Editor’s Picks: James Bond Mini, Eco swim shorts and Irish whiskey
From a pair of bottle green Monc sunglasses to a bottle of the finest Grand Cru Champagne, this is what we want this week…
Words: Jonathan Wells
Can you feel that? The deep, Guinness-fuelled rumblings of St. Patrick’s Day? On March 17, we won’t be able to move for shamrocks and ‘Sláintes!’ — and the Irish have inspired us to celebrate. So, for this week’s Editor’s Picks, we’ve not only sampled a lot of new whiskey, we’ve also found some of the finest green gear for next Tuesday; from an Aston-inspired bicycle to a pair of bottle-green sunglasses. Take a look…
Wild card: Charles Laurie London Card Case
Earlier this week, we found ourselves rather taken with another of Charles Laurie’s inventions; a briefcase with a handy newspaper pocket at its back. Thankfully, even better things come in even smaller packages from the British craftsman. This card case is jet black, has a number of slots and can be embossed with up to four initials. Your new summer wallet.
In the frame: Monc Príncipe Sunglasses in Bottle Green
If you’re looking for a particularly stylish way to adhere to next week’s St. Patrick’s Day dress code, these bottle green sunglasses are a near-perfect option. True, it may be a little optimistic to predict sunshine for mid-March, but Monc’s Príncipe frames — named for the charming Portuguese neighbourhood — will see you all the way through to summer.
Bottled it: Le Mensil ‘Grand Cru’ Magnum
Oh, you’re not a fan of Chardonnay, are you? Well hush up, pour yourself a glass of this fine bottling and revaluate. From The Magnum Company, this Blanc de Blancs Champagne is substantial in the mouth, rich and full-bodied, with toasty and creamy flavours including brioche, biscuit and baked bread. It finishes fresh and mouth-watering — and will draw you right back in for another sip.
Dive in: Sunspel Upcycled Marine Plastic Swim Shorts
Of course, there’s more than one way to be green for St. Patrick’s Day. And, if the colour just doesn’t work for you, why not embrace the eco-meaning of the word instead? These Sunspel swim shorts are the most sustainable threads you’ll be pulling on all year — crafted from upcycled marine waste plastic from Seaqual. What’s more, they’re based on the iconic design worn by Sean Connery in Thunderball.
Falling close to the tree: Jack Daniel's Tennessee Apple whiskey
Now we’re not usually liqueur people. There, we said it. When it comes to our whiskey, we like it neat or — at a pinch, over ice. No mixers, no flavourings, no cocktails. But this, this new bottling from Jack Daniel’s, takes the crisp taste of green apple and infuses its already wonderful whiskey with it. It makes use of McIntosh, Red Delicious and Granny Smith apple varieties, and we just can’t stop sipping it. It’s like springtime in a rocks glass.
Farewell to arms: Ernest Hemingway Book Set
How many Hemingway novels have you read? One? Two? It doesn’t really matter — the answer can never be too many. Stuffed to the manly gunnels with his signature clipped prose, this ten-volume collection is designed with the author’s iconic signature and all-black jackets that are sure to stand out on any bookshelf. The new centrepiece of your study.
Pedal to the metal: Coleen x Aston Martin e-Bicycle
French e-bike manufacturer Coleen has dropped an unlikely collaboration. Inspired by Aston Martin’s DB4 — yes, that often-overlooked entry in the DB series — this Sanction Green bicycle is based on their Composer model, has a 48v battery and a lightweight carbon frame. We particularly like the classic round white number plate, which will look especially good when you prop it up next to your Aston in the garage…
Sláinte!: Roe & Co Irish Whiskey
Well it wouldn’t be St. Patrick’s Day without a generous serving of Irish whiskey, would it? This bottling, named after Irish whiskey pioneer George Roe, is delightfully fragrant and remarkably rounded with notes of soft spice and mellow spun sugar — along with warm hints of woody vanilla. So, whether you’re whipping up an Irish coffee for the ages or just drinking straight from the bottle, this handsome offering will keep you in high spirits all night.
Pay attention: James Bond Lotus Esprit-Remastered Mini
Silverstone-based David Brown is master of Minis. The retrofitter has created so many one-offs and limited edition vehicles that we’ve lost count. But its latest car, a modernised Mini Remastered inspired by Bond’s For Your Eyes Only Lotus Esprit, is its best yet. Copper livery? Check. Bespoke 13-inch alloys? Check. Bold ‘Turbo’ decals? Check. It’s a pity that this one-off was a special commission; and even more of a pity that it’s going to Simon Cowell…
Heart and sole: Cheaney Newton GV Derby Shoes
Cheaney’s new collection has some pearls in there. The brand wants to take you on a ‘British Safari’ with its new range of shoes, and the earthy colours and lightweight soles are the perfect way to bring hazy, warm summer hues into your spring wardrobe. Our pick of the new species on show has to be the Newton GV Derby, a beauty in bitter chocolate suede with a stitched toe and hardy sole.
Listen up: Montblanc MB 01 Smart Headphones
Montblanc knows a thing or two about wearable tech. In fact, when we rounded up the best smartwatches on the market earlier this week, it made the cut with its Summit timepiece. Yesterday, the German brand added another string to its voice-activated, ergonomically-designed bow with these smart headphones. Noise-cancelling, Bluetooth-enabled and handsomely designed, they were created in collaboration with sound expert Alex Rosson.
Want more of the best gear money can buy? Check out last week’s Editor’s Picks…
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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
