Editor’s Picks: Pocket Projector, Bread Maker and Havana Club Rum
From a pair of subtly stylish sneakers fit for Paul Newman to a pair of rugged suede boots fit for Gianni Agnelli, this is what we want this week…
Words: Jonathan Wells
We miss restaurants. We miss bars. We miss late-night trips to the cinema and staycations at luxury hotels. We miss going out. Hell, we even miss the gym. But we’re not going to let the lockdown stop us. No, we’ve rounded up everything we love about the outside world — and brought it home.
That means bottles of wine and spirits that you’d sip at only the most upscale bars. It means pocket-sized projectors to bring the charm of the cinema into your living room. And it means cutting-edge exercise bikes to turn your spare room into the best workout space this side of Equinox. And they’re all below.
Rum for your life: Havana Club Tributo 2020
We’re nudging two months in lockdown, so your cocktail making skills have probably been shaken, stirred and strained to perfection by now. But life doesn’t begin and end with an Old Fashioned, and there are more spirits you should dare to try. Among them, Havana Club’s Tributo 2020, the latest limited-edition, ultra-prestige rum in the Cuban brand’s annual series. For this latest, expect notes of dark chocolate, coffee and spice. A worthy addition to your home bar.
Give it the boot: Cheaney Trafalgar Capped Derby Boots
Atop our list of the 20 greatest style icons of the 20th Century sits Gianni Agnelli, the Italian industrialist and pioneer of practical style. Among his fashion quirks: wearing a wristwatch over his shirt cuff and lacing up suede boots with a work suit. Taking inspiration from the latter, we’ve invested in a pair of Cheaney’s finest Trafalgar boots this week. Heavy duty, surprisingly lightweight and Goodyear welted, we’ll be imitating Agnelli as soon as offices open again.
Take your shot: Willy’s Honey and Turmeric Apple Cider Vinegar Shot
No-one likes feeling under the weather. But, in these times of genuine global concern, even the tickliest cough or itchiest nose can set us on edge. Thankfully, Willy’s, a ‘probiotic’ farming range from the creators of Chase Vodka and Tyrrell’s crisps, is on hand to help. This, a cheerful Apple Cider Vinegar Shot, is a sunbeam in a bottle. Formulated using honey, turmeric and natural apple juice — and available in a handy box of 15 — a shot a day should keep the doctor away. And it doesn’t taste half bad, either…
Breaking the cycle: Apex Exercise Bike
With us all still trapped indoors for the foreseeable, everyone is adapting to a new way of workout life. For us, we’re following London Fitness Guy’s home exercise programs some days, and getting out running with Couch to 5K on others. But Apex, new British pretenders to the Peloton throne, have presented an altogether more appealing option; a fresh, exciting new exercise bike. With an ergonomic design, state-of-the-art technology and gamified software, we’ll be Eddy Merckx before we know it.
Slimming down: Piaget Altiplano Ultimate Concept
Last week, SIHH-reincarnate Watches & Wonders had its digital launch. As the name suggests, there were timepieces aplenty to take a look at — not to mention a handful of wonders. This, Piaget’s Altiplano Ultimate Concept, falls firmly into the wonder category. At a gossamer-thin 2mm, it is the world’s thinnest mechanical hand-wound watch. But, technical achievements aside, it’s also a very handsome thing; with cobalt alloy case and off-centred subdial.
In the fast lane: Mazda RX-9
Bloody hell. Mazda has shifted things up a gear, hasn’t it? The in-development successor of the RX-7 and RX-8, this new blood-red racer from the Japanese automaker is set to look almost identical to the Mazda RX-Vision concept car. It’ll feature a kinked grille, flowing lines and piercing headlights — not to mention the manufacturer’s new hybrid engine system. Instead of using conventional cylinders, this revolutionary rotary powertrain spins inside its housing. That means fewer parts than your average engine, making the car smaller, lighter and smoother. Bravo.
Rolling in dough: Sage Loaf Bread Maker
How many loaves are you on? It’s the new opening gambit on Zoom calls everywhere. We’re down two ryes, a focaccia, a batch of brioche and a pumpernickel ourselves. And we’re not stopping there. Sitting confidently at the top of the line in bread makers, Heston Blumenthal’s Sage appliance is the best of the best. It’s got an LCD control screen, ingredients chute, four different crust settings — and is foolproof enough to ensure your passion for home-baking stays on the rise.
Coming up rosé: Domaines Ott* Étoile cuvée
Whether we’re ready for it or not, summer’s on its way. And, along with light nights and new sunglasses, the one annual constant come summertime is exceptional rosé. Thankfully, despite this year looking a little different, the wine remains — and our most anticipated bottling this year? The Domaines Ott* Étoile cuvée. Created to celebrate the winemaker’s three estates, this bottling is set to boast the salinity of Clos Mireille, the smooth elegance of Château de Selle and the depth of Château Romassan. In other words, it’s going to be good.
Lights, camera, action: Nebula Capsule Projector
Missing the cinema? We know we are. The buttery popcorn, the red velvet curtains — even the sticky floors. But, although we can’t do much about the above, we have found the perfect projector to bring the picturehouse home. This tiny soda can-sized pocket projector from Nebula is a triumph. Its in-built speaker gives 360-surround sound, its battery offers four whole hours of playback time and the lumen bulb is capable of projecting a picture of gigantic proportions — 100 inches to be exact. Roll it!
Cooler king: Scarosso Ugo Grigio Scamosciato Sneakers
Earlier this week, we cracked it: How to dress like Paul Newman. We knew about the polo shirts, we knew about the jeans, but we laced up these beauties and it really tied the outfit together. From luxury Italian brand Scarosso, the ‘Ugo Grigio Scamosciato’ design may be a bit of a mouthful, but its simple, versatile style makes any tongue-tying worth it. Handcrafted in Italy using soft, grey suede leather and a white rubber platform sole, you’ll feel like Cool Hand Luke before you know it.
Want more of the best gear money can buy? Check out last week’s Editor’s Picks…
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Further reading
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