Month: December 2024

Throughout the year, Kentucky’s Barrell Craft Spirits sources barrels of whiskey from different states—usually Kentucky, Indiana, and Tennessee—and blends them into tasty new expressions. A few different batches of bourbon are released every year, as well as a couple of ryes, all bottled at cask strength that stand out in the American whiskey category.

Then there are the various cask finishes, which range from rum and Japanese mizunara oak to more unusual spirits like Sicilian amaro and pear brandy. Some are better than others, of course, but for the most part it works, which proves that the Barrell team is meticulous when picking the right casks and choosing the precise proportions to blend together.

Then there’s the annual New Year Bourbon, a chance for founder Joe Beatrice and his team to expand and expound upon the art of blending, a crucial but sometimes overlooked step in the process. The new 2025 New Year is a blend of bourbons of various ages that were distilled in eight different states. 

To be clear, that’s a whole lot of bourbon from a whole lot of states to use in one blend. Not all are commonly thought of as big bourbon producers, although they happen to have some great distilleries. The names of the distilleries are not revealed, but if you’re a whiskey fan, you can make some informed guesses.

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Here’s the breakdown of what’s in the 2025 New Year Bourbon: 

• Kentucky bourbon aged five to nine years
• Indiana bourbon aged five to 12 years
• Tennessee bourbon aged eight to 15 years
• Wyoming bourbon aged nine to 12 years
• New York bourbon aged five years
• Texas bourbon aged five years 
• Ohio bourbon aged five years
• Maryland bourbon aged six to seven years

The derived mash bill after blending all of those different liquids together is 75 percent corn, 20 percent rye, four percent malted barley, and one percent wheat. The specific proportions of each bourbon in the final blend isn’t revealed. But with that many different liquids, it doesn’t really matter, although it would be interesting to know what the least and highest percentages are. 

In the end, Barrell Craft Spirits bottled New Year 2025 at cask strength. The resulting 112.1 proof whiskey is warm but not overpowering.

It’s an excellent bourbon. While that many components might lead you to believe the palate will be overbearing or busy, that’s not the case. There are bright tropical fruit notes on the nose and palate along with a bit of citrus. But the dominant flavors range from classic notes like vanilla, espresso, dark chocolate, and caramel, along with a bit of black pepper, cinnamon, and a hint of caramelized orange peel. 

By all means, sip this bourbon neat if you like at that proof, but a little bit of water reveals more fruit and caramel custard notes.

If you’d like to ring in the New Year with New Year Bourbon, you can find this interesting new blend available from the Barrell Craft Spirits website for $85 or at specialty retailers around the country. 

Related: How to Drink Whiskey Neat

In 2020, when every single major film was delayed, the world wondered if going to see a movie in theaters would ever come back. Now, in the post-Barbenheimer era, movies are back in a big way. If you didn’t notice, 2023 and 2024 were both incredible years for films, but 2025 is slated to be the most epic cinematic year in a very long time. If there was still a shadow of a doubt that movies weren’t totally back, baby, the lineup for 2025 will convince you otherwise.

So, with the new year upon us, here’s our ranking of the 15 most-anticipated movies of 2025; from sequels, reboots, and amazing-looking new films from every genre. If you see even half of these in theaters, it’s going to make for one helluva memorable year.

15. Tron: Ares

It’s been 15 years since Tron: Legacy returned to the virtual world first introduced in 1982’s groundbreaking movie Tron. As the third entry to this very spaced-out sci-fi series, Ares promises to take things in a different direction. Jared Leto will star as a new AI called “Ares” who leaves the virtual Grid for the human world. Jeff Bridges is set to return as Flynn, though there’s no word yet if Bruce Boxleitner, Tron himself, will return. (Never forget, “Tron” is the name of the character, not the world!) 

The excellent Greta Lee (Russian Doll) will also star in Tron: Ares as Eve Kim, a programmer who teams up with Ares. The film will also feature all-new original music from Nine Inch Nails. Yes, you read that correctly. Somehow Daft Punk doing the score for Legacy has been topped.

Tron: Ares hits theaters on October 10.

14. Avatar: Fire and Ash

Do you remember what happened at the end of 2022’s Avatar: The Way of Water? Does it matter? James Cameron’s massive spectacle continues, and the planet Pandora will never be the same. Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, and the rest of the Na’vi gang are back for another utterly immersive dive into this beloved otherworld.

But, this won’t be the last ride. There are (at least) two more Avatars planned after Fire and Ash hits theaters; Avatar 4 in 2029 and Avatar 5 in 2031. Strap in. It’s going to be a long, long ride. And if it seems like it’s taking too long for more Avatars to come out, don’t worry, James Cameron will totally figure out a way to de-age the audience. 

Avatar: Fire and Ash hits theaters on December 19.

13. Cleaner

Daisy Ridley is back, and this time she’s in her own version of Die Hard. Seriously, the upcoming film Cleaner stars Ridley as Joey Locke, a window cleaner who suddenly has to thwart terrorists (led by Clive Owen) who’ve taken over a high-rise. This looks like a high-octane, action-packed survival movie, which aims to prove, once and for all, that Ridley’s action-hero status in Star Wars wasn’t a fluke.

Still not convinced this will be awesome? Cleaner is directed by Martin Campbell, the same guy who directed Daniel Craig’s first James Bond movie, Casino Royale.

Cleaner hits theaters on February 21.

12. The Running Man

A reboot of the 1987 Arnold Schwarzenegger movie of the same name, The Running Man is basically the original Hunger Games. Based on a 1982 novel written by Stephen King (under the pen name “Richard Bachman”), the story takes place in a dystopian future in which the titular “Running Man” has to fight for survival, trapped in a sadistic game show. The original film was a cult classic, but this remake might be even better. Glen Powell leads the cast, which will also feature Lee Pace, Josh Brolin, Daniel Ezra, Michael Cera, William H. Macy, Emilia Jones, and Katy O’Brien.

The new Running Man will be directed by Edgar Wright — famous for Shaun of the Dead and Baby Driver — meaning this version will be stylish, scary, and utterly unique.

The Running Man hits theaters on November 7.

11. Predator: Badlands

Starring Elle Fanning, the latest in the Predator franchise will take the action to a mysterious future. Not much is known yet about how director Dan Trachtenberg will connect this one to previous installments, but considering how awesome his 2022 Predator prequel was (Prey), it’s safe to say the franchise is in good hands.

There are a ton of fake fan-made trailers out there right now, all of which will make you think Arnold is returning for this movie. But, as of right now, that’s not been confirmed…or denied.

Predator: Badlands hits theaters on November 7.

10. Mickey 17

Though the release date has been pushed back several, several times, this trippy new sci-fi film is finally coming out. Starring Robert Pattison as the titular disposable clone, Mickey 17 looks like it will blend a high-concept premise with a good dose of humor. 

The writer and director is Bong Joon-ho, the man who gave us Snowpiercer, so expect some dark social commentary, too. Either way, this looks like a blast.

Mickey 17 hits theaters on March 7.

9. Captain America: Brave New World

A subtle reset button for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Captain America: Brave New World, is, in a sense, the first proper Avengers-ish movie we’ve gotten since Ant-Man: Quantumania and The Marvels. But this time, Marvel is, seemingly, going back to basics. 

With Harrison Ford stepping into the role of Thaddeus Ross (previously played by William Hurt), the trailers have already revealed he’ll be transforming into the Red Hulk. Incumbent Captain America Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) looks the coolest he’s looked in, perhaps, any MCU production yet. Finally, it seems, they’ve got his suit right. Will you need to remember what happened in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier from 2021? It’s possible that rewatching that Disney+ series might be a good idea, but we’re not too worried about it. The future of the MCU will likely start right here.

Captain America: Brave New World will hit theaters on February 14.

8. Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning

Unbelievably, impossibly, the next Tom Cruise-led Mission: Impossible might actually be the last. Following the events of Dead Reckoning (2023), the IMF team has been pitted against a killer AI that can anticipate their every move. 

But really, if you’re watching this next Mission: Impossible for the plot, that might not be the best idea. We all know the true appeal of each of these films is to see what bonkers stunt Cruise attempts next. Here’s hoping the last Mission is the most over-the-top.

Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning hits theaters on May 23.

7. Jurassic World: Rebirth 

The Jurassic franchise isn’t extinct, at least not yet. After Colin Trevorrow’s quasi-trilogy concluded, no one quite knew what would happen with our favorite cloned dinosaurs. Enter Gareth Edwards, director of Godzilla (2014) and Rogue One (2016) for yet another reboot, set after the events of Jurassic World Dominion. Will Dinosaurs survive to run amok another day?

Because Jurassic World: Rebirth is ditching nostalgia in favor of exciting storytelling, it seems this sequel/reboot may be the next great Jurassic movie we’ve been waiting for all along. Plus, with Scarlett Johansson in the lead, those velociraptors may have finally met their match.

Jurassic World: Rebirth hits theaters on July 2.

6. F1

Based on real events in the world of Formula One racing, this docudrama stars Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem, and several real-life F1 drivers and teams playing themselves.

Directed by Joseph Kosinski, the action in this one looks incredible, and there’s already buzz about the gutsy real-life stunt driving done to make this movie as realistic as possible. Kosinski’s last big movie was Top Gun: Maverick. This is his follow-up. This is going to be huge.

F1 hits theaters on June 27, 2025.

5. Fantastic Four: First Steps 

Although there have been three major Fantastic Four films in this century alone, the new film, First Steps will represent the first time the famous super-quartet will enter the continuity of the primary Marvel Cinematic Universe. No trailer has been released yet, but retro-styled art revealed that the film will take place in an alternate 1960s.

Fantastic Four: First Steps stars Pedro Pascal as Mr. Fantastic (he’s bendy), Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm (she’s invisible), Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm (he’s fire), and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as the Thing (it’s clobberin’ time!). The film will also star Natasha Lyonne, John Malkovich, and Julia Garner as the Silver Surfer. 

Fantastic Four: First Steps hits theaters on July 25.

4. From the World of John Wick: Ballerina

We may never get John Wick 5, but there’s a good bet that the new Ana de Armas spinoff, Ballerina, will be the next best thing. Ever since her turn in No Time To Die, then again in The Gray Man, we’ve been waiting for de Armas to get her own action flick. Now, it’s finally happening, and the trailers look fantastic.

Predictably, de Armas has already said a few hilarious things about making the movie, including one big action sequence in which she wields a flamethrower. “I think I burn 106 people. I only cry with the first man,” she said in an interview. “The other 105, I was fine.”

With an appearance from Keanu Reeves as John Wick, it seems possible that Ballerina could continue the franchise forward without its most famous character. Here’s hoping.

Ballerina hits theaters on June 6.

3. 28 Years Later

The modern zombie classic 28 Days Later, directed by Danny Boyle, made Cillian Murphy a bonafide star in 2002. Now, 23 years later, a sequel, 28 Years Later, will return to the zombie world in a big way. 28 Years Later will again re-team Boyle and writer Alex Garland, with Cillian Murphy as an executive producer.

Starring Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Ralph Fiennes, we’re all also wondering if Murphy himself will return. So far, the rumor that Murphy was back as a zombie has been debunked. We’ll just have to wait and see.

28 Years Later will hit theaters on June 25.

2. Thunderbolts*

Marvel’s collection of rogue underdogs, Thunderbolts*, combines characters from various aspects of the MCU. This features the return of Yelena (Florence Pugh) and the Red Guardian (David Harbour) previously seen in Black Widow (2021), though Yelena also appeared in Hawkeye. Meanwhile, Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) is back, as well as the other Captain America, John Walker (Wyatt Russell), both reprising their roles from The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Olga Kurylenko is also back as Taskmaster after having also appeared in Black Widow.

This more down-to-earth side of the MCU probably won’t feature a ton of superpowers beyond some slightly absurd physical strength. But, we are promised a lot of explosions. And, luckily, it looks like Thunderbolts* will be as heavy on the humor as it is on the action. Did we mention Julia Louis-Dreyfus is back? Based on the trailers and early buzz, Thunderbolts* might be the most fun Marvel movie since the original Guardians of the Galaxy.

Thunderbolts* hits theaters on May 2.

1. Superman 

This is the big one. Directed by James Gunn, the new direction for DC’s cinematic universe starts with Superman. Not exactly an origin story, this new take on Supe looks both classic and innovative at the same time. We’re going to get Superman’s dog, Krypto, but also a slew of other DC superheroes, too, including Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion), Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced), and Mr. Terrific (Edi Gathegi).

Superman will star David Corenswet in the title role, alongside Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor. The first trailers have been universally praised and look incredible. After years of a moody, gritty Superman, and darker superhero movies in general, it seems this take on the Man of Steel will be upbeat, bright, and hopeful. We can’t imagine you’ll want to see this for the first time streaming, so if there’s one movie you have to see in theater, it’s this one.

Superman hits theaters on July 11, 2025.

With more states and countries around the globe legalizing cannabis for personal use, scientists have been publishing studies on the possible health benefits—and drawbacks—of sparking up. A new study should come as welcome news for those worried about marijuana’s detrimental effects on our cells. 

The study, published in the Toxicology Reports journal, examined whether cannabis has genotoxic effects, or the ability to change or damage DNA within a cell. It might not sound like much on a molecular level, but harm like this can lead to mutations such as cancer. Luckily, cannabis consumers should be in the clear in this realm, albeit with a major caveat: According to the findings, they found no significant genotoxic effects from using a cannabis extract oil, though smokers should still beware. 

“Several studies have found damage to various chromosomal associated with cannabinoid use,” the team wrote in the paper. “Considering numerous studies demonstrating the genotoxicity of cannabis, it is noteworthy that many of these investigations have focused on individuals who consume cannabis through smoking or in cigarette form, normally rich in THC.” Thus, the researchers set out to examine if cannabis extract oil has genotoxic effects. 

“It is essential to assess the genotoxicity of cannabis extract oil to understand the potential damage it may cause to cells or DNA,” they noted. “Given the growing interest in the use of cannabinoid-containing products in humans… the aim was to conduct a genotoxicity study on a whole cannabis sativa extract rich in CBD.”

Related: Cannabis Addiction Might Be in Your Genes, New Study Finds

The latest study seemingly found that “cannabis sativa extract does not exhibit mutagenic or genotoxic potential at doses compatible with those commonly required for the clinical management of conditions such as anxiety, chronic pain, and epilepsy, among others.” Still, past research has suggested that marijuana smoke could be genotoxic, but the results are still largely mixed. 

“Although the current literature on cannabis sativa extracts remains inconsistent, most evidence suggests that these extracts are safe for cells and DNA under both acute and chronic experimental conditions, even at high doses, in studies involving both male and female animals. However, additional studies are needed to fully understand the potential toxicity of this plant, especially for therapeutic applications,” they concluded. 

If you’re worried about weed’s potential cancer-causing effects, you might want to stick to oils high in CBD for now. 

A recent study conducted by Climate Nexus illustrated the negative effect America’s dependence on automobiles has on consumers.

The report found that 87 percent of Americans use their cars every day, with more than nine out of 10 households owning at least one vehicle. In 2023, a total of 290 million automated vehicles were operated on the country’s roads. While the results found that owning a vehicle is beneficial for overall life satisfaction in the United States, there’s a finite amount of driving which is healthy for the average American. Out of those surveyed, people who must drive more than 50 percent of the time for out-of-home activities, such as work, experience a decrease in life satisfaction.

“Car dependency has a threshold effect—using a car just sometimes increases life satisfaction but if you have to drive much more than this people start reporting lower levels of happiness,” Rababe Saadaoui, the study’s lead author and an expert in urban planning, told The Guardian. “Extreme car dependence comes at a cost, to the point that the downsides outweigh the benefits.”

Saadaoui admitted the results were “surprising,” but she attributed the dip in satisfaction to the multitude of stressors that come with driving. Loss of physical activity and connection with other people, not to mention maneuvering around other drivers on dense roadways, all contribute to the malaise.

“Some people drive a lot and feel fine with it, but others feel a real burden,” she explained. “The study doesn’t call for people to completely stop using cars, but the solution could be in finding a balance. For many people driving isn’t a choice, so diversifying choices is important.”

Anna Zivarts, an advocate for those who are unable to operate motor vehicles, agrees that pushing people to occasionally use alternative modes of transportation is the smartest option. Zivarts, who suffers from a neurological condition which renders her unable to drive, authored the book When Driving Is Not an Option.

“We are just locked into a system of driving that is meant to be more enjoyable but isn’t,” she said. “I walk five minutes with my kid to the school bus stop and yet other parents make that journey to the stop by car. Is this really how you want to spend your life?”