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John Konchar Absolutely Stuffed Anthony Davis On A Dunk Attempt

The Memphis Grizzlies came into Game 2 hoping to even their first round series with the Lakers, but would have to do so without the services of star guard Ja Morant, who was unable to go due to his hand injury suffered in Game 1.

With Morant out, the Grizzlies needed to lean on its depth more, as Tyus Jones would step into the starting lineup as the point guard with Desmond Bane likewise needing to shoulder a bigger creative load. It also meant more minutes for guys like Luke Kennard and John Konchar on the wings, as everyone in the rotation had to increase their minutes load to make up for Morant’s absence.

In the first half, all of those players stepped up in a big way, but Konchar delivered the most unexpected highlight of the group as he found himself as the last line of defense at the rim against Anthony Davis and blocked a dunk attempt clean, pinning it off the window, to the shock of just about everyone in the arena and watching at home.

Davis seems to not have the best control of the ball but, no matter, it’s still stunning to see Konchar (who is a tremendous athlete) getting him at the apex of a dunk attempt and pinning it clean.

Shortly after, Konchar would get Davis again, this time rotating down and catching Davis from behind.

Jaren Jackson Jr. is lucky Jitty only plays rotation minutes, because his DPOY credentials would apparently be in jeopardy if they unleashed Konchar as their roaming rim protector. Behind defensive gems like Konchar’s blocks and a tremendous half from Bane offensively, Memphis took a 59-44 lead into the halftime break, once again showing they’re much more than just a team that follows its star guard.

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Moneybagg Yo Inches Closer To A New Project With His Upcoming Single, ‘Motion God’

Moneybagg Yo has been newly revealed as Uproxx‘s April cover star, and he shed light on what can be expected from Hard To Love, his fifth studio album due out later this year.

“I’m more vulnerable on this project than I ever been because of what I went through in the last two years,” Moneybagg Yo said. “I experienced a lot and endured a lot. I went through a lot. So, this album is really personal, but I know the world is going to relate to it because of the stuff I’m saying, the subject matter, I know people going through what I went through across the globe.”

On Wednesday, April 19, the same day his Uproxx cover story dropped, Moneybagg Yo gave fans an even more tangible glimpse into what’s ahead by teasing “Motion God,” his single arriving this Friday, April 21.

“It’s time Hope Y’all Ready,” he captioned a teaser of the presumed “Motion God” video, accompanied by numerous flame emojis. “Album ?/?/23 [looking eyes emoji].”

Moneybagg Yo drops bars such as “in the air, I’m free as a bird” and “diamonds and tattoos cover my scars” in the clip.

“It’s the same process,” the Memphis rapper noted to Uproxx, speaking about his mindset toward music. “Ain’t nothing too much changed with the process. I had just had real personal life situations that threw me off and pushed me back during that time of making this album.”

The details will be in the music once Hard To Love arrives.

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Trump Wants To Weasel Out Of Appearing At The E. Jean Carroll Trial Because The Traffic Would Be Terrible

It was an historic event when Donald Trump appeared at his arraignment, marking the first time a U.S. president had ever been indicted on criminal charges. But it was only the beginning. The big guy has a mess of other legal woes, some of which would bring him back to the hometown that (mostly) hates him. He’s trying to skip out on appearing in one of his forthcoming trials, but it’s not because of the cool reception he’d receive. It’s because of traffic.

As per The New York Times, Joseph Tacopina, tbe guy’s attorney, has written to the judge lording over the trial for the lawsuit filed by E. Jean Carroll, asking that his client be able to play hooky. Tacopina said that while Trump “wishes to appear,” he argued that by not returning to the city where he was once a key player, Trump is actually doing it a solid. That is, he’d spare locals and tourists from the traffic jams, blocked streets, and other headaches that resulted in his last two NYC visits.

According to NYT:

“But Mr. Tacopina noted that when Trump appeared in the nearby Manhattan State Supreme Court for his recent arraignment on unrelated criminal charges, Franklin D. Roosevelt Drive was shut down for a significant period while Mr. Trump traveled to the courthouse. Streets within a three-block radius of the court were blocked off while he was there, and he was constantly accompanied by about a dozen Secret Service agents.”

Is this Trump being a kind and attentive soul, putting others before himself? Or is he just trying to weasel out of unflattering photo ops? Carroll’s lawyer, Roberta A. Kaplan, thought she knew the answer.

“The notion that Mr. Trump would not appear as some sort of favor to the City of New York — and that the jury should be instructed as much — taxes the credulity of the credulous,” Kaplan responded. She pointed out that Manhattan’s federal court has entertained any number of high profile cases, some even involving terrorism.

It’s not the first time Trump has tried to alter the trial. On Monday, the judge turned down a request to delay it by a month.

The case involves Carroll’s claim that Trump raped her in the dressing room of Manhattan’s Bergdorf Goodman department storie in the mid-‘90s. Trump has denied the accusation, infamously claiming that she was not his “type” — a crass line he contradicted last year during a deposition in which he confused a picture of Carroll at the time with his ex-wife Marla Maples. Carroll has also sued Trump for defamation, which is still in the pre-trial phase. This first trial is scheduled to start next Tuesday.

(Via NYT)

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A Whole Heap Of Newly Released Single Malt Whiskeys, Blind Tasted & Ranked

It’s a great time to be a single malt whiskey drinker. With the expansion of the American single malt industry and the non-stop pace of Scotch whisky, you really can find something for everyone (and that’s before you get to every other region making the stuff). Special cask finishes, cask strength offerings, classic sherry oak aging, old age statements, double cask finishes, peat monsters, unpeated delights, and everything else that you can think of are out there in one respect or another.

All of that makes choosing a great single malt on your next run to the liquor store a head-scratching prospect. There’s no fun in being puzzled about what to buy, so let me help you ease in and find a great single malt whiskey to add to your bar cart — by holding a big ‘ol blind taste test.

For this blind tasting, I pulled 20 pretty much brand new single malts from Scotland, the U.S., New Zealand, Canada, and Ireland from my shelf. My wife was kind enough to pour, number, and list them for me (for reference when I was done).

Our lineup today features the following bottles:

  • Pōkeno Discovery New Zealand Single Malt Whisky
  • Benriach Speyside Single Malt Whisky The Sixteen Triple Cask Matured
  • Scapa Single Malt Scotch Whisky Vintage Edition 19 Years Old
  • Lost Lantern Single Distillery Series Desert Dessert Whiskey Del Bac Arizona Single Malt
  • Lost Lantern Single Distillery Series Gentle Giant Balcones Distilling Texas Single Malt
  • Virginia Distillery Co. Scholar’s Craft American Single Malt Whiskey Coffee Cask
  • Balcones Cask Strength Fr.Oak Aged Texas Single Malt Whisky Single Barrel (S1B61)
  • Westward American Single Malt Whiskey Switchback Single Barrel (S1B17)
  • Macbeth Act One First Murderer Ledaig Single Malt Scotch Whisky Aged 18 Years
  • Westland Solum Edition 1 American Single Malt Whiskey
  • Lost Lantern Single Distillery Series Mega Mesquite Whiskey Del Bac Arizona Single Malt
  • Crown Royal Noble Collection Barley Edition
  • Wolves The Malted Barley Series Lot No. 1 California Single Malt Whiskey
  • Macbeth Act One Lady Macduff Linkwood Single Malt Scotch Whisky Aged 31 Years
  • Bushmills Aged 30 Years Single Malt Irish Whiskey
  • Stranahan’s Diamond Peak Colorado Single Malt Whiskey Extra Anejo Tequila Cask 2023
  • Kingsbarns Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky Doocot
  • Bruichladdich Port Charlotte Heavily Peated Islay Barley 2014 Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
  • Highland Park Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky
  • Arran Single Malt Scotch Whisky Barrel Reserve

Look there’s no method or battle here. This is simply about finding great single malt whiskey to buy. We have a long way to go, so let’s dive right in and find that whiskey!

Also Read: The Top 5 UPROXX Scotch Whisky Posts of The Last Six Months

Part 1: The Single Malt Whiskey Tasting

Single Malt Whiskey Spring 2023
Zach Johnston

Taste 1

Single Malt Whiskey Spring 2023
Zach Johnston

Tasting Notes:

Nose: The nose opens softly with a sense of Black Forest cake with a soft chocolate sponge cake countered by lightly spiced cherry compote with the faintest hint of dark orange and vanilla.

Palate: That creamy vanilla drives the palate toward an almost sour cherry with a hint of salt next to burnt orange and soft winter spices over honeyed malt.

Finish: The end is creamy and lush with a sense of dark chocolate sauce cut with white pepper, vanilla, and salt next to dark blood orange syrup dashed with sour cherry, clove, and star anise with a fleeting sense of caramel malts.

Initial Thoughts:

This is some delicious whisky. I know there are 19 more pours, but this one set the bar high very early.

Taste 2

Single Malt Whiskey Spring 2023
Zach Johnston

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Classic Speyside apple orchards with plenty of herbal honey mingles with fresh ginger and dried apricot on the nose.

Palate: That apple turns into spiced apple pie filling on the palate as the honey leans toward nuttiness with a touch of candied orange.

Finish: Honeyed malts with a twist of burnt orange dance with grassy spice and soft and creamy nutty chocolate.

Initial Thoughts:

This is pretty nice, albeit a little dry on the finish. It’s a nice pour though.

Taste 3

Single Malt Whiskey Spring 2023
Zach Johnston

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Tart yet stewed green apples swim in vanilla buttercream on the nose as apricot jam and marmalade mingle with soft winter spices, lemon cream, raisin bread, and a hint of oyster shell.

Palate: Pear orchards and apple hand pies drive the palate as more lemon cream folds into a coffee cake (with a lot of cinnamon and nutmeg) with a dollop of marmalade, thin lines of honey, and raw brown sugar cubes next to a fleeting hint of wood wax.

Finish: Rye crackers with salt and sesame dipped in honey arise on the finish with a soft sense of salted black licorice, more of that raisin bread, vanilla buttercream, and spicy apple butter.

Initial Thoughts:

I mean, f*ck, this is delicious. The bar was just set higher with this beautiful scotch (there’s no doubt in my mind this is from Scotland).

Taste 4

Single Malt Whiskey Spring 2023
Zach Johnston

Tasting Notes:

Nose: This almost creams Texas barbecue on the nose (it’s like walking into the Meat Church or Snow’s) with a supporting network of burnt orange, dried apricot, and honey-dipped sultanas.

Palate: The dried fruit gets leathery and sweet on the palate as the black pepper and smoked BBQ fattiness drives the taste toward candied orange and apricot jam over a pecan scone.

Finish: The smokiness stays peppery and fatty on the finish with a nice hint of orchard wood, soft spice, and caramel malt.

Initial Thoughts:

This was really tasty but a little overwhelmed by that fatty smoke. That’s not a bad thing if you’re in the backyard next to a smoker full of brisket and ribs though.

Taste 5

Single Malt Whiskey Spring 2023
Zach Johnston

Tasting Notes:

Nose: This opens with Granny Smith apple skins over winter spice barks dipped in floral honey and dried next to orange wheels and Graham Crackers.

Palate: The orchard-iness drives the palate with a sense of soft salted toffee cut with vanilla oils and dipped in dark chocolate orange sauce.

Finish: Orchard woods and soft malts round out the finish with a hint of honeyed toffee and spiced apple fritter.

Initial Thoughts:

This was pretty nice overall. It was light and very soft, which was kind of inviting by the end.

Taste 6

Single Malt Whiskey Spring 2023
Zach Johnston

Tasting Notes:

Nose: The nose opens with a creamy bourbon buttercream with deep vanilla next to sour yet creamy espresso bitterness countered by cinnamon-spiced dark chocolate

Palate: Soft mocha lattes drive the taste toward sharp winter spices — clove, allspice, and nutmeg dominate — next to salted dark chocolate and a hint of malted biscuit dipped in vanilla syrup.

Finish: The end leans into the espresso bitterness with a nice note of dark chocolate and cinnamon gingersnaps.

Initial Thoughts:

This is a tasty sip that feels very American with a sense of coffee, bourbon, and vanilla cream. None of that is a bad thing — it’s just very niche.

Taste 7

Single Malt Whiskey Spring 2023
Zach Johnston

Tasting Notes:

Nose: This runs deep on the nose with dates, prunes, and leathery figs next to cinnamon bark, clove buds, and burnt sugar over burnt orange with a hint of dark chocolate espresso — kind of like an affogato with a scoop of rich dark chocolate gelato instead of vanilla.

Palate: The fig and chocolate combine on the palate to create a lush balance of rummy mincemeat pie, clove-stuffed blood orange, and a touch of old cedar humidor with a hint of sticky toffee pudding tobacco still lingering.

Finish: That sweet and chewy tobacco drives the finish toward soft cedar bark weaved with old wild sage, figs, and vanilla bean husks.

Initial Thoughts:

This is another winner. It’s clearly an American single malt thanks to the very deep amber color and dark and stormy sweet vibe. Still, this is a really tasty whisky.

Taste 8

Single Malt Whiskey Spring 2023
Zach Johnston

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Crafty notes of orange and grapefruit mingle with sweet porridge maltiness with a dollop of honey and vanilla cream on the nose.

Palate: Botanical winter spices mix with dark orange and honeyed malt with a touch of vanilla over rum-raisin, soft dates, and a sense of fresh gingerbread dipped in honey.

Finish: There’s a moment of almost ale dankness on the finish with a sense of orange malted cookies, dried fruit preserved in honey, and soft dried sweet flowers rolled with lightly orchard-esque tobacco.

Initial Thoughts:

This is pretty damn good juice. It feels like something out of the Northwest with that touch of craftiness on the nose (and the craft beer dankness, honestly), but it goes so far beyond that into a really deep and tasty whiskey.

Taste 9

Single Malt Whiskey Spring 2023
Zach Johnston

Tasting Notes:

Nose: The nose on this one feels like fresh olive oil and balsamic dusted with white pepper and salt next to Ace bandages, burnt wild sage, and fatty smoked pork wrapped in nori.

Palate: Oyster liqueur and white pepper drive the taste toward lemon marmalade, sourdough crusts, more nori, and a sense of old brick whisky barrel warehouses by the sea.

Finish: That briny seaside vibe mixed with what I want to call an aspirin pill next to a soft oyster shell, salted butter, gently smoked pork fat with sage, rosemary, and pepper, and a fleeting sense of smoldering fruit orchards in the late fall.

Initial Thoughts:

Woah! This is a great peated malt. The nose is wild!

Taste 10

Single Malt Whiskey Spring 2023
Zach Johnston

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Apple and strawberry pie drives the nose with a nice dose of soft and sweet cinnamon powder and a touch of tart rhubarb, smoldering cedar, and burning apple tobacco.

Palate: The taste leans into the herbal vibes with chamomile, wild sage, and a touch of white flower next to rye bread crusts, vanilla cream, and pound cake with poppy seeds.

Finish: The rye bread goes full pumpernickel on the finish with a hint of sourness next to creamy maltiness and floral honey.

Initial Thoughts:

This, again, was pretty freaking good. It had a little bit of a short end, but that doesn’t take away from the overall experience that much.

Taste 11

Single Malt Whiskey Spring 2023
Zach Johnston

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Classic BBQ smoke and fat mingles with burnt sugars and savoriness over dark orange and winter spice.

Palate: The richness of the palate is built with soft vanilla, smoked BBQ fats, dark pepper, and a soft sense of orange creaminess.

Finish: The end fades pretty quickly through smoked meats, sweet burnt sugars, and soft wintry orange spice.

Initial Thoughts:

This was pretty fine overall. It got a little muddled but was still an easy sip.

Taste 12

Single Malt Whiskey Spring 2023
Zach Johnston

Tasting Notes:

Nose: There’s a nice sense of apple fritter drizzled with creamy vanilla powdered sugar icing next to dark red berries and candied citrus peels on the nose.

Palate: The taste leans into more of that stewed apple with a winter spice edge and a nod to vanilla buttercream with a woody orange tobacco vibe.

Finish: The end leans into the woody tobacco with a soft citrus and berry vibe next to orchard fruit and apple pies.

Initial Thoughts:

This was pretty nice overall. It wasn’t overly wrought, which was nice, and had a nice balance. Still, this faded pretty fast from my palate and memory.

Taste 13

Single Malt Whiskey Spring 2023
Zach Johnston

Tasting Notes:

Nose: White pepper and dried red berries mix with a sense of butterscotch, floral honey, and winter spiced vanilla cookies.

Palate: Those dark dried berries drive the palate toward soft pound cake iced with vanilla sauce and butterscotch over a hint of sweet oak.

Finish: Sharp winter spice barks and burnt orange mingles with a hint of nutshells on the finish.

Initial Thoughts:

This was a tad dry, but fine overall. Again, this didn’t really stick with me.

Taste 14

Single Malt Whiskey Spring 2023
Zach Johnston

Tasting Notes:

Nose: The nose opens with a beautiful sense of ripe apricot (fresh from vine clarity) with creamy lemon curd, fresh spearmint, lavender lemonade, soft saddle soap, buttery brioche, and … I swear … freshly washed sheets hanging out on a line on a sunny day.

Palate: Fresh pears and sweet apples counter the apricot on the palate as buttery scones just touched with rose water smeared with vanilla brandy butter with a light toward of floral honey and very dry champagne.

Finish: The pear layers into the champagne while the floral honey creates a luxurious mouthfeel next to soft moments of winter spice barks, marmalade, apricot leather, and creamy salted buttercream just kissed with vanilla and summer flowers.

Initial Thoughts:

Well, this is going to win. Whatever it is (I’m guessing scotch), it’s amazing. Seriously, folks, this is a show-stopper.

Taste 15

Single Malt Whiskey Spring 2023
Zach Johnston

Tasting Notes:

Nose: There’s a mix of mincemeat pie and sticky toffee pudding on the nose with salted toffee sauce, rich buttercream, and leathery dried fruit countered by soft and powdery dark winter spices.

Palate: The lushness is amazingly silky with fresh figs, black-tea-soaked dates, and rum-soaked raisins with burnt orange, old vanilla pods, and poppy seed dessert rolls with brown sugar syrup icing.

Finish: The dried and dark fruits get leathery as the toffee sweetens with a touch of old oak stave and cellar floor dirt lurking in the background of the finish.

Initial Thoughts:

Another show-stopper! This is a little darker with a depth that just doesn’t end. So good.

Taste 16

Single Malt Whiskey Spring 2023
Zach Johnston

Tasting Notes:

Nose: This pops with a deep pink peppercorn next to floral honey (think wildflowers and mountain sage) next to soft salted toffee rolled in roasted almond and dipped in lush vanilla caramel.

Palate: That wild sage and lush toffee drive the palate toward a sense of old cedar planks, deep and dark berry leather, and a lush sense of vanilla over salted caramel and marzipan.

Finish: That creamy and lush vibe drives the end with more salted caramel, marzipan, and vanilla cream with a hint of honey-soaked dates and salted cinnamon candies with a whisper of rose-hued tobacco.

Initial Thoughts:

This is really balanced, deep, and kind of fun. I dig this a lot. It’s not as transcendent as previous pours, but it’s pretty damn close.

Taste 17

Single Malt Whiskey Spring 2023
Zach Johnston

Tasting Notes:

Nose: The light nose opens with a sense of banana bread, pineapple skins, and floral honey with a moment of wet brown sugar and pancake batter.

Palate: That pineapple gets sweet on the palate with a sense of winter spice and dark red berries dipped in vanilla-chocolate sauce.

Finish: The fruitiness builds at the end toward more pineapple, mango skins, and kiwi while the spice leans into some soft wood.

Initial Thoughts:

This was fine. It’s very light and wasn’t very memorable.

Taste 18

Single Malt Whiskey Spring 2023
Zach Johnston

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Old pear and apple orchards mingle with singed vanilla pods, salted toffee, rum-raisin, and grapefruit pith next to smoked peach and melon over cinnamon bark dipped in seawater.

Palate: That grapefruit leads to burnt orange with a deep smoked plum, cherry, and apple vibe next to grilled peaches, toasted coconut, and burning wild sage with a slight sense of moist marzipan and apricot tobacco.

Finish: Apricot jamminess and chewy malty spice drive the finish toward smoldering coals in a barbecue and a bit more of that smudging sage.

Initial Thoughts:

Another masterpiece! This is a peat monster that turns out to have a heart of gold. This runs so deep and delicious that the heavy peat is almost forgotten (until it’s not).

Taste 19

Single Malt Whiskey Spring 2023
Zach Johnston

Tasting Notes:

Nose: There’s a light sense of wildflowers on the nose with a rich vanilla husk that leads towards a touch of peaty-smoldering nori, soft vanilla cakes, and a rich and vibrant caramel.

Palate: The taste is silken with rich and buttery toffee next to honeysuckle, eggnog spices and creaminess, and a small dose of orange zest with a supporting act of salted caramel, apple pie tobacco, and a whisper of pine dank.

Finish: The end holds onto the creaminess and spices as the peat just edges in with a whisper of resinous pine smoke, soft caramels, and dark chocolate pie sprinkled with dried berries, pears, and citrus rinds.

Initial Thoughts:

This is so good. It’s lush and deep and feels truly comforting.

Taste 20

Single Malt Whiskey Spring 2023
Zach Johnston

Tasting Notes:

Nose: This has a nose full of ripe apples and pears with stems and cores alongside soft and damp cedar and chewy vanilla-laced toffee.

Palate: The palate counters with grapefruit pith, silken vanilla cream, and apple butter brimming with dark spice.

Finish: The finish comes about with a singed cedar bark feel next to soft powdery spices, orange oils, and a very light vanilla ice cream scoop.

Initial Thoughts:

This was okay. I think it would have had a bigger impression but this panel of whiskey pours got insane and this kind of got lost in the mix.

Part 2: The Single Malt Whiskey Ranking

Single Malt Whiskey Spring 2023
Zach Johnston

20. Wolves The Malted Barley Series Lot No. 1 California Single Malt Whiskey — Taste 13

Wolves
Wolves

ABV: 55%

Average Price: $289

The Whiskey:

This American single malt is hewn from 2-row pale malted barley that was fermented with California ale yeast (very crafty). The hot juice rested in American oak barrels with six different char levels for seven years. The final batch was pulled from 12 barrels, batched, proofed, and bottled as-is.

Bottom Line:

This was very much “fine” as mentioned above. There are no faults at all. It’s well made. It just didn’t grab my attention today. I need to try it again.

19. Kingsbarns Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky Doocot — Taste 17

Kingsbarns Doocot
Kingsbarns

ABV: 46%

Average Price: $44

The Whisky:

This whisky is from a new(ish) Lowland distillery in Scotland (the region with the least amount of distilleries). The whisky in the bottle is a single malt that was aged in ex-bourbon and ex-red wine barriques (a slightly bigger barrel by a few gallons). Those barrels were vatted and proofed with Lowland water before bottling.

Bottom Line:

Again, this was “fine” but just didn’t grab my attention. This feels like a perfectly good cocktail/highball whisky.

18. Arran Single Malt Scotch Whisky Barrel Reserve — Taste 20

Arran Barrel Reserve
Isle of Arran Distillers Ltd.

ABV: 43%

Average Price: $58

The Whisky:

This Island’s whisky is all about reaching over the pond. The 100% unpeated malted barley juice is aged exclusively in ex-bourbon barrels (for an undisclosed amount of time) before it’s vatted, proofed, and bottled as-is to highlight that barrel.

Bottom Line:

This was nice but a little thin overall. I’d recommend using it for cocktails (especially as a lighter bourbon replacement).

17. Lost Lantern Single Distillery Series Mega Mesquite Whiskey Del Bac Arizona Single Malt — Taste 11

Lost Lantern Mega Mesquite
Lost Lantern

ABV: 60%

Average Price: $100

The Whisky:

This Arizona malt is made from a mash (recipe) of 60% malted barley and 40% mesquite-smoked malted barley — mesquite smoke basically being the Southwest’s answer to peat. The whiskey was left to age in 15-gallon barrels (the average barrel size is 53 gallons) with a good char and a touch of toasting. Three barrels were then chosen for this cask-strength bottling.

Bottom Line:

Only 180 bottles were made. That’s rare. Overall, this is a unique whiskey that’s worth trying. I wouldn’t go out of my way to track it down though. Still, I would gladly enjoy this if it was handed to me.

16. Lost Lantern Single Distillery Series Gentle Giant Balcones Distilling Texas Single Malt — Taste 5

Lost Lantern Gentle Giant
Lost Lantern

ABV: 57.6%

Average Price: $100

The Whisky:

This rare blend from Balcones via Lost Lantern is a batch of five-and-a-half super rare casks. The batch is made from single malts aged in a four-year-old double cask apple brandy cask, a three-year-old large European cask that dried outside for three years, another one of those casks but just a little older, a four-year-old ex-bourbon cask, and a half-full European oak cask that was exactly three years and 56 days old when it was dumped. All of that whisky was vatted and bottled as-is.

Bottom Line:

1,100 bottles came from those barrels. Overall, this was nice but very middle of the road. It didn’t jump out but it was well-made.

15. Westland Solum Edition 1 American Single Malt Whiskey — Taste 10

Westland Solum
Westland

ABV: 50%

Average Price: $183

The Whisky:

This special release from awards and industry darling Westland is made from a small batch of barrels. The whiskey — made from Skagit Valley Malting peated malt — is built from Two new American oak barrels blended with a first-fill ex-bourbon cask. The barrels were 41 months old when they went into the bottle with a hint of local water.

Bottom Line:

Only 4,044 bottles of this was made. Rarity aside, this is a nice whisky overall. If you’re looking for an easy sipping experience with good depth, this is a solid choice.

14. Lost Lantern Single Distillery Series Desert Dessert Whiskey Del Bac Arizona Single Malt — Taste 4

Lost Lantern Desert Dessert
Lost Lantern

ABV: 56.9%

Average Price: $100

The Whisky:

This Arizona whiskey is a winner on the awards circuit. The mash is made from 60% malted barley and 40% mesquite-smoked malted barley. The whiskey in the bottle is a blend of three 15-gallon barrels. Two of those barrels were finished in ex-Sauternes and Ex-Pineau des Charentes casks before the final blend was made and bottled as-is.

Bottom Line:

This was nice and sweet with a good smokiness that was never overpowering. Overall, if you’re looking for distinctly American smoked whiskey, this a good grab.

13. Benriach Speyside Single Malt Whisky The Sixteen Triple Cask Matured — Taste 2

Benriach The Sixteen
Brown-Forman

ABV: 43%

Average Price: $132

The Whisky:

This new Benriach is all about the barrel blend. The 16-year-old single malt was aged in ex-bourbon, ex-sherry, and new oak casks. Those barrels were vatted, proofed with local water, and bottled.

Bottom Line:

This is another one that’s just nice. If you’re looking for a good, easy, dependable sipping whisky, then this is a solid buy. It’s not going to blow your socks off but it’ll get the job done.

12. Virginia Distillery Co. Scholar’s Craft American Single Malt Whiskey Coffee Cask — Taste 6

Virginia Distillery Co. Scholar's Craft
Virginia Distillery Co.

ABV: 46%

Average Price: $69

Whisky:

This brand-new release from American single malt titan, Virginia Distillery Co., is more than just a coffee-finished whisky. The actual whisky in the bottle is a 100% malted barley whisky that’s aged in ex-bourbon casks. Those barrels are vatted and then re-barreled into ethically sourced, small-batch coffee barrels for a short final maturation.

The ripple here is that 100% of the proceeds from the sales of this whisky will go to support the newly endowed Angela H. Moore Women In Distilling Scholarship at Appalachian State University. The $100,000 endowment is from a women-owned and operated distillery to help bring more women into the industry, which makes this a must-buy on that merit alone.

Bottom Line:

This was well-built but leaned pretty heavily into the coffee vibes. To be clear, it does that well. That said, I’d only get this if I was looking for a coffee-forward whisky to make a killer whisky espresso martini.

11. Crown Royal Noble Collection Barley Edition — Taste 12

Crown Royal Barley Edition
Diageo

ABV: 45%

Average Price: $99

The Whisky:

The seventh and final limited release of the Noble Collection is 100% malted barley whisky. The Canadian malt rested for five years before it was batched, proofed, and blended for this rare Crown Royal release.

Bottom Line:

This was edging toward really good. Overall, I’d definitely use this for cocktails and on the rocks sipping. It’s not essential or life-changing but it’s perfectly good stuff.

10. Westward American Single Malt Whiskey Switchback Single Barrel (S1B17) — Taste 8

Westward Switchback Single Malt
ReserveBar

ABV: 59.525%

Average Price: $139

The Whisky:

This 100% malted barley whiskey from Portland is a single release from ReserveBar with a twist. The original four-year-old Westward barrel was re-barreled and rested in an Aviation Old Tom Gin barrel for one year and then spent 10 months resting in a Breakside Brewery IPA barrel, and aged again in a Westward barrel.

Bottom Line:

There’s a lot going on with this one and it all somehow works. This is a really good single malt. If you’re looking for something both unique and delicious from the American single malt scene, then this is a must-try.

9. Macbeth Act One First Murderer Ledaig Single Malt Scotch Whisky Aged 18 Years — Taste 9

Macbeth Ledaig
Elixir Distillers

ABV: 50.5%

Average Price: $237

The Whisky:

Ledaig — a tiny distillery on the tiny Isle of Mull — makes some serious whisky nerd whiskies. This special bottling from an independent bottler is an 18-year-old peated malt that was aged right on the sea. Then Elixir snagged the barrels, vatted them, bottled them, and added the Macbeth-inspired artwork.

Bottom Line:

There are only 2,100 bottles of this stuff. Overall, this is excellent. Every whisky from here on out is superb. Go back and read the tasting notes. If this appeals to you, buy two. It’s that good.

8. Balcones Cask Strength Fr.Oak Aged Texas Single Malt Whisky Single Barrel (S1B61) — Taste 7

Balcones Fr.Oak Texas Single Malt
Balcones

ABV: 67.8%

Average Price: $88

The Whisky:

This is one of only a few barrels of Balcones’ famed Fr.Oak barrels left. This particular barrel was chosen by ReserveBar at five years and nine months old. That barrel was bottled as-is at cask strength.

Bottom Line:

Freaking delicious. This is so deep and dark and funky and fun. And since these are going to be extinct soon, now is the time to add one or two to your collection.

7. Pōkeno Discovery New Zealand Single Malt Whisky — Taste 1

Pōkeno Discovery
Pōkeno

ABV: 43%

Average Price: $121

The Whisky:

This Maori malt was rested in a trio of barrels. First-fill ex-bourbon, Olorosso, and Pedro Ximenez sherry casks were used. Those casks were vatted and the whisky was just touched with water for bottling.

Bottom Line:

This is creamy and delicious. New Zealand is really cracking through the single malt game right now and this is a shining example of how good the Maori malt can be. Get some. Drink it. You’ll see.

6. Stranahan’s Diamond Peak Colorado Single Malt Whiskey Extra Anejo Tequila Cask 2023 — Taste 16

Stranahan's Diamond Peak
Proximo Spirits

ABV: 45%

Average Price: $78

The Whisky:

The second Diamond Peak release of 2023 is a 100% Colorado malt. The whiskey barrels were five to eight years old (all new American oak) that was batched and re-barrelled into Jose Cuervo’s Reserva de la Familia Extra Añejo Tequila for two more years of resting. Finally, those barrels were batched, proofed, and bottled.

Bottom Line:

This was a “wow” for me. It was delicate yet deep AF. You really cannot go wrong if you’re looking for an easy sipper that takes you on a long malted journey.

5. Highland Park Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky — Taste 19

The Edrington Group

ABV: 63.3%

Average Price: $86

The Whisky:

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

Bottom Line:

The dark and leathery berries (sherry) shine through so well with this. It’s just delectable from top to bottom. If you’re looking for a dark and deep malt with a hint of smoke (barely) and a good kick, this is the bottle for you.

4. Bruichladdich Port Charlotte Heavily Peated Islay Barley 2014 Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky — Taste 18

Bruichladdich Port Charlotte Heavily Peated Islay Barley 2014
Rémy Cointreau

ABV: 50%

Average Price: $99

The Whisky:

This brand-new release from Bruichladdich is all about Islay and local malt. The mash bill (recipe) is hewn from 100% Islay Concerto and Propino barley malts (grown in 2013) that are heavily peated. In 2014, the whisky was made and filled into a first-fill bourbon cask (84% of the final blend), second-fill new oak (8% of the final blend), and second-fill Bordeaux wine casks (8% of the final blend). After seven years, those barrels were vatted and just proofed with local water for bottling.

Bottom Line:

This is just f*cking excellent. The balance of smoky fat and deep dark fruit and malt is brilliant. That said, this is for the peat acolytes. If you’re peat curious, this might be a bit much.

3. Bushmills Aged 30 Years Single Malt Irish Whiskey — Taste 15

Bushmills 30yo Irish Single Malt
Proximo Spirits

ABV: 46%

Average Price: $1,899

The Whiskey:

This is a serious whiskey from Bushmills. The Irish single malt rests in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks for 14 years. Those barrels are batched and then re-filled into first-fill Pedro Ximénez sherry casks for another 16 years of slow aging. Finally, that whiskey is proofed down and bottled as-is.

Bottom Line:

Again, amazing. The only reason this is third instead of first is that there are more amazing whiskies on this list somehow.

All of that aside, if you’re looking for one of the best Irish whiskeys of our time, this is it.

2. Scapa Single Malt Scotch Whisky Vintage Edition 19 Years Old — Taste 3

Scapa 2003
The Whisky Exchange

ABV: 56.7%

Average Price: $234

The Whisky:

This special edition of Scapa was bottled exclusively for The Whisky Exchange. The whisky was distilled back in 2003 and bottled in August 2022. During the 19 years between those dates, the whisky rested in first-fill American oak barrels before bottling 100% as-is at cask strength.

Bottom Line:

I want this as my house pour. It’s so nuanced and inviting and embracing. I kind of swoon over this one. The only reason it’s not first is that it wasn’t as shocking as the next entry.

1. Macbeth Act One Lady Macduff Linkwood Single Malt Scotch Whisky Aged 31 Years — Taste 14

Macbeth Linkwood 31 Year
Elixir Distillers

ABV: 48.2%

Average Price: $792

The Whisky:

This whisky is from a super whisky nerd distillery, Linkwood. If you know, you know. The whisky in the bottle was chosen by Elixir for its Macbeth lineup this year. The whisky is hewn from four ex-bourbon barrels that held the malt for at least 31 years (it’s a small miracle that any survived). Those barrels were vatted and bottled as-is.

Bottom Line:

There are only 650 bottles of this. If you can, buy two. It’s not only that good, it’s damn-near “a once-in-a-lifetime whisky” good.

Part 3: Final Thoughts On The Single Malt Whiskeys

Single Malt Whiskey Spring 2023
Zach Johnston

Brasstacks, the top 10 on this list are all great whiskeys. Hell, the bottom 10 are all good too. But, look, numbers 10 through four are great. Two and three are transcendent. Number one? That just might be the whisky of the year right there. That whisky is a show-stopper, stand up and shout, slap your knee in delight, “praise the gods!”-good.

It’s all that I can think about. Seriously, right now — whenever you read this — I’m thinking about it.

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Mike Brown Is The NBA’s First Unanimous Coach Of The Year

For the second time in his career, Mike Brown has earned the NBA’s Coach of the Year honors.

In his first season in Sacramento, Brown led the Kings to the 3-seed in the West, snapping the league’s longest playoff drought in the process. Sacramento went 48-34 under Brown and transformed into the league’s top offense, as he tapped into the full potential of the De’Aaron Fox-Domantas Sabonis pairing by pushing them to play at a lightning quick pace.

Brown likewise won Coach of the Year in 2009 when he was at the helm of the Cleveland Cavaliers, but the 2023 honor came with an historic distinction, as he is the first coach to win the award in unanimous fashion, earning all 100 first place votes from the media panel that votes on the award.

COY voting
NBA

Mark Daigneault earned 48 second place votes for his work getting Oklahoma City to the Play-In this year in the West, while Joe Mazzulla, J.B. Bickerstaff, Michael Malone, Mike Budenholzer, Jacque Vaughn, Tom Thibodeau, Will Hardy, Taylor Jenkins, and Darvin Ham all garnered second place votes as well. Still, there was little doubt this season who would be the Coach of the Year, and Brown’s work was also recognized by his peers, as last week he was also given the NBA Coaches Association’s COY honor as well.

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Will Coachella Weekend 2 Be Livestreamed?

The first weekend of Coachella 2023 produced plenty of buzz. History was made by the likes of Bad Bunny, Blackpink, and even Jai Paul. Billie Eilish and The Weeknd were two of many notable surprise guests. Fans who weren’t able to flock to the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California could livestream it for the first time via feeds across Coachella’s YouTube channel — for free! — except for Frank Ocean’s headlining set on Sunday, April 16.

Ocean will not return to headline on Sunday, April 23, for Coachella’s second weekend because he suffered “two fractures and a sprain in his left leg” in a bicycle accident days before last weekend’s set, as reported by Variety on Wednesday, April 19.

But Weekend 2 will go on, with Blink-182 in Ocean’s headlining spot. Bad Bunny and Blackpink will repeat their respective headlining sets. And at-home fans will be able to livestream again.

As noted by Rolling Stone, “YouTube has set up six different livestream channels for the two weekends, which will all stream different artists at the same time, just like you’re really there at Empire Polo Club in Indio, California.”

The YouTube description of the official teaser for Coachella’s inaugural livestream promises “an unmissable digital Coachella experience including live chat, in-stream shopping, and exclusive Shorts content from your favorite artists and creators.”

You can also set reminders for the separate livestreams dedicated to the Coachella Stage, Outdoor Theatre, Sahara, Mojave, Gobi, and Yuma.

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The Washington Wizards Have Fired GM Tommy Sheppard

After 20 years in the Washington Wizards front office, general manager and team president Tommy Sheppard has been “relieved of his duties” by the franchise.

Sheppard joined the Wizards as the vice president of basketball operations under Ernie Grunfeld before taking over GM duties after Grunfeld’s firing in 2019 and being given an extension and the team president title in 2021. The Wizards have never been able to elevate themselves beyond the middle of the Eastern Conference during Sheppard’s tenure and have not finished a regular season above .500 since the 2017-18 season, making one playoff trip since then (a first round exit in 2021).

For years, the Wizards have chosen to retool rather than rebuild in spite of their general mediocrity. Bradley Beal is on a new supermax extension, which includes a no-trade clause, as they’ve chosen to keep Beal as the centerpiece and try to build around the former No. 3 overall pick. To this point, that hasn’t yielded the results hoped for and, coupled with not hitting on late lottery draft picks, the Wizards find themselves in one of the worst spots to be in as a franchise: stuck in the middle with little hope of moving up.

The question is, given the official statement cited the failure to reach the playoffs the past two seasons as the reason for Sheppard’s firing, will the Wizards be willing to go along with a larger rebuild to try and get there? Washington has never seemed keen on a full on teardown to try and build around a completely new core, but how much of that was Sheppard and how much was Ted Leonsis remains to be seen. We’ll find that out with who they hire and how they proceed, but this summer could get very interesting given some of the players on their roster other teams could have interest in.

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The Best American Craft Saisons And Farmhouse Ales, Ranked

When talking about craft beer, most drinkers lump Saisons and farmhouse ales together in one group. In fact, the phrase “farmhouse ale” has come to be used for Saisons, Biere de Garde, and other yeasty, funky, earthy beers by American craft brewers as a catchall. And while not every farmhouse ale is technically a Saison, in American brewing terms all Saisons do fit under the farmhouse ale umbrella.

Technicalities aside, the two terms make up a very exciting category of the American craft brewing scene. The brews are often described as effervescent or barnyard-y or even grassy… but, y’know, in an enjoyable way. To introduce you to a few gems that fit with the season, we’re ranking eight of the best American entries into the Saison/farmhouse ale style. Of course, nobody would ever blame you for grabbing a Saison Dupont or another well-known European beer — but today we want to give the States some props.

8) Great Divide Colette

Great Divide Colette
Great Divide

ABV: 6.5%

Average Price: $12 for a six-pack

The Beer:

Denver’s Great Divide made Colette to pay tribute to the Saisons imbibed on Belgian farms for as long as anyone can remember. Made with four yeast strains, barley, wheat, and rice, it’s known for its fruity, yeasty, funky flavor profile.

Tasting Notes:

Funky, yeasty, citrus peels, almost barnyard aromas greet you before your first sip. The palate is all bready malts, funky yeast, more barnyard notes, fruit esters, orange peels, and a tart, dry finish. Overall fairly pleasing if not a little muted.

Bottom Line:

This is a simple, crushable take on the farmhouse style. You won’t be disappointed you cracked one open, but you also won’t be gloating to your friends about this one.

7) Boulevard Tank 7

Boulevard Tank 7
Boulevard

ABV: 8.5%

Average Price: $14 for a four-pack of 16-ounce cans

The Beer:

Higher in alcohol content than many of the other beers on this list, Boulevard’s Tank 7 is a Belgian-style Saison with classic yeasty, fruity flavors as well as a kick from American hops. It’s a farmhouse ale to bridge the gap between old world and new.

Tasting Notes:

A nose of yeasty funk greets you before aromas of dried fruits, fruit esters, and just a hint of floral hops. The taste continues this trend with more funky yeast, banana peels, clove, fruit esters, and a hit of floral, earthy hops at the finish.

Bottom Line:

Tank 7 is a great take on the Belgian-style Saison. Its only downfall is its high alcohol content and the fact that its hoppy nature might turn off more traditional Saison drinkers.

6) Jolly Pumpkin Bam Biere

Jolly Pumpkin Bam Biere
Jolly Pumpkin

ABV: 4.5%

Average Price: $10 for a 750ml bottle

The Beer:

Name after (and the can is adorned with an image of) Bam the brewery dog, Bam Biere is a farmhouse ale brewed with Cascade and Crystal hops as well as Pilsner malt, Pale malt, wheat malt, Black malt, flaked barley, and Crystal 75 malts. It gets added flavor from spending two months in oak.

Tasting Notes:

As expected, the nose is very earthy, yeasty, and funky with notes of grass, Belgian yeast, citrus peels, and spices. Drinking it reveals funky, yeasty flavors like orange peels, fruit esters, grapefruit, tart apple, and a dry, lightly sour, crisp finish.

Bottom Line:

Another great example of an American brewery making a classic, highly drinkable Saison. It’s a little higher in the tart and sour factor for some novices though.

5) Goose Island Sofie

Goose Island Sofie
Goose Island

ABV: 6.5%

Average Price: $13 for a six-pack

The Beer:

This popular beer from Goose Island is kind of like a sparkling wine meets a Belgian-style farmhouse ale. Brewed with 2-row malts, Pilsen malts, wheat, and Amarillo hops, it’s barrel-aged with orange peel to create a tart, citrus, funky experience you won’t soon forget.

Tasting Notes:

Yeast, biscuit-like malts, fruit ester, honey, lemongrass, sweet wheat, and just a hint of cracked black pepper give this beer a very inviting nose. The palate is funkier with more of a Belgian yeast character with honey, herbal tea, fruit esters, cloves, and more gentle spices.

Bottom Line:

This is a very unique take on the style. It’s surprisingly effervescent and so filled with flavors it will take a few pints to find them all.

4) Brewery Ommegang Hennepin

Brewery Ommegang Hennepin
Brewery Ommegang

ABV: 7.7%

Average Price: $12 for a four-pack

The Beer:

This year-round favorite from the iconic Brewery Ommegang is brewed with Pilsner malt, flaked corn, and ale yeast. It gets its floral kick from the addition of Styrian Golding and Spalter Select hops. It’s bottle conditioned with orange peel, coriander, ginger, and grains of paradise to create a truly special beer.

Tasting Notes:

The nose is classic Belgian-style Saison a ton of funky yeast up front along with bananas, cloves, citrus peels, and white pepper. The palate continues this positive trend with cracker malts, more Belgian yeast, honey, fruit esters, candied orange peels, orchard fruits, and a hit of peppery spice at the end.

Bottom Line:

You shouldn’t expect anything less from Ommegang, but you’d have a hard time finding a more authentic-tasting Saison from an American brewer than Hennepin.

3) Off Color Apex Predator

Off Color Apex Predator
Off Color

ABV: 6.5%

Average Price: $10 for a four-pack of 16-ounce cans

The Beer:

This year-round, Belgian-style farmhouse ale from the folks at Off Color is brewed with Pils malts and flaked wheat, Crystal and Sterling hops, and is fermented with a “secret” free-rise technique that involves fermenting with Belgian yeast as well as dry-hopping. The result is a fruity, citrus-filled, yeasty banger of a beer.

Tasting Notes:

This nose is surprisingly fruity with a ton of Belgian yeast as well. There’s also a ton of barnyard-like grass, orange peels, and cracked black pepper. On the palate, you’ll find notes of cracker-like malts, honey, fruit esters, funky yeast, orange zest, lemon peels, honey, and a dry, crisp, lightly spicy finish.

Bottom Line:

To say this beer is complex and balanced is a massive understatement. This is so funky, fruity, and flavorful, you’ll want to stock this one in your fridge all spring and summer long.

2) New Glarus Spotted Cow

New Glarus Spotted Cow
New Glarus

ABV: 4.8%

Average Price: $8 for a six-pack

The Beer:

There are very few farmhouse ales as well-known as New Glarus Spotted Cow. This Wisconsin farmhouse ale is brewed using American malts. It’s cask conditioned and naturally unfiltered and cloudy. It’s known for its yeasty, fruity flavor and countless fans.

Tasting Notes:

The nose is very reminiscent of a classic wheat beer. There’s a ton of yeasty bready, wheat, fruity aromas, and lightly earthy, herbal, floral notes. The palate continues this with more bready malts, yeast, sweet wheat, fruit esters, cereal grains, light citrus, and floral hops.

Bottom Line:

As farmhouse ales go, this one is really unique and memorable. Sometimes labeled as a cream ale. It’s hazy, lightly yeasty, and less funky than many on the market.

1) Oxbow Farmhouse Pale Ale

Oxbow Farmhouse Pale Ale
Oxbow

ABV: 6%

Average Price: $18 for a four-pack

The Beer:

Another interesting take on the farmhouse ale, Oxbow’s Farmhouse Pale Ale was crafted using American-grown hops. It’s another example of traditional European brewing meets American craft brewing. The result is a dry, floral, lightly hoppy take on the style.

Tasting Notes:

There are a ton of funk and tart citrus aromas on the nose. This makes way for yeasty bread, barnyard, and light spices. The flavor is surprisingly crisp and refreshing with light bready malts, yeast, lemon zest, more barnyard funk, and spices. Tart, lively, and highly memorable.

Bottom Line:

While this does feel more like a sour ale or wild ale than a farmhouse ale, it’s labeled as such. We’ll take their word for it. Either way, this one is a can’t miss beer for the spring and summer months.

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Is Frank Ocean Still Performing At Coachella Weekend 2

Frank Ocean closed out the first weekend of Coachella 2023 as the headliner last Sunday night, April 16, and it proved to be a thankless job. Fans were mostly left disappointed because Ocean’s set started an hour later than scheduled and was lackluster once it was underway.

It turns out, everybody should have followed Justin Bieber’s lead and appreciated Ocean for performing at all.

TMZ reported the following day that Ocean “suffered a serious ankle injury after being involved in a bike accident” in the days leading up to his headlining set.

“The accident occurred when Frank was at Coachella rehearsing his set. He wasn’t onstage, though, we’re told the mishap involved bikes used to roam around the Empire Polo Club grounds, and it was serious enough for doctors to advise Frank’s production be changed,” TMZ wrote.

The most significant alteration was scrapping an ice rink that had been specifically built for Ocean’s set for a “skating routine” involving “over 100 hockey players” cast from Los Angeles-based hockey teams last month. Instead, as Uproxx observed, Ocean’s set “felt aimless and unplanned,” with bouts where songs were just playing over the speakers without any performance element from Ocean.

Ocean’s lack of animation can officially be chalked up to his inability to move. Variety reported on Wednesday, April 19, that Ocean “will not be performing” as Coachella’s headliner for the upcoming second weekend. The publication additionally relayed that Ocean’s headlining slot will be taken by Blink-182 this Sunday, April 23.

Representatives for Ocean provided a statement:

“After suffering an injury to his leg on festival grounds in the week leading up to weekend 1, Frank Ocean was unable to perform the intended show but was still intent on performing, and in 72 hours, the show was reworked out of necessity. On doctor’s advice, Frank is not able to perform weekend 2 due to two fractures and a sprain in his left leg.”

Ocean’s statement reads, “It was chaotic. There is some beauty in chaos. It isn’t what I intended to show, but I did enjoy being out there, and I’ll see you soon.”

The beauty in Ocean’s set came when he spoke directly to the crowd, quasi-teasing an album and remembering his younger brother, Ryan, who died in August 2020 in a single-car crash at 18.

Watch Ocean’s speech below.

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Ray Romano Says Martin Scorsese Had No Idea Who He Was The First Time He Cast Him In Something

Martin Scorsese has worked with a lot of actors you might not expect to see in a Martin Scorsese picture. Gwen Stefani was in The Avitator. Casey Kasem pops up (as a DJ) in New York, New York. Funny pianist Victor Borge semi0randomly appears in The King of Comedy. Perhaps you didn’t realize that Scorsese cast Ray Romano, one of modern TV’s favorite dads, not once but twice. Is that because the director of The Wolf of Wall Street is a big fan of Everybody Loves Raymond? Not at all. In fact, the first time he cast Romano he had no idea who he even was.

As caught by IndieWire, Romano told the story — which he’s told before, years ago — on this week’s episode of WTF with Marc Maron. Romano had a supporting role in Vinyl, the short-lived HBO series about the New York City music scene in the late 1970s, which Scorsese created alongside people like Mike Jagger.

“Scorsese did the pilot and I had to go on tape for him. The cool thing was, I went on tape and the response we got back was, ‘Yeah, Marty likes it. He’s in the running. And Marty wants to know who he is. He’s never seen him,’” Romano recalled. “And my agent was like, ‘So he’s never seen the show?’ And they go, ‘No, no, no, he doesn’t know who the guy is,’ which was a blessing because he didn’t have to erase the sitcom character from his mind.”

Romano wasn’t that surprised that he didn’t know an actor primarily known for his small screen work. “I can buy that, that Martin Scorsese doesn’t watch television,” he told Maron. “So when he hired me, he liked what he saw.”

Romano also spoke about how he thought it was a “stretch” for him to play a coked-up music promoter, especially one who has a dramatic scene where he contemplates suicide. Scorsese clearly liked his work as a few years later he gave him a fun supporting role in The Irishman as shady Teamsters lawyer Bill Bufalino.

“I had one pretty big scene with De Niro in that,” Romano remembered, saying that it took three hours to shoot one scene. Afterwards he “got nothing” from Scorsese or De Niro and assumed he’d done a poor job. That night he ran into De Niro at the hotel.

“He just walks over, grabs my head, kisses me on the cheek, and just walks away,” Romano explained. “Well, I think it’s good. It’s the mafia so you never know!”

Romano’s a lot of fun in both Vinyl and The Irishman. Scorsese should add him to his stock company. Alas, he’s not in Marty’s forthcoming epic Killers of the Flower Moon, which co-star Leonardo DiCaprio claims might be the legendary filmmaker’s “masterpiece,” which is saying something.

(Via IndieWire)