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Shaboozey’s New Album Is A Wild, Alcohol-Infused Ride — Here Are The Best Whiskeys For Every Song

June 26, 2024 by newhiphopnews

shaboozey(1600x500) — Getty Image/Merle Cooper

Shaboozey’s new album has been heating up the summer. With his lead single, “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” reaching the number 3 position on the Billboard Hot 100 last week and his album Where I’ve Been Isn’t Where I’m Going debuting in the top 5 of Billboard’s album charts as well as topping the Independent Album charts this week, now is the best time to get into the Virginia hit maker’s unique blend of country, hip-hop, and heartbreak. While those are the three primary ingredients in Shaboozey’s chart-topping album, it’s impossible to ignore how ever-present booze is on the project’s 12-song journey.

Shaboozey’s star has been on the rise since releasing “Start a Riot” with Duckwrth on the Spiderman: Into The Spiderverse soundtrack back in 2018, and it reached a fever pitch when he collaborated with Beyoncé on her smash-hit Cowboy Carter album earlier this year. With all of that hype following Shaboozey and the niche he’s carving in the alt-Country music movement, it’s clear that he’s garnered a lot of attention outside of traditional Country music circles…including in the whiskey world.

So, to help you get into the genre-redefining album, we thought it would be a great idea to give you the perfect whiskey list to pair with every song on Where I’ve Been Isn’t Where I’m Going to help enhance your listening experience. After all, with Shaboozey reaching for a drink throughout the album, why shouldn’t you join along? It’s a boozy, alcohol-infused ride over the album’s dozen songs, and if you want to fully appreciate it all, then this is the perfect list for you.

Grab a glass, sit back, and prepare to get tipsy with the surprise hit album of the summer!

1. “Horses & Hellcats” with George Dickel Tennessee Bottled in Bond Whisky

ABV: 50%
Average Price: $50

The Song:

The album’s intro opens with guitar strumming and horses braying, setting the stage perfectly for Shaboozey’s unique soundscape. Embracing his love for the open country and the horsepower of Hellcats, he notes that if you’re looking for him, he’ll be “out in Tennessee,” which is exactly where we’ll go for our first whiskey recommendation.

The Whiskey:

George Dickel is one of the best-selling American whiskey brands on the planet, so it makes perfect sense to reach for one of their best (and one of their most widely available) bottles to pair with “Horses & Hellcats.” George Dickel Bottled in Bond is released annually, and this year’s version, made with a mashbill that’s 84% corn, 8% rye, and 8% malted barley, is matured for 13 years.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Look for warm brown sugar, sticky maple syrup, and fruity notes like stewed red apple and ripe bananas when you catch a whiff of this intoxicating whiskey. Adding to the cowboy vibes, a smoky undertone goes well with the mellow oak aromas here. Lastly, there’s a touch of milk chocolate sweetness, which gives this whiskey the impression of being artfully aged.

Palate: On the palate, expect to taste toasted pecans with some subdued brown sugar as the maple syrup aroma notes become more distinct in the mouth. The flavor of bruised bananas and a faint bit of wet tobacco, nutmeg, and cornbread also stand out. The mouthfeel is surprisingly rich and robust despite being only 100 proof, which will make you feel like you’re “pushing (those) horses to the limit” while Shaboozey croons about hitting high speeds in his Hellcat.

Finish: On the finish, there’s a rising impression of leather, and more fruit comes into play as a bit of waxy fig comes to the fore, along with a few shakes of allspice.

Bottom Line:

If you’re out in Tennessee, this is one of the quintessential whiskeys that you simply have to try. This is George Dickel Tennessee Whisky at its best, with a perfect proof point for enjoying a high-octane ride (from the passenger seat) as well as turning up at home while you get into this infectious intro.

2. “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” with Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey

ABV: 40%
Average Price: $28

The Song:

Shaboozey’s breakout single is the perfect encapsulation of his style. Equal parts boozy and Country, with an interpolation of J’Kwon’s “Tipsy” thrown in for good measure, signaling his hip-hop appreciation, this is simply a song that everyone can, and is, enjoying right now.

The Whiskey:

Look, if Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 needs an introduction, then you probably shouldn’t even be here. I mean, it’s only the most recognizable bottle of whiskey in the world! Sure, ubiquity in itself isn’t a signifier of quality, but with Shaboozey mentioning it by name and an ABV (and price point) that makes it suitable for taking shots at the bar, there’s no better whiskey to pair with the album’s lead single.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Maple candy, buttered popcorn, and banana pudding come tumbling out of the glass to greet the nose, along with a touch of red pepper. That maple candy note is due to the Lincoln County Process, a maple charcoal filtration process that all Tennessee whisky undergoes by law.

Palate: Banana pudding is again present on the nose, with some faint vinegar-based BBQ sauce notes and some gentle oak tones. A bit of maple candy provides the last oomph of flavor on this easy-sipping pour.

Finish: The finish is where you’ll find a slight flourish of black pepper baking spice, but overall, it’s full of those maple syrup notes that reverberate throughout the nosing notes and the palate profile.

Bottom Line:

For a lot of people, Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 was probably their introduction to whiskey, just like “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” is probably a lot of folks’ introduction to Shaboozey. Because of that, it’s hard to imagine a better pairing throughout the entire album — this one just makes perfect sense.

3. “Last of My Kind” feat. Paul Cauthen with Still Austin Ruby Red Port Barrel Finished Straight Rye Whiskey

ABV: 54%
Average Price: $100

The Song

“Last of My Kind” is a swaggering, self-confident song featuring Paul Cauthen, where Shaboozey thumbs his nose at the law and fully embraces the cowboy ethos of self-reliance. For his part, Paul Cauthen notes that sometimes in this world, you’ve “got (to) get it if you want it, keep the fire burnin’ inside,” and if he isn’t talking about allocated whiskey, then I don’t know what that line could better describe.

The Whiskey:

The limited edition whiskey we’re going with for this song comes from Texas, just like Paul Cauthen, and it sold out quickly online because, true to the song’s title, it’s the last of its kind. A 100% rye whiskey, aged for 4 years, then finished for 8 months in Ruby Red Port barrels, this allocated whiskey is a one-and-done expression from the highly acclaimed Still Austin Distillery.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Mulled wine, dried dates, sweet pastry, and spiced cranberry jam make up the nosing notes on this whiskey. Clearly, the Ruby Red Port has a strong influence here.

Palate: The full-bodied palate on this rye whiskey is accented by flavor notes like chocolate-covered raisins, fresh clove, pumpernickel toast, and fresh figs.

Finish: The finish on this whiskey is marked by cinnamon, cocoa powder, & stewed wild berries.

Bottom Line:

In a whiskey world where so many brands harp on their allocated expressions being “limited,” the truth is that few of them actually deliver on that premise. For this Ruby Red Port expression, Still Austin has truly released a whiskey that is the last of its kind, with no future plans to re-release the distillery-exclusive bottling. That’s exactly what makes it the perfect pairing here.

4. “Anabelle” with Four Roses Small Batch Select

ABV: 52%
Average Price: $60

The Song:

In this song of heartbreak, Shaboozey recounts a dark cloud of a lover who took the affection that he gave her and poured it into another man. If that doesn’t make you want to pour a glass of whiskey, I don’t know what it’ll take. Despite the fact that those circumstances left Shaboozey salty, penning some spicy lyrics to hide his heartbreak, we think you’ll need something complex and ultimately sweet to counterbalance all those emotions.

The Whiskey:

Four Roses Small Batch Select is a special blend that utilizes 6 of Four Roses’ ten recipes. Officially launched back in 2019, this ongoing expression is part of Four Roses’ core lineup and is perhaps the best widely available example of the brand’s blending prowess.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: The nose is full of baking spices, ranging from nutmeg and black pepper to clove and thyme, but those baking spice vibes are quickly followed by a slightly floral aspect (yes, think roses) as well as some rich red berry tones like dried strawberries and ripe cranberries.

Palate: The palate is an intriguing ride as it again follows the same path of transitioning from ample baking spices to sweet, fruit-forward flavors. The baking spices are most prominently led by black pepper and thyme here, while the red berries come in at full force as this pour transitions to the finish, riding a robust mouthfeel to the back of the palate.

Finish: The finish finds a fresh punch of black pepper coupled with a touch of honey and mulled wine, offering a nice climax of balance that is both lengthy and mellow.

Bottom Line:

The complex interplay of flavors on this whiskey makes it the perfect pairing for “Anabelle,” which features Shaboozey contending with conflicting feelings about his jilted lover. As he hopes she’s happy with the one she chose, you’ll be happy that you chose Four Roses Small Batch Select instead of looking for revenge.

5. “East of the Massanutten” with Westward Barrel Strength Single Malt Whiskey

ABV: 62.5%
Average Price: $100

The Song:

“I know that out there’s a land full of dreams, with milk, gold and honey, just waitin’ for me. So I’ll pack mе a little duffle, skip the goodbyеs and leave, ’cause East of the Massanutten, there’s nothin’ for me.” The chorus on “East of the Massanutten” expresses the yearning for a place that may or may not actually exist, but the yearning is part of the point. As is the realization that remaining stagnant and staying in place won’t get you what it is you’re pining for. Thus, Shaboozey turns westward, which is why our next whiskey is the perfect match for this song.

The Whiskey:

Westward’s Cask Strength offering is the pinnacle of their core lineup in that it offers their flagship whiskey as unfettered as you can hope for, short of theiving it from a barrel yourself. Made with 100% malted barley using only Pacific Northwest grains, this whiskey is perhaps the truest representation of the region you’ll find.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Plums and cherries dance on the nose along with an undercurrent of malted chocolate, honey, and thyme. It’s a bold, fruit-forward bouquet that’s further buoyed by slightly burnt wheat toast and black pepper.

Palate: The silky mouthfeel of this whiskey leads to the introduction of black cherry, redcurrant, plum flesh, and black pepper on the palate. At midpalate is where honey sweetness simply bursts and fans out over the tongue with malted chocolate and oak, highlighting the transition to the finish.

Finish: The finish is full of fresh hazelnuts, more malted chocolate, and well-aged oak. Black pepper spice kicks in at the end as this lengthy finish slowly undulates away, making it a pour you’ll enjoy long after the last sip.

Bottom Line:

Sure, east of the Massanutten might not have anything left to offer Shaboozey, but heading Westward has plenty to offer you. Westward’s Cask Strength expression is bursting at the seams with flavor, and with the American Single Malt category sitting on the precipice of being a legally recognized category, it’s also full of promise for the future.

6. “Highway” with Angel’s Envy Cask Strength Rye Finished in Sauternes & Toasted Oak

ABV: 57.2%
Average Price: $450

The Song:

Another story about love lost, but rather than reacting with spite, this one is full of regret, with Shaboozey acknowledging that he should’ve been a better man. It’s a song about acceptance, searching for a long time for something that you may never find, and having to make peace with that. The second verse goes, “Since you stopped ridin’ shotgun, I ain’t been myself, goin’ out, lookin’ for a good time, but I’m goin’ through hell, got Jesus on the hotline sayin’, “You need help” put the liquor on the shelf, tell the devil, “Farewell.” That sets the stage perfectly for our next pairing…

The Whiskey:

Angel’s Envy Cask Strength Rye takes all of the best parts of their flagship rye offering but ratchets the flavor up several notches. While the brand’s standard rye is finished in rum casks, for this new Cask Strength offering, this Indiana-sourced rye is finished in Sauternes and Toasted Oak casks.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: The influence of the Sauternes casks leaps off the nose of this whiskey, with golden raisins, honey, and sweet mint leading the way before rye spice flares up on subsequent whiffs.

Palate: The syrupy mouthfeel is the first thing you’ll notice about this pour as golden raisins, white chocolate, rye spice, and black pepper begin to prickle your tongue as the viscosity fades away. There’s also a bit of marshmallow and gentle oak tones brought forth by the toasted casks.

Finish: The finish is slightly drying, but the flavor of golden raisins, black pepper, and toasted oak makes it through the end as it leaves a sweet impression, and it grips your palate for minutes after your last sip.

Bottom Line:

Change is life’s only constant, and accepting those changes can be one of life’s biggest challenges. However, it’s quite easy to make your peace with Angel’s Envy’s new Cask Strength Rye, which changes the formula of their flagship in a way that benefits the bump in proof and provides even richer nuance to appreciate. As you accept the mistakes you’ve made in life, you’ll need something with a sweet finish to remind you that it all gets greater later.

7. “Let It Burn” with George T. Stagg Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

ABV: 67.5%
Average Price: $1,300

The Song:

“Let It Burn” contends again with doubt, lost love, and acceptance as Shaboozey urges the listener to “throw the memories in the flames” and “see the gold in the red, new horizons.” It’s a hopeful song but one that also acknowledges the pain that can come with having to turn over a new leaf.

The Whiskey:

George T. Stagg is the perfect pairing for this song because it’s perhaps the most quintessential “fiery” pour of bourbon on the market. For 2023’s George T. Stagg, its 135 proof will surely burn a bit, but boy, does that high heat feel so good…

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Black cherry, rich oak, and Aleppo red pepper flakes make an immediate impression on the nose of this whiskey out of the glass. Throw in notes of molasses, brown sugar, and faintly mesquite aromas which all add challenging layers to the complexity of this high-octane pour.

Palate: Each sip opens with the syrupy sweetness of cocktail cherries but is then bolstered by the addition of leather, cinnamon, and charred red peppers. The mouthfeel of 2023’s George T. Stagg is exceptionally viscous and packs a proofy punch which, once it settles down, serves to introduce a broad range of robust flavors.

Finish: The finish contains a faint bit of smokiness and barrel char to go with a bold flourish of black pepper and toffee. Each taste lingers long after the last sip. That said, this is a bourbon that truly rewards extended savoring.

Bottom Line:

“Let It Burn” is a song that hopefully deals with the need to embrace change, using fire as a metaphor for fresh starts and espousing a belief in a “golden lining” following the flames. If there’s a single bourbon that will cause you to feel the burn in the best way possible, it’s George T. Stagg.

8. “My Fault” feat. Noah Cyrus with Starlight Double Oaked Bourbon

ABV: 51.5%
Average Price: $50

The Song:

In “My Fault” with Noah Cyrus, Shaboozey can be found commiserating with a friend on the verge of giving up. He takes turns blaming himself and the universe for the pain while Noah Cyrus chimes in that it might be easier to begin forgetting the memories. It’s a song where, again, bourbon is mentioned, but the sobering subject matter is heartfelt and takes center stage here.

The Whiskey:

This double-oaked variation on Starlight’s flagship bourbon is bottled at a higher proof (103) and undergoes a secondary cask maturation, which adds depth to their standard distillate.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Toffee and toasted oak emerge out of the glass at first as the impression of the secondary cask works its magic. There are also hints of stone fruit, like peaches and apples, along with a touch of custard on the nose.

Palate: The palate features bold splashes of the stone fruits from the nosing notes, which are accented by toasted oak, butterscotch, and French vanilla. The mouthfeel is medium-bodied, which is ideal as it doesn’t distract from the light, sweet, tasting notes present in the liquid.

Finish: The finish is medium-length and leaves you with the gentle sweetness of toasted oak. A bit of marshmallow and earthy woodsiness persist through the end of every sip.

Bottom Line:

The secondary maturation and the bump in proof in this whiskey help it to stand up to your palate in the same way Shaboozey and Noah Cyrus hope to see their friend/partner stand up to the pains that haunt them. While blaming things on the stars skirts the accountability of those looking to numb their pain in a bottle, following the stars can also be a metaphor for holding your head high and looking upward. Starlight whiskey is a perfect match for such a metaphor.

9. “Vegas” with Smoke Wagon Uncut/Unfiltered Bourbon Whiskey

ABV: 57.09%
Average Price: $75

The Song:

We’ve got a two-for-one in this pairing, as Shaboozey mentions both “whiskey” and “smoke” while laying out his regrets about his Devil-may-care attitude toward his life of late. Following a “pretty lady” out of town and finding himself among the “low vibrations” and reminiscing on some of his hardships, he expresses the need for an escape from his escape. It’s an eminently relatable song about picking up the pieces when the risks you take don’t pan out quite as you planned them.

The Whiskey:

Smoke Wagon’s Uncut/Unfiltered expression is the bottle that put them on the map. Released in small batch blends, this particular bottle is batch 184A and features bourbon sourced from Indiana and aged between their distillery of origin and Las Vegas.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Plum skin, cinnamon bark, and young oak hit the nose for a blend that really works well here. There’s also a certain dusty aspect to this whiskey that is as surprising as it is welcome. Further notes of green grape and sunscreen continue the surprises — both in that they’re atypical nosing notes and that they actually work well to elevate the sum of the parts.

Palate: Caramel, barrel char, and green grapes inform the palate, along with a healthy dose of black pepper. The flavor of charred red pepper comes across, as well as the robust mouthfeel finds every corner of the palate and seeps into your tongue.

Finish: The finish has chocolate pretzels and sage in spades, and it closes with barrel char for a medium-length finish that puts a lovely bow on the unusual assortment of flavors.

Bottom Line:

If you’re going to “live your life like it was one big Vegas,” then you’re going to need Sin City’s best bourbon by your side to drown out any doubts that arise. Luckily, Smoke Wagon’s Uncut/Unfiltered expression hits the spot whether you’re acting the part or simply nodding your head along to this song and living vicariously through Shaboozey.

10. “Drink Don’t Need No Mix” feat. BigXthaPlug with Mary Dowling Bourbon Whiskey Finished In Tequila Barrels

ABV: 46.5%
Average Price: $65

The Song:

The song with the most hip-hop vibes on the entire album features emerging rapper BigXthePlug. It sees the two exchanging verses about getting faded on an alcohol-infused adventure through downtown Nashville. BigX calls out their respective preferences, saying he “stays lit off tequila, Shaboozey wants whiskey, we tipsy and want every girl if she’s pretty.”

The Whiskey:

Aged for over 3 years and then finished in Reposado tequila barrels, this unique whiskey comes from Mary Dowling and is distilled by Rabbit Hole in Kentucky. The brand itself was created to honor one of the most interesting figures in the whiskey world, Mary Dowling, who is famous for moving her distilling operation south of the border during Prohibition. To honor that legacy, the brand decided to finish bourbon whiskey in barrels from Mexico’s most famous alcohol export.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Lavender, roasted marshmallows, and toasted corn with butter and salt can be found on this particularly expressive nose. It also has a slightly youthful aspect, though that’s not a knock against it, as that plays well with the tequila barrel finish and allows some of the agave syrup to come through. Given some time in the glass, a bit of golden raisin and candied ginger also creeps into the nosing notes.

Palate: Star anise, toasted corn, and black tea come barreling across the palate with this whiskey. Black pepper soon blossoms and takes root at the roof of the mouth. It is notably drying at midpalate, causing you to salivate courtesy of the vegetal undertones and healthy helping of baking spice at midpalate. It also has an austere mouthfeel, coming across as clean and lean.

Finish: The finish is full of golden delicious apple skin and black pepper, and it’s pretty brief, which thins out the mouthfeel.

Bottom Line:

BigX is on tequila, Boozey is on whiskey, and neither of them needs a mix, so why not combine the best of both worlds in a single sip? Not only is this unique whiskey worth exploring on its own but there isn’t a single bottle of alcohol on shelves that pairs more perfectly with “Drink Don’t Need No Mix.”

11. “Steal Her From Me” with Larceny Barrel Proof Bourbon Batch B524

ABV: 62.7%
Average Price: $75

The Song:

Acknowledging the ephemeral nature of modern romance, Shaboozey weaves a tale in this song about another man’s lover falling for him and the inevitability of her soon falling for someone else. Crooning that “karma she’ll hunt you down, this town here is full of thieves…” it’s a song that espouses the age-old wisdom that “what comes around, goes around.”

The Whiskey:

Aged for 6-8 years, Heaven Hill’s Larceny Barrel Proof Bourbon is their premier wheated bourbon offering. With a backstory that honors John E. Fitzgerald, a treasury agent with a reputation for stealing some of his favorite barrels of whiskey out of bonded warehouses, this whiskey is the perfect match for this song. The B524 batch is new for spring 2024, with “B” representing the second batch of the year, “5” representing that it came out in the month of May, and “24” standing for the year it was released.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Immediately nutty, with the aroma of fudge, brown sugar, and walnuts wafting out of the glass, this is a nose that reminds you of Snickers ice cream bars. That’s as opposed to the candy bar because there’s also a bit of oak and vanilla ice cream hanging in the air along with a streak of oak.

Palate: The palate sees the oak influence ratcheted up as dark chocolate and nougat notes rest on a bed of peanuts. The ABV can certainly be felt as a heavy punch of alcohol hits at midpalate and persists through the finish of this flavorful and well-refined whiskey.

Finish: The finish of this chewy whiskey is marked by black pepper and candied peanuts, along with a surprising bit of lavender and lemon zest, which helps to brighten each sip and add a bit of nuance.

Bottom Line:

Larceny Barrel Proof Batch B524 fits the bill for “Steal Her From Me” thanks to the fact they both share an overarching theme of thievery, but it really helps that the high ABV will dull the blow of having your partner stolen. Thankfully, an elevated proof point won’t be the only thing keeping you company, as the sweet Snickers tasting notes in this bourbon will also sweeten the deal and help you forget about the (stolen) love that you lost.

12. “Finally Over” with Wild Turkey 101

ABV: 50.5%
Average Price: $29

The Song:

On the closing track of Where I’ve Been Isn’t Where I’m Going Shaboozey wrestles with the pressures of his newfound fame, fearful of returning to obscurity and “staring down the whiskey” wondering whether he’ll have to sell his soul to maintain the popularity he fought so hard to achieve. Ultimately, he’s made peace not only with the journey that led him here but also with whatever fate may await him, ending the album with the line, “I’m glad it’s finally over.” For Shaboozey, this is certainly the end of the beginning.

The Whiskey:

Wild Turkey 101 is the brand’s flagship expression, and it is ubiquitous on back bars across the country. The bottle’s new packaging was released in early 2021, but Master Distiller Jimmy Russell prides himself on this expression above all others because its flavor profile has remained consistent for decades.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Caramel, almond extract, and orange rind are featured heavily on the nose of this whiskey. Given some time to rest, you’ll also pick up notes of buttercream with an orange zest, nutmeg, and a bit of dried cranberries.

Palate: On the palate, that interplay of citrus zest, baking spice, and dried cranberries comes fully into view. A bit of cinnamon and caramel add elements of sweetness to each sip, and though the mouthfeel is fairly lean, it features a nice punchiness at 101 proof that keeps you cognizant of the fact that this is fine bourbon whiskey.

Finish: The finish is where the sizzle of alcohol ratchets up a notch, giving an indication of how Wild Turkey 101 got its reputation as a raucous pour for rowdy imbibers. That said, the finish isn’t remarkable, but as it ends off with caramel and baking spice, it encourages you to line up another pour and go in for a second glass.

Bottom Line:

Wild Turkey 101 is perhaps the quintessential American whiskey. Pouring bourbon in your glass comes with a set of expectations that Wild Turkey 101 is perfectly suited to live up to — caramel, oak, baking spice — sure, but also a proofy bite and a solid finish that warms your chest and fills you up with liquid courage. As you listen to Shaboozey, reckon with his journey toward stardom and contemplate the choices that led you to your current position in life — acceptance is key, and courage is probably necessary. That’s why Wild Turkey 101 is the perfect whiskey to pour while you take stock of the fact that where you’ve been isn’t where you’re going.

The Best Bourbon To Pair With Every Drake And Kendrick Diss Track

May 10, 2024 by newhiphopnews

drake_kendrick(1600x500) — Getty Image/Merle Cooper

Rap beef is serious business. The long-simmering animosity between two of rap’s biggest stars, Drake and Kendrick Lamar, has finally come to a head — resulting in scathing diss tracks, countless memes, and even some violent real-world consequences. Because the verbal conflict has taken a bit of a dark turn, it’s probably advisable that all parties involved have a drink or two.

Yes, Kendrick is known to mostly abstain from alcohol and Drake has famously dubbed himself “Champagne Papi,” but the occasion really seems to call for bourbon. And one with some edge.

Bourbon’s boldness pairs perfectly with the brashness of the barbs each emcee sent to his opponent. And spirits are really best appreciated when they match the mood you’re trying to set. While the conflict is at a temporary standstill, you’re probably looking to catch up on every twist and turn, and there’s truly no better way to absorb all the animus and keep score than with the perfect pour.

Follow along for the best bourbons to pair with every Drake and Kendrick Lamar diss track.

Kendrick Lamar “Control” with Booker’s Bourbon

ABV: 62.25%
Average Price: $125

The Diss: “Control” August 12th, 2013

Prior to Kendrick Lamar’s now-infamous “Control” verse, he and Drake seemingly shared a pretty warm relationship. That all soured when this song was released back in August of 2013. Mentioning Drake by name — among several other of his contemporaries — Kendrick challenged the entire rap game by saying, “What is competition? I’m tryna raise the bar high. Who tryna jump and get it? You’re better off tryna skydive.”

The Whiskey: Booker’s Springfield Batch, 2024-01

Booker’s is infamous for being the very first barrel-proof bourbon to hit the market in 1988. At the time it was an incredibly bold move, but it set the stage for the trend toward ever-higher ABV’s in American whiskey that persist today. Booker’s Springfield Batch 2024-01 is the first release from the brand in 2024 and will be followed by three more batches this year.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Marked by a floral aspect at first before exhibiting the trademark hazelnut quality that Booker’s is known for, this is a high-heat pour that doesn’t nose like it.

Palate: Once tasted, the interplay of floral flavors and nutty notes are elevated by the emergence of oak tones, allspice, and brown sugar.

Finish: The finish finds even more allspice and a touch of sage as the floral notes begin to crest and take control of the tasting experience.

Bottom Line:

This is the perfect pairing because only Booker’s can match Kendrick’s boldness in releasing “Control” back in 2013 when that particular class of rap stars was much more friend than foe.

Kendrick Lamar “Like That” with Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon

ABV: 46.5%
Average Price: $130

The Diss: “Like That” March 22nd, 2024

Yes, there were several thinly veiled shots exchanged between the rappers in the interim between “Control” and “Like That”, but while he didn’t actually say Drake’s name on this record — it was his most direct diss in over a decade making this the natural follow up to that first shot. In the song, Kendrick spurned the olive branch that Drake’s new bestie, J. Cole, extended on their collaboration “First Person Shooter.” In that song, J. Cole claimed that then rap game’s “Big 3” included himself, Drake, and Kendrick Lamar.

Rejecting the praise, on “Like That” Kendrick said “motherf*** the Big 3…it’s just big me.” which set the ball in motion for this recent back and forth.

The Whiskey: Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon

Blanton’s is known as “the Original Single Barrel Bourbon” and as such it’s become one of the most wildly popular bourbons on the market today. Each bottle is the product of a single barrel, meaning each bottle will taste slightly different.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: The aroma of candied maple, caramel, and vanilla ice cream jumps out of the glass right away. The mellow sweetness plays well against a backdrop of well-aged oak and fresh clove.

Palate: On the palate Blanton’s has a mellow baking spice presence, with clove and cinnamon leading the way, and rich caramel rounding things out. Nuance is provided by supporting sweet flavors like vanilla ice cream, brown sugar, and flaky pastry notes.

Finish: On the finish is where the gentle oak tones become most evident and they gently recede with the help of gooey butterscotch.

Bottom Line:

“Like That” is an upbeat song that became Future, Kendrick, and Metro Boomin’s first number-one single, and likewise Blanton’s is a runaway success too. The song is a bit light on lyrical sparring and Blanton’s is a bit light in the ABV department, making it easy to enjoy how fun both of them are.

Drake “Push Ups” with Elmer T. Lee

ABV: 45%
Average Price: $330

The Diss: Drake “Push Ups” April 19th, 2024

A low-quality version of Drake’s diss “Push Ups” initially leaked online on April 13th but in April 19th it was released in fully polished CDQ form. On the song, Drake took Kendrick Lamar to task but also directed some of that heat at The Weeknd, Metro Boomin, and Rick Ross for their respective slights.

The Whiskey: Elmer T. Lee

Elmer T. Lee is the man most often credited with “inventing” single-barrel bourbon. While Blanton’s was released first, due to its runaway success the Buffalo Trace Distillery decided to release Elmer T. Lee soon thereafter.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Honey, graham crackers, and wood chips are the notes most evident on the nose. It’s generally restrained, but very focused on those three well-refined notes.

Palate: On the palate there’s plenty of honey-drizzled baklava to go with a touch of toffee, white peach, and youthful oak.

Finish: The finish is short, but reiterates the sweetness found first on the nose and again on the front end of the palate.

Bottom Line:

While it wasn’t the strongest call to arms in the war-of-the-words, “Push Ups” signaled that the battle was on. Following up the commercial success of “Like That” was no easy task, and made more difficult by the still-unexplained leak of “Push Ups” but you can argue that Drake was simply emulating the lightness of Kendrick’s jabs with this one.

That’s similar to how Elmer T. Lee is a light follow-up to Blanton’s.

Drake “Taylor Made Freestyle” with Hancock’s President’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey

ABV: 44.45%
Average Price: $180

The Diss: “Taylor Made Freestyle” April 19th, 2024

Suddenly anxious to engage in the battle that Kendrick Lamar started over a decade prior, Drake took the “Back to Back” route by releasing “Taylor Made Freestyle” shortly after the official release of “Push Ups” hit the web. He raised a few ethical concerns by utilizing AI to use Tupac and Snoop Dogg’s voices in verses for the song.

The Whiskey:

Hancock’s President’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey is, to many people, a retread of Elmer T. Lee which itself is a retread of Blanton’s. All three bourbons feature the same mash bill at varying proof points and in the same single-barrel format.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Hancock’s has a touch of nuttiness and a bit more earthiness than its two contemporaries but still showcases notes of maple, honey, and vanilla extract on the nose.

Palate: On the palate this bourbon tacks a bit austere, with a lean mouthfeel. Some toasted coconut flakes can be found beneath the layer of caramel and youthful oak top notes.

Finish: On the finish there’s a bit of nuttiness that reemerges along with more youthful oak. Otherwise, it’s a rather straightforward sipper.

Bottom Line:

You could make the argument that producing Hancock’s is more trouble than it’s worth. Bourbon fans have warmly embraced both Blanton’s and Elmer T. Lee, but Hancock’s is the little brother that you pick for your team just because you’re friends with its more popular older brothers. Similarly, “Taylor Made Freestyle” was a tepid response that Drake eventually removed from the internet under the threat of legal action from Tupac Shakur’s estate.

Kendrick Lamar “euphoria.” with George T. Stagg Bourbon

ABV: 67.5%
Average Price: $970

The Diss: Kendrick Lamar “euphoria.” April 30th, 2024

The Whiskey: George T. Stagg Bourbon 2023

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Black cherry, rich oak, and Aleppo red pepper flakes come bursting out of the glass. Some molasses, brown sugar, and faintly mesquite notes add intriguing layers to the complexity of the aroma.

Palate: On the palate it begins with the syrupy sweetness of cocktail cherries but is then transformed by a touch of leather, cinnamon, and charred red peppers. The texture is viscous and full of high-octane which, once it settles down, serves to introduce a multitude of robust flavors.

Finish: The finish holds a faint bit of smokiness and barrel char to go with black pepper and a ton of toffee. It lingers long after the last sip which makes savoring it even more enjoyable.

Bottom Line:

George T. Stagg is often considered one of the best, if not the best, bourbons of all time. It is generally one of the boldest bourbons on the market each year and that reputation for exceptional quality and prototypical bourbon brashness has made it a classic in every way. In the same vein, Kendrick Lamar’s “euphoria.” is a scathing takedown that deserves a place among the best diss tracks in rap history — right up there with “Ether” and the West Coast classic, “Hit ‘Em Up.”

Kendrick Lamar “6:16 in LA” with Wild Turkey Rare Breed Bourbon

ABV: 54.1%
Average Price: $65

The Diss: Kendrick Lamar “6:16 in LA” May 3rd, 2024

Taking a page right out of Drake’s playbook, Kendrick released two records back-to-back with “6:16 in LA” hitting his Instagram page in the early hours of May 3rd. Seen at the time as a “bait” record, intended to goad Drake into rushing a response and preempt a more pointed attack, “6:16 in LA” is a strong diss track and a quietly impressive song in its own right.

The Whiskey: Wild Turkey Rare Breed Bourbon

Rare Breed is a batched evergreen product for Wild Turkey. Clocking in at a hefty 116.8 proof, Rare Breed was Wild Turkey’s triumphant answer to the rising popularity of barrel-proof bourbon.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Honeysuckle, bright red cherries, and cinnamon rolls serve to delight the senses after a single whiff of Rare Breed. Given some time to sit, you’ll find well-aged oak, clove, nutmeg, and toasted almonds all elevate the aroma profile of this bourbon.

Palate: The flavors in this whiskey are very clear and well-developed with each of the nosing notes coming through on the palate. Those flavors are bolstered by a bit of cooked apple and pie shell for a robust yet clearly defined cavalcade of flavors.

Finish: Lengthy and lingering, the finish on Rare Breed is deceptively delicious in that it deftly balances sweetness and spice — leaving you wondering which one will last the longest. The answer is typically the spice.

Bottom Line:

For the song “6:16 in LA” Kendrick Lamar achieved several feats at once — laying a trap, producing a high-quality record, and applying real pressure on his opponent in a single swoop. For its part, Rare Breed Bourbon also proves to check a lot of boxes. Rare Breed is a display in exceptional quality — capable of beating bourbons three times the price in blind tastings — but it’s also a case study for affordability and availability with its sub-$100 price point and ubiquity on liquor store shelves making it such an underrated success.

Drake “Family Matters” with Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Bourbon

ABV: 59.5%
Average Price: $90

The Diss: Drake “Family Matters” May 3rd, 2024

Facing a growing deficit, Drake swiftly responded to Kendrick’s early-morning assault with “Family Matters.” The beginning of the song was teased on the tail end of “Push Ups” indicating that Drake was indeed prepared for what would come but the impressive diss track also incorporated plenty of new information and some direct responses to “euphoria.” and “6:16 in LA.”

The Whiskey: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Bourbon Batch A124

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Bourbon is often seen as the standard bearer for high-quality, well-aged, cask-strength bourbon. The A124 Batch of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof was aged for 10 years and 9 months — an all-time low for the expression — but at 119 proof it still packs plenty of heat.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: A medley of walnuts, brown sugar, and clove make up the key aroma notes in this bourbon. Given a few waves of the hand, the ethanol dissipates and further aromas of cinnamon and vanilla fill the air.

Palate: On the palate is where the brown sugar and walnuts really make their presence felt. Balancing that earthiness with some warm sugary notes works well and leaves enough room for some slight herbaceousness and baking spice — think cumin and bay leaves — to punch through.

Finish: On the finish is where those baking spice notes like black pepper, cumin, and bay leaves become more evident, along with the punch of ethanol that warms your chest after each sip. There’s also a gentle kiss of cinnamon and baked apple on the finish that makes it enjoyable to revisit time and time again.

Bottom Line:

Despite the fact that it isn’t as harmonious as previous releases of Elijah Craig — with the stellar C923 batch coming to mind — Batch A124 still lives up to its reputation as an exceptional cask-strength bourbon. Likewise, Drake’s “Family Matters” is a bit unfocused — as he continued to take the “20 v. 1” sentiment that he mentioned on “Push Ups” to heart. He ceded precious ground in the beef by taking on so many opponents at once — reserving almost equal venom for his former collaborator, The Weeknd, as he does for Kendrick Lamar.

That said, “Family Matters” does an admirable job of protecting his reputation while taking fresh digs at Kendrick Lamar’s credibility.

Kendrick Lamar “Meet The Grahams” with Frey Ranch Farm Strength Uncut Bourbon

ABV: 60%
Average Price: $76

The Diss: Kendrick Lamar “Meet The Grahams” May 3rd, 2024

The third(!) diss track of the day, “Meet The Grahams” was released less than an hour after Drake’s “Family Matters.” On the hard-hitting, low-tempo track, Kendrick takes aim at Drake’s family, hurls his ugliest accusations yet, and goes so far as to wish death on his Canadian counterpart. He also proved that his previous diss track “6:16 in LA” was indeed a well-laid trap, though aspects of the song’s veracity have since been called into question.

The Whiskey: Frey Ranch Farm Strength Uncut Bourbon

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Leather and cinnamon bark really lead the way on the nose of this bourbon and they’re supported by the scent of buttered croissants and date syrup.

Palate: The flavors in Frey Ranch Farm Strength Bourbon really scream “boldness.” There’s corn pudding, tropical fruit chunks, and tobacco leaf but there’s also a heavy dose of ethanol which takes some getting used to. In addition to that intriguing array of flavors, there’s a truly robust and viscous texture to the bourbon that forces you to sit up and dissect it.

Finish: On the finish there’s even more heat as charred red pepper skin fuses with honey and more grain-forward corn notes.

Bottom Line:

Frey Ranch Farm Strength Uncut Bourbon is deceptively challenging, with corn-forward sweetness on the front end masking the heavy dose of ethanol and surprising depth of flavor found at midpalate and on the finish. Frey Ranch’s Farm Strength offering makes for such a perfect pairing with Kendrick Lamar’s “Meet The Grahams” because it is undeniably complex and deeply tied to the concept of family.

The family behind Frey Ranch Distillery has been farming since 1854 and distilling for 20 years, and all of that experience is on display in every bottle of their unique grain-forward bourbons.

Kendrick Lamar “Not Like Us” with Redwood Empire Cask Strength Pipe Dream Bourbon

ABV: 55%
Average Price: $70

The Diss: “Not Like Us” May 4th, 2024

As the latest diss in the ongoing battle, “Not Like Us” called Drake’s alliance with Atlanta rap artists into question over a booming beat that showcases the signature California rap sound. Reminiscent of an N.W.A. record from the 90’s, Kendrick’s embrace of the regional sound on the catchy track resulted in commercial success with the song breaking Spotify’s streaming record by becoming the most streamed American hip-hop song in a single day with 6.59 million streams.

The Whiskey: Redwood Empire Cask Strength Pipe Dream Bourbon

Redwood Empire’s Cask Strength Pipe Dream Bourbon is aged for a minimum of 4 years and takes the brand’s already excellent bourbon and raises the stakes courtesy of an increase in ABV.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Aromas like toffee, barrel char, and the leather from a baseball glove are immediately evident on the nose. There’s a touch of smokiness hiding in the background as well as some caramel that emerges after a few swirls in the glass.

Palate: On the palate there’s a lovely green apple note to go with honeyed pecans, aged oak notes, and accents of nutmeg.

Finish: The finish on this whiskey doubles down with more baking spice and oak before relenting with some of the toffee from the nose and a sweet albeit slightly tart green apple note to close.

Bottom Line:

As the final nail in the coffin (for the time being) “Not Like Us” proved to be a surprise hit with the thumping West Coast production from DJ Mustard resonating with many fans. The best bourbon produced in California, Redwood Empire’s Cask Strength Pipe Dream, is not only fiery and full-bodied, but through the brand’s Trees For The Future initiative, they also give back and elevate their local community.

With Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” firmly planting the flag for the classic California sound, it can be said that he’s also elevating the region that has strongly supported him throughout his career. Though there were also scattershot disses from the likes of J. Cole, Rick Ross, and Metro Boomin — whose #BBLDrizzy challenge inspired a host of inventive covers — the spirited clash is at a standstill…for now.

These Photos From This Year’s Bourbon & Beyond Festival Will Have You Booking Tickets For Next Year

September 20, 2022 by newhiphopnews

Last weekend, the Bourbon & Beyond Festival came to Louisville, Kentucky, and the city is still nursing a collective hangover. The fest married hard, classic, and country rock bands with everything bourbon in the heart of Bourbon Country. There were hosted whiskey panels with live tastings with the likes of Julian van Winkle (Pappy), Freddie Noe (Beam), and Trey Zoeller (Jefferson’s), just to name a few. And yes, they were pouring Pappy for the crowd at the Van Winkle panel.

Even though bourbon was the focus, there was still a great lineup of podcasts, food, and music (of course). I was lucky enough to attend two of the four days of the festival this year. There was some serious food on display with local chefs like Ed Lee (of Top Chef fame) mixing it up on stage and in the audience. There were about a gazillion different whiskey tents with all the brown juice you could ever want. There were great hang-out spots like the Zelle tent where multi-course dinners were served and small and intimate shows took place. It was a rollicking event with plenty of places to eat, drink, be merry, and even chill while listening to great live tunes.

Below, I’ve compiled some photos to give you the vibe of this year’s fest. I’m covering food, whiskey, the scene, and the music. Hopefully, these pics will inspire you to book a trip to Louisville next year to enjoy it all yourself!

Also Read: The Top 5 UPROXX Bourbon Posts Of The Last Six Months

The Food

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The Whiskey

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The Scene

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The Music

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Our Review Of Country Megastar Chris Stapleton’s Latest Bourbon Release

March 9, 2022 by newhiphopnews

Chris Stapleton EH Taylor Single Barrel Bourbon — Getty Image/Ralph Ordaz

In honor of the 125th anniversary of “Bottled-in-Bond Day,” Buffalo Trace has teamed up with country superstar Chris Stapleton to release a bottle of the good stuff for a good cause. Very briefly, Bottled-in-Bond Day (March 3rd) celebrates the creation of the Bottled-in-Bond Act that federally regulated the production of American whiskey according to the proof for taxation/production purposes. It was a pivotal moment in the history of American whiskey.

For this special drop, Chris Stapleton (if you don’t know who he is, go listen to Traveller immediately) has linked with Buffalo Trace for the second year in a row to pick his own barrel and sell it for charity. This year, the single barrel release is an E.H. Taylor, Jr. Bottled-in-Bond Single Barrel personally selected by Stapleton at the famed distillery. Incidentally, E.H. Taylor was the in-studio bottle Stapleton and his band drank during the making of Traveller.

Over the next two weeks, you can bid on one of two options for a bottle of this very limited bourbon. One way to win is to bid on a package that includes concert tickets to a Stapleton show this April in Lexington, Kentucky, a VIP tasting for four people at Buffalo Trace, some merch, and, of course, the bottle. Another package includes the bottle, merch, and two tickets to any Stapleton show this year. You can enter both right here. The rest of the bottles will be available via various charity events associated with Stapleton’s Outlaw State of Kind organization throughout the year.

Okay, let’s get into what’s actually in the bottle.

Also Read: The Top 5 UPROXX Bourbon Posts Of The Last Six Months

E.H. Taylor Single Barrel Bottled-in-Bond

E.H. Taylor, Jr. Single Barrel — Sazerac Company

ABV: 50%

Average Price: Charity only

The Whiskey:

The whiskey in this case is a 12-year-old barrel of E.H. Taylor. That whiskey was hand-picked by Chris Stapleton. It was then cut down very slightly to bottled-in-bond proof, or 100 proof, with that famously soft Kentucky limestone water.

The Bottle:

The bottle is a classic E.H. Taylor bottle with a big, yellow label (a label which definitely happens to make one hell of a statement among aficionados). An additional label/sticker is on the bottle denoting the 125th anniversary of the Bottled-in-Bond Act and Stapleton’s “seal” of approval.

Tasting Notes:

Dried dark fruits and a hint of vanilla wafers mingle with fig fruit leather, a touch of orchard wood, and a deep caramel on the nose. The palate holds onto those notes while layering in dark berry tobacco with sharp winter spices, new leather, and a singed cotton candy next to a cedar box filled with that tobacco. The finish lingers on your senses a while and leaves the spice behind for that dark, almost savory fruit note with an echo of blackberry Hostess pies next to soft leather pouches that have held chewy tobacco for decades and a final hint of old porch wicker in the middle of summer.

Bottom Line:

This feels very classic while offering a little something sweet and fruity, which is nice for a 12-year-old bourbon. I like this a lot over some rocks and it will make one hell of an old fashioned.

The Ranking:

91/100 — This is classic, perfectly made, and very easy-drinking. There are no faults but also nothing to “wow” your palate either.

Celebrity Bourbons, Blind Tasted And Ranked

January 13, 2022 by newhiphopnews

Celebrity bourbon, like celebrity tequila or anything else “celebrity”, is an odd beast. White labeling is a very real thing — that’s where big-name celebrities slap their names on a label, spend some time promoting the bottles, and then collect checks with little to no real influence on the process. But that’s not always how celebrity-driven bourbons come to be. Some famous folk actually dig into the process of making whiskey, help pick barrels and make blends, and spend a large amount of time championing the whiskeys they helped make.

Today, we have a bit of a mix of both worlds. Some of these bottles are sourced whiskeys that were released in an effort for a celebrity to jump on the bourbon boom. Some of them are passion projects. But does that love for the game shine through in what’s actually in the bottle? Or can an indifferent star make a better bourbon with a great brand backing them?

We’ll see!

Today, I’m tasting five bottles blind and then ranking them on taste alone. I’ve kept this a little smaller purposefully. The main reason is that when I’m tasting ten or 12 (or more) drams at once, some simply get lost in the mix — a few rise to the top, a few sink to the bottom, and the middle can become sort of an extended tie. When there are fewer drams competing, the competition becomes fierce because there’s nowhere for a middling dram to hide.

Our lineup today is:

Drake’s Virginia Black Decadent American Whiskey
Bob Dylan’s Heaven’s Door Redbreast Edition
Matthew McConaughey’s Longbranch
Scottie Pippen’s DIGITS Bourbon
Terry Bradshaw’s Bradshaw Bourbon

I was lucky enough to score a few of these from a bar owner and whiskey collector down in Prague where I host whiskey tastings to help keep things new and varied (hence the small taster bottles in some of the images). Let’s get to it!

Related: Celebrity-Owned Tequila Brands, Blind Tasted And Ranked

Part 1: The Tasting

Taste 1

Tasting Notes:

This is thin from the nose to the end. There’s a touch of vanilla extract with a plastic vibe on the nose that leads towards a hint of old lemon peel. The taste is pretty watery with a touch of caramel and a mild spice that leans towards cinnamon toast. The finish arrives pretty quick with a little note of oakiness.

This feels like “bourbon” but only just.

Taste 2

Tasting Notes:

The nose draws you in with a worn leatheriness next to dark stone fruits, brittle toffees, and something that feels like apricot jam with a good dose of winter spices. The palate is nutty (ranging from nutshell to marzipan) with a sticky toffee pudding vibe that leads towards plum candies. That sweetness gets very creamy with a vanilla pudding base as a light sense of stringy cedar barks leads back to that sweet plum candy.

Taste 3

Tasting Notes:

There are very light notes of citrus on the nose that feel like a distant lemon-lime with a wet wood vibe. The taste dried that wood out immediately, driving it towards almost pine wall paneling with hints of dry and dark spices, peach pits, and vanilla that all leads to this beautiful caramel candy end.

Taste 4

Tasting Notes:

This opens with a sense of vanilla extract that leads towards slightly singed popcorn with a touch of butter and an echo of cherry soda. The palate is classic bourbon with notes of caramel sauce, dark spice, light oak, and vanilla dancing with slight hints of leather and cherry tobacco. The end holds onto the vanilla before going full cherry candy on the finish.

Taste 5

Tasting Notes:

This is a wild nose that goes from Wether’s Originals to leather-bound books to drug store aftershave. The palate is all about soft spices with a woody vibe that’s a little bit wicker and a little bit oak. The finish holds onto the spice and warms up considerably before veering headfirst into apple candy sweetness.

Part 2: The Ranking

5. Virginia Black Whiskey — Taste 1

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $40

The Whiskey:

This whiskey is a collaboration between tequila maker Brent Hocking of DeLeón Tequila and Drake. The juice is a blend of high-rye bourbons from MGP that aged for two, three, and four years. That blend is then proofed all the way down to 40 percent before it’s bottled in what best can be described as a fancy art-deco perfume bottle.

Bottom Line:

This was last and it wasn’t even close. The 40 percent ABV meant that water kind of took over the whole flavor profile and left a faint hint of what whiskey might have been in those barrels.

This was just … so disappointing.

4. DIGITS Bourbon — Taste 4

ABV: 46%

Average Price: $70

The Whiskey:

This bottle is a collaboration between Bulls superstar Scottie Pippen and Napa wine superstar Dave Phinney. The juice is a sourced five-year-old whiskey that’s distilled in Tennessee, likely in a place that rhymes with “Tacoma”, alongside some MGP whiskey from Indiana. The barrels are sent to Mare Island, off San Francisco, where they continue aging before vatting, proofing, and bottling.

Bottom Line:

This is miles ahead of the bottle above. There’s a real sense of a well-built whiskey here that weirdly starts off a little thin but builds towards a very solid finish. I could see using this in cocktails very easily but I don’t know if it’s quite a sipper, like its price point suggests.

3. Wild Turkey Longbranch — Taste 3

ABV: 43%

Average Price: $40

The Whiskey:

A few years back, Wild Turkey brought on Matthew McConaughey to be the brand’s Creative Director and design his own whiskey. The product of that partnership was launched in 2018. The juice is a wholly unique whiskey for Wild Turkey, thanks to the Texas Mesquite charcoal filtration the hot juice goes through. The bourbon then goes into oak for eight long years before it’s proofed and bottled.

Bottom Line:

I think this could have won that day had the first half (the nose and the opening of the palate) had been bolder. This dram ends amazingly but you have to sort of force yourself to get there. Still, it’s pretty solid once you’re past the first act.

2. Bradshaw Bourbon — Taste 5

Brandshaw Bourbon — Bradshaw Bourbon LLC

ABV: 51.9%

Average Price: $52

The Whiskey:

Bradshaw Bourbon is made by Green River Distilling Company in Owensboro, Kentucky. The bourbon (and now a rye) is a collab between former Super Bowl champ Terry Bradshaw and Silver Screen Bottling Company, which acts as a sort of bottling fixer between a celebrity and a distiller or barrel house. The juice is a two-year-old bourbon made with 70 percent corn, 21 percent rye, and nine percent malted barley. It’s proofed to a hefty 103.8.

Bottom Line:

This really stood out. That aftershave moment of the nose threw me a bit (it’s not too out of leftfield) but made total sense with the whole experience. Then the palate truly popped as a very classic Kentucky bourbon. There weren’t any big bells or whistles but there didn’t need to be. This felt like a really solid “table bourbon” that you could sip on the rocks or throw in a cocktail and all will be well.

1. Heaven’s Door Redbreast Edition — Taste 2

ABV: 50%

Average Price: $115 ($99 MSRP)

The Whiskey:

This whiskey is a collaboration between Heaven’s Door Master Blender Ryan Perry and Redbreast’s legendary Master Blender Billy Leighton. The duo worked long and hard to create multiple whiskey expressions, which Bob Dylan taste-tested and granted final approval on. The juice in the bottle is Heaven Door’s low-rye 10-year-old Tennessee bourbon. They take that whiskey and fill it into Redbreast whiskey casks that had previously aged Irish whiskey for 12 years. After 15 months of final maturation, those barrels are vatted and slightly proofed down with soft Tennessee spring water.

Bottom Line:

Nothing came close to this. It’s complex, accessible, pronounced, nuanced. There’s a real depth that makes sense and welcomes you in. This is the winner by a country mile. I wanted to immediately go back. Given that Dylan actually helps select barrels and works with the blending, I have to think that he’s got one hell of a whiskey palate.

Part 3: Final Thoughts

I think I would have been shocked if Heaven’s Door didn’t win. The majority of their lineup is pretty damn fine whiskey across the board. Still, when I saw that Bradshaw Bourbon was my second-place pick, I was shocked. I had written that bottle off as “Terry probably just slapped his name on a bottle.” That’s not exactly true, he is part of the process, in theory. He’s out there pounding the pavement for the brand and has a long history of barrel picks going back a long way. It shows in this whiskey as it feels like it was made by someone who adores bourbon.

For me, the Longbranch was the splitting point. That whiskey finished so beautifully that it felt like a real shift from “shitty” to “okay” to “very nice” in this lineup. Still, I wanted a bit more up top and up just wasn’t there.

When it comes to Scottie Pippen’s bourbon, my best summation is this “yup, that’s bourbon alright.” It just left me a bit cold while tasting it and now while thinking about it. I can’t really see myself ever going back to it.

Finally, there’s Drake. Sorry, but cool perfume bottle aside, this was “meh” at best and “try again, folks” at worst. The 80 proof just let too much water take everything over and there was very little left.

I guess that means Bob Dylan remains the GOAT, in more ways than one.