Editor’s Picks: Bugatti Hypercar, Penhaligon’s Aftershave and Harris Tweed Loafers
From a golden oyster knife perfect for shucking, to a bar of 100% cocoa British chocolate, this is what we want this week…
Words: Jonathan Wells
Do things get better with age? It’s a question we’re constantly asking ourselves. When it comes to technology, the answer is a resounding ‘no’. But whisky, wine and certain classic cars? Now that’s a different matter.
Thankfully, this week we’ve found a handful of investments that promise to improve over time. From Blenheim Forge’s golden oyster knife and an American cast iron skillet from Finex to an African-inspired bangle from Patrick Mavros, these products will patina as you use them, and develop character the longer you care for them. Read on…
Shuck off: Blenheim Forge Oyster Knife
Developed in collaboration with Oyster Boy Events, Blenheim Forge has embraced the high life with its custom-made golden oyster knife. But let’s not be too silly — you may be splashing out a fair wodge of wallet on a very specialist shucker, but it’s not actually made from gold. Rather, it’s forged from Swedish stainless steel, and features a solid brass handle that promises to develop a dark patina the more shellfish you shuck.
Style it out: G.H. Bass X Harris Tweed Loafers
Loafers are great for the warmer months. Breezy, versatile and simple to style, we’ve been slipping them on all summer. But now autumn is trundling over the horizon, we’re looking for a way to switch up the shoes for colder weather. Enter Harris Tweed, which has partnered with G.H. Bass to give us these brown polished leather loafers — complete with a distinctive and warm tweedy textile upper.
Daily bread: Fourpure Brewing Co + Toast Ale
A collaboration with the Tate Modern, this beer was inspired by the recent Olafur Eliasson exhibition at the iconic British gallery. Created with the local Fourpure Brewing Co and social enterprise brewery Toast Ale, the new brew contains a staggering 200 kilograms of surplus bread — taken from bakeries that have produced too many loaves for demand — to make a beer that is friendly on the environment and your Friday nights.
Got the horn: Penhaligon’s Terrible Teddy
Aftershave is all about showmanship. We make a ritual of splashing it on every morning, and change it with the seasons. This new offering from Penhaligon’s, Terrible Teddy, should tell you everything about itself with that golden rhinoceros head. It’s got strong base notes of ambroxan, deep heart notes of leather and heady top notes of exotic incense. A smooth spritz, it’s the perfect way to see in — or should that be smell in? — the autumn months.
Hot stuff: Finex Cast Iron Grill Pan
There’s something primal about cooking with a cast iron skillet — and it’s a feeling that American cookware brand Finex has refined with this delightfully designed pan. Quarter-inch tail ribs deliver some serious sear lines on whatever silverside or sirloin you decide to throw in your pan, and a rust-resistant bronze finish will add a patina across the pan as you cook. Our favourite feature? That high muster steel spring handle.
Full of beans: Firetree 100% Cocoa
Most 100% Cocoa chocolate, despite reaching that elusive three-figure content, tastes like pencil lead. But Firetree, a new British manufacturer of fine chocolate, has bucked that chalky trend. This bar, created by slow whole-bean roasting cocoa from Guadalcanal of the Solomon Islands, has seen any bitterness driven out of its ten sumptuous squares — and is a true treat to savour.
Start your engines: Bugatti Centodieci Hypercar
Earlier this year, we asked the question: What makes a hypercar? Here, in the form of a four-wheel, limited-edition answer, speeds Bugatti’s latest head-turner. Based on the Chiron, the Centodieci pays homages to the landmark EB110 — featuring a grille design, windscreen and five-aperture side air intake inspired by the 1991 supercar. “We think the EB110 should not be forgotten,” says Bugatti’s design director. With a homage like this, we’re sure it won’t be.
Silver standard: Patrick Mavros Zimbabwe Herringbone Silver Bangle
Each of Patrick Mavros’ ‘Zim’ Bangles features one of the four mystical patterns that can be found worked into the masonry of Zimbabwe’s famous stone ruins — from sites such as the Khami Ruins near Bulawayo to the Great Zimbabwe itself. Our favourite of the four has to be this Herringbone pattern. Crafted from silver, it will age handsomely over time — and tell the stories of the adventures you take it on.
Lead the charge: Soda Wood’d Wireless Charger
When wireless charging first powered up, we couldn’t have been happier. Suddenly, we didn’t have to scramble about our houses and offices for pesky cables, and pause to plug our phones in at the end of a busy day. Unfortunately, most were plastic-black slabs that sat incongruously in plain view. Thanks to Soda, however, you can introduce a real piece of art into your house — at once practical and beautiful.
Want more of our favourite product picks? Check out last week’s Editor’s Picks…
Become a Gentleman’s Journal Member?
Like the Gentleman’s Journal? Why not join the Clubhouse, a special kind of private club where members receive offers and experiences from hand-picked, premium brands. You will also receive invites to exclusive events, the quarterly print magazine delivered directly to your door and your own membership card.
Further reading
Editor’s Picks: Grand Seiko watch, Crockett & Jones shoes, Littlemill whisky and My Style Bags watch case
A bigger splash: The best RIB brands on the market
