Meet Jameel Janjua, a 45-year-old Canadian pilot who thought he’d blown his shot at traveling to space — until Virgin Galactic’s 12th spaceflight back in June. Plus:

• Four Roses 2024: We tasted their limited edition small batch.
• Vacation cocktails: The best spots to grab a drink in the Caribbean.

How an Elite Pilot Got a Second Chance at Space

Roughly a minute into his ascent to orbit, some 54.4 miles above the blue curve of Earth, astronaut Jameel Janjua snuck a peek out of the spacecraft window. The light up here was different. For the first time ever, he felt like he was really seeing the sky.

On Saturday, June 8 at 8:31 a.m., 45-year-old Janjua departed from Spaceport America in New Mexico, piloting a mission to space — for the very first time. It was Virgin Galactic’s 12th spaceflight to date, and its second of the year, a hybrid research and private endeavor in conjunction with Purdue University and UC Berkeley.

Traveling with Janjua and the Virgin Galactic VSS Unity Commander Nicola Pecile were Turkish astronaut Tuva Atasever and three private passengers (like other space tourism companies, Virgin Galactic refers to passengers as “astronauts”). For many of them, the trip was the culmination of a lifetime’s worth of work — and wishes.

Last week, we asked if you were excited about the return of supersonic travel. Here's what you said:

• 11% of you voted that traveling 500 mph is fast enough.
• 31% of you said you'll be on the first flight.
• 58% of you said that you're intrigued, but you'll let others go first.

Review: Four Roses 2024 Limited Edition Small Batch

What we’re drinking: Four Roses 2024 Limited Edition Small Batch Bourbon

Where it’s from: Based in Lawrenceburg, KY, Four Roses (est. 1888) releases a few limited editions every year, including this revered small batch expression, now in its 17th iteration.

Why we’re drinking this: We’ve raved about prior LE Small Batch releases and championed the bourbon brand as our Distillery of the Year in 2021. And their core products remain everyday whiskey staples for us.

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The 7 Best Cocktail Bars in the Caribbean

Big swings, new debuts and an emphasis on authentic local representation are what separates the best from the rest in the Caribbean today. From swanky hotel bars such as the Zapote Bar, to city hot spots and culture leaders such as La Factoría, here are seven of the Caribbean’s best cocktail bars to seek out on your next beach getaway.