At the 2025 International Bartender Spirits Awards, two vodkas have achieved top honors, recognized by America’s leading bartenders as the best in the world. Angry Giraffe Premium Vodka was awarded Vodka of the Year, while Verità Vodka Italiana was named Best Spirit by Value. Both of these vodkas are celebrated for their quality and craftsmanship, having garnered numerous accolades in international spirit competitions.

Angry Giraffe Premium Vodka embodies the spirit of South Africa mixed with the energy of New York. This vodka is produced in small batches at Twin Stills Moonshine Distillery in Speonk, New York, using locally sourced grains. Distilled four times, Angry Giraffe is characterized by its crystal-clear appearance and a clean aroma that carries subtle hints of grain and sweetness. On the palate, it offers a smooth and creamy texture with a balanced hint of sweetness and a peppery note, leading to a long, crisp finish that lingers with notes of vanilla.

On the other hand, Verità Vodka Italiana hails from San Pietro di Feletto in northeastern Italy. Crafted by the multi-generational Distilleria dell’Alpe, this vodka is made from 100% Italian wheat and pure mountain spring water sourced from the Alps. The meticulous process involves three cycles of distillation followed by a final distillation in an antique wood-fired bain-marie still, which adds unique character. It has a clean and crisp nose with minerality, a creamy texture on the palate, and a refreshing finish with a smooth aftertaste.

The International Bartender Spirits Awards highlights the excellence in the spirits industry, focusing on quality, innovation, and craftsmanship. With their competitive pricing, both Angry Giraffe Premium Vodka and Verità Vodka Italiana are recommended for inclusion in home bars, offering exceptional taste and authenticity.

The owners of Okinawa Japanese Cuisine are set to launch a new dining destination in Denver’s Colfax Avenue, named Ma’s Kitchen Dumplings & Noodles. This establishment will take over the space formerly held by Rolling Pin Pizza, following its abrupt closure last year. The restaurant aims to offer a menu centered around noodles and dumplings with a Chinese focus, expanding the culinary options in the area.

Formerly, Rolling Pin Pizza had succeeded the popular Tacos Tequila Whiskey, which had been a neighborhood staple for over a decade. Kevin Morrison, the previous owner of both establishments, decided to sell the restaurant’s assets and relocate to Calgary, Canada, to be closer to family. He remarked that the taco and pizza markets in that part of Denver had become oversaturated.

Xi Yong Zheng, the owner of Okinawa, will head the new venture. According to Alan Cheng, a chef at Okinawa and spokesperson for Zheng, Ma’s Kitchen is expected to open in late August or early September. The kitchen will be led by Zheng’s brother, Xi Nuan Zheng, who is gaining experience from noodle and dumpling shops in China.

This new establishment is well-timed, as it seeks to fill a niche in the neighborhood’s dining landscape that hasn’t been offered before.

For more information, visit Ma’s Kitchen Dumplings & Noodles here.

In this month’s edition of Rum Music reviewed by Jennifer Lucy Allan, a captivating blend of sound poetry, unique instrumentals, and imaginative themes create a rich auditory experience. The narrative echoes the contemplative musings of prominent poets, with lines that resonate deep within.

The column delves into an eclectic array of offerings, moving away from the raw guitar sounds that have characterized previous editions. Instead, it embraces an experimental approach with sound poetry, angelic vowel utterances, quirky electronics, and even a collection of recordings featuring water droplets.

Noteworthy mentions include John M. Bennett’s Blanksmanship, characterized by poetic narratives and the interplay of shakuhachi and flute sounds, bringing a literary essence. The duo Jean-Marie Mercimek offers a unique auditory collage in Dans Le Camion De Marguerite Duras, blending sung/spoken French texts with unconventional keyboard sounds.

Another intriguing insight comes from Los Pélieu Lovers, who weave a poetic narrative inspired by French Beat poet Claude Pélieu, infusing their music with elements of spoken word and atmospheric instrumentals. Crystabel Efemena Riley’s live work impresses with visceral percussive experimentation, capturing the energetic response of a live audience.

Kasai takes a more whimsical approach with his high-octane minyo sounds, which revolve around everyday themes infused with an unorthodox charm. The various artists’ compilation Tsapiky! Modern Music From Southwest Madagascar energizes the soundscape with vibrant rhythms and local melodies, showcasing the cultural richness of tsapiky music.

Laura Steenberge’s Piriforms elevates the listener with ethereal choral harmonies that explore medieval singing traditions, offering a meditative experience that underscores the complexities of sound and space.

Closing the narrative is Masaaki Takano’s Shizukutachi, an innovative work that merges natural soundscapes with a minimal techno aesthetic, inviting listeners to reflect on the subtle beauty of water sounds transformed into musical movements.

This collection serves not only as a diverse sample of contemporary experimental music but as a reminder of the poetic and emotional power of sound in all its forms.

Nguyen Dinh Tuan Viet, famously known as the “King of World Spirits,” has set a remarkable record by becoming the owner of the oldest known bottles of whisky, rum, cognac, and armagnac. This achievement makes him the first collector in history to have all four major aged spirits recognized by Guinness World Records.

With over 20 Guinness records to his name, Mr. Viet has cultivated an extraordinary vintage spirits collection, most recently adding an 1843 bottle of Glenlivet, recognized as the oldest whisky in existence. His journey into collecting spirits began as a hobby but soon transformed into a passion for preserving history through these liquid treasures.

Mr. Viet shared insights into his motivations for collecting: “For me, collecting isn’t about ostentation; it’s my way of honoring the past, preserving the essence, and spreading the value, persistently seeking out the oldest and rarest editions from around the globe.” Each bottle in his collection symbolizes a slice of history, as he regards them as time capsules carrying stories from the past.

His collection includes a remarkable range of rare bottles, such as a 1772 rum and a 1696 cognac. Each acquisition is not merely for display; it embodies his commitment to safeguarding distillation history. The newest addition, The Old Glenlivet 1843, first surfaced in 1970 but vanished for years before being rediscovered by esteemed collectors, highlighting its significance and rarity.

The Glenlivet itself has a storied history, being the first distillery in the Speyside region to receive an official license in 1824. Mr. Viet’s acquisition process speaks to the importance of preservation, as the previous collectors sought a custodian who would appreciate the historical value of such a bottle.

For Mr. Viet, collecting has evolved from a casual interest into a life’s work, as he reflects on the many rare bottles he has acquired over time. Among the four oldest intact bottles he now possesses, the highlights include:

• Jules Robin 1696 – the oldest intact Cognac bottle, aged 329 years.
• Old Glenlivet 1843 – the oldest whisky bottle, aged 182 years.
• Armagnac 1830 – the oldest Armagnac bottle, aged 195 years.
• Rhum Ancienne Année 1772 – the oldest Rum bottle, aged 253 years.

All these extraordinary bottles are officially recognized by Guinness World Records, cementing Mr. Viet’s status as a dedicated custodian of spirit history. He describes each bottle as a living chapter, reminding us of the importance of preserving these unique moments from the past.

Whiskey Myers, the Southern rock band from Palestine, Texas, has released a new single titled "Tailspin." This track is the second offering from their upcoming album, Whomp Whack Thunder, set to launch on September 26th through their label, Wiggy Thump Records. The album is produced by Jay Joyce, who has previously worked with notable artists such as Eric Church and Ashley McBryde.

Lead guitarist John Jeffers expressed that the band approached the recording sessions without specific goals in mind, allowing their inspirations to direct the outcome. He noted, "We didn’t set out to chase a specific sound—we set out to make a Whiskey Myers record." This freedom in creativity has resulted in what Jeffers describes as a "fearless" album that reflects their journey and the challenges they’ve faced.

The new single "Tailspin" opens with an electrifying guitar riff and follows the story of a man grappling with his self-destructive tendencies. He recalls a brief period of stability but ultimately decides to embrace chaos over conformity, hinting at a life led astray by vices.

The lyrics of "Tailspin" feature a gritty perspective, showcasing how quickly one can spiral downward while yearning for relief. Fans who attended the Tailgates N’ Tallboys were given an early preview of the track and responded with excitement, praising its upbeat energy and impressive instrumentals.

In addition to the release of their new single, Whiskey Myers is gearing up for an extensive tour this year, titled "What We Were Born To Do Tour," starting in Des Moines, Iowa, on June 6. The band will perform at various venues across the U.S., ending the summer with live shows in multiple cities before moving into the fall.

For more about Whiskey Myers and their latest updates, visit their official site or follow them on social media.