A good bottle of whisky is indicative of good taste. At least, that’s my excuse for consistently having a couple of single malts on the go at any one time. But nothing says good taste better than a boutique whisky. I’m not talking about the usual Glens that litter most pub top shelves. I’m talking about the more intriguing, unusual liquids that you just don’t see that often. Often, they come with a distinctive flavour profile, often they’ll come with labels that demand attention but always they’re worth trying. So, if you’re using your whisky collection as shorthand for your impeccable taste – or simply want to sample off the beaten Highland track – look no further.

Wharf Distillery Equinox, £85

A port finish whisky is always a good bet if you like smoother, sweeter drams – as I do. Seriously, I can’t get enough of the stuff, and Wharf Distillery’s twist on the theme has everything you could want. It’s not just a touch either. The whisky’s aged in much smaller casks than normal, giving the liquid an accelerated aging process, offering the kind of complexity you’d expect from a whisky many times its age. If that weren’t boutique enough, there’s also a pagan flavour to the aptly named Equinox. That being, well, the Equinox. Each barrel is filled on the Vernal Equinox and bottled on the Autumnal equinox. Whether that helps the flavour or not, I can’t rightly say. But it’s a cool thing to know about your whisky all the same.

More details at Wharf.

Woven Hemispheres, £50

Woven is all about creating unusual blends. Most mainstream whiskies are blended and they can often show off something greater than the sum of their parts. Those parts however are usually at least geographically similar; not so with Hemispheres. On the one hand you have single grain whisky from Scotland, the consistent base to most Scotch blends you’ll have sampled before. On the other however, you have a single malt from New Zealand label Thomson based on a manuka-smoked distillate. The result is equal parts smoky and floral, two very different whiskies finding harmony. Think orange, incense and a herby finish, soft and lingering. It’s fantastic – and worryingly affordable for something like this.

More details at Woven.

Samaroli Single Malt Speyside 2022 Scotch Whisky, £98

I promised fantastic labels and that was pretty much all directed at Samaroli. The Italian whisky curator took one look at some of the funky labels coming out of New World wines and thought, ‘we can do better.’ And so, they did, approaching whisky with an oenophile’s palate. The descriptions of their drams are written like poetic riddles, but the general rule of thumb is complexity and intensity. Their 2022 Speyside edition is rich and spicy, with toasted notes and plenty of florality. It’s as well balanced as you’d expect from the legendary whisky area, but dialled up to new heights. If you have this on your shelf, someone will want to try it. If you let them, they may well try to leave with the bottle.

More details at Samaroli.

House Of Hazelwood Legacy Collection The Transatlantic, £1,300

A fine whisky isn’t always about flexing your wallet as much as it is your palate, but every now and then you can do both. First, House of Hazelwood don’t do things in halves and ‘premium’ doesn’t come close. The fact that this bottle sits at £1,300 and is still their de facto entry level says a lot. But more importantly, it does what the brand does best: surprises. The Transatlantic is named such for a very good reason. If you were to blind taste test the liquid, you’d assume it was bourbon rather than Scotch. That’s not just because of the American oak, but the creaminess, the sweetness and the mouthfeel of a fantastic bourbon, underpinned by aged Scottish grain whisky. It’s miraculous. You can also win a virtual tasting session with House of Hazelwood here.

More details at House of Hazelwood.

That Boutique-Y Whisky Company North British, £89.95

Combining unusual distilleries and stories with the kind of labels that would put Beavertown to shame, That Boutique-y Whisky Company does what it says on the tin. In this instance, that tin denotes a maize-based blended grain whisky from the historical North British Distillery, aged for 35 years. It also has Blofeld and his signature cat on the label… and I’m not sure which of those two makes me want a bottle more. This is a particularly light whisky for its age, perfect for introducing people to what makes a great, mature dram. Think vanilla and tropical on the nose, with a sweet-spicy flavour and oak aplenty. If this doesn’t have non-believers lining up to sample it, nothing will.

More details at thatboutiqueywhiskycompany.com

Audio-Technica AT-SP3X Bookcase Speakers, £169

For listening to music in your study or office, Audio-Technica have got you covered with the new AT-SP3X Bookcase Speakers. They can be fully integrated with the brand’s turntable range, bringing the rich tones of vinyl to life. Alternatively, they have wireless, Bluetooth connectivity for modern versatility. They’re equipped with 3-inch woofers and 1.1-inch tweeters tuned to deliver full-range audio from the compact forms. They have a minimalist, industrial vibe that matches the rest of the Audio-Technica range.

Available at Audio-Technica.

Four Stories Gin Autumn, £34.75

While Four Stories Gin is a relatively new name to the premium gin market, they had substantial experience distilling, bottling and labelling gin for other brands before turning that experience towards their own product. Based in the UK, their inaugural series is dedicated to the flavours and stories of the four seasons. Story No. 1 Autumn features the warmth of a cosy blanket on a crisp autumn evening with tasting notes of Fuji apple, vanilla, lemon and cinnamon. In terms of style, it’s the perfect example of time-honoured techniques including hand applied labels and wax dipped seals at accessible prices.

Use code ORACLE for 20% off the entire range.

Available at Four Stories.

Sirplus Crew Neck Jumper, £150

By popular demand, SIRPLUS’s lambswool jumper is making a return this season in a brand-new range of colours. Inspired by the British painter Albert Irvin, this collection brings his vibrant colour palette and abstract shapes to their knitwear. Albert Irvin’s influence is present across the AW24 collection, showcasing bold hues and dynamic patterns reminiscent of his striking artwork. Their jumpers not only highlight the artist’s signature style but also offer a contemporary take on traditional styles. Explore Irvin’s legacy, reimagined in contemporary knitwear made from British lambswool.

Available at Sirplus.

Biokidé Baobab Moon Face Cream, €55 (approx. £45)

Whether for yourself or partner, Biokidé’s Baobab Moon Face Cream is a moisturising cream designed for dry skin with baobab oil, aloe vera, shea butter, hibiscus and honey. It’s the ultimate fusion of authentic African ingredients and French knowhow to bring you clean cosmetics you can trust. The brand is currently undergoing Butterfly Mark certification by Positive Luxury to prove their commitment to a positive social and environmental impact.

Available at Biokidé.

Pink Mahoghany Ned E. Williams Manukato, $210 (approx. £160)

Where timeless class meets priceless luxury, Ned E. Williams Manukato, eau de parfum, embodies a legacy of excellence, education, and astuteness. Rooted in a rich family heritage, this fragrance is designed for the discerning individual who values sophistication. Each bottle tells a story – elevated by a harmonious blend of bold blackberry, deep felt pen ink, rich leather, and warm cedar. Every spray evokes an air of refinement, creating a lasting impression of strength and elegance. Designed for those who effortlessly command the room, Ned E. Williams is more than a fragrance – it’s an experience, an ode to history and a tribute to those who live with intention.

Available at Pink Mahoghany.

When thinking about Omologato watches, I ask the question what makes a racing watch? The obvious, technical answer would be a chronograph with a tachymeter, something that made its debut trackside. But thematically there are so many more timepieces that link themselves to motorsport, with a splash of livery here and there. Both of these could be considered ‘racing watches’ at a stretch, but when the link’s that tenuous, should they be? So, would it be too much of a stretch to define a racing watch as a watch that’s, well, associated with actual racing?

With that, I think, very fair definition, you cut through the noise to the core racing watches and while you do indeed still have some big names, Omologato stands out as a serious contender. The reason for that lies solely with the British brand’s founder, Shami Kalra.

Today, Omologato have ties with the racing world that the big Swiss maisons could only dream of, with car lovers and team owners both flocking to his various, accessible collections. But they’re relationships that didn’t come out of nowhere. Prior to Omologato, Shami had been supplying watches to racing teams; the kind of watches that owners would thank their crews with or commemorate victories, that kind of thing. They were special pieces for special moments. So when Shami decided to strike out properly with an own-name dial in 2015, he did so with the wind behind him. Those relationships, those connections have driven Omologato ever since.

Omologato Panamericana

Let’s be frank, Omologato is a watch company and their main business is making and selling watches. That much I’m sure we all agree on. I think we can all agree that they’re also pretty good at it, tying a plethora of retro designs to automotive iconography as broad as a famous car, as niche as a famous corner.

There’s a lot I could say about them – especially their ultra-cool TV-shaped Panamericana – but I won’t, at least not here. Because the bottom line is that anyone can do something similar. I could go and research some obscure racing paraphernalia, hire a designer and get some cheap watches turned around in a month. They wouldn’t be as cool or as interesting, but it would be easy – and completely insincere.

Shami awarding his friend with the Omologato Award

Sincerity. It’s that one word that has, for me at least, really come to set Omologato and Shami apart from even the often very sincere British watch industry. Shami doesn’t just design racing watches; he’s a fixture of the racing industry, full stop.

Shami has made it his self-imposed mandate to help racers and racing teams compete across the spectrum of the sport, from amateur level competitions to professional races like the Indy500. Not Formula 1 of course, there’s more than enough money sloshing about there, but the kinds of races that are built on and defined by passion. To that end, he’s become a bit of a fixer, scoring some free Pirelli tires for one team here, brokering a $22 million private jet there, whatever he can do to help dedicated teams keep the lights on. In short, if you’re on a racing team that’s struggling to keep your fuel tank full, drop Omologato a line.

Omologato 911 from the East African Classic Rally on display at thee Rotunda at The RAC Club in Pall Mall London (2019)

If these kinds of deals end with Omologato on some sleek racing livery then so be it, but that’s not the point. They’re a brand that lives and breathes the sport that’s given them so much inspiration. In 2025 in fact, they’re taking the next logical step along that line of thinking: starting their own Indy500 team.

Most of us wouldn’t know how to go about starting and entering a team into what’s a serious competition. For Shami, it involved a call to racing legend Chip Ganassi to get a (quite eye-watering) price, then a friend who specialised in sponsorship deals to secure said price. And it just kept going. When another racer and close friend of the brand found out #TeamOmologato was happening, he brought in yet more funds to the nascent team, topped off by an engine supplier donating the beating heart of the car.

On the one hand, entering a car at all shows Omologato’s dedication to the sport. On the other, the sheer relative ease with which Shami has pulled it all together proves that his is a brand built on relationships and passion, not light blue and orange colourways. There’s still a way to go before Shami can stand trackside as a proud team owner (and most likely an even longer way to go before a win), but they’re on the right track.

More details at Omologato.

Opened in 2019 in the small town of Pinzolo, Trentino Lefay Resort & SPA Dolomiti nestles within the stunning scenery of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Dolomites and the Madonna di Campiglio ski area. With access to 150km of slopes and four snowboard parks, the exclusive resort shuttle means you can be at the lifts in ten minutes. It’s an ideal location for a winter sports holiday but equally makes for a wonderful summer break, if the name of the game is recuperation .As soon as you step into the open lobby area you’re filled with a sense of serenity.

The high ceilings, expansive windows, and dim orange lighting paired with citrus infusions relax the mind and create a refreshing ambiance. It’s a cliché but the interior décor really does feel as if the outside world has been brought into the stunning bar and restaurant areas of the hotel. The resort’s architecture could be described as alpine-modern, lots of wood and natural stone which blend seamlessly with the landscape, and that symbiosis isn’t just skin deep. The resort incorporates energy-saving technologies into its design, holds numerous environmental certifications and fully offsets its CO2 emissions. An impressive feat for such an expansive resort.

If you’re not planning on skiing and are visiting during the summer months, it’s safe to assume that you’re here to unwind. The 5,000 square meter spa is among the largest wellness areas in the Alps, spanning four levels and including over 20 treatment cabins, indoor and outdoor pools, a 24-hour gym, and an adults-only zone with various saunas and therapeutic paths.It also combines Chinese medicine with Western scientific research, offering a range of tailored treatments and rituals which are confusingly wonderful. The Salt Bath and Sauna Stretching being particular highlights. While the extensive offerings can be a little daunting, those seeking something simpler will find the numerous saunas, ice baths, steam rooms and infusion combinations wonderfully relaxing.

Lefay Dolimiti extends its wellness philosophy beyond its walls by partnering with the local tourist board to offer outdoor experiences designed to soothe the soul. Whether it’s yoga in a meadow overlooked by dramatic sedimentary peaks, Kneipp therapy (the practice of walking in freezing streams) in crystal-clear glacial waters, or foraging and hiking on the numerous trails and routes the criss-cross this inspiring landscape. The brand of wellness it offers is authentic .Returning to your room (in my case a Deluxe Junior Suite), the modern alpine vibe of the main hotel continues. With freestanding baths, large waterfall showers, a writing desk and an electronic (but realistic) fireplace, the amenities are clean, practical and stylish. Pair that with a balcony with a beautiful view and it’s hard to leave.

Dining options at Lefay are suitably luxe. The conceptual organic restaurant Grual features a valley-to-peaks dining experience, taking you on a culinary journey from the valley floor to the high peaks and back down again, all through locally sourced produce. It’s truly exceptional, with some favourites of mine being the trout ravioli, saddle of roe deer and fly agaric mushroom-shaped chocolate dessert. The more casual Dolomia Restaurant, which also serves breakfast, offers excellent cuisine with a smattering of local classics, all enjoyed with stunning mountain views.

In terms of additional amenities, the resort features several bars, including a Lounge Bar, Sky Lounge, Pool Bar, Library, and Cigar Lounge, each with its own unique vibe. Overall, Lefay Resort & SPA Dolomiti provides an unparalleled combination of luxury, sustainability and natural beauty, making it a top choice for an indulgent getaway.

Lefay Resort & SPA Dolomiti is a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ prestigious Legend Collection.

More details at Preferred Hotels.

The tasting menu is a staple of fine dining in London. Similar in concept to Japan’s Omakase, it puts the chef in full control of your culinary journey. They shape the number of courses and dishes to bring out the strongest elements of the ingredients involved. And those ingredients are often seasonal and locally sourced for an added layer of sustainability. Here’s a look at some of London’s best tasting menu restaurants you should try.

KOL

KOL’s tasting menu is inspired by Mexican cuisine and rotates to suit seasonal British ingredients. A sample menu includes girasol, pitaya, langoustine tacos, huarache, chimole, tetela, trout zacahuil, lamb mole, lamb barbacoa, nieve sorbet, tamal, and buñuelos. Like Ikoyi, it also makes an appearance on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list, at an incredible 17th position. It’s the project of chef Santiago Lastra, who you can meet during the chef’s table experience with a private dining room for up to 20 guests.

Where: 9 Seymour Street, Marylebone, W1H 7BA
Price: £230
Bookings: kolrestaurant.com

IKOYI

Founded in 2017, Ikoyi quickly rose to notoriety for its blend of fine dining, traditional African flavours, and British seasonal ingredients. In 2024 it came 42nd on the list of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, published by a panel of 1,080 culinary experts. On top of that, it’s one of only 36 UK restaurants to achieve two Michelin star status or higher. The man behind the menu is chef Jeremy Chan known for his precision and balance of taste and presentation.

Where: 180 Strand, Temple, WC2R 1EA
Price: £350
Bookings: ikoyilondon.com

Core By Clare Smyth

There are 36 restaurants in the UK with two Michelin stars or higher, or more specifically there are 27 two stars and just nine three stars. Core by Clare Smyth is not only one of the elite three- star restaurants, it’s also the first British restaurant run by a woman to achieve this status. Clare Smyth’s service to hospitality resulted in her being awarded an MBE in 2013. A sample seasonal menu includes Portland crab, Norfolk turnip, Cornish sea bass, Highland wagyu with Porthilly oysters, and a desert inspired by the Bakewell tart.

Where: 92 Kensington Park Road, Kensington, W11 2PN
Price: £245
Bookings: corebyclaresmyth.com

A.Wong

Two Michelin star restaurant, A. Wong is the project of Andrew Wong, who took over from his parents in 2012. They have a range of menu options, but our focus here is the The Collections of China tasting menu, which presents a wide range of traditional and contemporary Chinese cuisine produced from fine British ingredients. The multi- course meal is enjoyed over three hours and features dishes such as Isle of Mull seared scallop and honey glazed Iberico char siu, Shanghai steamed dumplings, and a fish dish evocatively titled ‘Why we don’t need to eat Shark’s fin soup’.

Where: 70 Wilton Road, Pimlico, SW1V 1DE
Price: £200
Bookings: awong.co.uk

The Clove Club

Set in the impressive surroundings of Shoreditch Town Hall, The Clove Club offers a pared back look at the essentials of modern cuisine. Dishes include Orkney scallops, blue shell lobster, suckling pig leg, Anjou pigeon, and sorbet. It’s as quintessential as it’s possible to get with fine British tasting menus; seasonal and superb. The chef patron of The Clove Club is Isaac McHale, a Scottish chef born in Orkney, hence his close connection to Scottish ingredients.

Where: Shoreditch Town Hall, 380 Old Street, Shoreditch, EC1V 9LT
Price: £225
Bookings: thecloveclub.com

While British success stories in Formula 1 tend to centre around Lewis Hamilton – as well they should, he’s a legend – George Russell has quietly been making a serious name for himself. At a fresh-faced 26 years old, he’s one of the younger racers on the grid and, when we caught up with him ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix back in the summer, was still revelling in the best season of his career. So, how was he finding the season so far?

“It’s been… I wouldn’t say a rollercoaster, but it’s been one that we’ve been climbing,” says Russell. “At the start we were at the bottom of the mountain and been steadily getting closer to the top. There’s so much excitement and motivation when you’re on a team like this, like we have a visible return on everything we’ve been putting in, that momentum we’ve been building up.”

George winning the Austrian Grand Prix 2024

We were talking shortly after his second F1 victory in Austria, which was a bit of a hairy one. After spending most of the race in third – still a respectable podium finish – Lando Norris and Max Verstappen ahead of him got a little too close to one another, crashing to take them both out the race. It was a far cry from Russell’s incredibly convincing first win. But was there a difference to him?

“Each win is incomparable. Every race is a completely different scenario. My first, in Brazil, was where I was ahead every lap. I’d done fantastically the day before and the pressure was there. Near the end I had Lewis on my tail and it was a relief to get across that finish line. In Austria I was happy to be in third – and then it all kicked off ahead and the opportunity arose. Every race is different and you never really know how it’s going to go, even when you’re behind the wheel.”

With that kind of uncertainty, it has to be hard to prepare yourself for racing at this level. There’s the danger of course, as that crash in Austria – and a multitude of other times – shows. But none of these guys would be racing if that put them off. Instead, we were more interested to find out of the pressure ever got to him – and more importantly, what Russell did to cope with it.

“I’m a little obsessive. I try to make sure I’ve gone through all the preparation possible with my engineers, taken a look at last year’s data, gone over the car, the weather conditions, anything I feel I need to be looking for. Once I’ve ticked them all off, I’m at peace, mentally. I know I’m at my peak physical condition, I know every race is going to be tough. But there are 19 other drivers and hopefully they’ll find it tougher than I will. After that, what will happen, will happen, it’s out of your control.”

With that huge amount of pressure every single week, the intense training regime to stay in that physical condition and the sheer hectic nature of a globe-trotting racing competition, decompression seems like a necessity. Russell though seems to want to take decompressing very literally.

“I love being by the sea, so I’ve started free diving, which is a bit of a random hobby, but when I’m out in the water I’m just so focused on my breathing, on being underwater that I just disconnect from the world. Once beneath the sea, down there with the fish and coral, you’re not thinking about anything else – except having enough breath to get back to the top!”

Russell isn’t the only British racing legend around. We’ve had a long, illustrious line of champions of which Hamilton is only the latest and Russell could potentially be next. For Russell, there’s something in the inspiration of champions of old, and having seven of the ten Formula 1 teams based in the UK helps. But for him, the key to British racing success is British racing green grass roots.

“I remember racing with Lando [Norris] and Alex [Albon], and alongside other racers who didn’t make it to Formula 1 but have made professional racing careers. There’s definitely something about the grass roots level here that works. But it needs to stay at that level. This isn’t the most economical sport in the world, so we need to make sure that we can give kids that don’t have the opportunity otherwise the funding they need to get behind the wheel and try go-karting.”

That said, go-karting is never going to be cheap for most would-be podium contenders, and whether it’s that or sheer space, it’s an opportunity sadly few kids have. E-sports on the other hand, is different.

“Simulators have advanced so much now. The Formula 1 game is fantastic and there should be ways we can identify talent sooner, instead of just having financial backing to push you through the ranks.”

Young George Russel (middle) winning the CIK-FIA European KF3 Championship (2011)

Whether coming from the classic karting angle or from killing it online with photorealistic driving games, kids are going to need to have to contend with one of the most intensely competitive sports in the world – if not the most. According to Russell though, they shouldn’t be afraid of making mistakes; quite the opposite.

“The one piece of advice that I try to embrace myself is: don’t be afraid to fail. The times I’ve failed have been the times I’ve progressed the most, the times I’ve really pushed my limited. It doesn’t matter what you do, failure is necessary. It’s how we grow, how we learn about ourselves. There’s so much pressure not to let people down, especially with younger people, but you don’t want to go through life never making a mistake or knowing where your ceiling is.”

And any advice for those of us not thinking of a career in racing? Even shaving a few seconds off a track day would help for a few more bragging rights.

“No matter what you’re driving, stay relaxed. I’ve driven with people that have never been on a track before. They tense up, hunch over and it makes everything erratic. Smooth is fast, smooth with the steering, throttle and brake. It’s not necessarily how we drive in Formula 1, but if you want to speed up on a track day, stay relaxed.”

Obviously, it’s not lost on Russell just how many kids and F1 fans alike look up to him as a sportsman. He’s young, he’s hungry and his experience is starting to pay off. But for Russell, there are other sportspeople in other sports – and one in his own who I’m sure you can guess – that he looks up to.

“I have a huge amount of respect for [Cristiano] Ronaldo. He’s without a doubt the leader in his field. The same with [Novak] Djokovic, they’re fighters that push their physical performance. Then there’s Lewis [Hamilton], obviously. He puts his platform to great use and I admire him for that as much as his wins and what he’s doing off the track. I hope to be one of those leaders in years to come.”

Now he may well get a chance as Lewis will, in 2025, be moving from Mercedes as Russell’s teammate over to Ferrari. It’s a bold move, but on the other hand it means that Russell will soon be able to race his former teammate as an actual rival. Will that be weird?

“He’ll be wearing a different suit, but I’ll still recognise him! We’re at different stages in our career but we have massive respect for one another. For now, I’ll see him on the track.”

Speaking about wearing things, what watches have been on his wrist?

“I wear a lot of watches, actually. Right now, it’s the Ingenieur! I wore it for the first time at Wimbledon when it was still super fresh. I’ve also got my annual calendar and Top Gun back home. I like my team watch during race weekends to go with my suit, I wore it when I was on the podium in Austria. It fits so well.”

More details at George Russell 63.

There’s a chance that 10 years ago when the magazine was founded if the name Oracle Time was unavailable, we’d have ended up as some combination of Whisky & Watches. Twin passions that go hand in hand at the pinnacle of luxury. While we’ve stuck with the watches, we haven’t touched a bottle of whisky in a long while. That is, until House of Hazelwood unveiled their fabulous Third Collection, which you can experience through a virtual tasting experience by entering the competition at the bottom of this article.

If you’re unfamiliar, the story behind House of Hazelwood is a fantastic one. For over 100 years the Gordon family in Dufftown, Scotland, carefully curated a private whisky collection containing some of the rarest and most sought after whiskies. Today this collection is regarded as the largest inventory of aged Scotch whiskies in the world. It features casks from across the breadth of Scotland and beyond including exceptional rarities such as renowned’ first and last casks.

In 2022 House of Hazelwood was launched, a whisky brand owned by the Gordons and whose whiskies are sourced entirely from their private collection. As you can imagine, this makes every bottle exceptionally exclusive, released as they are in small batches that are carefully hand selected. For 2024 they’ve released the Third Collection, consisting of eight whiskies inspired by the theme of the Gordon family’s adventuring spirit. The collection is split into two, the Charles Gordon Collection and the Legacy Collection.

Charles Gordon Collection

Charles Gordon, a well-known figure in the Scotch whisky community as well as member of the Gordon family, helped to curate the Hazelwood collection in its early years, as such the collection named after him is dedicated to some of the oldest whiskies in the collection, all aged at least 40 years.

Legacy Collection

The second half of the House of Hazelwood Third Collection is the Legacy collection. It’s here that the concepts of blends celebrating the family’s global travels really come to the fore, featuring as it does bottles entitled The Transatlantic, Queen of the Hebrides and The Silk Traveller..

Virtual Tasting Competition

Discover the House of Hazelwood Third Collection first hand by entering this competition to win a virtual tasting experience. As part of the experience, you’ll receive a sample set of 25ml of seven of the Third Collection whiskies and be guided through the tasting by one of House of Hazelwood’s experts. Unfortunately, due to its extreme exclusivity, The Last Trace is not part of the tasting. This competition is only available to UK residents and closes on November 29^th, 2024, making it the perfect opportunity to win yourself a Christmas treat or offer the experience to your whisky loving friend as a festive gift. Whether you’re new to the whisky scene or a seasoned collector, this is an opportunity not to be missed.

Stay up to date with House of Hazelwood news by signing up to their newsletter here. 

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Traveling the world on a journey of culinary exploration is likely on the majority of our bucket lists – especially in remote and beautiful locales. Striking out into the desert, up a mountain, or along a rugged coastline to discover exquisite food and fine dining that expresses the best of local cuisine is an unfettered joy. And while you’ll have to go out of your way to visit some of these restaurants, their remote nature means they often have accommodation on site or nearby, so why not make a whole trip of it and explore the area thoroughly knowing that your food needs are well taken care of.

The Rock – Zanzibar, Tanzania

What must be one of the most photogenic dining spots in the entire world, The Rock is located on the island of Zanzibar off the coast of Tanzania. Well, more specifically the former fishermen’s outpost is located on a small rocky outcrop off the coast of Zanzibar that’s only accessible at low tide or via boat. As you’d expect, the menu consists of fish caught by local fishermen. Definitely worth checking out the catch of the day.

Bookings: therockrestaurantzanzibar.com

La Mare aux Oiseaux – Brière Marshes, France

When we think of French fine dining, we typically conjure images of Provence or Parisian cafes, but La Mare aux Oiseaux bucks the trend. It’s based in the marshes of Brière on the west coast, the largest marshlands in France, full of waterways and flooded meadows. An earthy, peaty haven of wildlife and wetland birds, which is where the establishment gets its name. The restaurant is run by Michelin star chef Éric Guérin and dishes feature local fish, as well as French classics like frogs and black garlic.

Bookings: mareauxoiseaux.fr

Three Camel Lodge – Gobi Desert, Mongolia

Taking the degree of remoteness to the next level is Three Camel Lodge, which is quite literally in the middle of the Gobi Desert. The lodge offers an opportunity to experience the storied history of local nomadic peoples and their cultures with all of the gers and furniture produced by authentic Mongolian artisans. The restaurant, called Bulagtai, is an amazing room traditionally appointed with a menu that is equally traditional with a contemporary spin. Try dishes such as buuz, a meat or vegetable dumpling, and tsuivan which is a noodle dish.

Bookings: threecamellodge.com

Loch Bay – Isle of Skye, Scotland

While I couldn’t in good faith call any restaurant in England remote, I think the Scottish islands and highlands definitely count with their sweeping vistas and challenging terrain. Loch Bay is a small Michelin star restaurant located in Stein on one of the Isle of Skye’s furthest peninsulas. It operates a £145 tasting menu known as Skye Fruits de Mer, which should tell you everything you need to know about the food on offer. Plus, any excuse to visit Skye is welcome because it is one of the most magical places in the UK.

Bookings: lochbay-restaurant.co.uk

Aescher Gasthaus Am Berg – Alps, Switzerland

We wouldn’t be a wristwatch publication without featuring at least one remote Swiss restaurant in this article. The Aescher Gasthaus Am Berg, or Aescher Guesthouse on the Mountain, is exactly what it sounds like – a fabulous Alpine guesthouse tucked away into a cliffside near a series of caves. In fact, traversing through the caves is one of the recommended ways of reaching the spot. This is a back to basics hiking and mountaineering establishment. You’ll find no wi-fi here, but stunning views and hearty, traditional Swiss food and drink more than make it worth a visit.

Bookings: aescher.ch

Saffire Freycinet – Tasmania, Australia

Just look at Tasmania on a map and you’ll understand how truly wild and remote it is. As much as 49% of the island and its waters are protected habitats and national parks. In fact, our next restaurant at Saffire Freycinet can be found in one of those national parks on the east coast of the island. The region’s Mediterranean-like environment makes it a premium wine area and the oysters of Great Oyster Bay are, well, great. There is a choice of dining locations such as the 1950s decorated Lounge or the internationally renowned Palate.

Bookings: saffire-freycinet.com.au

Mil – Urubamba Valley, Peru

Peru is a fascinating country full of ancient ruins and breathtaking landscapes. Mil is a restaurant closely associated with one specific ruin as it’s located only a few metres from the Moray Archaeological Site. The restaurant offers a handful of experiences with the baseline being their $360 tasting menu but if you’re going all that way, you may as well go the full distance and experience the full Mil Immersion. This includes a tour of the Moray site, an exploration of local Andean farms, a botanical walk looking at plants and wildlife, visiting local artists and artisans, and all wrapped up with an eight-course meal at the end.

Bookings: milcentro.pe

Barcelona Gallery Weekend: 19-22 September 2024

Enjoy the last rays of summer by getting away from the UK and visiting Spain’s Barcelona Gallery Weekend from 19th to 22nd September. There are dozens of exciting exhibitions taking place across 27 galleries in the city and in L’Hospitalet highlighting regional and national artists. This year’s showcase marks the 10th anniversary of the Gallery Weekend, with every exhibition being completely free and open to the public. You can also attend talks, encounters and other activities at the galleries, the ARCO GalleryWalks guided tours, or follow the walks proposed by local curators.

More details at Barcelona Gallery Weekend.

Four Stories Gin Autumn, £34.75

While Four Stories Gin is a relatively new name to the premium gin market, they had substantial experience distilling, bottling and labelling gin for other brands before turning that experience towards their own product. Based in the UK, their inaugural series is dedicated to the flavours and stories of the four seasons. Story No. 1 Autumn features the warmth of a cosy blanket on a crisp autumn evening with tasting notes of Fuji apple, vanilla, lemon and cinnamon. In terms of style, it’s the perfect example of time honoured techniques including hand applied labels and wax dipped seals at accessible prices. Use code ORACLE for 20% off the entire range.

More details at Four Stories.

Biokidé Baobab Moon Face Cream, €55 (approx. £45)

Whether for yourself or partner, Biokidé’s Baobab Moon Face Cream is a moisturising cream designed for dry skin with baobab oil, aloe vera, shea butter, hibiscus and honey. It’s the ultimate fusion of authentic African ingredients and French knowhow to bring you clean cosmetics you can trust. The brand is currently undergoing Butterfly Mark certification by Positive Luxury to prove their commitment to a positive social and environmental impact.

More details at Biokidé.

GreenGent Co 2-in-1 Hair and Body Wash, £20.28

GreenGent Co is a relatively young brand in the men’s grooming space, developed specifically to tackle skin and hair issues with products dedicated to using only natural ingredients. Since their launch in January, their 2-in-1 Hair and Body Wash has proven exceptionally popular with its refreshing fragrance and multi-use simplicity – ideal for men who don’t like to spend too long grooming while also fitting perfectly alongside a dedicated skin and haircare routine for those who do. Other prominent GreenGent Co products include their acid face cream, face oils and eye cream.

More details at GreenGent.

Carmen Delprat Art Exotic Portraits And Surreal Landscapes

Carmen Delprat’s art transforms spaces with her exotic portraits and surreal landscapes, blending vibrant colours and intricate details into harmonious, dreamlike realms inspired by topics both natural and human. Her work goes beyond decoration, fostering serenity and introspection. Each piece is a portal to beauty and deeper meaning, making your home a sanctuary of inspiration. As an expansion to an existing collection of art, or the start of new one, her works make for a vibrant and exciting investment.

More details at Carmen Delprat.

It’s now been six decades since Ford launched the Mustang at the 1964 New York World’s Fair, at a stroke creating the ‘pony car’. This more compact twist on the muscle car racked up 418,000 sales in its first year alone and went on to star in everything from Bond films to Bullitt, starring Steve McQueen.

It is one of the few nameplates to have been in continuous production ever since and has now outlived the Dodge Challenger and Chevrolet Camaro rivals it spawned – ‘you can’t make cars like this in the EV era,’ announced Chevy and Dodge; ‘hold our beer’, replied Ford.

Just into its seventh generation, this new Mustang remains astonishingly faithful to the original recipe – the design and details could be nothing else, and the Mustang is still rear-wheel drive and offered with a choice of manual or automatic gearboxes, coupe or convertible bodies. Even a Porsche 911 has evolved more.

1964 Worlds Fair Ford Exhibit

Crucially, a big-hearted 5.0-litre V8 – dubbed ‘Coyote’ – still rumbles and pulses under the Mustang’s bonnet. As distinctive as a Texan twang, it is one of the few remaining engines worldwide not to turn to either hybrid technology or turbochargers as a replacement for displacement.

What is new this generation are whizzy twin touchscreens powered by Unreal Engine gaming software that let you do everything from connect to Apple CarPlay to tweak how your Mustang drives and sounds. There’s also a new variant named Dark Horse, which is currently the range-topper, offered only as a coupe and officially billed as next best thing to Ford’s Mustang GT3 racecars.

Ford Mustang Dark Horse

Visual tell-tales versus the base Mustang are pretty subtle (most obvious are a Zorro-like band of black running between the LED headlights, a fresh rear spoiler and different design of 19-inch alloys), and there’s only a negligible performance hike of 6bhp, albeit to a still-very-healthy 446bhp.

Performance halos usually have more differentiation than this, but props where they’re due because Ford have gone large on beefier engineering so the Dark Horse can keep pounding laps on a track day. There’s a tougher manual gearbox, extra engine and transmission cooling – largely invisible stuff that’s so easily cost-cut.

If it sounds and is a muscular thing to hustle, the Dark Horse proves a surprisingly easy companion as I burble through Cagnes-Sur-Mer during the early morning rush. The driver’s seat is comfortable, I twirl the modestly weighted steering as nonchalantly as McQueen, and there’s buttery smooth clutch take-up on this six-speed manual.

Mostly the ride’s supple too thanks to standard ‘MagneRide’ suspension with pothole mitigation (a sixth sense that basically stiffens the shocks to stop a wheel fully plummeting into road craters).

Like the previous model launched in 2015, the new one’s also available in right-hand drive, but this time the development team have lavished extra effort making it work on the unique challenges of European roads. And few European roads represent more of a challenge than the Route Napoleon, which climbs, flicks and plunges through the Alpes Maritimes to put performance and dynamics under the microscope like little else.

Never mind the (pretty lazy) original Ford Mustang, the 2015 model would quickly come undone up here, but this new sportier ’Stang strings these epic bends together with real fluency. Faster steering and a more rigid connection to the front axle is key to its new-found energy and precision, properly waking the Mustang up and making this 1.8-tonne two-metre-wide car feel fleeter than it is. It’s surprisingly agile for a car so big.

Even if there’s little in the way of road-surface texture flowing up through the steering wheel itself, it takes just a few corners to sense the improved grip and composure on offer here. It’s a car to grab by the scruff and lean on hard through corners, confident that the suspension can keep the body in check, and to brake late, trusting in its huge Brembo brakes – even on the long downhill sections with coils of hairpins that make the Route Napoleon such a challenge. This is a much more sophisticated chassis than before.

What you might still crave is a little more power. UK-bound Mustangs are roughly 10 percent less punchy and not quite as noisy as US models (blame European regulations) but even so the V8 is an invigorating thing to wring out. There’s not the mid-range juice we’ve become so used to with smaller turbocharged engines, and on some long full-throttle climbs uphill it can feel a little breathless, but the payback is instant response and real fizz when you wind the revs round the dial to a hedonistic 7,250rpm.

Plus, because there’s a surplus of grip to power, the Mustang encourages you to roll up your sleeves and maximise the oomph that is available– and the more I work this car, the more I connect with it.

There are few options when it comes to the generously equipped Dark Horse, and only two materially affect the driving experience: the seats and the gearbox, with the latter most crucial. The 10-speed auto is perfectly serviceable and easier around town, but if you’re going old-school with a V8 Mustang, it’s surely perverse not to spec the (same price) manual gearbox, especially with its pleasingly physical shift action and tight gate. (Clever rev matching tech blips the throttle for you too, smoothing down shifts and trumpeting heroic noises from the exhaust).

Add in the optional Recaro seats – comfortable, tactile, figure-hugging… some of the best I’ve ever sat in – and this is one properly sorted sports car.

But we need to talk money, because the Dark Horse starts from £67,995, putting it a little beyond even the excellent new BMW M2 with its fine European breeding. True, they’re quite different takes on a similar recipe, but the Dark Horse’s more direct rival actually comes from within Ford’s own stable. The Mustang GT costs a chunk less at £55,725, is down only 6bhp, looks much the same and actually has the sweeter manual gear shift.

The Dark Horse chassis does feel a tad sharper, its shorter gearing helps pep up performance and the name just sounds cool, but the differences between the two are probably more nuanced than they should be. If you couldn’t care less about track days and want the ultimate bang-for- your-buck, get the GT.  Whichever Mustang you choose, though, no-one but Ford makes ’em like this anymore.

More details at Mustang.

As I get older, I’ve come to realize that holidays are about rest. My travel preferences have shifted from exploring all day and partying all night to cathartic sauna sessions, well-equipped gymnasiums, and, naturally, a swimming pool with an epic view. All while being coddled in authentic luxury. From the moment you arrive at the five-star Interalpen-Hotel Tyrol resort, you feel pampered. The drive-in reception is perfect for the cold winter months and upon exiting the lift, the alpine style, ornate wooden walls and grand carved staircase invite you to explore the numerous nooks and crannies of the spacious yet cosy 282-room hotel.

This certainly isn’t a boutique hotel (the Spa area alone measures 5300 square meters), but the service from the traditionally dressed staff is inviting, relaxed and authentic. The place teems with Austrians on summer holiday and feels like a well-kept secret among international types. The main draw of Interalpen is its wellness offerings. It feels Heidi-esque, the type of place where people come to breathe in the fresh mountain air and recuperate. In terms of wellness activities and amenities, it’s got plenty to offer.

There’s the aforementioned spa, complete with its Sauna Village; featuring a Finnish sauna, steam rooms, bio-sauna, saltwater grotto, and much more, all finished in a blend of traditional dark woods and modernism framing incredible views of the Tyrolean Alps. The treatments available are vast, with esoteric options such as Ayurveda, age-defying facials, hot-stone massages and herbal massages. Combined with classics like Swedish and sports massages that I can attest are some of the best in the game. Activity-wise, the hotel boasts tennis courts, a well-stocked gym, an outdoor calisthenics area, a vast indoor-outdoor heated pool with automatic doors dividing the inside and outside, walking trails, a nearby golf course and an indoor golf simulator. For those who dislike sitting for too long, fear not.

If that all sounds like hungry work, then Interalpen-Hotel Tyrol has you covered there too. The breakfast spread is exceptional, featuring local cheeses, fish, fresh fruit, a chef station and freshly baked pastries from the in-house bakery. For lunch and dinner there are two main options: an elevated dining experience and a more relaxed option, both using the freshest local produce. As a third option, there’s an amazing mountain hut dining experience, featuring authentic Tyrolean folk music, hand-selected Augustine pilsner and a BBQ with all the wurst and sauerkraut you could expect.

Nearby, there’s plenty to do. Whether you’re there for the summer or winter, there are endless walking trails and mountain biking areas in the surrounding valleys, and you’re only 10km from Seefeld Ski Resort. If testing the upper limits of your heart rate is your thing, I’m also told it’s a great place to cross-country ski.

For Bond (and watch) enthusiasts, the 007 Elements James Bond experience in nearby Sölden is a must-see. It showcases the Gaislachkogel mountain location used in Spectre, including the gondola scene and the liaison between Bond and Madeleine Swann in the IceQ restaurant. The exhibit also features several Omega watches worn by Bond, including the Seamaster 300 Spectre Limited Edition and the Brosnan-era Seamaster 300m Professional.

The rooms at Interalpen-Hotel Tyrol have just undergone a renovation and offer mountain-view balconies, the highest level of alpine-style finishing with all the modern amenities you could wish for. There are various room options, all with their own tubs. For the uber-luxe experience, look no further than the top-floor penthouses, which come complete with their own sauna, outdoor bathtub, freestanding baths and panoramic views of the mountains.

Interalpen is also an ideal retreat for families thanks to the room layouts, the crèche and recreation rooms, making it an ideal destination for all ages. And when the little ones are all tucked up, there’s an excellent bar and smoking room to retreat to. There’s only so much wellness one can handle.

Rates at Interalpen-Hotel Tyrol, a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ prestigious Legend Collection, start from £600 per room per night, based on two sharing on a half-board basis, including breakfast, dinner and daily activities such as wellness experiences and excursions.

More details at Preferred Hotels.

I’m going to hazard a guess and say most of you reading this don’t find the smell of burning rubber particularly appetising. Tyre fires aren’t exactly haute cuisine. And yet, many of the more well-heeled epicureans among you will likely have found more than enough to stimulate your tastebuds at Claude Bosi’s Chelsea institution, Bibendum. A veritable icon of the London dining scene, the French restaurant’s name will probably sound familiar even to culinary philistines – and if the posters of a round, worryingly happy Stay Puft Marshmallow Man don’t give some indication as to where I’m going with this, the name of the building itself will: Michelin House.

Yes indeed, one of London’s foremost restaurants is devoted to the joie de vivre of the Michelin Man. He of the many inflated tyres, he who, in the words of early advertising, ‘drinks all obstacles.’ Granted it’s a tag line that only makes sense in those early adverts, where Bibendum – the Michelin Man’s official name – can be seen slurping champagne like an early finance-based Batman villain. Personally, I don’t think that advert gave a great impression; I don’t like the thought of drivers drinking, let alone their tyres. And yet it set an unusual tone for the tyre-maker, one that today has inextricably linked them to fine taste.

I’m of course talking about the coveted Michelin Star. Every year, Michelin publishes its guide to the best restaurants in the world, highlighting eateries far and wide with their distinguished seal of approval. The finest of those is awarded a Michelin Star; the top percentile might even get two. In occasions much, much rarer than blue moons, they award three.

El Califa de Leon, Mexico, image credit: EFE

Rather than star-based film reviews, Michelin Stars actually mean something to the general fine dining public. They can turn a humble roadside restaurant into a culinary sensation overnight, with waiting lists into the next year. And it’s not just French chefs that earn the accolade either; Mexico’s El Califa de Leon, a local neighbourhood taco joint recently earned its first star.

The question is, what made a tyre company the arbiter of haute cuisine? How did we get to a point where an inflatable rubber alcoholic is synonymous with hundred-pound lunch bills? The story is actually one of practicality.

Back in the 1890s, there were 3,000 cars on French roads, compared to 39 million today. At the time, Michelin made great tyres for those 3,000 cars, but even if every vehicle replaces its wheels every year, that’s still just 12,000 individual tyres they could sell. And given people didn’t really drive all that much, that’s a very, very ballsy estimate. Michelin needed a way of encouraging their French compatriots to drive more and, if they didn’t have a car yet, to consider buying one.

And so the brothers behind Michelin – Andre and Edouard – came up with an idea. He hunted down the best restaurants and attractions along French roads and put them all down in one handy, red-covered guide. It included maps, refuelling points and of course tips on how to change a tyre, anything that the ‘modern’ driver needed to make their trips a good one.

The nascent guide was free to all and sundry, a promotional tool rather than a product in its own right. That was until Andrew Michelin discovered his marketing passion project was being used as a glorified doorstop, propping up the workbench of an out-of-the-way tyre shop. That simply wouldn’t do. Instead, to give the guide some intrinsic value, Andre rebranded his little red book, selling it for seven Francs – and the Michelin Guide was born in the year 1920.

Along with the rebrand, the guide started to focus on its most successful aspect, the restaurants. It began to list hotels in Paris and started to divide its restaurants into specific categories, highlighting what they considered the best and most interesting. The only problem was that even with two of them, the Michelin brothers couldn’t visit every restaurant listed. At the same time, they didn’t want to recommend sub-par establishments; their tyres’ burgeoning epicurean reputation was on the line. And so they recruited mystery diners to visit and review restaurants anonymously.

Claude Bosi at Bibendum, London

To signal that a restaurant was up to scratch, the guide highlighted them with a single star. This then grew to a hierarchy of zero, one, two and three stars. By the late 1920s, the Michelin Guide was a force to be reckoned with and very specifically drew discerning diners to its higher-awarded recommendations. For the restaurants (and the public in general) however, the difference between the ratings was as much a mystery as the diners. And so, in 1936, the criteria for the ratings were officially published.

It wasn’t just a vibe check, but a genuine, itinerated dive into what Michelin was looking for. Not only did this draw back the curtain, but it meant that restaurants could start actively catering to the aspects that would earn them a star. It turned a vague notion of quality into a check as rigid as any MOT. It was this rigidity and in-depth rating system that helped give the Michelin Star the kind of gravitas it has today, not dependent on the Michelin inspectors’ flair for writing, like with most reviewers, but looking at things from a technical, quantitative angle.

Nearly a century later and Michelin doesn’t need to be producing a little red book to sell tyres; there are more than enough cars on the road to keep them ticking over. But to this day, the Michelin Guide, despite being very much its own thing, is still under the auspices of Michelin Tyres. So next time you find yourself dining out at Bibendum, with its namesake mascot leering down at your perfectly presented plate of fine French food, just remember how it all got there. Even if it wasn’t by car, we still have tyres to thank.

Patrick Dempsey as an actor is in the enviable position of being one of the most recognisable actors on TV. His role as Derek Shephard on Grey’s Anatomy, despite dramatically leaving the behemoth of a series back in Season 11 (it’s currently on Season 20), was definitive not just for Dempsey but the worryingly popular show as a whole. His relationship with the eponymous lead Meredith Grey was, to a certain generation, the definitive picture of a great relationship. Oh, and if this all sounds like I know far too much about Grey’s Anatomy, blame my wife. I’ve been hearing about Derek’s perfect hair for years. Needless to say, the opportunity to talk to the actor without her in the room didn’t go down all too well.

And yet what most fans of Grey’s Anatomy, my wife included, don’t realise is that Meredith – and indeed acting – isn’t quite Dempsey’s first love. No, his passions lie away from the silver screen and behind the wheel. That would be cars – specifically, race cars: “I’ve always loved racing since I was a small boy,” reminisces Dempsey. “My dad was a big fan of it, so I grew up watching car racing.”

That’s a story most of us can get on board with. I remember Sundays watching F1 with my dad (a sport that didn’t really stick with me beyond then). But for Dempsey, as soon as he got behind the wheel, it went much, much further.

Patrick racing for Proton Racing, sponsored by Tag Heuer

“I started with a Skip Barber three-day competition certificate that was a gift from my wife and then after that I did another racing school in Georgia, and then started racing in Panoz racing cars. I slowly worked my way up to IMSA and then onto the American Le Mans, and then WEC. I started racing in the early 2000s.”

Coming relatively late in life to racing, Dempsey was never going to be an F1 contender; they start go-karting before they can walk. Indeed, there aren’t that many proper events that an amateur can take part in except for a particular sub-set of races that I’m sure have already sprung to mind among the automotive-minded: endurance racing.

Celebrting the teas win at the FIA World Endurance Championship’s Six Hours of Fuji (2015)

Dempsey’s done more than take part in the likes of Le Mans and 24 Hours of Sebring. In 2015, he won the FIA World Endurance Championship’s Six Hours of Fuji under his own team, Dempsey Racing-Proton. So, while he may be an amateur driver, he’s a serious one. His key to success is also relatively simple: consistency.

“You’re mixed with a pro driver and a semi-pro driver and endurance racing is certainly about speed but it’s more about consistency. Understanding your role on the team, consistency with your pace, staying out of trouble, and handing the car off so that the next driver has a good car to drive. Situational awareness is key. You’re racing in multiple classes, so managing traffic and faster cars are key to a safe and successful race. Basically, the team that makes the fewest mistakes does the best – the mantra is simple: ‘stay out of the pits.’”

It’s no surprise then that when Hollywood needed an actor that not only had on-screen charisma, but could handle himself behind the wheel of a car, they went to Dempsey. The role in question was as Piero Taruffi, the man that Ferrari staked their reputation on to win the Mille Miglia back in 1957. It was a big gamble and a big win for the prancing horse, as the rather intense Ferrari film – also starring Adam Driver and Penelope Cruz – illustrates. It also made Taruffi a giant in the then- nascent racing world.

“He was an incredibly successful driver,” explains Dempsey, “and I think because he lived in a period when so many other drivers died prematurely his record is sometimes overlooked. It was a great honour to be able to meet his son and daughter and to play him in the movie, he had a long career Formula endurance racing road racing. He was an engineer. He understood aerodynamics and wrote an incredible book on the technique of car racing.”

Patrick Dempsey as Piero Taruffi

It’s obvious that Dempsey admires Taruffi and why not? He was and is a legend, even outside of his formative Ferrari drive. And yet for Dempsey, a racer himself, getting into the right mindset was never an issue. He knows what it’s like to race, especially in an endurance event like the Mille Miglia. Instead, he needed to nail the look.”

“Every role is different. Every preparation is different depending on the type of character that you’re playing. Here that mainly meant getting the visual aspect correct. I was able to do a lot of testing, and that really helped me get into the role.”

After bleaching his hair blond, he certainly had the suave Italian driver’s signature style covered. Thow in a flawlessly styled vintage wardrobe and the Prancing Horse to match and there you have it – all but the watch, which in the case of the film, was a TAG Heuer.

Patrick is an ambassador of Tag Heuer.

“I have always collected TAG Heuer watches and timepieces. We had a stopwatch that I had wardrobe make this special wristband for, which was true to a lot of the racers of that time, where they would time certain sections of the race and they knew where they needed to be, and at what time — so that was fun working with TAG Heuer and heritage department.”

The result is a film that even die-hard historical purists can appreciate for its authenticity. That authenticity, of course, wasn’t just about the looks either as Dempsey added one thing that most actors can’t: he didn’t need a stunt man.

“I had an opportunity to do all of my driving in the film,” says Dempsey. “It really reignited my love and desire to get back behind the wheel and do some more racing.”

Indeed, if he had his wish, Dempsey would likely spend far more time on the track than in front of the camera. Sure, his turn in Ferrari is more than solid and he’s still one of the most famous hair dos in all of fictional doctoring, but for him, there’s a clear winner in what he really wants to do: “acting is my profession,” he says, “racing is my passion.”

More details at Tag Heuer.

In the world of motorsports, there are few disciplines as demanding as motorcycle trials. It’s a game of balance, precision, skill and endurance in which competitors must tackle obstacle-filled off-road courses while remaining rubber side down and riding as fast as possible. It’s not unusual for distances to hit triple digits, and here in the UK participants are often subjected to some pretty grim weather conditions to boot. To say suitable clothing is required would be an understatement. This is a sport that requires the toughest of the tough when it comes to kit, which is exactly what led Belstaff to design its now-legendary Trialmaster jacket more than 70 years ago.

From the perilous mountain passes of the Himalayas to the bustling city streets of London, the Trialmaster has since traversed them all. An icon of adventure, it has risen far above its moto-racing roots to become one of England’s most beloved outerwear designs. A quintessentially British spin on the classic motorcycle-jacket formula, favouring wax cotton in place of leather, press-stud bellows instead of chrome- zippered pockets and a mid-length cut to seal out the elements.

Belstaff advertisements from the 1950s, image credit: Mortons Archive

“Hardwearing, thornproof material; fungus, water and rot-proof; all exposed metal fittings are rustless,” as the jacket’s 1959 advertisement in The Motor Cycle magazine so eloquently put it. The Trialmaster’s roots can be traced back to World War I. Eli Belovitch and his son-in-law Harry Grosberg had spent several years supplying tents and groundsheets to the armed forces. After the conflict ended, they founded Belstaff: a portmanteau of Belovitch’s surname and his home county, Staffordshire.

Belovitch and Grosberg were pioneering textile hunters who travelled to all corners of the earth in search of the latest and greatest developments in fabric. It had long been Belovitch’s dream to apply his textile knowledge to motorcycle clothing, and Belstaff became an outlet for his experimental new ideas.

Belstaff Trialmaster Professional Jacket

It was in Egypt that Belovitch first got his hands on wax cotton. This ultra- durable fabric was lightweight, tough and abrasion resistant. Most interestingly to Belovitch, it was also waterproof and breathable – two qualities seldom found together in the days before Gore-Tex. Realising he had something special, he headed home and got to work crafting a new type of motorcycle jacket. Inspired by the Scottish Six Days Trial – the oldest and arguably most gruelling motorcycle event in the world – he eventually used his newfound wonder fabric to create his magnum opus.

“The weatherproof design provided a water-repellent, wind-resistant layer while remaining breathable to help regulate the wearer’s body temperature,” says Sean Lehnhardt-Moore, Creative Director of Belstaff. “Style signatures including the buckled throat latch collar, adjustable waist belt and the four-pocket silhouette were added to ensure the rider was comfortable and protected.

“The tilted chest pocket is probably the most recognisable feature. It was originally attached at an angle as a map pocket to provide easy access while on the bike. This has since become a design signature of Belstaff across the mainline and moto collections.”

Sammy Miller Riding His Hand-Built Sh5 200cc, 1954 Scottish Six Days Trial, he won The Best Newcomer award, image credit: Sammy Miller Archive

When the Trialmaster launched, a young rider by the name of Sammy Miller was quickly rising through the moto-racing ranks. The 18-year-old British rider wrote to Belstaff in 1951 to ask if the company would like to sponsor him, and they accepted. Miller went on to wear Belstaff’s outerwear in upwards of 1,000 races, praising the Trialmaster for its ability to keep him bone dry when other competitors fell victim to the poor weather conditions.

“I was riding in the Scottish Six Days Trial and it rained for five of the six days,” he says. “Belstaff had sent me the green Trialmaster. It was a new design, a new product. I think I was the only dry bloke out of the 300 entries.” One particularly gruesome year came in 1964, when the notorious Scottish weather battered riders with howling wind and torrential rain for the duration of the event. The unrelenting downpour made parts of the course almost unrideable, turning small streams into raging torrents that were near impossible to cross.

Those who were there at the time recall a brave Miller revving up and attempting to jump one such section, only to land midstream in the fast-flowing waist-deep water. He attempted to power through with the carburettor below the water, but his engine died and he was forced to drag himself and his bike up the bank and back onto land to dry out. Unbelievably, he went on to win the event. “I rode better,” he says. “The rest of them were like drowned rats. I used to pray for rain. Softened them up. Easier to beat them.”

Father Graham Hullett, leader of the 59 Club wearing a Belstaff Trialmaster jacket in 1968

Miller wasn’t the only high-profile biker to adopt the Trialmaster. Long before he became known as ‘Che’, a young Ernesto Guevara wore one while solo touring in Argentina on his motorcycle. Away from the road pioneering aviators Amelia Earheart and Amy Johnson both donned Belstaff outerwear for their respective record- breaking solo flights. And British intelligence officer Lawrence of Arabia famously wore the brand in the years between the end of World War I and his untimely death in 1935.

These household names helped to cement the Trialmaster’s reputation as a hardened piece of adventure clothing, but it was the jacket’s Hollywood adopters that brought it to mainstream attention and helped it to become recognised as a work of fashion rather than one purely of function.

During the 1960s and ‘70s, Steve McQueen was one of the biggest names on the planet. He’d starred in hit films The Great Escape, Bullitt and The Thomas Crown Affair, and was often spotted wearing his signature Trialmaster. As a result, the jacket started to develop cult status in the world of celebrity, and over the years its list of notable wearers has grown to include the likes of Johnny Depp, David Beckham, George Clooney, Will Smith and Brad Pitt, to name just a few.

Modern Belstaff Trialmaster Jacket, £595

Today the Trialmaster is firmly established as one of the most significant outerwear designs of the last century. It’s up there with its transatlantic cousin the Schott Perfecto, the MA-1 bomber and the Burberry trench coat in terms of its influence and legacy. Respected by the menswear crowd and intrepid adventurers alike, it’s one of the few pieces of clothing that comfortably inhabits both worlds, bridging the gap between function and fashion.

“It’s an iconic design – quintessentially British with a classic silhouette that is rooted in functionality,” says Belstaff’s Lehnhardt-Moore. “The waxed cotton gives it an authentically worn-in feeling from the start, and it only gets better with age.”

More details at Belstaff.

Summer isn’t just about rising temperatures, it’s also events season, with everything from regattas and sports to parties requiring you to be turned out appropriately. That throws a bit of a spanner in the works as, despite being the most breathable, comfortable shoes for the season, nobody wants to be that one guy in sandals at an elegant garden party. Fortunately, there are plenty of shoemakers out there creating summer-ready silhouettes that aren’t just comfortable, they’re stylish enough to build your entire smart-casual wardrobe around. Here are some of our favourites.

Mryqvist Brännö II Moss Green, £199

Sometimes less is more – particularly in the heat – and the BRÄNNÖ from Swedish shoemaker Myrqvist is about as minimal as a summer loafer gets. It’s not just the unfussed, smoothly curvaceous silhouette of the Italian suede; it’s also unlined for a more breathable, comfortable fit. The sole is clean white rubber with a slightly raised heel, with a repeating M pattern doubling as extra grip for when those long summer days don’t actually last that long. The shoe’s available in a few colours but for our money the moss green offers a fresh alternative to the usual summer tans and pastels.

Available at Myrqvist.

Edward Green Montpellier Unlined, £1,120

If you’re after a serious investment piece you can do a lot worse than the perennially elegant saddle loafer – and a good deal worse than the superb examples from Jermyn Street icon Edward Green. Their latest take on the otherwise classical Montpellier is unlined for a lighter profile, but more importantly it makes the shoe slightly less stifling, perfect for the kind of warmer weather you’d want to bring the suede out in. Here that suede is in a raw umber, a nutty tan that’s both light and classically inclined. Pair with a light linen blazer for an elegant, warm weather look perfect for the Italian coastline.

Available at Edward Green.

Cheaney Drake Boat Shoe, £260

There are few summer styles more versatile than the boat shoe and, given that’s the very style that Cheaney’s best known for, it would be remiss not to include the historic British brand. Treading the line between formal and casual with its nautical combination of navy blue suede upper and pristine white rubber soles, the Drake is perfect for elevating your go-to shorts-and-polo look. And yes, that means you can wear them without socks, thanks to the soft leather and textile lining. If you don’t want to really hammer home the ‘boat’ in boat shoes, they’re also available in cognac, though we personally think it’s worth leaning in.

Available at Cheaney.

Crockett & Jones Falmouth Khaki Suede, £485

While the Falmouth falls into the boat shoe catchall, it’s perhaps better described as a Derby loafer. That means it has laces and a slightly more structured silhouette, while keeping things low and comfortable. The boat shoe element is mainly in the sole, which is shiny and new to Crockett & Jones, with a wedge design and horizontal tread pattern. In a versatile khaki suede with brown sole and laces, they’re the ideal halfway house for someone that likes the look of loafers but needs a little extra security from their shoes. Pair with chinos, a breathable shirt and you can take the look anywhere.

Available at Crockett & Jones.

Harry’s London Wharf Loafer, £270

Sure, this classic loafer in a light, denim blue has all the hallmarks of a summer classic, but you might find yourself wanting to wear them wherever and whenever you can. The textured rubber sole has plenty of grip, a Technogel insole offers superb comfort, and an internal lining keeps the entire construction durable enough to last season after season. The good news is that you can indeed wear them in inclement weather thanks to the protectively treated suede. They’re made in Italy, which suggests where you should be wearing them. Pair with light matching light blue linen and you’re good to go.

Available at Harry’s.

Ettinger Hurlingham Overnight Bag, £448

Normally when we’re talking about Ettinger, it’s in the context of their gorgeous watch rolls and travel boxes. However, if you’re going to travel with your watches, you’ll also need an overnight bag and Ettinger have you covered there too. The Hurlingham Overnight Bag is a compact and easy to carry bag made from durable, anti-stain cotton drill canvas. There are several colours available and pictured here is the Sand/Havana edition with a yellow tone body and dark brown handles.

Available at Ettinger.

Chelsea Peers Corduroy Shirt, £28.80

Chelsea Peers is all about summer style, whether that’s lightweight linens for the beach, breathable pyjamas for hot nights or this, the corduroy shirt. With a wide collar, button down front and light, stretchy corduroy construction, it’s both casual and smart, great for wear in hot weather or at the beachside bar in the evening. Chelsea Peers are based in a studio in west London and have dedicated themselves to the art of premium loungewear.

Available at Chelsea Peers.

Vuori Kore Shorts, £70

With the summer season upon us, now is the peak time to get outside and be active. With Vuori’s Kore Shorts you can tackle any sport you care to think of with their wide range of movement and above knee cut. Vuori are inspired by the Californian lifestyle where fitness, sport and surfing are all part of daily life. Plus, they’re committed to maintaining the coastal landscape through their sustainability programme and Happier on a Healthy Planet pledge.

Available at Vuori Kore.

GreenGent Co 2-in-1 Hair and Body Wash, £20.28

GreenGent Co are a relatively young brand in the men’s grooming space, developed specifically to tackle skin and hair issues with products dedicated to using only natural ingredients. Since their launch in January, their 2-in-1 Hair and Body Wash has proven exceptionally popular with its refreshing fragrance and multi-use simplicity – ideal for men who don’t like to spend too long grooming, while also fitting perfectly alongside a dedicated skin and haircare routine for those who do. Other prominent GreenGent Co products include their acid face cream, face oils and eye cream.

Available at GreenGent.

Neem Black Cotton Overshirt, £149

The Neem flannel Black Cotton Overshirt is made from regenerative, organic cotton. What that means is that during the agriculture process, there is a high focus on rehabilitating soil, preserving wildlife and promoting sustainable practices. Plus, thanks to an intense research period, the resulting material is both extremely soft and breathable, ideal for casual summer afternoons. Whether as a shirt itself or a long sleeve overshirt, it’s a versatile garment suitable for many occasions.

Available at Neem.

Caligo Sol Soiree Shirt, £205

Inspired by the rich blue waters of the French Riviera’s Cote d’Azur, the Caligo Sol Soiree shirt is an essential for any man taking a trip to the coast this summer. A relaxed fit and lightweight, breathable fabric make it ideal for keeping cool and looking sharp in the heat. The Soiree edition with long sleeves is well suited to a mixture of occasions including formal events, however for a more informal look, the Resort shirt changes things up with short sleeves and Cuban collar.

Available at Caligo.

Peregrine Lodge Jacket, £190

The Peregrine Lodge Jacket is all about lightweight durability and ruggedness. It’s made from six-sided hex ripstop fabric, which is a very hardwearing material that’s been waxed for added water and weather resistance. Whether you work outdoors and need a reliable outer layer or just fancy an adventure on the weekend, all of Peregrine’s clothing is made in the UK and they operate with a ‘buy less, buy better’ philosophy for improving clothing sustainability.

Available at Peregrine.

GreenGent Co 2-in-1 Hair and Body Wash, £20.28

GreenGent Co is a relatively young brand in the men’s grooming space, developed specifically to tackle skin and hair issues with products dedicated to using only natural ingredients. Since their launch in January, their 2-in-1 hair and body wash has proven exceptionally popular with its refreshing fragrance and multi-use simplicity – ideal for men who don’t like to spend too long grooming, while also fitting perfectly alongside a dedicated skin and haircare routine for those who do. Other prominent GreenGent Co products include their acid face cream, face oils and eye cream.

Available at GreenGent.

Hockerty Custom Suit, £229 – £719

Whether you’re looking for a two-piece, a three-piece, a tuxedo or tweed, Hockerty have all you  suit needs covered. Their custom- tailored service is incredibly  versatile, allowing you to choose from a huge range of styles and materials. Whether that be a summer-ready linen or a soft and comfortable Merino wool. You also have full control of lapel style, buttons, pockets, pleats and cuffs. Prices start from £229 depending on your customisation options.

Available at Hockerty.

Cheansey Dover Penny Loafer, £395

A suede loafer is an essential of summer footwear, comfortable in all situations and perfect for that transition between holiday activities in the day and evening parties. The Dover Penny Loafer from Cheaney is a delight in dark blue with the classic laceless, slip on design. Loafers owe their design heritage to American moccasins; however Cheaney bring British charm and class to all their products, based in the shoemaking heart of Britain, Northamptonshire.

Available at Cheansey.

Nestled by the beach in a remote location, Asterion Suites & Spa offers a serene escape for adults looking to unwind and savour Crete’s unique flavours. Located 40 minutes from Chania airport and the historic Chania old town, with its ancient Minoan ruins, Venetian facades, and charming selection of restaurants and shops, the resort is conveniently accessible yet secluded enough to recharge under the Cretan sun.

The hotel is well-designed, with a modern, airy feel and high-quality furnishings. The suites are light, comfortable, and feature a range of modern amenities, including two televisions, a large waterfall shower, air conditioning, a coffee machine, and a large, comfortable bed, each with its own balcony or swim-up pool, depending on your preference and package. Packages include all-inclusive options (Lifestyle All-In), allowing guests to indulge in iced lattes and exceptionally well-made cocktails from the poolside bar or enjoy a local beer from the mini-bar without worry.

Dining at the resort is an elevated experience, with authentic Greek dishes taking centre stage. There are two restaurants: the entry-level and the more upscale 35 Degrees. The breakfast spread is indulgent, healthy, and varied, while dinner highlights include salt-crusted sea bass, grilled prawns, taramasalata, dakos salad, and an indulgent chocolate sphere for dessert. The ingredients are incredibly fresh, with the Mediterranean sun enhancing the flavours, showcasing the region’s rich culinary heritage.

For those looking to stay active, there’s a small but ample gym and yoga sessions on the lawn every Wednesday and Friday. The pool is well-sized, and the tranquil sea offers excellent swimming. The resort also boasts a well-equipped Orion Spa with a sauna and a variety of treatments using local products, perfect for unwinding after a day of exploration.

For the culturally curious, the resort offers various experiences, including local wine and olive oil tastings, a farm-to-table dining experience with ingredients cooked over wood fires, a serene forest picnic, and a guided tour of Chania old town. Though the resort’s beachside location is somewhat remote, it’s only a 45-minute drive to Falasarna, one of Crete’s—and the world’s—most beautiful beaches. The peaceful, adults-only environment ensures tranquillity without children. Overall, this resort is a perfect choice for those seeking a peaceful and luxurious escape on the beautiful island of Crete.

Nightly rates at Asterion Suites & Spa start from €226.80 (approx. £191).

More details at Asterion Suites & Spa.