Tag / maxim.com

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: An Adventure into the Agave Fields with Patrón Tequila

My friends, thanks for joining me as we kick off another weekend via the Friday Read, your source for what’s new and what’s next when it comes to menswear, spirits and more. Last week, we talked more about rugged USA-made menswear from California-based Devium, and we’re shifting gears slightly this week, as I’m on the move.

I myself have been planning a Brooklyn apartment move — which you know if you follow me on Instagram — but my latest move of sorts is one that’s taken me out of the country, down south and in pursuit of a new adventure (and a new spirit). We’re coming to you live from Jalisco, Mexico, were I’m venturing into the agave fields to learn all about Patrón Tequila and its new Cristalino expression.

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This trip is part of the many hats I wear when it comes to freelance writing, including covering all manner of gear, spirits and more at Maxim.com. In fact, you can look for a dispatch on this particular trip over at Cool Material, where I’ll be diving into the world of agave.

It’s far from my first trip to the region (how cool is that!?), which brings you through the vibrant city and culinary destination of Guadalajra. I trekked to Mexico last September with El Tesoro Tequila, and I’ve also visited the region with 1800 Tequila last spring.

But back to Patrón: More than 2,500 employees work to craft this fine tequila at Atotonilco el Alto, using brick ovens and ancient Tahona stones to cook the agave and dial in that “just-right” flavor you’ve perhaps found in your favorite margarita or cocktail.

Along the way, we’re staying at the Hacienda Patrón an exclusive VIP guest house on site. Here, the itinerary includes plenty of tequila, round after round of gourmet meals, an agave cutting demonstration, a tour of Patrón facilities and a deep dive into how they make this premium spirit. Not bad for a work trip, right?

 
 
 
 
 
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Of course, I’ll be outfitted with some of my favorite gear along the way, including sturdy Flint and Tinder work pants, my trusty Blundstone boots and even some tequila-themed headwear (workers in the tequila fields often wear oversized straw hats to block the sun, dirt and grime during long days in the agave fields).

Shop Huckberry menswear and gear for your next trip

Between exceptional tequila, next-level accommodations and the chance to put some of my favorite menswear and gear to the test in rugged fashion, my latest trip checks all the boxes for me — and for that, I couldn’t be more thankful!

There’s more to come on my jaunt to Mexico if you go ahead and follow me on Instagram, but for now, just now that we’re focused on matters of style with two upcoming weekend posts. Cheers to tequila and cheers to real-world adventures, folks — thanks for reading!

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: The Huckberry Holiday Gift Guide, The Maker’s Mark Winter Wheat Wonderland & The Best Sweater Polos

Huckberry Holiday Gift Guide 2024.

Welcome to another fine winter Friday here in Brooklyn (or wherever you might happen to be reading your favorite Brooklyn style blog). It’s a season of bounty, joyful thanks, delicious whiskey and even better menswear, at least in my neck of the woods — if you follow me on Instagram, you’ll see that I’ve been busy wearing my many hats in my many varied freelance writing pursuits.

One day, I might find myself writing about a limited-edition luxury cognac, the next, I might be covering a new Huckberry x Timex watch. All in a day’s work!

And as of late, those varied pursuits included a preview of a special NYC Maker’s Mark Winter Wheat Wonderland (running now for the next 10 days!) — the space is an ode to Star Hill Farms in Kentucky, plus all things Maker’s Mark, with an outstanding limited-edition menu of cocktails crafted by cocktail expert and legend Colin Field.

Bhakta Spirits review.

This week also brought with it an excellent Upper East Side evening tasting some standout Bhakta Spirits (on the heels of my February 2024 trip to see the company in Vermont). Talk about a perfect balance between rare spirits and the joy of the holiday season, yes? It all requires fortitude, but it also requires the right menswear to meet varied situations in casually rugged-yet-refined style (the way I prefer to dress, and perhaps the way you do, as well!?).

And for those instances and plenty more — especially in the holiday season — I outfit myself with menswear favorites from Huckberry. It seems there’s never a bad time to shop the incredibly well-stocked retailer, which just happens to know what guys want — and the gals on your list, too (more on this in a moment). It certainly seems like everyone on your list is covered by the Huckberry Holiday Gift Guide, in my experience.

Shop the best holiday gifts at Huckberry

So, here’s your reminder to cross a few prime gifts off the “Nice” list by shopping Huckberry, as I’ve been this busy season. To send you on your way into the weekend, check out a few choice reading and shopping selections below — onward!

  • Speaking of taking care of your holiday shopping — especially for your better half — I’ve got just the ticket: Over at Maxim, I wrote about the best Huckberry gifts to buy for her, whoever that “her” in your life might be. From your mother to your sister to your sister-in-law and beyond, Huckberry’s expert insight made it a delight to write about a few choice selections over at Maxim.
Shop style favorites for everyone at Huckberry
  • Let’s talk holiday style for a minute: Nailing the right balance between comfort and fashion is critical, as is staying ever-so-slightly on-trend without overdoing it. That means finding a middle ground, like the retro-yet-fresh sweater polo. It harkens back to the 1950s and ’60s, but you’ll still find it on red carpets today — and you’ll find out more about the style in my guide to the best sweater polos over at AskMen. Happy shopping, folks.
  • Shopping for the watch enthusiast in your life? Have plenty of spare coin to throw around? You very well might want to dive into my piece at Maxim.com covering how Omega crafted a more affordable version of the iconic Seamaster worn by James Bond. Talk about a wrist game upgrade, my friends.

Now, who’s ready for a dram of whiskey and for the weekend to start in earnest? Before we can kick things off — beer, cozy evenings by the fire, a lovely candle burning — here’s the rugged, classic flannel shirt you should be wearing this season, all courtesy of yesterday’s post on Schott NYC‘s timeless take on the style. I hope it keeps you warm this weekend and beyond, and I hope you’ll join me tomorrow for our Style Pick of the Week. Cheers to the season, my friends!

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: An Austin Exploration with Bearface Whisky

Bearface Whisky review

In my many freelance writing pursuits — as you’ll see if you keep up with my Instagram — I get to trek across North America and occasionally, the globe in pursuit of all sorts of stories. Think menswear, watches and whiskey — yes, whiskey and more whiskey, indeed. It’s been a big focus of mine as of late, especially this fall as I trekked to Wisconsin with The Macallan (I’ve also written recently about the best American microbrews to try this fall, though!).

And this week, in addition to writing about, say, the best gear to buy from Filson, I also had the chance to put some of those pieces into action as I hopped a flight south to Texas (ATX, more specifically) as a guest of Canada’s Bearface Whisky. Bearface, briefly, ages its whisky in the elements in northern Canada, out among forests and fields and not in traditional rickhouses.

This gives it plenty of character well-suited to the wilds of ranch life outside Austin, and Rambling Rose Ranch was where I found myself this week tasting a suitable number of Bearface expressions (that’s Rambling Rose pictured above here).

Austin, with its downhome character (in certain pockets) and its deep Western roots proved a fitting tie-in for Bearface, hailing from western Canada and making some curious whisky (including one elementally aged using wild Matsutake, which I tried at a tasting dinner in Brooklyn last winter).

Learn more now about Bearface Whisky

It was yet another journey I’m thankful to get to experience in this freelance writing life, and it also included stops at Bearface-approved spots like the Firehouse Lounge and Midnight Cowboy. Other ATX favorites of mine include Zilker Brewing (as seen below) and Easy Tiger for a plentiful selection of outstanding local and regional beer.

With that being said, there’s more on the way from my Austin experience — horseback riding on a ranch and a longhorn tour (as you might have seen on my Instagram) tend to go nicely with whisky inspired by the wilderness.

On this front here at The Style Guide, it’s back to menswear in Brooklyn this weekend, starting with tomorrow’s very fall-centric Style Pick of the Week. I think you’ll find you could wear it quite easily to enjoy some standout spirits — that’s the M.O. here at your favorite Brooklyn style blog, after all. Cheers and as always, thanks for reading!

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: Visiting “Downton Abbey” with Highclere Castle Gin

Highclere Castle Gin.

My friends, welcome back to another edition of my weekday-ending recap, The Friday Read, where we touch on a little bit of everything — menswear very much included — in a way that’s a little bit different than the process here at The Style Guide the rest of the week.

You see, if you keep up with me on Instagram, you know that I wear a lot of hats among my many freelance writing pursuits, from covering the best sneakers for GQ to writing about the best new Scotch at Maxim and keeping up with all things fall style within the confines of this site (and others).

And as with my trip just last week to El Tesoro Tequila to try a stellar lineup of excellent new tequila, I once again hopped a flight — this time, a longer, trans-Atlantic flight to follow the story and the spirit.

Read my latest spirits writing here

The itinerary and the goal this time around? Trekking to historic Highclere Castle — a real-life castle and yes, the actual home of acclaimed TV and film series “Downton Abbey.” Not bad for a weekday work trip, right? Among other adventures, the trip took back the curtain on the excellent Highclere Castle Gin, a bottle that absolutely belongs in your bar cart (and one that’s often priced at below $30 in the United States).

Learn more about Highclere Castle here

There’s much to love about Highclere Castle Gin, which actually launched much more recently than one might expect — just before the pandemic hit, in fact. It was founded in part by entrepreneur Adam von Gootkin, who dreamed up the idea for the spirit and brought it to life with the help of the castle’s own Lord and Lady Carnarvon. Your average back-bar gin backed by a massive corporate conglomerate, this is not.

And yet, the gin tastes just as historic and acclaimed as its larger counterparts, with centuries of pedigree backed up by its namesake home. Along with two days spent tasting gin and wandering the grounds of Highclere Castle, a stop in London (at the Other House Kensington) and an excellent gin pairing dinner at The Stafford London was in order. In The Stafford’s historic wine cellar, fellow writers, influencers and supporters of Highclere Castle dined on some stunning dishes (again, follow me on Instagram for real-time action).

We tried a forthcoming new expression (more to come soon!) and chiefly, trekked the iconic and instantly recognizable grounds — shoutout to my traveling companion, drinking buddy and formidable writer Brian Freedman.

The Highclere Castle Barrel-Aged Gin was a particular highlight, with unexpected smoke and citrus notes thanks to aging in Armagnac barrels (among other processes). The best part is, you can get Highclere Castle Gin online and in nine countries, and all at a remarkably low price. How’s that for a visit that’s worth hopping on a plane across the ocean?

Filson

It’s trips like these, ones where I get to experience exceptional spirits in a wonderful atmosphere — all while wearing some of my favorite menswear and carrying my favorite luggage for travel — that drive home that I positively love what I do when it comes to my many freelance writing pursuits.

On that front, you can assuredly look for much more on my trip very soon at sites like CoolMaterial.com, where I’ve got a couple stories in the hopper just yet. In the meantime, I’m looking forward to a restful weekend back in Brooklyn, where “flannel shirt weather” continues to creep in slowly but surely.

As always, you can expect a series of weekend style posts incoming talking all about the best fall menswear. Stay stylish, stay thirsty and thanks for reading, my friends!

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: A Nashville Trip & Monterey Car Week with The Macallan

My friends, thanks as ever for joining me as we close out another week here at The Style Guide and look ahead to the weekend, to another Style Pick of the Week and to choice menswear purchases from some of the best online menswear shops, like Huckberry (of course).

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But first, let’s start with a quick departure from the usual. Now, if you follow me on Instagram, you’re well aware I’ve been jetting across the country once more as part of my many freelance writing pursuits — that includes writing about spirits for Maxim, naturally, among many other topics.

And this week in particular, it included a little bit of everything, in very memorable fashion. First, I took a pre-planned jaunt down to Nashville to A) Stay at the excellent Hutton Hotel and B) See my very favorite band, The National (a rather frequent occurrence this summer!). I’ve become an even bigger fan of the Music City in recent years, with so much more to see and do beyond just Broadway (although that’s a trip in and of itself!).

When opportunities such as these present themselves, I’m of the mind that it’s a wise bet to buy the ticket, take the ride: Roll with the punches, make it happen, get to the show and get on the road! And I certainly did that this week (all the while staying busy with this blog!).

My quick Nashville picks: Get the incredible focaccia pizza at the newly opened St. Vito Foccaceria (they live up to their name!),and be sure to grab a cold pint afterwards at Marble Fox Brewery nearby. And beyond that? Well, I had the exceptional privilege and good fortune to hop a surprisingly smooth flight out to San Francisco, followed by a ride through rolling hills and rugged dunes to Monterey Car Week.

It’s there that perhaps my favorite Scotch distillery on the planet, The Macallan, launched an epic Monterey Car Week activation (the stunning House of Macallan, among other highlights)). Now, I can’t share any details about what I tasted as of yet, but if you watch my work for Maxim.com (and follow me on Instagram!) in the months ahead, you’ll get a better idea. In the meantime, you can certainly add The Macallan to your collection from the comfort of your home.

Shop The Macallan Scotch now

As to menswear and other pursuits: Be sure to watch this space (as they say), check out yesterday’s guide to the best men’s jeans from Todd Snyder, and then stick around for tomorrow’s Style Pick of the Week. Slàinte Mhath, as The Macallan says!

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: A Weekend on the Road in Minneapolis

Folks, welcome back to another Friday Read, and another dispatch from the road by yours truly. I recently trekked up to Boston with Randolph Engineering, and I’ve also gone upstate in the past few months — and as luck would have it, I’m in hot pursuit of another story this weekend as part of my many freelance writing ventures! I’m in the lovely (and surprisingly warm!) city of Minneapolis this weekend, a trip that’s been in the works for some time now.

The reason for my visit? Among other restaurant and bar excursions in the city — and among my own personal exploration of music heritage in Minneapolis — I’m taking in the revamped, reopened Butcher and the Boar, a Minneapolis institution known for its smoked meats and of course, its extensive whiskey list. If you ask me, those are two of the best things in life, yet the rest of the trip should prove just as stellar (and delicious).

Also on the docket? A cold beer or two at Surly Brewing, plus a visit to the newly opened and much-hyped North Loop restaurant Demi. While I’m no gourmand (and not exactly a stellar cook!), I know what I love when it comes to dining (as I noted when I visited Reyna in NYC), and this trip should certainly fit the bill nicely. It’s a trip I’ve been anticipating for weeks, and it’ll be my first time in the Twin Cities in 9 years, no less!

Of course, I’ll have a full dispatch on the way for Maxim.com sooner rather than later, but you can keep up with all the fun on my Instagram in the meantime. And naturally, we’ll return to our regularly scheduled programming tomorrow with my latest Style Pick of the Week. As always, thanks for reading and stay stylish!

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: Taylor Stitch Spring Essentials, The Best Merino Shoes & Spring’s Best Chore Coats

Best men's trucker jacket for spring.

Folks, thanks for swinging by The Style Guide here on this fine spring Friday. Last week, I was in Atlantic City seeing The Killers, but this week, it’s been all New York, all the time. Perhaps you’ve been keeping up with the fun on my Instagram, but it’s been an action-packed week featuring events with the likes of American Crew grooming in Brooklyn — a special VIP evening featuring hair styling sessions at the Crown Club at Barclays Center — not to mention some sports-related fun via Michigan State’s appearance in the NCAA Tournament in NYC. Talk about an ideal way to see your alma mater play!

Beyond that, I’ve been busy prepping for spring and testing plenty of new gear, from the best men’s Chelsea boots to one of the best popover sweaters for spring. With all that in mind, I hope you’ll find the rest of today’s Friday Read to your liking, including my recommendation here for the best new spring menswear from Taylor Stitch.

Learn more now at Taylor Stitch

The new lineup at the famed San Francisco retailer includes the Taylor Stitch Long Haul Jacket as seen above, a personal favorite of mine that should fit nicely into your wardrobe of spring menswear essentials. And if you’re still in search of other spring menswear picks, then a few of my choice reads below should be of assistance. Happy shopping and happy spring, my friends!

  • If you’ve been keeping up with this style blog, or else shopping the fine menswear at Huckberry, perhaps you recognize the above stylish men’s jacket. It’s one of my top picks for spring, assuredly, and that’s why I was pleased to include it in my latest Maxim guide on the best chore coats for the season ahead. Give it a look, and shop it right now at Huckberry in the meantime.
Shop spring gear ASAP at Huckberry
  • Speaking of spring style essentials, here’s one you might not have heard of, or considered: The best merino shoes for men. Merino wool is lightweight and warm yet breathable, naturally moisture-wicking and anti-microbial, and found in plenty of the best merino menswear. But what about merino shoes? Yes indeed, that’s where my guide to the best merino shoes comes into play, as I wrote about this month over at AskMen.
  • I’ll leave you with one last stylish spring menswear selection, one right from the very pages of this blog. The Taylor Stitch Jacquard Polo is a textured, visually appealing piece to shake up your casual style rotation, and you can read all about it right here, right now. Happy shopping, once again.

That’s all I’ve got for your Friday Read today, but I’d wager you’ve got more than enough to keep you occupied, from shopping the best new spring menswear from Taylor Stitch to hitting up your favorite brewery for a fresh spring beer this weekend. As always, be on the lookout for tomorrow’s Style Pick of the Week, and we’ll see you then. Cheers!

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: The Best End-of-Season Menswear Sales & an Upstate Getaway

My friends, thanks for joining us for another Friday Read, your indispensable guide to the best weekend menswear sales and plenty more (at least, in my humble opinion). Chief among the deals you should shop to start your weekend? Well, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: The Billy Reid Winter Event is giving you a major “sale on sale” on opportunity, with the chance to save 40 percent on already on-sale menswear from the famed Alabama designer. It’s the discount that keeps on giving, as I’ve talked about on the blog, and it’s your chance to save on refined style gear aplenty. So, how about it, ehh?

Shop Billy Reid menswear now

It’s the kind of deal I’ve got my eye on, no doubt about it, and you should keep a weather eye out for savings and style, too. Speaking of keeping a weather eye out… perhaps you’re planning your first big getaway of this new season? If you find yourself in New York or on the East Coast and fancy an upstate getaway, there’s hardly a better spot to visit than the Wylder Windham Hotel in lovely Windham, New York.

I found out for myself when I visited the locale for Maxim earlier this winter — here’s my full travel review of this exceptional property. If you can’t get away right now, put it on your list — and in the meantime, here are a few more deals and a few more reads to get your weekend rolling the right way.

  • Folks, step right up and step into a new season with some of the best men’s boots for spring (and well beyond). I talked earlier this week on the blog about Astorflex at Huckberry, makers of some of the most sustainable men’s boots on the market, and it’s high time you got yourself a pair — yes? Consider this a reminder to step into a stylish new season ASAP.
  • Speaking of boots, here’s something every boot enthusiast in your life (yourself included) can appreciate: Over at WERD, I wrote about the best boot brands for men to shop now, a comprehensive guide to ramp up your rotation heading into the blustery spring months. Again, consider it a reminder to step into a stylish new season!
  • Here’s one more style reminder to send you off into the weekend: A chore coat can act as a rugged hybrid between a blazer and, say, a field jacket, with plenty of style points to go around. That’s why I wrote about one of the best spring chore coats — from Todd Snyder, naturally — just yesterday on the blog. Read up, start shopping and layer up accordingly, my friends.

That’s going to wrap up today’s Friday Read — did you find what you were looking for, perhaps in the way of a pair of the best men’s boots for spring, or else with some inspiration for your next upstate getaway? Here’s hoping, and if not, well, more style inspiration is always close at hand with my Saturday Style Pick of the Week or Sunday’s sale highlight. Stay tuned, stay stylish and thanks for reading, as ever!

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: Off to The Great West With Wyoming Whiskey

Wyoming Whiskey 10th Anniversary

Folks, thanks for joining me on another fine Friday as we roll into the first weekend of the holiday season and the first weekend of December. I’m rolling into ot with a dram of whiskey in hand, of course, but it’s not just any selection from my bar cart. This weekend, I’m visiting the stunning beauty of Wyoming with the one and only Wyoming Whiskey — what a locale and what a trip so far!

I’m here as part of the many freelance writing pursuits I undertake these days, specifically writing about spirits for Maxim, just one of a few trips I’ve undertaken as of late — if you follow me on Instagram, you know I just wrapped up a Caribbean and Florida Thanksgiving vacation, but this jaunt is particularly special.

It’s a special trip out to Jackson Hole and Wyoming ranch country to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Wyoming Whiskey, a distillery with rugged roots and a focus on all-American craftsmanship (not unlike so many of your favorite brands I talk about here at The Style Guide, naturally). While I can’t bring you all with me out to Wyoming, you can indeed order Wyoming Whiskey for yourself at Drizly to get it delivered to your door in the meantime. How about that, my friends?

Best American whiskey to drink now

Stay tuned for more at Maxim on my trip — and stay tuned for regular blog content this weekend, including tomorrow’s Style Pick of the Week — but just know that the significance of these trips isn’t lost on me. I’m always ever so grateful to travel the world, to write about new and exciting menswear, whiskey and luxury brands, and to meet seriously cool, talented people all along the way. To me, that’s worth toasting today (and every day). Thank you for being here and for reading! And cheers to Wyoming Whiskey, of course. Have a great weekend, my friends!

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: The Best Summer T-Shirt, A New York Wedding & New Luxury Scotch

If you’ve been keeping up with the blog, perhaps you remember my May jaunt down to Philadelphia for my longtime friend Drew’s bachelor party — well, the day is finally upon us (or at least, it will be come tomorrow). It’s high time to celebrate Drew’s New York City wedding this weekend on the Aqua Azul, about as unique and lovely a setting for a wedding in the Big Apple as I’ve seen in a long time.

It wraps up a busy week for me around these parts, what with events with the likes of The Balvenie (a Scotch tasting) and Rough Trade Records (a concert showcase at Mercury Lounge). With all that being said, I’ve got more work to do yet for sites like Maxim — more on that in just a second — and then, of course, a wedding to enjoy this weekend. Follow along with all the fun on my Instagram, and in the meantime, let’s dive into the rest of today’s Friday Read.

  • Speaking of Scotch just moments ago, here’s something to add to your wish list or mood board. It’s an out-of-this-world partnership between heritage distiller Bowmore and Aston Martin, the maker of some of the finest cars on the planet. The end result? A futuristic decanter and gift set containing iconic Scotch, all with the price tag to match: Try a whopping $125,000. It’s out of reach, to be sure, but a guy can dream, and I got to dive into this seriously cool partnership over at Maxim.
  • If you’ve been keeping up with the blog, hopefully, you’re aware of the importance of curating a well-stocked closet of summer style essentials. That’s what I talked about just yesterday, in fact: The importance of upgrading your basics, like shopping one of the best T-shirts for men. Head over to this blog post to get the full scoop.
Shop Buck Mason right now
  • I’m all about the importance of getting the small details correct when getting dressed on the daily, like wearing a great watch. You don’t have to break the bank to make this style move work for you, though: In fact, you can (and should!) head over to SPY.com to check out my guide to the best cheap watches. It’s really that simple, folks.
Read more at SPY.com

That’s going to do it for me today as I wrap up the work week and roll into an NYC wedding weekend. Be sure to keep up with the fun on my Instagram, of course, and stay safe (and stylish!) out there.