138 days have passed — it’s been a little under five months since the release of Beyoncé’s seventh studio album Renaissance. Celebrating Black, queer culture in a dance-filled record, the album has easily found itself on listeners’ #SpotifyWrapped charts, across Ballroom floors, and placed on album of the year lists.
It’s unsurprising that Renaissance has held a relevant position in pop culture considering the endless memes and themed dance parties — regardless of the album’s undelivered music videos. If it wasn’t obvious after the release of her self-titled album in 2013, Beyoncé knows how to captivate an audience for an extensive period of time. As Twitter users joked about members of the BeyHive getting to leave the imaginary waiting room of artists that rarely drop music (alongside fans of SZA, Rihanna, and Frank Ocean), the unbelievable existence surrounding the album’s long-awaited release started to feel real. The longing for the album’s visuals is similar to how we’ll be yearning for the next chapter of the Houston native’s teased three-act project.
Longevity isn’t anything new for Beyoncé. If you’ve been following her superstardom since the days of Destiny’s Child or even 2016’s vulnerable project Lemonade, everything revolving around the artist stays relevant. On “Formation,” she did claim that she’s that b*tch because she frequently causes conversation. In “I’m That Girl,” she reminded her listeners exactly who the f*ck she is with the opening sample by the late Memphis rapper Princess Loko.
She’s also tapping into a wider trend. Like a variety of musical projects from the likes of PinkPantheress, Rochelle Jordan, Drake, Shygirl, Channel Tres/Tinashe, and IDK/Kaytranada, Renaissance is one of many examples of why 2022 was a popular year for dance music by Black artists. Following two years of isolation, grief, and an unforeseeable return to normalcy, Renaissance arrived at a necessary time to return to the dance floor.
As many have mentioned, the album’s effortless flow is perfect for a night out, and that’s evident with the existence of #ClubRenaissance parties at clubs across the globe. While sharing an open letter about the album, Beyoncé anticipated that her fans would find joy in the music and “release a wiggle” while listening to it. Following the June arrival of lead single “Break My Soul,” some pointed out that the album’s ode to queer culture would’ve been heavily appreciated during Pride Month, but its drop toward the end of July promised a rewarding conclusion of the summer.
In the open letter, she also dedicated the album to her late Uncle Johnny, who passed away from HIV. “He was my godmother and the first person to expose me to a lot of the music and culture that serve as inspiration for this album,” she writes. While acknowledging the impact that her Uncle Johnny had in her life — which was also mentioned during her acceptance speech at the 2019 GLAAD Media Awards — the mission to pay homage to Black queer and trans icons was evident throughout the album.
Her extensive roster of Black LGBTQ+ collaborators included New Orleans bounce phenomenon Big Freedia, The Internet’s singer-songwriter and sapphic superstar Syd, multihyphenate Grace Jones, television personality Ts Madison, and DJ/producer Honey Dijon, among others. Prior to Renaissance’s arrival, Beyoncé said, “My intention was to create a safe place, a place without judgment. A place to be free of perfectionism and overthinking. A place to scream, release, feel freedom.” Her intended choice of words has resonated with me for months: to be Black and queer during the release of Beyoncé’s Renaissance is to feel heard, seen, and unapologetically loved. The album’s recognizable reverence to Black queer artists, drag queens, and listeners was intentional, just as she spoke.
To minimize the longevity of this album to the unknown arrival of its visuals wouldn’t be fair. Following the surprise drop of Beyoncé in 2013, fans have always questioned the secrets that could be up the artist’s sleeve, especially if she’s carrying her notorious laptop.
Besides the visuals and forthcoming two acts, what else is Beyoncé hiding up her sleeve? Well, I personally didn’t account for the limited-edition “Cuff It” themed merchandise that would be gifted by Queen Bey for the lucky few that created a viral video for participating in the trending #CuffItChallenge. After the challenge swept its way beyond TikTok and onto every social media platform, she rewarded her fans’ choreography by reposting 27 of her “Cuff It Picks” onto her account via an Instagram Guide.
Perhaps the relevancy and compelling nature of the 16-track album has more to do with its sound, specifically the work of longtime collaborator The-Dream. After penning remarkable classics like “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It),” “Grown Woman,” and “Formation,” The-Dream was bound to create a sonic masterpiece on Renaissance. If the combination of the album’s funk, disco, house, soul, R&B, and gospel doesn’t explain its addictive flair, maybe the excitement for its live performances will.
Following the historic blessing that is BeyChella, not to mention her infamous dance breaks, the Renaissance tour will be a lively experience creating FOMO for those not in attendance. The approaching tour dates were inadvertently confirmed to occur during next summer after an auction for October’s Wearable Art Gala, leaving fans who are now financially preparing themselves for the tour’s announcement. Whether Ticketmaster is ready or not for the BeyHive after the debacle with Taylor Swift’s devoted Swifties, the satisfaction of attending the Renaissance tour has motivated employed people everywhere.
As fans fill Beyoncé’s comment sections asking about the status of the album’s visuals, don the disco balls (every last one of them) and dance carefree with your loved ones as the hour-long album plays from start to finish. Renaissance has gifted us a moment to release ourselves and escape within songs like “Church Girl” or “Virgo’s Groove.” Go ahead and press play to absorb the bad b*tch energy that oozes out of tracks like “Pure/Honey” and “Heated.” In an attention economy that often finds it hard to focus on anything longer than a week, this is built to last. As Beyoncé stated in the album’s opening track, Renaissance truly is That Girl, and it’s time to wholeheartedly recognize it while reviewing this year’s best albums.
As 2022 nears to a close, Instagram rolled out a year-end reflection feature on Wednesday (December 21) with Bad Bunny and DJ Khaled. IG users can create 2022 recap Reels featuring voiceovers from the music superstars.
Recently Instagram unveiled the 2022 recap Reels on the app. A “create your 2022 recap Reel” prompt has popped up on many users’ homepages. Another way to access the year-end feature is by visiting the Reels tab and selecting the 2022 recap template. Bad Bunny, DJ Khaled, Stranger Things star Priah Ferguson, and Indian rapper Badshah recorded special voiceovers to soundtrack people’s memories this past year.
“I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, we have to start worrying less, life goes by too fast, enjoy each moment,” Bad Bunny said in a statement. “Just like this year, I’ll have it in my heart por siempre. I’m grateful for all the amazing moments I was able to enjoy and all the people who formed part of it. Instagram, we are ready for 2023!”
Bad Bunny also created his own 2022 recap Reel. In Spanish, his voiceover says, “Life goes by too fast. Enjoy each moment. Just like this year, I’ll have it in my heart por siempre.” The Puerto Rican star’s Reel includes scenes from when he wrestled for the WWE, clips from his El Último Tour del Mundo 2022 and World’s Hottest Tour, and videos from his album Un Verano Sin Ti.
After nearly two years in a gridlocked pandemic, this year in music was all about paying homage to nostalgic acts. Pop icon Britney Spears made her triumphant return to music, as did Backstreet Boys. While rock band Blink-182 plans to make their return next year, No Doubt plans to do the same. Musicians weren’t the only ones feeling the throwback energy in the air. According to Billboard, consumers of music felt the same opting for vinyl album purchases in mass this year.
Data and insight company, Luminate, revealed that last week (ending on December 15) was the third-largest week for vinyl sales since 1991 — well that’s when the company began tracking the metrics. Of the albums released on vinyl this year, the company reported, A Charlie Brown Christmas, sold a total of 469,000 pieces of vinyl. Overall, this year’s official vinyl album sales total $39.659 million dollars (or 1.521 million units), a 3.5% increase since last year.
This is quite normal for the 1965 animated TV special, as the document outlines, A Charlie Brown Christmas is consistently among the top-selling holiday album on vinyl annually domestically. Other albums at the top album sales chart include Taylor Swift’s Midnights which currently sits at No. 1 for the eighth consecutive week (a record previously held by Adele’s 30) and Zach Bryan’s American Heartbreak at No. 4.
But not all old music technology is being embraced. CD albums sale fell for the second consecutive year. The data should CD album sales only accounted for $33.822 million, which is down 11.3% compared to a year ago.
Yesterday, December 22, Mac DeMarco shared a glimmering cover of “It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas” to get into the holiday spirit. Now V from BTS is doing the same.
V’s cover is much fuller and more extravagant than DeMarco’s more minimalist take on the song. The rendition brims with charm; it’s the perfect carol for BTS fans. It’s definitely a gift for them, which they’ve been getting a lot of lately, considering fellow BTS member RM just recently released his debut solo album The Indigo, which had features from Anderson .Paak, Erykah Badu, and other notable artists.
Earlier this year, V made headlines for a weird reason. The group’s label HYBE attempted to trademark and obtain the rights to the term “Borahae,” but it was actually made by V, whose real name is Kim Taehyung. Their attempt was rejected by the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO). KIPO stated HYBE Corporation “applied for trademark rights even though they know that it is a trademark used by V.” Denying the trademark application was done in “the principles of good faith” knowing “HYBE is not V” and the music company has “a partnership and employer-employee relationship with Kim Tae Hyung.”
Listen to V’s rendition of “It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas” below.
Mike Bahía is embracing the sounds of his hometown Cali, Colombia in his new single “De Qué Manera.” In the retro music video that was released today (December 23), the Colombian singer-songwriter plays a salsa music singer.
Bahía is most known for winning Best New Artist at the 2020 Latin Grammy Awards. Since then, he has amassed global hits like “La Falta” alongside Mexican singer Carin León and “Esta Noche” with his fiancée, fellow Colombian singer Greeicy.
Cali is known as the salsa capital of the world. Many of the best salsa music dancers in the world have come from that city. For “De Qué Manera,” Bahía wanted to tap into the music that’s popular in his hometown. He worked on the sultry love song with Colombian hit-maker Keityn, who is behind hits for Shakira, J Balvin, and Maluma. Bahía also worked in a sample of the salsa music classic “Ya No Es Igual” by Colombian group Two Flow.
“I’m from Cali and I’ve wanted to put out a salsa song for a long time because it’s the music I grew up listening to and I’ve managed to incorporate it into some live songs during my recent concert tours,” Bahía said in a statement. “Many people think that I’m from some other city in Colombia, but I come from Cali, the salsa capital of the world, where salsa is lived and breathed everywhere you go.”
In the “De Qué Manera” video, Bahía dials it back to the eighties. Many happy couples are dancing to his song as he serenades them in a club. In February, Bahía will tour the US with Greeicy. The couple, who became parents to their son Kai earlier this year, will embark on the Amantes Tour: Kai in 2023.
Watch the video above and find the tour dates below.
02/23/2023 — New York, NY @ Colden Auditorium
02/24/2023 — Orlando, FL @ Hard Rock Live
02/25/2023 — Miami, FL @ James L. Knight Center
02/26/2023 — Washington, D.C. @ Capital One Hall
03/02/2023 — Dallas, TX @ Majestic Theatre
03/03/2023 — Houston, TX @ Arena Theatre
03/04/2023 — Chicago, IL @ Copernicus Center
03/05/2023 — Los Angeles, CA @ The Novo
Although whiskey and wine generally get all of the holiday attention, industry professionals and savvy booze consumers know that this holiday, it’s amaro that’s on everyone’s brains. These unique Italian herbal liqueurs are produced by infusing neutral grape spirit with a variety of herbs, spices, roots, and barks. While generally synonymous with post-dinner consumption, the enjoyment factor of these “digestivi” go far beyond the end of a long meal.
“Amaros belong to a very long tradition of beverages enjoyed during festivities,” explains Valentino Longo, brand ambassador of the Italian Trade Agency Spirits Campaign. Longo notes that amaro can vary in flavors depending on where they come from—stating that oftentimes, amaro from the north of Italy tend to be richer and deeper, whereas those from the south often err on the lighter and more fruity side of things—and the producer at hand. And while they’re relatively “new” in the US, these herbal liqueurs are definitely very common in Italy.
Izzy Tulloch, head bartender at Milady’s, notes that in addition to enjoying amaro during holiday gatherings, these unique bottles of booze make for excellent (and unique) gifts.
“Chances are, people are going to get quite a few bottles of whiskey and wine for the holidays—and while there’s no such thing as having too much of either of those, why not add a little variety?” she ponders, stating that thanks to the vast number of amaro brands out there, you can most definitely find something for everyone. Not sure where to begin? Here are five go-to picks for gifting and gathering alike.
Crafted in the Marche region of Italy, Amaro Sibilla is the brainchild of Italian herbalist Girolamo Varnelli. Today, over 150 years later, the liqueur is still crafted at the Varnelli distillery in Pievebovigliana using a local concoction of herbs and barks, which are prepared over fire and sweetened with honey. On the palate, flavors of birch, crushed nuts, and dark spices jump from this complex and refreshing amaro. Fun fact: Sibilla gets its name from the nearby mountains from which the botanicals used in this amaro hail.
Longo notes that because amaro is such a unique product, that each bottle is completely different from the other, which makes it nice to try a variety of bottles from different producers. “For an Italian, amaro f is part of the culture, like bread, olive oil, or coffee – you can’t miss it,” he says, stating that the more you try, the more likely you are to find the perfect fit for your preferences. “There is truly an amaro for every palate,” he affirms.
Hailing from the Valtellina area of Lombardy, Braulio is an Alpine-influenced amaro with over 145 years of history. Today, the same processes as those used in the early days of production are still implemented – most notably, a minimum of two years of aging in oak barrels to allow all of the botanicals to breathe and mesh properly prior to bottling. This herbal amaro is packed with cooling flavors of clove, bark, and dried herbs.
For Tulloch, amaro is simply a necessity. “I’d argue that no table is complete without amaro,” she affirms. “As soon as the savory food is cleared and the coffee starts to brew, I reach for an amaro. It’s the perfect dessert pairing, it helps you digest, and it’s delicious.”
For a full-bodied, more citrus-forward amaro, look no further than Averna. Produced in the heart of Sicily, this authentic amaro’s island roots date back to 1868, and today still uses the same ancient recipe crafted over 150 years ago. Expect flavors of orange, sage, and juniper to mingle on the palate and lead to a gentian-and-anise-tinged finish.
Although generally enjoyed as a digestivo, Tulloch also reveals to enjoy amaro prior to the main course. “I love amaro at the beginning of a meal too, with some club soda and a lemon,” she says. However, the true power of the liqueur lies at the end of the meal. “However, nothing beats amaro after dinner,” she says. “There’s plenty of variety in the market, from less bitter and herbaceous to the really potent, so there’s something for every palate.”
Sipping Amaro Montenegro is like enjoying a taste of royalty—quite literally, in fact. First crafted in Bologna, this Italian bitter liqueur was created by Stanislao Cobianchi in 1895 and was named for the Princess Elena of Montenegro, who at the time, was destined to marry into the royal family of Italy. The original recipe calls for 40 different botanicals, including orange peels, balsamic, coriander, and vanilla. On the palate, this historic amaro is definitely the most floral of the bunch listed here—and if you have a thing for bright citrus or rose petals, this one’s definitely for you. To add a burst of life to this flavor-packed sipper, simply add a splash of sparkling water with a lemon twist and serve over ice.
Who says you can’t have your dessert and drink it, too? Meletti’s chocolate and caramel-inspired notes promise to satisfy those looking to pair a more approachable amaro with their end-of-meal treats. Sweeter than the other amari listed above, this easy-to-sip liqueur jumps with flavors of cinnamon, caramel, and clove, with floral-driven flavors leading to a long-lasting finish.
In true Italian fashion, Longo believes that amaro is the best way to finish a lunch or dinner, with a good cup of coffee on the side. “As part of working as a really good digestivo, they also keep the conversations alive on the table, as well as keep your guests a few more minutes before leaving,” he says. “Amaro has to be enjoyed with friends and families, and a good amount of laughter.”
Netflix was the streamer that started it all. Hulu, Amazon Prime, HBO Max, Criterion Channel, Disney+, Shudder — they’d be nowhere without the company that started as a rent-by-mail DVD service. Nowadays, they’re not doing so hot. Reckless spending and fleeing subscribers have put the company in jeopardy, making them desperate. They’ve already created a cheaper ad-supported version, hoping to lure some folks back. Now they’re looking to do something they’ve long threatened.
A new report by The Wall Street Journal claims that Netflix brass are planning to put the kibosh on password sharing, in which one subscriber gives their login info to family and/or friends. It’s not an uncommon practice among their clientele. Indeed, the report says it will affect 100 million viewers, which is a lot of shared passwords. What’s more, the end of the good old days is coming awfully soon: The plan is reportedly coming into effect in early 2023.
Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos knows this won’t be popular. “Make no mistake, I don’t think consumers are going to love it right out of the gate,” he told investors earlier this month. And it is a gamble: Instead of throwing up their hands and signing up for their own subscription so they can keep streaming Seinfeld, many may simply bid adieu, turning to another streamer that doesn’t have such a draconian rule. Sure enough, when this plan goes into effect (if it does at all), it will make Netflix the only platform to restrict password sharing. Maybe they’ll have to give the next Knives Out sequel an actual theatrical run, just to keep the lights on.
I mean … that’s a loaded question. If you’re an investor, then yes. Whiskey is a better investment right now than cars or art — any of it. If you’re looking for a good whiskey to drink, then the answer is a lot closer to “no” — but not never. Astronomically priced whiskeys bottles are often the best of the best and the rarest of the rare. That means that they’re usually delicious (the irony being most people will never get to taste any of them, ever). But if you do get to drink them… well, it’s a moment.
To really end the year with a bang, I grabbed some of the most expensive bottles from my shelf and put them to a big ol’ holiday blind taste test. $52,465. That’s how much these 10 bottles will cost if you buy them in retail right now. That’s patently absurd. The cheapest bottle on this list is $500. You could easily buy 10 $50 bottles of really good bourbon for that one bottle alone. There’s no question of that. But this is about more than just “really good” anything.
Old Fitzgerald Bottled-In-Bond Fall 2022 Edition 19-Year-Old
A. Smith Bowman Cask Strength Bourbon Batch #2
Yamazaki Mizunara Japense Single Malt 2022 Edition
George T. Stagg Uncut/Unfiltered BTAC 2022
The Balvenie The Tale of the Dog Aged 42 Years
Barrell Craft Spirits Gold Label Dovetail
Michter’s Limited Release Kentucky Straight Bourbon 20 Years Old
Talisker Forests of the Deep Single Malt Scotch Whisky Aged 44 Years
Mortlach Midnight Malt Single Malt Scotch Whisky Aged for 30 Years
FUJI Single Grain Japanese Whiskey Aged 30 Years
When it comes to ranking these bottles, I’m going on taste alone. There’s no sense looking at anything else. All of these whiskeys — from regions all over — are all some of the best of the best from their brands. We already know they taste great. But which one is truly the most embracing and delicious? Let’s find out!
Also Read: The Top 5 UPROXX Bourbon Posts Of The Last Six Months
Nose: Deep leather, oily vanilla pods, dark chocolate-covered cherries dusted with salt and nutmeg, and a mild sense of really fancy Almond Joy with this faintest whisper of singed marshmallow and smoldering apple wood.
Palate: Woody spices with black licorice and spearmint candy blend into mint chocolate chip ice cream and root beer spiked with cherry syrup topped with creamy vanilla and dusted with cinnamon, clove, and dark cacao powder.
Finish: The end has a long and supple sense of those woody spices before delivering into soft Black Forest cake with a brandied cherry vibe and a hint of star anise-infused apple-berry cider.
Taste 2
Zach Johnston
Tasting Notes:
Nose: There’s a leathery nature on the nose with classic bourbon deep flourishes of very black cherry, salted caramel, cinnamon toast with cream butter and old vanilla pods, a touch of orange oil, and woody spice berries and barks.
Palate: Apple orchards and cherry pies open the sweet palate toward a massive heat from the ABVs that eventually fades towards creamed soft nut butter, vanilla cake, and apple cider spiked with spiced cherry tobacco.
Finish: The heat comes roaring back on the finish with brash woody winter spice and burnt orange with a touch of vanilla trying to find a counterbalance to all the heat.
Taste 3
Zach Johnston
Tasting Notes:
Nose: There’s a sense of winter spice that meanders from woody cinnamon bark toward cloves, allspice, anise, cardamon, and even some soft nutmeg before light yet. creamy vanilla custard leads to a thin whisper of sandalwood and lavender.
Palate: The palate hints at agarwood with a dash of old potpourri next to sweet cinnamon and allspice in a slightly sour mulled wine with a bit of brown sugar lurking in the background.
Finish: The end leans into the woodiness of the spices with a bit more floral incense burning beneath it all.
Taste 4
Zach Johnston
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Your nose is met with buttery pecan waffles loaded with dark salted chocolate chips and dripping with maple syrup that feels expensive next to darkly roasted espresso beans, singed vanilla husks, and dried sour cherries next to a medley of holiday spices.
Palate: The palate leans into those spices with a clear sense of sharp cinnamon, old clove buds, allspice berries, and whole nutmeg bulbs next to a hint of star anise and maybe some cardamom before that darkly roasted coffee jumps back in with a deeply stewed cherry in a dark treacle syrup before the ABVs buzz hard on the mid-palate.
Finish: The end amps up the woodiness with the spices and adds in a sense of old cedar bark, dark chocolate nibs, and a cherry-tobacco buzziness.
Taste 5
Zach Johnston
Tasting Notes:
Nose: There’s a classic sense of old and sweet malts on the nose that leads you to sweet and floral perfume that’s so subtle and enticing before a hint of sticky toffee pudding and geranium bound toward old mint rolled into chocolate malts.
Palate: The palate has a soft and salted toffee with honey nut cluster dusted with light notes of sweet winter spice and floral orchard blossoms before a hint more of honey and sweet old oak arrives.
Finish: That sweet oak drives the finish toward nutty creaminess, old orchard wood, and a sense of soft summer flowers with a hint of malt cookies cut with raisin and cinnamon.
Taste 6
Zach Johnston
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose opens with a sense of tart red currants and old red wine barrels with a sharp grapefruit pith balancing things out before spearmint and raspberry jam lean the nose toward creamy and sour espresso with a hint of root beer cut with cherry syrup.
Palate: The palate leans into orange and lime leaves with a twinge of strawberry and rhubarb next to sage, mint, and parsley tied up with pine resin burned to toast marshmallows.
Finish: The end has a ginger vibe with a touch of spicy rum, cran-apple cider, wet wicker, old boots, and grilled pineapple drizzled with rummy toffee.
Taste 7
Zach Johnston
Tasting Notes:
Nose: A sense of dark cherry with deep rummy molasses, dried rose petals, old almond shells, and cedar bark mingle with a fresh pipe tobacco leaf just kissed with apple and pear essence with a hint of vanilla oils and old wintry wine spices.
Palate: The taste leans into smoldering vanilla pods with a sense of old oak staves from a dusty old cellar next to sweet cinnamon and cherry over dried sage and sharp spearmint with a clove syrup base and a dash of toasted marshmallow sweetness.
Finish: The end is full of dark cherry and woody spice with moist marzipan, burnt orange oils, and chewy fresh tobacco wrapped up in old leather and cedar bark with a hint more of that old cellar sneaking in.
Taste 8
Zach Johnston
Tasting Notes:
Nose: There’s a sense of classic fruit orchards with a hint of blossom next to briny smokiness from a distance that slowly fades in toasted seaweed salad tossed with roasted sesame seeds and chili oil with a fleeting sense of mild soy sauce lurking way in the background.
Palate: The taste leans into orange zest and maybe even lime leaves with a twinge of old and sweet oak before a twinge of soft rope dipped in seawater leads to a thin line of a beach campfire surrounds by grey stones and spitting rain.
Finish: A mild note of chili pepper arrives late with a mild waxiness tied to chocolate, plum, and pear with a final flourish of a fruit orchard in full bloom.
Taste 9
Zach Johnston
Tasting Notes:
Nose: There’s a lovely hint of malt dipped in honey with a touch of apple stewed with cinnamon and saffron that leads to roasted pork skin and fat cut with a sense of rosemary and singed sage before a honeyed oaked sweetness arrives again
Palate: The taste is like a creamy, apple-forward, malty lush elixir cut with hints of black pepper, burnt orange, and marzipan that leads to a sense of honey-soaked cinnamon sticks floating in apple cider.
Finish: There’s another rush of that black pepper late that leads to woody apple cores and wintry barks that eventually fade towards a mildly spiced apple-cinnamon tobacco leaf packing into an old cedar box.
Taste 10
Zach Johnston
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose is full of marzipan and nutty berry cobbler with a hint of orchard fruits, mulled wine, dark chocolate touched with very light spice, and a sweet and soft brown sugar vibe.
Palate: The palate opens with an old honey pot next to dark nut clusters with a pecan/dark chocolate/raisin vibe over malted cookies dipped in black currant compote and dusted with soft and powdery white pepper.
Finish: The end is lush and silky with a slight sense of wet reeds and cedar bark braided with faint tobacco kissed with dried red berries and soft toffee.
Part 2: The Ranking
Zach Johnston
10. A. Smith Bowman Cask Strength Bourbon Batch #2 — Taste 2
This new batch from Sazerac’s Virginia distillery is all about upping the ante on last year’s bold ABV release. This year, Batch #2 takes the ABVs even higher in this cask-strength bourbon bomb thanks to the careful selection of old barrels that are batched and left completely uncut and non-chill-filtered.
Bottom Line:
This was so hot it burnt. That’s the point as it’s a hazmat whiskey. Still, wow, it’s a lot. That said, there’s a well-balanced and deep flavor profile under all that heat, you just need a firehose of ice to find it.
Also worth noting, these tend to top $3,000 easily once they hit the aftermarket — but will only cost $99 via the lottery.
9. George T. Stagg Uncut/Unfiltered BTAC 2022 — Taste 4
This year’s return of the Stagg is hewn from whiskey distilled all the way back in 2007 with Kentucky corn, Minnesota rye, and North Dakota barley. The juice was filled into new white oak from Independent Stave from Missouri with a #4 char level (55 seconds). Those barrels were then stored in the famed Warehouse K on the first and fifth floors over 15 years, wherein 75% of the liquid was lost to the angels. Finally, the barrels were batched and bottled as-is.
Bottom Line:
This was too hot too. Again, there’s a perfectly well-hewn flavor profile underneath all of that heat, you’ll just need some serious proofing in the glass to get there.
8. FUJI Single Grain Japanese Whiskey Aged 30 Years — Taste 10
This whisky is made just seven miles from the base of Mt Fuji. The whisky in the bottle is a blend of whiskies made in a “Canadian grain whisky style.” The whiskies for this release were aged in used American oak for at least 30 years with some of the barrels in the blend hitting 40 years old. Then Master Blender Jota Tanaka selects the barrels that hit the exact right notes and meticulously blends this whisky with a touch of local mountain spring water.
Bottom Line:
This was really, really good. The only reason it’s a little lower is that it had the weakest finish of all of these pours. That said, I didn’t need a fire extinguisher on my tongue after I took a sip, so there’s that.
7. Old Fitzgerald Bottled-In-Bond Fall 2022 Edition 19-Year-Old — Taste 1
The latest decanter release from Heaven Hill’s Old Fitzgerald Bottled-In-Bond series was made back in September 2003. Those barrels rested on three floors of rickhouse F and one floor of rickhouse X on the main Heaven Hill campus until October of 2023. They were then batched and proofed down to 100-proof for bottling.
Bottom Line:
This is pretty much a perfect bourbon. And it’s ranked seventh today. That’s kind of crazy.
This ultimate edition of Barrell Craft Spirit’s beloved Dovetail Whiskey feels genre-defining. The whiskey in the blend is made from Indiana, Tennesee, and Canadian whiskeys that are up to 25 years old that were finished in rum, port, and Dunn Vineyards Cabernet wine barrels. Finally, those barrels are batched and bottled 100% as-is in Kentucky.
Bottom Line:
This is one of those whiskeys that just keep going, making it so much fun to return to over and over again. Still, that could be conveyed as meandering and not as concise as some of the next whiskeys ranked below. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still delicious.
5. Mortlach Midnight Malt Single Malt Scotch Whisky Aged for 30 Years — Taste 9
This is 30-year-old Mortlach from a couple of barrels that actually made it that long without drying out or becoming undrinkable — it’s kind of a miracle in that sense. The vatted whisky was finished in a trio of barrels — Bordeaux wine, Calvados, and Guatemalan rum — before bottling completely as-is.
Bottom Line:
This is a super rare Mortlach that also happens to have a once-in-a-lifetime finishing. Add in that there are only 350 bottles of this in the world, and you have something to cherish for life. If you’re looking for a slow sipper, it’s also amazing. As you sip it, it feels your soul with joy and then a little moment of sadness knowing that you’re drinking something we’ll never see again.
4. The Balvenie The Tale of the Dog Aged 42 Years — Taste 5
This whisky was named after a famed whisky thief — or “dog” — that was flattened to stop too much whisky being thieved back in the day. The actual whisky in the bottle is from two casks that were put on the racks in 1974 and 1978 and left alone.
Bottom Line:
Two casks from the 1970s (!) were married to create this one-of-a-kind whisky. And while the price is colossal, this is a stunning pour of whisky that everyone should try once in their lifetime.
3. Michter’s Limited Release Kentucky Straight Bourbon 20 Years Old — Taste 7
Master Distiller Dan McKee personally selects these (at least) 20-year-old barrels from the Michter’s rickhouses based on… I guess just “pure excellence” would be the right phrase. The bourbon is bottled as-is — no cutting with water.
Bottom Line:
This is a perfect bourbon.
2. Talisker Forests of the Deep Single Malt Scotch Whisky Aged 44 Years — Taste 8
This is one of the more unique Taliskers to hit shelves. The 40-plus-year-old juice is made finished in casks made with staves that were charred with Scottish sea kelp and stave wood shavings. The staves are then used to finish the whiskey before it’s vatted and bottled 100% as-is.
Bottom Line:
Only 1,997 bottles were made this year and only 102 made it to the U.S. It’s worth tracking down one of those 102 if you can. This is a one-of-a-kind Talisker that’ll take your love of the brand even deeper thanks to a phenomenal whisky with an extraordinary finish.
This is one of the most sought-after whiskies from Yamazaki. The juice spends over 12 years maturing in Mizunara casks only — this isn’t some whisky that’s “finished” in old Mizurana casks for a few months. After over a decade of mellowing, the casks are hand-picked for their excellence, vatted, and just proofed before bottling.
Bottom Line:
This whisky is so freaking good. It’s just excellent.
Part 3: Final Thoughts
Zach Johnston
Yes, all of these are superior whiskies both in price and flavor profile. Ranking them is kind of stupid when you take a step back. How to rank perfection next to perfection? Alas, I did my best and here we are.
One thing we can take away from this exercise is that the most expensive bottle doesn’t always mean the best though. That’s something. Right? Right?!
There were rumors for years that Russell Wilson and Richard Sherman didn’t always see eye-to-eye, and recently, Sherman has started to make clear that he had some issues with special treatment Wilson received while the two were members of the Seattle Seahawks. Earlier this season, a Thursday Night Football game between the Denver Broncos and the Indianapolis Colts sparked a rant from Sherman where he openly begged Wilson to “learn from your mistakes.”
After Thursday night’s game between the New York Jets and the Jacksonville Jaguars, the TNF crew decided to exchange some holiday gifts with one another. Because it was a television segment, the goal was to make people laugh, which included Sherman getting a Richard Sherman doll. There was, however, one catch: When Sherman squeezed it, the doll made a noise, as it was a recording of Wilson saying “Broncos country, let’s ride.”
This is, very easily, the best gift from the segment, although Taylor Rooks getting a Rolodex and Michael Smith getting an autographed picture from Eli Manning — who he once beat when they were both high school quarterbacks — are both very, very good. There is no word on whether or not Wilson will get some kind of a gift that gets a joke off at Sherman’s expense during the holidays.
David Becker for the Washington Post via Getty Images
There’s another new class of incoming GOP representatives. Will there be any nonstop nuisances like Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lauren Boebert? Remains to be seen. But one of them has stuck out because he, well, appears to have lied about almost everything in his background. His name is George Santos, and he’s set to represent NYC’s 3rd District, comprising northwest Queens and northern Long Island. Santos initially responded to the accusations by misattributing a quote to Winston Churchill. But now he’s vowing to explain why he may have fibbed his way into Congress.
To the people of #NY03 I have my story to tell and it will be told next week. I want to assure everyone that I will address your questions and that I remain committed to deliver the results I campaigned on; Public safety, Inflation, Education & more.
“To the people of #NY03,” Santos tweeted on Thursday. “I have my story to tell and it will be told next week. I want to assure everyone that I will address your questions and that I remain committed to deliver the results I campaigned on; Public safety, Inflation, Education & more.”
Republicans lying is nothing new; one of the most serialfibbers even spent four years in the White House. But Santos’ alleged fabrications are legion. A New York Times exposé claimed he’d not told the truth about his past employment, his debts, his personal life, and more. He allegedly lives just outside the boundaries of the district he will soon represent. He seems to have misled people about his Jewish heritage. And despite being a first — he’s the first openly gay non-incumbent elected to Congress, to say nothing about being a gay Republican (at a time when the GOP is at war with the LGBTQIA+ community) — he apparently was once married to a woman, which he failed to mention.
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