October 2024

Located at 11 Berkeley Street, Jeru offers a unique blend of chic Mediterranean charm and modern luxury. Upon entering, you’re immediately greeted with a warm welcome and enveloped in an intimate, inviting ambiance with dim lighting, elegant furnishings and a palpable air of exclusivity. The decor is refined, blending traditional Mediterranean motifs with sleek contemporary touches that set the mood for a memorable dining experience.

Sitting directly behind a ski-jumper upon Innsbruck's Olympic Ski-jump Tower, was like looking through the sights of a gun, such was our focus, elevation and trajectory. The athlete pushed away from his 'start bar', immediately crouching into the customary aerodynamic form. His 'inrun' was underway, accompanied by a swishing sound, as the skies followed their channel until ‘take-off’ and then silence. 

Some bikes just fit, like your favourite pair of shoes or your favourite T-shirt.

Suzuki’s GSX-S1000GX is my new favourite band T-shirt. 

Based on the GSX-S1000GT, it shares a host of parts; frame, engine & gearbox, subframe, rear plastics, exhaust and so on. The GX sits taller than the GT with a more comfortable riding position and crucially, It has a full and comprehensive electronics package with more acronyms than you can shake a stick at. 

This is the second part of my article on Champagne Drappier. The first article can be read here.

Rum is an incredibly diverse and complex spirit, a discovery that becomes clearer the more you delve into its world. Made from either sugar cane or molasses, rum can vary widely in style, from light and fruity profiles to rich, dark expressions with bold, almost petrol-like flavours. 

If only Eurostar still stopped at Ashford International; it would have saved me countless hours over the past few months. However, stepping into the Business Premier lounge quickly put me at ease. Thanks to the iProov.me app, which streamlined the check-in process (so much so that the Business queue felt slow in comparison), I was able to relax before my journey. With Champagne Drappier awaiting me at my destination, enjoying a glass of bubbly at 6:30 a.m. felt perfectly justified.

House of Hazelwood and Hedonism Wines have come together to create the ultimate expression of indulgence: *The Pursuit of Pleasure*, a 52-year-old Blended Scotch Whisky.

Regular readers will know I’m a longtime admirer of House of Hazelwood, but what you might not realise is that I’m also a fan of shopping for whisky and Armagnac at Hedonism Wines, just off Berkeley Square in London. So, when I heard these two were collaborating to create a whisky, I was immediately intrigued.

The Triumph Speed Twin 1200 is a contemporary interpretation of the iconic original Speed Twin, blending classic styling with modern performance and technology. It’s a beautiful bike aimed at riders who appreciate a blend of retro aesthetics and modern engineering.  

The 1200cc parallel-twin engine is a gem. It delivers strong, torquey performance and is equally at home in the city or carving along a fast A road. Only the lack of wind protection holds you back.

As McLaren introduced the W1 hypercar, Ferrari wasted no time in responding with the F80 - an uncompromising statement about the future of internal combustion and hybrid performance. 

With a colossal 1,200 horsepower, the F80’s V6-hybrid powertrain cements its place as Ferrari’s most powerful road car to date. It’s a precise combination of innovative technology and Ferrari’s legendary engineering, built for drivers who value performance without compromise.

The past few weeks have been incredibly busy, filled with a whirlwind of tastings, travels, and dinners. It's been a bit of a challenge to keep up with everything, but it's a good problem to have when you're surrounded by such exceptional wines and whiskies. From visiting renowned vineyards to experiencing rare bottles, I’ve been lucky to immerse myself in some truly unforgettable moments. As I catch my breath and start to write about my recent experiences, I wanted to share with you a few of the highlights that have stood out.