Welcome to the inaugural newsletter blog post of Wristmas & The W's! I am absolutely thrilled that you are reading this. I extend my heartfelt thanks to all of you who have supported me in getting this venture off the ground, and I am eagerly looking forward to what lies ahead. The format of this weekly newsletter will be straightforward: it will be divided into three sections, Whisky, Watches & Wheels, each with a handful of items. Strap that watch on, and pour a dram, lets get to it.
Whisky:
Ahhh, can you almost feel those crisp fall nights, with a slight chill in the air, the scent of wet leaves, and a smooth cask-strength whisky by the campfire? Well, think again! It's a heatwave! But don't worry, September is Bourbon Heritage Month, and from now through December, the hunt for exceptional bottles is on, with releases nearly every day.
Enter Remus Repeal VII. Remus, the private label of Ross & Squibb (formerly MGP), boasts 50% ABV and a blend of various bourbons, including:
I'm all in for this one! Having enjoyed batches 3-6, I'm getting two for sure. I'm even working on a complete set from 1-10. My recommendation? Buy it. With an estimated price of $100-120, this one's not to be missed.
Review #1 for Wristmas & The W’s: Maker’s Mark 46 Cask Strength (2023 Edition)
Of course, we had to kick off Bourbon Heritage Month with a bourbon, and our first contender is Maker’s Mark 46 Cask Strength. Here are the stats:
On the nose, expect a burst of caramel, slightly burnt, with marshmallowy goodness. Spices reminiscent of fall baking and spicy oak. A fresh pop of ethanol but nothing too overpowering.
The palate is a treat—brown sugar galore, oodles of caramel, and an abundance of cinnamon and vanilla.
The finish? More cinnamon, burnt brown sugar intertwined with charred oak, and a kick of spicy peppercorn, likely white. Extremely warming.
Results: A solid 5 Ws! This is a win and definitely a must-buy. It's perfect for cozying up to a fall fire pit. Admittedly, sipping it during a heatwave might be a bit much, but come Autumn, it's going to be a daily go-to. I first tried this gem while creating my own Maker’s Mark stave whisky, and I've been on the hunt for a bottle ever since.
Watches:
Let's dive into the exciting world of watches!
First, the big news, the whale in the ocean (does that work here?): Swatch X Blancpain. Yes, you read that right, and I'm absolutely stoked! While a bioceramic (plastic) watch with the Blancpain and Swatch names might not be everyone's cup of tea, I'm all in. Remember the 'MoonSwatch'? Some weren't thrilled, but I loved it! This new Blancpain x Swatch collab promises to be even cooler, although it may be a tad harder to snag. Would I camp outside for it? Probably, but not until the flippers clear out. Let's hope it hits more than just a handful of stores like the MoonSwatch. As for whether it's an auto based on the Sistem51, we'll have to wait until 9/9/2023 to find out. I can hardly contain my excitement!
Speaking of collaborations, you might want to act fast on this one before it's sold out (it may be by the time this publishes!): The Brew x Worn & Wound's Metric Chrono Regulator. It comes in Moss Green with orange accents, Ruby Red with black & yellow accents, and Sky Blue with magenta accents. Inside, you'll find a Seiko Hybrid VK68. I own a few watches with this movement, and it's fantastic. While it's not automatic, they're my go-to watches. I'm a big fan of Brew Watches, known for their vintage-inspired designs. With a 36mm diameter and 41.5mm lug to lug, they offer the perfect fit. For more details, check out Worn & Wound.
But wait, there's more! (And not oxyclean) Nodus Watches teamed up with Matt from Smoking Tire. Yes, Matt Farah and THE SMOKING TIRE. Unfortunately, this watch is long gone, selling out within an hour! However, this collaboration has put Nodus on the map in a big way with a different fan base. Nodus has a tight-knit following, and with their shared love for cars and watches, this partnership was a match made in heaven. The Sector Canyon is something special, housing a Swiss-made La Joux-Perret G101 Movement with a 68-hour power reserve. The mint dial and the 3, 6, 9 dial layout are simply stunning. While it's sold out for now, keep an eye on Watch Recon; you might just score one down the road. Stoked to see pictures on Instagram when they arrive in December.
**Breaking News:**
Exciting news just in! Nodus has officially announced a contrail GMT. The Contrail was one of my favorite releases from the Nodus team, and I can't wait to see this new addition. Full details are yet to be revealed, but keep your eyes peeled for a sneak peek at Instersect Dallas this weekend. Oh what colors will we see? What bezel options? More info is on the way!
Wheels:
Time to hit the road!
First up, the VW electric ID. line introduces the ID.GTI. Now, as a WRX enthusiast, I must admit I raised an eyebrow at 'GTI.' But this isn't your typical GTI; it's the first everyday enthusiast hot hatch to embrace electric power while staying true to its iconic design. While we love futuristic cars, this nod to the classics is a refreshing take. Yes, it's FWD only, but that's part of its charm. And guess what? The possibility of seeing it in the U.S. isn't ruled out. Let's keep our fingers crossed! Get more details on the ID.GTI.
Moving on to some luxury news: Toyota has just unveiled a wickedly cool new Century, ready to chauffeur CEOs, presidents, influencers, and the elite. The debut happens today, Wednesday, 9/6/23. For those unfamiliar, the Toyota Century has been around since 1967, serving as an exclusive Japan-only ultra-luxury full-size sedan. Staying true to tradition, Toyota Japan rarely makes changes to it. This new model is expected to be a hybrid crossover, and the waitlist is longer than the line for a Rolex or AP. If you're in the market for a luxury crossover like a Bentley Bentayga, these are in the $110-140k range, this might be your top pick. Don't overlook the older models as well; they're a slice of quiet luxury. More info here.
Lastly, we have the Mustang GTD. I saved this one for last because I didn't want it to steal the thunder from the other stories… or lose control into them. Anyways, Ford has done something quite astonishing?—a $300,000 Mustang! Yes, you read that right, a Mustang. Not a GT40. Just a Mustang! Whatever the folks at Ford Engineering are on, sign me up. The Mustang GTD looks like they injected a dark horse with some steroids. While I can get behind (and it's a Mustang, so you’re not safe in front, on the side, or even behind) the aggressive look and the 800hp under the hood, I could achieve all of that with about $25k, a regular GT, and some much-needed driving lessons, which should probably be mandatory with any Mustang purchase. But hey, it's a wild world out there! Okay, enough beating up Mustang owners.
Catch you in the fast lane,
Mark
Chief Enthusiast, Wristmas & The W's