Redbreast’s New Whiskey Is Spectacular—Thanks to This Special Cask

Redbreast is considered by many to be one of the best Irish whiskey brands. In fact, we even named the brand’s 12-year-old expression our favorite Irish whiskey, period. That track record should remain intact with the addition of this fantastic new 18-year-old expression.

Redbreast is a single pot still Irish whiskey, a category that has a few specific guidelines: the whiskey is made from a mash bill of malted and unmalted barley (a small amount of other cereal grain is allowed), and it’s distilled in a pot still at one distillery. Compare that to single malt whiskey, which is made from a mash bill of 100 percent malted barley at one distillery, a style that is mostly associated with Scotland.

The pot still mash bill gives a unique fruit-forward flavor profile. And in the case of Redbreast, the types of casks that are used, typically a combination of bourbon and sherry casks, also contribute a great deal to the whiskey’s character.

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Redbreast 18 falls just in between the core lineup’s 15- and 21-year-old expressions, but the specific types of barrels it’s aged in make it stand out from the pack. 

“The addition of Redbreast 18-Year-Old to the core range beautifully bridges the gap between our older and younger offerings,” said master blender David McCabe in a statement. “By incorporating cream sherry casks, we’ve created a whiskey that boasts a rich profile of dark chocolate, blackcurrants, and hazelnuts.”

Cream sherry is a blend of sweet sherries. The use of these casks, which were sourced from the Antonio Páez Lobato cooperage in Spain, brings something new to the Redbreast portfolio. 

The whiskey was made at Midleton, the large distillery, just outside of Cork, where other well-known Irish whiskey brands like Jameson, Powers, and Green Spot are also produced. It’s triple distilled and then aged in several different types of barrels: bourbon, oloroso sherry, and some ruby port casks in addition to the cream sherry casks.

At 18 years old, the whiskey has taken on big notes of oak and tannic spice. But it’s softened and balanced out by the different types of casks in which it spent nearly two decades resting. The resulting whiskey has big notes of cherry syrup, grape, butterscotch, fresh berries, dark chocolate, hazelnut, blood orange, and even a hint of Dr. Pepper on the palate.

The Redbreast portfolio is strong from start to finish, beginning with the 12-year-old that anchors the range all the way up to the outstanding (and expensive) 27-year-old. The new Redbreast 18 sits right in the middle in terms of age and price, $250. It’s not cheap, but still much less than the $700 or more you might pay for the 27. 

There is nothing mid about the flavor, however. My advice to longtime Redbreast fans and newcomers to the category? Grab this bottle if you see it in the wild and be sure to share it with friends.

Related: I’ve Tasted Hundreds of Whiskeys. This Smooth Bottle Is One of the Best Values on Store Shelves

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Author: Jonah Flicker

Watch the iPhone 16’s electrically-charged battery replacement process

A picture of a partially deconstructed iPhone 16, with one side removed and the battery being lifted from it.
image: iFixit

No sooner has the Phone 16 lineup arrived than the folks at iFixit start taking them apart, a process made easier this time around by the day-one release of repair manuals from Apple. The disassembly process shows the Camera control is a real button that moves, along with a flex cable that likely measures force, and the heat sink that appears positioned to keep the A18 chip’s Neural Engine cool while it handles AI workloads.

For this year’s refresh, the base iPhone 16 may be more interesting than the Pro model for one reason — it’s the first one using electrically debondable adhesive for its battery enclosure.

As reported in June by The Information, Apple isn’t using the new adhesive on all of its phones yet, but now we have a lot more…

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Author: Richard Lawler

These are the 50 best hotels in the world

Who doesn’t love a luxury hotel? Even if you’re priced out from regular five-star stays, the grandeur of a well-appointed, beautifully designed accommodation demands appreciation. For those of us who have had the privilege to stay in one (or a few or many), there is a singular joy, a feeling of luck, that for just one (or two or a few or many) nights, you’re royalty.

So if you’re a hotel addict like we are at Lonely Planet, disappear into the second annual ranking of the World’s 50 Best Hotels, recently announced in London. Last year’s number one, the stunning Passalacqua in Lake Como, Italy, has been dethroned as the number one hotel in the world in favor of the Capella in Bangkok, Thailand. Overlooking the Chao Phraya River this hotel has 101 rooms, suites and villas, a Michelin-starred chef, a stunning spa and concierges who can plan you an itinerary for your time in the city. The combination of elegance, spare design and impeccable service result in a sublime stay, a serene place to recharge or enjoy a cocktail in a chic and happening bar.

The list’s collective judges are part of the The World’s Best 50 Hotels Academy, a body of 580 international travel experts (with a 50/50 gender balance!) from the hotel and travel industries who vote anonymously on the best properties globally. 

Borgo-Santandrea-room.jpg
The view from a room at Borgo Santandrea in Amalfi. The World’s 50 Best Hotels

The winningest continent is Asia, with 14 entries entries, including three other Bangkok hotels: the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok (12), the Four Seasons Bangkok at Chao Phraya River (14) and the Siam (26). Europe is the region with the second-most wins featuring 12 properties, including the stunning new entry Borgo Santandrea (20) in Amalfi, Italy.

North America‘s top country, Mexico, features three hotels: ChablĂŠ Yucatan (16), Belmond Maroma (18) in Riviera Maya, the One&Only Mandarina (29) in Riviera Nayarit and Hotel Esencia (47) in Tulum.

The US has four entries on the list: the Carlyle (30) and Aman New York (37), both in New York City, Four Seasons at the Surf Club (34) north of Miami, Florida, and Hotel Bel-Air (35) in Los Angeles, California.

Other delightful new entries for this year include the Lana in Dubai (24), Belmond Mount Nelson (28) in Cape Town, South Africa, Sujån Jawai (43) in Rajasthan, India, and the Tasman in Hobart, Australia (49).

Additional highlights from our favorite hotels and the full list follow.

An indoor hotel pool with green tiling
The pool at the Bulgari Hotel Tokyo shimmers with emerald mosaic tiling. The World’s 50 Best Hotels

Grand hotels in Asia

Bulgari Hotel Tokyo

Making its debut on the list, the Bulgari Hotel occupies the 40th to 45th floors of the Tokyo Midtown Yaesu skyscraper. Centrally located and within walking distance of many of the Japanese capital’s top sites, the ultra-luxe property has 98 rooms and suites, the Michelin-starred Il Ristorante – Niko Romito, along with a bar, lounge and spa.

Desa Potato Head, Bali

This carbon-neutral luxe property is styled as a “creative village” where “music, art, design, food and wellness converge under a zero-waste philosophy.”

The Upper House, Hong Kong

Minimalist design, stunning artwork, extraordinary views – the Upper House in the Admiralty District of Hong Kong is an extraordinary property, the work of acclaimed local designer, André Fu.

The exterior of a grand hotel building with domed turrets at either end at sunset
Raffles London at the OWO is in the meticulously renovated Old War Office. The World’s 50 Best Hotels

Top spots in Europe

Raffles London at the OWO

The recipient of the Lavazza Highest New Entry Award 2024, this magnificent hotel is situated in the renovated Old War Office. Both historical and modern, with incomparable views of Whitehall and Horse Guards, Raffles at the OWO has become the place to see and be seen in London – for locals and visitors alike – be it at one of its nine dining venues, three bars or at the Guerlain spa.

Four Seasons Firenze, Italy

This converted Renaissance-era palazzo is located near Florence‘s city center, so you can spend the morning touring the Duomo and easily pop back to the outdoor pool for a refreshing dip.

Gleneagles, Scotland

Gleneagles boasts “endless country pursuits on tap,” including archery, fishing, and even falconry, making this Scottish getaway unique. The staff can also arrange for fabulous outdoor meals set against the stunning Perthshire scenery. 

A swimming pool lined by a pristine row of cream-colored sunloungers
The Four Seasons at the Surf Club in Surfside, Florida, has two heated outdoor swimming pools. The World’s 50 Best Hotels

The best of the Americas

Four Seasons at the Surf Club 

A stay at this beachfront hotel is as marvelous as it is sensual. Four Seasons at the Surf Club is the rare Miami-adjacent location where you can enjoy a peaceful, coastal holiday – no DJs blaring music at the pool here. Instead you’ll find a stunning architectural example of the area’s history (the original hotel opened on New Year’s Eve 1930) and one of the best restaurants in town, the Surf Club Restaurant.

Hotel Esencia, Mexico

Originally a private residence owned by an Italian duchess, this 50-acre property on the Riviera Maya features striking natural eye candy: white peacocks that wander the grounds.

Rosewood Sao Paulo, Brazil

Set in an Italianate villa that at one time was the city’s maternity ward, this glamorous mid-century hotel in São Paolo boasts contemporary works from 57 Brazilian artists. 

A bird's eye view of a luxury resort with a pool and palm trees right by the ocean
The Brando in Tahiti is the ultimate luxury escape. The World’s 50 Best Hotels

Spectacular stays in Africa and Oceana

The Brando

Appearing as a mirage in the Tetiaroa atoll in Tahiti, French Polynesia, this island beauty was indeed once owned by the actor Marlon Brando. An all-inclusive tropical paradise, it is the incarnation of luxurious escape and the apex of getting off the grid in the most over-the-top fashion. 

The Calile

Enjoy laid-back Aussie vibes at the stylish Calile in Brisbane, where rooms and suites offer a sense of calm with their natural cork floors and marble surfaces. Disconnect with a book at the in-house library, or chill on a day bed or cabana beside the pool. 

Singita Lodges, South Africa 

Kruger National Park is the setting for the list’s smallest property, the 18-room Singita Lodges, where a highlight is a traditional 18th-century boma dinner, an African menu served “al fresco, under the branches of a candelabra tree.”

The World’s 50 Best Hotels in 2024

1. Capella Bangkok

2. Passalacqua (Moltrasio, Italy)

3. Rosewood Hong Kong

4. Cheval Blanc Paris

5. The Upper House (Hong Kong, China)

6. Raffles Singapore

7. Aman Tokyo

8. Soneva Fushi (Maldives)

9. Atlantis The Royal (Dubai)

10. Nihi Sumba (Wanokaka, Indonesia)

11. Claridge’s (London)

12. Mandarin Oriental Bangkok

13. Raffles London at the OWO

14. Four Seasons Bangkok at Chao Phraya River

15. Hôtel de Crillon (Paris) 

16. ChablÊ Yucatån (Chocholå, Mexico)

17. Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc (Antibes, France)

18. Belmond Maroma (Riviera Maya, Mexico)

19. Four Seasons Firenze (Florence, Italy)

20. Borgo Santandrea (Amalfi, Italy)

21. Desa Potato Head (Seminyak, Bali)

22. Bulgari Tokyo 

23. The Lana (Dubai)

24. Rosewood São Paulo 

25. The Calile (Brisbane, Australia)

26. The Siam (Bangkok)

27. Park Hyatt Kyoto

28. Belmond Mount Nelson (Cape Town, South Africa)

29. One&Only Mandarina (Puerto Vallarta, Mexico)

30. The Carlyle (New York City)

31. La Mamounia (Marrakech, Morocco)

32. Four Seasons Madrid

33. Capella Singapore

34. Four Seasons at the Surf Club (Surfside, Florida)

35. Hotel Bel-Air (Los Angeles, California)

36. Eden Rock (St Barts)

37. Aman New York

38. Royal Mansour (Marrakesh)

39. Amangalla (Galle, Sri Lanka)

40. Le Bristol Paris

41. Gleneagles (Auchterarder, Scotland)

42. Castello di Reschio (Lisciano Niccone, Italy)

43. Sujån Jawai (Rajasthan, India)

44. Singita–Kruger National Park (South Africa)

45. Six Senses Zighy Bay (Oman)

46. The Connaught (London)

47. The Brando (Tahiti)

48. Hotel Esencia (Quintana Roo, Mexico)

49. The Tasman (Hobart, Australia)

50. Kokomo Private Island (Fiji)

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Dietician Outlines Three ‘Bad’ Foods That are Actually Healthy

Attitudes about diet are ever changing, and what was once considered healthy might eventually be found to pose a problem, or vice versa. Case in point, a “wellness culture BS busting dietitian” is highlighting three foods that have a bad reputation, but as it turns out, are pretty healthy for you.

The insights come from Abbey Sharp, who serves up “science and sass” on her popular TikTok account, which boasts over 840,000 followers. In her latest video posted this week, Sharp detailed three “bad foods” that she actually thinks people should eat.

First up were potatoes, which have been particularly demonized in recent years in the era of low-carb diets. “Potatoes do not inherently make you gain weight,” she explained, noting that they’re actually a great source of slow digesting carbs with blood sugar-regulating residence starch fiber. Not to mention, they’re also a great source of nutrients such as potassium, vitamin C, and vitamin B6.

Potatoes are actually quite filling as well, as she pointed out that the root vegetables actually topped a satiety ranking of common foods. For comparison, that’s seven times more filling than say, a croissant.

@abbeyskitchen

Diet culture loves to demonize these foods but they can actually be pretty good for you! Which one of these surprised you? #healthyeating #dietitiansoftiktok #potatotiktok

♬ September – Earth, Wind & Fire

The next food Sharp tackled was egg yolks, which have likewise always gotten a bad rap.

“For too long I feel that diet culture has painted egg yolks, specifically, as these fatty cholesterol bombs that will harden your arteries overnight,” she continued. “But we now know that dietary cholesterol doesn’t actually impact our blood cholesterol all that much.”

Plus, Sharp argued that egg yolks are also a great source of key nutrients such as vitamin D, choline, as well as containing half of the protein of the entire egg. “So definitely do not skimp on the yolks,” she advised.

Finally, the last item on Sharp’s list? Full fat dairy—or specifically, fermented dairy like yogurt—which she says is full of unique compounds like conjugated linoleic acid, butyrate, and gangliosides, that may actually offer a protective effect on heart health.

“Recent research has also found no association with full-fat dairy and cardiovascular disease while other research has found that full-fat dairy may actually reduce the risk of obesity and weight gain,” she added.

“So yeah, I feel like we have a lot of unlearning to do,” Sharp concluded the video, asking her followers which item on the list surprised them most. So next time you’re out at breakfast, don’t pay extra for an egg white omelet; and while you’re at it, get a side of potatoes or a yogurt parfait, as well.

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Author: Stacey Ritzen

How to use Windows Terminal and what it’s useful for

Laptop with Windows logo against background of small drawn icons.
Illustration by Samar Haddad / The Verge

Scratch the surface of Windows (and macOS), and you’ll find a command line console underneath, a lingering remnant of how these operating systems started out: as user-friendly graphical wrappers built on top of text-based, monochrome interfaces.

If you’re as old as I am, you might remember having to launch apps and games on a computer by typing out text commands, rather than pointing and clicking. The modern-day methods are much easier, of course, but the old ways are still available — and they’re actually still useful for multiple tasks, as the list below shows.

To begin with, Windows kept the Command Prompt utility as a reminder of its MS-DOS roots. That was later joined by PowerShell (Command Prompt with extras), and in the latest…

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Author: David Nield