The Rolling Stones Debut A New Album — One That's Already Become A Hit
The Rolling Stones' Exile on Main St. debuts on several U.K. charts after becoming a bestseller ... More again, appearing on three rankings more than 50 years after its release. CIRCA 1972: Rock and roll band "The Rolling Stones" pose for a portrait in circa 1972. (L-R) Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, Mick Jagger, Bill Wyman, Mick Taylor. (Photo by Michael)
The music of the Rolling Stones is so popular that some classic collections have returned to the charts in the United Kingdom more than once. Typically, re-releases and special editions are grouped together with the original title, so when a group reissues a project or when sales or streaming activity spikes, it benefits the first edition — and that movement can send a title back onto the weekly rankings. In other cases across the Atlantic, special circumstances allow multiple versions of what is essentially the same album to spend time on the same chart.
That's exactly what's happened with the Rolling Stones this frame, as Exile on Main St. becomes a bestseller on multiple tallies yet again — and also for the first time.
Exile on Main St. debuts on three charts in the U.K. this week. It launches highest on the Official Vinyl Albums ranking — the only tally on which it becomes a top 40 bestseller — as it starts at No. 33. The same project enters the Official Physical Albums chart at No. 76 and the Official Albums Sales list at No. 81.
Longtime fans of the Stones who keep an eye on where the group lands on the charts will know that Exile on Main St. has appeared on all three of these tallies in the past, though this appearance does still mark a debut.
Exile on Main St. first appeared on any of these lists 15 years ago, when it reached the Official Physical Albums chart, which tracks purchases of CDs, vinyl, and cassettes across the U.K. The Rolling Stones sent the title straight to No. 1 on that ranking.
Another, earlier take of the music arrived on the Official Vinyl Albums ranking in May 2016, spending just three frames on the list and peaking at No. 4. Two years later, it landed on the all-encompassing sales tally, which blends digital downloads with purchases on all physical formats. Somewhat disappointingly, it only held on for one turn at No. 52 before disappearing.
The original Exile on Main St. hit the Official Albums Chart — the main albums ranking in the nation — in the summer of 1972. It quickly gave the band another champion and spent 16 weeks on the list, which at the time was based entirely on sales.
The fact that the Official Charts Company didn't launch tallies dedicated to standalone purchases — or charts that focus on specific types of sales, like one format over another — also helps explain how some classic releases can debut on rankings decades after their initial heyday.
The Rolling Stones recently reissued Exile on Main St. on a special red vinyl, as the band does from time to time with some of its most popular projects. Only 2,000 copies were made available globally, and the offering was first sold in the band's London-based store, before going online as well. That uptick in sales helps the beloved project become a bestseller again in the U.K.
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New York Times
2 hours ago
- New York Times
How Chelsea won the race for Liam Delap ahead of Premier League and European rivals
He was the man that half of the Premier League wanted, and some beyond that too. Manchester City had first refusal. Manchester United chased him hard. Everton wanted him to lead what they hoped would be a revived club at a new stadium. Newcastle United were looking for a new striker. Nottingham Forest made a strong play. From Europe, Juventus, AC Milan and Bayern Munich all had an interest. Advertisement But Liam Delap, one of the hottest properties of the summer, is now a Chelsea player, and is the first significant domino to fall in what is shaping up to be a frantic bunfight for forward talent at the top end of the Premier League. Chelsea have got themselves a potentially huge bargain: they have paid the £30million ($40.5m) relegation release clause fee that was inserted into Delap's contract when he joined Ipswich from Manchester City last summer. Ipswich will receive £20m of that upfront and also a sell-on percentage from a future move. When you consider that, for most of the other forwards on the market, the bidding will start at double that, you can understand why Chelsea are so delighted with their business. Despite the number of teams involved in the race, people at Ipswich — who, like all of those spoken to for this article by The Athletic, asked to be kept anonymous in order to protect relationships — believed that Delap was always likely to be headed to Chelsea. The Athletic first reported interest from Chelsea in Delap last year, and they first made contact with him in January, some time ahead of most other interested parties. The 'top tier' teams — which is to say, the teams that were most likely to sign him, including Chelsea, Newcastle and Manchester United — held meetings face-to-face, while those who were keen but considered further down the list spoke to him on Zoom. Although it has been pretty clear from around Christmas time that Delap would be leaving Ipswich, he has been described as a model professional: the fact that he won their players' player of the year award suggests that he hasn't caused any problems in the squad. But the Chelsea move wasn't the fait accompli that some thought, and he genuinely did not definitively make up his mind until last week, when some of the other contenders were told by Delap's camp that he was heading for Stamford Bridge. Given the status of the clubs who wanted Delap, Nottingham Forest may have seemed like an unlikely destination, even with their unexpectedly brilliant season, but they were a live option for a while. A move to the City Ground was presented as a sort of stepping-stone transfer, like a lower-key version of what Erling Haaland did at Red Bull Salzburg and then Borussia Dortmund: sign for a club at a slightly lower level than you could have with an achievable release clause in your contract, gain more experience and score some goals, then step up to a top club. Advertisement Manchester City had a buy-back clause of £40million inserted into the deal that took him to Ipswich last summer, but there was never any realistic prospect of them taking up that option, simply because they don't need him. Haaland has just returned to fitness and signed a contract until 2034 in January, while they spent £59m on Omar Marmoush in the winter transfer window. At United, he would have immediately been their starting centre-forward, identified as having the key characteristics that Ruben Amorim wants in a No 9. The approach was led by their technical director, Jason Wilcox, who knew Delap from City, where he was their academy director. There were some doubts over the fact he had similar characteristics and track record to Rasmus Hojlund, so was not a guarantee of success, but they did push hard to sign him, meeting him on May 19. United will now focus on other forward targets and Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo has now decided he wants to join them. Other names have also been considered, including Viktor Gyokeres and Victor Osimhen. Matheus Cunha's move from Wolves was confirmed on Sunday. The choice was always very much Delap's. The low release clause meant he was technically affordable to every club in the Premier League. He took his time to choose: even though the season has only just ended, it has been clear for months that he would be going somewhere, and he waited until he had heard a number of pitches. But for all the other interest, most strongly from United, Chelsea were always confident for a range of reasons. They have a good relationship with Ipswich, partly from last summer when Omari Hutchinson's loan was turned into a permanent move. The nature of the Delap deal, with Chelsea triggering his release clause, meant that there weren't exactly significant rounds of hard-nosed negotiations, but the relationship made the whole process much smoother. Ipswich are keen to sign young striker Marc Guiu on loan as a sort of replacement for Delap, but those are regarded as separate deals. Guiu's move is not done yet. Advertisement Delap already has some ties to key figures at Chelsea. Head coach Enzo Maresca has known Delap since he was 16 and their time together at Manchester City, when he was coach of their Elite Development Squad (their under-23s, essentially). That team won the Premier League 2 title in 2020-21, with Delap scoring 24 goals in 20 games, including three hat-tricks. He was signed by City from Derby County's youth system in 2019 by Joe Shields, who at the time was City's head of academy recruitment but is now Chelsea's co-director of recruitment. Another familiar face from City, their former head of academy coaching, Glenn van der Kraan, is also now at Chelsea in a similar role. Andrew Cousins was the director of professional football and scouting at Stoke and brought Delap in on loan — he is now head of scouting at Chelsea. Justin Walker and Liam Rosenior, who both worked with him at Hull City, are with BlueCo sister club Strasbourg. And Walker coached Delap in Derby's academy. Maresca expressed his admiration for Delap before Chelsea played Ipswich in April, although he was careful about how he discussed another team's player. 'In terms of numbers, he's doing fantastic,' he said. 'It's not just in terms of his numbers. The way he plays and fights and is always 'there'.' Chelsea's need for a new striker was evident throughout the season in a number of ways. It felt less than ideal that a club that has spent £1.5billion on new players since BlueCo took over in 2022 were relying entirely on Nicolas Jackson as their only centre-forward. When Jackson was out, Maresca had to improvise, playing Pedro Neto or Christopher Nkunku out of position, or leaning on talented players with potential who are clearly early in their careers, like Guiu or Tyrique George. Maresca has publicly praised Jackson (in April he described the Senegal forward as his 'perfect No 9' and said Chelsea were a 'completely different team' when he was unavailable), and, while he's a better player than some give him credit for who offers more than just goals, he was among the worst-performing strikers in the Premier League when it came to expected goals. He scored 10 times in the Premier League last season against an xG figure of 12.3: among centre-forwards, only Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Evanilson had a bigger negative disparity. Delap, on the other hand, was quite the opposite: he scored 12 against an xG of 9.3. This is not the only measure against which strikers should be judged, but it does provide one reason why Delap was so coveted. He fits with Chelsea's policy when it comes to age. Since the summer of 2022, BlueCo's first transfer window after their takeover when they signed Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly, among others, they have not spent a fee on an outfielder over the age of 25: their only two recruits older than that were goalkeeper Robert Sanchez and Tosin Adarabioyo, who arrived on a free from Fulham. Advertisement The 22-year-old Delap will join Brazilian winger Willian Estevao (18), Ecuadorian midfielder Kendry Paez (18) and Portuguese midfielder Dario Essugo (20) in arriving this summer, with Essugo's Sporting CP team-mate Geovany Quenda (18) on his way next year. Champions League football, which was by no means a certainty right up until the last day of the season, was something that United and Forest couldn't offer, but wasn't the main factor in Chelsea persuading Delap to join them. A more important factor is that he gets to join a young team at Chelsea. Cole Palmer, Moises Caicedo and Noni Madueke are 23, Enzo Fernandez is 24, Reece James is a hoary old veteran at 25. Delap is joining contemporaries, a club where there aren't dominant, older figures in the dressing room: had he gone to United, say, he would be joining Bruno Fernandes' team, at Liverpool it's Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah. At Chelsea, they hope that by bringing together young players, it will help form more of a collective — a group that they hope will be together and successful for a long time. He also has the opportunity to be the main man there, which wouldn't have been the case at Newcastle as things stand, although Alexander Isak will be another prominent name in this summer's transfer talk. Chelsea are also stable in comparison to United, who finished the season in 15th place and have been a black hole for talent over the last few years. He is also not walking into an entirely alien environment, with several on-pitch connections from his days at City: being coached by Maresca there is one, but he's also good friends with Romeo Lavia and Cole Palmer, combining well with the latter a number of times for City's EDS, probably most memorably in a 7-2 win over Liverpool where they both scored two past Caoimhin Kelleher. Jamie Gittens, who Chelsea are interested in this summer, was also in the academy at City with Delap but did not play in that game. The Palmer connection is not just a case of him wanting to play with his mates. The fact that Delap has an existing on-pitch relationship with Chelsea's key creative force was attractive, and is something that should reduce the adjustment period that is inevitable when a player moves from a struggling club to a bigger one. It could also mitigate the adjustments that Delap will have to make when adapting to a new style of play: Ipswich were among the Premier League's more direct sides last season, while Chelsea favour a slower, more possession-based style. Chuck him into that among entirely unfamiliar players, and he could struggle. With players he knows, it should be easier. Chelsea wanted to get the deal done as soon as possible, with Delap registered in the new, mini transfer window established to help those involved in the Club World Cup sign players for the tournament. But a decision hasn't yet been made over whether he will go with Chelsea to the U.S., or whether he will play for England in the European Under-21 Championship, held in Slovakia more or less in parallel to the Club World Cup. He has been named in Lee Carsley's preliminary squad, but that call will have to be made before June 6, when England's final 23 will be announced. It also doesn't mean their business is done when it comes to attacking options. They remain keen on Eintracht Frankfurt forward Hugo Ekitike, although not at the German club's current valuation. Jadon Sancho will leave Chelsea at the end of his loan. Beyond Gittens, Chelsea have Alejandro Garnacho on their list for this summer. Advertisement Delap is not guaranteed to succeed. Playing for a team that was in the bottom three for most of the season is very different to one at the top end of the table. He could struggle to adapt to the different style of play. He only has one season of Premier League football to his name, and his goalscoring record in the Championship before that was modest: over three loan spells from City, with Stoke, Preston and Hull, he scored 12 goals in 69 appearances. But Chelsea believe he can be England's No 9 of the future and, at such a relatively low price, believe he could be just what they need. Additional reporting: Laurie Whitwell
Gizmodo
2 hours ago
- Gizmodo
‘Doctor Who' Utterly Wasted Belinda Chandra
Varada Sethu's addition to the TARDIS was a jolt of energy 'Doctor Who' needed—but it bafflingly transformed her into the modern era's most squandered companion. When the latest season of Doctor Who kicked off, the most exciting thing about it wasn't even its premiere story, or what was being set up to lead towards the season's grand finale: it was the arrival of Varada Sethu as Belinda Chandra, promising to shake up the Doctor/companion dynamic in a way it hadn't been in years. But now that the season is over, and Doctor Who lies amid a litany of narrative and production messes lurching towards an uncertain future, one of its biggest of all is just how it completely and utterly wasted Belinda's character. A young nurse balancing the rigorous demands of her career with the sudden tumult of being thrust into a suitably ludicrous Doctor Who narrative—abducted by giant robots and whisked off into space to become a planetary ruler and forcibly thrust into a horrific arranged marriage—Belinda's arrival in 'The Robot Revolution' immediately bucked the trends of most Doctor Who companion debuts, especially in the modern era. After initial moments of fear and hesitation, life in the Doctor's orbit is, more often than not, too mesmerizing to resist: 45 minutes to an hour later everyone from Rose Tyler to Ruby Sunday is ready to step inside the TARDIS, remark on its interior's size, and run straight forward into adventures in time and space. And yet, while Belinda ends up in the blue box just like the rest of them, she challenges the Doctor, both from his own perspective and that of the audience, every step of the way. The Belinda of 'The Robot Revolution' isn't obstinate for the sake of it or anything, but she rightfully pushes the Doctor's assumption that his way, his default of being the person that everyone in the room should listen to unquestionably, isn't the only way. It made for a remarkable chemistry between the Doctor and Belinda, and not just for Ncuti Gatwa and Varada Sethu's own sparkling charisma (the latter certainly cannot be blamed for the narrative choices the show makes with her character), but because you really see them feel out each other over the course of the episode, figuring out where lines are drawn between them—and it's Belinda drawing the lines. The Doctor's charm offensive, which has by and large driven so many of those initial sparks in the companion/Doctor relationship, simply does not work on Belinda. It all culminates in a brilliant final moment in that debut episode to set the tone going forward: calling him out for invading her privacy, for not thinking to ask people consent, for brazenly trying to dazzle her in the same way he'd clearly dazzled many people before her. There is clearly some part of Belinda that likes the Doctor; she's not actively horrified or disdainful of him, but she makes it clear he crosses lines, and the world he operates in (or rather worlds) are dangerous. She wants home, and the only thing that stops that is the fact that they can't get there—the adventures along the way aren't her signing up for this dazzling new life, but a necessity to get what she wants. It's a shame then, that this version of Belinda by and large stops existing halfway through her season of Doctor Who. Of course, she was always going to soften in her appraisal of the Doctor the longer she spent with him, but the show plays an awkward balancing act where both Belinda moves on from this challenging almost inorganically—arguably she is totally fine with traveling with the Doctor by the end of the second episode, 'Lux,' but even after the darkness of 'The Well' an episode later she is truly into the default companion mode—and because the season then also starts suddenly having to balance in dedicating its limited runtime to episodes about Ruby like 'Lucky Day,' or 'The Story and the Engine,' where Belinda is barely part of the narrative. For many of the other thorny narrative issues it has, by the time the season is heading into its endgame in 'The Interstellar Song Contest,' the version of Belinda we get there, where her reaction to the Doctor crossing a distinct moral line in aggressively torturing his 'foe' in Kid, is far from the woman who called him out for scanning her without asking her in 'The Robot Revolution,' willing to effectively rubber-stamp the Doctor's actions as a moment of duress. Which would be disappointing, but fine if Doctor Who replaced that initial skeptical archetype with anything, but instead Belinda is pushed into a void, a generic 'companion.' We don't learn anything about her, really, other than the fact that she wants to get home. But all that is before the real injustice comes in the two-part season finale. In its first part, 'Wish World', Belinda is transformed by the reality imposed by Conrad—the asshole villain weirdo who stalked Ruby in 'Lucky Day'—onto the earth into the Doctor's matronly wife. The reality is presented by the text as aberrant and dystopian, a world where every woman exists to be a good daughter, a good wife to her husband, and then a willing mother dutifully raising the next generation of daughters to follow in that exact same mold. In 'Wish World,' Belinda's one-note definition as mother to her and the Doctor's child, Poppy, is reflective of Conrad's retrograde views about women, filing them down into a single trait that is subservient to a traditionalist, conservative patriarchal power balance. The fact that Belinda, Poppy's mom, is not Belinda, the Doctor's companion that we've followed over the course of this season, is meant to be disturbing, to be something we want her to break free of and recognise the trap she, the Doctor, and the rest of the world in. 'The Reality War' instead decides that reducing Belinda to this singular trait—altered reality or otherwise—is Good, Actually. The second Belinda is freed from Conrad's world, her sole dramatic trait is reminding us that she is Poppy's mother and that that is all that she cares about, regardless of the chaos beginning to unfold around her on the Doctor, to the point that she literally tells him that she can't help him in his fight against the Rani. The episode metaphorically and literally shoves her in a box so Ruby can take on the primary companion role, safeguarding her and Poppy from any reversions to the original reality that might render the latter erased as quickly as she was wished into being. She's only allowed out the box when the day is saved, and again, she reverts to this matriarchal character, both when it initially seems like she, the Doctor, and Poppy might travel together, and then when Poppy vanishes from reality and the Doctor choses to sacrifice his life to bring her back. There is a lot of 'Reality War' that is an absolute mess, but little of it feels quite as insulting as what it does to Belinda's character. Having a character for whom motherhood is important is not the issue here; there is plenty that could've been done with a companion that's a mother (we certainly got a particularly involved version of that with Amy's arc in the Steven Moffat era!). It's that Doctor Who essentially took the Belinda it had—who, by episode count and other narrative decisions, had already been losing her sense of an arc—wiped her clean, and then metaphorically stamped 'mom' on her forehead, and left her like that for the episode's final act. An act that is now our farewell to the character, one that even attempts to retroactively 'reveal' that Belinda's arc was always about returning home to Poppy via a series of flashbacks to prior scenes from the season altered to now have Belinda add 'for Poppy' to the end of every mention of her desire to get back to Earth. That's not an actual character arc, or even an interesting recontextualization that reframes what the audience had already seen in new light. It's a literal re-write of what the audience already saw! After telling us the week prior that it was wrong for Conrad to impose, without consent, a patriarchal gender role on Belinda, Doctor Who itself has the Doctor do exactly that to Belinda, re-write all of reality to make her into a single mom. The Belinda Chandra we met in 'The Robot Revolution' doesn't exist any more, not just because the show whittled down her character into nothingness, but because the show concludes her arc by rewriting her existence so that that Belinda never existed in the first place. There's even a dark mirror in the final moments of that arc, when the Doctor does exactly to Poppy what he did to Belinda in the climax of 'The Robot Revolution': medically scan her with his alien technology without a single thought to ask if he was allowed to first. It's just that this time not only does Belinda not challenge him, she doesn't react at all. She is 'just' Poppy's mother now, with no thought or feeling given to her beyond that description. Again, a having a female character to whom being a parent is important is not the issue with what Doctor Who did with Belinda. There were so many ways the series could've given this ending to her storyline and actually organically laid out a path to it across the season. Perhaps have her slowly realize over time that something, someone is missing from her memories of her life on Earth, to struggle with the feeling that she has to get back to Earth as soon as possible while not fully grasping why, to eventually play with the reality manipulation that the finale hangs its dramatic stakes on. Instead, the show started with a completely different idea and dynamic for her—one brimming with potential it almost immediately decided not to capitalize on—before slowly but surely pushing her further and further to the fringes of its priorities over the course of the season. Belinda was never given the chance to grow and change over her time in the TARDIS, to challenge, and to be challenged by, life at the Doctor's side. Her final ending was just the last nail in a coffin Doctor Who had been building for Belinda's character as we'd known her in that first episode for a while, whether that was its narrative intent or otherwise—and ultimately just one extra failure to add to the season's list of many.
Forbes
3 hours ago
- Forbes
The World's Best Vodka- According To The 2025 International Wine And Spirit Competition
The vodkas that won Gold Outstanding medals at the 2025 IWSC. Sophia Lindenberger Vodka may be the most under appreciated spirt in the world. Yes, it routinely tops the charts in sales across the globe, but it's the gins, whiskeys, tequilas and rums of the world that hog all the headlines. That is due to vodka's misunderstood nature; most people think it is a neutral spirit or an invisible mixer. They couldn't be further from the truth. These days, there is a wide array of premium vodkas in the market that showcase subtle mouthfeel and flavor derived from their diverse base ingredients, such as rye's spice, wheat's creaminess, potato's richness, or sugar beet's sweetness. Nowhere is this more on display than in the recently announced Gold Outstanding medal winners from the 2025 International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC). For over half a century, the IWSC has been running alcoholic beverages (over 12,000 this year) through its rigorous blind judging panels to discern the world's best bottles. They just awarded 10 Gold Outstanding medals in the vodka category. To qualify, each medal winner had to score a minimum of 98 out of 100 points in judging. Each of the winners is in the running for the IWSC's Vodka Trophy that will be awarded in November. Here is a brief recap of each winner and the judge's notes. Witchmark Distillery's Single Origin English Vodka is crafted by a young whisky distiller in Norfolk, England. While none of their whiskies are ready for release yet, their vodka and gin are quickly garnering fans; one can only imagine what their aged whiskies will deliver when they are released. Distilled from local barley, it has a creamy, rounded profile, lending it exceptional smoothness and versatility. Witchmark's commitment to controlling the entire process from raw ingredient to finished spirit ensures a pure and clean expression. It's a compelling choice for those seeking an authentic, high-quality English spirit. Here is what the judges had to say: The rich and malty nose entrances, with cocoa-studded dough inviting curiosity. The palate reveals a delightful combination of mint and toffee apple. The finish is pleasantly warming, leaving a luscious, oily texture that lingers. From Iceland's Eimverk Distillery, Iceland's first whisky maker, comes Kría Single Grain Vodka, a truly unique spirit born from its pristine environment. This vodka is made from locally grown Kría barley, used to craft their whiskies, and benefits from the island's pure, naturally filtered spring water. It's a distinct offering that has not been released to the public yet, though their showing at the IWSC should soon change that. Here is what the judges had to say: A fragrant embrace of baked sesame pastry and sweet cream cheese greets the senses, leading to a sumptuous palate of toffee, baked apple, and anise, all wrapped in a silky texture. The finish reveals a rich tapestry of honey and grain, leaving a lasting impression. Adnams, a 150-year-old brewery and distillery in Southwold, England, has some serious credentials behind its Longshore Triple Malt Vodka. It has twice won the Vodka Trophy at the IWSC. Unlike typical vodkas, this is distilled from a distinctive blend of East Anglican barley, wheat, and oats, imparting a truly unique character. You'll find a notably creamy texture, with inviting notes of oat and butterscotch, alongside a natural sweetness from the malted grains. It's known for its remarkable smoothness and approachable complexity, proving that vodka can offer more than just neutrality. Here is what the judges had to say: Invitingly creamy with delicate floral notes. The palate offers a luscious berry mouthfeel intertwined with strawberry, raisins, and a touch of maple syrup. Soft, peppery finish reminiscent of apple pie and a whisper of vanilla marzipan. Delightful. Belvedere Vodka helped launch the premium vodka category in the late 20th century with its distinctive Polish offerings. Their super-premium 10 Vodka is the pinnacle product for the brand. Crafted from a single, prized harvest of Dankowskie Diamond Rye, the "10" signifies the ten stages of vodka creation and the year the distillery was founded 1910. This meticulous process yields an exceptionally smooth and crisp vodka that is far from neutral. First released in 2023, it's designed for those who appreciate ultimate purity and a complex, highly refined sipping experience, setting a new benchmark for luxury vodka. Here is what the judges had to say: Aromas of rich caramel and a whisper of spice. Silky textured palate with a robust peppery character, complemented by creamy vanilla, sourdough notes and delicate florals. Warm, zesty finish that is both silky and long-lasting. Well-balanced with a fantastic profile. Laplandia, a company owned by a family of entrepreneurs, was founded in 2009 to craft exceptional spirits in the Finnish northern wilderness region of Lapland. By using the pure artesian waters of the area combined with wheat from family-owned farms, they can produce strikingly clean vodkas. Bilberry Vodka is a flavored vodka infused with bilberry, a wild blueberry native to Arctic regions, lending a unique sweet-tart berry profile that stands apart from common blueberry flavors. It's a compelling choice for those seeking an authentic and vibrant fruit-flavored vodka experience. Here is what the judges had to say: Vibrant fruity nose underscored by creamy undertones. The palate reveals a delightful interplay of wild blueberries and sour cherries, harmoniously balanced with sweet vanilla and luscious berry jam. Refreshing, juicy brightness to finish, accented by a hint of bitterness. Outstanding. For their second award-winning vodka, Laplandia used another local ingredient to craft a great sip. Its Cloudberry Vodka is infused with the rare and prized cloudberry, a golden-orange fruit found in Arctic climates, known for its unique sweet, subtly tart, and intensely aromatic taste. Like other Laplandia expressions, it benefits from a premium grain spirit base and pristine Arctic spring water. It's a distinctive choice for those seeking a unique, natural berry flavor that captures the wild essence of the Nordic North. Here is what the judges had to say: A delightful burst of orange marmalade and caramel layered with hints of peach and apricot. The palate reveals a captivating sweetness complemented by clove and honey, while a subtle touch of white pepper and dry, root notes linger beautifully. Hawkridge Distillers, a seven-year-old distiller based in England's Berkshire County, collaborated with London's acclaimed Sexy Fish restaurant to produce this distinctive vodka. Crafted likely as a house pour or signature spirit for the high-end establishment, it emphasizes exceptional smoothness and purity. While specific botanical details are often private for such collaborations, the focus is on a refined, neutral, or subtly nuanced profile that excels in sophisticated cocktail creations. It's a vodka that should highlight its three founders, all distillers, skill in crafting memorable bottles. Here is what the judges had to say: The aroma presents a delicate blend of floral and fruity notes, beautifully enhanced by a touch of peppery spice and sweet icing sugar. The profoundly deep palate resonates with creamy hints of smooth vanilla and lusciously crisp citrus. If you have never heard of Eckerts Wacholder Brennerei GmbH, don't feel bad; it's doubtful many people have. Located in the Saarland region of Germany, adjacent to Luxembourg and France, it is a 125-year-old distiller with a minimal footprint. They make a wide array of small-batch whiskeys that are sold in the region. Their vodka is an experimental product that they only serve onsite. They must be doing something right since they took home two GO medals at the IWSC. Here is what the judges had to say: Light minerality and creamy vanilla on the nose. The palate bursts with a harmonious blend of woodiness and grassiness, enriched by caramel undertones, hints of stone fruit, and vibrant orange marmalade. A luscious mouthfeel leads to a clean, refreshing finish. This is another winner from Germany's Eckerts Wacholder Brennerei GmbH. As stated before, there is not much known about this distillery; it is distinctly local. Korol Black Vodka is another experimental product available only onsite. One thing is for certain, though. If you find yourself visiting the Saarland region of Germany, you should search for this distillery. With 125 years of experience, they seem to be making some great spirits. Here is what the judges had to say: A delightful bouquet of sweet wheat leads to a palate revealing delightful notes of bittersweet cereal wrapped in creamy icing sugar. Boasts a rounded, uplifting finish, where warm spice lingers beautifully on the tongue. Absolut Hunni, a brand-new product from Sweden's iconic Absolut Vodka, is currently only available in England, but hopefully, that will change soon. A naturally flavored vodka, it is crafted using Swedish winter wheat and natural honey flavorings to deliver a sweet, smooth sip. Like all Absolut vodkas, it benefits from a continuous distillation process, ensuring consistent quality and purity without added sugars. It is a super-premium flavored vodka that could change the conversations around the flavored vodka category as distillers look to deliver more natural products to consumers. Here is what the judges had to say: Delightful aromas of fresh Acacia honey, complemented by distinctive floral notes. On the palate, sweet heather honey shines through, intermingled with a lingering peppery warmth and gorgeous hints of fresh honeycomb. Follow here for the most up to date information about the ever changing beer, wine, and spirits industry.
