Stranahan’s Distillery has made a significant mark at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, securing an impressive seven Gold and Double Gold medals. Notably, their Snowflake Redcloud Peak was honored as a Best of Class finalist in the American Single Malt category. The distillery, based in Denver, is renowned for creating award-winning American single malts, and their limited-release Snowflake has gained a cult following, with fans eagerly camping out to secure a bottle each winter.

Head Blender Justin Aden, who joined Stranahan’s in May 2022, led the crafting of this year’s Snowflake release. His approach focused on fruit-forward flavors without the influence of peat or smoke, incorporating a blend of fortified wines, including Sherry, Port, and Sauternes, into the barrels. This meticulous process involved tasting hundreds of barrels to finalize the components that would create the luscious palette of Redcloud Peak.

The aging process in the Colorado climate, with its dry conditions, leads to a unique flavor profile. As the rickhouses evaporate more water than alcohol, the spirit’s concentration increases over time, resulting in whiskeys that retain bright fruit characteristics.

Aden emphasized the importance of Stranahan’s legacy in craft distilling, highlighting the distillery’s refusal to source whiskey and its commitment to innovation over the years. The loyalty from customers, some of whom have attended every Snowflake release for a decade, is a testament to the distillery’s dedication to quality and excellence.

In addition to the Snowflake, Stranahan’s lineup performed remarkably well, with their Mountain Angel 10-Year and Mountain Angel 12-Year also achieving Double Gold medals. It’s clear that Stranahan’s is not just about its limited releases; the entire product range showcases their commitment to high-quality, craft whiskey.

A data engineer, Alexsandras Bogdanovic (37), faced a Dublin court for a violent incident where he verbally abused a shop employee and vandalized the store. The abuse, which included racist insults against the worker’s Asian heritage, occurred during an initial altercation. In a subsequent incident days later, Bogdanovic returned to the shop, where he used vodka bottles to smash the front door, causing over €2,000 in damage. Store staff had to close the door for safety, protecting themselves and customers from his aggression.

For more information, visit the related topics: Dublin Courts and Andrew Phelan.

A woman from Lawrence was arrested on Sunday afternoon after allegedly providing vodka to the dogs of another resident. The situation unfolded near the intersection of 24th Street and Ousdahl Road, where a dispute arose over the woman refusing to leave someone else’s porch, according to Lawrence Police spokeswoman Laura McCabe.

Upon the arrival of the police, officers attempted to persuade the woman to leave, but she resisted, seemingly under the influence and making remarks about the resident’s dogs. Even after multiple requests to vacate the premises, she remained unresponsive to law enforcement.

Investigating further, the officers asked the resident to present the dogs. The resident complied, showing two young bully mixes that appeared healthy and sociable. However, as the police delved deeper into the incident, they discovered evidence suggesting that the woman had poured vodka into her hands and encouraged the dogs to drink it. This led to her arrest on suspicion of animal cruelty and trespassing.

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Green River Distilling Co., the 10th oldest licensed distillery in Kentucky, is set to launch a limited edition bourbon in honor of the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary. The whiskey, seasoned with 77 percent corn, 14 percent rye, and 9 percent malted barley, will have an Army Strong 111.1 Proof and will be priced at $49.99. Its release date is slated for June 14th, with availability extending throughout the year in select stores, military bases, and online.

Col. (ret.) Mark Erwin, the CEO of Lofted Spirits, Green River’s parent company, remarked, "This whiskey is a salute to 250 years of courage, commitment and sacrifice," emphasizing the pride of celebrating the Army and all who have served.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this bourbon will benefit various charitable organizations, including The Special Operations Warrior Foundation and USA Cares, aimed at supporting soldiers and their families. More details can be found at army250.greenriverwhiskey.com.

Great Lakes Distillery has announced the upcoming release of its highly limited Still & Oak Smoked Malt Whiskey, set for noon on Wednesday, May 21. This whiskey is crafted from a single barrel, producing only 170 bottles, with the first 100 packaged in complimentary wooden gift boxes. Each bottle is priced at $89, and given the limited availability, they are expected to sell quickly.

The whiskey is a seven-year-old straight American single malt distilled from 100% malted barley, aged in used American oak barrels. Tasting notes suggest a bouquet of toffee, toasted almond, and dried fruit on the nose, while the palate reveals flavors of caramel, dark chocolate, black cherry, and a hint of spice. The finish of the whiskey is characterized by oak, vanilla, and a subtle smokiness.

Customers can only purchase this 90 proof whiskey at Great Lakes’ tasting rooms located in Milwaukee and West Allis. The introduction of American Single Malt as an official category by the federal government in December 2024 is noted by GLD founder Guy Rehorst, who has been producing malt whiskey for over 15 years, prior to this release.

For more information, visit Great Lakes Distillery.

In the high-octane world of Formula One, where danger, rivalry, and pressure reign, there exists a contrasting reality—an extravagant life filled with luxury yachts, supermodels, and wild partying. The 1990s were particularly notorious for F1 celebrations, with drivers known to indulge wholeheartedly after a race.

Ex-Red Bull boss Richard Hopkins recalled a shocking incident involving Mercedes driver Mika Hakkinen, who allegedly downed an entire bottle of vodka in one night following a race. Hopkins remarked, "Hakkinen drank a bottle of vodka in one Sunday night. I thought he might have a little sip or a shot or something, but to down a bottle of vodka? He wouldn’t turn up the next day…. he was extraordinarily hungover." This particular episode supposedly occurred during the 1998 or 1999 season during a post-race function, where Hakkinen’s escapades often led to more than just fun.

Michael Schumacher, often seen as a ruthless competitor on the track, showcased a different side at after-parties. Friends revealed that he was easily swayed by party-loving teammates like Eddie Irvine. Hopkins noted, "Eddie could lead anybody astray… if somebody had won a race or a championship, then he was going to be in among it and quite happily buying the champagne and vodka." Schumacher, known for his serious demeanor, enjoyed unleashing his playful side, often engaging in lighthearted antics such as ripping off his shirt during celebrations.

Hopkins provided insight into how the drivers decompressed, recalling tales of Schumacher’s revelry on rooftops and gatherings at a log cabin in Suzuka after races. He humorously pointed out that even racers like Ayrton Senna found ways to unwind, leading to stories that would remain untold. Another driver and commentator, Christian Danner, affirmed that Schumacher preferred simpler pleasures, often enjoying cigars alongside Bacardi and Coke in the neutral space of Bernie Ecclestone’s motorhome.

However, the vibrant party scene isn’t the whole story of Schumacher’s life. In December 2013, he suffered a devastating skiing accident, resulting in severe brain injuries. Initially placed in a medically induced coma for recovery, his condition became a closely guarded secret as his family strived to maintain privacy amid growing concern and speculation.

Now, more than a decade since that tragic event, Michael Schumacher remains largely out of the public eye, as updates on his health are infrequent and tightly controlled by his family. While once a beacon of thrilling entertainment, his life now serves as a reminder of the fragility hidden beneath the glitz and glamour of the F1 world.