Philadelphia magazine’s Whiskey & Fine Spirits Festival is returning this year, scheduled for Thursday, November 13th at Lincoln Financial Field. Featuring over 250 varieties of whiskey, scotch, vodka, gin, rum, and tequila, this event promises more than just tastings; it’s an immersive experience dubbed a "Gatsby-level spectacle."

Attendees can look forward to live performances, celebrity appearances, and interactive games. Notable attractions include a mini golf setup at the Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey booth, an Eagles-themed lounge featuring a new limited-edition Gran Coramino Tequila bottle, and an autograph session with Eagles legend Hugh Douglas at the Jack Daniel’s Tailgate.

In addition to the impressive array of spirits, a variety of food pairings will be available. Some highlights include:

• 33rd St Hospitality – Crab and corn fritters
• Center City Pretzel – Soft pretzels
• Emmett – Rye Tartlet with a Sass-Squash cocktail
• Revival BBQ – Smoked gouda mac and cheese, maple-stuffed cornbread, and cider honey pulled chicken
• Village Whiskey – Pulled pork sliders
• Garces Trading Company – Pumpkin arancini and tuna tartar (VIP only)

For those keen to explore the nuances of different spirits, enjoy games, and rub elbows with notable personalities, tickets for Philadelphia magazine’s Whiskey & Fine Spirits Festival are available now.

For more information and to buy tickets, visit the Whiskey Fest page.

Rye whiskey is experiencing a renaissance, solidifying its place in the U.S. spirits market after a long decline. According to the results of the 2025 New York World Spirits Competition (NYWSC), two distinctive rye whiskeys stood out among the finalists for Best Rye Whiskey, showcasing the ongoing evolution and complexity of this spirit.

K.Luke’s Small Batch Toasted Barrel Rye, crafted by Jonathan Maisano, took home the Best in Class award. Maisano, whose background is in sommelier training, co-founded K.Luke in 2021 with his wife, Jennifer, aiming to create exceptional small-batch blends by sourcing from various Indiana and Kentucky distilleries. His meticulous approach focuses on blending different whiskeys rather than distilling his own, allowing for innovative flavor combinations. The Batch 5 release, which was finished in toasted barrels, boasts a rich flavor profile with notes of rye bread, tobacco, honey, and baking spices, earning high praise from judges. Only 643 bottles were produced, making it a sought-after item for enthusiasts.

On the innovative side, Bespoken’s Alchemist Series Release #012 received a Double Gold Medal. This whiskey utilizes a proprietary finishing technology that accelerates the aging process, allowing the distillers to experiment with toasting techniques in ways previously unimaginable. This cereal-rich concoction, flavored with notes of oatmeal cookie, spices, and autumn fruits, demonstrates Bespoken’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of traditional whiskey production. Although not yet available for public purchase, Bespoken’s innovative approach suggests a significant shift towards more experimental whiskey creations.

The NYWSC results highlight that the future of rye whiskey is bright, built on both a respect for tradition and a drive for innovation. Whether it’s the classic craftsmanship seen at K.Luke or the forward-thinking methods of Bespoken, rye whiskey is evolving—offering fans a delightful array of choices that celebrate both the history and potential of this spirited category.

For more information on the competition, visit New York World Spirits Competition.

Digital sensation Ashish Chanchlani is poised to captivate his audience with his directorial debut, Ekaki, a horror-comedy thriller that promises a delightful mix of laughter and chills. The anticipation is building as the first song, "Rum Rum Rum," is set to release on November 12, heightening excitement among fans.

Known for his comedic timing and storytelling prowess, Ashish is stepping into new territory by not only acting but also directing, producing, and writing this project. The show aims to blend elements of suspense, fear, and humor, a signature style that Ashish has mastered.

Since the teaser’s release, the buzz around Ekaki has escalated, with fans engaging enthusiastically on social media. The forthcoming teaser for "Rum Rum Rum" showcases Ashish and the cast indulging in lively dance moves, hinting at the energetic vibe of the song. Directed by the acclaimed duo Bosco-Caesar and performed by Nakash Aziz, it offers fans a glimpse into the imaginative world of Ekaki.

Behind the scenes, a talented team is collaborating on Ekaki, with Kunal Chhabhria as co-producer, Akash Dodeja as the parallel lead, and Jashan Sirwani serving as the executive producer. Tanish Sirwani, as the creative director, along with co-writer Grishim Nawanii and line producer Ritesh Sadhwani, are all contributing expertise to ensure the project is engaging and entertaining.

Ekaki is slated for a pan-India release in five languages and will premiere on ACV Studios’ YouTube channel on November 27, 2025. As the release of "Rum Rum Rum" draws near, fans are eagerly awaiting a taste of the creativity and energy that Ashish is infusing into this ambitious new venture.

Rumble Inc. shares saw a notable increase on Monday following the release of its third-quarter financial results, alongside several new AI-focused agreements. In Q3, Rumble reported a revenue of $24.76 million, which fell short of the analyst projections of $25.86 million. The company posted a loss of 6 cents per share, which was in line with expectations.

Despite a dip in monthly active users—from 51 million in Q2 to 47 million in Q3—Rumble attributed this drop to seasonal fluctuations and a lack of news and political commentary typical of non-election periods.

In a significant move, Rumble announced its acquisition of Northern Data, aiming to bolster its cloud services and international growth strategy. Following this acquisition, Tether committed to purchasing up to $150 million worth of GPU services over two years and pledged a $100 million advertising agreement with Rumble.

CEO Chris Pavlovski expressed optimism about expanding their partnership with Tether, particularly in the realm of AI, emphasizing a commitment to privacy and resilience.

At the time of publication, shares of Rumble were up by nearly 14% to $6.71. For further details on its financials, Rumble executives are set to discuss Q3 results and new business deals in a conference call later today.

For more information, visit Benzinga Pro and follow updates on Rumble Inc..

Mount Gay Rum has released the fourth installment of its Single Estate Series, known as 25_04, marking a significant addition to its portfolio. This rum is produced entirely from sugarcane harvested during the 2019 growing season and has garnered attention for its quality and limited availability, with only 2,754 bottles produced globally.

The history of the Single Estate Series began in 2015 when Mount Gay acquired the Mount Gay and Oxford Estates, allowing them to control the entire production process from cultivation to bottling. They currently cultivate around 13 sugarcane varieties on their estate, though they still source a portion of their cane from other farms. The 25_04 release is particularly noteworthy as it focuses on a single year’s harvest, allowing for a concentrated flavor profile.

Master Blender Trudiann Branker opted to use high-sugar-content molasses from the 2019 harvest, which underwent an extended fermentation process of nine days, contributing to its unique character. The rum is a blend of two pot still distillations, aged for five years in ex-bourbon barrels, and bottled at 55% ABV.

Tasting notes reveal an intricate blend of vibrant fruits and herbal aromas, including spiced apples, poached pears, and hints of maraschino cherry, along with earthy undertones of alfalfa hay and seasoned oak. The palate is characterized by a medley of flavors, showcasing pears in syrup and a distinctive "salty smokiness." The finish is rich and lingering, making it a true delight for rum aficionados.

With only 312 bottles available in the United States, this limited release carries a suggested retail price of $350, solidifying Mount Gay’s commitment to producing exceptional spirits that emphasize the nuances of sugarcane terroir.