Author of the Year: The possibilities to create your own Montegrappa Extra Otto just got broader

 

 

@Montegrappa Extra Otto Custom luxury pen

Author of the Year, Extra Otto Custom and other luxury writing instruments news from Montegrappa, the Italian manufacturing company of high-end writing tools.

Bold, solid colours come to the Extra Otto Custom pen silhouette with the arrival into Montegrappa’s Custom Shop of a new family of octagonal resins. Collectors and fans will use them to create contrasts of tone and texture, or to turn the most assertive statement pen into true trophy pieces.

The prospect of a return to international sporting competition this summer is a beacon after more than a year of frustration and false starts. All eyes will be on the European Football Championships beginning in three weeks, closely followed by the biggest sporting celebration on the planet. Team colours always look best when draped in gold.

Head to Montegrappa Configurator now to experiment with colours that articulate your pride.

@Montegrappa Extra Otto Custom luxury writing instruments

The possibilities to create your own Montegrappa Extra Otto pen just got broader – and bolder – with the addition of perfectly polished resins to the Configurator design dashboard. Select from eight flawless, solid colours to bring new shine to the famous facets of Montegrappa’s top-tier writing silhouette.

Eight angled surfaces and eight personalisation points await, with a vast array of high-grade materials, upgrades and engraving options at your disposal. Ten days is all it takes to turn your idea into reality.

A reverence for octagonal forms has been a constant of Montegrappa’s oeuvre for generations. In 1915, the tower overlooking Montegrappa’s Cà Erizzo estate inspired the owners of Italy’s first fountain pen manufactory to create the Reminiscence. The filigree found in the detailing of the 18K gold nibs echoes this landmark design, and the culture of bold innovation fomented by its creation.

Richard Osman, named Author of the Year at the 2021 British Book Awards; photo @thebookseller.com

Congratulations to Richard Osman, named Author of the Year at the 2021 British Book Awards.

The Montegrappa-sponsored prize was awarded at last week’s virtual ceremony – accompanied by Montegrappa’s Extra Custom fountain pen, decked out in celluloid shades inspired by the jacket design of ‘The Thursday Murder Club’.

The prestigious ‘Nibbies’ trophy caps a year of highs for the 50-year-old author and television presenter. Osman’s debut novel became Britain’s fastest selling crime book upon release, and has spent more than 25 weeks atop the UK fiction charts. Set in an up-market retirement home in Kent, the light-hearted crime thriller sees a group of amateur sleuths plunged in the middle of a live murder case. Film rights have already been snapped up by Steven Spielberg, and all fans suspect Mr. Osman has a great deal more writing ahead of him.

2021 British Book Awards Trophies; photo @thebookseller.com

Blue-chip artists remain the real pillars of the international high-end art market

  Real paintings by blue-chip artists remain the super-stars of the art market, says Artprice, the world’s leader in art information. The May activity clearly signals a return to pre-pandemic dynamism. The art market seemed to have forgotten its past and all of its reference points after the online sale of Beeple’s NFT Everydays (which … Read more

Handcrafted sleep: Dame Zandra Rhodes for Savoir Beds

In signature maximalist style, the elegant arc of lilies brings an iconic expression of peace and romance to handcrafted sleep. International fashion icon and British textile designer, Dame Zandra Rhodes, delves into her print and design archives to reimagine an original and recognisable print exclusively for Savoir Beds, makers of the world’s most extraordinary beds. … Read more

Six drivable adventures through Europe’s scenic routes

  Celebrate the spirit of travel with six drivable adventures through Europe. As travellers start to plan ahead and seek inspiration, Four Seasons celebrates the true spirit of travel with the launch of six new Scenic Route with Four Seasons road trips that are as much about the journey as the destination. Awe-inspiring views from … Read more

Pioneer Artists Blend Tradition and New Technology for New Whiskeys and Cognacs

 

JAMES BOND & JON BUSCEMI LAUNCH WOLVES “SPRING RUN” / @WolvesWhiskeyCA.com

James Bond & Jon Buscemi Launch Wolves “Spring Run”

After selling out of their initial releases in days, James Bond (Undefeated), Jon Buscemi (Buscemi, Truff, Oliver
Peoples), and their partners are back with their third limited, online-only, whiskey release titled “Spring Run.” This will be the last “Run” for a while, as Wolves gears up for a special collaboration with Willett Family Estate.

Like prior Runs, Spring Run contains whiskey distilled from craft Stout beer, aged in French Oak for 10 years, whiskey distilled from craft Pilsner beer, aged in New American Oak for 6 years, a Rye selected for its spice,
and (4) a single malt whiskey aged for 9 years in used French Oak. The flavors hint strongly at Wolves’ critically acclaimed First Run, exuding the hoppiness, chocolate, and citrus notes that it’s forerunner became known for. The nose is slightly sweet, delivering honeysuckle, hops, and warm vanilla. After another year in the barrel, Spring Run brings grapefruit, dark chocolate, hops, and nutmeg to the pallet.

“When we re-released First Run from the Founders Reserve in December, and it sold out in seconds, we knew we wanted to do another Run to get some more on the market,” noted Wolves founder Jon Buscemi. “Marko is a generational artisan working with a tried-and-true still, and we’re honored to work with him again on this. The custom dyed Robin’s Egg sheepskin on the glass is a beautiful addition to my bar, and I’m excited for my friends and family to get a crack at this.”

The Pilsner, Stout, and Single Malt whiskeys were distilled by 13th generation Master Distiller Marko Karakasevic
in Sonoma County using a rare, copper brandy still imported from Cognac in the early 80’s. The brandy still is slow, but it creates massive body. And because the Stout and Pilsner whiskies are distilled from finished craft beer, the hoppy notes are pronounced and the nose is slightly sweet. The team landed at 105 proof for this edition.

MSRP $200 with free shipping for Allocation List Members.

JAMES BOND & JON BUSCEMI LAUNCH WOLVES “SPRING RUN” / @WolvesWhiskeyCA.com
@Hennessy

Hennessy Debuts Groundbreaking Collaboration with Internationally Acclaimed Media Artist and Director Refik Anadol

In a groundbreaking collaboration, Hennessy welcomed acclaimed media artist and director Refik Anadol to its
historic seat in Cognac, France to observe the Tasting Committee at work. It marked the first time in the Maison’s history that an artist was allowed to capture this time-honored ritual real-time via neuroscientific research methods – then use the collected data in collaboration with machine intelligence to create an unprecedented work of art.

In keeping with Hennessy tradition, the Los Angeles-based artist received carte blanche to create a contemporary
masterpiece celebrating the iconic V.S.O.P Privilège blend.

In an experiment borrowed from another realm, the Hennessy Tasting Committee agreed to “open up their minds” to a completely unconventional experiment. Outfitted in high-tech equipment, Master Blender Renaud Fillioux de
Gironde and his colleagues allowed Refik Anadol to track their emotions in real time, capturing their experience,
sensations, and appreciations of eaux-de-vie.

Back in his California studio, Refik Anadol and his team filtered the true data — two centuries’ worth of living
memory — through sophisticated analytics, transforming the data set into pigments and light. What emerged, the
artist says, was a completely harmonious dialogue, an “architecture of memory” that was remarkably consistent
across subjects at a specific point in time.

“With help from machine intelligence, we embarked on a journey through gene memories and dreams. Neuro-scientifically, the Tasting Committee is the source of memory, dreaming about the future,” he says.

The result is a masterpiece three-dimensional data sculpture: Sense of Heritage, an immersive audio-visual installation, which inspired the 2021 V.S.O.P Privilège Limited Edition.

Using 3D data mapping, Refik Anadol interpreted and transcribed the Tasting Committee’s emotions into the color,
shapes, reliefs and textures that appear on the Limited Edition carafe. What was once an invisible sensory
experience has suddenly become tangible: the power of balance appears in a harmonious and poetic surface
design. Data becomes art in a visual metaphor for a blend; like the cognac itself, Sense of Heritage is designed to be appreciated on an individual, sensorial level.

@Rémy Martin Team Up For Excellence

Rémy Martin And Usher Team Up To Celebrate Two Cultures Of Excellence: Music And Cognac

Rémy Martin announced a collaborative new campaign with multi–Grammy award winning musical artist, Usher to
celebrate the harmonious blending of two cultures of timeless excellence: Music and Cognac. “Team Up For
Excellence – The Film” highlights the cultural connection between Cognac and American music since 1917 in
France, and how the two have been synonymous ever since.

“Music doesn’t need Cognac to exist, and Cognac doesn’t need Music to exist,” states Usher, “but what is beautiful is that they were meant to meet and when they did, they created cultural harmony.”

Teaming up with Usher and Rémy Martin, are globally recognized creatives including Raphael Saadiq, world–
renowned musical composer; Marci Rodgers, Academy–Award winning costume stylist; Aakomon Jones, award
winning dance choreographer; and director of the production; Jake Nava.

Historically, Rémy Martin and Usher teamed up during his 2010 “OMG” world tour, where the Cognac brand was the official sponsor of after parties across the United States, Canada and Europe. Additionally, Usher co–hosted the
launch dinner for Producer Series with Jermaine Dupri in 2018.

@Hennessy

How to plan the ultimate girls’ weekend away

  Whether it’s a reunion, a special birthday, a hen night or just an excuse for a get together, there’s nothing more fun than a weekend away with a group of your closest friends. You normally find your face aches afterwards with the constant laughter, the wine bottles quickly empty and the chocolate boxes feel … Read more