Editors' Picks -- 3 days ago
Editor’s Picks: Ardbeg whisky, Louis XIII dinner plate, Barbour jacket and Epson projector
The best gear in the world right now, from classic dress shirts to timeless waterproofs
- Words: Dan Scothern
Each week we present to you some of the best products on the planet. Whether it’s big beat speakers or time-hindering serums, these are the items that you need to shake up your lifestyle for the better...
Louis XIII Light of Time Dinner Plates
Founded in 1874, Louis XIII has a storied legacy of creating exceptional cognac. While the liquid itself is revered amongst cognac lovers and connoisseurs alike, the vessel, the famed Louis XIII crystal decanter, has also become an icon, and it is perhaps this authority that has inspired the brand’s new Art de la Table collection. Moving from the decanter to the dining table, the two collections (Light of Time and Soil is Our Soul) are created at the prestigious House of J.L Coquet in Limoges, limited to just 750 pieces and hark back to the chalky soil of the Grande Champagne terroir and the intimate play of light and darkness in the fabled Louis XIII Cellars.
Barbour Select Liddesdale Quilted Jacket
Injecting some contemporary flare into one of Barbour’s best-selling quilted jackets, the Select Liddesdale seamlessly blends the brand’s Scottish roots with its commitment to outstanding outerwear. While tartan has been a Barbour staple for multiple decades, it has more noticeably inhabited the inside of jackets rather than being the prominent feature. Now, for AW25, Barbour has trawled the depths of its heritage right back to its founder, John Barbour (a Galloway local) and revitalised the iconic tartan (created by Dame Margaret and Helen Barbour) that his birthplace inspired.
ETON Signature Stripe Oxford Shirt
When worn in the correct way (don’t worry, there are a lot of correct ways), you can’t go wrong with an Oxford Shirt. That said, the quality of the shirt will quite often determine the quality of the look, so it’s a piece worth investing in. ETON knows what it’s talking about in the fine shirt department, and while we don’t hate ironing, this wrinkle-free iteration (crafted from two-ply 100 per cent cotton) stays well-structured and suave throughout the day whilst also being remarkably easy to look after.
Ardbeg Vintage_Y2K 24 Years Old
The second ultra-rare release in its millennium vintage series, Ardbeg Vintage_Y2K 24 Years Old marks a pivotal moment in the distillery’s story as some of the first Ardbeg ever finished in Amontillado sherry casks. The combination of classic bourbon-aged Ardbeg and the sherry casks bring about a fine and delicate dram, with rich notes of creamy toffee, almonds and tobacco. The spice and intense smoke on the palate theatrically unveil a smooth and lingering finish, with hints of menthol, linseed oil and unmistakable charcoal rounding off this superb spirit.
Swatch NEON SKYCHART
Before viral OMEGA and Blancpain collaborations, the 90s kids knew Swatch for their outstanding reliability and vibrant colours. Now, new for 2025, the brand has brought back some of that pre-millennium spark with its relaunched NEON Collection. The six-piece collection evokes all the retro charm of the originals and this 34mm SKYCHART model with day windows at 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock and a date window at 1 o'clock has certainly caught our eye.
Epson Lifestudio Flex EF-72
You’d be in likeminded company if you have ever looked at a blank wall in your house and wondered if it could be transformed into cinema screen. However, while the option has always been there, the technology has been lacking to make it a viable TV alternative. Now, with the Lifestudio range from Epson, projector tech has caught up (and then some), and this Flex EF-72 model delivers vivid and crisp imagery, unrivalled Bose and Dolby sound, and a host of smart features including auto focus, obstacle avoidance and auto screen fit, to ensure swift and painless set up and maximum viewing or gaming enjoyment, both indoors and out.
John Lewis Cotton Blend City Mac
It’s fair to say that at this point in the year, we’re on our meteorological toes. A cloudy morning could be a blissful afternoon, as much as a sun-baked commute in might be a damp journey home, and the ability to be adaptable in one’s wardrobe choices is at its most paramount. Thankfully, John Lewis’ take on a classic City Mac has been designed to keep the rain at bay when precipitation occurs but allow the wearer to look effortlessly debonair with its suede-like texture when the sky is clear.
Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarer Gen 2
It goes without saying that the plots of Risky Business and The Blues Brothers would be significantly different if these were the shades being rocked. The second generation of the AI-enhanced iconic frames, the Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarer are on hand (or nose) to harmoniously blend technology and style, whilst making life easier for the wearer. Built-in Meta AI enables on-the-go suggestions and answers, the 12 MP camera captures precise picture and video and 5 built-in microphones and an 8-hour battery life allow for safe and ambient listening and calls.
Acqua di Parma Mosto Candle
Cosy season is nearly upon us, so what better time to upgrade your home accessories and add a little Mediterranean ambience to an otherwise chilly autumn. The Mosto Scented Candle from fragrance connoisseurs, Acqua di Parma, channels a fresh Italian harvest, and the ripe grape vine and blackcurrant notes are gently brought together by a base of patchouli and pine needles to invigorate homes this season.
Marshall Bromley 750 Party Speaker
Believe it or not, there are still people that think putting their phone in a glass counts as a speaker – a notion that would likely have made the Lord of Loud, Jim Marshall, sick to his stomach. Thankfully his commitment to phenomenal sound is hard-wired in the Marshall ethos, and its latest (iconically styled) Bromley 750 Party Speaker ensures that no soiree will go wanting of top-notch audio, and proudly boasts stereophonic 360-degree sound, 40 hours of portable play time, integrated stage lights, two audio inputs and full sound character control. It even has splash run-off for any bass-induced drink spills.
Octobre Editions X ’47 Flannel Cap
A fusion of both Parisian and Bostonian craftmanship, Octobre Editions has partnered with renowned headwear brand, ’47, for a reinvention of the latter’s signature ‘Clean Up’ cap. Known for its affiliation with nearly every major sporting league in the USA (especially MLB), ’47 has built a large cult following since it’s 1947 founding and has paired its expertise with Octobre Editions’ laid-back refinedness to create a four cap collection in its recognisable silhouette and style. The Japanese green and navy check flannel is our pick, and fares well in any sporting or autumnal preppy ensemble.
BIOEFFECT EGF Power Serum
The cooler months are a perfect time to fine-tune your skincare routine, and whilst not everyone needs a Bateman-esque roster of products, the EGF Power Serum from BIOEFFECT is a valuable inhabitant of any bathroom cabinet. Designed to support skin barrier function and brighten the complexion, this intense serum targets wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and dehydration to minimise any visible appearance of aging. Oil and alcohol free, the dermatology tested serum works to increase skin elasticity and density whilst combating both dry and mature skin.
Asprey Studio X Vinous Wine
Created in 2021 but sharing the same commitment to craft as its 244-year-old older sibling, Asprey Studio seeks out the future of art and design – championing pioneering (and sometimes risky) projects. Comfortably in the former camp, its recent collaboration with renowned wine title Vinous marks a sharing of expertise, neatly displayed in its debut offering; the 2021 Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon. Blended by prominent wine critic, Antonio Galloni, from historic old-vine parcels at the legendary Ornellaia estate in Tuscany, bottles are a certified rarity, and not to be missed.
