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woodford reserve January 2012

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Trading upRaise the bar with the New York power brokers’ cocktail of choice: a Woodford Reserve Manhattan

If you work on New York’s Wall Street, lunch might be for wimps but cocktail hour is de rigueur. For centuries, its bankers, power brokers and traders have congregated in the Midtown financial centre, working hard and playing harder (as the slick bars and world-class restaurants they frequent testify). Take, for example, the old-school Men’s Bar — AKA the Bull & Bear — at the Waldorf-Astoria: it opens at 4pm, just as the stock market closes, serving perfectly made Manhattans to its exacting clientele.

SETTING THE SCENE

As with so many of the classics, the origins of the Manhattan is obscure. Though popular myth has it that it was created under the instructions of Winston Churchill ’s mother, in reality it is more likely to have first been mixed at a bar on Broadway near Houston Street in the mid-19th century. By 1884, the recipe as we know it had been recorded in Byron’s Modern Bartenders’ Guide.

Complex and aromatic, the Manhattan cocktail combines the sweet, smooth, spiciness of Woodford Reserve bourbon with herbal vermouth and, for balance, a dash of bitters. Bittersweet notes from the cherry garnish bring the bourbon’s fruitiness to the fore. It’s the best possible showcase for a small-batch crafted whiskey.

THE MANHATTAN

RECIPE

INGREDIENTS40ml Woodford Reserve20ml Martini Rosso 2 dashes Angostura bittersMaraschino cherry to garnish

METHODStir all the ingredients with ice, strain into a pre-chilled cocktail glass and garnish with a cherry.

Right: New York City’s famous Wall Street. Below: Keep up to date with the Wall Street Journal online

Woodford Reserve is available to purchase in Waitrose, Tesco, Ocado, Asda and other good retailers. Please enjoy responsibly (drinkaware.co.uk)

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WHERE TO TRY IT

ROYAL EXCHANGE GRAND CAFEThis legendary building is a monument to banking. Swot up on your history of the business by admiring the 24 panels of art dating from 1882, which depict the life of the City, while savouring a cocktail from the same era. The Royal Exchange, London EC3V (+44 20 7618 2480 royalexchange-grandcafe.co.uk)

You don’t have to be Stateside to drink cocktails worthy of Wall Street. Try these British bankers’ favourites instead.

TIGERLILY, EDINBURGHBehind the Georgian facade lies this thoroughly modern bar and restaurant. Glistening bottles and sparkling service make Tigerlily a must-visit on the Edinburgh bar scene. The expert bartenders deliver an impeccably made Manhattan with ease, either at the bar or from a trolley at your table. 125 George Street (+44 131 225 5005 tigerlilyedinburgh.co.uk)

COQ D’ARGENT, LONDONWhether al fresco on the terrace, or in the busy brasserie-cum-bar, lap up the views across London’s Square Mile. The Coq boasts a impressive cocktail list, but stick with the classics and order a Woodford Reserve Manhattan. 1 Poultry, London EC2 (+44 20 7395 5000 coqdargent.co.uk)

To say style matters on Wall Street is an understatement: the firm you work for, your seniority, your salary, whether you’re sell- or buy-side and a myriad of other subtleties can influence your dress code. But the beating heart of any banker’s wardrobe is the suit. Opt for a neat cut in a conservative colour — brands such as Brooks Brothers are famously popular with the Wall Street contingent. If you’re channelling Gordon Gekko in Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, then a shirt with a contrast collar and cuffs should do the job. Pair it with a medium-width silk tie in a classic colour such as navy or burgundy. The key rule to remember is this: don’t out-dress your boss, your bonus might depend on it.

GET THE LOOK

FROM ACROSS THE POND

As cocktail historian David Wondrich writes for US Esquire: “When properly built, the Manhattan is the only cocktail that can slug it out toe-to-toe with the martini. It’s bold and fortifying, yet as relaxing as a deep massage. JP Morgan used to have one at the close of each trading day. It’s that kind of drink.”

Viktor & Rolf

Braces, £55, by Drakes at Mr Porter

Tie, £75, by Canali at Mr Porter

Leather bag, £515, by Dunhill at Mr Porter

Albermarle shoes, £640, by Edward Green

Shirt, £165, by Turnbull & Asser at Mr Porter

Jacket, £395, by J Crew at Mr Porter

Money clip, £95, by Aspinal

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A league of its ownThis spring/summer, toast the resurgence of Ivy League style with a classic American drink: the Woodfordian

Unapologetically well-educated and unashamedly well-connected, Ivy League students came to define a distinct era in American style. Conceived in the hallowed halls of Yale, Harvard, Princeton, Brown et al, this smart-casual aesthetic — synonymous with badge-adorned blazers, Oxford shirts and chinos — was the unofficial uniform of the Wasps (and those who emulated them). Though Ivy League style has never disappeared completely, this

SETTING THE SCENE

As with all the best cocktails, the Woodfordian is a twist on a classic — rye and ginger — which was originally conceived in the (surprisingly) fertile ground of Prohibition. Prior to the Twenties, straight rye whiskey was the drink of working-class USA, but once alcohol was banned the quality of whiskey became questionable. To make it palatable, ginger ales, such as Canada Dry, were added to the spirit. Although created more by accident than design, the combination became popular, earning its place in the States’ drinking lexicon.

The Woodfordian is a neat way to bring rye and ginger up to date, switching straight rye for hand-crafted bourbon. The blend of ginger and zesty lime with the smooth and spicy Woodford Reserve makes for a complex drink that’s as American as apple pie — and every bit as tasty.

THE WOODFORDIAN

Above: Harvard University in Cambridge Massachusetts Left: True Prep by Lisa Birnbach with Chip Kidd


spring/summer sees its return to the mainstream — and not just on the catwalk. Publishers have been vying to get preppy-inspired books to market, from True Prep, Lisa Birnbach’s update on the satirical Official Preppy Handbook (published in 1980), to Take Ivy, the much-awaited reissue of Teruyoshi Hayashida’s 1965 photo essay. So sling your sweater round your shoulders, mix up a cocktail and prepare for the next preppidemic.

RECIPE

INGREDIENTS50ml Woodford Reserve Ginger aleLime wedge

METHODPour the Woodford Reserve bourbon into a tall glass filled with ice, add a small squeeze of lime and top up with ginger ale. Garnish with a lime wedge.

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WHERE TO TRY IT

PARK HOUSEWith the look and feel of a country club, this chic bolt-hole (strictly members only) has all the wood-panelled grandeur you could require. Well-trained staff serve faultless cocktails, while you relax and enjoy the views over the gardens below. 20 Park Place, Cardiff (+44 29 2022 4343 parkhouseclub.com)

Your East Coast style will look perfectly at home in these upmarket watering holes

NOTTING HILL BRASSERIENinety-two, the Brasserie’s discreet bar, gets the balance of understated luxury and enjoyable ambiance just right. Pull up a chair at the chrome-clad bar for a pre- or post-dinner cocktail, or perhaps a glass of champagne. It’s a true neighbourhood gem. 92 Kensington Park Road, Notting Hill Gate, London W11 (nottinghillbrasserie.com)

You don’t need a degree from Princeton to carry off preppy style, just look to the old-guard of Ivy League outfitters. This season’s collections from Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger and Brooks Brothers feature all the staples: embossed blazers, neat polos, sharply pleated chinos and boat shoes (the best option if you want to wear your trousers short and show your ankles). For a more British twist, try preppy brands such as Aubin & Wills. Done well, Ivy League style will look as at home in town as it does in the Hamptons.

GET THE LOOKFINISHING TOUCHESEnsure that your cocktail preparation is as slick as your ensemble with the right kit. This sleek citrus-squeezer, by Philippe Starck, is a design classic that’s as functional as it is attractive — perfect for juicing limes for your Woodfordian. And make sure your ginger ale is as high quality as your bourbon: we like Fever-Tree (available nationwide).

Citrus-squeezer, £47, by Alessi. Ginger ale, £1.79, by Fever-tree

Shirt, £185, by Gucci at mrporter.com

Blazer, £275, by Tommy Hilfiger

Socks, £15, by Smart Turnout

You don’t need a degree from Princeton to carry off preppy style, just look to the old-guard of Ivy League outfitters. This season’s collections from Ralph

ensemble with the right kit. This sleek citrus-

as your bourbon: we like

season’s collections from Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger and Brooks Brothers feature all the staples: embossed blazers, neat polos, sharply pleated chinos and boat shoes (the best option if you want to wear your trousers short and show your ankles). For a more British twist, try preppy brands such as Aubin & Wills. Done well, Ivy League style will look as at home in town as it does in the Hamptons.

season’s collections from Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger and Brooks Brothers feature all the staples: embossed blazers, neat polos, sharply pleated chinos and boat shoes (the best option if you want to wear your trousers short and show your ankles). For a more British twist, try preppy brands such as Aubin & Wills. Done well, Ivy League

Shoes, £170, by Grenson

Tommy Hilfiger

Jeans, £95, by Gant

THE BOTANISTPreppy has never been out of style in this part of London, so you can rub cashmere-clad shoulders with the locals while sipping well-made drinks. While relaxed and airy for lunch, come cocktail hour this place is packed, so book ahead. 7 Sloane Square, London SW1 (+44 20 7730 0077 thebotanistonsloanesquare.com)

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Dark spiritInspired by fi lm noir’s cool, edgy Forties aesthetic, a Woodford Reserve whiskey sour is our drink of the moment

The whiskey sour was the drink of the Forties, when film-noir detectives stalked the silver screen and always got their guy (if not the girl). And now, following the recent smash-hit game LA Noire, brooding lawmen in the mould of The Big Sleep’s Philip Marlowe are very much back in style. In fact, much of the Forties feel — from the suits to the speakeasies, the tough times to the hard liquor — is relevant right now. As autumn approaches, take your cues from the noir genre and enjoy sophisticated drinking in jazz-soaked stylish bars.

SETTING THE SCENE

Clockwise from top left: Bird & Diz by jazz saxophonist Charlie Parker and trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie; Fred MacMurray and Barbara Stanwyck in 1944’s Double Indemnity; Raymond Chandler's classic crime novel, The Big Sleep

Channel Humphrey Bogart and Robert Mitchum at their sleuthing best to get the Forties look bang on. A trench coat — see this month’s back page — is an essential for autumn/winter (Burberry and Aquascutum make timeless examples), and is key to the moody silhouette. Team this with dark suiting — but make sure the look is contemporary by keeping the cut slim.

GET THE LOOK

Clockwise from top: trenchcoat, £995, by Burberry; white shirt, £85, by Brooks Brothers; tie, £270, by Lanvin; Oxford shoes, £655, by John Lobb, all at mrporter.com. Trilby, £195, by Lock & Co Hatters

RECIPE

INGREDIENTS50ml Woodford Reserve25ml lemon juice 1tsp caster sugar ½ egg white (optional)

METHODShake all the ingredients (add the egg white for that creamy texture) with ice and strain into an ice-filled rocks glass. Garnish with a maraschino cherry.

Rex

Lanvin

Dark spiritInspired by fi lm noir’s cool, edgy Forties aesthetic, a Woodford Reserve whiskey sour is our drink of the moment

Lanvin

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THE RACONTEURThe bar stalwarts behind cocktail tavern The Raconteur have got it bang on. Its carefully thought-out drinks, both classic and newly invented, are excellent, and the Woodford Reserve sours are served as we like them: correctly garnished and with some nibbles on the side.50 Dean Street, Stockbridge, Edinburgh (+44 131 343 3221 theraconteuredinburgh.com)

WHERE TO TRY IT

These sophisticated drinking dens are the perfect place to savour a whiskey sour. Trilby not required

Dark spirit

Originally defined in the early 19th century as a simple thing (a mixture of spirit, sugar, bitters and water), the “cocktail” has been through many periods of reinvention. The Eighties saw bartenders distracted by elaborate, umbrella-garnished confections, and men retreated to the safety of drinking spirits “on the rocks”. Thankfully, in recent times cocktail trends have come full circle and unadorned classics are back on the menu.

These old-school recipes rely on precise quantities of premium ingredients to succeed. Take the whiskey sour, which was reputedly created by Englishman Elliot Stubb in the 1870s when he ran a bar in Peru. The combination of lemon, sugar and bourbon over ice is a sublime drink, which reached its apogee of popularity in the Forties.

To taste this underrated, purist’s favourite properly, you’ll need just-squeezed citrus juice, freshly made ice and a top-notch bourbon. Small-batch triple distilled Woodford Reserve has natural sweetness and rich, honeyed flavours, which contrast with the lemon, making it the perfect pour for a whiskey sour.

THE WHISKEY SOUR

Clockwise from top left: Bird & Diz by jazz saxophonist Charlie Parker and trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie; Fred MacMurray and Barbara Stanwyck in 1944’s Double Indemnity; Raymond Chandler's classic crime novel, The Big Sleep


69 COLEBROOKE ROWCocktail maestro Tony Conigliaro’s London bar, 69 Colebrooke, serves some of the best drinks in town in one of the coolest locations. Its dimly lit, noir-inspired interior is simply and stylishly done. Pull up a wooden bar stool and watch the mixologists at work — a whiskey sour is a great place to start.69 Colebrooke Row London N1 (+44 7540 528 593 69colebrookerow.com)

MONTGOMERY PLACEInspired by cocktail drinking’s heyday and Fifties New York, this intimate venue mixes modern luxuries with a vintage style to good effect. The back bar glints invitingly with a fulsome selection of spirits, and the American-style snack list is worth tucking into. 31 Kensington Park Road, London W11 (montgomeryplace.co.uk)

MIX IT UPA now classic variation on the whiskey sour is to shake it with an egg white. The protein acts as an emulsifier to create a smooth and silky textured drink that enhances the soft flavours in the Woodford Reserve — such as the vanilla, which comes from the charred oak barrels.

Rex

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Confidence is the definer of the great American tradition of cocktail drinking: confidence in the drink, the place, the time — above all, in the feeling. If, for example, you find yourself in The Campbell Apartment — a hard-to-locate, easy-to-enjoy bar buried deep in New York’s Grand Central Station — around lunchtime on a Friday, there would be little doubt that cocktail time had arrived.

Dust particles hang in the sunbeams streaming through the huge stained glass window, as a Manhattan — two measures of Woodford Reserve bourbon, one of vermouth, a dash of bitters and a twist of orange — is strained into a gleaming cocktail glass and placed upon the immaculate wooden bar top by a man called Tony.

This amber, anachronistic room with its tartan walls — like a laird’s secret retreat — and gigantic fireplace seems a place given to conspiracy and deal-making, where serious men discuss ways to make a million, and then a million more.

In New York, as the guys from Mad Men might have it, any time is cocktail time.

The tweed-jacketed cat at the bar — Thomas Vernon, brand ambassador for Woodford Reserve and Esquire’s companion on the road — contemplates his drink, takes a sip, then remarks: “You couldn’t sum up New York in a drink any better. After Prohibition, the Manhattan was cemented as a discerning drink. It’s the perfect exclamation mark for the end of the day.”

It’s true, and he’d know: being steeped in the lore and arcanum of cocktail culture,

27-year-old Vernon can talk endlessly about both the past and the future of drinking; the science of spirits and the art of service. Yet far from reaching the American drinking dream so soon, we had only just begun: New York was just the first stop on a westward journey to Chicago and Seattle in search of the great American cocktail.

As Vernon had already noted, “Sophistication and style never go out of fashion, they just come back round again.” We had discovered that firsthand an hour or so before in the sumptuous King Cole Bar of the St Regis Hotel, not so far away in the canyons of Midtown Manhattan. If there’s been something of a renaissance in

US whiskey and the muscular cocktails it forms the basis of — the Old Fashioned, Mint Julep, New York Sour, Sazerac and so on — it was a man called Bob on the other side of the “stick” at the King Cole who confirmed it.

Beneath the immense mural commissioned in 1906 by the magnate John Jacob Astor to the artist Maxfield Parrish, Bob mixed a New York, New York with laser-style expertise: a half measure of Woodford Reserve, quarter-inch of each vermouth and apple schnapps, stirred not shaken (since the latter flattens out the flavours).

“You couldn’t sum up New York better in a drink... the Manhattan is the perfect exclamation mark for the end of the day”

empire state of mindWe TAKe MANHATTAN ON THe FIRST OF THRee JOURNeYS OF COCKTAIl DISCOVeRY WITH WOODFORD ReSeRVe

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The sacred and the profane combine in this ornate, hushed and endlessly smooth bar (in the pantheon of drinking these bourbon-based cocktails are near-holy, while the mural in question shows Old King Cole passing wind), which has other claims to fame: New York’s first Bloody Mary was made here.

“Sex & the City led to an explosion of Cosmopolitans,” Bob said, pausing to consider the contemporary history of stylish drinking. “But Mad Men and Boardwalk Empire have had a more recent effect [in the trend for] drinks such as bourbon on the rocks —

drinks that are clean and simple and don’t have 50 million options to them.”

Cocktails are booming again (“Tending bar is 10 times harder than when I started,” notes Bob. “Is it more exciting? Absolutely”), particularly the whiskey-based repertoire, and there’s some irony in the fact that the bourbon-based classics first flourished under

Prohibition and the Great Depression, given today’s somewhat straitened times. Not that you’d get that impression from the Bull & Bear Bar at the Waldorf-Astoria, to which we stroll later that afternoon. Named in honour of the capricious gods of the stock market and themed after the glories of hunting, this vast, exquisite room screams

money — not only as the stuff you spend, but as the way you live, just like Vince Vaughn coined it in Swingers.

Nor, we found, does austerity get in the way of bourbon drinking at the Hotel Elysée’s Monkey Bar — think luxuriant lighting, chambray tablecloths, a noodling jazz duo and exotic South Sea frescoes on the wall; like Gaugain transported to East 54th Street. Fortunes come and go, but the cocktail remains: “When people have no money, they will commiserate with a drink,” Vernon points out, lifting an

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Old Fashioned. “When they have money, they’ll celebrate with a drink.”

Whatever the time of day, in Midtown a cocktail remains the toast to a notion of smooth pleasure-seeking that’s been eternally American since Jerry Thomas wrote his iconic cocktail text, The Bartender’s Guide, back in 1862.

–Yet what Don Draper and his sharp-suited ad-seers might not have been able to predict was how the 24-carat classicism of Midtown cocktail culture would also blend and infuse into something more innovative, edgy and raw. To discover that, we head south.

“The cocktail movement” is how KJ Williams, bartender

at the cultish, art deco-inspired Flatiron Lounge, describes the surging interest in mixed drinks and their increasingly avant-garde ingredients. “Craft bitters” — home- or micro-brewed versions of the classic cocktail accoutrement — are a key part of that. Ranged across the brass bar top is a kaleidoscopic array of rare examples in attractive, paper-wrapped bottles: there’s Peychaud and Xocolatl Molé, Hellfire Habanero, Falernum and Amargo Chuncho — more exotic concoctions than you could shake a swizzle stick at. It’s

not uncommon to find bartenders brewing their own today, Williams says, a process that takes six to eight weeks. “We’re geeks,” he adds. “This is what we do.”

With an unofficial policy that “We serve guests, not cocktails”, the emphasis at Flatiron is on the drinker, and sometimes the drinker is behind the bar. Thomas Vernon steps round to make that sharpest of bourbon-based cocktails: a Mint Julep. Two spoons of sugar, one measure of Woodford Reserve and a handful of mint, “slapped and tickled”, he explains, so as not to break the veins in the leaves, then

served up on ice with a further spring of mint. Refinement, though, was never the drink’s point: “Virginians drank the Julep as a morning bracer,” Vernon reveals, “and it was traditionally drunk through an actual reed of straw in place of a plastic one.”

That same edginess increasingly commands appeal in the Big Apple and beyond as cocktails are deformalised and returned to their everyman roots: American whiskey was, after all, the people’s drink. And perhaps nowhere gets quite as raw as PDT (Please Don’t Tell) in the East Village. Regularly voted into the top two or three bars in the polls that matter, it’s a hard-to-find and harder-to-get-into place that’s all the more intriguing for being attached to a

“Mad Men and Boardwalk Empire have had an effect on the trend for drinks such as bourbon on the rocks — drinks that are clean and simple”

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1. Hotel Elysée’s Monkey Bar

2. Bull & Bear Bar, Waldorf-Astoria

3. The Campbell Apartment

4. Please Don’t Tell

5. Flatiron Lounge

6. King Cole Bar, St Regis Hotel

7. Employees only (overleaf)

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IN SEARCH OF THE GREAT AMERICAN COCKTAILPART 1: NEW YORK

Please enjoy responsibly (drinkaware.co.uk)

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AMERICAN WHISKEY: A BRIEF HISTORYFrom humble beginnings to international acclaim — how bourbon shook the world

1785 Bourbon County is formed, named after the Bourbon Royal Family, to honour French assistance during the American Revolutionary War.

1803 The Mint Julep — a precursor to the modern cocktail — gets its first recorded mention. English tutor John Davis wrote it was “a dram of spirituous liquor... taken by Virginians of a morning.”

1812 The Old Oscar Pepper distillery is founded on the site that later becomes home to Woodford Reserve. Dr James Crow formalises the bourbon process here.

1874 The Manhattan was NOT created by Winston Churchill’s mother in the Manhattan Club this year, as myth has it. Its exact origins are unknown, but it was thought to have been first mixed in the city four years earlier.

1821 Stout & Adams of Maysville offers to sell “bourbon whiskey” by the barrel in the Western Citizen of Paris, Bourbon County — the drink’s first mention in print.

2010Woodford Reserve Distillery takes the gong for Whisky Brand Innovator of the Year at Whisky Magazine’s Icons of Whisky Awards.

2007 US spirits exports — the majority of which are American whiskey — exceeds US$1bn for the first time. American whiskey is now sold in more than 100 countries.

subterranean, neon-lit fast-food joint, Crif Dogs, on St Mark’s Place. (Think Waka Flocka Flame on the boombox, tattoos, neon, arcade games and diners gnawing on condiment-encrusted ’dogs, a can of Pabst beer in their fists.) Suddenly, Midtown seems a world away

Yet those guests, like Thomas Vernon, who know the form, gravitate to the adjoining phone booth, pick up the handset and dial: a door is opened, a hand extended, and the otherworldly yin to Crif Dogs’ yang is revealed: suddenly we’re into a gothic cocktail cornucopia that makes you think that if secrecy can be this attractive, why not bring Prohibition back. “The classic speakeasy,” nods Vernon, with a grin. “This is what drinking US whiskey is all about.”

PDT opened in 2007, says manager Jim Meehan, an auspicious time given that the economy was tanking. But that had its benefits: “People went from a culture of conspicuous consumption to these hidden, smaller, den-type places, and it brought

them into more intimate groups. It was less blingy.”

Yes, PDT is far more than an exercise in pastiche and nostalgia. Its extraordinary menu (try the bacon-infused Old Fashioned, served in a tumbler over a gigantic, crystal-clear block of ice) represents a reinvention of the classic American cocktail at precisely the point where innovation meets tradition, while PDT’s endlessly attentive bartenders also embody the place’s elitism-for-everyone ethos.

“Cocktails needed to be put on a throne to get people to treat bartenders like sommeliers and chefs,” Meehan says. “They were vapid fashion, as opposed to a process-oriented craft driven by a trained professional.”

And that’s how cocktails are venerated at Employee’s Only (EO), a cab ride away on Hudson and among the hottest of NYC’s new tier of speakeasy-inspired joints. The elbow-to-elbow crush is recommendation in itself, as are the drinks: Vernon watches with rapt attention as the bartender makes a deft

Whiskey Sour with Woodford Reserve. Theatre and experience make a drink, and there’s plenty of both to captivate at EO. But the palmreader who sits in the window, between the bouncers and the inner sanctum, isn’t just for show: it was once common practice for speakeasies to create a smokescreen against the roaming Feds.

What does she read into the future of our search for

the great American Cocktail? We dare not ask, returning to the bar instead for a final dose of “medicine” in the form of two Penicillins, a toddy-like whiskey-based drink. Chicago beckons in the morning, and with it a whole new city full of flavours to explore. We raise our glasses in anticipation.

–Go to esquire.co.uk to read our Woodford Reserve Road Trip blog

“The classic speakeasy — this is what drinking American whiskey is all about”

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A keen observer of the scene, a skilled and sharp-witted bartender, and now the brand ambassador for Woodford Reserve bourbon — there isn’t much about contemporary cocktail culture that 27-year-old Thomas Vernon doesn’t know. After more than a decade in the trade, from opening bars in Leeds to tending across some of the UK’s most sophisticated joints (Portobello Star in London, Manchester’s Socio Rehab among them), Vernon brings a wealth of expertise and dedication to that fi nest of activities: drinking in style.

What’s your defi nition of a good cocktail?Drinks are occasion-specifi c; a lot of a drink is atmosphere and where you are. A Manhattan in Manhattan is a classic — the drink epitomises the city. A good cocktail should be balanced, and classics are classics for a good reason: drinks like the Manhattan, Old Fashioned, Sazerac, Sour and Boilermaker have stood the test of time.

Why is the bourbon cocktail experiencing a renaissance?American whiskey is darker and warmer than other spirits and has shaped all the classic drinks: the Manhattan, Old Fashioned and Julep are all American whiskey-based. Single malt has a cigars and slipper vibe, whereas people see American whiskey as more sociable and relaxed though increasingly, as no-less sophisticated.

How does Woodford Reserve fi t into bourbon’s history? Irish and Scottish settlers came to the US bringing a wealth of distilling knowledge with them; they settled in Virginia, Pennsylvania and Kentucky, where Woodford Reserve is based. Kentucky has an abundance of corn and wonderfully hard water — quality water makes quality whiskey, and Kentucky sits on a limestone shelf. The rules on making bourbon are strict — you have to use 51 per cent corn, and white oak charred barrels. The wood is very important — Kentucky has extremes of temperature, so there is a lot of interaction with the wood in terms of expansion and contraction. Woodford Reserve makes its own barrels to ensure complete control over the process.

What’s unique about Woodford Reserve?James Crow, the Scotsman

credited with classifying the rules of bourbon, perfected and mastered his skills at the site where Woodford Reserve is now based, so the brand has a massive amount of heritage. Every bourbon has a “mash bill”, which is the percentage of corn, malted barley and rye it contains. With 18 per cent of the latter, Woodford Reserve has a big rye fi nish. Rye is the fl avour grain, which gives that spicy, peppery, menthol and anise dryness. But it’s also about the balance — the sweetness from the oak comes through, and the corn is the weight behind it. Woodford’s master distiller, Chris Morris, has put an innovation spin on bourbon, too, and has identifi ed key fl avour points: the grain, the ageing process and the wood used, the fermentation process.

Where do you see cocktail culture going next?The trend now is for twisting the classics, updating them for today’s social drinking. People are becoming more discerning — they like to know where a drink has come from, so there is an educational element to working over the bar. They are also varying what they drink, and people have returned to a more bitter style of drink. At the end of the Nineties, sweet was good — fresh fruit, sharp colours and lots of sugar. Now it’s more about tasting the spirit in your glass, and the craft that goes with it.

What’s the key to being a good bartender?A bartender should be a friend, a sports columnist, joke-teller and raconteur, as well as a drinks maker. People behind the bar see bartending as a noble art; they take pride in their work. It’s all about making people’s night — you’re facilitating a guest’s good time and it’s about reading a situation. It is really about looking after people and being humble.

MIXING THECLASSICSTwo heritage cocktails to stir, not shake

MANHATTAN

INGREDIENTS40ml Woodford Reserve 20ml Martini Rosso2 dashes Angostura BittersOrange twistLuxardo cocktail cherry

METHODFill a Boston shaker with ice, add ingredients and stir. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Spray the oils from a twist of orange over the top and then discard. Add the cocktail cherry to the glass to garnish, and serve.

OLD FASHIONED

INGREDIENTS50ml Woodford Reserve1 white sugar cubeAngostura bittersGood-quality iceOrange twist to garnish

METHODPlace the sugar cube into an Old Fashioned or rocks glass and add three dashes of bitters. Add a teaspoon of water and using the back of a tablespoon crush the sugar cube until partially dissolved. Add 25ml of Woodford Reserve bourbon and two ice cubes and stir for 30 seconds. Add the remaining 25ml of whiskey and some more ice and stir until you have the required dilution. Garnish with the orange twist and serve.

THOMAS VERNON Q&A THOMAS VERNON

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woodford reserve January 2013

IN SEARCH OF THE GREAT AMERICAN COCKTAILPART TWO: CHICAGO

ESQUIRE PROMOTION

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woodford reserve February 2013

America is unique in its ability to pair tradition with innovation — honouring what’s authentic while fi nding increasingly sophisticated ways to experiment, improve and enhance. And that’s certainly true of Chicago’s cocktail circuit.

It’s just after lunchtime when Esquire and Woodford Reserve’s brand ambassador Thomas Vernon slide into the huge, salon-like atrium of the iconic Palmer House Hilton hotel in the city’s fi nancial district. The plan? To kick-start our Chicago odyssey with a classic from the cocktail lexicon and work our

way into the city’s ever burgeoning bar scene from there.

We opt for whiskey sours. At one part lemon juice to two parts whiskey (sweetened to taste with a little gomme syrup), this venerable drink dates back to at least 1870, when a Wisconsin newspaper made the fi rst recorded mention of it in print; a fact that — in historical if not geographical terms — links neatly with our chosen location.

This vast, ornate room in the Windy City, with its Sistine Chapel-like ceiling and bronzes by Louis Comfort Tiff any on the bannisters of the elegant staircase — not to mention the adjoining ballroom, which once hosted Frank Sinatra and welcomed Prohibition hoodlum

Al Capone and his gangsters — could hardly be more emblematic of the smooth confi dence of boom-time America. The hotel was originally built in 1871 at a cost of $575,000 by the businessman Potter Palmer for his young paramour; two weeks later it burned to the ground in the Great Chicago Fire. So Palmer rebuilt it. To this day, it’s a living monument to comfort, dedication and style. (Don’t miss a visit to Potter’s Lounge, where you can enjoy a tumbler of Woodford Reserve Personal Selection.)

Across town, meanwhile, things are done rather diff erently. Looking

THAT OLD SWEET HOME CHICAGOFOR THE SECOND STOP ON OUR GREAT COCKTAIL ODYSSEY, WE HEAD WEST TO CHICAGO, DISCOVERING A CITY WHERE TRADITION WELCOMES INNOVATION

“This vast room is emblematic of the smooth confidence of boom-time America”

1. Palmer House Hilton hotel

2. Potter’s Lounge bar

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WOODFORD RESERVE: LEADING INNOVATIONThere are five sources of flavour in bourbon. In Woodford Reserve’s award-winning Master’s Collection – also a great base for cocktails – one or more of these is altered, revealing how a small change in “craft” can bring a big change to the whiskey

(reservations by text only). “This is the pinnacle, the ultimate,” says a clearly very impressed Thomas Vernon as we ascend the stairs back into the lounge.

A temple to the technology of taste, The Aviary is dedicated to serious cocktail appreciation. Its approach may seem miles away from Palmer House’s, yet both are united in their

every inch the player in a leather jacket and Ray-Bans, Charles Joly pulls up outside The Aviary bar in the Meatpacking District in his cherry red Cadillac Coupe De Ville. With a smile, he ushers us inside for a tour that will reveal the leading edge of America’s cocktail avant-garde.

What isn’t being done at The Aviary arguably isn’t worth doing; the venue has an ice chef managing 25 diff erent types of ice, a dedicated laboratory with rotovap and sonicator fl ash-infusion machines, and, tucked away in the basement, a second, ultra-intimate speakeasy, The Offi ce

veneration of the cocktail, not to mention the welcome — that easy feeling of a drink in your hand and a chat with the bartender — which also

plays a big part in the connoisseur drinker’s American dream.

Later that afternoon we fi nd ourselves at Quay, near the shores of Lake Michigan. Quay makes no great claims to either authenticity or the avant-garde, but this large, converted warehouse (exposed brickwork, fi ne dining in the back, and access to the dock in case you’re arriving by yacht) off ers friendliness by the yard. A bartender named Cherish serves us a pair of warming snow days: cinnamon and almond punch, a stick of sugar cane, Woodford Reserve and rum — the perfect antidote to the chill wind that’s begun to blow into the city.

But if cocktail Chicago has started to feel like a town of two stories, they are reunited at the none-more-hip Nellcôte, back on Randolph, just a step away from The Aviary. Its menu is both chic and modernist (try the mortadella pizza with pistachios, shaved red onions and ricotta). Yet the old fashioneds we drink at the bar that bisects this airy room — like the Palace of Versailles meets Warhol’s Factory — couldn’t feel more true to the American tradition.

Sometimes, it would seem, the classics are best without the twist. –Go to esquire.co.uk to read our Woodford Reserve Road Trip blog

“Both are united in their veneration of the cocktail and the easy welcome that’s part of the connoisseur drinker’s American dream”

4

WATER All Woodford Reserve whiskey is made using deep limestone well water — its mineral-rich properties combine with

Woodford’s mash to give a crisp, clean finish to Woodford’s complex flavours.

DISTILLATIONThe Woodford Distillery, located on

the historic site of the Old Oscar Pepper distillery (where the bourbon process was originally formalised) is

the only distillery in the world to triple-distil its bourbon in copper pot

stills — a process reserved for the Master’s Collection.

GRAINThe first offering from WRMC set the brand’s bar for innovation. Four Grain

adds wheat to its “mash bill” (with traditional corn, barley and rye), giving

a soft, nutty finish. The old methods were given a new twist to create the first bourbon of its kind in 100 years.

FERMENTATIONIn traditional bourbon, the sour mash

process involves a portion of the spent (or “sour”) mash from a prior distillation to be added to the new. Using a recipe

from 1838, Woodford Reserve developed a fermentation of entirely new

ingredients to create a “sweet” mash, resulting in a bourbon with unique

aroma and flavours.

MATURATIONDespite the strict rules governing

bourbon production, the master distiller is free to “finish” his bourbon in a second

barrel type. Woodford has become a leader in this, its WRMC range

featuring, among others, bourbon finished in a California chardonnay barrel (Sonoma-Cutrer Finish) and

barrels made from toasted sugar maple wood. The Seasoned Oak Finish is unique

in that it gets its final mature in wood seasoned longer than any previously

used in bourbon production.

finish to Woodford’s complex flavours.

The Woodford Distillery, located on the historic site of the Old Oscar

Pepper distillery (where the bourbon process was originally formalised) is

the only distillery in the world to triple-distil its bourbon in copper pot

stills — a process reserved for the

The first offering from WRMC set the brand’s bar for innovation. Four Grain

adds wheat to its “mash bill” (with traditional corn, barley and rye), giving

a soft, nutty finish. The old methods were given a new twist to create the first bourbon of its kind in 100 years.

(or “sour”) mash from a prior distillation

from 1838, Woodford Reserve developed

bourbon production, the master distiller is free to “finish” his bourbon in a second

barrelswood. The Seasoned Oak Finish is unique

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woodford reserve MARCH 2013

Easy DrinkingWhether you chase it with an ice-cold beer, mix it in a classic cocktail or sip it straight over rocks, Buffalo Trace is bourbon at its laid-back best

EsquirE promotion


Being told how to enjoy your favourite drink is like being told how you prefer to have your steak cooked: supremely irritating. Take the sweet, smoky tipple that is Buffalo Trace. Distilled on the banks of the Kentucky River where Buffalo Trace has been making bourbon the same way for over 200 years, this straight bourbon whiskey is one of the most adaptable, quaffable spirits on the market.

Whether served straight over ice or forming the heart of a cocktail, its soft, easy character means that whichever way you choose to enjoy Buffalo Trace, you can be assured it will be the right way. A thoroughly modern spirit with a long, impressive history (Buffalo Trace was one of the few distilleries to continue production during the US Prohibition era, for “medicinal” purposes), we’re currently drinking ours chased with an ice-cold craft beer from small independent breweries. Known as a Boilermaker, it’s the perfect pairing to sink into on a cold winter’s evening. Speaking of which, the pub is calling. See you there.

esquire reader eventJoin us at The Draft House at London’s Tower Bridge for a unique Boilermaker Dinner on 21 February. The experts from Buffalo Trace will take you on a four-step tasting journey through their bourbon whiskeys, each one perfectly matched to US craft beers, during a delicious three-course dinner. Tickets are £30 but Esquire readers can attend for just £25, or £45 per pair. Find out more at esquire.co.uk/boilermaker before registering at buffalotrace.co.uk/esquirepromo

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sweet sipSipped straight or mixed with Coke and savoured in a float, Buffalo Trace Kentucky Bourbon is one adaptable bourbon

EsquirE promotion

It goes without saying that the best way to drink Buffalo Trace Kentucky Bourbon is straight up — it’s the only way to fully appreciate the sweet, smoky delicacy of the historic whiskey. That said, if you’re looking for something a little longer and sweeter, we recommend a Buffalo Trace Coke float. Made with a hefty scoop of vanilla ice cream topped with a few glugs of the fizzy brown stuff and a generous splash of Buffalo Trace bourbon, this boozy take on the American diner classic is second to none.

But why Buffalo Trace? Well, with its long, illustrious history there can be few worthier choices. The distillery was founded some 220 years ago on the banks of the Kentucky

River and was one of the few to continue production during the Prohibition era, distilling barrels of whiskey for “medicinal purposes”. It has proven credentials, too: George T Stagg — the brand’s uncut, unfiltered bourbon — has been named the best spirit in the world for two years running.

On top of that, the Fifties was a golden era for Buffalo Trace, with Old Stagg selling 1.2 million cases in 1951. And in 1953, the year US Prohibition ceased, the distillery rolled out its four millionth barrel. So, it stands to reason that we’d pick a Fifties inspired “cocktail” as our drink of choice. Visit buffalotrace.co.uk for more ways to enjoy this award winning whiskey.


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SIP EASYFrom underground speakeasies to smoky old-fashioneds, Prohibition-era

cool is where it’s at. Get in on the trend with Buff alo Trace bourbon

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Putting to one side the fact that you could stroll down the sidewalk wearing saddle Oxfords and a mink fedora without anyone batting an eyelid, the US Prohibition of the early 20th century must have been a testing time to live through. Alcohol manufacture was completely banned in all of the Union’s then 48 states. Even so, a handful of distilleries continued to produce alcohol for “medicinal” purposes during the period, one of which was Kentucky’s Buff alo Trace.

While production was strictly regulated (minimum 51 per cent corn, distilled to 160 proof, aged for a minimum of two years in virgin oak barrels), it didn’t stop over six million “whiskey prescriptions” being written between 1920 and 1933 — enough to keep the rich heritage of Buff alo Trace well and truly alive. Now, some 220 years since the distillery was fi rst founded, Buff alo Trace bourbon’s well-rounded

sweet, smoky and smooth taste is as quaff able as ever. Whether you opt for the super-hard-hitting, straight-from-the-still White Dog (at an eye-watering 125 proof), or the extra aged 17-year-old George T Stagg, you know you’re investing in a drop of bourbon history.

ESQUIRE READER EVENTBuff alo Trace is inviting a select number of Esquire readers to embrace the spirit of the speakeasy at a secret, Prohibition-era-style pop-up. All you need to know for now is that it will take place in an exclusive central London location on 22nd October (6.30–8.30pm) — invitees will get full details closer to the date. For a chance to gain entry, simply log in at bourbonexchange.com/secret-esquire — no password required.


Two-tone shoes,£250; leather belt, £65, both by Joseph Cheaney & Sons cheaney.co.uk. Silk tie,£120; printed pocket square, £75, both by Billionaire Italian Couture billionairecouture.com. Panama Hat, £110, by Laird and Co Hatters lairdhatters.com. Reading glasses,£165, by Police police.it. Vintage suitcase, from £70, by London Vintage Luggage londonvintageluggage.com

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trace of genius

Discover your pioneer spirit with America’s legendary Buffalo Trace bourbon, the authentic taste of how

the West was won over. You will be, too

EsquirE promotion

Whether its the clean, sharp bite of Russian vodka, the citric tang of London dry gin, or the smooth, caramel smokiness of fine Caribbean rum, every spirit has its own unique quality. But what is it that really makes an individual spirit shine?

When it comes to bourbon, look no further for the answer than Buffalo Trace. From the outstanding aroma and rich, teak-hued colour to its full- bodied, spicy, masculine taste, Buffalo Trace doesn’t just have a reputation as one of the world’s great whiskies — it was awarded double gold at the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2012. No mean feat.

Founded in 1775, in the spiritual — and actual — home of bourbon, Kentucky, USA, Buffalo Trace is one of the oldest distilleries in existence. And in case you’re wondering about the name, it refers to the ancient migratory routes which millions of buffalo once took through Franklin County, where the distillery is based.

From the potent, un-aged Buffalo Trace White Dog to its remarkably affordable — and decidedly quaffable — 8–12-year-old, all the way up to the heady heights of the high-proof, uncut and unfiltered George T Stagg (named Best Spirit in the World for two years running), Buffalo Trace bourbons make a worthy addition to your home bar. Just don’t expect it to last very long.

If you’d like to try before you buy, Buffalo Trace will be hosting an exclusive tasting event in the near future for a select number of Esquire readers; don’t miss the November issue for more details.

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from one pioneer to anotherDistilling exemplary whisky for over a century, Glenfiddich is a pioneer in its craft. In its honour, we shared a wee dram of the world’s most awarded single malt with a few of our favourite innovators and asked them to interpret what they tasted. Sláinte!


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BOMPAS & PARR

Sam Bompas and Harry Parr are two of the most energetic 28-year-olds you’ll ever meet. A pair of self-proclaimed “architectural foodsmiths”, they are best known for reproducing London landmarks in jelly, catering for some of the world’s most exciting parties (earlier this year they whisked up a giant revolving cake using half a ton of sugar) and transforming the roof of Selfridges department store into a boating lake — a feat the pair count among their greatest achievements. Such is their zeal, that when asked to taste and interpret Glenfiddich’s youngest single malt, the 12 Year Old, they threw a party and cooked up a winter punch (pictured left) crafted from homemade

pineapple syrup, “a cupboard full of spices” and a bottle of 12 Year Old. On the brink of releasing their first cocktail book, we talk to the pair and discover what — apart from whisky — makes these pioneering foodies tick.

“GLENFIDDICH 12 YEAR OLD made us think of a healing hot toddy. We decided to create a drink verging on the medicinal, so we settled on a tropical punch bursting with citrus, cinnamon and, believe it or not, coffee.

“A PIONEER IS someone with a sense of swashbuckling recklessness. At the moment we’re obsessed with arctic exploration, there’s never been anyone more swashbuckling than Shackleton or Scott.

“ONE DAY WE WILL cook an entire cow. We’ve forbidden ourselves from doing it for the moment (a fully growncow weighs half a ton), but one day it would be enormously satisfying to spit-roast a cow. It takes a good three days though, and lots of levers and pullies.”

WHAT DID THE CULINARY WHIZZ KIDS DO WITH GLENFIDDICH’S FRUITY 12-YEAR-OLD? MAKE A COCKTAIL, OF COURSE

Suit, £900; waistcoat, £145, both by Hackett; Shirt, £195; pocket square, £65, both by E Tautz. Bow tie, £45, by Gieves & Hawkes. Shoes, £640, by Edward Green. Socks, £9, by Falke. Chair, by Howe London. 12 Year Old Glenfiddich, £31 (glenfiddich.com)

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Jacket, £980; shirt, £185, both by E Tautz. Trousers, (as part of a three-piece suit), £155; tie, £60, both by DS Dundee.Glasses, £186, by Paul Smith at Luxottica. Boots, £680, by Mr Hare.(All other shoes by Mr Hare.)15 Year Old Glenfiddich, £36 (glenfiddich.com)

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MR HARE

Surf shop owner-turned-shoemaker Marc Hare is living proof that a lot of hard work goes

a very long way. Since setting out on his mission to reform the feet of British men back in

2009, the Mr Hare brand has gone global, with his shoes now stocked in stores including Colette in Paris, Edition in Japan and Liberty in London. With the recent release of his A/W collection, a collaborative range with Topman and the imminent debut of his first sneaker, Hare’s desire to create “the perfect pair of shoes” isn’t far from fruition. On first tasting Glenfiddich 15 Year Old, Hare matched it to the distinctive

Vachetta leather he uses for many of his creations.

“GLENFIDDICH 15 YEAR OLD reminded me of the intense smell and atmosphere you experience in the Vachetta tanneries. It‘s a very rich, complex smell.

“IT TAKES TIME TO MAKE A GOOD SINGLE MALT, just as it takes time to make a good pair of shoes. I use Vachetta leather because it improves with time.

“IT’S A DREAM OF MINE to own a beach house at some point. I don’t care where it is, as long as there’s sun, some good surfing and hardly any people. That’s all I want (in addition to the perfect shoe).

“ONE DAY I WILL create the perfect collection of shoes; I see it as being around 12 pairs. I want to make something which people look at and say ‘that’s good’.”

SHOEMAKER OF THE MOMENT MARC HARE AND GLENFIDDICH’S RICH 15 YEAR OLD MAKE A FITTING PAIR

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FREDERIC MALLE

For the past few decades, Frederic Malle has been commissioning bespoke fragrances by the world’s most gifted perfumers. “I wanted to give these talented people the freedom to create the fragrances they were capable of creating.” So speaks one of the most important fragrance pioneers of recent decades. Based between Paris and New York, Malle is obsessed with scent, though he no longer produces them himself. “I work with my perfumers to create fragrances. They create, I smell, make comments and they

recreate!” When asked to cast his nose over a bottle of Glenfiddich 18 Year Old, his professional senses were impressed.

“GLENFIDDICH 18 YEAR OLD is complex. Smelling it, I picked up floral notes of violet and a little rose, a dry, woody strain of something like vetiver, and a touch of amber. It’s not too sugary and has a dryness. It reminds me of Angeliques Sous la Pluie by Jean-Claude Ellena.

“AM I A PIONEER? I think so. I’ve taken perfumers out of the lab and given them a voice. Something they’ve never had at larger fragrance houses.

“ONE DAY I WILL have a company that is even more successful than it is now. Nothing pleases me more than spending an afternoon working on a fragrance with a perfumer. I just don’t want it to stop.”

THE FRAGRANCE ENTREPRENEUR SMELLED ROSES IN GLENFIDDICH’S OAKY 18 YEAR OLD

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EsquirE promotion

Jacket, £400, by Ami. Shirt, £89, by Thomas Pink. Bow tie, £45; pocket square, £45, both by Gieves & Hawkes. Trousers, £170, by Hackett. Glasses, £119, by Ray-Ban at Luxottica. Table, by Howe London. 18 Year Old Glenfiddich, £43 (glenfiddich.com)

document7623697830075672613.indd 6 11/10/11 11:47 AMGlenfiddich JANUARY 2012

In collaboration with

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every manrequires

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GreY Goose, the taste suPPleMent JUNE 2011

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When dealing with hot spice, wines with a high

alcohol content can make food taste even hotter. If you’ve ordered a really spicy curry, sneak in a German riesling — the residual sugar, sweetness and relatively low alcohol content will calm it. If you want to enhance the heat, go for a good red, such as barossa shiraz.

For fatty foods you need wine with high acidity —

but think about flavour as well as structure. Take sauvignon blanc — though popular, it’s actually one of the trickiest wines to match with food because of its strong flavours of herbs, nettle and asparagus. Chardonnay, on the other hand, is a gift with food: if the label

says “barrel fermented” and has an alcohol content of less than 14 per cent, then you’ve got a template for a wine that will work with everything.

For smoked foods choose a wine that’s one step

fruitier or sweeter than normal to balance the meal. So, if you would usually have chablis with poached salmon, go for a New World chardonnay with smoked salmon.

High-tannin red (such as barolo) can dry your

mouth. Counteract the affect by eating protein: steak will soften the tannin.

If in doubt with white, go for a pinot gris from

Alsace. It’s a fruity wine that will stand up to almost anything.

If in doubt with red, Italian wines are a shoo-

in. Concentrate on Tuscany: good chianti balances fruit, acidity and tannin without feeling like you’re chewing an old teapot. If you think about Italian culture, wine is almost always enjoyed with meals, so it is very food-friendly.

Finally, always remember champagne. It is usually

made from both red (pinot noir, pinot meunier) and white grapes (chardonnay), which creates a complex and impressive wine that will match with everything from seafood to mushrooms to duck.

How to win Come Dine

witH me

elder treesWhat is it? Elder is a great tree for foragers, it has elderflowers in summer and elderberries in autumn (great in crumbles or for jelly). What to look for The elderflowers are out from mid May to July, they grow in umbrella-shaped clusters called umbels and are best gathered when they still have lots of pollen on them — give them a shake, if yellow dust comes off they are good. How to eat Dip the flowers in batter and deep fry then dust with icing sugar for elderflowers fritters; make elderflower cordial, or use them like a herb with chicken (in the gravy) or pork belly (rub in the meat before cooking). The Forager Handbook (Ebury Press) by Miles Irving is out now ( forager.org.uk)

01 | Impress your guests. Personalised place settings break the ice.

02 | Get the menu right. Go for: “smoked salmon blini, rack of lamb with parsnip purée and raspberry crème brûlée with shortbread,” suggests Georgie Colquhoun, teacher at Leiths School Of Food And Wine.

03 | Bonus points for using seasonal ingredients: “This would win any competition I was judging,” says Colquhoun. Minus points for food that is microwaved or still alive.

04 | Try not to be a sociopath. This is a tactic frequently avoided by actual Come Dine With Me contestants.

Three foods To forage forby Miles irving, foraging expert and author

Fat Hen CHenopodium album What is it? Fat hen is a prolific annual weed found on fertile disturbed ground in gardens and on farmland — each plant produces thousands of seeds. Gardeners and farmers consider it a pest and take pains to rid themselves of it, but this is a delicious and nutritious food source, with plenty of calcium and vitamin A.What to look for This is one of the plants which give the “Goosefoot” family its name, the leaves having the characteristic shape of a goose’s foot. They have a powdery surface and appear in alternate (not in opposite) pairs on the stem. How to eat Pick off the leaves and use them in salads, or take the tops and wilt them and serve with a little butter and lemon juice.

marsH sampHire saliCorniaWhat is it? Also known as sea asparagus, this plant is found on saltmarshes: that is any place where you find tidal water, where the shore is made of mud rather than sand or shingle (pebbles). What to look for It’s unmistakable, being basically all stalk, in fleshy segments and branched like a miniature cactus. These succulent stems are really salty — the salt helps the plant survive in saline, where it spends much of its time. Cut them with scissors, just above the ground. How to eat Samphire makes a great accompaniment for fish either raw or briefly boiled or fried. Wash before use — but only just before unless you dry it thoroughly: stems will quickly rot if left with any amount of fresh water on them.

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Most distilleries rely on tradition as their selling point for a superb single malt, and some would argue with good reason — after all, tried and tested is sure and steady. But, for Glenmorangie, tradition has always been just the beginning of whisky excellence. To continually deliver the very fi nest dram to its loyal followers, Glenmorangie has wisely tempered its reliance on heritage with a zeal for innovation — and it’s done this from the very beginning.

When William Matheson founded Glenmorangie in 1843, he chose to use tall gin stills instead of the traditional onion shapes favoured by his contemporaries. The innovation was clearly a success: Glenmorangie is still distilled in the tallest copper stills in Scotland, resulting in a whisky that is delicate, yet complex.

Fast forward a century to the Sixties, and Glenmorangie continued to lead the way as it pioneered the use of ex-bourbon American oak barrels instead of the sherry casks used by the majority of whisky suppliers in Scotland. In fact, more than a quarter of a century of research has positioned Glenmorangie as the world authority in cask maturation.

And so to the present day and the latest example of Glenmorangie’s innovation. Head of whisky creation Dr Bill Lumsden has been awarded the coveted Innovator Of The Year title in 2008 and 2009, and is seen as a pioneer in wood management — creating the excellent “extra-matured” whiskies that have changed the single-malt market. His enterprising philosophy perfectly matches Glenmorangie’s singular spirit.

cIONEERING SPIRIT With a history of breaking new ground, Glenmorangie embodies innovation in whisky creation

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GlenMoranGie December 2009

THE NEW RULES

MUST MASTER

EVERY

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

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ESQUIRE PROMOTION

— 01 —“Approach whisky just as you do a wine. First, observe the

colour against a light background.”

— 02 —“I tend to drink from

tulip-shaped glasses, much like sherry copitas, but any

clear glass that shows off the colour and helps concentrate

the aromas will be fi ne to appreciate The Macallan.”

— 03 —“Next, nose the whisky a few times, agitating the glass to

help oxygen release the aromas. Take your time, as the higher volatiles “lift off ”

quickly and allow exploration as the deeper layers of aromas

to develop in the glass.”

— 04 —“Take a sip in the mouth, hold it to allow the taste

sensations to envelop you, before swallowing and feeling

the length of fi nish and lingering aftertaste. It should be smooth

and caressing.”

— 05 — “Feel free to add water (room

temperature, still and de-mineralised) as your

individual taste prefers.”

— 06 —“As for the environment,

free of too much extraneous odour is best; light and airy, in the company of

convivial friends!”

HOW TO GET THE BEST FROM YOUR WHISKY

by David Cox, director of Fine & Rare,

The Macallan

The fl avour profi les that make up the world’s best scotch whiskies are as

complex as any fi ne wine, the result of an intricate production process — involving

the fi nest malted barley, clear Scottish spring water and top-quality casks for ageing — that has been refi ned over

centuries. But it doesn’t fi nish there. The key to getting the best from any single

malt whisky (which, by defi nition, must be distilled in a single distillery entirely from malted barley) is all in the way you taste it.

First, note the colour — it refl ects the quality of production and its maturation

in cask. Next, it’s important to “open up” a whisky’s unique bouquet — a tulip-shaped

glass concentrates the aromas far more eff ectively than a traditional tumbler. Finally, the palate. Actually drinking

whisky is, of course, the most important part of the process and one to be savoured. It’s crucial to give yourself time to take in all the individual notes, which will linger

in your mouth long after drinking.

The Macallan Gold, the latest release from esteemed whisky distillers, Edrington Group is a fi ne example of the spirit. Typical of the Speyside region where its distillery was founded in 1824, the key to the complex fl avour profi le of The Macallan’s new single malt is

refl ected in its distinctive golden colour — a delicate burnished hue, naturally achieved by maturing it in the fi nest

sherry-seasoned oak casks.

The wood’s character defi nes not just the colour, but the fl avour, too. Gold’s nose is zesty, with hints of lemon, orange peel, vanilla and dark chocolate. Its citrusy

palate presents spiced strains of cinnamon and ginger, leading to a

medium-sweet fi nish that is malty and dry. Pure gold — in name and quality.

@the_macallanthemacallan.com

facebook.com/themacallan

what makes a single malt?

Single malt whisky is the most distinctive

spirit, its qualities and characteristics born out of location and craftsmanship — each one distilled

at a single site, entirely from malted

barley. Speyside — home to the greatest

concentration of single malt distilleries — is renowned as the

heartland of malt whisky distillation, famously produing

malts that are elegant and complex. It makes sense, then, that it’s where you’ll fi nd The Macallan.

THE GOLD STANDARDComplex and rewarding, the world’s best whiskie s are well worth savouring.

Our tot of the moment? The Macallan Gold

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THE STATE OF MAN, 2012

The Macallan/Esquire Photography Competition produced a stunning

shortlist of winners

When we announced our photography competition in the summer, asking you to submit portraits that captured something about being a man in 2012, we deliberately kept the brief open in the hope of getting

a diverse range of styles and subjects. We weren’t disappointed. From classic portraits to quirky snapshots, from the technically complex to the refreshingly

simple — we got the lot, and the standard exceeded all our judges’ expectations.

Congratulations to Alex Wallace for his winning entry (left), to the shortlisted runners-up (overleaf), and to all who

entered. You’re inspiration to the rest of us to pull the camera out more often.

01“savile row”

by alex wallace

they say: “This Savile Row regular provided

me with a natural image of masculinity and

personal style.” we say: “Our winning portrait has got it all — a striking image that

pulls you in and holds you there.”

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ESQUIRE PROMOTION

07“untitled”

by jack batchelor

they say: “It was inspired by the weather rather than

location or model. The cane was my dad’s and

adds a sentimental touch.” we say: “A very

accomplished photograph, both technically and

emotionally.”

08“hammock heaven” by frederick kwame

boakye

they say: “In beautiful Buzios, Brazil, I was

staying in a villa with friends and needed to

catch how I was feeling.” we say: “A spontaneous self-portrait can produce something outstanding.”

09“pool party”

by charlie heller

they say: “After Bonfi re Night, we retired to this oak-panelled pool room.

The game looks delicately balanced but we’d just

potted the black.” we say: “An atmospheric backdrop and setting for the story of a night out.”

10“mayor in the mirror”

by oliver watson

they say: “I took this photograph with the idea of standing in front of the mirror and wanting to be someone else, seeing the

world as they would.” we say: “Original,

unusual and thought-provoking.”

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02“ploughman’s lunch”

by jane graham

they say: “We found this pub on a spring trip to Kent — local cheeses

washed down with a pint of local ale. A happy day.”

we say: “This photograph might just be the visual

defi nition of male contentment.”

03“buffalo bill”

by nadine wright

they say: “A playful depiction of the

animalistic nature present in man.”

we say: “Sometimes analysis isn’t necessary. Ultimately it’s a photo of a man in a mask —

but it works.”

04“motorcycle project”

by calen froese

they say: “This shows my bike before I began

fi xing it up. I’d never done anything like it before and

it taught me a lot about bikes — and myself.”we say: “Perfectly

conveys the importance of private passions.”

05“style is simple”

by rachel mccarthy

they say: “Taken at London Collections: Men, I think it’s an image that manages to encapsulate

British style.” we say: “Excellent

composition and full of energy, it succeeds on

a number of levels.”

06“cool water”

by christopher algar

they say: “This captures an important moment for me — how I escaped from

a creative block to take on fresh ideas.”

we say: “Technically impressive, graphically

striking, but still personal and human.”

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document2568087599179943425.indd 8 9/14/12 5:21 PMMacallan NOVEMBER 2012

Pull up a chair and pour a dram of Laphroaig, Islay’s most rewarding whisky, while three inspiring men explain what — and who — motivated them to reach the top

esquire | promotion

“What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?” When we’re interviewing the great and the good for Esquire, this is a question we often ask, because whatever drive and talent propels these stars to the top of their game, there is also invariably someone in the wings giving crucial inspiration and guidance. Over the next few pages, you’ll meet some extraordinary achievers, and read who — and what — has motivated them to excel.

When it comes to enjoying a great whisky, however, inspiration and guidance are just as crucial. Your fi rst dram — shared with a father, friend or colleague — is a rite of passage experience. Life changing, in its own small way.

The man who has introduced more people to Laphroaig single-malt Scotch than anyone else is distillery manager John Campbell. “Laphroaig may not be the easiest whisky to get a taste for — because it is so richly fl avoured it can polarise opinions,” he says. “But once you begin to understand it, you’re starting an incredible journey.”

The Islay distillery recently launched Quarter Cask, perhaps the best introduction to the powerful and peaty whisky. “For me, it is the one you would try fi rst,” says Campbell. “It has lots of fl avour — peat and salt — spiciness and balance.” If, however, you’re accustomed to the complexity of a peated whisky already, the Cask Strength edition is the bottle to taste. “It’s the best whisky in the world, with balance, depth and fl avour. The second batch we’ve produced is even better than the fi rst,” John says.

And so what’s the best piece of advice Campbell can pass on for enjoying Laphroaig? “Approach it gently, be ready, and enjoy the journey. It’s going to be incredible.”

TASTE OFSUCCESS

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document47441.indd 75 10/15/10 11:49:48 AM

The hardest part was keeping positive. It wasn’t the snakes or the jaguars or the jungle dangers — it was the days when your pack felt heavy and you sank into the ground.

But I’d had this amazingly inspiring sergeant major when I joined the military — a huge bloke called Mark Hale. He was recently killed by an IED in Afghanistan. He had an MSC in psychology, and when I would start to go into these bad moods I imagined him standing next to me giving me “that knowing look”.

In the jungle we had this amazing, idyllic life. You’d find a lovely place, put a hammock up, light a fire, then go down to the river and do some fishing. You can catch piranha fish pretty easily in nets. You grab them carefully by the back of the head, pull the netting away from their head and chop their mouths off.

We were battling away through communities who had never seen outsiders. Some of them believe in this mythical beast, a face-peeler called the Pelecado, so I felt bad. I was taken prisoner twice — once on suspicion of murder.

Walking through the Amazon with the water up to your chest is actually a tranquil experience. There were a few electric eels, which worried me as they can knock you out. We saw venomous snakes all the time and two anacondas as big as tractor tyres.

The pit vipers were the biggest threat. We were passing two or three a day that we saw — there were surely many that we didn’t. My partner Cho killed one mid-strike with his machete. Part of me thinks we were incredibly lucky and part of me thinks there’s a level intuition we think we’ve lost but that is actually still there.

esquire | promotion

grey T-shirT by John VarVatos; black Trousers by rag & bone; brown belT by gucci, all from matches (matches fashion.com). JackeT by Victorinox

Ed Stafford spent 860 days walking the Amazon, eating piranha fish and dodging hostile tribes

document47441.indd 76 10/15/10 11:49:59 AM

esquire | promotion

I wanted to be a chef from about the age of eight and watched loads of cookery programmes. Keith Floyd was my favourite and the inspiration who got me into cooking. The way he spoke about food and used food was so interesting and exciting. So I started washing dishes in a steakhouse earning £2.90 an hour. I was loaded and used all the money to fund my BMX fetish! I realised if you worked hard you could reap the benefits.

The next one was Marco Pierre White. His series, Marco, was on television when I started out and I always had dreams of going to work for him. I sort of missed that boat because of how his career and my career were going and instead I went to Gordon.

Gordon was a massive time in my life and a massive inspiration — positive and negative. When I was working for Gordon there were plenty of days when I wanted to walk out. On the whole, chefs’ behaviour is changing. In my restaurants I will not stand for my chefs shouting or hollering. Life’s too short to bollock someone over a portion of spinach — it doesn’t do you any good, let alone them.

I suppose my inspiration these days are products. I get inspired by the produce. I’m filming Market Kitchen at the moment and we’re going round the whole country looking at all this amazing produce and the people who grow it — they’re a fantastic inspiration, the different ways they’re doing it.

denim apron by muji. black trousers by daks

Michelin-starred chef Mark Sergeant spent 13 years honing his craft with Gordon Ramsay. Here’s what he’s learned

document47441.indd 77 10/15/10 11:50:08 AM

Any man who likes clothes thinks, at some point in his life, about Savile Row, so when I saw the ad saying: “tailors for sale” I just jumped in. It was in need of a bit of energy and enthusiasm and TLC but not much else.

I’d been inspired, in my college days, by my housemaster, Kenneth King. He was of the old school. A Cambridge graduate. He believed in decency and good manners, and in hard work — things which I have tried to bring to my business. He lived in a very simple, but wonderfully stylish fashion; from his beautiful Robert Thompson furniture to his fi nely cut tweed suits. His charm, his straightforwardness and his elegance are qualities I have always tried to imitate.

These days I fi nd it inspiring to meet so many men who will spend hours leafi ng through cloth bunches. It’s wonderful to fi nd all of these like-minded people, as I spent my childhood being ridiculed for the way I dressed. It’s much easier to order something when

esquire | promotion

you’re new to bespoke if you see someone else wearing it, so I try to inspire by dressing well. I learned quickly that there’s a fi ne line between offering good advice and projecting my own style and taste onto other people. The good cutters here leave ego out of it.

My philosophy is to keep it simple. Just adding another colour into your wardrobe will make other things react in different ways. Inspire yourself by trying something unusual to make the cloth stand out in a different way — something small that lifts what you’re wearing out of the routine.

There are lots of style rules, some of which are eminently sensible. You shouldn’t match your tie and your handkerchief but they should be harmonious. Some people think you should wear socks that match your trousers. But I prefer to wear socks the same colour as my tie or hanky. Rules can stop people making disastrous choices, but “no brown in town” should be consigned to the dustbin of sartorial nonsense.

Patrick Grant has reinvigorated two iconic brands Norton & Sons and E Tautz. At 38, he is the youngest boss on Savile Row

For more information visit laphroaig.com

SUIT BY NORTON & SONS. SHIRT, TIE AND POCKET SQUARE ALL BY E TAUTZ. SHOES BY JOHN LOBB. WATCH BY A LANGE & SOHNE

document47441.indd 78 10/15/10 11:50:17 AM

esquire | promotion

document47441.indd 79 10/15/10 11:50:26 AMlaPhroaiG DECEMBER 2010

FASHION &RETAIL

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Where can you find made-to-measure suiting from tailoring firms as prestigious as Brioni, Canali, Halston, Corneliani, Ermenegildo Zegna, E Tautz and Richard James all under one roof? Not, surprisingly, in Italy or on London’s Savile Row, but in the new Tailoring department of Harrods.

“The market is moving towards made-to-measure,” says Jason Broderick, Harrods General Merchandise Manager for Menswear. “Our customers want choice and individuality. We are able to offer some of the world’s very best tailoring brands under one roof.”

This new service means that Harrods customers can choose from a large selection of fabrics and styles by a representative of each of the internationally renowned designers. Once measurements are taken and the choice is made, the suit will be custom- made to fit and ready to be picked up within three to four weeks.

Brands such as Richard James represent the modern face of London’s Savile Row, while more traditional tailoring comes courtesy of Brioni and Ermenegildo Zegna (as well as new offerings from Luca Rubinacci, Kiton, Corneliani and the Harrods own label). All three tailors agree that it is a huge honour to be represented in the store. “Harrods is one of the world’s best department stores,” says Antonio Pipitone, General Manager of Brioni UK. “Short of going to Rome, Harrods is the closest you can get to the experience of real Italian tailoring. In fact, bearing in mind the choice and convenience, it might be even better than Italy!” The Made-to-Measure service will be available throughout March with 15 per cent off orders when you use a Harrods rewards card. If you don’t have a Harrods rewards card, then you can sign up for one at any till point. To book an appointment, call +44 20 7730 1234 and ask for Mens Tailoring.

perfectly suited With the arrival of the new Harrods Made-To-Measure service, exquisite tailoring from the world’s finest designers is at your convenience

from far left Tailor richard James wearing richard James, harrods general merchandise manager for menswear Jason Broderick wearing own suiT By Tom ford, uk reTail & wholesale manager for Zegna Teo nannicini wearing Zegna, general manager for Brioni uk anTonio PiPiTone wearing Brioni and harrods Buyer men’s Tailoring Ben curry wearing harrods own laBel suiT and kiTon Tie

document1973149863577633639.indd 76 1/7/11 2:37:42 PM

esquire | promotion

document1973149863577633639.indd 75 1/7/11 2:37:29 PMharrods May 2012

esquire | promotion

Where can you find made-to-measure suiting from tailoring firms as prestigious as Brioni, Canali, Halston, Corneliani, Ermenegildo Zegna, E Tautz and Richard James all under one roof? Not, surprisingly, in Italy or on London’s Savile Row, but in the new Tailoring department of Harrods.

“The market is moving towards made-to-measure,” says Jason Broderick, Harrods General Merchandise Manager for Menswear. “Our customers want choice and individuality. We are able to offer some of the world’s very best tailoring brands under one roof.”

This new service means that Harrods customers can choose from a large selection of fabrics and styles by a representative of each of the internationally renowned designers. Once measurements are taken and the choice is made, the suit will be custom- made to fit and ready to be picked up within three to four weeks.

Brands such as Richard James represent the modern face of London’s Savile Row, while more traditional tailoring comes courtesy of Brioni and Ermenegildo Zegna (as well as new offerings from Luca Rubinacci, Kiton, Corneliani and the Harrods own label). All three tailors agree that it is a huge honour to be represented in the store. “Harrods is one of the world’s best department stores,” says Antonio Pipitone, General Manager of Brioni UK. “Short of going to Rome, Harrods is the closest you can get to the experience of real Italian tailoring. In fact, bearing in mind the choice and convenience, it might be even better than Italy!” The Made-to-Measure service will be available throughout March with 15 per cent off orders when you use a Harrods rewards card. If you don’t have a Harrods rewards card, then you can sign up for one at any till point. To book an appointment, call +44 20 7730 1234 and ask for Mens Tailoring.

perfectly suited With the arrival of the new Harrods Made-To-Measure service, exquisite tailoring from the world’s finest designers is at your convenience

from far left Tailor richard James wearing richard James, harrods general merchandise manager for menswear Jason Broderick wearing own suiT By Tom ford, uk reTail & wholesale manager for Zegna Teo nannicini wearing Zegna, general manager for Brioni uk anTonio PiPiTone wearing Brioni and harrods Buyer men’s Tailoring Ben curry wearing harrods own laBel suiT and kiTon Tie

document1973149863577633639.indd 76 1/7/11 2:37:42 PMharrods March 2011

MY wardrobe May 2011 MY wardrobe June 2011

MY wardrobe July 2011 MY wardrobe September 2011

promotion | best dressed 2011

Good clothing, as Esquire’s grooming editor rightly states, should be an everyday luxury. And while there are many excellent options on the high street these days, sometimes the only choice for the discerning gentleman is to seek out a trusted designer. This

is where my-wardrobe.com comes in handy, with its new online Designer Room. Top-drawer luxury labels — including Comme Des Garçons Shirt, Acne, Marc By Marc Jacobs, Paul Smith and 3.1 Phillip Lim — are brought together under one virtual roof, so there’s

WALLET, £153, BY MULBERRY. BROGUES, £235, BY PAUL SMITH

SHIRT, £215, BY COMME DES GARCONS SHIRTTRENCH COAT, £450, BY BURBERRY

SHIRT, £159, BY MOSCHINO

TROUSERS, £200, BY NICOLE FARHI BLAZER, £530, BY JOSEPH

THE DESIGNER

WARDROBEWith the best menswear brands available at the click of a button,

my-wardrobe.com is all a sartorially inclined

gentleman needs

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no trudging in the rain from shop to shop just hassle-free browsing.

And if you are looking for a little direction or inspiration, it is well worth checking my-wardrobe.com’s fashion and cultural advice in the site’s informative daily Style Feed.

Of course, you needn’t limit yourself to designer tailoring at my-wardrobe.com as this one-stop-shop has whole sections dedicated to casual, smart classic and contemporary attire (think casuals with an urban twist). And if you are a denim afi cionado, look no further than the

comprehensive Denim Bar, where you’ll fi nd brands such as APC, Nudie, Denham, PRPS, Levi’s, Levi’s Vintage Clothing — and many more — all in one section.

Style should be effortless, so why not make shopping for it the same experience? (my-wardrobe.com)

ABOVE STRIPED T-SHIRT, £69, BY ACNE. CARDIGAN, £210, BY MARC BY MARC JACOBS. DENIM BLAZER, £340, BY D&G. JEANS, £130, BY ACNE. SOCKS, £7, BY FALKE. SHOES, £320,BY D&G. LEFT SHIRT, £120, BY 3.1 PHILLIP LIM. BLAZER, £385, BY MARC BY MARC JACOBS. TRENCH COAT, £450, BY BURBERRY. TROUSERS, £160, BY NICOLE FARHI. LOAFERS, £215, BY PAUL SMITH. TOTE BAG, £295, BY BURBERRY

HOODY, £270, BY HELMUT LANG

TOP, £160, BY COMME DES GARCONS SHIRT

SHIRT, £115, BY ACNE

TROUSERS, £165, BY VIVIENNE WESTWOOD JACKET, £645, BY RICK OWENS DRKSHDW

T-SHIRT, £80, BY JOSEPH

document8931404983323117701.indd 64 3/8/11 1:44:08 PM

Modern master

Esquire promotion

Tan shirt jacket, £235, by Levi's. Blue over-dyed shirt, £129, by Our Legacy. Vintage blue T-shirt, £45; classic jeans, £120, both by APC. Tan plimsolls, £69, by YMC

Contemporary style requires you to impress eff ortlessly — and my-wardrobe.com will help you fi nd just the clothes for the job

1 Breton striped T-shirt, £50, by APC 2 Stone jacket, £329, by Barbour To Ki To 3 Chambray shirt, £85, by Universal Works 4 Canvas/ nubuck 'Rollins' high-tops, £90, by Clae 5 Faded jersey polo top, £69, by YMC 6 Stone cotton chinos, £105, by Universal Works 7 Blue elastic belt, £50, by Anderson's 8 'Panama' beige canvas messenger bag, £229, by Belstaff 9 Blue suede shoes, £165, by Red Wing

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Duffl e coat, £249, by YMC. Beige checked shirt, £69, by Barbour. Beige chinos with braces, £85, by Levi's. Claret leather shoes, £100, by Swear

Once upon a time, a man’s wardrobe was sharply defi ned — suits for the week, and something for the weekend. Nowadays the line between offi ce and outdoors is more than a little blurred. We at Esquire applaud any man with the vision to balance the two, putting together ensembles that will work in multiple scenarios.

This is where my-wardrobe.com excels with its contemporary range. What’s “contemporary” about it? Everything. Think modern, urban items but with a cool twist, such as braces or faded fabrics. Top brands with these

esteemed qualities are now together under one virtual roof — APC, Belstaff , Comme Des Garçons, Levi’s Vintage, Acne, Polo Ralph Lauren and YMC to name but a few — so there’s no need to pound the high street on those precious days off .

If you need some inspiration on putting these new pieces together, then my-wardrobe.com’s Style Feed is an excellent resource for such direction. Then combine this with the Designer Room, Denim Bar, casual and smart classic off erings, and one needn’t look anywhere else. (my-wardrobe.com)

1 Chinos, £135, by YMC 2 Red nylon jacket, £149, by Barbour 3 Small coin wallet, £55, by Comme Des Garçons 4 Checked shirt, £119, by Woolrich 5 Multicoloured striped T-shirt, £35, by Levis 6 Slim jeans, £150, by Edwin 7 Brown suede brogues, £315, by Tricker’s 8 Red/brown duffl e bag, £55, by Penfi eld

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Purple striped polo shirt, £55, by Lyle & Scott. Multi-coloured belt, £50, by Andersons. Pink chinos, £155, by Polo Ralph Lauren. Purple suede deck shoes, £100, by Sebago. Black classic clubmaster sunglasses, £118, by Ray-Ban. Purple watch, £55, by Nixon

Simply dusting off your deck shoes won’t cut it. For sharp summer clothing my-wardrobe.com should be your only destination

Jet setter

1 Navy shorts with Liberty print waistband, £98, by b Store 2 Striped pink polo shirt, £80, by Polo Ralph Lauren 3 Stone slim-cut chinos, £75, by Dockers 4 Patterned swimshorts, £120, by Vilebrequin 5 Tan leather belt, £79, by Hugo Boss 6 Patterned shirt, £89, by Universal Works 7 Canvas bag, £350, by Burberry 8 Trainers, £89, by Paul Smith

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clothing my-wardrobe.com should clothing my-wardrobe.com should

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Navy sweat jacket, £95, by Polo Ralph Lauren. White polo shirt, £50, by Fred Perry. Hawaiian swimshorts, £110, by Vilebrequin. Brown suede deck shoes, £85, by Sperry Top-Sider. Orange watch, £55, by Nixon

When you consider that the only concession most of our grandfathers made for holiday attire was the addition of a hanky hat to their three-piece suit, it’s striking how far the modern man has come — thankfully. Summer clothing has moved on, and just as much consideration is required for the sunshine months as work or eveningwear, which is as it should be. This season, it’s all about bright hues — but if you are the kind of chap whose colour-matching know-how extends to “everything goes with blue”, you’re going to need a little expert guidance. Fortunately, my-wardrobe.com is all you will ever need. Its online holiday shop is the one-stop-shop for every

stylish man’s vacation essentials. Think sharp prints, preppy cuts, linen shirts, cotton shorts and canvas plimsolls. Or go for bang on-trend Breton striped T-shirts and straw trilbies. Want designer chic? Vilebrequin, Polo Ralph Lauren, Persol, APC and Marc by Marc Jacobs are merely a few of the top names all in one virtual store. Put these bright looks together with panache using the indispensable Style Feed’s advice, and, while you’re there — as you haven’t had to traipse from outlet to outlet — there’s always time to freshen your casual, smart classic or contemporary wardrobes. Don’t bother looking for hanky hats though. (my-wardrobe.com)

1 Striped cotton jumper, £115, by Hartford 2 Red cotton chino shorts, £50, by Lyle & Scott 3 Tortoiseshell Steve McQueen sunglasses, £205, by Persol 4 Polo shirt, £70, by Ralph Lauren 5 Grey plimsolls, £40, by Superga 6 Navy fl oral swimshorts, £70, by Paul Smith Accessories 7 Straw hat, £60, by Paul Smith Accessories 8 Olive canvas bag, £220, by Marc by Marc Jacobs

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Washed navy herringbone blazer, £235, by Polo Ralph Lauren. Fair Isle jumper, £145, by YMC. Classic blue poplin shirt, £70, by Polo Ralph Lauren. Jeans, £120, by APC. Socks, £12, by Paul Smith. Tan waxed-canvas/leather shoes, £115, by Dr Martens. Olive green rucksack, £199, by Chapman

Stylish gents can no longer aff ord to be just a one-knit wonder. So it’s a good job that my-wardrobe.com has got you covered

Knit parade

1 Jeans, £100, by Edwin 2 Chocolate suede belt, £69, by Andersons 3 Lined leather jacket, £855, by Vince 4 Fair Isle cardigan, £175, by YMC 5 Grey houndstooth shawl-collar cardigan, £185, by Universal Works 6 Tan Archie brogues, £185, by Grenson 7 Fair Isle crew-neck, £79, by Barbour

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The onset of cold weather has one redeeming feature: the opportunity it brings to update your wardrobe with the season’s essential pieces . For this autumn/winter, knitwear is a must-have, and the key to wearing it well is to focus on both pattern (think Fair Isle and mosaic-like intarsia) and also colour (check out Barbour’s multi-colour crew-neck, opposite). Designers such as Polo Ralph Lauren, APC, Burberry, D&G and Marc Jacobs all have good examples.

Knitwear is also one of the most versatile ways of layering — so whether you’re dressing smartly, with fi ne-gauge sweaters (potentially replacing a shirt), or ditching your coat for something more rugged, my-wardrobe.com will

have the right piece for the job. “Big” is big news right now: chunky cardigans and shawl-collared pieces are stylish ways to fi nish an outfi t, while cable-knits and fi sherman-style Aran jumpers (we like D&G’s cream version, right) look masculine and hardy.

If you’re a new knit convert, pose your sartorial conundrums on my-wardrobe’s Facebook page (facebook.com/mywardrobeMEN) or log on to the website for its invaluable Style Feed. Just be prepared to be more than a little distracted by the superb casual and contemporary off erings. You have been warned. (my-wardrobe.com; if you want to see more from this shoot, check out my-wardrobe.com/esquire)

Esquire promotion

Pink marl soft chunky jumper, £165, by Acne. White shirt, £125, by Joseph. Chinos, £80, by Dockers, Socks, £6, by Falke. Brown Bourton brogues, £340, by Tricker's

1 Tobacco corduroy trousers, £125, by YMC 2 Denim shawl-collar pea coat, £120, by Levi's Vintage Clothing 3 Purple dip-dyed brogues, £245, by Paul Smith 4 Green knitted jumper, £349, by 3.1 Phillip Lim 5 Grey plaid leather detail bag, £365, by D&G 6 Cream chunky cable-knit jumper, £280, by D&G

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Britain’s Best-Dressed Real Man

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AGE 22

OCCUPATION ARCHITECTURE

STUDENT

LOCATION LIVERPOOL

Despite being only 22 years of age, Britain’s Best-Dressed Man 2011 has a timeless sense of style. What’s more, he cares about clothes in a way that’s infectious. “It’s become an addiction — getting shirts adjusted, jackets altered. But my tailor, Richie, is just so good,” says Wood.

Invited to our Liverpool event by a friend, Wood came straight from work. He was employed by

Gieves & Hawkes at the time and his commitment to meticulous dressing was apparent even after a long shift. “My mates and I are all passionate about dressing well. Personally, I think everything you wear should have a reason. So if your trousers have belt-loops, wear a belt.”

For our shoot, Wood wore smart separates, with many of his fi nest pieces sourced from sample sales and charity shops across the country. His looks were preppy and immaculate. “I enjoy a modern, slimmer cut. But I’m not massively swayed by fashion,” he says. “I go for classic things that in 10, 20, 30 years will hopefully look good.” You’ve got nothing to worry about, Mr Wood. Congratulations on your well-earned victory.

The winnerDAN WOOD

Left: navy double-breasted wool blazer by Gieves & Hawkes. Light blue cotton shirt with white collar by TM Lewin. Cream/blue silk tie by Burberry. White cotton pocket square by Marks & Spencer. Light blue cotton chinos by Topman. Oxblood leather brogues by Cheaney. Watch on brown leather strap by Tommy Hilfi ger. Right: brown/pink checked wool blazer; purple/white striped cotton shirt with white collar; pink pocket square, all by Gieves & Hawkes. Purple silk tie by Ralph Lauren. Cotton chinos by Pringle. Automatic Conquest watch on lizard-skin strap by Longines. Top: orange/white striped cotton shirt by Gieves & Hawkes. Navy cotton jacket by Ralph Lauren. Denim jeans by Lee. Brown/navy boat shoes by Timberland

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The REVEAL

BRITAIN’S BEST-DRESSED REAL MAN 2011

1.

This month we’re making one very well-dressed man very happy indeedAnother year, another immaculately turned-out man — the time has come to announce the winner of 2011’s Best-Dressed Real Man competition in association with my-wardrobe.com. The gloves, coats and bespoke bow ties were off in this year’s search, which took our team from the fashion-forward halls of Glasgow University to London’s swanky Mayfair. The competition was fi erce, with the looks on show stronger than ever before.

Here, as selected by our judging panel — which included Sir Paul Smith, Patrick Grant and Douglas Booth — are the fi nal three; an impossibly dapper bunch. Our overall winner, Dan Wood, takes home the grand prize of £20,000 to spend at my-wardrobe.com, a beautiful Longines watch, a night in the Mayfair Hotel and a grooming hamper from Niven & Joshua. Turn the page to meet our fi nalists and to see why Mr Wood is Esquire’s Best-Dressed Real Man 2011.

Wood is wearing: navy blazer, vintage. Burgundy cardigan

by River Island. Light grey cotton shirt by DKNY. Navy/

green/white silk bow tie by Gieves & Hawkes. White/

blue/pink silk pocket square, vintage. Brown corduroy trousers by Façonnable.

Brown suede Chelsea boots by Kenneth Cole

“All the fi nalists were really stylish, and it was hard to choose. I liked the creative way the clothes were put together. Sorry to the guys who didn’t win — but it was a very fi ne line between the top 12!”Sir Paul Smith, judge

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Age 27

OccupAtiOn Bespoke Consultant

lOcAtiOn lonDon

Snapped by our photographer on Savile Row, Dash’s confident and eclectic style won him the support of both the Esquire fashion team and our judging panel. “i love separates, so today wore an earth-green blazer from Ozwald Boateng with beige flannel

3.

The runners-upaaRon Dash

slim trousers from Benetton.” Dash also prepared a casual look — denim shorts and desert boots — and was the only one of our finalists to rock full black tie, wearing a slim lanvin suit.

the consultant, who also runs his own production company, brought his own bespoke bow tie to the shoot, and spoke about his passion for quality socks. in his own words: “i’m inspired by what i see around me. i love london, and i love mixing up my style. i like to leave people on the back foot, thinking, ‘What’s this dude all about?’” Fantastic clothes, worn with panache, that’s what.Aaron wins a Conquest Heritage watch on a calf-leather strap by Longines

Dash is wearing, far left: green denim jacket; denim shorts, both by lee. Denim shirt by lanvin. Multi-coloured silk bow tie by AcF. Black leather belt with gold buckle, vintage. Left: green wool blazer; white cotton shirt; white cotton pocket square; brown leather belt, all by Ozwald Boateng. green knitted tie by AcF. Beige cotton trousers by Benetton. green cotton socks by primark. Brown suede loafers by crockett & Jones. Below: navy two-piece suit; white cotton shirt; black cotton bow tie, all by lanvin. Black leather belt, vintage. Black leather lace-up dress shoes by Ozwald Boateng

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OccupAtiOn it/DesigneR

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Few stood out more than Maidoh in our Best-Dressed search. With a unique look, some impeccably chosen accessories and that beard, the west london-based it consultant was a hit at our Best-Dressed event. “everyone asks about the beard!” he laughs, “i’ve had it since before it was a trend — i’m vegetarian, and the beard’s just another way of me staying natural.”

At the shoot, Maidoh mixed designer pieces with clothes he designed with his creative collective Art comes First. His commitment to customisation stood out — everything from his jacket to his tie pin was personalised. “i love music and classic British tailoring,” he says. “So my style is like the Duke of Windsor fused with jazz and punk.”Shaka wins a Conquest Heritage watch on a calf-leather strap by Longines

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The runners-upshaka MaiDoh

Maidoh is wearing: Top left: black velvet blazer by chabol of Switzerland. navy wool waistcoat by Ben Sherman. White cotton shirt; black wool tie, both by Ozwald Boateng. Black/white dogtooth wool trousers by Ralph lauren. Black leather brogues, vintage. Black wool hat by laird & co Hatters. Glasses by Frame Austria, vintage. Watch

on brown leather strap by Axcent. Left: white cotton shirt by AcF. Black/white prince of Wales shorts by Savoy taylors guild. grey wool tie by AcF. navy leather brogues by Ozwald Boateng. grey wool flat cap by Fredrikson. Glasses as before. Above: black wool jacket with leather sleeves, vintage. Black cotton shirt by AcF. Black cotton tie by Ozwald Boateng. Black

denim jeans by Denham Jeans. Black leather brogues by Albemarle. Black wool hat by laird & co Hatters. Glasses as before

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1. Chocolate strap biker boots, £335, by Belstaff

2. Chocolate leather iron boots, £239, by Red Wing

3. Dark brown suede Chukka boots, £160, by Loake 4. Brown leather

brogue boot, £185, by Grenson 5. Black leather

shearling detail boat boot, £130, by Hudson

All from my-wardrobe.com

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4. The BooTsSturdy, supportive and above all, insulating, a pair of boots is an autumn essentialLater in the year, the last thing you want is soggy toes and exposed ankles. Prepare for the Baltic onslaught with a proper pair of boots; from shearling-lined workers to heavy-duty bikers and elegant chukkas, there’s something for everyone.

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theKIT

1. Black croc wallet, £165, by Mulberry 2. Black numbers small coin cash wallet, £58, by Comme des Garçons 3. Blue large coin cash wallet, £119, by Comme des Garçons 4. Charcoal Brit check bill-fold wallet, £165, by Burberry 5. Black internal multi-stripe bill and coin wallet, £130, by Paul Smith

how To Be BesT-DResseD

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The walleTs Whether you’re into coin wallets or more of a bill-fold kind of guy, we’ve got it coveredA good wallet should do three things: 1. Maintain the line of your outfit when in your pocket; 2. Look good on the bar at your local; 3. Have enough space for your cash, but not so much that it weighs you down. Here are five that do just that.

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1. Olive wax and leather Tarras satchel, £99, by Barbour 2. Grey canvas Fly Fisher messenger bag, £129, by Chapman 3. Olive leather trim Byron messenger bag, £245, by Paul Smith 4. Black canvas messenger bag, £250, by Marc by Marc Jacobs 5. Black Barnaby twin-lock satchel, £510, by Mulberry All from my-wardrobe.com

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The Day BagsYou needn’t be a hunter-gatherer to pull off this season’s manliest manbagA good satchel is an essential addition to any man’s day- to-day wardrobe. Whether you opt for a hunting style or something a little more bookish, keep the shade muted and the shape sculpted. Stiff leathers and waxed canvases work well.

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1. Oxblood brogues, £150, by Dr Martens 2. Espresso

brogues, £340, by Tricker’s 3. Tan Archie brogues, £185,

by Grenson 4. Tan Vibram wing-tip shoes, £135,

by Hudson 5.Black lather brogues with white soles, £275,

by Comme des Garçons

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5.The BRoguesNothing says “smart, but not too smart” like a pair of solid broguesTeamed with a pair of selvage jeans, a brogue works wonders. In fact, despite the complex pattern of perforated holes on the upper and the shoe’s smart aesthetic, it’s a remarkably easy style to wear — the chunkier the better.

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MY wardrobe October 2011

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HOW TO GO SMART CASUAL

NEIL DURAND, LIVERPOOLCHOSEN BY GARETH SCOURFIELD, SENIOR FASHION EDITOR

When you get the basic elements right, as Neil has here, it really works. A short-length navy double-breasted jacket worn casually with a light button Oxford shirt and some slim stone chinos means this prep-inspired look is very wearable.

HOW TO WEAR CHINOS

CRAIG ROBERTSON, GLASGOWCHOSEN BY TEO VAN DEN BROEKE, ASSOCIATE EDITOR

It’s nothing new, but a good pair of caramel chinos teamed, as they are here, with a fi tted button-down shirt, a smart canvas backpack, a pair of tan shoes (note that they match the woven belt and backpack detailing) and a pair of bright socks is a strong way to bring a contemporary twist to a classic item.

3.

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Britain’s best-dressed real man

156156

Britain’s best-dressed real man

street STYLE

my-wardrobe.com trend watch

HOW TO ROCK THE TRENDS

NICK TETHER, EDINBURGHCHOSEN BY GARETH SCOURFIELD, SENIOR FASHION EDITOR

Nick knows how to layer, and he’s done it here with key seasonal pieces — the chambray shirt, navy cardigan, slim dark denim and trench coat combo is a strong one. His nod to this season’s tweed trend with the fl at cap is a nice touch.

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1 | Beige nylon trench coat, £450, by Burberry

Brit. Black wool cardigan, £150, by John

Smedley. Light wash denim shirt, £70, by

Levi’s. Navy cotton chinos, £80, by Dockers. Orange cotton socks, £9,

by Pantherella. Brown leather brogues, £245, by

Paul Smith. Brown corduroy fl at cap, £45, by

Polo Ralph Lauren

2 | Blue striped cotton shirt with white collar,

£105, by Polo Ralph Lauren. Beige cotton

chinos, £80, by Dockers. Chocolate suede woven

belt, £69, by Anderson’s. Brown leather brogues,

£170, by Loake. Olive canvas backpack, £199,

by Chapman

3 | Navy wool fl annel blazer, £430, by Nicole

Farhi. Blue striped shirt with denim collar, £65,

by Levi’s. Brown corduroy trousers, £170, by Ralph Lauren. Brown

leather brogue boots, £355, by Tricker’s.

Black time teller watch, £55, by Nixon

All at my-wardrobe.com

Six of the sharpest looks from our nationwide search — and how to make them work for you

1.

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159


4 | Navy cotton G4 jacket, £165, by Baracuta. Blue ticking stripe twill shirt with white collar, £105, by Polo Ralph Lauren. Black wool cardigan, £150, by John Smedley. Dark blue skinny jeans, £89, by Nudie. Brown leather belt with gold buckle, £69, by Paul Smith Accessories. Navy suede brogues, £235, by Paul Smith Shoes

5 | Green Fair Isle wool jumper with brown elbow patches, £79, by Barbour. Peach cotton T-shirt with skull print, £40, by 2k by Gingham. Beige cotton chinos, £80, by Dockers. Blue cotton socks, £9, by Pantherella. Black Time Teller watch, £55, by Nixon

6 | Navy cord blazer, £329, by PS by Paul Smith. Peach cotton T-shirt with skull print, as before. Dark red slim-fi t cotton chinos, £175, Marc by Marc Jacobs. Blue cotton socks, £9, by Pantherella. Tan leather lace-up boots, £199, by Red Wing All at my-wardrobe.com (except pantherella.co.uk)

HOW TO DO TAILORING AND TEES

KADE AMOO, LONDONCHOSEN BY CATHERINE HAYWARD,FASHION DIRECTOR

Kade modernises his slim-fi t navy blazer with the addition of a quirky, washed out, printed T-shirt. His indigo jeans are a fail-safe option for casual dressing, yet the navy blazer could sit equally well alongside some stronger colour — seen here with maroon chinos and tan Red Wings. The panama is a jaunty addition.

6.

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HOW TO WORK THE ‘OFF DUTY’ KNIT

KOLE AKEJU, LIVERPOOLCHOSEN BY TEO VAN DEN BROEKE, ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Kole’s combination of muted shades — plum, dusty brown, caramel and mauve — is spot on, and his tailored knit, pattern and all, says both “off -duty chic” and “on-trend statement”. The desert boots combined with slim trousers in a similar shade are also solid.

HOW TO DO NEO-MOD

ROBERT ARMSTRONG, EDINBURGHCHOSEN BY CATHERINE HAYWARD,FASHION DIRECTOR

Robert proves that age is no barrier to looking cool. His eff ortless layering of key pieces — navy Baracuta jacket over a slim-fi t cardigan, classic shirt and skinny chinos — is a nod to the mod era without looking too costume. Strong frames and contrast laces keep the look modern.

4.5.

document7461678769012052869.indd 158 8/10/11 1:11:56 PMMY wardrobe October 2011

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Tom Ford Neroli PorToFiNo SoaP Bar This may be a soap bar, but it lathers like a shower gel while leaving your skin imbued with the Neroli fragrance. £25 (tomford.com)

GraNT’S GoldeN Pomade All Grant’s makes is pomade

and it makes it very well. Perfect for multiple hair types and

recreating Cary Grant-esque coiffures. £14

(grantsgoldenbrand.com)

aeSoP amaziNG Face cleaNSer This cleanser’s ability to effectively clean at cool temperatures prevents the exacerbation of oily skin. £29 (aesop.com)

Eli Ankutse of Niven & Joshua reveals the secrets of his bathroom cabinet This year’s Best-Dressed Real Man will not only have £20,000 to spend at my-wardrobe.com, he will also be the recipient of a bespoke grooming hamper from Niven & Joshua. Here, Eli Ankutse, co-founder of the brand, talks us through some of his own trusted bathroom essentials.

“I am often asked how I got into male grooming and, to be honest, I was driven by necessity. Two good friends with a common skin complaint set out to solve it and the result of that journey was Niven & Joshua. Personally, I approach my skincare by focusing on product descriptions and solutions — if the description meets the requirements of my skin, I’ll try it, and let my skin be the judge.” (nivenandjoshua.co.uk)

how to scrub up likea Best-DResseD Real Man

eDinBuRghCatherine: Edinburgh is an historic city, and lots of the looks we saw were very traditional. We centred ourselves around George Street during the day, where we met dapper staff from Thomas Pink, Harvey Nichols and Church’s — in fact, the entire Church’s staff came to the evening event and looked amazing.

lonDonGareth: It felt as if the whole city was out in force at our event at the Mayfair Hotel. London was definitely the strongest city in terms of breadth of looks. We had a black- clad policeman who’d just finished his shift, two fashion students and a couple of Savile Row tailors. Teo: In terms of the looks on display, there was a fusion between traditional tailoring and high-street pieces, mixed with block colours and bold use of pattern. We ended up shooting Best-Dressed entrants non-stop for three hours!

ManchesteRCatherine: The looks in Manchester were very modern, and the event was probably the edgiest of the lot. We had a mix of fiercely individual guys who loved their labels — Junya

Watanabe, Fallow Jeans and so on. And then the footballers turned up in... glitzier gear. Teo: We held our event in The Lowry Hotel on a Thursday night so, naturally, people were setting themselves up for an evening on the town. Getting into the spirit, the Esquire team enjoyed far too much malbec.Gareth: The only thing more consistent than our entrants’ pride in their appearance was their competitive attitude towards Liverpool. It was brilliant.

maliN + GoeTz eucalyPTuS deodoraNT Natural, alcohol-free, aluminium-free and residual-free, this deodorant ticks all the boxes. £16 (malinandgoetz.com)

reTaW alleN Body WaSh RetaW sum it up perfectly by calling it a wash for “body & soul” — a next-level showering experience. £25 (niven andjoshua.com)

Frederic malle carNal FloWer

The best fragrance I’ve smelt on my skin. £130

(fredericmalle.com)

marviS WhiTeNiNG TooThPaSTe Classic Italian toothpaste that tastes better than any mainstream toothpaste and, dare I say it, actually works. £7 (niven andjoshua.com)

aNThoNy loGiSTicS oil-Free

Facial loTioN From one of the

figurehead brands of the male grooming

industry, this has to be one of — if not the — best mattifiers on the market.

No more shiny face. £17 (anthony.com)

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All good things come to an end. The year 2011 has seen Esquire’s most fi ercely fought Best-Dressed Real Man contest yet, and in this issue we announce the winner. Over the last six months, the Esquire fashion team has scoured the nation, assembling a shortlist of Britain’s fi nest clad gents. And now that our winner has been found, here’s a recap of each city’s Best-Dressed event, fondly recalled by Esquire’s fashion director Catherine Hayward, senior fashion editor Gareth Scourfi eld and associate editor Teo van den Broeke.

LIVERPOOLCatherine: Liverpool was strong and displayed individualism by the bucketload. The city boys in their impeccably cut suits came accompanied by art students wearing

trench coats, desert boots and skinny jeans.Teo: The Hard Days Night Hotel was a Beatles extravaganza, with paintings of John, Paul, Yoko and, interestingly, Julian, in every room. It was a great spot for our event.Gareth: One group of guys was incredibly enthusiastic, almost like a style cult. They were very competitive with one another and admitted to playing “tie trumps”, conducting “wardrobe audits” and even holding “tailoring meetings”.

GLASGOWGareth: Glasgow was totally trend led. There were plenty of vintage cardigans, sneakers, varsity jackets and some very impressive layering. Teo: Because we were based very close to the

Glasgow School of Art (where our creative director David McKendrick studied), a lot of the people who turned up to the event at the Grand Central Hotel were young and boldly dressed.

Speaking of bold, we tried a deep-fried, battered Mars bar for the fi rst time. It was indescribable.

Best-dressedON TOUR

LESSON #3You’ve worn the polo shirts and coveted the pearly white tennis shoes, but Fred Perry’s appeal is wider than souped-up sportswear. This season, the brand’s premium Laurel Wreath collection features a range of collaborations with labels such as Gloverall, Brisbane, Tootal and Lochcarron. The resulting garments are eclectic and very wearable. Corduroy trousers, vintage prints, silk scarves and tweed pieces abound.

how toCOLLABORATE

By my-wardrobe.com

LESSON #1Many brands have based recent collections on a “workwear” theme, citing inspiration as far-reaching as manual labour overalls and wartime fatigues, and it’s produced some interesting results. The latest collaboration from American designer Adam Kimmel and age-old urban label Carhartt is one of the strongest examples we’ve seen. Featuring twill blazers (the fi rst Carhartt has ever produced), moleskin work coats and button-down-collar checked shirts, it’s available now at my-wardrobe.com.

LESSON #2When Jimmy Collins of British brand YMC approached my-wardrobe.com’s Lee Douros with the suggestion of a collaborative project, Douros was, in his words, “thrilled”. Understandable, given YMC’s hefty industry credentials. The result is this slim-fi t, Nordic-inspired crew-neck jumper, crafted by a traditional Scottish mill in burned cantaloupe and burgundy wool. Marvellous.

The winner of Britain’s Best- Dressed Real Man 2011 will receive this beautifully crafted Longines watch (two runners-up will each get a calfskin version). The Longines Conquest is from the Heritage collection. It boasts a 38-hour power reserve, sapphire crystal and a black dial with 12 rose- coloured indices. The style of the timepiece would look good on any wrist, as it has a timeless vintage feel. Longines Conquest, £1,450, as shown here in stainless steel with a black alligator-skin strap (longines.com)

A TIMELESS WINNER

Burgundy/cantaloupe exclusive Scottish Nordic jumper, £150, by YMC for

my-wardrobe.com

Laurel Wreath maroon paisley

and striped scarf, £50, by Fred Perry

Navy moleskin hooded work

coat, £460, by Adam Kimmel X

Carhartt

Laurel Wreath blue chambray and tartan trim shirt, £110, by Fred Perry

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A TIMELESS

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1

Down-filled puffa coat, £635, by Belstaff. Winchester gun shirt, £155, by Levi’s Vintage Clothing. Raw wash jeans, £259, by PRPS. Fred Vibram boots, £215, by Grenson

pitched to team with hardy denims and hiking boots, whether you’re trekking in either the Cotswolds or downtown NYC.

And gone are the days of limited blue and black pieces dominating outdoor styles — colour is key right now, with a strong trend towards autumnal shades with bright fl ashes, while smarter items are coming out in sharp greys and luxuriant camels. But quality is the watchword — whether it be rugged or refi ned, outdoor fashion, if done right, can now be as sophisticated as city style.

To fi nd out more about how designers, including Barbour, Polo Ralph Lauren, Burberry and Marc by Marc Jacobs are lighting up the radar, sign up to my-wardrobe’s Facebook page (facebook.com/mywardrobeMEN) or check the website’s invaluable Style Feed to perfect your very own outdoor image. (my-wardrobe.com)

1 Spey fishing jacket, £549, by Barbour To Ki To 2 Burgundy shawl collar knit, £175, by Levi's Vintage 3 Filson Osmore boots, £175, by Sebago 4 Tartan twill shirt, £79, by Barbour 5 Messenger bag, £119, by Chapman 6 Jeans, £120, by APC 7 Sheepskin trapper hat, £139, by Paul Smith 8 Sheepskin gloves, £125, by Paul Smith

Esquire promotion

Traditionally, with the onset of winter, men were forced to cover up sartorial eff orts with heavy overcoats and unfl attering waterproofs, especially if outdoor pursuits were the order of the day. Now, with the help of the experts at my-wardrobe.com, it is fi nally possible to do “rugged” in style, without looking like Ray Mears.

In fact, there are two trends to choose from when thinking about the outdoor look: the fi rst being a more refi ned, smarter approach, complete with subtle hints of military styling; the second harks back to that traditional intrepid look, but keeping one eye fi rmly on the latest fashions. And, with padded jackets and parkas a key trend for the season, now is the time to try out explorative outerwear.

With this in mind, country-style quilts come in mossy colours perfectly

1

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my-wardrobe.com is off ering Esquire readers the

chance to take advantage of its new loyalty scheme.

Any order placed in October earns double

reward points, so you can save on your style*

*IT

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Navy cross shirt, £200, by D&G. Wool shawl knit, £170; Harris tweed coat, £505, all by APC. Stretch skinny chinos, £75, by Dockers. Barkmaster biker boots, £335, by Belstaff

1 Gloverall duffle coat, £295, by YMC2 Orange selvedge jeans, £145, by Nudie 3 Zig zag scarf, £89, by Missoni 4 Cable Holcombe knit, £100, by Edwin 5 Leather Foley overnight bag, £695, by Burberry 6 Norwegian textured knit, £175, by YMC 7 Pearson long coat, £595, by Burberry 8 Black python Kasmin boots, £299, by Paul Smith

Esquire promotion

If the situation calls for warmer clothing, that doesn’t mean that you have to give your style sensibilities the cold shoulder

Great outdoors

1 Gloverall duffle

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MY wardrobe November 2011

Gieves and hawkes September 2007

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�AKING��A�MARKA�man,�a�watch,�a�lifestyle:�F1�driver�Mark�Webber�for��TAG�Heuer.�There�are�people�on�this�planet�who�refuse�to�stand�still.�Move,�change,�evolve,�adapt��these�are�the�words�that�fuel�their�restless�drive�and�help�them�power�past�the�mundane�towards�a�new�conception�of�perfectionMARK�WEBBER�WEARS�A�TAG�

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24/25 Casio PromotionEsquire Speed August 2012

In a sport where success is measured in thousandths of a second, Casio Edifice and Formula One team Red Bull Racing have forged a natural partnership

THE SPEED KINGEDIFICE EQW-A1000DB

If any sport has pure speed at its core it’s Formula One, and the new EQW-A1000DB has been designed specifically to evoke that same feeling of energy and velocity unique to an F1 track on race day. From the aesthetic but technical design down to the precision workings of the movement, this is a watch which puts speed and accuracy in pole position.

Key features

• The watch face combines dynamic hand movement with a dual-layer dial resulting in a distinctive design which mirrors a feeling of trackside speed.

• Casio’s unique “Smart Access” system simplifies the operation of multiple functions. The crown can be turned to switch functions between a 1/20-second stopwatch, timer, alarm and world time zone display.

• The watch uses five independent motors to power the hour, minute and second hands, ensuring that each hand sweeps smoothly and without interference.

• The Wave Ceptor technology in the EQW-A1000DB utilises calibration signals from six separate worldwide transmission stations to ensure accuracy is constantly monitored and updated automatically.

Christian Horner, Team Principal of Red Bull Racing

The Edifice EQW-A1000DB, £500, by Casio

This is the fourth season in which Casio has joined forces with Red Bull Racing to continue its Edifice line of all-metal analog watches.

As the current holders of both the F1 Constructors Championship and the Individual World Driver’s Championship, technological innovation has been at the heart of Red Bull’s incredible run of success over the last seven seasons.

In a sport where speed is everything, it’s Red Bull’s ability to innovate and total commitment to keep pushing the envelope that has seen them come such a long way in a short time.

This same emphasis on speed and intelligence is in the very DNA of the Casio Edifice range. Thanks to Casio’s expertise in electronics developed over decades of experience, the company has created a range of high-tech, innovative chronographs that use the same cutting-edge technologies and precision engineering off the track as Red Bull use on it.

The Team PrincipalChristian Horner has been the mastermind behind Red Bull’s four titles, 27 race wins and 38 pole positions in just seven seasons prior to 2012.

Ask him what the biggest factor in the team’s success is and there’s only one answer: “It’s all about teamwork. Red Bull is about working as a group of people with one goal.”

Throughout his career in motorsport, Horner has grown to understand the importance of putting the right man, from mechanic through to driver, in the right position if you want to achieve success.

“There are many different sides to F1, which is what makes it so fascinating,” he adds. “If you want to win, you have to be strong in every department and I see myself as a facilitator; it’s my job to give the people in this team what they need to perform.”

“At Red Bull Racing, we pursue a very high level of technological innovation, creativity and speed. The new Edifice wristwatch has been designed with these concepts in mind. We are proud of the design and the continuing partnership with Casio.”

‘At Red Bull we pursue technological innovation, creativity and speed.’ RED Bull’S CHRISTIAN HoRNER

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THE CLASSIC RACEREDIFICE EQW-M600DC

You don’t win two consecutive World Championships without making sure you consistently marry accuracy, reliability and functional design throughout the season. The newest watch in the Edifice range, the Edifice EQW-M600DC counts these same hallmarks as standard.

Engineered with the same principles of precision and timing as an F1 Car, the EQW-M600DC offers classic and understated styling which doesn’t compromise on the technology required for peak performance.

Like all Edifice watches, the EQW-M600DC’s interface is designed for high performance with minimal fuss. Thanks to Casio’s technological expertise and preparation, all the hard work’s already been done.

Key Features

• Wherever you are in the world, the EQW-M600DC will show you the correct time, automatically setting itself via the built-in radio signal receiver. It sets itself automatically to summer and winter time.

• The automatic hand adjustment function that checks the home position of the hands every hour and corrects it if necessary.

• The EQW-M600DC is solar powered and features a clear and accurate indicator showing current battery level at all times.

• The Neo-display features a luminous coating that provides long-term illumination in the dark after even brief exposure to sunlight.

• For outdoor enthusiasts, the EQW-M600DC also provides excellent water resistance, making it perfect for swimming and snorkelling. Its robust and durable construction make it a perfect all-rounder.

• The countdown timers are geared to help you stay on top of one-off or recurring events via an easy-to-use system for pre-set alarms. The time can be set to the nearest minute and up to 24 hours in advance.

From top: Mark Webber; team-mates Webber and Sebastian Vettel; another celebration for Vettel; Webber with Adrian Newey

The Edifice EQW-M600DC,

£350, by Casio For more, visit: casio.co.uk

The DesignerRed Bull’s Chief Technical Officer Adrian Newey, responsible for synchronising the team’s technical efforts and overseeing the car’s design and performance, is widely seen as the most successful Formula One designer of the modern era, having won world championships for Williams, McLaren and now Red Bull.

“There isn’t a silver bullet in F1,” he says. “No one thing makes your car into a winner; you need everything working to its maximum.

“We spend a lot of time simplifying cockpit controls to reduce the load on drivers and similar principles apply to a watch. If it’s difficult to use or understand, it’s not much help.”

Newey and his team must analyse how every component can be geared

towards speed and aerodynamic performance, in an effort to extract as much speed from the car as is physically possible, without making any compromises on reliability and consistent performance.

“There are lots of parallels between Casio watches and F1 motor racing — aesthetics, reliability, accuracy and functionality. All are important in racing, too,” says Newey.

“The processes of making F1 cars and making watches may be different, but our commitment to cutting-edge technologies is the same.”

The DriversOn the race track, of course, it’s up to the Red Bull drivers Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber to turn the team’s strategic plan into results.

With mere hundredths of seconds separating positions, the drivers have the very latest technology at their fingertips inside the cockpit. Computers on the steering wheel measure the car’s progress in tenths of a second, informing the drivers of exactly how fast they’re going relative to the previous lap. But at this level, F1 drivers still rely as much on feel as they do on technical data.

“You can feel every bump and every wheelspin, so without looking at the clock you know whether you have done a good lap,” says Mark Webber.

Out of the car, the only timepiece Webber needs is his Casio Edifice, which he has worn since the beginning of the 2009 racing season.

“I like watches that are functional,” he says. “I want to put on a watch in the morning and not take it off until the evening, irrespective of what I’m doing during the day. Time is important and I want it with me whatever I’m doing.”

‘I like watches that are functional. Time is important and I want it with me whatever I am doing.’ RED BuLL F1 DRIvER MARK WEBBER

Casio PromotionEsquire Speed August 2012

casio April 2012

GROOMING

PhiliPs March 2009

Six months ago, we invited you to share your entrepreneurial ideas with us to contend for Philips’ £15,000 prize for the most convincing and original business plan. Given the current economic climate, the company’s generosity is all the more important for young businessmen looking to take their bright ideas to market, so it was no surprise that, as with our inaugural competition, the response was overwhelming. “The overall standard this year was very impressive, and a step change from those we saw in the 2007 New Business Challenge,” refl ects Mark Leftwich, Philips customer marketing director for male shaving. “Almost all ideas were supported with a strong commercial rationale, making the fi nal three selections very diffi cult.”

But whittle them down we did, and the judging panel subsequently convened on a sunny September afternoon for the fi nalists to present their business strategies. Vying for the top prize were university friends Andrew Eames and Gareth Weir with their multi-tasking website Urbanmole, Rajeeb Dey and his innovative Enternships scheme for undergraduates looking for relevant work experience in small and medium enterprises and Ed Biden, an erstwhile venture capitalist with a thirst for a healthy, tasty alternative to water.

All three companies demonstrated a solid grasp of their target demographic and displayed an innovative streak that is

esquire | promotion

found in business’s biggest successes. “The Enternships website for

advancing university graduates and the like into the businesses of celebrity entrepreneurs is admirable,” concludes Mark Watson-Mitchell, CEO of Addworth. “The training on such placements could be invaluable. However, the business premise of creating and operating such a site would cost several times what little could be gleaned from those whose businesses gain such temporary places.”

Of Andrew and Gareth’s multi-tasking website for young urban professionals (which offers everything from recruitment to plumbing, fl at shares to dating), Mark Leftwich says, “Urbanmole has the potential to be very successful, but it will be very reliant on securing signifi cant content quickly to make it relevant. There will be signifi cant challenges initially to have a large enough marketing budget to generate hits in an increasingly expensive search-engine marketplace.”

As for Ed Biden’s healthy “pick me up” drink Aqua Botanica, Esquire business editor Henry Farrar-Hockley was impressed by how much has already been achieved through low start-up costs and in the face of adversity along the way. “That he has established a modest distribution despite losing a promised business loan and having his fi rst big distributor pass away with the ink barely dry on the contract is testament to Ed’s belief in his product.”

It’s no surprise, then, that the judging panel chose Biden as the winner of this year’s Esquire/Philips New Business Challenge Award.

Ed’s inspiration came two years ago when he went into a cafe to buy a drink that would keep him focused until lunch. The options weren’t great: water wasn’t enticing (and wouldn’t give him the energy he needed) while the sports and fi zzy drinks had too many additives. The so-called fruit juices, meanwhile, were laden with sugar and so promised only to delay his energy slump.

His solution was Aqua Botanica, a drink combining natural energy boosters — yerba mate, guarana, and Siberian ginseng — with six vitamins to deliver an all-day lift, and available in two fl avours (apple and elderfl ower, and cranberry and raspberry). Instrumental to the success of his brand is that Aqua Botanica is as good for the environment as it is for you: recycled packaging, collaborations with local charities and a carbon-neutral delivery company are just a few of his initiatives. All of which proves that to get ahead in the business world, it’s not always about just looking after number one.

Photograph by Dan Burn-Forti

WINNING lAYSEnterprise and determination make would-be drinks magnate Ed Biden the clear victor in the second Esquire/Philips New Business Challenge award

SHAVERSNEW BUSINESS CHALLENGE 20

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DRINKING IT IN: A CAREFUL UNDERSTANDING OF HIS TARGET MARKET AND A UNIQUE BRAND IDENTITY HELPED ED BIDEN WIN OVER THE JUDGING PANEL TR

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TECHNOLOGY

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