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Bluegrass Barrels Gives the Gift of Customized Spirits

What’s a better gift than a great bottle of whiskey for the holidays? How about a spirit aged to your exact liking, by you? Bluegrass Barrels, a Louisville, KY-based purveyor of small personalized barrels to age spirits, has hit the mark of 3,000 barrels sold this year, and it’s easy to see why so many people are raving about them. Sold in one, two and three liter sizes made from American white oak, a Bluegrass Barrel is the perfect gift for the cocktail enthusiast who wants to customize spirits at home.

“We are thrilled people around the country have found many different ways to enjoy Bluegrass Barrels,” Jeff Ames, founder and president of Bluegrass Barrels, said. “From creating their own aged spirits to showcasing personalized barrels at home bars, Bluegrass Barrels are becoming popular gift items and novelties for spirits enthusiasts.”

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An awesome buy for even the pickiest person on your list, you’ll likely want to keep one for yourself. What would you age in your Bluegrass Barrel?

Amanda Gabriele is a food and travel writer at The Manual and the former senior editor at Supercall. She can’t live without… Read Full Bio
Old Overholt’s newest cask-strength rye is its boldest yet
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Old Overholt, the rye whiskey brand owned by Beam Suntory, just released the 2026 edition of its Extra Aged Cask Strength rye — and it’s the strongest bottle the series has ever put out.

This is the fourth annual release in the Extra Aged Cask Strength line, an offshoot Old Overholt started a few years back to showcase its rye at full cask strength.

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JetBlue unveils new Mint menus from Crown Shy and Birdee
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Love flying JetBlue? JetBlue just unveiled the first menus from its newest Mint® culinary partners – Crown Shy and Birdee – available online now and across select domestic and transatlantic Mint routes starting now. Developed in collaboration with Kent Hospitality Group, the new menus from New York City eateries Crown Shy and Birdee build on JetBlue’s distinctive approach to hospitality, this new collab brings new flavors on board. JetBlue is known for its premium Mint experience, feartuing an award-winning business class that features lie-flat seats & suites, exclusive perks & amenities, and of course, premium dining paired with complimentary drinks. This new collab will bring new flavors of New York’s favorite restaurants on board.

“The best part of any new Mint menu is seeing it come to life onboard,” said Stephanie Evans Greene, senior vice president of marketing and brand, JetBlue. “Our teams worked closely with the talented chefs at Crown Shy and Birdee to thoughtfully adapt their dishes for the onboard experience. We’re excited for customers to enjoy menus that bring two of New York’s most exciting restaurants to their next Mint flight.”

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The best beers to pair with your summer yard games
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When it comes to leisure activities during the summer months, it’s difficult to beat the appeal of a round of yard games. What could be more fun on a hot, sunny day than besting your friends and siblings in an epic backyard brawl? I can’t think of anything.

I’m talking about games like croquet, lawn darts, bocce, ladder ball, cornhole, and more. The only thing that makes the experience better is having a frosty, refreshing beer firmly in one of your hands. But just like how you don’t enjoy every yard game, not just any beer will do.

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