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Showing posts from December, 2024

You Won't Believe How Many Whiskeys It Took to Make This Delicious New Bourbon

Throughout the year, Kentucky’s Barrell Craft Spirits sources barrels of whiskey from different states—usually Kentucky, Indiana, and Tennessee—and blends them into tasty new expressions. A few different batches of bourbon are released every year, as well as a couple of ryes, all bottled at cask strength that stand out in the American whiskey category. Then there are the various cask finishes, which range from rum and Japanese mizunara oak to more unusual spirits like Sicilian amaro and pear brandy. Some are better than others, of course, but for the most part it works, which proves that the Barrell team is meticulous when picking the right casks and choosing the precise proportions to blend together. Then there’s the annual New Year Bourbon, a chance for founder Joe Beatrice and his team to expand and expound upon the art of blending, a crucial but sometimes overlooked step in the process. The new 2025 New Year is a blend of bourbons of various ages that were distilled in e...

Huckberry's 'Super Comfy' Slippers That Are 'Warm But Not Too Hot' Are Over 40% Off During Its End-of-Year Sale

Men’s Journal aims to feature only the best products and services.  If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission. If you haven't perused Huckberry’s end-of-year sale yet, you should—it's a treasure trove of deals, including deep discounts on coveted items that rarely see markdowns, like Flint and Tinder’s Japanese Stretch Selvedge Denim Jeans , Relwen jackets , and even Blundstone boots . But if you're looking for cozy, the deal on Greys' Ripstop Slipper Boot is the one you want—it's over 40% off right now and is an ideal choice for indoor and outdoor wear. Greys Ripstop Slipper Boots are on sale for $70, a 41% discount from its normal price of $118. These grippy insulated slippers are only on sale until the end-of-year sale wraps up on Jan. 1, and both colorways (Navy/Black and Olive/Black) are available at the discounted price. You can order the slippers in sizes 4 all the way up to 13 (whole sizes only). Greys also makes a classic slipp...

Walmart Is Selling a $400 3-Piece Luggage Set for $85 Right Now, and Shoppers Say It 'Rolls Smoothly'

Men’s Journal aims to feature only the best products and services.  If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission. Walmart's end-of-year sale is filled with incredible deals on everything from fitness equipment to power tools and even home essentials like portable heaters . But some of the retailer's best deals right now are on—of all things— luggage sets , including one that's over $300 off and comes in a ton of colors.  The Travelhouse 3-Piece Luggage Set is on sale for $85, a massive 79% discount from its usual retail price of $400. This is an unprecedented opportunity to pick up a full set of sturdy hard-sided luggage, including both a carry-on bag and two larger checked bags, for under $100. The set is available in eight colorways, so you can also choose an option that’ll stand out on the baggage carousel. Travelhouse 3-Piece Luggage Set in Gray, $85 (was $400) at  Walmart Courtesy of Walmart This set includes three bags: a carry-...

Will Ferrell Casually Attends Hockey Game Dressed as Buddy the Elf

Nobody commits to a bit quite like Will Ferrell . And on Sunday, the 57-year-old proved that he's still the undisputed champion of comedy by showing up to an LA Kings game dressed in character as "Buddy the Elf" from his holiday comedy Elf , but perhaps if Buddy had fallen on some hard times. Ferrell was spotted at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles for the match between the Kings and Philadelphia Flyers alongside his wife and one of the couple's three sons . In addition to wearing the bright green costume, Ferrel was also sporting a five o'clock shadow while drinking beer with an unlit cigarette dangling from his mouth. The Saturday Night Live alum is a regular at Kings games, but typically looks less festive and downtrodden as the same time. Will Ferrell dressed up as Buddy the Elf at the Flyers-Kings game tonight 🎄😂 pic.twitter.com/VO9R69Pcto — Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) December 30, 2024 In an off-camera conversation, Ferrell apparently told Carrlyn Ba...

Prefer Scotch to Rye Whiskey? This Single Malt Rye Might Change Your Mind

Old Potrero from Hotaling , originally Anchor Distilling, is a rye whiskey that I first learned about through a local bartender over a decade ago but truly fell in love with years later. One of my friends working for Hotaling needed a hand in their booth at a whisky event in town, and I gladly accepted the gig.  While she took over the Kavalan product line, I sung the merits of Old Potrero in an uphill struggle to explain how single malt rye whiskey could be as beautiful as single malt barley whisky to a crowd of mostly Scotch aficionados. Rye was the primary grain for distillation in America from the Colonial era until the late 1850s, when corn took over. Rye grows rather well in the poor climate and soils of the northeastern U.S. It was also a grain that German and northern European settlers were familiar with from their home countries. In fact, rye whiskey got so popular that the newly formed United States government, which taxed the product to relieve Revolutionary War debt...

The Best and Worst Sedentary Activities for Brain Health

These days you can't walk into a doctor's office or through the line at the grocery store without seeing a plethora of headlines on how to age like fine wine. While turning to trendy anti-aging creams and magic "brain healing" pills to help stave off cognitive decline and other signs of getting older isn't uncommon, it's important to sift through what can and can't actually help you age gracefully. According to recent research, certain sedentary activities may be more beneficial for brain health than others.  The study, which was published in The Journals of Gerontology , compared how different sedentary activities affect cognitive function. The researchers at the University of South Australia found that activities that were mentally and socially stimulating such as reading or playing cards were beneficial for memory and cognitive abilities while passive pursuits such as watching television can actually be detrimental.  The study included 397 older a...

Why McDonald's New Straws May Make Beverages Taste Different

McDonald's recently began rolling out new straws in the United States, which are clear for the first time in decades, replacing the iconic white straws with red and yellow stripes. Wholly unsurprisingly, the change has not been embraced by many of McDonald's loyal customers, and it turns out the new straws could actually be making your soft drinks taste different. Chef Mike Haracz, a former McDonald's corporate chef who shares insider tips and tricks on his popular TikTok account, sought to answer why this may be the case in one of his latest videos. "As many of you know, McDonald's has switched out their iconic straw for something that is either a little more sustainable, and/or cheaper," Haracz explained. "I'm not sure which one, because based on everybody's reviews—and I have tried it as well—[the] straw's not cutting it." @chefmikeharacz Former #McDonalds chef talks about their new straws. #mcdonaldshacks #mcdonaldsccsing #m...

These Two New Scotch Whiskies Are Perfect Pours for Wine Fans. Here's How They Taste

Aberfeldy is, typically speaking, an uncomplicated and easy-drinking single malt Scotch whisky. That’s not to disparage this Highland distillery, which is nicknamed “the golden dram” and is a key component in Dewar’s . But the core 12-year-old whisky’s signature honey and vanilla-forward character makes it a solid if somewhat unremarkable offering amongst the many different whisky options in the region. That being said, things start to change as Aberfeldy ages a few decades, and even more so when different types of casks are thrown into the mix, either for full maturation or secondary finishing. That's certainly the case with two new single malts that were recently released, each with a high age statement, unique barrel journey, and definitive flavor profile. The first is a 26-year-old whisky that was finished in Languedoc red wine barrels, a type of French red wine, after initial maturation.  Wine finishes are a specialty at Aberfeldy, with previous expression released over the...

How Much It Costs To Spend New Years at Applebee’s Times Square

Revelers from all over the world flock to Times Square in New York City on New Year's Eve to watch the ball drop. But those who don't want to stand out in the cold for hours have options, as many of the chain restaurants lining the commercial intersection offer dining and bar packages. But it will set you back quite a few bucks, as is the case with Applebee's on West 42nd Street. According to the event-planning website BallDrop.com , packages start at a whopping $729 per person for a private table for eight, but they only get more expensive from there. A private table for four will set you back $799, while a meal for two at a shared table soars to $849. However, couples who prefer a more intimate experience will have to shell out $2299 plus fees for a private couple's package. Those who score a ticket to this "bucket list-worthy evening of a lifetime" can enjoy chef’s selection buffet and passed hors d'oeuvres, five hours of premium top shelf open bar,...

Top 10 Documentaries of 2024 You Must Watch Before It's Too Late

Unlike action movies ,  documentaries  have a unique ability to make us smarter on a topic, nearly instantly. They can also make us feel deeply, like a good novel or fictional film. Not every documentary released is to everyone's particular taste, but 2024 had an eclectic mix of docs, and one of those is bound to make you take notice. Here are the 10 best documentaries of 2024, covering history, music, science, TV, and more. Some you've heard of and some you might have missed. All of them have something to say, something to teach, and can keep you in touch with how we can all see the world with a little more nuance.  Not to mention, all of these are impossible to stop watching and contain some absolutely killer did-you-ever-know details that have kept us talking at the bar and coffee shop for hours. Related: Most Beautiful Woman in the World, According to Science 10. Beatles '64 Did the world need another  Beatles documentary? Maybe not. But, with so much...

I've Tried Hundreds of Whiskeys. This High-Proof Bourbon Is a Complex and Delicious Steal

You might've missed the date, but it was recently the anniversary of the repeal of Prohibition. The 21st Amendment to the Constitution was ratified on December 5, 1933. It finally put an end to 13 years of the 18th Amendment, also known as the Volstead Act, which enforced a nationwide ban on manufacturing, selling, and transporting alcoholic beverages.  It’s hard to imagine a world where we couldn’t purchase a bottle of bourbon, rye whiskey, gin, or other random spirit at relatailers. But, for thirteen years, Americans were forced to illicitly distill, import, and transport alcohol if they wished to imbibe it. Interestingly, even though this period in American history provokes a negative feeling in most drinkers, some distillers craft pre-Prohibition and Prohibition-era whiskeys. The era featured complex, flavorful, and high-proof whiskeys that have a timeless feel. Of all the Prohibition-style whiskeys, none is more famous than Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style. I’ve written ...

These Are the Healthiest Store-Bought Crackers You Can Buy, Sports Nutrition Coach Reveals

As the new year quickly approaches, many are looking to improve their diets and step up their nutrition game in 2025. As a certified nutrition coach, I always advise against restrictive and unsustainable diets that leave you feeling miserable and depleted. Instead, a smarter approach is making simple, healthy swaps for the foods you already enjoy. This allows you to clean up your diet without sacrificing the flavors and textures you love. Take healthy crackers, for example. The beloved snack staple has an irresistible crunch and unmatched versatility. But are crackers a healthy dietary choice? If your go-to is From Ritz or Cheez-Its, no. I’ll share how crackers can fit into a balanced diet, what to look for on the ingredients label when buying them, and my top picks for the healthiest crackers on the market that don't compromise on taste. If you're interested in more healthy swaps for your favorite foods, heed our advice on the  healthiest salad dressings ,...

Heidi Klum Celebrated Christmas in a Slinky Black Lace Catsuit

Heidi Klum can always be counted on to be unabashedly herself , and such was the case over the Christmas holiday, which she spent in Aspen, CO with friends and family. In an Instagram carousel of five photos, the 51-year-old, German-born blonde could be seen frolicking in front of a cozy-looking fireplace wearing a lacy black catsuit layered under a black minidress with a pair of matching fluffy mid-calf boots. "Santa … Are you coming down my chimney tonight?" Klum cheekily captioned the post, which she shared with her over 12 million followers on the platform. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Heidi Klum (@heidiklum) Klum likewise wore the sultry outfit while attending a private performance by her pal Kate Hudson, who sang a holiday concert for an intimate crowd at Aspen's Hotel Jerome. Among those in attendance at star-studded affair were Diplo, Kevin Costner, Dakota Johnson, and Kyle Richards; as well as Hu...