Category: News

Rifle Republican Lauren Boebert appears to be distracted this week by her emergence as an SNL parody target. Further, cast member Chloe Fineman has been trolling the “actual clown” after Boebert’s triggered response to a sketch that roasted her gun-filled family Christmas photo. This distraction, of course, didn’t stop the House from passing anti-Islamophobia legislation introduced by Boebert’s Democratic colleague, Rep. Ilhan Omar.

There’s quite a history there. Boebert performed some kind of bad stand-up comedy at a fundraiser, at which she repeated her “Jihad Squad” remarks and suggested that a Capitol Police officer feared Omar to be a terrorist because of backpacks or something. Omar, who has revealed how she’s received death threats following Boebert’s anti-Muslim remarks, used the situation for good. Late Tuesday, the House voted down party lines to pass Omar’s bill, which will battle Islamophobia in the U.S. Via CNN:

The House voted 219-212 Tuesday to pass Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar’s legislation to create a special envoy to combat Islamophobia, a week after progressives introduced a separate resolution to strip Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert of her committee assignments following her anti-Muslim comments calling the Minnesota Democrat a terrorist.

The bill would address the rise in incidents of Islamophobia worldwide and still needs to pass the Senate before it could go to President Joe Biden’s desk to be signed into law.

According to ABC News, the floor debate (before the vote) grew contentious with GOP Rep. Scott Perry describing Omar “as anti-Semitic and implied that she has ties to terrorist organizations,” which prompted “audible gasps” from Democrats. And sadly enough, this issue is indeed falling down party lines in one of the houses of Congress. The bill will soon head to the Senate, and as of now, there’s been no public reaction from Boebert, although she’s proven that she can’t stay silent forever.

(Via ABC News & CNN)

After nearly a year of watching Fox News sh*t disturbers like Sean Hannity, Laura Ingraham, and Brian Kilmeade pretend as if we’re all making too big of a deal over the deadly Capitol insurrection on January 6th, it’s hard not to feel at least a little bit of satisfaction in knowing that those very same people spent much of that day begging Donald Trump to do something—anything—to stop it. Jimmy Kimmel was particularly tickled that it was Liz Cheney who got to expose these sniveling hypocrites.

On Tuesday night, Kimmel gave a succinct reminder of “what went down, or more accurately did not go down, on January 6th. You may remember [that] for three hours, Trump just hung out saying nothing while a violent crowd attacked the Capitol. He was watching from the White House, soaking it all in.” But not everyone, including Trump’s closest allies, was so blasé about a violent coup taking place in the middle of a Wednesday while the rest of the world watched on.

On Monday night, Cheney, in her role as vice-chair of the Jan. 6 House Select Committee, shared some choice texts that were sent to then-chief of staff Mark Meadows from a number of the president’s most ardent enablers, begging him to talk some sense into his boss. As Kimmel explained:

“There were a whole bunch of texts from freaked out Republicans trapped in the Capitol and also texts from the gang at Fox News. Sean Hannity, Brian Kilmeade, and Laura Ingraham all texted Mark Meadows urging him to urge Trump to stop the insanity. Gee, if only they had some sort of media outlet where they could have said that publicly.”

While Kimmel noted that Republicans “are furious” with Cheney for “doing the right thing” by bringing these pleas to the public’s attention, he also thinks that “listening to [Cheney] read these texts aloud, it’s as damming as it gets for Donald Trump and the Fox News sycophants who suckle his flabby pink teats.”

Kimmel proceeded to play the clip of Cheney reading the Fox News tweets, then intercut these with clips of the hosts themselves downplaying the events of January 6th altogether—sort of like how Trump talking about grabbing women “by the p***y” was all just “locker room talk.” Which led Kimmel to conclude that for all the negative things that can and regularly (and rightly) are said about the Fox News gang, we really don’t give them “enough credit for their acting. They’re really good.”

You can watch the full clip above.

In an interview this week on The Howard Stern Show, actor Ben Affleck discussed his marriage to Jennifer Garner. They began dating in mid-2004 after previously working together on Pearl Harbor and Daredevil (that’s already a lot of red flags) before getting married in 2005. They had three kids (and Affleck reportedly had a tryst with a nanny) before announcing their intention to divorce in 2015 and officially splitting up in 2018. Affleck and Garner have remained in each other’s lives, however, including the time she drove him to rehab — which makes his comments on Stern all the more curious.

“I was like, ‘I can’t leave because of my kids, but I’m not happy, what do I do?’ And what I did was [I] drank a bottle of scotch and fell asleep on the couch, which turned out not to be the solution,” he said, adding that he’d “probably still be drinking” if they remained together. “It’s part of why I started drinking… because I was trapped.”

And while Ben and Jennifer were no longer in love, he said it wasn’t the dramatic breakup that was portrayed in the media. As he put it, “We had a marriage that didn’t work. This happens. She’s somebody I love and respect, but to whom I shouldn’t be married any longer… We did it amicably. We did our best. Did we have moments of tension? Did we have disagreements over custody? Was stuff difficult for us? Did we get angry?” he continued. “Yes, but fundamentally it was always underpinned with a respect.”

Affleck blaming his issues with alcohol on his marriage is not sitting well with people.

(Via E! Online)

In an interview this week on The Howard Stern Show, actor Ben Affleck discussed his marriage to Jennifer Garner. They began dating in mid-2004 after previously working together on Pearl Harbor and Daredevil (that’s already a lot of red flags) before getting married in 2005. They had three kids (and Affleck reportedly had a tryst with a nanny) before announcing their intention to divorce in 2015 and officially splitting up in 2018. Affleck and Garner have remained in each other’s lives, however, including the time she drove him to rehab — which makes his comments on Stern all the more curious.

“I was like, ‘I can’t leave because of my kids, but I’m not happy, what do I do?’ And what I did was [I] drank a bottle of scotch and fell asleep on the couch, which turned out not to be the solution,” he said, adding that he’d “probably still be drinking” if they remained together. “It’s part of why I started drinking… because I was trapped.”

And while Ben and Jennifer were no longer in love, he said it wasn’t the dramatic breakup that was portrayed in the media. As he put it, “We had a marriage that didn’t work. This happens. She’s somebody I love and respect, but to whom I shouldn’t be married any longer… We did it amicably. We did our best. Did we have moments of tension? Did we have disagreements over custody? Was stuff difficult for us? Did we get angry?” he continued. “Yes, but fundamentally it was always underpinned with a respect.”

Affleck blaming his issues with alcohol on his marriage is not sitting well with people.

(Via E! Online)

For the past decade or so, Alana Haim has been doing just fine in the entertainment industry with the band Haim. Music fans know the group has thrived, as they’ve earned Grammy nominations, a couple of top-10 albums, and critical esteem. Now, though, Alana has found herself entering the acting world with Licorice Pizza and she’s nailing that, too, as she just earned her first Golden Globes nomination. She’s got a lot going on right now, so last night, she stopped by The Tonight Show to talk about it.

While Haim had been on the show before, this was Alana’s first time as an interview guest. Since the conversation aired after midnight last night, Haim’s visit to Jimmy Fallon technically fell on her 30th birthday today, December 15, making the occasion extra special. Alana noted that she was “incredibly nervous,” but she didn’t show it as she comfortably told a story about a vehicular malfunction while she drove Licorice Pizza co-star Bradley Cooper around for a scene. Later, Fallon showed off a different scene from the movie, one that features Alana, her sisters/bandmates Danielle and Este, and her parents, Moti and Donna.

Meanwhile, off the air, the Haim sisters and Fallon celebrated Alana’s birthday by filming their take on the “Helikoper Helikopter” meme, featuring pizza and party hats. This comes a few days after Alana and Taylor Swift had themselves a joint birthday party (Swift’s birthday was on December 13).

Watch Alana’s appearance on The Tonight Show above.

You can’t deny the greatness of a snifter of good brandy this time of year. The oak-aged juice has a lot of ties to well-aged whiskey while still feeling light (for the most part). The wine-based spirit can range from syrupy and full of holiday spices and candied fruits to almost airy, sunny, and very full of fresh and bright florals.

There’s also a lot of variation in brandy from Germany to Spain to France to the U.S. and beyond. While we don’t want to get into the nitty-gritty of each region’s rules, each part of the world brings its own nuance to the style and we’re very into it.

Below, we’re going to call out some of our favorite brandies (and cognacs and armagnacs) that we think would make an amazing gift this holiday season. The only two rules we have for this list are 1) does it taste good and 2) is it under $100 (a nice bottle is a welcome bonus!).

That’s it — let’s dive in!

Torres 20 Hors D’Age Brandy

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $69

The Brandy:

This Spanish brandy is a throwback to centuries-old brandy making. The juice starts off with Parellada and Ugni Blanc grapes that are fermented. That wine is then distilled twice in old copper stills before it’s loaded into French Limousin barrels for a long, 20-year rest.

Tasting Notes:

This is pure holiday cake on the nose with plenty of dark spices next to rich dried fruits, candied cherry, orange oils, and fatty nuts with a hint of creamy vanilla. The palate delivers on those notes while folding in a light sense of musty cellar beams and the smoothest cinnamon and clove spiked vanilla pudding you can imagine — it borders on light eggnog with a little water added. The finish arrives with a subtle push towards the spice and dried fruit and leaves you with a dry sense of orange-infused tobacco and dry walnut shells.

Bottom Line:

This is a luxury brandy (made in the French style with those barrels) that costs about half as much as cognacs twice the price. This is also one of the most awarded brandies on the shelf, making this the perfect stocking stuffer this time of year.

Hennessy Master Blender’s Selection No.4 Cognac

ABV: 43%

Average Price: $94

The Brandy:

This year’s limited release from Hennessy’s Master Blender Renaud Fillioux de Gironde is all about snowy Alpine slopes and winter vibes. The brandy was aged in both new and used French Limousin barrels. Those barrels were left alone for at least five years before they were blended into this masterful final product.

Tasting Notes:

This feels like a bright and fresh winter fruit basket brimming with stone fruits, tangerines, pears, and nuts all wrapped in golden cellophane and busheled into a slightly damp basket. The taste dials in those notes while mingling orange oils with spicy mulled wine, dried berries, and a touch more of those roast nuts. The end comes slowly and moves between apricot, spicy orange tea, rich marzipan, and a flutter of wet cedar boughs.

Bottom Line:

These limited releases from Henny are always delightful. This year’s release was specifically built to feel like a brisk walk through a snowy forest … which, what could be more “now” as a gift than that?

D’USSÉ VSOP Cognac

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $60

The Brandy:

This is Jay-Z’s signature brand. The juice in the bottle goes way back to Baron Otard from the famed Château de Cognac. The new line was re-crafted to suit American palates and includes a blend of cognacs that are aged at the château for four to eight years before blending, proofing, and bottling.

Tasting Notes:

The florals and fruit take a back seat to wood, spice, and vanilla on the nose. The palate of rich caramel leads to butter toffee with plenty of that oak shining through next to mild dark spices. The end lets the florals and fruit come out to play a little as the wood, spice, and caramel fade through your senses.

Bottom Line:

This feels both more like bourbon and a little lighter on the fruit. That’s not a bad thing! The bottle makes this a great gift all around and the lighter (more accessible) juice inside means that this will easily be enjoyed.

Chateau de Laubade VSOP Armagnac

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $40

The Brandy:

Château de Laubade is a vine to glass experience in Armagnac, France. The Maison uses primarily Ugni Blanc and Folle Blanche grapes to make their spirit. The juice then goes into the barrels for anywhere from six to 12 years. The barrels are then hand-selected and small-batched with no more than 20 barrels going into a single batch.

Tasting Notes:

There’s a creamy caramel and vanilla underbelly that leads toward bright and ripe cherries on the nose. That cherry sweetness counterpoints notes of old oak and dark spice as the sweetness edges towards creamed honey. The sip is perfectly-rounded, with zero rough edges. It lingers on your sense as the sweet fruit ends slightly tart and spicy.

Bottom Line:

If you’re looking for something that expands your giftee’s knowledge past standard brandy or cognac, this is the play. This armagnac is a very approachable representation of the style in a classic presentation/bottle.

Asbach Uralt

ABV: 38%

Average Price: $35

The Brandy:

Germany’s Asbach is the closest you’ll get to “cognac” outside of France. The brandy was re-designated “weinbrand” (wine brandy) after the French dialed in their appellation designations for cognac and prohibited anyone outside the region from using that term for their brandy back in 1892. The grape distillate is made from German-grown grapes but aged in French Limousin oak (like cognac) for up to three years. The end result is a blend of two to three-year-old brandies.

Tasting Notes:

Aspach starts off with nice woody vanilla, buttery caramel, and notes of ripe and almost juicy apricot. Warm pepper spiciness comes into play with a rush of dark, sweet fruits, light and dry nuts, and a touch of light but acidic wine. The end is heavy on the alcohol with a slightly creamy vanilla edge.

Bottom Line:

This is a great introduction to the world of German brandy. While it’s not the most refined entry on the list, it’s a damn fine brandy that’s both easy to track down and damn tasty for this price point.

HINE Rare VSOP Cognac

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $70

The Brandy:

HINE Rare is a masterfully crafted cognac. The juice is a blend of eaux-de-vie (water of life) made from wines from the Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne growing regions. That spirit then is barreled in oak where it spends six to 12 years maturing. The results are then married, proofed with soft mineral water from local springs, and bottled.

Tasting Notes:

Old oak barrels are tempered by rich and almost creamy notes of vanilla that lead towards a burst of summer wildflowers on the nose. The taste embraces those flowers with hints of jasmine next to violet next lavender that’s counterpointed by plum pudding nuttiness, woody spice, and a hint of that vanilla cream. The end is long-winded and really leans into the brightness of those florals as the woody spice warms your senses.

Bottom Line:

This is getting into the “good stuff.” The bottle is unique and the juice is excellent. That adds up to a great gift.

Remy Martin 1738 Royal Cognac

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $85

The Brandy:

This high-end offering from Remy really does shine. The brandy is a blend of ultra-refined “Fine Champagne Cognacs” that are hand-selected and small-batched, adding a unique vibe to the expression.

Tasting Notes:

Dark red grapes mingle with sharp Christmas spices, musty oak, rich vanilla, and creamy toffee sweetness. A Christmas cake full of dried and candied fruit, spice, nuts, and buttery rum leads towards a whisper of fallow lavender fields. The end lingers just the right amount of time, touching on the fruit, spice, wood, and velvet texture.

Bottom Line:

The Christmas cake vibe of this brandy makes it a great sipper right now. Plus, this is a nice step up from the average Remy you see on shelves, which makes it the one you should probably wrap up and put under the tree.

Delord 25 Ans D’Age Armagnac

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $82

The Brandy:

This brandy from Armagnac has a lovely level of nuance that makes it worth seeking out. Delord is a single house operation where grapes are grown organically and sustainably by the family. The grapes are pressed and twice distilled before going into the barrel for long resting periods of up to 25 years before blending, proofing, and bottling.

Tasting Notes:

There’s a deep oak nature to this one. That vanilla spice is supported by bright orange zest, sweet prunes, old bouquets of dried wildflowers, and whispers of allspice. Next, a rush of ripe fruit comes into play: Bright grapes, dark red cherries, juicy plums, peach stones, and zesty oranges all play a role here. It feels like you’re sipping from a fruit orchard in full bloom on a warm summer day in France. Then that’s all counterpointed by this deep and dark woody spice and vanilla tobacco that just pops on the finish, leaving your senses buzzing.

Bottom Line:

Delord 25 is an introduction to the heights brandy can reach. The fact that this is under $100 means that you’ll have a stellar brandy to give as a gift this year.

Laird’s Rare Apple Brandy Aged 12 Years

ABV: 44%

Average Price: $92

The Brandy:

This brandy from New Jersey harvests its apples from the misty Shenandoah Valley in Virginia. 30 pounds of apples go into each bottle of brandy. The juice then rests in American oak for 12 years before it’s blended, proofed, and bottled.

Tasting Notes:

You’re greeted with apples stewing in butter, spice, raisins, and brown sugar. Hints of vanilla and oak join the party and a sense of salted caramel arrives to drive all those stewed and spicy apples towards a nice sweet/savory feel. The end isn’t too long but leaves you with a warm apple pie vibe.

Bottom Line:

This is an easy-drinking American brandy that’ll feel almost nostalgic. The bottle is also pretty hefty and cool looking on any bar cart, helping this pop as a gift.

Cardenal Mendoza Gran Reserva

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $52

The Brandy:

This Spanish brandy has some serious pedigree. The juice is made from Airen grapes grown in Jerez. That then goes into former Pedro Ximenez sherry casks where it rests for 15 long years. The result is a deeply flavorful snifter that’s second to none.

Tasting Notes:

Roasted nuts, orange-infused dark chocolate, espresso beans, and brown bread greet you. The sip embraces the oak, nuts, and coffee as the body of the brandy feels like sharp beams of golden light flooding through darkly colored stained glass. The fruit is fairly dried and plummy and the sweetness edges ever-so-slightly towards molasses. The end is dry, bold, and leaves you warmed to your soul.

Bottom Line:

This is one of the best brandies on the market (not from France, that is). It’s thick, luxurious, and a great sipper. You cannot go wrong gifting this brandy to a true brandy lover this year.

Spoiler alert for this blind tasting: 20-plus-year-old Scotch whisky is pretty amazing. I tasted eight bottles of single malt — both peated and unpeated — in the 20 to 26-year range and every single one was great. “Great” might even be underselling our baseline here. There were a lot of “wow!” and “holy shit!” and “that’s amazing!” moments in this blind tasting.

That means that this ranking is very, well… loose. I could not choose between several of these bottles and ended up with a lot of ties. It was just too hard to put one amazing whisky over another one when every single one of these drams presented something unique — deep in flavor and rich in technique.

Seriously, they were all delicious. I tried my best.

Our lineup today is:

• Ardbeg 25
• BenRiach 21
• Glenfiddich Grand Cru 23
• GlenDronach 21
• Oban 21, 2018 Edition
• Lagavulin 26, Special Edtion 2021
• Royal Brackla 21
• Talisker 25

In the end, the eight bottles of single malt Scotch whisky below are all stellar. Try them. They’ll advance your palate while providing a great whisky-tasting experience. Click on those prices to track down a few bottles for yourself!

Also Read: The Top 5 UPROXX Scotch Whisky Posts of 2021

• The 50 Best Scotch Whiskies Of 2021, Ranked
• A Blind Ranking Of Affordable Blended Scotch Whiskies
• Our Favorite Scotch Whisky At Every Price Point From $30 To $500
• We Blind Tested Blended Scotches In The $40 Range And A Clear Winner Emerged
• The Best Bottles Of Scotch Whisky Between $50-$60

Part 1: The Tasting

Taste 1

Tasting Notes:

There’s a bitter lemon note that draws you towards smoked toffees, creamy vanilla, a dusting of cold ash, and … peppermint candy on the nose. The sip is very earthy (almost potting soil) with a fatty smoked bacon vibe, a touch of sour cream on a dirty baked potato — baked in a campfire — that all turns on the mid-palate towards honey tobacco with a spiced finish and a dash more of that ash.

Taste 2

Tasting Notes:

Smoked apricot opens this one up on the nose with a sweetness that leads towards salted plums with a hint of spice and malt. The taste delves into a honeyed sweetness spiked with spicy stewed apples, old and wet oak, roasted almonds, and a big tobacco chew. That all tappers off, leaving you with a rich apple candy finish.

Taste 3

Tasting Notes:

This burst forth with an apple orchard in full bloom, day-old brioche, and a sweet yet tart lemon curd on the nose. The palate is all vanilla cookies with pear candy, white grapes, and singed potpourri leading toward a mid-palate of honey. That honey circles back towards the pear with a slight core and stem feel as the finish slowly fades back through all that honey and orchard fruit for the softest landing possible.

Taste 4

Tasting Notes:

Berry brambles open this one up with a focus on the stems, leaves, and the soil beneath those bushes as a spicy raisin oatmeal cookie arrives to balance out the nose. The taste revels in orange oils, creamy vanilla pudding, and black-tea-soaked dates. A dark cacao vibe takes over the mid-palate and leads towards a holiday spice mix with a stewed plum and cedar touch on the finish.

Taste 5

Tasting Notes:

There’s a candy wax paper note that nosedives into Douglas Fir bark from a stack of firewood with some of the black dirt from the forest floor smashed into the crevices of that bark as butter caramel malts counterpoint that earthiness and ends up at a fruit chew, kind of like an apple Starburst, on the nose. The palate leans into a hazelnut-heavy Nutella with a touch of toasted coconut mingling with sweet cedar planks. A dark cacao tobacco leaf arrives late and takes on a warming holiday spice mix that leads towards a hot stripe of orange saltwater taffy dipped in ocean water.

Taste 6

Tasting Notes:

Freshly unrolled Ace bandages invite you in through the nose as figs wrapped in nori lead toward a rush of fresh white rope and a slight whisper of outboard motor smoke. The palate presents meaty smoked dates next to the oil from a sardine can with a clear rush of fresh red chili peppers. The mid-palate mellows out considerably with a cold forest mushroom next to smoldering cedar branches and a final note of green bell pepper that just rings as sweet.

Taste 7

Tasting Notes:

Light vanilla pudding with a big dollop of berry compote welcomes you on the nose as this vibrant white grape bursts forth. The taste meanders from spicy dark chocolate towards a malty Black Forest cake as stewed cherries, light cream, and a lot of dark chocolate shavings come together. The finish embraces the chocolate until that bright white grape comes back to bring about a nice end.

Taste 8

Tasting Notes:

The nose opens with fresh beeswax candles next to unfiltered apple cider, dried roses, and a wisp of campfire smoke from a mile or so down a rocky and rainy beach. Sea salt combines with old cellars full of cobwebs as wet moss, wisteria in full bloom, and orange tobacco mingles on the palate. The mid-palate dries out with some cedar bark as singed rose pedals lead towards singed orange peels with this tiny echo of dark red cherry on the very backend of the finish.

Part 2: The Ranking

6. BenRiach The Twenty One Four Cask Matured — Taste 2

ABV: 46%

Average Price: $300

The Whisky:

This newly-released whisky from BenRiach is a combination of peated and unpeated malts. The whiskies are then aged for 21 years in ex-bourbon barrels, ex-sherry casks, virgin oak casks, and former Bordeaux red wine casks. Those are then blended after their two-decade rest and proofed with that soft Speyside water.

Bottom Line:

This is a beautiful whisky. The only reason this bottle landed here is that it was the only one that didn’t blow my socks off.

5. Ardbeg 25 — Taste 1

ABV: 46%

Average Price: $880

The Whisky:

The newest expression from Ardbeg also happens to be their oldest expression (in the core line). The whisky is the epitome of peat on Islay. What makes this expression so special and extremely rare is that it was distilled and casked when Ardbeg was on its knees as a company, in the early 1990s. They simply weren’t making that much whisky back then and there’s hardly any of it left.

This is a one-and-likely-gone whisky.

Bottom Line:

Goddamn, this is just delicious. It’s so delicious that I don’t think I can say I don’t dig big peaty Islay malts anymore — because I love this.

4. Glenfiddich Grand Cru 23 — Taste 3

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $290

The Whisky:

It’s all in the name of this yearly special release from Glenfiddich. The whisky matures for over 23 years in both ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks before it’s vatted and then filled into French Cuvée casks that held Champagne. That whisky is then cut down to proof and bottled just in time for the holiday season.

Bottom Line:

This was damn near perfect. It was so (almost unbelievably) soft that I felt I might have been missing something deeper. But that’s me looking for something to rank these by and, in no way, an indication of the quality at play in this stellar whisky.

(tie) 3. The GlenDronach Parliament Aged 21 Years — Taste 4

ABV: 48%

Average Price: $262

The Whisky:

Don’t let the name fool you. The “parliament” in this case is the collective noun for rooks — a type of European crow that nests above the distillery. That dark essence is rendered in the whisky through 21 long years of maturation in Oloroso and Pedro Ximenez sherry casks exclusively.

Bottom Line:

This could have been number one had my mood been different, or if I had done this tasting in the morning instead of after lunch, or, or, or… This whisky is impossible to find faults with. It just didn’t blow my mind today the way it has on other days.

(tie) 3. Royal Brackla 21 — Taste 7

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $218

The Whisky:

This whisky is the oldest aged statement from the Last Great Malts from John Dewar & Sons line. The juice is distilled slowly before it spends 21 long years maturing Olorosso sherry casks where it’s left untouched. The barrels are vatted when they’re just right, proofed with soft Speyside water, and bottled.

Bottom Line:

This is one of those bottles that’s deceptively subtle but deeply satisfying. It’s also one of those bottles where you ask yourself, “where have you been all my life?”

(tie) 2. Lagavulin Aged 26 Years, The Lion’s Jewel — Taste 6

ABV: 44.2%

Average Price: $2,220

The Whisky:

This is a very rare and unique expression. First, it’s the first 26-year-old Lagavulin release. Next, there are only 7,500 of these bottles in existence. Lastly, the whisky was built from a combination of first-fill Pedro Ximenez and Oloroso sherry casks. Those barrels were married after over two decades of mellowing and bottled at a very accessible cask strength of 44.2 percent.

Bottom Line:

I wrote in my notebook, “Fuck, this is amazing.” For years, I thought I wasn’t an Islay whisky drinker and, honestly, I could drink this for the rest of my life and not complain.

(tie) 2. Talisker 25 — Taste 8

ABV: 45.8%

Average Price: $398

The Whisky:

This whisky is a marriage of American bourbon barrels, Spanish sherry casks, and Talisker’s seaside location. The whiskies in this single malt spend a minimum of 25 years resting in old bourbon and sherry barrels a few short steps from the sea in the Isle of Skye. Talisker’s tiny warehouse feels a bit like an old pirate ship that’s seen too many sea battles and that aura is imbued into every barrel as it matures.

Bottom Line:

This was the last taste and I would have kept tasting whisky this good for hours, happily. While this is the perfect single malt, it didn’t quite take me on a journey as the number one pick did. Still, I’m pouring one of these tonight and taking a minute to sit next to the tree after everyone is in bed to just let it all soak in.

1. Oban 21, 2018 Edition — Taste 5

ABV: 57.9%

Average Price: $589

The Whisky:

This whisky from 2018 is much-sought-after. The classic juice from the tiny Oban Distillery spends 21 years resting in a combination of used European oak barrels in Oban’s small warehouse nestled between a black rock cliff and the lapping of the sea. The juice is then married and bottled at cask strength, capturing all the nuances and uniqueness of Oban in the bottle.

Bottom Line:

This was like going home again. I was a teenager splitting firewood with my father in the backyard. I could smell the splinters of fir and bark. Then, we were walking along the cold stony beaches of the Pacific Northwest looking for agates as the gulls guffawed and pranced along the shoreline. It nearly brought a tear to my eye.

This whisky transports me. It’s pretty much a perfect experience.

Part 3: Final Thoughts

I’m going to stop saying that I don’t really dig peaty whisky in 2022. I clearly love some of them. That doesn’t mean I love the sweet malts any less. It’s more that these days I continually reach for subtly peated malts. And those whiskies clearly dominated this ranking.

In the end, when the whisky is this good, you end up looking for a transformative and maybe even emotion-inducing experience. My winner might not technically be any better than any whisky on this list, but it took me somewhere. It touched my soul.

That’s what it’s all about when you’re sipping these high-end drams — what truly sings to you? The Oban 21 from 2018 sang to me today.

The odds are this isn’t the first time I’ve mentioned this, but I get the impression interviews take their toll on Keanu Reeves. It feels like there’s a focus he wants to maintain, but this focus takes a lot of energy. (And, to be fair, if he did like doing them, that would be unusual.) But the thing about Keanu Reeves is he’s always as nice and pleasant as anyone could be under these strange circumstances. For someone who has, literally, probably done somewhere in the ballpark of 1000 interviews in his career, he still kind of acts like someone who is doing one for the first time. Those initial moments of trying to figure out what my angle will be, then deciding, okay, this guy seems normal enough I guess, then easing up a bit and trying to give actual thoughtful answers.

(Now I know I’ve mentioned this before. But as an example, at Sundance in 2015, I had just finished interviewing Eli Roth for the film Knock Knock. Out of nowhere, Keanu Reeves, who had just finished his own set of interviews, pulled up a chair next to me at this big circular table, gave me a polite nod, then promptly put his head down and went to sleep.)

It’s been 18 years since the last Matrix movie and there have been some changes. The Neo/Thomas Anderson we find in The Matrix Resurrections isn’t quite the one we’ve seen in the past movies. Which makes sense since, you know, this character (spoiler if you haven’t seen the third movie, The Matrix Revolutions) died in the previous film. Another change is, this time, Lana Wachowski is directing solo, as opposed to the directing team with Lilly Wachowski, who is sitting this one out. And there are a lot of meta-references in this movie to sequels and reboots – and a direct line aimed squarely at Warner Bros. themselves, which Reeves, as he says ahead, even found shocking.

Ahead, Reeves gives us his interpretation of what makes this Neo maybe a little different than in the previous versions, and why this movie itself is turning the whole idea of the first movies on its head. Also, Reeves delves into the idea that, maybe, The Matrix movies themselves have helped make the idea that we live in a simulation more mainstream. (At least to the point, now, a lot of people will say, “yeah, maybe,” instead of completely dismissing the idea.) And we talk a bit about the far right-wing and groups like QAnon co-opting the term “red pill.” Lilly Wachowski has already made it clear what she thinks. Reeves, in all earnestness, doesn’t feel comfortable telling people what to think but also makes it clear what those original Matrix movies represent.

It’s pretty wild you’re in a new Matrix after all this time. I remember everyone being excited for The Phantom Menace, then that first movie came out of nowhere and changed everything. And here you go again…

We are. Did you see the film?

I did see the film.

I mean, how did you like it?

It’s a different Neo. That was kind of surprising. I’ll admit, I was kind of overwhelmed a little bit the first time seeing you and Carrie-Anne Moss on screen together as these characters again, if that makes sense.

Yeah, no, I kind of share that sentiment. It was really something. It was wonderful to work with Carrie-Anne again. It was wonderful. I love the love that Thomas Anderson has for Trinity. It feels really good. And to fight for, to be with – and so that was actually probably one of the highlights of doing the film.

Do you agree it’s kind of a different Neo, right? Obviously, in the first one Thomas Anderson is pretty confused at what’s going on, but in this one…

“Doubting Thomas.” He’s still doubting Thomas. It’s just an older, more experienced doubting Thomas.

He is, but it’s a different kind of confusion. Because he sort of remembers what happened before, but now it’s like everything’s different again. And he doesn’t seem as confident at times, especially in the first half.

No, absolutely. I mean, I would pitch that Resurrections is a kind of dynamic inverse of the trilogy.

What do you mean by that?

[Laughs] Just that.

Okay.

Where in the trilogy Trinity’s trying to support and wake up Thomas Anderson, now Thomas Anderson is in that position and role for Trinity.

True, but he has to kind of go through his own stuff first.

And where he’s supposed to be the one that’s going to be the… I don’t want to give too much away.

Right.

But the relationship is different. It’s inverse.

Okay, I see.

Yeah. Or maybe the opposite? Inverse-opposite? I don’t know. Okay, sorry. Go ahead!

I saw where you mentioned you were talking with a younger person, maybe it was a friend’s kid, and you were explaining the plot of The Matrix to them and they were like, “Why would your character want to know this? Who cares if it’s real or not?”

Oh, value of reality. Yes. They didn’t care if it was real or not.

That’s fascinating, and it made me think about it more. The idea that we are living in a simulation has become a lot more mainstream since the first Matrix movies came out. If someone says it now I’m like, “Yeah, maybe.” And I wonder, do you think The Matrix movies showed a visual representation of that, where that really pushed that theory forward?

Ah, wow. So are you getting into the idea of, that it was presented, which helped promote the idea and advancement of the idea that was presented?

Well, people like visualized things, and a visualization of you waking up in a pod…

Like the Star Trek communicator for the phone?

You know what? That’s a really good example.

Absolutely. For sure. But I think also, I think that the films, and Resurrections, too… I think they can, for me, I think it could also be a tool, or a mechanic, to help us understand the world that we’re in.

Because a lot of people don’t think it’s nuts anymore. The attitude shifted to, yeah, it’s possible. Most people are just more open to the idea.

Literally, yeah, it’s a Matrix. Yeah. I mean, infinity is enjoying really a wonderful popularity. Multiple, infinity, infinity plus one. I mean, they’re old ideas, that there are multiverses.

I have a kind of a heavy question, but I’ve been wanting to know your opinion of this for a while about groups like QAnon co-opting “red pill.” Lilly Wachowski has spoken out that’s it’s an allegory for being transgender. But it’s still such a bummer that they have co-opted that. And I’ve been curious what you think of that, because that’s not what those movies were about, the way they’re using it.

Yeah, I don’t know… I’m not super familiar with it, in terms of QAnon, and red pills, and appropriation. But yeah, I mean, the idea of the mechanic of it is you take this pill and you’re able to be able to see the nature of reality. So escaping a simulation of a reality. So I could see how that’s appropriate for a lot of perspectives. I mean, I think, just hold onto the idea that it came from The Matrix.

I warned you that it was a little heavy, but I have been wanting to hear what you thought about that, if they’re using your movie to promote stuff I’m fairly certain you don’t agree with…

Yeah, but it’s also part, I mean, I’m not going to speak to whether I agree or not agree or anything. I want people to be able to say, and do, and be. I don’t want to…

Well, to clarify, not the idea of “everyone agreeing.” I was talking about more the white nationalist stuff that they’re using. I’m fairly confident you are not a fan of that. You’ve been kind of outspoken about that.

Yeah. Yes. I mean, the films kind of promote the idea of cooperation, compassion. So I’m all on board for that.

There are a lot of meta-references to sequels and franchises in this movie. Did you have to help talk Lana into doing this movie? Because that line, “Our parent company Warner Bros. is going to make this with or without us, so we might as well be involved.” It’s hard not to hear that and go, “Wait a second.” Did you have to like, “Come on, let’s do this”?

[Laughs] No, no. When I saw that line in the script, I was like, “Really? You would do that?”

Right.

She’s like, “Yes.” And I thought it was cool. She’s brave. And it’s interesting that that’s even… It’s nuts! It’s strange. But I thought it was very funny, and true.

It got a big laugh.

Yeah. It’s funny and true, so…

Right, if you two say no they’re going to do something anyway.

Yeah. And you know, if a system can’t take being played for humor, or be laughed at, then that system is generally not very healthy or tyrannical. Just to say that. But anyway.

So last time I spoke to you was for John Wick 3. And at the end, I don’t even remember what happened, we got off on Parenthood, and you couldn’t remember your character’s name, Tod Higgins. And you made me look it up.

Oh, Tod.

I bring this up because over the pandemic a lot of people have re-watched Parenthood and I’ve heard from a lot of people happy that you’ve recently discussed Tod. People love Tod Higgins.

He’s a good spirit.

He is a good spirit. “Did I win?” Still, one of the funniest lines in movie history.

[Laughs] “Did I win?” He’s a thoughtful, good spirit.

‘The Matrix Resurrections’ opens in theaters and streams via HBO Max on Christmas Day. You can contact Mike Ryan directly on Twitter.

In 2021, the fast food gods delivered diners a cavalcade of new cheeseburgers and chicken sandwiches to choose from. Some were delicious, some were bad, and some gave it a major swing and a miss but we ate them anyway. Now we’re here to collect them all into one super list that separates the good food from the trash.

Yes friends, this is a ranking of the best new chicken sandwiches and cheeseburgers to hit the fast food universe in 2021. We even included a few we haven’t had the chance to officially review yet. Most of the sandwiches on this list are available for a limited time but a few have earned permanent menu status. We were sure to include the availability of each selection — so that you don’t make a fool of yourself at the drive-thru.

So.. would you rather eat a Hot Cheeto dusted cheeseburger or a honey-sauce smothered chicken sandwich? Let us break it down for you, because sometimes a concept can make the mouth water only for the final result to be straight-up gag-inducing. And we don’t want that! It’s the end of the year, we’re under enough stress as it is!

Let’s eat.

12. Naked Chicken Chalupa

The Sandwich:

Is it a sandwich though? Seriously what the f*ck is this thing? We can’t decide if we should consider this a sort of freakish taco or a freakish chicken sandwich, but what I can very easily decide on is that I don’t like it.

It’s not horrible but never has an item of food made me feel so stupid and confused. Figuring out what this thing is is more interesting than eating it! The Chicken Chalupa features a flattened chicken patty loaded up with lettuce, cheddar cheese, tomatoes, and avocado ranch as if it were a taco shell. The shell features a black pepper-forward flavor that pairs nicely with the refreshing qualities of the avocado ranch, but for the most part, this sandwich leaves me feeling like it’s missing something.

Load it up with ground beef and maybe you’ve got something, but as it stands, Taco Bell needs to take this one back to the lab.

Availability:

Apparently, they have taken it back to the lab, the Chicken Chalupa is not currently on the always shifting Taco Bell menu. Let’s keep it that way.

The Bottom Line:

Skip it once Taco Bell inevitably brings it back.

Find your nearest Taco Bell here.

11. McDonald’s Spicy Deluxe Crispy Chicken Sandwich

The Sandwich:

McDonald’s started off the year with high hopes by dropping three new chicken sandwiches, the best of which, the Spicy Deluxe Crispy Chicken Sandwich, isn’t even worth eating. I know it sounds overly harsh, but you should never order a chicken sandwich from McDonald’s. Never.

This sandwich is nothing more than a waste of money, the chicken patty is a dry and flavorless mess, the tomatoes are equally flavorless, and the shredded lettuce is straight up off-putting. The only thing going for this sandwich is that spicy pepper sauce, which has a nice cayenne kick to it and a strong cracked pepper flavor. If McDonald’s would serve this sauce as a dip for their fries, they’d have something, but as a sandwich, this is bottom-of-the-barrel stuff.

Availability:

McDonald’s unveiled three new chicken sandwiches this year, you’ve never heard about them because they’re that bad.

The Bottom Line:

McDonald’s still hasn’t figured out how to make a damn chicken sandwich. Skip this.

Find your nearest McDonald’s here.

10. Carl’s Jr Sourdough Star

The Sandwich:

The Sourdough Star is the best sourdough burger on the fast food market, it’s a shame that it took until this year for Carl’s Jr to create it. The burger features a charbroiled beef patty topped with American cheese, bacon, Thousand Island, and gently grilled onions over a bed of lettuce, tomato, and mayo.

I can’t for the life of me figure out why Carl’s Jr decided on putting Thousand Island and mayo, but a simple alteration is all it takes to make this burger shine (ditch whatever sauce you like less). I love the mouthfeel of this thing, the bacon and sourdough bun add a pleasing crunch to it. I only wish it had more cheese and leaned more into its patty melt inspiration.

Availability:

Unfortunately, this sandwich was only available for a limited time and that window has closed. We await its triumphant return!

The Bottom Line:

Carl’s Jr can’t decide whether or not it wants to keep sourdough bread on the menu (Hardee’s features sourdough as a permanent menu staple) so us on the West Coast are going to have to wait until they bring this burger back as a promotional item.

Find your nearest Carl’s Jr. here.

9. Panda Express Orange Chicken Sandwich

The Sandwich:

Panda Express attempted to make a chicken sandwich this year that piggybacks off of the brand’s popular Orange Chicken sauce. Let that sink in for a second. Panda Express. Made. A. Chicken. Sandwich. We wouldn’t have believed it if we didn’t eat it ourselves.

For the full rundown, definitely hit my review, but ultimately the issue with this sandwich is not its concept, it’s the execution. The sandwich was previewed to a select few food writers in California and comes straight from Panda Express’ Innovation Kitchen in Pasadena.

The flavors are actually pretty on point, the sandwich features cabbage and pickles in a spicy aioli which pairs nicely with Panda’s deliciously spicy and sweet orange sauce served and it comes served on a delicious and sweet King’s Hawaiian roll. The chicken itself needs work. This is just a bad chicken patty, it’s dry, flakey and flavorless, relying completely on the toppings to deliver the flavor. I like that the chicken is battered in the same corn-starch-based breading as Panda’s Orange Chicken as it absorbs the sauce nicely, but it’s clear Panda needs to work on this on a bit before it hits restaurants nationwide.

Availability:

The Orange Chicken sandwich was only available for a limited time this fall at Panda Express’ Innovation Kitchen, but hopefully, we see a nationwide rollout this coming year.

The Bottom Line:

It still needs a few tweaks, but if Panda Express figures out a way to produce a better chicken filet, they’ve got a real contender here in the great fried chicken sandwich wars.

Find your nearest Panda Express here.

8. Wendy’s Bourbon Bacon Cheeseburger

The Sandwich:

This year Wendy’s unveiled a few new burgers to their lineup but none have caught our attention quite like the Bourbon Bacon Cheeseburger. In fact, it’s probably the best addition to the menu since the mighty Baconator. Featuring your choice of one, two, or, brace yourself, three quarter-pound fresh beef patties topped with Applewood smoked bacon, a double serving of American cheese, and fried onions slathered with a Bourbon-based sauce that is actually made with real bourbon and bacon, this burger is bursting with sweet and savory flavors that really complement and play off one another deliciously.

The sauce is smokey and sweet, it’s a bit like a complex barbecue sauce but it leans heavier on those smokey flavors and has a much thinner consistency. Using real bacon to make this sauce was a smart move, as this burger isn’t plagued with that off-putting liquid smoke flavor of lesser efforts.

Availability:

The Bourbon Bacon Cheeseburger is a permanent menu item at Wendy’s both nationwide and in Canada.

The Bottom Line:

A great pub-inspired burger topped with a bourbon and bacon-based sauce that delivers on the flavor. This burger is a must-pick-up on your next Wendy’s trip.

Find your nearest Wendy’s here.

7. Burger King Spicy Ch’King Sandwich

The Sandwich:

Burger King, more than any other fast food brand, consistently ranks near the bottom or at the very bottom of our fast food rankings, so to see the brand’s latest chicken sandwich revamp, The Ch’King Sandwich, in the middle of the list is actually quite an improvement in our books.

Go BK, we’ve been rooting for you even though it seems like we’re rooting against you.

The Spicy Ch’King isn’t good enough to make you forget about the Popeyes chicken sandwich, hell it still has a bit of a way to go before it can compare to Chick-fil-A or Wendy’s sandwiches, but its a step in the right direction. The best sandwich of Burger King’s new range of chicken sandwiches is the Spicy Ch’King which features a hand-breaded chicken breast filet topped with crinkle-cut pickles, the saddest, palest lettuce you’ll ever see, tomato, a savory sauce on the top and bottom bun, and a delicious spicy glaze covering the chicken filet.

The sandwich’s weakest points are the accouterments, the lettuce and tomato are virtually flavorless, and that soft potato bun isn’t going to be anything your taste buds want to remember, but the chicken itself is top-notch. It has a distinct black pepper and garlic powder flavor that is complimented beautifully by the sweet and spicy sauce.

Availability:

The Spicy Ch’King chicken sandwich is a permanent menu item at Burger Kings nationwide.

The Bottom Line:

If you’re skeptical about a chicken sandwich from Burger King because everything from Burger King is, well, pretty awful, this sandwich will surprise you. It’s not something worth ordering if a Popeyes, Wendy’s, or Chick-fil-A are nearby, but if you’re stuck in an airport for longer than you want to be? Eating the Spicy Ch’King isn’t a bad way to spend your time.

The award for the stupidest sandwich name definitely goes to the Ch’King.

Find your nearest Burger King here.

6. Carl’s Jr Hot Honey Chicken

The Sandwich:

Sorry, Burger King, the Ch’King was good but Carl’s Jr’s Hot Honey chicken sandwich has you beat! Two strips of bacon sit atop a nutty slice of Swiss cheese and Carl’s Jr’s hand-breaded chicken breast filet before being smothered in a heavily sweetened Hot Honey sauce.

Take the word “hot” with a grain of salt here, this leans much more on the sweet side and only features a gentle lingering heat that you’ll barely notice between bites. You don’t miss the heat though, the combination of bacon, Swiss, and the sweet sauce gives this sandwich a sort of breakfast vibe with an almost maple flavor to it. It’s the only chicken sandwich on this list that feels fitting for breakfast.

Availability:

The Hot Honey Chicken sandwich is now a permanent menu item at Carl’s Jrs nationwide.

The Bottom Line:

The closest thing you’re going to get to the experience of eating chicken and waffles from a drive-thru.

Find your nearest Carl’s Jr. here.

5. Wiz Khalifa HotBox Blazed OG Cheetos Burger

The Sandwich:

Yes, your eyes are correct, that is Hot Cheeto dust you’re looking at. I get it, Hot Cheeto dust on a burger seems like the ultimate fast food gimmick but this burger really works. Also, it’s part of Wiz Khalifa’s stoner-pleasing HotBox meal, so when you think about the fact that the majority of people ordering this burger are stoned, it all starts to make sense.

This burger features a thick and juicy salted beef patty cooked to a medium-well state and topped with American cheese, fried tater tots, lettuce, tomato, Thrill Sauce (which is just 1000 Islands), and of course, Hot Cheeto Dust. The dust provides a nice perceptible level of heat to the whole sandwich, you don’t taste it so much as you feel the heat it brings to each bite.

I wouldn’t describe it as spicy, but it creates this mouthwatering effect that pulls you in. Although this is a virtual kitchen concept, the meat sourcing is fantastic (at least in Los Angeles) and I would put the quality of this patty in the same camp as something from Shake Shack or Fat Burger.

Availability:

The OG Cheetos Burger (and the rest of the Wiz Khalifa menu) is available now for delivery-only in Miami, Columbus, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, New York City, and Houston. Hit up the website to get your order started.

The Bottom Line:

It looks gimmicky as hell but trust us, it’s worth the purchase. It argues for the existence of Hot Cheeto dust as a culinary ingredient.

See if HotBox is available in your city here.

4. Church’s Texas Cut Bacon Spicy Chicken Sandwich

The Sandwich:

This year Church’s made a serious attempt at swiping at Popeyes — the current GOAT in the fast food chicken sandwich space — and they came damn near close to coming up with a better sandwich. The Texas-Cut Bacon Spicy Chicken Sandwich features a juicy and tender fried breast filet that is breaded in Church’s craggy sauce-absorbing batter and topped with layers of crispy thick-cut bacon served on two brioche buns slathered in spicy mayo sauce.

Each bite provides a great balance of crunch, heat, smokiness, and a slight tinge of sweetness. It’s easily one of the best chicken sandwiches you can hope you order at a fast food restaurant and if Popeyes didn’t exist, the internet would be rightly obsessed with this contender for the best chicken sandwich ever.

To take it to the next level insert the fried jalapeño popper that Church’s serves alongside this sandwich. It’ll add an extra dose of heat as well as some gooey cheesy goodness to the experience.

Availability:

The Texas-Cut Bacon Spicy Chicken Sandwich is only available until December 26th. Once it leaves the menu you can still order the sandwich, but you won’t get any delicious and smokey bacon.

The Bottom Line:

It comes damn near close to being the best fried chicken sandwich in the fast food universe, but Popeyes still holds an edge over this one thanks to their delicious flaky breading.

Find your nearest Church’s here.

3. Smash Burger Double Smoked Bacon Brisket Burger

The Sandwich:

This burger took the number one spot in our ranking for the Best Decadent Fast Food Cheeseburgers because it’s… well, the most decadent fast food burger we’ve ever eaten. Sweet tender smoked brisket is sandwiched between two salty ground beef patties and smokey bacon, topped with ultra-thick cut pickle chips, BBQ sauce, and cheddar cheese. It’s the sort of burger that makes it hard for you to breathe after you’ve finished it.

Be warned, it’s not the best brisket you’ll ever taste as it definitely leans on the drier side, but it’s hard to find a burger that delivers more flavor per bite than this one. Each bite of this burger will fill your mouth with all sorts of smokey and salty flavors with the right amount of sour tang from the pickles to counterbalance it all. It’s remarkably harmonious even though it looks like a car accident.

Availability:

The Double Smoked Bacon Brisket Burger is a permanent menu item at all Smash Burger’s nationwide.

The Bottom Line:

For all the true meat maniacs out there. The Smoked Bacon Brisket Burger allows you to triple up on meat, and if you need more you can always make it a double.

Find your nearest Smash Burger here.

2. Popeyes — Megan Thee Stallion Hottie Chicken Sandwich

The Sandwich:

How do you improve upon perfection? Apparently, by calling Megan Thee Stallion. I’m not sure how involved Megan actually is in the creation of this new iteration of Popeyes’ deservedly beloved chicken sandwich — they approved her as a franchise restaurant owner at the very least — and honestly, I don’t really care because it tastes so damn delicious.

This sandwich differs from Popeyes OG by smothering it in Megan’s Hottie Sauce, which gives it a sort of sweet and sour flavor. The sauce is made from aged cayenne pepper, sugar, and honey and helps to further elevate the subtly sweet notes of Popeyes’ sandwich.

Each bite will greet you with tangy sweetness and leave you with some lingering heat on the palate. It makes the sandwich a bit more decadent than it comes stock, but in the best way imaginable. This is definitely worth heading to Popeyes over ASAP.

Availability:

Available at all Popeyes restaurants nationwide while supplies last!

The Bottom Line:

Somehow better than Popeyes already amazing internet-breaking chicken sandwich.

Find your nearest Popeyes here.

1. Shake Shack Black Truffle Burger

The Sandwich:

As good as our number two selection on this list is — and it really is good, go order that now — if I think about the new fast food menu item I’ve come back to the most frequently this year, and the one I’ve enjoyed eating the most, I have to give that honor to Shake Shack’s super gourmet Black Truffle Burger. This sandwich truly delivers, you’ve got fast food’s best-tasting beef patty topped with a grip of fried shallots — which are superior to fried onions every day of the week — above perfectly melted gruyere cheese and an umami-flavor bomb of a sauce made from real organic black truffles, what more could you hope for?

The result is a journey of flavors and pleasing mouthfeels that taste greater than the sum of its parts (and I should know, I’ve eaten Shake Shack’s meat patty by itself) taking you through flavors of sweetness counterbalanced by salt, butter, and umami richness, with a crunchy mouthfeel to wrap it all together. It’s fast food at its finest.

Availability:

The Black Truffle Burger is available until January 10th at all Shake Shack restaurants nationwide.

The Bottom Line:

Shake Shack has always set itself apart from other fast-casual chains by bringing Michelin-quality ingredients to the world of fast food, but the Black Truffle Burger is the first menu item that truly delivers on that concept. It’s a must-order.

Find your nearest Shake Shack here.

The shorthanded Brooklyn Nets beat the Toronto Raptors in the Barclays Center on Tuesday night, 131-129. With a number of players either injured or in the league’s health and safety protocols, the Nets leaned heavily on Kevin Durant, who played all 48 minutes and had a monster night: 34 points on 12-for-29 shooting, 13 rebounds, 11 assists, and a block.

It was the latest in what has been an MVP-caliber campaign for Durant, and in the aftermath, it caught the attention of one of sports’ most highly-compensated takesmen, Skip Bayless. As he is wont to do, Bayless tweeted after the game, praising the man who he believes is “the best player on the planet” while simultaneously doing that thing where he calls out LeBron James.

Now, Bayless has made a career out of (among other things) trolling James despite the fact that James is basically universally viewed as one of the five or so greatest basketball players to ever live, so this is nothing unusual. But it did catch Durant’s attention, so he decided to quote tweet it with a very simple message.

Durant continues to be the NBA’s best poster. Anyway, congrats to the fine folks at Undisputed on the segment they will absolutely have about this tweet.