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Forbes
10 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
Best American Single Malt Whiskey From The 2025 SF World Spirits Competition
The Finalists for Best American Single Malt Whiskey From The 2025 SFWSC American Single Malt whiskey is rapidly gaining a reputation as world-class spirits. These five whiskeys, all finalists for World's Best American Single Malt Whiskey at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, represent some of the finest American single malts currently produced. One of these five will be named the best American single malt whiskey. Below are brief backgrounds and tasting notes for each of the finalists. Triple Eight Distillery, part of the Cisco Brewers family on Nantucket Island, Massachusetts, is renowned for its artisanal spirits. The distillery has consistently garnered gold medals at international spirit competitions. Their "Notch" series reflects a commitment to traditional Scottish methods, using 100% Maris Otter malted barley, an heirloom variety, and double distillation in a single Arnold Holstein pot still. The 15-year expression is aged solely on Nantucket, where the coastal climate imparts a unique maritime character to the whisky, utilizing a combination of ex-bourbon and sherry casks. This expression is among the oldest American single malts currently available. The whisky presents rich sherry cask aromas on the nose, featuring stewed and dried fruits, chocolate, and toasted nuts. It is robust on the palate, showcasing flavors of dark chocolate, vanilla, honey, coconut, caramel, and wood spices. The finish is long and sweet with lingering notes of dried fruits and a hint of toasted almond. Balcones Distilling, located in Waco, Texas, is a pioneer in the American craft whiskey movement. The Mirador expression stands out for being aged exclusively in ex-bourbon barrels, diverging from the distillery's typical reliance on new oak. This approach allows the nuanced flavors of the malted barley to shine, resulting in a profile that bridges the gap between traditional Scotch and the bold flavors of Texas whiskey. The whiskey is floral and fruity on the nose, featuring floral potpourri, stone and tropical fruits, herbaceous notes of fresh hay, and a slight candied sweetness. It is rich and creamy on the palate, showcasing lemon cream, chocolate, stewed red berries, subtle herbaceous notes, and shortbread. The finish is long and sweet, with lingering floral, fruity, and herbal notes. For an in-depth look at Balcones, Mirador, see Jared Himstedt On The State of American Single Malt Whiskey. The World Whiskey Society, based in Georgia, pays homage to iconic figures from American frontier history through its limited-edition releases. The Wyatt Earp Small Batch is a tribute to the legendary lawman of the American West. Distilled in Oklahoma, the whisky is presented in a distinctive bottle adorned with a U.S. Marshal badge and silver bullet topper, reflecting Earp's storied legacy. The whisky is rich and aromatic on the nose, featuring dark chocolate, candied citrus zest, vanilla, caramel, and a malty/cooked cereal sweetness reminiscent of raisin bread. The palate is flavorful and creamy, with an oily, viscous mouthfeel, showcasing notes of dark chocolate, fig, raisin, white pepper, and a hint of mint. The finish is long and sweet, with lingering notes of dried fruit. Whiskey and Ice Stranahan's Distillery, established in Denver, Colorado, in 2004, is a trailblazer in American single malt whiskey. The Mountain Angel 12 Year is their oldest release to date. It's aged in new American oak barrels at high altitude with pronounced diurnal and seasonal temperature variations, resulting in a significant "angel's share" evaporation and a heavily extracted, flavorful whisky that exhibits substantial wood influence. This extended maturation, coupled with a finish in Port wine casks, imparts a depth and complexity reminiscent of well-aged Scotch. The nose is fruity and aromatic, showcasing stewed and roasted stone fruits, particularly nectarine and dried apricot, fig jam, and lavender potpourri. The whiskey is rich and creamy on the palate, highlighting fruity notes of blueberry jam, raspberry syrup, lemon cream, candied ginger, dried dark berries, fig jam, caramel, wood spices, and seasoned oak. The finish is long, sweet, and silky with lingering notes of dried fruit, wood spices, and a hint of smoke. The annual Stranahan's Snowflake release is a highly anticipated event, with enthusiasts camping overnight at the Denver distillery for a chance to purchase this limited-edition whiskey. Each Snowflake expression is unique, crafted by marrying various cask-finished single malts, including barrels that previously held wines, sherry, port, tequila, rum, and other spirits. This innovative blending produces a complex, layered whiskey, featuring a nuanced and ever-evolving flavor profile. The whiskey is fruity and aromatic on the nose, featuring orange zest, peach, nectarine, dried apricot, and a hint of cherry syrup. It is smooth and creamy on the palate, showcasing fruity notes of prune, peach, apricot, cinnamon, and a hint of clove. The finish is long and sweet, with lingering notes of dried fruit, cinnamon, and seasoned oak. These American single malt whiskeys are all exceptional. If you enjoy Scotch whisky, you will likely appreciate these finalists. They remain true to their Scottish and Irish roots while showcasing their whiskeys through an American lens. Unlike Ireland or Scotland, the U.S. offers a wide range of maturation environments, allowing American single malt whiskey to display a far broader array of expressions and a spectrum of aroma and taste profiles found nowhere else in the world. The golden age of American single malt whiskey is just beginning, and these five finalists are a great place to start your exploration.
New York Times
a day ago
- Business
- New York Times
The Birkin Inspires Yet Another Homage
Hop aboard a Hampton Jitney bus or a ferry to Nantucket this summer and you will probably see some L.L. Bean Boat and Totes, or maybe even an Hermès Birkin. You might also spot a new bag that looks like the child of those two: the Boatkin. Introduced in January by Hathaway Hutton, a brand in Philadelphia, Boatkins are made of canvas — some from old Boat and Totes — and have a shape and hardware similar to those of Birkins. 'Quiet luxury with a smirk' is how Hathaway Hutton's founder, Jen Risk, described the bag. 'I wanted to mess with the seriousness of it all and give it some personality.' Ms. Risk, 41, a self-taught sewer who started her brand in 2017, has positioned herself as a sort of Dr. Frankenstein of luxury goods: She has sold hand-painted Goyard totes and pool attire made of vintage Hermés beach towels. The Boatkin bag is her newest creation, and is among the latest accessories to borrow some of the Birkin's clout. See: Telfar's Shopping Bag, also known as the 'Bushwick Birkin'; the design collective MSCHF's 'Birkinstock' sandals; and Slow and Steady Wins the Race's four-sided Birkin replica. Each Boatkin is made in a work space at Ms. Risk's home, she said, a process that can take up to 10 hours. (A Birkin, by comparison, can take more than 18 hours to make, while a Boat and Tote can be stitched together in under 10 minutes.) Boatkins made from Boat and Totes provided by customers start at about $1,200; versions made with materials sourced by Ms. Risk, at about $1,600. She has sold more than 300 bags since introducing the style. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
When will the refitted M/V Monomoy begin ferry service between Cape Cod, Islands? Latest.
What is the status of the M/V Monomoy? The work on refitting the M/V Monomoy, 'is making fantastic progress,' Woods Hole, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket Steamship Authority General Manager Robert Davis said, and it is scheduled for a stabilization test on Aug. 20. The ship is one of three purchased by the Authority in 2022 from Hornbeck Offshore Services of Covington, Louisiana. The vessel, along with the M/V Barnstable and M/V Aquinnah, was converted for use by the Steamship Authority at Alabama Shipyard in Mobile. The M/V Aquinnah was commissioned earlier this month and is expected to return to regular, year-round runs between the Vineyard and Woods Hole by June 16, Davis said May 16. The purchase and conversion costs for the three vessels were made possible, in part, via an agreement with the Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority that yielded $28.1 million in federal funding. Davis reported that a utility building for the new Woods Hole Terminal construction is 50% completed and is expected to be ready by the end of this year. The terminal should be open a year from now, he said. Some issues caused by the construction raised by staff and customers are being addressed, Davis said. They include restriping crosswalks from the ferry to the buses and moving pickup and drop-off areas behind the new building as well as adding Jersey barriers along the adjacent bike path. A golf cart also will be arriving to assist customers, he said. Authority Board Chair James Malkin asked about coordination for safety around the construction site during the upcoming summer season. Other board members asked for more state police and coordination with the Falmouth police at the site, which will be provided. Susan Vaughn writes about transportation and other local community issues affecting Cape Cod residents and visitors. She can be reached at smharris@ Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Cape Cod Times subscription. Here are our subscription plans. This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Steamship Authority updates on new Cape Cod, Islands ferries
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
ICE storms nation's wealthiest island retreat to arrest dozens of illegal migrants…but governor is appalled
ICE agents stormed the islands of Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard and arrested 40 illegal immigrants - but a blue state governor slammed the effort as 'disturbing.' Immigration agents successfully apprehended at least one MS-13 gang member and one child sex offender during the bust, according Boston acting Field Office Director Patricia Hyde. 'ICE and our federal partners made a strong stand for prioritizing public safety by arresting and removing illegal aliens from our New England neighborhoods,' she said. 'Operations like this highlight the strong alliances that ICE shares with our fellow law enforcement partners.' Even White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt posted 'Bye bye!' on X along with a waving hand emoji as a response to an image of migrants being shackled and transported via boat. But Massachusetts ' Democratic Governor Maura Healey demanded 'answers' and 'clarification' from ICE about the covert operation. Healey told the Boston Herald it was 'very disturbing, needless to say, to wake up to news about that activity on Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket.' Healey questioned whether ICE officials genuinely targeted criminals like they said, noting: 'It's one thing to go after and target those who have committed crimes, who are here unlawfully. 'It's concerning when we see people, moms and dads, being ripped away from families. Neighbors, coworkers taken away, literally it looks like, on the way to job sites in Nantucket and on the Vineyard.' 'Local police chiefs have zero information about what's happening in their communities. We at the state level have zero information about what's happening in communities. 'And that needs to change. We need to get answers. We need to get clarification from ICE.' Healey's comments sparked immediate and furious backlash from Trump administration DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. She told Fox News that local authorities were notified about the operation. 'Before the Governor criticizes our brave law enforcement, she should get her facts straight—apparently, she is the one with "zero information,"' McLaughlin said. 'What we find "disturbing" and "concerning" is politicians like Massachusetts Gov. Healey fighting to protect criminal illegal aliens. 'Our ICE officers will continue putting their lives and safety on the line to arrest murderers, kidnappers, and pedophiles that were let into our country by the Biden administration's open border policies.' Trump returned to the White House after campaigning with a pledge to conduct the largest mass deportation scheme in American history. The affluent and tight-knit pro-Democrat area of Martha's Vineyard was inundated with 50 migrants in 2022 after Florida's Governor Ron DeSantis sent two planeloads of immigrants to the island. In response, authorities activated the National Guard in response, declaring the situation a 'humanitarian crisis.' Then in April 2024, it emerged that some of those migrants who cooperated with the sheriff were able to apply for U-nonimmigrant status and three of them have since received 'bona fide determinations.' That meant that the trio of Venezuelan migrants were given permission to work legally in the country and be protected from deportation. The U-nonimmigrant status, known as U-visa, is set aside for victims of certain crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse and are helpful to law enforcement or government officials in the investigation or prosecution of criminal activity, according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Migrants granted a U-visa are eligible to work in the United States, then can apply for a Green Card after having a U-visa for three years. There is a 10,000 limit on the number of U-visas issued each year and there are thousands of applicants on a waiting list.
Fox News
3 days ago
- General
- Fox News
Blue state governor sounds off about ‘disturbing' ICE operations on affluent liberal islands
Massachusetts Democratic Governor Maura Healey is sounding off about her frustrations with ICE's latest operations in her state, saying she found it "disturbing" to hear about the arrests of some 40 illegal immigrants in Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard. ICE, working with several other federal law enforcement agencies, conducted a series of immigration enforcement operations in Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard on Tuesday. An ICE statement said "around 40" individuals were arrested as a result of the operations, including an MS-13 gang member and at least one child sex offender. ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston acting Field Office Director Patricia Hyde said that "ICE and our federal partners made a strong stand for prioritizing public safety by arresting and removing illegal aliens from our New England neighborhoods" and that "operations like this highlight the strong alliances that ICE shares with our fellow law enforcement partners." Healey, however, took a very different tone about the operations. The governor said that "it was very disturbing, needless to say, to wake up to that news about that activity on Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket," according to the Boston Herald. "Local police chiefs have zero information about what's happening in their communities. We at the state level have zero information about what's happening in communities. And that needs to change. We need to get answers. We need to get clarification from ICE," said Healey. The outlet also reported Healey saying the arrests raised "real questions" about whether federal immigration authorities are complying with due process. "It's one thing to go after and target those who have committed crimes, who are here unlawfully," said Healey. "It's concerning when we see people, moms and dads, being ripped away from families. Neighbors, coworkers taken away, literally it looks like, on the way to job sites in Nantucket and on the Vineyard." Trump DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, however, told Fox News Digital that "ICE did notify local authorities about the enforcement operations." "Before the Governor criticizes our brave law enforcement, she should get her facts straight—apparently, she is the one with 'zero information,'" continued McLaughlin. "What we find 'disturbing' and 'concerning' is politicians like Massachusetts Gov. Healey fighting to protect criminal illegal aliens," she continued, adding, "Our ICE officers will continue putting their lives and safety on the line to arrest murderers, kidnappers, and pedophiles that were let into our country by the Biden administration's open border policies." Martha's Vineyard, which is a heavily affluent and deeply blue area, made headlines in 2022 when residents promptly removed the migrants being sent to the island from southern states like Florida and Texas. After Florida Governor Ron DeSantis sent two planes with 50 migrants to Martha's Vineyard in September 2022, the island activated the National Guard in response and released a statement calling the situation a "humanitarian crisis." The 50 migrants were ultimately loaded onto buses two days after arriving and transported off Martha's Vineyard to military housing on the Cape Cod mainland. On Wednesday, Jon Fetherston, a former Massachusetts migrant-shelter director, told Fox News Digital that "it's deeply troubling that Governor Healey finds the arrests of nearly 40 undocumented individuals on Cape Cod 'disturbing,' yet continues to refuse cooperation with federal agencies like ICE and ERO Boston—even when those agencies are targeting individuals with known criminal records." He continued, saying, "law enforcement was doing its job — removing people who pose a danger to public safety" and asserted that "the majority of the public— including right here in Massachusetts — supports the work of Tom Homan, ICE, and ERO because they understand that public safety must come first, regardless of political affiliation." "Even in one of the bluest states in the country, people expect their leaders to prioritize their safety over partisan agendas," said Fetherston. "The real concern here should be the safety of our communities, not political optics." Healey's office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
