Lap #7.
Hiya! I'd like to apologize for missing last week; last week was filled with watch events. The watch events were quite hectic, keeping me out late every night as I compiled new watch content. I didn't want to flood your inbox with "Sorry for the delay" emails, so I decided to take a short break. Also, I'm another year older and, hopefully, wiser since the last newsletter (32 now!) – or so they say! Let's see how it goes. So, let's get started!
EDIT: Also, with the current email provider having some issues, this email might pop up at any time. I hope it goes out on Friday morning. I'm planning to migrate to a larger provider this weekend or next week.
- Mark
Whisky
I'm pretty excited about this one. Today, we'll explore two titans of the whisky world – at least in my opinion, and I think most would agree. First up, let's delve into the Isle of Islay. Most Scotch lovers are familiar with this region, renowned for its peaty goodness and iconic distilleries such as Arbeg, Ardnahoe, Bowmore, Bruichladdich, Bunnahabhain, Coal Ila, Kilchoman, Lagavulin, and Laphroaig. While all of them are excellent, my personal favorites are Bruichladdich and Laphroaig.
Laphroaig often faces criticism for bottling their core 10-year-old at 40% ABV for most of the world, but fortunately, it's 43% in the US (thank you, Scotch gods!). While their standard 10-year-old 43% core bottling is enjoyable, Laphroaig truly shines with their cask strength and limited releases. They have a new release hitting the shelves this month, the Laphroaig Elements Series. It explores the distillery's production methods, experimenting with various mashing and fermentation techniques, including a mix of cloudy and semi-cloudy wort for tropical flavors, a combination of 8.5-tonne and 11-tonne mashes, and the use of 100% Islay malt. This release blends historical and modern production standards, offering unique whisky experiences. Here are the specs:
- Style: Single malt
- Origin: Scotland (Islay)
- Age: Not stated
- ABV: 58.6%
- Price: ~$200
- Release: October 2023
- Availability: Limited
While the Laphroaig Elements Series might cater more to Laphroaig enthusiasts, it's a tempting choice for Islay whisky aficionados. Flavor notes, according to Laphroaig, include spicy pepper, charred pineapple, and tangy licorice. I'm eager to give it a try, and if it arrives at my local high-end shop, I might snag a bottle. I'm a big fan of peated whisky.
Another bourbon king returns this year just in time for the holidays – Knob Creek 18! Many people seek out Elijah Craig 18, but my main gripe is its proof: 90. While it has delightful flavors, it's still Elijah Craig. I believe higher proof, like 100, suits these older bourbons better. Bourbon, unlike Scotch, uses new barrels only, which means more oak influence as it ages. Often, bourbons aged for 15 years or more become extremely oaky, leading companies to dilute them. However, Knob Creek is not doing that much. Knob Creek 18 is a limited annual release, not a limited edition, and it's bottled at 100 proof, a perfect match for an 18-year-old bourbon. Here are the specs:
- Style: Bourbon
- Origin: Claremont, Kentucky
- Age: Not stated
- ABV: 50%
- Price: $169.99
- Release: October 2023
- Availability: Limited
I can confidently say that Knob Creek's selections and 9-year-old cask strengths are some of the best bourbon buys. Knob Creek 18 might just be the best 18-year-old bourbon you can find. It's rich with caramelized oak, sweet vanilla, baking spices, brown sugar, and a subtle leather note, reflecting its age. It's not overly oaky but has that charred oak quality I love. If you're not a fan of oaky bourbons, give it a try before purchasing. If you're in the market for an older bourbon, I highly recommend it. If you'd rather not spend over $100, consider the Knob Creek 15, which is fantastic and more budget-friendly. There's also a 12-year-old, but it lacks the same oaky goodness.
Watches
Last week was truly insane in the world of watches. Let me recap some exciting highlights that will probably fill this entire segment. Let's dive in!
Starting on Wednesday, New York City came alive with watch events. Wednesday was Redbar's Independents Night, a paradise for watch enthusiasts with local chapters worldwide. It's essentially a gathering of watch collectors who come together to relax, enjoy some beers, and mingle. The New York City chapter hosted independent watch nights, where owners and watchmakers were present. It's always a fun time. On Thursday, Chrono24 held an event. I didn't attend, but Chrono24 is one of the largest watch listing sites. On Friday, the Wind-Up Watch Fair by Worn & Wound, along with WatchTime's event, began and continued through Sunday. Saturday night featured Watches of Switzerland's party and a private media dinner at the Copper Still for invitees. More private events unfolded over the weekend, with Sunday marking the end of the festivities. It was a weekend filled with watches, drinks, BBQ, friends, etc… so let's delve into it!
Wind-Up, which occurs three times a year in San Francisco, Chicago, and New York City, is the most prominent event. Microbrands and larger brands like Oris, Casio, and Citizen Group set up booths to showcase and allow customers to try on, and sometimes purchase, their watches. It's usually a bustling and chaotic affair, and I attend every year. This year, Formex Watches reached out and asked if I was interested in working at their booth, alongside Raphael and Markus, the two individuals behind Formex. I was thrilled by the opportunity, especially as I'm in love with my Formex Essence 39 with the Malachite dial. They make fantastic watches, so of course, I agreed. I must say, it was incredible. Meeting so many people and chatting with fellow watch enthusiasts was a blast. Watch spotting at the event was a highlight; I saw everything from a Casio F91W to an F.P. Journe Octa Divine (an absolute treat, thanks Greg!). Even if you're just beginning your watch journey, attending these events is a blast. You can freely admire everyone's wrist without feeling like a creep.
So, what about new releases? Honestly, there are so many that I could write about them all day. The New York City Wind-Up show typically features a plethora of new releases since it's the busiest event. Instead, I'll list a few brands and watches that caught my eye at Wind-Up. The list is in no particular order.
Formex: Obviously, I worked at their booth this past weekend, so I'm a fan of their watches. They're releasing a new version of their diver. Currently, the Reef is 42mm x 47mm, a great size in my opinion. It may wear a bit wide due to the crown guard on both sides, but it sits well on my 7.5-inch wrist. I've heard the new diver might be slightly smaller, “but we'll see” wink wink hush hush. The Reef features an interchangeable bezel, allowing you to change up the look regularly. Green, blue, silver, black, to name a few. Also, the Essence 39 Malachite (which I own) might be coming back, “possibly” at the end of November. Many people showed interest in that watch, so be sure to sign up on their website for the first chance to get it. Check out their site for more info. Here is a picture of my Malachite:
Image was taken at the Starbucks Roastery Reserve in Chelsea. This was the Knob Creek Cold Brew. It was amazing. Everyone should check out the Reserve!
Spinnaker: Although not officially released for the show, this Spinnaker was present. One of the most fun releases in my opinion is the new Spinnaker Fleuss Seconde Seconde with a ghost dial. Honestly, it's amazing. It would probably be a rarely worn novelty, but it's cool for Halloween. It might be my favorite Seconde/Seconde collaboration release to date. The ghost on the rotor is a fantastic touch. The watch looked great in person, and I was pleasantly surprised. If I had some extra cash, I'd get one, but alas, I don't. Check out their site for more info.
Brew Watches: Brew Watches may have something in the works, but at the show, we got to see new straps for the Retrograph line. The yellow, blue, and red straps looked fantastic on all the watches, adding a fun touch. I need to grab the yellow one for my 8-Bit; it really enhances the retro vibe. Check out their site for more info.
Circula: Circula was a relatively new brand to me, which is one of the reasons I love these shows. I had never handled one before, and I was quite impressed. They recently introduced a sandblasted titanium case diver with a Swiss Sellita SW200-1 movement. It's 42mm in diameter and 48.5mm lug to lug. Although the lug-to-lug measurement is a bit on the longer side for this diameter, it wore comfortably. Check out their site for more info.
Christopher Ward: If you're not familiar with this brand, you should definitely get to know it. It's been on my wishlist since I got into watches in the late 2000s, and I've owned a few (and still have some!). They are one of the few fully Swiss-made watches at the show (Formex is another). Their quality exceeds their price point, even with price increases over the years, but that's the case with many things, right? While they previously had a focus on dressy watches, their brand seemed to shift more towards dive and field watches. In 2019, they released an incredible moonphase, the C1 Moonglow, priced at $2,325 (now, was $2,000). It got me excited to see what they'd do next. I got a sneak peek at it this weekend – the new C1 Moonphase with an aventurine (starry sky) dial. I'm absolutely smitten. It has perfect dimensions: 40.5mm in diameter, 47.9mm lug to lug, and 13.3mm thick. To add to the night sky aesthetic with the dial, they even matched the aventurine on the moonphase wheel. The moon features 100% lume, like on the C1 Moonglow, and it's accurate for up to 128 years (I'll be long gone by then!). It starts at $2,325, like the Moonglow. If I could, I would definitely get one; it might be the dressy moonphase I've been searching for. Perhaps one day. Check out their site for more info.
While I could continue to write about all the new releases, these were just a few highlights for me. It's incredibly cool to see 80 brands represented under one roof. Often, the owners and CEOs of these brands are present, so you can chat with them. This direct interaction between companies, mostly direct-to-consumer, and their customers sets these events apart and makes them truly refreshing. Each year, it's a blast to see people come together and mingle. If you ever find yourself in the city in October, you should definitely stop by. Sadly, there was no bar this year, but maybe next year!
Also: Are you in SoCal? Well, in two weeks, there's another watch event! Nodus and Jack Mason are hosting a watch event in Long Beach! Other brands attending include Astor+Banks, Dryden, Horage, Raven, Bespoke Watch Projects, Formex, TSAO, Finch, and MKII. Oh, and guess what? I'll be there, all the way from the East Coast. I can't wait! Hope to see you there! It's on 11/11... Make a wish. Register at their site.
And speaking of Nodus, this late add in is for their new Sector Sport with Bronze accents! This sector sport is awesome. Wes and Cullen keep making amazing pieces. This sector sport is limited, so act fast! Check out the link above for full specs, and register!
Image borrowed from Nodus Watches Instagram.
Wheels
We have modular homes, so why not modular cars? Toyota is about to change that. Toyota is set to unveil an entirely modular electric two-seater pickup truck at the Tokyo Auto Show. The new IMV 0 concept is essentially a blank canvas that can be customized into a pickup bed, camper, rescue unit, food truck, or an extreme off-roader. It's about the size of a Sequoia, so it should be quite versatile. Toyota has already teased several versions, including an American Red Cross edition, a camper truck, a delivery truck, and a food truck.
While it's undoubtedly cool, the question is, are we ready for this? Most of these configurations are built for rugged use, but as a society, we haven't fully embraced EVs yet, especially in the US. What would we do with an off-road EV? Or a rugged American Red Cross vehicle? At the moment, not much, as we're still dealing with ‘range anxiety’. I understand that the EU is more advanced in this regard, but does this vehicle have a practical purpose in real life? I can see the food truck version being popular, as they're likely to stay in suburban or urban areas. Unless they come equipped with an ultra-long-range battery, I'm not sure if the off-road versions will be more than mall crawlers.
Well, that is a wrap! I hope you enjoyed another week of Wristmas & The W's! I'm still exhausted from the weekend, but it was a lot of fun. I will be having a few drams relaxing this weekend! Let me know if there is anything you want to see in the coming laps. Take care!
Mark
Chief Enthusiast