Lap #11.
Hey Everyone! Can you believe only 15 more days till 2024? Yeah, I cannot either. If you are struggling to find someone a gift, or for yourself *its what I do...* head over to my 2023 Holiday Guide! I hope you enjoyed it last week. Well, lets dive in!
Whisky:
Whisky advocate dropped their 2023 whisky awards. The top 20 might surprise some of you, but honestly It should not. Here is what Whisky Advocate says with how it judges:
“Each year, the Whisky Advocate Buying Guide's expert team samples an array of whiskies, encompassing rare, limited editions, and up-and-coming brands likely to hit store shelves nationwide. Our Top 20 list starts with whiskies scoring 90 or above (“outstanding”) on our 100-point scale. But, this list isn't just our highest-rated whiskies; many are too rare for general access. Hence, we also weigh in value (price) and accessibility.
A crucial step in assessing these whiskies' true worth is a blind tasting by an international panel. Reviewers taste the contenders in a series of blind flights, unaware of each whisky's producer, origin, age, or price. This panel's average ratings take precedence over the initial Buying Guide scores, although individual reviews remain recorded. The final Top 20 ranking is based on a balanced consideration of average score, price, and availability.”
With that being said: Here are the top Five from WA.
1: Glenglassaugh Sandend.
Okay, I know you’re going to ask, who is this? And how did it take the number one for 2023!? Glenglassaugh Distillery, perched on Scotland's north coast overlooking the North Sea, offers a "coastal" Highland malt whisky. Despite its intermittent operation history, this expression named after the offshore bay is a delightful non-age statement whisky. It apparently boasts a bright, delicate character with citrus and mineral aromas, leading to a lush palate revealing layers of peach, apricot, honey, pound cake, and vanilla, rounded off with a touch of sea salt. The finish is supposedly enduring with rolling spices, offering both gentleness and complexity, making it an easy, enjoyable sipper priced reasonably at $70.
Glenglassaugh's obscurity stems from spending more time closed than open throughout its 150-year existence. Having endured multiple closures since its 1875 founding, it reopened sporadically before seeming to shut for good in 1986. However, a resurgence came in 2008 when an investor group revived production, later acquired by Brown-Forman, the owner of Jack Daniel’s. Recently resurfacing, Glenglassaugh is making waves with this exceptional release, proving that patience in its revival is yielding remarkable rewards.
2: Highland Park Cask Strength Batch 4.
I loved batch one. It was one of my favorites in recent times, with Batch 2 missing the mark for me. Unencumbered by an age statement, master whisky maker Gordon Motion was free to paint Batch 4 with flavor in mind, using a vivid palette of sherry-seasoned European and American oak, bourbon, and refill casks, then in a twist, adding port casks for a daring new streak of flavor.
3: Westland Garryana (No. 8)
I loved batch 5 & 6. I cannot speak to 8, however it sounded delicious. Westland's Garryana series delves into the impact of Quercus garryana, a native oak species of the Pacific Northwest, on whiskey flavors. This particular release, the eighth from this Seattle, Washington-based distillery, continues to evolve with remarkable elegance. The oak's influence shines, drawing forth scents reminiscent of a charcoal grill, Krispy Kreme doughnut, Honey Nut Cheerios, and a subtle hint of salinity. Its palate, with an exquisite texture, seamlessly combines smokiness and sweetness, revealing delightful flavors of strawberry jam, caramelized sugar, campfire smoke, and chocolate-raspberry notes akin to Ghirardelli squares. The enduring finish, layered with toasted marshmallows, honey, and a touch of cinnamon sweetness, leaves a lingering desire for another sip.
4: Little Book Chapter 7 “In Retrospect”.
I love every since chapter of these. Little Book from Bookers is probably my favorite whisky coming from Knob Creek. In this seventh installment of the Little Book series, Freddie Noe, the eighth-generation Jim Beam master distiller, has masterfully blended liquids from the previous six chapters with a new concoction. This extraordinary blend comprises straight bourbons aged between 4 to 18 years, along with 4-year-old and 10-year-old ryes, and a 5-year-old straight malt finished in barrels smoked with applewood. The resulting flavor profile is diverse and indulgent, boasting notes of chocolate cake, baked apples, and cinnamon, alongside a robust heat, spiciness, and a lingering finish. Impressively, the blend presents a remarkable harmony of flavors, carrying its potency with exceptional balance.
5: Master’s Keep Voyage.
Its Wild Turkey, you cannot go wrong. Only issue here is price and availability. This was impossible to find, and it has a MSRP of $275. So $500+ was not unknown on shelves. Master distiller Eddie Russell unveils the latest addition to the esteemed Master’s Keep collection—a 10-year-old bourbon initially matured in No.-4 char barrels and then refined in Jamaican rum casks handpicked by Appleton Estate’s master blender, Joy Spence. Among the remarkable series, this rum cask-finished marvel showcases Russell's exceptional skill, presenting a delightful chestnut-brown bourbon that beautifully captures the essence of both whiskey and rum influences. The enticing bouquet hints at baking spices, toffee, red berries, and black tea, paving the way for an irresistible fusion of cola notes, vanilla, brown sugar, chocolate-cherry truffles, and a hint of ginger.
Only the Number 1 comes in under $100 this year, which makes this list a bit hard to swallow. However I do think $100-150 is where whisky shines. Read the full list here.
Watches:
I wouldn’t be able to send this without some big news in the watch world. If you follow it closely, i know you’ve seen this news: Breitling acquires Universal Genve! This should be good news, but a few things makes the world wonder… Will this be an exclusive high end brand within Breitling?
The revival of Universal Genève has been a highly anticipated event in the watch industry. After being under Stelux Holdings' ownership since 1989 and facing unsuccessful attempts at revival, the brand is now set for a resurgence under Partners Group, the same entity that owns Breitling. This acquisition marks a pivotal moment in the brand's history and has sparked enthusiasm among watch enthusiasts.
Universal Genève's roots date back to its establishment in 1894 in Switzerland. Recognized for its iconic chronographs, notably the Compax line, the brand reached industry prominence and gained acclaim for its quality, even being distributed alongside Patek Philippe by the Henri Stern Agency in the United States.
However, like many Swiss watchmakers, Universal Genève encountered challenges during the Quartz Crisis, leading to its decline despite efforts to adapt with technologies such as Bulova's tuning fork and quartz movements.
Despite previous unsuccessful relaunch endeavors, the interest and passion for Universal Genève among collectors persisted. Now, with Partners Group and Breitling's ownership under CEO Georges Kern, a revival is on the horizon. Kern's success in rejuvenating Breitling through focused marketing, streamlining product lines, and emphasizing historical models indicates a potential strategy for Universal Genève's comeback.
The plan involves maintaining Breitling and Universal Genève as distinct entities while assembling a dedicated team for the latter's revival. The brand's rich heritage, seen in iconic models like the Tri-Compax and Polerouters, holds significant promise for enthusiasts and collectors. The new owners aim to honor this legacy by prioritizing in-house movements, respecting the brand's history, while establishing a contemporary identity—a strategy reminiscent of Breitling's successful "modern retro" approach.
The anticipation surrounding this revival is palpable, given Universal Genève's esteemed position alongside brands like Rolex and Omega during the golden era of mid-century watchmaking. The commitment to honoring the brand's legacy while embracing modernity presents a promising trajectory for its revival.
In essence, the acquisition by Partners Group and Breitling signifies a new chapter for Universal Genève, echoing the excitement within the watch enthusiast community eager to witness the brand's resurgence.
Next up:
Honestly, this next one was made for Wristmas & The W’s. Whisky and Watches are two of my favorite things, and Chase over at Oak & Oscar combined them with a new Olmsted watch in collaboration with Few Spirits, both based in the Chicago Area (Oak & Oscar: Chicago, Few Spirits: Evanston, IL). The new Olmsted watch initially resembles a typical model by Olmsted, boasting a Sellita SW300 movement, stainless steel casing at 38mm, a sandwich dial, and 100m water resistance. However, it stands out with a distinct deep salmon dial akin to Few Spirits' bottle labels and the Few logo positioned above six o'clock. Yet, the real charm emerges when you flip the watch over.
Images courtesy of press release
Inside the caseback rests a wooden coin engraved with Oak & Oscar's motto, "Make No Little Plans," sourced from an actual Few Spirits bourbon barrel. This particular barrel was hand-picked by the Oak & Oscar team for a unique Bottled in Bond bourbon release. Additionally, each watch includes a bottle from this same barrel as a gift, provided the recipient is of legal drinking age. Like come on, how cool!?
This collaboration epitomizes a strong local brand connection, resourceful use of materials, and a generous whiskey offering. Limited to 50 units, each hand-assembled in Chicago, the watch includes two straps— a handmade Horween leather strap crafted in the city and a gray NATO strap. Optional steel bracelets are available upon request for an additional cost.
Images courtesy of press release
The Olmsted Few Edition, priced at $1,850, is now available through Oak & Oscar's online store, marking a thoughtful and distinctive approach to a watch collaboration. Nice work Chase & Team!
Images courtesy of press release
Last in the watch world:
Its no surprise that I would write about this new limited edition.. All groups mentioned here are great friends of mine. Well, Nodus has unveiled a lively iteration of their Sector Dive GMT in collaboration with Watch Clicker and the 40&20 podcast. The Sector collection has become a trademark for Nodus, allowing for diverse colors and functional tweaks, making it an ideal platform for limited editions. What sets this special release apart is its casual, organic vibe. Unlike many limited editions with formal announcements, this watch is the outcome of friends aiming to create something cool together, emphasizing its down-to-earth charm.
Combining elements from their Sector Dive and Sector GMT, Nodus presents a familiar "sector" dial with inner 24-hour markings, outer numerals at 12, 3, and 9, and prominent lume markers. Unlike the standard Sector GMT, this edition boasts a 120-click unidirectional bezel (in black DLC or standard steel), enhancing its functionality as a diver's watch. Maintaining a sleek profile at 12.5mm height and 39mm diameter, it offers a respectable 150 meters water resistance, inspired by the skin diver style.
Images courtesy of press release
Special touches cater to fans of the 40&20 podcast and Watch Clicker: the podcast's camera logo at the "24" GMT position and a unique depth rating indicator near the 6:00 mark, denoting the 40&20 "Objectively Best" rating system. The case back features Nodus Sector's four-ring design with an integrated cog from the Watch Clicker logo.
Colors echo the branding of 40&20 and Watch Clicker, featuring a deep blue, radially brushed dial with orange accents. The ocean-themed design ties to a charitable cause; one watch, numbered "00," will be auctioned off to support Sylvia Earle’s Mission Blue organization, aiding in safeguarding vulnerable ocean areas from environmental threats.
Limited to 50 pieces, the Watch Clicker and 40&20 Nodus Sector is available now at $500 with a stainless steel bezel and $525 with a DLC-coated bezel over on the Nodus Site. Cool fact: My buddy Frank took it diving. True tested dive watch. Nice work man, and go check out his Instagram anyways for awesome hiking, watches, diving, etc!
Images courtesy of press release
Oh! And on 5th Ave by Rockefellers in NYC? Stop in and check out the new Citizen Group Flagship store! It has Citizen, Bulova, Alpina, Accutron, & Frederique Constant! I attended the Worn & Wound launch party there, and it was a blast.
Wheels:
Look out cybertruck owners… Reportedly, Tesla reintroduced a clause that potentially allowed them to sue buyers of the Cybertruck if they attempted to resell the vehicle within the initial year of purchase. The clause was observed in the contract received by a buyer of the "Foundation Series" Cybertruck and was analyzed by Ars Technica.
According to the reviewed contract, Cybertruck owners were obligated to offer the vehicle back to Tesla at a reduced price before considering resale, and any resale required explicit written consent from Tesla. If violated, the clause stipulated that Tesla could seek legal action to prevent the vehicle's title transfer or demand $50,000 or the sale's value as damages. Moreover, buyers in breach might face rejection for purchasing future Tesla vehicles. Initially present in the "For Cybertruck Only" section of Tesla's Motor Vehicle Order Agreement, the clause was subsequently removed from the public agreement without clarification on its specific application or its relevance beyond the limited launch edition "Foundation Series" trucks.
But are we surprised? Really?
And that's a wrap this week! I hope you enjoyed another lap, and I look forward to sending the last of years next week. I'm still shocked it's almost 2024..
-Mark , Chief Enthusiast