Style Scenario – Valentine’s Day 2020: Date Night at Home

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What are you going to wear? Sometimes it’s good to look at a few suggestions then add your own tweaks and ideas. That’s what these are for. Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, and three style scenarios will be tackled in the next few days (going out, staying in, & staying in solo). Just because you’re skipping the Prix Fixe menus and overcrowded restaurants doesn’t mean you should mail it in when it comes to style. Dressing up a bit, even at home, earns you extra points. Plus, it can be a lot of fun. (Top photo credit)





The Blazer: J.Crew Ludlow Slim-fit Unstructured Suit Jacket in English Wool-Cotton Twill – $228. Unstructured, comfortable and versatile. A medium gray jacket is something you’ll get a lot of use out of. It’s something that can be worn with everything from dress trousers to chinos and jeans.

The Sweater: Bonobos Washable Merino V-Neck Sweater – $39 FINAL w/ SALE50 ($88). Valentine’s Day is inherently cheesy. EMBRACE THE CHEESE! A bright red sweater does the trick. Part of the current 50% sale happening at Bonobos (full sale picks here).

The Shirt: Uniqlo Slim Fit OCBD – $29.90. A basic, foundation piece at a good price. Or any white, casual button up that you prefer.

The Watch: Dan Henry 1963 Chronograph – $240. The Dan Henry 1963 provides classic chronograph good looks, uses a movement which won’t require expensive servicing, and hides its quartz identity well. $240 isn’t nothing but it looks and feels like it cost much more. Full review here.

The Cozying Up Instigator: Lands’ End Cashtouch Throw – $14.97 ($49.95). Cashmere feel without the cost, and it’s machine washable. What happens under the blanket stays under the blanket. Unless you need to move off the couch to another room in your place.

The Gift: Christina Nicole Drop Posts – $49.98 ($75). If your date happens to be a woman. And if you’re exchanging gifts, you’d better have something by now. Just setting the overall style scenario tone though. Something smallish in size and price is a nice way to go if you’re spending the evening in. She can wear these pretty much anywhere with anything. From dressed up to athleisure.

The Belt: Gap Basic Leather Belt – $27.96 w/ GOSHOP ($39.95). Surprised?

The Shoes: Astorflex Bitflex in Dark Chestnut – $185. A little bit of suede for contrast. Extremely comfortable, soft suede construction. Made in Italy. Easy to slip on and off for when you retire to the coach. Or, another room.

The Background Music: Miles Davis – $6.99 (free streaming with Prime). Don’t know if you’re a fan of jazz? You will be after listening to Miles Davis and his expert trumpeting. Perfect background music for a romantic dinner at home.

The Wine: Juggernaut Hillside Cabernet – $16.99. A delicious cab at a great price. According to the wine maker “Juggernaut Hillside Cabernet is a wine that is fierce, brave, and delicious.” Maybe foreshadowing of the night to come? Brown chicken, brown cow.

The Jeans: Levi’s 505 in Tumbled Rigid – $39.99. (Wait for it…) Or whatever your favorite pair of dark denim happens to be.

Huckberry: Annual Winter Clearance Sale – Up to 50% off

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Huckberry: Up to 50% off Winter Clearance Event

Huckberry has carved out a nice niche for themselves. They specialize in great looking, extraordinarily functional goods that help “doers” get out there and do. They also carry a bunch of stuff that makes the down time look and feel even better. Gone are the days where your gear has to look like crap. You can go explore your city, the land, or somewhere half way around the globe, and look terrific in the process. What a time to be alive.

But that performance AND looks status often comes with a price. Thankfully, that’s why the gods created end-of-season clearance sales. So those of us who do like to look great while, I dunno, doing just about anything, can also save a few bucks. Off we go with some picks, ya devilishly handsome doer you.

 

Rhodes Footwear Dean Plain Toe Boot – $153.98 ($220)

Made in Portugal. Blake stitched. Super versatile. Subtle studded rubber sole provides the right kind of grip, but isn’t toothy or clunky like a lug sole. Fit is about a half size large. Ships and returns for free, even though they’re on mega sale. A Huckberry exclusive, and home run.

 

Proof Nomad Pants in Slim or Straight Fit – $48.98 ($98)

Proof’s Technical pant. Five colors to pick from. Made from Japanese twill. Haven’t tried these out myself yet, but the reviews are strong. Slim or straight fit. Just select your fit when you select your size. Ships for five bucks. Returns for free (although, I’m guessing you’re out the five bucks for outbound shipping, unless you trip their free shipping at $75 threshold).

 

Made in the USA Flint and Tinder Supima Air Knit Tee – $22.98 ($29)

A basic that’s proudly made here in the states. 100% supima cotton, and knit in a “baby jersey” technique which creates a soft, airy fabric.

 

Made in the USA Rancourt & Co. Bison Brunswick Boot – $275.98 ($395)

Good. Grief. Was almost $400. Made in Maine. Shown above in the “Toast Rushmore” grain leather. Also available in a smoother brown CXL.

 

PROOF Field Jacket – $160.98 ($248)

Another Huckberry exclusive. I own this thing. Paid full price. It’s worth it at full price. I love it. It’s a field jacket (lots of pockets, lots of utility, water resistant, stowable hood), but it still looks and moves great. The technical nylon exterior has a matte look to it, the quilting isn’t overly puffy, and it’s super comfortable. A size large fits my 5’10″/195lb frame perfectly.

 

USA Made Flint and Tinder Organic Slub Henley – $42.98 ($62)

Just the two colors shown above. BUT… these were made in the USA from Organic cotton slub fabric. No larges left at post time. Small, medium, XL, XXL… but no larges.

 

Gleerups Wool Slippers / House Shoes – $94.98 – $108.98 ($135 – $155)

These things hardly ever go on sale. Cheap slippers are terrible. Even the best slippers can soak up water and become useless if you have to take the trash out quick. These are the slipper/house shoes you’ll wear time and time again, basically forever and ever. Treat yo feet.

 

Hestra Deerskin Primaloft Ribbed – $97.98 ($130)

Got these from Mrs. Dappered for Christmas, and they’re the bee’s knees. I know they’re still spendy even though they’re on sale, but Hestra has been making gloves for a while, and it shows. Built to last. Soft but tough. Insulated but not ski-glove puffy. Ships and returns for free, which is helpful, being that they’re gloves… and they have to fit like, well, that specificity of fit spawned a cliche. So, yeah.

 

Faribault Woolen Mills Wool Throws – $140 or Blankets – $150 ($200)

Obligatory. Throws are a bit smaller than the blankets. Made in the USA. Looks great over the back of a couch. Also works terrific as, y’know, something to put on top of your bed for warmth. What a concept!

 

Made in the USA Flint and Tinder Tapered Fit Loomstate Selvage Denim – $138.98 ($198)

Calling all denim heads. Pre-shrunk but minimally processed otherwise. Japanese selvage. Cut and sewn in Los Angeles. Ships and returns for free.

 

Erstwhile – Ocean Floors and Land Relief Map – $159.98 ($228)

Pretty much a perfect wall hanging. Great for those with the explorer spirit, or those who just love Captain Nemo and his choice to give the world the bird and head underwater.

 

Made in Italy Astorflex Desert Boots in Stone or Dark Khaki – $127.98 ($150)

A noticeable upgrade over Clarks (no knock on Clarks, they make an incredible product for the price). Made in Italy. Super soft suede. Natural rubber textured sole. Super comfortable.

 

Flint and Tinder American Made Flannel Shirts – $63.98 ($98)

USA made flannels that would even make big Al or any forestry professional proud. It’s going down. I’m yelling timber. You better move. You better dance. Let’s make a night you won’t remember. I’ll be the one you won’t forget.

 

Made in the UK Peregrine Waxed Bexley Jacket – $208.98 ($299)

An exclusive to Huckberry. Heritage British Sportswear looks, now at a plenty fair price for those of us who don’t just throw piles of cash at… the big brand names of heritage British sportswear. Made in the UK. Cut from an 8 oz Millerain cotton fabric with a water-repellent finish.

 

Sunski Topekas in Matte Whiskey Tortoise / Ocean Lenses – $43.98 ($68)

A pair of sunglasses that’ll look just as good with a sportcoat and chinos, as it would with a pair of running shoes and a tech shirt and shorts combo. Plus they’re built to wear while active too. Lightweight but durable. Traction pads on the nose bridge. Polarized lenses. Colorway shown above is an exclusive to Huckberry. I keep coming back to these. I like my Persols too (which fold! these don’t) but… yeah. I keep reaching for these.

 

Timex Marlin Manual 34mm Watch – $158.98 ($199)

One of those Timexes that has surprised the wristwatch world in recent years. Manual wind. SMALL. Very “classically” sized. Full review here.

 

Finisterre Hawkes Wool Blend Stripe Crew – $59.98 ($109)

I understand that trends come and go, but if some hip-kid ever points at an outfit like that and says: “ha, that looks stupid,” well… then he can go pound sand. And then jump in a lake. While sucking an egg. 23 Skidoo!

 

Upstate Bath Towel Bundle – $99.98 ($140)

Bad towels are like bad socks or bad slippers. Totally useless and something we’ve all spent money on, time and time again, yet when we use them they make us feel… gross. Get some good towels. Now these are REALLY NICE towels. There are nice towels out there that aren’t this expensive. But for the wind and the rain, get yourself (and your overnight super happy fun adult time dates) some good towels.

 

Marathon Arctic MSAR 36mm – $555.98 ($795)

A splurge, but Marathon knows what they’re doing. One of our 10 Quartz watches even watch snobs should like. Built to handle the toughest, most challenging environments. Marathon has been contracted by the US Marine Corps, Department of Homeland Security, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. So chances are one of their timepieces can handle your desk duty backpacking trips. 36mm = smaller/more classically sized. Tritium dial markers, MIL-SPEC construction, high-viz white dial, and the kinda good looks that won’t go out of style any time soon.

 

Rhodes Footwear Huxley Boot – $154.98 ($220)

Blake stitched and made in Portugal. Less of a super sleek chelsea, and more of an everyday workwear inspired chelsea. Head here for a full review of the smooth leather options. Really liking the looks of the roughout leather shown above. Fits half a size large.

 

Whiskey Peaks American Mountains – Set of 4 – $45.98 ($65)

Topography in your glass of whiskey. Nifty.

 

Relwen Prof Trap Blazer – $243.98 ($348)

A true “sporting” sport coat. Lots of old-school trimmings. 55% wool, 45% polyester. Also shown at the top of the post. Like the majority of the rest of the items in this sale, these also ship and return for free.

 

Made in the USA Flint and Tinder Harrington Jacket – $142.98 ($220)

Made in the USA from British “staywax” cotton. Umbrella not included. Full review here.

 

Upstate Eco Heather Flannel Sheet Set – King – $117.98 ($158)

Sheets are like towels. If you’ve got bad ones, your guests are likely to… spend as little time as possible at your place. These are flannel. So, best for cool to cold weather.

 

Made in the USA Rancourt & Co. – $256.98 ($395)

More made in Maine boots that are almost $150 off. Ships and returns for free. Simple cap toe here.

 

Devold of Norway Nordsjo Crew Neck – $137.98 ($250)

Would it be weird if I wore that to go see The Lighthouse? And I smoked a pipe? And purposefully contracted scurvy by avoiding vitamin C for months in advance and walked with a rickety gate? Cool. Okay, I won’t do that. Ta la dah, yee mock mee yee doo but yee avan’t seeen wat aye seeeennn. 

And that’s just a small sample of what’s in Huckberry’s big clearance sale. Seriously, the thing is stocked to the gills. No word when/if these prices expire, or, if it’s good to go until all of it’s gone. 

J. Crew’s Big Extra 50% off Sale, $40 Core Temp Chinos, & more – The Thurs. Men’s Sales Handful

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Sales that deserve some attention heading into the weekend or a bit earlier. Five of the better sales are below, plus bonus sales if need be. Included are a few picks worth pointing out. 

 

J. Crew: Extra 50% off select sale items w/ WEEKEND

• Dock peacoat with Thinsulate – $119.99 ($298) 
• Fulton insulated jacket with eco-friendly PrimaLoft – $99.99 ($248) 
• Merino wool snowflake shawl cardigan – $84.49 ($198) 
• Cashmere hat – $19.99 FINAL ($69.50) 
• Bomber jacket in wool-blend with eco-friendly PrimaLoft – $100.49 ($248) 
• Suede MacAlister boot with moccasin toe – $44.99 FINAL ($168)
• Goodyear Welted Kenton Pacer Boots – $109.49 ($248)

It’s Presidents’ Day on Monday, and if memory serves, Presidents’ Day weekend is the last big blowout weekend for winter clearance in the retail world. And here, J. Crew seems to be confirming that. LOTS on big-time-sale, and so far, most of it isn’t final sale either. Better than your average J. Crew sale event. Much better. Noticeably better. Code WEEKEND expires today, 2/13, which is kinda weird because the weekend hasn’t happened yet.

 

Banana Republic: 40% off everything, exclusion free?

• Athletic Tapered Traveler Pant – $59.10 ($98.50) tons of colors
• Slim Traveler Pant – $59.10 ($98.50) tons of colors
• Water-Resistant 3-Layer Mac Jacket – $118.80 ($198) 
• Core Temp Quilted Bomber Jacket – $118.80 ($198) 
• Core Temp Chinos – $58.80 ($98) keep scrolling, we’ll get to the $40 version, promise…
• Cognac Nicklas Leather Sneaker – $76.80 ($128) 
• Nicklas Leather Sneaker – $82.80 ($138) 
• Hiram Sunglasses – $46.80 ($78) 

Whereas J. Crew is looking back, Banana Republic is looking forward. These are new, early early spring releases. I do believe this is the first big exclusion free deal of the year? New arrivals, core temp, their hugely popular traveler pants… it’s all up for the discount. Plus you can get free 2-3 day shipping on orders of $100+ with the code BRSHIP. And cardmembers can get an additional 10% off

 

Allen Edmonds: Extra 25% off Last Call Winter Sale items

• Independence Collection Bartlett Cap Toe – $277.47 ($530) 
• Independence Collection Jefferson Wingtip – $277.47 ($530)

Last call for the big Allen Edmonds winter Sale = an extra 25% off cherry on top. And the super-fancy Indepenence collection shoes that are simmering in the sale section, are now even cheaper than when they got the steal alert treatment a few weeks back. Lots of other stuff in the sale section too. It’s a random assortment, but there are some gems in there. Yet it’s the Independence collection that’s the star of this extra 25% off promo show.

 

Spier and Mackay: New stock of $348 suits are in 

• Blue Tropical Wool Suit – $348
• Light Heather Gray Super 110s Wool Suit – $348
• Light Gray Tropical Wool Suit – $348
• Blue Check Wool Suit – $348
• Charcoal Sharkskin Wool Suit – $348

Spier has a hard time keeping things in stock. So get ’em now while you can. They’re the best value in the suit game. Two fits (slim and a more athletic contemporary fit), half canvas, nice Australian merino wool fabrics, NON functioning sleeve cuff buttons (for easier tailoring), and the finishing details you’ll find on suits noticeably more expensive. All suits shown above are just 1/4 lined in the back. Butterfly style. That’s big for the warmer months ahead. It’ll help keep you extra cool, and it’s not cheap to do, since you can’t hide any loose threads or anything behind a what would have been a fully lined jacket.

 

Banana Republic FACTORY: 50% off + Extra 15% off w/ LOVEIT

The Pick: Core Temp Chinos – $41.65 ($98)

Core temp chinos for $40? What? Still efforting an in-person with these things to confirm that they’re at least close to the mainline’s excellent BR Core Temp chinos, but… the fabric makeup is almost precisely the same. And they’re using the whole “they’re made with volcanic sand!” branding thing. Volcanic Sand! It’s SAND from VOLCANOES YOU GUYS. GET yOuR $40 PuMiCe PAntS pEoPLE!

 

BONUS  Nordstrom Rack: Starts 2/14, Clear the Rack Extra 25% off Clearance

• Good Man Brand Slim Fit Merino Crew – $40.48 ($178) 
• Belstaff Rockford Zip Front Jacket – $71.98 ($395)
• Billy Reid Slim Fit Quilted Shirt Jacket – $119.97 ($395) just large left
• Stewart of Scotland Camo Cotton/Nylon/Wool Sweater – $33.73 ($125)
• Barbour Newbrough Gloves – $26.22 ($90)
• Crevo Malik Suede Chelsea Boot – $44.98 ($90)

But early access starts today. I think you have to be a certain “tier” of their rewards club? Anyway, stuff can move fast when the doors go open to the general public, so, be prepared for that tomorrow morning.

 

BONUS II  Bonobos: FINAL DAY Extra 50% off Final Sale items w/ SALE50

• Tech 5-Pocket Pant – $39 FINAL ($128) 
• Bedford Cord 5-Pocket Pants – $34 FINAL ($118) lots of colors
• Stretch Italian Trousers – $44 FINAL ($148) 
• Corduroy 5-Pocket Pants – $34 FINAL ($98) 
• Jetsetter Stretch Wool Blazer – $180 FINAL ($450) 
• The Quilted Bomber – $59 FINAL ($198) 

Last day for this. Final sale of course though. More picks here. Seems like sizes have (understandably) been pretty picked over at this point.

 

BONUS III  Allen Edmonds launches “Burnished Copper” Color

Not a sale, but worth a mention. Allen Edmonds just quietly rolled out a new color called “Burnished Copper.” I don’t think it’s the old bourbon color? Looks more subtle/a little darker than bourbon. At least to my eye. Just Strands and Park Avenues so far in terms of styles available.

 

Also worth a mention:

• Suitsupply: Lots of new spring arrivals are in.
• Club Monaco: 25% Off Men’s Styles w/ 25OFF!
• Todd Snyder: Check your physical USPS mailbox. You should have a single use, $100 off $300 code lurking in there/on the back cover of their paper catalog.
• Lands’ End:  40% off and Free Shipping no minimum w/ PALS and PIN 1234
• Huckberry: Looks like they’re on the Prez Day Weekend sale train as well, and have launched a monster end-of-season clearance event. Separate post with picks coming. Standby for that.

BOURBON in 2020! – 7 Affordable bottles to vote onto your shelf

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About the Author: Jason P. is a Dappered devotee, having curated the majority of his wardrobe through the site. He is an enthusiast of wool sweaters, chino pants, and affordable automatic watches. In his free time, you can find him at his boxing gym or antiquing with his wife.

Bourbon continues to trend in America because bourbon IS America. America’s only true native spirit, by definition a bourbon whiskey must be distilled and bottled in America to be called bourbon.  There are a few rules on what defines a bourbon, and these very same rules play a significant role into the ascension of bourbon – both in price and prestige.

1. A mash bill of a minimum 51% corn. The “mash bill” is simply the proportion of each type of grain used to create the distillate. Most commonly, bourbon will use the aforementioned corn, and then a mixture of rye and barley. High rye bourbons usually come in between 10-20% rye, while wheated bourbons (like Pappy Van Winkle, Weller, and Maker’s Mark) swap out rye for wheat to create a naturally sweeter flavor profile.
2. Proof Requirements. Bourbon must come off the still at no higher than 160 proof, enter the barrel no higher than 125 proof and bottled at no lower than 80 proof. A growing trend in the bourbon landscape are “barrel proof” or “barrel strength” bourbons. This “juice” (a bourbon term used for the actual distillate placed in barrels) is bottled at near- barrel entry proof. Meaning, it has been minimally, if at all, diluted. Less dilution means less product to bottle, creating a scarcity of sorts – at least for that specific distillate.
3. American made. In an age where “Made in the USA” resonates greatly with customers, bourbon can claim national authenticity and character, and distilleries are cashing in on their American heritage.
4. Aged in newly-charred American oak barrels. To be a “straight” bourbon, it must be aged no less than two years. To receive a “bottled-in-bond” designation, the requirement is four years.

Because bourbon requires at least 51% corn in the mashbill (and usually, you’ll find this number closer to 70%), it produces a sweeter spirit with a kick of spice from the rye.

In an effort to stay true to the affordable yet quality theme of Dappered, all the picks are $40 or less, plus two celebration-worthy $60 bourbons. A note on the listed prices – these were purchased on the shelf at my local store in the Northeastern New Jersey, one of the higher-priced markets in the country. You can look at the prices below as the upper limit of an “acceptable” price for each bottle. If you happen to find them lower, that means you’re likely getting a good deal. If you find them higher – which likely will be the case for those of you in more condensed city centers- you might be getting taken for a ride.

Below, the picks note the distillery in parentheses, and I’ve included only brands owned by the distillery responsible for creating the bourbon in the bottle.

This is important to note, as not all brands actually distill their own bourbon. As the bourbon craze continues to expand, entrepreneurs have jumped into the business without building their own stills. As such, you see a lot of two-to-three year old companies with six-to-seven year old bourbons. How is this possible? They buy stock from other distilleries, often industrial productions like MGP in Indiana, and blend the barrels themselves. I prefer the heritage brands, or upstarts who distill their own spirits. In doing so, I taste the true craftsmanship and heritage in the bottle, and have a more enjoyable overall experience. After all, half of selling bourbon is having a good story. To the picks…

 

The High-Rye Bourbon: Wild Turkey 101 (Wild Turkey) – $25

This is my favorite value bourbon. Often found for less than $25, Wild Turkey 101 is a 101 proof high-rye bourbon aged for 6-8 years and distilled by a reputable heritage distiller. A lot of bourbons at this price are thin with a quick finish, and while the finish doesn’t linger here, this is a substantial pour at a low price. Caramel, cinnamon and clove flavors are prominent to my palate. Wild Turkey doesn’t dilute this much, as it comes out of the barrel at 109-110 proof before being diluted down to 101. Compare this to other bourbons that come out of the barrel at higher proof, and you’re getting a bourbon as close to the proof off the still as you can find. This one works great for cocktails because of the higher rye content, while also being a good sipper.

 

The Wheated Bourbon: John Fitzgerald’s Larceny Bourbon (Heaven Hill) – $30

The Maker’s Mark alternative. As bourbon fans continue to seek out value, wheated bourbons are growing in popularity at the lower price point after a decade-plus of prominence in the triple digit realm. Larceny is distilled and bottled by Heaven Hill distillery (Evan Williams, Elijah Craig, Henry McKenna, Old Fitzgerland) as a wheated bourbon to compete with Maker’s Mark at the $30 price point. At 92 proof, it’s very approachable and easy to discern. The wheated mashbill is evident, with bright and sugary fruit notes on the nose and honey and orange on the palate. This is not anything remarkable, but it is a unique bourbon at the price point and worthy of a place on your bourbon shelf for a change of pace and style. This is a good one to pull out at a get-together to show you’re a bit different and possess a higher level of discernment, without breaking the bank.

 

The Old Man In Town: Russell’s Reserve 10 Year (Wild Turkey) – $35

As age statements start to disappear, a $35 10-year-old bourbon is worthy of any list. While not overly remarkable as a pour in itself, there is consistency from bottle to bottle for a 10 year bourbon. It’s a more mature Wild Turkey 101 at a lower proof (90 proof), devoid of heat and brash flavors. It isn’t vibrant, or unique. But, it is a delightful rye-forward smooth-sipper. This one is for when you don’t want to think too deeply about your bourbon, just drink and enjoy. I did enjoy this more than the WT 101, but not enough that I would repeatedly spend $10 more each time. Worthy of a spot on your shelf if you’ve never had it, or if you love Wild Turkey and want to kick it up a notch without spending a significant premium.

 

The House Bourbon: Knob Creek Small Batch (Jim Beam) – $30

This has replaced Buffalo Trace as the one bourbon I always keep a bottle of on my shelf. It’s reliable, easy to find, a very well-priced for the juice inside. Previously with a nine-year aged statement, this bourbon has everything you can ask for at the price point. It comes in at 100 proof and has a long full-bodied finish, something often eluding bourbons at this price point.  On the nose, I get leather, vanilla, and brown sugar, while the taste is spice at the front, followed by rich caramel, oaky vanilla, and of course, sweetness from the corn. A perfectly balanced bourbon at my preferred proof.

 

The Bottled-in-Bond: Colonel E.H. Taylor Small Batch (Buffalo Trace) – $40

A victim of price gouging. List price is $40, but often found anywhere between that and, wait for it, $100. Seemingly, all Buffalo Trace products continue to creep up in price brought on by the Pappy effect (Pappy Van Winkle, Weller, and Colonel E.H.Taylor are all brands owned by the Sazerac company and distilled by Buffalo Trace Distillery). This is a bottle that if you find it for list price (as I do at my preferred store), snap it up. I actually have an easier time finding it’s higher priced single barrel ($75) and straight rye ($70) siblings.

This bourbon is named after Edmund Haynes Taylor, the architect of the landmark Bottled-In-Bond Act of 1897. This legislation was paramount in preserving America’s bourbon industry during a time when fakes were proliferating the market and diluting the prestige of American made whiskey. Bottled-In-Bond bourbons must be aged no less than 4 years, stored in a federally bonded warehouse, and be 100 proof.

What better BiB bourbon to buy than the one named after the man who pioneered the movement? You’re buying history, and a supremely delicious bourbon. I taste chocolate, oak, and a subtle cinnamon spice. This is one that gets better as it oxygenates, so savor the bottle slowly over time and you will have a unique taste with every pour.

 

Next Level Wheated Bourbon: Maker’s Mark RC6 (Maker’s Mark) –  $60

From a distillery that doesn’t do many new products, a limited release product sparked my interest when news of this bourbon hit the press. This juice starts as the base Maker’s Mark, but is then dumped into previously-used Maker’s Mark barrels that house ten oak staves each. These oak staves, which are an outcome of Maker’s Mark’s ongoing wood experimentation efforts, are toasted after sitting outdoors for 18 months. The end result is a highly limited number of barrels of unique bourbon (reportedly 255 barrels).

There is no age statement, but it hits at a big 108 proof. I like to see a higher proof for limited releases. Being a Maker’s Mark, this is a wheated bourbon with big flavor. Dried fruit, burnt sugar, and cinnamon shine in this pour. This reminds me of a nice apple pie in the fall.

 

Next Level Single Barrel Bourbon: Blanton’s Single Barrel (Buffalo Trace) – $60

Yet another victim of the Pappy halo, the national average for this hits around $100. I’ve seen it crest $200 in some posts, but you’re a fool to pay such a sum. If you’re a good customer, you should be able to snag it for $60 to $70 if you’re patient. Buffalo Trace uses a higher rye mashbill for this bourbon, compared to their Weller label. It’s reported to use the same mashbill as the Colonel E.H. Taylor listed above – so what makes it unique, and worth the higher cost?

For one, it’s a single barrel product. All other bourbons on this list are created by batching together different barrels (and in the case of the Wild Turkey 101, different ages) to create the final product. Not so with the Blanton’s. Each bottle is the product of a single barrel. The benefit to this bottling is the taster gets the full expression of the aged distillate. The downside is that there is a chance of significant differences in flavor from bottle to bottle, though, I have not experienced that with Blanton’s.

Blanton’s is noteworthy for being aged in a steel rickhouse (the warehouse a bourbon barrel is placed). Most distilleries use wooden rickhouses for aging, and Buffalo Trace does this with their other bourbons, but Blanton’s gets placed in steel. In doing so, the barrels and bourbon inside them are exposed to the elements differently, and the product is altered as a result. This 93 proof bourbon bursts with notes of leather and oak on the nose, and butterscotch, citrus, and oak to taste. It’s like an orange-vanilla cream ice cream topped with butterscotch. Sublime.

Note: I do not purport to be some sort of certified bourbon expert. I’m just a guy who wants to point out above-average product without having to tolerate a snooty, ego-driven expert as is often the case in the spirits world. Lastly, the glass pictured is a glencairn tasting glass. I highly recommend you pick up a set if you want to experience the bourbon in the fullest form, especially if drinking neat.

Are you a bourbon fan? If so, let me know your go-to bottle in the forums.

Сценарий стиля - День святого Валентина 2020: Один дома

Что ты собираешься надеть? Иногда это хорошо, чтобы взглянуть на несколько предложений, а затем добавить свои собственные хитрости и идеи. Вот что это за. День святого Валентина быстро приближается, и три сценария (выходить, оставаясь в, и, оставаясь в соло) уже решены. Один этот Валентайн? Хотите избежать любви пьяный (или просто пьяные) массы? Может быть хороший вечер (или уикенд) в седло на диван и взять его очень легко. (Верхнее фото кредит)




Свитер: ГАП толстовки реглан свитер в Крем – $59.95. Мульти-полосатый, с немного красного подкинули в качестве кивка в день. Машинная стирка хлопка, поэтому следует переход с зимнего на Круче весна темпс.

Футболка: Флинт и фитиль Сlub карман футболка в Белый – $29. Просто слой под свитер, и тройник для теплых сезонов, так как мы только около 5 недель от первого дня весны.

Брюки: Зауженные Спортивные Быстрым Движением Деним Жан – $70 ($119). Быстрое БР движение деним в выцветший серый. Должна быть удобной и неограничительные, только в случае, если вы решите купить себе коробку конфет и убить ее всю за вечер.

Часы: Таймекс Уотербери – $139. Если это единственное “украшение” на дисплее на вечер, могли бы также сделать его красивым.

Пояс: Амазонка основы мужской эластичная тесьма пояс в ВМФ – $19.99. Стрейч для вашего комфорта, и всегда отлично смотрится в теплую погоду тоже. Не то, что он выглядит плохо в прохладную или холодную погоду. Но тканые ленты выглядят особенно красиво, когда солнце вышло.

В “обувь”: Glerups “загрузки” ж/ лагерь подошва светло-коричневый – $155. Да, действительно. Дороговато, но они последняя пара тапочки или домашнюю обувь вы сможете купить за очень, очень, очень долго. Дешевые тапочки немного хуже. Они делают ваши ноги чувствую себя отвратительно, и они, кажется, распадаются быстрее, чем francium-223. Каждая пара делается вручную из 100% чистой, натуральной шерсти, который естественно фитили влагу от ваших ног. Прощай фейк-барашек ноги-фанк. Привет, отлично, температура регулируется... эээ... ножки.

Развлечения: Ragnorok – трансляция с Netflix подписки. Совершенно приятный взгляд на богов скандинавской мифологии, норвежский сериала знакомит нас с невольным Тор воплощается в подростка по имени Магне. Это шоу имеет тот темный, драматический талант, что часто приходит с скандинавского производства. Первый сезон только 6 серий долго, поэтому можно употреблять довольно быстро. Совет: шоу, вероятно, начать потоковую передачу с английского языка дубляжа, который может выглядеть как плохое чтение по губам. Просто переключить язык дубляжа (аудио) в Норвегии для полноценной работы.

Снисходительный положения: любимый возлияние (цены варьируются) и пицца. Большая пицца доставка пятна будет День святого Валентина специальные предложения, так что вы можете также воспользоваться. Это зона, свободная решения. Что сделать пиццу в форме сердца, Если вам так хочется.

Стратегия: отсоедините от социальных медиа на ночь... или дольше? Не ходи ползли над своей бывшей Facebook или страницу Instagram. Гордиться тем, что получше. И пока вы на него, подумайте, сколько вы были обмена в социальных медиа в последнее время. Ты по обмену? Не могли бы вы поделиться... меньше? Нет ничего загадочного про чувака, который публикует фотографии из каждого похода или поездки на выходные, или еще хуже, наполняет его друга новостей с нежелательной “глубокие” мысли.

Соискатели ежегодной Совет: Если вы не можете найти способ, чтобы когда-нибудь быть счастлив только с ваших мыслей за компанию, тогда вы никогда не будете по-настоящему счастливы в отношениях. Лучше быть одинокой и умной, чем тупо жить ради дружеского общения.

Steal Alert: J. Crew Kenton Boots for $110

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Goodyear Welted Kenton Pacer Boots – $109.49 w/ WEEKEND ($248)

I just don’t understand how this is sustainable.

Ever since the Jenna & Frank J. Crew-pocalypse, a lot of us have started to look more carefully and more suspiciously at J. Crew’s wares. Overall suiting quality seems to have gone down (see their wool/poly “essentials” line). They swing and miss just as much as before (bucket hats! bucket hats everywhere!), and little brother J. Crew Factory is now less than an afterthought.

Yet they still crank out some extraordinarily well crafted, incredibly good looking pieces, at plenty fair prices. Such as these Alden-Indy-Like, Goodyear Welted, Kenton Pacer boots.

And then nobody seems to buy them, and they end up on mega-clearance at a price that has to have J. Crew’s accountants grinding their teeth into dust.

These might not be $250 boots, but they aren’t $110 boots either (if that makes sense). Goodyear welted, oddly good leather (I thought it was Horween CXL at first glance and touch), and they feel like they’re gonna last and last.

Now at a price that’s not much more than a pair of flimsy Nike Killshots? Are you kidding?

I don’t understand anything.

Full review here if you want it.

That’s all.

Carry on.

Style Scenario – Valentine’s Day 2020: Alone at Home

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What are you going to wear? Sometimes it’s good to look at a few suggestions then add your own tweaks and ideas. That’s what these are for. Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, and three scenarios (going out, staying in, and staying in solo) have now been tackled. Single this Valentine’s? Want to avoid the love drunk (or just plain drunk) masses? Might be a good night (or weekend) to saddle up to the sofa and take it very easy. (Top photo credit)

The Sweater: GAP Crewneck Raglan Sweater in Cream – $59.95. Multi-striped, with a little bit of red tossed in as a nod to the day. Machine washable cotton, so should transition well from winter to cooler spring temps.

The T-Shirt: Flint & Tinder Slub Pocket Tee in White – $29. Just a simple layer for underneath the sweater, and a tee for warm weather wear, since we’re only about 5 weeks out from the first day of spring.

The Pants: Athletic Tapered Rapid Movement Denim Jean – $70 ($119). BR’s Rapid Movement denim in a faded grey. Should be comfortable and nonrestrictive, just in case you decide to buy yourself a box of chocolates and kill the entire thing in an evening.

The Watch: Timex Waterbury – $139. If this is the only “jewelry” on display for the evening, might as well make it nice.

The Belt: Amazon Essentials Men’s Stretch Woven Braid Belt in Navy – $19.99. Stretch for your comfort, and always looks great in the warm weather too. Not that it looks bad in cooler or cold weather. But woven belts look especially nice when the sun’s out.

The “Shoes”: Glerups “The Boot” w/ Camp Sole in Light Brown – $108.98 ($155). Yes really. Spendy, but they’re the last pair of slippers or house shoes you’ll buy for a very, very, very long time. Cheap slippers are kinda the worst. They make your feet feel gross, and they seem to decay faster than francium-223. Each pair is handcrafted from 100% pure, natural wool, which naturally wicks moisture from your feet. Goodbye fake-shearling foot-funk. Hello perfectly temperature regulated… uh… tootsies. Now on sale. Which is crazy. They never put these things on sale.

The Entertainment: Ragnorok – streaming with Netflix subscription. An entirely enjoyable take on the Gods of Norse mythology, this Norwegian based series introduces us to an unwitting Thor embodied in a teenage boy named Magne. This show has that dark, dramatic flair that often comes with Scandinavian productions. The first season is only 6 episodes long, so can be consumed fairly quickly. Tip: the show will likely start streaming with English language dubbing, which can look like a bad lip reading. Just switch the language dubbing (audio) to Norwegian for the full experience.

The Indulgent Provisions: A Favorite Libation (prices vary) & Pizza. Most pizza delivery spots will be having Valentine’s Day specials, so you might as well take advantage of it. This is a judgement free zone. Get that heart shaped pizza if you so desire.

The Strategy: Unplug from social media for the night… or longer? Don’t go creeping over to your ex’s Facebook or Instagram page. Take some pride in being better than that. And while you’re at it, consider how much you’ve been sharing on social media as of late. Are you over sharing? Could you share… less? There’s nothing mysterious about the dude who posts photos from every hike or weekend trip, or worse, fills his friend’s news feeds with unsolicited “deep” thoughts.

The Unsolicited Annual Advice: If you can’t find a way to ever be happy with only your thoughts for company, then you’ll never truly be happy in a relationship. Better to be single and smart than stupidly shacked up for the sake of having companionship.

In Review: The Made in the USA Flint and Tinder Wayfarer Wool Blazer

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Flint and Tinder USA Made Wayfarer Wool Blazer – $298

About the Author: Ryan N. is a professional web developer for (and alum from) the University of Delaware, who keeps a close shave as to not be confused with his strongly-bearded twin brother. He plays guitar and drums, loves going to concerts with his wife, and loves being a dad.

I have to admit, this is a strange place for me to be in. As Dappered’s resident Flint and Tinder expert, I honestly enjoy getting loaned new F&T stuff to try out and am almost always blown away by the craftsmanship, fit, details, you name it. While still staying true to their traditions of high-quality materials and craftsmanship, this Wayfarer Blazer surprisingly fell more than a bit flat for me for a multitude of reasons. I’m not really sure what happened here, but let’s start with what’s good.

Size Small on 5’9″, 160 lbs

Out of the box, this is a sturdy and rugged sportcoat, still made in the USA, which is tightly woven and ready for anything. Notch lapel, single-vent back, half-lined. Nicely marled outer, described as a Japanese wool blend, gives it an intentional non-uniform color. Inside, the minimal lining is 100% chambray, which also lines the sleeves and pipes the interior seams for a nice touch. Two inside pockets (one chambray-lined, one patch pocket) are another nice touch that shows off the lining fabric.

Barely lined with a chambray butterfly upper back and seams. 

Unfortunately… that’s about where the good stuff ends.

The outer/shell makeup of materials on the Huckberry site get broken down as 46% wool, 40% cotton and 17% polyester, which adds up to… 103%? Then, the jacket tag itself touts only 38% cotton, 8% polyester, and 8% acrylic. On the Huckberry website, they do tell us why they chose this blend though… Wool for breathability and strength, cotton for softness and comfort, and some poly/synthetics for strength and durability. It’s just all a bit confusing.

Long arms. Again, this is a size small on 5’9″. And the sleeve cuff buttons are functional.

As I try to slide my arm inside, I’m immediately aware of how tight the arms fit, and I don’t have big arms by a long shot. I vastly prefer my suiting arms be slim, but this? This is another level. There’s a pretty aggressive taper here. And while the interior chambray lining looks excellent, its slight texture makes it naturally “grab” at anything that’s not super slick as it slides through, producing some friction where you wouldn’t expect it.

Longer than average sleeves + functioning sleeve cuff buttons = expensive to tailor.
Bummer.

Once I get both arms in, I look down and… yes, those are functional sleeve cuff buttons. The arms are noticeably long on me. As you can see in the photos, I rolled the sleeve up about 2″ or so. There’s a decent amount of fabric to play around with, but anything more than 1/2″ and it’s going to require significant surgery. No bueno. With my arms in, the armholes become noticeable, and the whole jacket comes with me if I’m lifting my arms above 90 degrees. Yes, it’s build to be rugged, and “sporting” jackets need to have some toughness to them, but I would expect it to move a bit easier.

Nice waist off the rack on my 5’9″ / 160 lb frame.

Buttoning the top button, the natural waist actually fits right where it should, the right amount of give, quite comfortable there even when sitting. I would need to have the chest brought in though, since there’s a good 2″ of awkward space around the chest on either side, which just kind of bunches when the arms are down. This doesn’t do anything to improve the mobility, and I think it might impede it because of how it connects to the arms. Big chest, tight tapered arms. Beats me.

A short tail. Some would call it “sporty.” Or trendy.
Others would call it too short.

The tail seems pretty short. Thus completing the long arms + functional button holes + short tail trifecta. Brands and retailers have to be doing this for a reason… I just don’t know quite what that reason is. The mid-butt length also makes the extra space in the chest even more evident by contrast. While the outer flap pockets lay nicely, it’s still just not how many of us like our jacket tails to lay. There’s nothing that can really be done about this, but to many of us, a chopped tail really throws off the balance of a sportcoat or blazer.

A little less sleeve length yet a little more tail length could go a long way?

Adding it all up, I don’t think I could really recommend it at $300 given the shortcomings. It’s superbly-made, with good texture and detail choices, but when the overall fit is just nowhere close, that’s where the drawing board needs revisiting. Maybe if you have a specific frame and/or you’ve had good luck with this sort of long-armed/short tail silhouette in the past. For me, it’s a big swing-and-a-miss from a previously sterling chain of hits, and I fully expect them to come back with a strong 2.0 version of this coat that knocks all of these qualms right out of the park.