Beyonce’s ‘act II Cowboy Carter’ & Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch Whiskey
Country music and whiskey making are deeply rooted in Black history. Early country was heavily influenced by Black southern blues and hymnal music, with the banjo, an African instrument, as a major contributor to the country and western sound. Uncle Nearest is the only whiskey maker that is owned and run by Black women. Beyonce, the first Black woman to top the country charts and V. Eady Butler, the first Black female master whiskey blender, are shaking these industries up.
The Music: Beyonce’s ‘act II Cowboy Carter’
Beyonce has long dominated pop and R&B charts but her newest album dives headfirst in country music. While she says “This ain’t a country album. This is a “Beyonce” album,” it definitely has some country vibes. Beyonce does a cover of “Jolene” but from a point-of-view that reminds me of Loretta Lynn’s “Fist City.” Linda Martell, the first Black female artist to play at the Grand Ole Opry and a phenomenal unsung country artist, contributes along with numerous other Black country artists. “Texas Hold ‘Em”, the single that hit #1 on the country charts, is definitely a boot-stompin' tune and this album shows Beyonce can perform any genre.
The Whiskey: Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch
Uncle Nearest Distillery, named in honor of “Nearest” Green, the first Black master distiller and Jack Daniel’s mentor. His story, one of an enslaved still operator turned first Black master distiller, was almost lost to time until the women at Uncle Nearest brought his story back to life with Butler, Green’s great-great-granddaughter–award winning master blender, making a fine Tennessee whiskey honoring his legacy with its 1884 release. It has a fruity nose with apple, cherry and vanilla notes and tastes of candied fruit, cocoa, and baked apple pie. Overall it is an excellent whiskey that is smooth and full flavored and I can’t wait to try some of their other releases.
Chris Stapleton’s ‘Traveller’ and Traveller Whiskey
Since we have been away for awhile we are going to slowly dip our toes back in with the most obvious pairing of all time. This is Chris Stapleton’s first solo album paired with his whiskey of the same name.
The Music: Chris Stapleton’s ‘Traveller’
‘Traveller’ is one banger after another. Chris Stapleton was a prolific songwriter before he embarked on a solo career but his debut album is phenomenal, having won too many awards to count and selling a gazillion copies. While this is a very popular country music album it is by no stretch a “pop-country” album. In fact, if it wasn’t for the steel guitar and a little bit of a southern drawl it would probably be soul music. He has easily the best voice of any country artist of this millennium and shows it off on every song on this album. His cover of “Tennessee Whiskey” has given me goose bumps every time I’ve heard since it was released in 2015. This album is amazing front to back and one of the best country albums of the last few decades.
Now let’s see if the same holds true for the whiskey…
The Whiskey: Traveller Whiskey
This is a collaboration with Buffalo Trace and Chris Stapleton. Just the mere spectre of a Buffalo Trace label will have people lining up for blocks. And while this whiskey is still tough to find in certain places, it is still rolling out in various states, the rumor is there will be enough production that it should be on shelves regularly. We don't know much about what kind of juice is in the bottle beyond the vague “blended whiskey” designation and the line “unique combination of whiskies” from the back label. The nose has very pleasant sugar cookie notes with hints of clove and banana taffey. It has a chewy mouthfeel with a doughy baked goods taste. It has a light to medium finish of caramel and toffee. Overall a very pleasant whiskey that is not overly complex but very enjoyable.
Sturgill Simpson’s ‘The Ballad of Dood & Juanita’ and Wild Turkey 101
Wild Turkey 101 is always my go-to bourbon when I’m listening to a great album and so it was a no-brainer to pair these two Kentucky favorites.
The Music: Sturgill Simpson’s ‘The Ballad of Dood & Juanita’
Sturgill Simpson claims that ‘Dood & Juanita’ completes his planned five studio solo album career arc. I’m sure we will hear more from him whether that is continuing his ‘Cuttin’ Grass’ bluegrass album series or playing in future band projects. ‘Dood and Juanita’ was nominated for Best Country Album in this year’s Grammy awards, and for good reason. This “concept” album tells a wild west story, set in the hills of Kentucky, of love, kidnapping, loss, and revenge with the characters borrowing their names from Simpson’s actual grandparents. The music has an Appalachian folk and bluegrass vibe and features Willie Nelson on guitar for a song. When I listen to this album it gives me goosebumps to hear Simpson weave such a beautiful tale. Simpson was also up for Best Bluegrass Album for “Cuttin’ Grass - Vol. 1 (Butcher Shoppe Sessions)” at this year’s Grammys and he has previously been nominated for Best Rock Album as well.
The Whiskey: Wild Turkey 101
Wild Turkey 101 is one of those bourbons that needs to be in every liquor cabinet. It punches way above its weight class as a reliable bourbon at a reasonable price point. There is something unique about all the Wild Turkey whiskies that is hard to describe. They all have a special complexity and spice that is different from everything else in the market. Wild Turkey 101 has hints of caramel and oak on the nose and tastes of vanilla and spice. It has a medium to long sweet and spicy finish. It is delicious neat or on the rocks but also makes the perfect old fashioned. Wild Turkey is my go to whiskey for pretty much any occasion.
Johnny Paycheck’s ‘Uncovered The First Recordings’ and West Bottoms Whiskey
How cool would have been to have heard these ‘Uncovered’ songs when they were first recorded and watching Johnny Paycheck’s career take off shortly thereafter? Same can be said of West Bottoms Whiskey, as they are brand new but doing some really cool stuff.
The Music:Johnny Paycheck’s ‘Uncovered The First Recordings’
‘Uncovered’ is a collection of songs recorded before Johnny made it big. The songs were never released and were all but lost to time until they were found and put on this Record Store Day release in 2021. Some of the recordings are a little rough around the edges from a production standpoint, but the one thing that stands out is Johnny’s amazing voice, the absolute perfect voice for country music. I would argue that he had the best country music voice in the history of country music. (Yes, I think even better than George Jones.) His sound and style make you believe his every word when he sings his workingman outlaw country tunes. ‘Uncovered’ mostly consists of covers of 60’s era country and western tunes and is a fun album for all of us Paycheck fans.
The Whiskey: West Bottoms Whiskey
West Bottoms Whiskey Co. is based in the Kansas City neighborhood for which it borrows the name. They just opened their doors in 2021 and are already making some tasty whiskey. They say that it is “a pre-prohibiton style of blended American whiskey based on the process of rectification, the blending of up to 2.5% sherry into the whiskey.” This one is a blend of a rye, a bourbon, and a spanish sherry. I get a little of the sherry on the nose along with cinnamon and cherry. It also tastes of sherry, red hot cinnamon candy, and graham cracker. For one of their first releases, this is pretty damn good. I look forward to seeing what they come out with next.
Willi Carlisle’s “Peculiar, Missouri” and Old Ezra 7 Year Barrel Strength
This is the I-knew-it-was-going-to-be-good-but-I-didn’t-know-it-was-going-to-be-this-good pairing. Both the album and the bourbon blew away my expectations.
The Music: Willi Carlisle’s “Peculiar, Missouri”
I have been anxiously waiting for this album since it was first announced, and god-damn it did not disappoint. “Peculiar, Missouri” is a brilliant collection of folk songs and poetry. As with everything Willi does, this album drips with authenticity and sincerity wrapped in traditional folk sounds but with modern themes about inclusivity, queerness, and populism. Willi has been playing some of these songs at his shows on his recent tours but the inclusion of a full band, pedal steel, and fiddle on the album brings a richness to these melodies you don’t get from a solo show. And, of course the album also includes some accordion, harmonica, and rhythm bones work from Willi. This is Willi’s second album, but the first one available on vinyl. It wouldn’t be a Willi Carlisle production if there weren’t a few tear-jerkers, but there are also some more upbeat songs like the single “Vanlife” which will make you chuckle.
The Whiskey: Old Ezra 7 Year Barrel Strength
Whoa, what a surprise! I assumed it was going to be tasty, but the flavors really pop on this one. This is what bourbon is supposed to taste like. The notes of cherry, vanilla, and brown sugar are robust. I almost want to say it is sweet, but it’s really more the prevalence of the cherry. It has a thick mouthfeel, and in addition to the cherry, it has tastes of vanilla with some oak and tobacco. It has a medium to long finish with more cherry and oak. It is full flavored pour and has a little heat from the barrel strength, but it definitely approachable even for those who shy away from high proof whiskey.
Frank Turner’s ‘England Keep My Bones’ and Auchentoshan American Oak Single Malt Scotch
England doesn’t make a lot of whisk(e)y but they do produce some damn fine rock n’ roll. Frank Turner is an English folk punk rocker and this album pairs nicely with some Auchentoshan single malt scotch from his UK neighbors to the north.
The Music: Frank Turner’s ‘England Keep My Bones’
This album is the fourth solo album from Frank Turner. ‘England Keep My Bones’ is a little more rock n’ roll and a little more polished than some of Frank’s earlier folk punk albums. Every song on this album is excellent, like the single “I Still Believe” about the power of rock 'n' roll being a big part of the human experience. Or the catchy intro song “Eulogy” that pretty much sums up the tone of the album with the line “At least I fucking I tried. That’s the only eulogy I need.” The album also includes an a cappella traditional folk song “English Curse”. The album closes with an awesome atheist church-camp-y song “Glory Hallelujah” which immediately catches attention. I have never heard anything quite like it.
The Whisky: Auchentoshan American Oak Single Malt Scotch
Auchentoshan is one of the few lowland distilleries who are still doing single malts, and it is probably the most well known. This Scotch is aged in American bourbon casks. It is a very well balanced whisky that makes for a great introduction to Lowland Single Malt Scotch. It smells of banana bread with minerality and wet stone on the nose and on the palate. It is very crisp and refreshing with a hint of lemon and a smooth oak finish.
Hank Williams ‘40 Greatest Hits’ and High West’s A Midwinter Night’s Dram
Of course a whiskey named after Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night's Dream” must be paired with music from the “Hillbilly Shakespeare” himself, Hank Williams. A Midwinter Night’s Dram is one of the most sought after annual whiskey releases and is the perfect dram when listening to the GOAT.
The Music: Hank Williams ‘40 Greatest Hits’
Hank Williams, aka the “Hillbilly Shakespeare”, is the greatest country artist of all time. In his brief time on the planet he had 35 Top 10s and 11 number 1 songs on the Billboard Country & Western charts before he passed away at the age of 29 on New Year’s Day 1953. He sang about the everyman with such sincerity and authenticity that anyone listening feels like the song was written just for them. This collection of his greatest hits includes some of those amazing songs like “Hey, Good Lookin’”, “Your Cheatin’ Heart”, and “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry.” It also includes the last song that he ever recorded, which is fun but eerily titled “I’ll Never Get Out of This World Alive”. His influence on modern music can not be over exaggerated, from today’s Americana, Country, Blues, Rock, Pop, and every other genre of music that includes lyrical content.
The Whiskey: High West’s A Midwinter Night’s Dram - Act 9 Scene 3
High West Distillery is located just outside Park City, Utah and their A Midwinter Night’s Dram has become one of the more desirable limited whiskey releases each year for good reason. It is a rye whiskey finished in French oak port barrels. They say to enjoy it “next to a fire as the snow piles up on the window sill,” which is exactly what I’m doing right now. It has notes of plum, vanilla and candied black cherries. The port comes through on the nose as well as the palate. It tastes of angel cake, strawberries, and blueberries and has a long delicate oaky finish. This is a special whiskey worth savoring every dram.
TK & The Holy Know-Nothings’ “The Incredible Heat Machine” and Wild Turkey Rare Breed
In this pairing I am pairing one of my new favorite artists with one of my old favorite bourbons.
With an album this gloomy and boozy it is going to take a little something extra, and Rare Breed is just the spirit to do it, being barrel-proof and punch-you-in-the-face good.
The Music: TK & The Holy Know-Nothings “The Incredible Heat Machine”
‘The Incredible Heat Machine’ is a phenomenal album. It is the sophomore album from the country rock band out of Portland, OR. It is a booze-drenched album with sad-drinking-country song after sad-drinking-country song. In between the beautifully depressing songs they drop in “Hell of a Time” which is a haunting walk through the mind of a serial killer and the lightest song on the album, “I Lost my Beer” which is a funny song about getting too stoned and losing your beer. Every song on this album is a masterpiece in songwriting by frontman Taylor Kingman. My personal favorite is probably “Bottom of the Bottle” with the opening line of “that toilet bowl is drunk on last night’s booze” and it only gets better from there. This album is so good it makes you want to grab a stiff drink to drown in.
The Whiskey: Wild Turkey Rare Breed
Rare Breed is Wild Turkey’s barrel proof bourbon and comes in at 116.8 proof. Their bourbons always have that ‘something different’ that is hard to pin down. It has a big flavor punch that really sets them apart from the others. Wild Turkey makes amazing bourbons, and this Rare Breed is no exception. On the nose it has vanilla and eggnog and is a little nutty. It has a deliciously bold flavor with hints of spice bread and decadent desert. It has a long, almost sweet, finish. Even at the higher proof the alcohol does not overwhelm and this can be enjoyed by all.
Nick 13’s self-titled album and Belle Meade Bourbon
While Nick 13 is from California, this album was partially recorded in Nashville. In fact, the first song on the album is “Nashville Winter” so I am pairing this one with the delicious Belle Meade Bourbon also made in Nashville. They complement each other beautifully as they are easy on the senses, relaxing, and oh so enjoyable.
The Music: Nick 13’s self titled album
Nick 13, frontman for psychobilly punk rock band Tiger Army, released his first solo album back in 2011. Like many of his punk rock peers he experimented with making a country/folk album. However, unlike many of those peers who made stripped down folk punk albums, Nick 13 made a very polished and beautifully produced country album that blends that smooth “Nashville sound” with a little of that honky-tonk “Bakersfield sound.” I had been hunting for this album on vinyl for the better part of a decade but always seemed to just miss out on the re-releases until I finally found it a few weeks back at Ernest Tubb Record Shop in Nashville. It always makes an appearance anytime I am sitting around the campfire, hanging out on the porch, or sipping on some whiskey.
The Whiskey: Belle Meade Bourbon
Belle Meade Bourbon was a staple in Tennessee in the 1800’s but was lost to time after prohibition until two brothers revived the family brand in 2006. Fun Fact: The label on the bottle appears exactly as it did over a hundred years ago. This whiskey is sourced from other distillers and they did an excellent job of blending a delicious high rye whiskey. I can’t wait for future releases as they are now aging and bottling in Nashville. On the nose it smells like fall in an apple orchard and caramel. It is surprisingly easy drinking while complex at the same time. It tastes of candied fruit and cinnamon graham crackers. It's that time of year again and I can confirm it makes an excellent compliment to an eggnog cocktail.
Blaze Foley’s ‘Clay Pigeons’ and Heaven Hill Bottled in Bond Bourbon
Blaze Foley’s music is timeless folk country that is just as relevant today as it was 30 years ago and could have been a century ago too. There is nothing better than listening to some Blaze tunes with a glass of Heaven Hill bourbon that's keeping the tradition of Bottled in Bond alive since 1935.
The Music: Blaze Foley ‘Clay Pigeons’
Blaze Foley is one of my all time favorite artists but I am a little embarrassed to admit that I didn’t even know about him until a handful of years ago. He was an amazing folk artist and country singer-songwriter whose soulful singing, beautiful acoustic music, and long beard would have been wildly popular in today’s country/americana scene. He was close friends with another one of my favorites, legendary singer-songwriter Townes Van Zandt. There are some pretty wild stories about the two of them in the movie “Blaze”. Tragically Blaze’s life was cut short when he was shot to death by a friend’s son This album is kind of a “best of” collection of his songs and its title is from one of his more well known songs, “Clay Pigeons”, which has been covered by Tim Barry, John Prine, and many others.
The Whiskey: Heaven Hill Bottled in Bond Bourbon
Heaven Hill Distillery has always been known for producing quality whiskey like McKenna, Old Fitzgerald, Elijah Craig, Evan Wiliams and more, but now they have a flagship bourbon with their name on it. Heaven Hill Bottled in Bond is seven years old and is popular enough it can be a little hard to find. This bourbon has a cherry explosion with other ripe fruit on the nose. It has a thicker mouthfeel with caramel and raw sugar flavors and a longer finish. While it is a pretty straight forward bourbon, and damn tasty, it will probably be enjoyed more by experienced whiskey drinkers but might be a bit too much for beginners.
Cobra Skulls’ “Agitations” and Russell’s Reserve 6 year Rye
Opposites attract. The Cobra Skulls have wound down their appearances together as a band in the last decade while rye whiskey has seen a renaissance in the last decade. Put these two together and let the fist pumping and foot stomping ensue. Just be careful not to spill your drink.
The Music: “Agitations” was released in 2011 and was the last full length album from the Reno based punk rock band Cobra Skulls. Their style of punk has a driving beat that has that train-coming-down-the-tracks-right-into-your-kitchen sound and includes some great rock n’ roll guitar licks. Lead singer and bassist Devin Peralta has that perfect balance of almost screaming, almost singing voice leaving no doubt that this is seriously punk rock. “Agitations” has a more grown-up punk sound with songs about politics, climate change, and relationship struggles and it wouldn't be a Cobra Skulls album without at least one acoustic song questioning different religions.
The Whiskey: Russell’s Reserve 6 Year Rye is from Wild Turkey and gets its name from paying homage to over a century of history of the Wild Turkey master distillers from the Russell family. This rye is a fun cocktail rye but can absolutely stand on its own in a glass neat. It has very crisp and clean notes of citrus, apple, and pine with a sweetness to it. On the palate it tastes of orange and sweet candy, almost like an orange ice cream. It’s a great glass of whiskey that whiskey drinkers will appreciate and would be an easy recommendation to rye newbies.
The Pairing: Larry and His Flask’s “All That We Know” and Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Bourbon
This is the “I just can’t get enough” pairing. Everytime I put this record on I don’t want it to end and every time I pour a glass of ECBP I just want more!
The Music: Larry and His Flask are a badass acoustic punk band and “All That We Know” was their 2011 album that was the first album after they switched style from a more hardcore electric punk band to an accoustic fast paced bluegrass sound with a little bit of that Gogol Bordello gypsy jazz rock n’ roll but still keeping that punk rock edge. Lead singer Ian Cook has a captivating voice that reminds of Mike Ness. Jeshua Marshall plays the standup bass like a wild man as his brother Jamin kills the drums and the other members play banjo, mandolin, fiddle, various horns, and whatever else is laying around. The energy at their live shows is second to none and they bring that same energy to this album. All of their albums are great but I rock out to this most often because it includes one of my favorite ballads, “Slow it Down”. I can’t help but stomp my feet and dance around the house like Tom Cruise in “Risky Business” every time I put this record on. Every track on this album is a banger.
The Whiskey: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof is always a treat for whiskey connoisseurs. This batch #521 has a proof that is a little low for this series, coming in at 118.2, but still much higher than non-barrel proof whiskies. The beauty about this bottle is that the alcohol is not present on the nose or the pallet. The first thing that hits you is the vanilla notes and tucked behind that is a subtle oak and hint of wild berries. The palate has caramel and cinnamon candy that gives way to a long pepper and oak finish. There is something about this whiskey that just makes you feel good inside. Not drunk or warm fuzzies, but more of a sense of “That was fun. Let’s do it again.”
Sierra Ferrell’s “A Long Time Coming” and Sazerac Rye Whiskey
Sierra Ferrell spent time busking in New Orleans early in her career where she surely honed her amazing genre-bending sound. You can easily lose yourself in her music and imagine listening to her in a NOLA bar in the 19th century sipping on the day's favorite cocktail, the Sazerac.
The Music: Sierra Ferrell’s first album has truly been “A Long Time Coming”. She has been amassing a big following in the americana scene for several years and fans have been eagerly awaiting a full length album. The release of “A Long Time Coming” was well worth the wait and is easily one of my favorite albums of the last couple years. Front to back every song has a unique sound as it weaves in bluegrass, traditional country, roma jazz, and folk. Virtuoso bluegrass guitar player, Billy Strings, even lends his playing to “Bells of Every Chapel”. Fans who have been following Sierra for years and people hearing her for the first time are all falling in love with this album and her majestic 20’s-jazz-meets-folksy-appalachia voice.
The Whiskey: Sazerac Rye straight rye whiskey (sometimes referred to as “Baby Saz” because of its extremely popular older sibling Sazerac Rye 18-year) is a phenomenal whiskey that, when you can find it, is easily one of the best dollar-for-dollar values coming in under $30. Sazerac is made by Buffalo Trace but has its origin story in New Orleans. In the 19th century a cocktail named Sazerac was all the rage in NOLA and this bottle borrows that name and is the perfect whiskey for those old-timey mixologists. On its own it is very clean and crisp to drink and has notes of pine and cupcakes on the nose. It has a noticeably very little “whiskey burn” with a smooth bitterness and a hint of fresh mint that conjures thoughts of a mojito. The rye bread and rye spice is prevalent and as my wife said, “It smells like fall and tastes like summer.”
Jenny Don’t and the Spurs and Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon
Jenny Don’t and the Spurs started as a punk band and transitioned to making some badass country tunes. The man, Elijah Craig, started as a preacher and transitioned to become the “Father of Bourbon.”
The Music: Jenny Don’t and the Spurs are a super-hip country band that brings their experiences from previously playing as a punk band to their unique sometimes-traditional-sometimes-rockabilly country tunes. Their latest LP “Fire on the Ridge” is full of great rockabilly songs, traditional country ballads, as well as a few honky tonkin’ tunes. While on tour this year they debuted a new single “Right from the Start” with “Three or Four Nights” on the b-side with a proper release expected later in 2021. ”Right from the Start” is a great track that has a Patsy Cline vibe with a little 20’s jazz feel mixed with a rockabilly arrangement. I can’t wait to see what else they have in store on their upcoming album.
The Whiskey: Elijah Craig Bourbon is an absolute classic and as legend has it its namesake was the first to char oak barrels and is the inventor of bourbon as we know it. Who knows if these stories are a bit exaggerated but either way it is a damn tasty bourbon in a cool bottle that leans into the “Father of Bourbon” claim. The whiskey is another family member of the Heaven Hill distillery and should always be found on any self-respecting whiskey shelf. Caramel and cherries really pop on the nose and it reminds of an upscale confectionery sweets shop. It is very flavorful and slightly complex but makes for very easy drinking. It has nice sweetness with oak, salted peanuts, and a comfortable spice along with a very pleasant medium to long finish. Elijah Craig Bourbon is a great sipper for classic bourbon lovers and newbies alike.
Charley Crockett’s ‘Lonesome as a Shadow’ and Nine Banded Wheated Bourbon
Charley Crockett was born and raised in Texas so it’s only appropriate to pair this album with the Texas whiskey Nine Banded Bourbon. Both are also very versatile. Charley is best known as a country artist but is known to play some blues and soul, and Nine Banded Bourbon is just comfortable neat as it is being mixed in a craft cocktail.
The Music: ‘Lonesome as a Shadow’ is Charley Crockett’s first album with all original material. This album covers many different genres from country, blues, soul, and rock n’ roll. The first two songs on the album, “I wanna Cry” and “The Sky’d Become Teardrops”, have the most country sound and then the album switches to soul and blues tunes. There is even a little oldies and doo-wop vibe to the album, and “Lil’ Girl’s Name” has a Beach Boys surf-rock sound. The title of the album let’s us know that this isn’t going to be an upbeat album and it definitely has a lonesome theme with almost every song about hard times, heartbreak, and being sad and blue. It helps to have a glass of whiskey when listening to this because it might induce a good cry.
The Whiskey: Nine Banded Wheated Bourbon is out of Austin, TX. The juice is sourced from Indiana, but spends some time in Texas and uses limestone filtered water from Texas. I wanted a Texas bourbon for this pairing and in all honesty I don’t know anything about Texas whiskey so I took a shot in the dark on this one and I am glad I did. This bourbon is pretty damn good. It is very aromatic and there is a lot going on the nose with lots of fruit with cherries and apples. The palate starts with cinnamon graham crackers that quickly fades and gives way to cherries, brown sugar, and a hint of oak. Overall it is pretty sweet and very approachable.
“Love, Ire, and Song” is punk rock for those who aren’t into moshing at basement shows anymore and pairs nicely with Basil Hayden’s Bourbon which is a good entry whiskey for those who want to stop slamming Beam and Cokes and start drinking grown-up whiskey.
The Music: Frank Turner’s “Love, Ire, and Song” is one of my favorite albums from one of my favorite artists. Most of the songs on this album talk about getting older, still holding onto those punk ideals but maybe no longer playing songs as fast and as loud as possible. There are some amazing tunes on this album. “Photosynthesis” is one of those grown up punk songs that is a staple at a live Frank Turner show with the whole crowd screaming “I won’t sit down, I won’t shut up, and most of all I won’t grow up” and the album’s namesake song “Love, Ire, and Song”, is the ultimate grown-up punk rock protest song “And Punk Rock didn't live up to what I hoped that it could be, And all the things that I believed with all my heart when I was young, Are just coasters for beers and clean surfaces for drugs...”. I could go on and on about how much I love each song on this album but I don’t have the room, so I would suggest pouring a glass of whiskey, sitting down, listening to this album front to back, and remembering what it was like to “be young and crass enough to care.”
The Whiskey: Basil Hayden’s Bourbon is one of Jim Beam Distilleries premium bourbons and it comes in a very cool bottle. At only 80 proof this is an easy sipping bourbon and very approachable for folks who are new to whiskey or for those who want something with a premium taste not overpowered by the alcohol. It has notes of strawberries with hints of vanilla and citrus. It has a sweet taste that reminds me of the sugary candy Smarties.
@frankturner #fthc #loveireandsong #punk #punkrock #folk #folkpunk #accousticpunk #countrypunk @basilhaydens #basilhaydens @jimbeamdistillery #whiskey #bourbon #vinylrecords #vinyl #nowspinning @uturnaudio #whiskeyandwaxtrax #supportindierecordstoresThe Whiskey: Anything from Weller’s is getting tougher and tougher to find on the shelves these days. The secret is out that Weller is made in the same place, and made the same way as Pappy. The great thing about Special Reserve, when you can find it, is its relatively affordable. If you can find it at MSRP this bottle feels like a steal. I was lucky enough to find this one at @evergreenliquors for $25. It has a lot of vanilla on the nose and is bright and fresh with notes of apple, cherry and hints of citrus. It is extremely smooth with a bit of brown sugar and cinnamon candy on the palate with hints of smooth oak and tobacco. While fairly complex there is nothing overpowering about this bourbon which makes it a great whiskey to share with friends of all stripes.
@willicarlisle #willicarlisle #totellyouthetruth #folk #country #bluegrass #americana #protestsongs @wellerbourbon #weller #wellerbourbon #whiskey #bourbon #vinyl #compactdisc #whiskeyandwaxtrax #supportindieartistsThe Whiskey: Old Elk Bourbon is a Colorado based whiskey that is extremely well crafted and comes in a beautiful package. I was lucky enough to get one of the coveted elk head pourers when @oldman_carp gave me my first bottle of Old Elk. I opened it a party and was very popular and went quick. I plan to be a little more selfish with this bottle. It has the aroma of a decadent dessert with notes of cherry, raspberry, and brown sugar. The palate intrgues with lemon custard up front giving way to peppery spice with hints of oak and tobacco. Old Elk is very smooth and delicious and can be enjoyed by the hardcore whiskey drinkers and rookies alike.
@lavendercountryofficial #lavendercountry #country #lgbtcountry #lgbt @oldelkbourbon #oldelk #bourbon #whiskey #vinylrecords #vinyl #whiskeyandwaxtraxThe Music: I have been eagerly awaiting this album since I first saw @elleking post when the first single “Deep Breath” dropped. As soon as I heard the song, I immediately preordered the album. ‘Start it Over’ is Riley’s first solo album. It's a little soul, a little country, a little blues, and it’s got a little of that classic rock sound. Whatever it is, Riley’s slow and steady baritone voice, with a deep Ozark drawl, takes all of those genres and turns them into a hell of a unique sound and one of my favorite albums of the last couple years.
Riley is a KC boy and can frequently be seen rocking a Royals hat. He even turned the “Royals” logo into a “Riley” logo. While I no longer reside in KC I spent most of my life there so I still call it home. I am damn proud to see a hometown guy making a badass record like ‘Start it Over’.
The Whiskey: Makers Mark has always been one of my go-to whiskies, so I was very excited to see a few more products from them in the last several years. The proof and taste of the Cask Strength bourbon varies from batch to batch. This particular batch comes in a 110.6 proof, and is as smooth as smooth can be. I get notes of chocolate covered cherry, and oak, with a hint of lemon zest on the nose. The palate is rich and full flavored with pepper, vanilla, and assorted nuts.
@rileydown #rileydowning #startitover #countrysoul #soul #country #blues
#classicrock #kc #royals #kcroyals #riley @makersmark #makersmark #whiskey #whisky #bourbon #caskstrength #vinyl #vinylrecords #recordcollection #nowspinning #whiskeyandwaxtrax #supportindierecordstoresThe Whiskey: Eagle Rare Bourbon is one of those whiskeys that can be extremely tough to find. While it is a wonderful bourbon in a beautiful bottle, I think it has “gone viral”, like other bourbons from Buffalo Trace Distillery. It is worth every penny if you can get it, like I did, at it’s MSRP of $35 (at @evergreenliquors), but it’s not worth anywhere close to the $80-90 I have heard some people paying. It has a nice complexity and a richness with notes of wet oak, brown sugar, honey, and corn. On the palate I get chocolate and hints of tobacco and cedar. According to the inscription on the back of the bottle, apparently this is what freedom tastes like.
@hellboundglory #hellboundglory #leonvirgilbowers #purescum #scumbagcountry #country #countrymusic #shooterjennings @eaglerarebourbon @buffalotrace #eaglerare #buffalotrace #whiskey #bourbon #vinyl #vinylrecords #recordcollection #nowspinning @uturnaudio #discogs #supportindierecordstoresThe Music: ‘Nebraska’ is easily one of my top 10 favorite albums of all time, and I’m really not a Bruce Springsteen fan. It all seemed a little cheesy, or maybe it was like @courtneylove said, it has too much sax. Either way, that changed when I heard Nebraska. Bruce recorded these songs in his basement by himself with his guitar, harmonica, and the random instrument he had laying around. The intention was that the songs would later be recorded by the full band in the studio, but it ended up so beautiful just as it was so it was released without the studio or the band. The whole album feels dark and desperate with tunes like “Atlantic City” and murder ballads like the album’s namesake “Nebraska” and “Johnny 99”. “Born in the USA” was actually written for this album, and holy shit I wish it would have made the cut. It would’ve taken on a whole new tone.
The Whiskey: Buffalo Trace is the namesake bourbon from the Buffalo Trace Distillery. The distillery has been around since the 1700s but this bourbon has only been around since 1999. Buffalo Trace is relatively affordable, usually around $26, but can often times be hard to find probably due to the reputation of its brothers and sisters from the same distillery: Weller, Thomas Handy, Stagg, Eagle Rare, CEH Taylor, and partners like Banton’s and Pappy Van Winkle. Buffalo Trace Bourbon is higher quality and more full-flavored than the price tag would suggest. On the nose it has notes of caramel, citrus, and vanilla. On the palate I get green apple and mellow oak. The sweetness makes it approachable for the occasional whiskey drinker and obviously whiskey connoisseurs enjoy it as well.
Shout out to @joshwhoahbell for introducing Nebraska to me.
Whiskey found at @evergreenliquors
@blackpumas @broughbrothers #blackpumas #broughbrothersbourbon #blackhistorymonth #supportblackownedbusinesses #funk #soul #rhythmandblues #newartist #whiskey #bourbon #vinyl #vinylrecords #instavinyl #nowspinning #whiskeyandwaxtrax@langhorneslim @woodfordreserve
#langhorneslim #strawberrymansion #woodfordreserve #folk #country #bourbon #whiskey @uturnaudio #vinyl #vinylrecords #testpressing #instavinyl #whiskeyandwaxtrax #supportindierecordstoresThis album is different from other Against Me! records with a more polished sound and higher production quality. It opens with a solid hard-core punk song, “Provision L3”, and as the album progresses it leans more towards new wave and arena punk with hints of pop punk. It’s heavy on the rock n’ roll and electric guitar and has that punk angst but at the same time is more technical and lyrically it feels like punk rock for grownups. Lead singer, @laurajanegrace sings and screams about breakups, longing and the trials of forming new relationships post breakup, etc.
I am at the age now where I am content to stand just behind the pit at an Against Me! show and nod my head to the rhythm, along with every other dude wearing a black concert tee rep’ing some other punk band, and appreciate their polished punk sound that has been achieved by perfecting their craft by rockin’ for a couple decades.
The Whiskey: “PB&J” (Pabst Blue Ribbon and a shot of Jameson)
If you are going to drink cheap domestic beer you should probably drink the 1893 blue ribbon award winning cheap domestic beer, PBR. And nothing will help getting your night started off on the right foot as tossing back a shot of the classic Irish Whiskey, Jameson. Jameson smells like banana bread and has a clean crisp taste with hints of vanilla and more banana. It is very delightful and easy drinking, so it is very approachable for non-whiskey drinkers too. PBR tastes like beer. The “PBJ” is a favorite combo in dive bars and punk rock venues across the land.
@timmytychilders @fourrosesbourbon
#tylerchilders #longviolenthistory #bluegrass #countrymusic #country #fourroses #bourbon #whiskey #kentucky #vinyl #vinylrecords #whiskeyandwaxtrax #supportindierecordstores @uturnaudioThe Music: @sturgillsimpson has made country, southern rock, experimental rock, and blue grass albums. But I wanted to start with his first solo album, “High Top Mountain”, which is most definitely a country album. And this album ain’t no she-thinks-my-tractors-sexy-pop-country-bullshit. Sturgill looks more like a 90’s Nirvana kid on stage than he does a country artist. He has been compared to Waylon and the outlaw genre, which is high praise, and you can see why when he sings about whiskey, weed, women, heartbreak, love, and loss with a mix of heel-stomping tunes and dramatic ballads. This is the type of country that country music so desperately needs more of.
The Whiskey: @wildturkey Wild Turkey 101 is what whiskey is supposed to be. It tastes like whiskey. It is well balanced and smooth enough you can drink more than a few. And it has that 101 kick so you know you are drinking a real whiskey. You can always judge a “whiskey bar” by how many Wild Turkey labels they have. Wild Turkey is what real whiskey drinkers drink. Don’t let anybody tell you any different.