A Wee Dram

I'm  41 years old, very much a grown man. As such, it is incumbent upon me to be sober and deliberate in my enjoyment of items found in the Collection of Masculine Amenities. That being said, there is a certain subject that, when brought into conversation, causes me to revert to boyish enthusiasm. That subject is Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

For the uninitiated, types of "Scotch" are often divided by region of origin: 

• Lowland — only three distilleries remain in operation: Auchentoshan, Bladnoch, and Glenkinchie.
• Speyside — has the largest number of distilleries, which includes: Aberlour, Balvenie, Glenfiddich, Speyburn, The Glenlivet, The Glenrothes and The Macallan.
• Highland — some Highland distilleries: Aberfeldy, Balblair, Dalmore, Dalwhinnie, Glen Ord, Glenmorangie, Oban and Old Pulteney.
• The Islands, an unrecognized sub-region includes all of the whisky producing islands (but excludes Islay): Arran, Jura, Mull, Orkney and Skye — with their respective distilleries: Arran, Isle of Jura, Tobermory, Highland Park and Scapa, and Talisker.
• Campbeltown, once home to over 30 distilleries, currently has only three distilleries operating: Glen Scotia, Glengyle and Springbank. 
• Islay (pronounced IPA: /ˈaɪlə/) — has eight producing distilleries: Ardbeg, Bowmore, Bruichladdich, Bunnahabhain, Caol Ila, Kilchoman, Lagavulin and Laphroaig.

As one would suspect, each region has distinct flavor characteristics, and many devotees to each region's particular flavor signatures. I, for one, am a fan of both the Highland and Speyside regions. The Islay region tends to contain flavors that are very hard for me to get behind. Some of the Islays I liken to chewing on a adhesive bandage while smelling old fish.

The Scotches I prefer tend to have flavors like honey, plums, dates, wedding cake, smoke and heather. What's not to love there?

One of the great joys of tasting Scotch is doing so in a proper glass. None is better than the "Glencairn". Named for the company that designed it, the Glencairn is a glass modeled after the "copitas" used by whiskey labs for testing. This glass allows the ethers to gather at the top for proper nosing, has a neck long enough to test the whisky's "legs", and is bulbous so as to allow the natural warmth of  your hand to bring the spirit to life.

See, I'm getting worked up already. I think it may be time to pull a cork.

-The Chairman  

Mightier Than the Sword Indeed

The technological marvels that surround us on a daily basis offer us the world in a bottle. We can see and know things in a matter of minutes that only a couple of decades ago would have taken days of research.

For all of the blessings of technology, there are also significant costs. One of those costs is the loss of the art of pen and ink. There are a few stalwart souls, however, who still ascribe to the subtle pleasures of making their mark indelibly. I am one such soul and my pen of choice is the Waterman fountain pen.

Waterman has been making some of the world's most elegant and innovative pens for over 120 years. Their dedication to excellence in materials and craftsmanship have made them the choice pen for discerning writers around the world. My pen of choice is the "Hemisphere" fountain in deep lacquer black with gold cap ring, collar and nib. 

Black ink refills are readily available, as this pen does not have an old-school bladder style ink reservoir. It is a beginner's fountain pen, but one that will become your favorite. I inherited mine from my father, and I will pass it to my son someday. A true heirloom item.

Pick up a fine pen, push it across a high cotton paper, and rediscover the joys of letter writing. In the age of email, you will show the recipient of your hand crafted letter just how special they are and be more the man for it.

Bomb's Away

G-1

In a man's wardrobe, there are staples. These are things that every man should have in his closet: a great suit, white dress shirt, boot cut blue jeans, etc. Among those items that no man should do without is a leather bomber jacket, in either brown or black.


The two most historical and well-known American flight jackets are the A-2 jacket and the G-1. Although General “Hap” Arnold cancelled the original A-2 after twelve years because he wanted “something better”, the A-2 jacket remains the most recognizable and sought-after American flight jacket. The G-1, designed by the US Navy to parallel the Air Corps’ A-2, lasted until 1978, when Congress forced its cancellation because its tremendous popularity was overwhelming the Navy’s supply system. Not only were these two jackets useful to the serving men who wore them, but in their popularity they became symbols of honor, adventure, and style.  

A-2

My personal choice is the A-2. Gentlemen with longer, thinner necks might find the G-1 looks best on them.  Regardless of your jacket of choice, the profound pleasure one gets from donning a bomber is the same. From the suppleness and warmth to the intensely comforting smell of the hide, leather bombers are enjoyable in every way.

Perhaps the best part of owning a bomber is the fact that the longer you keep them, the better they look. With minimal care, a good bomber can last many years and become an icon of your personal style.


-The Chairman

Welcome to The Comforts Council

Greetings from The Comforts Council. I am the Chairman. Please allow me to briefly explain the concept and purpose of The Comforts Council.


The Comforts Council (TCC) was founded in 1988 by a small group of friends and trusted colleagues. Initially a social group, the function soon evolved into an edificational one, where each member of TCC would bring an item forward for inclusion into the Collection of Masculine Amenities (CoMA).


These items are a widely varied menagerie; from Scotch whiskeys to shaving brushes, leather gloves to hammocks, but all items serve the same overarching purpose, to bring pleasure to a man's heart. An item in the CoMA is an item that a man should buy the very best of that he can afford and then care for, so that it becomes truly "his" and lasts a long time, perhaps becoming an heirloom.


It brings my heart pleasure to bring to you the findings of The Comforts Council.


-The Chairman

Brush and Froth

Now it needs to be said up front that the issue of shaving one's face and masuclinity are controversial topics that I'll not get into here. Much ink has been spilled over  whether a "real man" shaves or not. Personally, I think this is a moot point due to a number of issues such as workplace culture, etc.


For those of us who do shave, there is simply no better way to do so than a warm wet shave with brush and soap. I remember many times watching my grandfather perform the daily ritual, and just the scent of the badger hair brush takes me back to being a kid.


The best to be found in the Collection of Manly Amenities is from The Art of Shaving.

From The Art of Shaving Website:


The Art of Shaving manufactures and handcrafts each Shaving Brush using only the finest badger hair available. All of our brush handles are designed for elegance and durability, as well as for their comfortable shape. The Art of Shaving Shaving Brushes generate a rich and warm lather, soften and lift the beard, open pores, bring sufficient water to the skin and gently exfoliate. 


Upon opening the packaging for my brush, I buried my nose in it and inhaled. I was transported to the woods by the clean natural scent. Putting this thing to your face just makes you feel more manly.


The best shaving brush in the world is only half of the equation. If you use bad soap, your lather will be limp and unsatisfying. Once again, the experts at The Art of Shaving have it nailed down.

Again, from the company's website:


"For the traditional wet shaving experience, The Art of Shaving offers their classic Shaving Soaps. Formulated with glycerin and coconut oil, they generate a rich lather when used with a shaving brush and hot water. The lather protects the skin and softens the beard while providing an extremely close shave"


My soap of choice is sandalwood. It's just spicy and warm enough to be comforting, reminiscent of leather chairs, wood paneled rooms and cigars.
Best of all, the shave it provides is unparalleled. No wonder grandpa never bowed to the convention of convenience and stuck with the wet shave.


A man shaves more than 20,000 times during his lifetime, and how he shaves reflects how he brings art and passion to his daily routine. The Comforts Council is wholly dedicated to art and passion.


-The Chairman