever you’ve got going on. And there’s a weird kind of snobbery to that mysterious European wealthy elite that I think is just ridiculous and ripe to be poked fun of.

That baritone voice, I know it wasn’t yours, but it just adds to the delightful-ness of it. It’s just kind of surreal.

Maybe one day I’ll get to go and record that song for real. It was a lot of fun. I was singing along with it, and certainly at the singalong I had to sing it for real. And some of that singalong might be me. But, yeah, sadly “The Line of Love,” we didn’t get to go and lay down the final version, but it’s a really funny style and it’s a very real style as well.

Between this and Call of the Wild – you’re really going for it in that one, too – you seem to be having a lot of fun lately.

That’s what’s it’s all about.

You can contact Mike Ryan directly on Twitter.

This week, Becca Mancari — who you might recognize from her time as a member of Brittany Howard’s band — will release her new album The Greatest Part, which was produced by Paramore’s Zac Farro. On the record, Mancari delivers a collection of deeply personal songs that carry a lyrical weight, but float above tight, groovy production.

To celebrate the new album, Mancari sat down to talk The Matrix, Kendrick Lamar, and staying on a commune farm in Iowa in the latest Indie Mixtape 20 Q&A.

What are four words you would use to describe your music?

Truthful, melodic, painful, and present.

It’s 2050 and the world hasn’t ended and people are still listening to your music. How would you like it to be remembered?

I would like it to be remembered as music that helped other people get free, and truly become who they are without fear.

What’s your favorite city in the world to perform?

Oh, man now you’re just setting me up to look bad, haha! But it’s got to be London or New York City. There is no energy like it.

Who’s the person who has most inspired your work, and why?

It’s close to home for me on this one, but honestly the person who inspires me the most is actually someone I get the privilege of making music with, Brittany Howard. I truly believe Brittany will go down in history as one of our greatest artists, and she just always pushes me to go deeper and find out more of who I really am as an artist. I could not be more grateful to learn beside her.

Where did you eat the best meal of your life?

Milan, Italy. A homemade red sauce from a 40-year-old family farm. It was unbelievable.

What album do you know every word to?

So Jealous — Tegan and Sara

What was the best concert you’ve ever attended?

Kendrick Lamar, DAMN Tour.

What is the best outfit for performing and why?

I love a classic two-piece matching suit, preferably white, with some gold chains… it just feels right.

Who’s your favorite person to follow on Twitter and/or Instagram?

Lizzo on IG.

What’s your most frequently played song in the van on tour?

“Like A Ship” by Pastor T.L. Barrett… Believe me, give it a listen.

What’s the last thing you Googled?

Can Biden win in 2020?

What album makes for the perfect gift?

Nina Simone, Live at Vine St. Bar & Grill 1987. I just think that this whole night Nina Simone was on another level, and I think you can sense the energy in the room feeling that as well. There will never be another Nina Simone.

Where’s the weirdest place you’ve ever crashed while on tour?

In a “commune” on a farm in Iowa. It was TRULY wild.

What’s the story behind your first or favorite tattoo?

Well, I have a story of my first house tattoo that was given to me when all of us were tipsy off of Sutter Home Chardonnay… Needless to say, the giant safety pin on my back was a great idea.

What artists keep you from flipping the channel on the radio?

Billie Eilish, Lizzo, HER.

What’s the nicest thing anyone has ever done for you?

Given me a chance to live my dream.

What’s one piece of advice you’d go back in time to give to your 18-year-old self?

Don’t let fear drive you, do what you really love, and be gentle on yourself.

What’s the last show you went to?

Caroline Rose.

What movie can you not resist watching when it’s on TV?

The Matrix.

What would you cook if Kanye were coming to your house for dinner?

Not a fan, prefer not to answer that one.

The Greatest Part is out June 25. Pre-order it here.

NBCUniversal’s upcoming streaming service, Peacock, will launch on July 15 with a handful of original series. One of the more anticipated titles, Intelligence, stars David Schwimmer pivoting to workplace comedy mode. On the more young-adult side of things, the Brave New World series will adapt Aldous Huxley’s 1930s dystopian novel. The show is fronted by Harry Lloyd (Game of Thrones‘ Viserys Targaryen), Alden Ehrenreich (Solo), and Jessica Brown Findlay (Downton Abbey). In particular, the two male leads are intriguing for their contrasting takes (Harry as an Alpha and Aiden as a Savage) on what appears to be utopia, but people really should know better than to take the Soma pills, right?

Actually, Soma doesn’t sound too terrible in 2020, if only for weekend escapes, but in this story, the underpinnings are more sinister, since the pills are used by the state to keep society in check. Most New London citizens have no problems taking the those pills to facilitate happy, happy times where monogamy is outlawed and actually viewed as the downfall of civilization. Whereas Savages actually get married and birth babies, and speaking of the Savage Reservation, Demi Moore plays a recurring role where she’s barely recognizable at first. I felt some heavy Patricia Arquette vibes, which (of course) is a compliment.

Brave New World will help launch Peacock on July 15. Here are some character posters.

The best new hip-hop albums coming out this week include projects from 6lack, 88Glam, Bankrol Hayden, IDK, MIKE, Reuben Vincent, and Yungeen Ace. After an uncertain few months, hip-hop has once again returned to its rhythm, with a heap of emerging artists taking a swing at stardom with new projects. In addition, established hitmakers such as Earl Sweatshirt and Lil Durk have announced deluxe versions of their own previously-released fan-favorite albums, Feet Of Clay and Just Cause Y’all Waited 2, respectively. And although his Everything’s Strange Here isn’t technically a hip-hop album, G-Eazy’s experimental side project is probably well worth checking out even if he doesn’t rap on it.

Here are all the best new hip-hop albums coming out this week.

6lack — 6 Pc Hot

Cleverly announcing the release of his new line of hot sauce, 600 Degrees, to go with his latest project, 6lack drops off a quick combo to celebrate his birthday before getting back to working on his third full-length album. After a positive reception for lead single “Float,” it looks like he may already have another hit on his hands.

88Glam — New Mania

Canadian hip-hop duo 88Glam was rumored to have parted ways with The Weeknd’s XO Records imprint earlier this year, but that didn’t stop them from going ahead with the release their latest mixtape — which will now be self-released, while their album Close To Heaven Far From God is delayed. With 19 tracks and only one feature, they have plenty of space to show what they can do.

Bankrol Hayden — Pain Is Temporary

Newcomer Bankrol Hayden is just 18 years old but already has a generous buzz behind breakout single “Costa Rica,” as well as some impressive cosigns on his upcoming Atlantic Records debut, Pain Is Temporary. Lil Baby, Luh Kel, Polo G, and The Kid Laroi all appear on the 11-track project, which he’s fastidiously promoted on his otherwise bare-bones social profiles.

IDK — IDK And Friends 2

Despite promising that his last IDK & Friends project would be his — well, last, IDK once again gathered up a few of his nearest and dearest for a quick hitter of raucous production and blazing, beat-’em-up raps. This time around, he’s recruited ASAP Ferg, Denzel Curry, Juicy J, Maxo Kream, Rico Nasty, Wale, and more for the EP, which doubles as a soundtrack to Kevin Durant’s Basketball County: Something In The Water documentary.

MIKE — Weight Of The World

The Earl Sweatshirt associate — who’s received heavy buzz in the past two for his affiliation despite his heavily underground sound and independent status — already released his latest album earlier this week, but it’s exactly the type of project that merits highlighting after the fact, even in a preview column. Earl appears here on the last track, but the focus is MIKE, his dense, heady raps, and the sparse, lo-fi production by DJ Blackpower.

Reuben Vincent — Boy Meets World

9th Wonder protege Reuben Vincent has been signed to the North Carolina producer’s Jamla Records since he was in high school. The time was well spent. Working under fellow Jamla signees GQ, Heather Victoria, and Rapsody has afforded the still-teenaged rapper a wealth of experience and development, producing a sound, work ethic, and worldly wisdom far beyond his years.

Yungeen Ace — Don Dada

It’s a wonder Yungeen Ace is still alive. The Jacksonville, Florida rapper was the survivor of a 2018 shooting that killed three men, including his brother, after serving a year in prison. However, he was able to parlay his fearsome past and emotive, melodic delivery into a rather sizable, regional buzz, which has afforded him a lifestyle diametrically opposed to his upbringing — one he clearly enjoys a bunch, judging by his social media posts. That doesn’t stop him from being “Heartbroken” on Don Dada‘s melancholy lead single.

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

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Jennifer Aniston stars in The Morning Show. Lisa Kudrow is on Space Force (and The Comeback is an eternally underrated classic). Courteney Cox, Matthew Perry, and Matt LeBlanc have all had their own shows, ranging from the good (Cougar Town) to the bad (Mr. Sunshine) to the Joey (Joey). Of the Central Perk gang, David Schwimmer has probably had the least exciting post-Friends career, although his 30 Rock episode is a classic and it was fun when he said “Juice” a lot on American Crime Story. But now he’s starring in a new show for NBC’s upcoming streaming service, Peacock.

Intelligence is a workplace comedy “set in the UK’s Government Communications Headquarters — a kind of weedier, geekier, more bureaucratic version of MI5 and MI6, where they tackle international and domestic Cyber Crime from a desktop. When a pompous maverick NSA agent Jerry Bernstein (Schwimmer) comes over from the U.S. to join the team, he enlists an inept and tactless computer analyst Joseph (Nick Mohammed) in a power grab that threatens to disrupt the team’s ability to combat cyber terrorism,” according to Peacock (it’s fun to say “according to Peacock”).

Intelligence, which was also created by Mohammed, debuts on July 15 on Peacock. You can watch the first trailer above.

Stumbling into a really good bottle of Irish whiskey at an accessible price range isn’t too difficult in the U.S…. yet. But as Irish whiskey becomes more and more ubiquitous on liquor store shelves, the chance for confusion as to what is and what isn’t tasty is increasing. That’s why you have us.

Speaking personally, I have a deep love for Irish whiskey. In fact, I’d say I prefer it to bourbon. Sorry Kentucky, I hope you’ll forgive me. The beauty of Irish whiskey is in the refinement of the triple distilling and the practice of ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casking. For me, those flavors hit notes I deeply enjoy — brighter and lighter than bourbon’s honeyed sweetness.

The ten bottles below are all standouts in the $30 to $50 price range. Obviously, some of them are preferred to others — I ride-or-die for Redbreast — but they’re all perfectly drinkable, excellent value, and are readily available for delivery.

Proper Twelve Irish Whiskey

ABV: 40%
Distillery: Eire Born Spirits, Old Bushmills Distillery, Ulster
Average Price: $30

The Whiskey:

Conor McGregor’s tipple is not without controversy. That’s built into the brand of McGregor himself, at the end of the day. The juice here is a blend of 100 Irish whiskeys under the supervision of master distiller David Elder, who McGregor lured away from Guinness. Ex-bourbon barrels are used for the finish.

Tasting Notes:

This is a lighter dram, with a note of bourbon vanilla and oak on the nose. There are hints of orchard fruit alongside a bit of butterscotch alcohol burn. This isn’t the best sipper of the bunch but makes for a great mixing whiskey for cocktails or highballs.

Powers Gold Label

ABV: 43.2%
Distillery: Irish Distillers, Midleton (Pernod Ricard)
Average Price: $35

The Whiskey:

Powers has a long, deep line of solid Irish whiskey expressions and this is the gateway to that label (and, I’d argue, the gateway to Irish whiskey overall). The bottle is made from a blend of single pot and grain whiskeys produced at the famed Midleton Distillery in County Cork.

Tasting Notes:

Wildflowers and honey with a sense of cereals greet you. There’s sourdough bread essence with salted butter and lots of jam. A mild alcohol warmth comes through the florals, fruits, and sour grains on the short finish.

Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition

ABV: 40%
Distillery: Irish Distillers, Midleton (Pernod Ricard)
Average Price: $37

The Whiskey:

Jameson aged in stout casks feels like the best possible finishing technique there is for Irish whiskey. Jameson sends used whiskey casks to Eight Degrees Brewing where they age their stout in them. Then those casks are sent back to Jameson so they can finish their whiskey in those same casks for an additional six months.

Tasting Notes:

There’s a bit of a bourbon vanilla creaminess up front that lends itself to a bolder nose. The taste ebbs into dark chocolate, more vanilla, and a bit of spice. There’s a whisper of creamy stout on the end but it’s really the whiskey flavors themselves that shine through.

Roe & Co. Irish Whiskey

ABV: 45%
Distillery: Roe & Co. Distillery, Dublin (Diageo)
Average Price: $40

The Whiskey:

Speaking of stout, Roe & Co. is the Diageo distillery built on the grounds of the Guinness Brewery in Dublin. The juice in the bottles is a blend of grain and malt whiskeys that are aged in former bourbon barrels.

Tasting Notes:

There’s a creamy spicy pudding sense with a clear note of oak up top. Tart apples baked in cinnamon-spiked brandy lead towards a baked bread maltiness. The finish is long and keeps the spice, tart, and sweetness all toying with the senses.

Teeling Small Batch Irish Whiskey

ABV: 46%
Distillery: Teeling Distillery, Dublin
Average Price: $40

The Whiskey:

Teeling is the craft distillery that brought distilling back to Dublin after a century of quiet. The juice in this expression is unique in that it’s first aged using bourbon but then goes into Central American rum barrels, adding a new dimension to the tipple.

Tasting Notes:

This whiskey almost has a Tennessee whiskey feel to it with a note of banana and vanilla on the nose. There are hints of citrus next to dark spices as a hint of coconut milk rushes through the palate. Finally, the sip lingers as the fruit and sweetness fade, leaving a bit of oaky spice.

Tullamore D.E.W. Aged 12 Years

ABV: 40%
Distillery: Tullamore Distillery, Tullamore (William Grant & Sons)
Average Price: $45

The Whiskey:

This is a classic Irish whiskey expression. The juice is a blend of single malt, grain, and single pot still whiskeys that have been aged in both ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks.

Tasting Notes:

Bourbon vanilla and fruit orchard florals dance together on the nose. The sip has a note of herbals and nuttiness that leads back towards a plummy vanilla essence. The end lingers as hints of spice warm the senses and a tiny wisp of smoke finishes things off.

Connemara Peated Single Malt Irish Whiskey Original

ABV: 40%
Distillery: Cooley Distillery, Cooley (Beam Suntory)
Average Price: $47

The Whiskey:

If you love peaty scotch, then this is going to be your jam. This single malt uses malts dried over heavy peat fires to imbue a real sense of smokiness into the dram. The juice is still triple distilled and is then mellowed in former bourbon barrels.

Tasting Notes:

Yes, you’re going to get smokiness from the get-go alongside wildflowers and a little bit of barrel char touched by honey. The charred bitterness leans towards dark chocolate as the honey rises to the top of the palate. In the end, it’s the peat and honey that win the day as the taste slowly fades out.

Egan’s Vintage Grain

ABV: 46%
Distillery: P. & H. Egan Ltd, Tullamore
Average Price: $48

The Whiskey:

This is a new Irish whiskey operation that’s a heritage brand, or reopening, much like Teeling above. The juice is still being sourced for these bottles. But the single grain expression inside is quality whiskey that’s aged for at least eight years in ex-bourbon barrels.

Tasting Notes:

Single grains are a bit lighter than more robust blends. This one has a clear sense of orchard fruit and vanilla upfront, not unlike a young bourbon. Fruit, spice, vanilla, and a hint of malty sweetness carries the easy-drinking sip towards a short end with a note of barrel and a bit of alcohol warmth.

Bushmills Single Malt Aged 10 Years

ABV: 40%
Distillery: Old Bushmills Distillery, Bushmills (Casa Cuervo)
Average Price: $50

The Whiskey:

This Irish single malt is classically rendered. The mash is triple distilled in old copper pot stills before aging in mostly ex-bourbon barrels (though ex-sherry is used too). The end result is a masterful expression of Irish whiskey.

Tasting Notes:

Tart apples, fatty walnuts, over-ripe bananas, and a hint of bourbon vanilla lead the way. There’s an even spiciness that’s supported by a honey sweetness as the nuts, florals, and fruits mingle on the tongue. A bit of malt and oak come in late and linger as the sip fades out.

Redbreast Aged 12 Years

ABV: 40%
Distillery: Irish Distillers, Midleton (Pernod Ricard)
Average Price: $52

The Whiskey:

This is a little above the $50 mark but 100 percent worth the extra couple of dollars. The juice is a mix of malted and unmalted barley that’s triple distilled in old copper pot stills. The juice is then transferred to both ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks for over a decade before they come together to make this exemplary expression.

Tasting Notes:

Soda bread baked with orange zest arrives first. Christmas spices in a candied-fruit-filled fruit cake mix with a vanilla pudding creaminess. The sip takes its time to fade out, as all of those spices, vanilla, and fruit fade away — tempered by the oakiness and malt.