The Weight Of The World On Your Shoulders?

Gents,

Are you going through a crisis? Finances, marriage, occupation, relationships, health and everything else in between can create a crisis in life.  The term crisis is defined as “a time of intense difficulty, trouble, or danger”.  One of my favorite pictures captures a Gentleman walking on a narrow path, alone, and surrounded by nature. The scene looks tranquil and serene. The intriguing part of the image is that he is decked out with dress shoes, suit, tie, hat and smoking a cigarette. The look on his face does not indicate stress, sadness, anger, joy, excitement, pessimism or optimism. The Gentleman simply exists.

Life can be many things to many different people but one thing is certain, you can always adjust your perspective. Your reaction and response to the circumstance and situation can greatly affect your day-to-day attitude.

Life can bring some of the greatest joys as you purchase your first home or finally move out of your parents. It can also bring pain by the death of a loved one or a broken relationship. There is much uncertainty in life because we cannot and will not control everything around us, but the one thing we can control is our perspective.

Life can give you the opportunity to make decisions that will change or alter the path that you are on. Simple but not easy. We are all on different paths and at different points in life but rest assured if you are breathing then you have the opportunity to alter the course, one step and one choice at a time.

The origin of the word crisis comes from the Greek that means, decision or decide. Apparently, a crisis requires a decision and that is what typically creates the intense difficulty, trouble or danger. Gentlemen of tradition and distinction have endured economic collapse, divorce, job loss, war, and medical conditions, and in the end were stronger and wiser. In Greek mythology Atlas was punished by Zeus to carry the earth on his shoulders. Depending on your perspective Atlas is either holding the world on his shoulders or he is simply hanging on, either way he exists and does not let the weight of the world crush him or get away from him.

Mr. M

LYMLRMBGB!

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The Gentlemen Of Steel: Savills Barbershop

Gents,

In 1731 a street was built in Mayfair, Central London that became known for its Bespoke and continues to be the golden mile of tailoring; Bespoke is high quality tailored men’s clothing. The street is named after the 3rd Earl of Burlington’s wife, Lady Dorothy Savile and is called Savile Row. About 275 years later, a new high quality service was created for Gentlemen seeking proper haircuts. Joth Davies opened his first shop and paid homage to the principles of the legendary Savile Row with Savills Barbershop located on Devonshire Street in Sheffield, England. For centuries Gentlemen have flocked to Savile Row because of the Bespoke, and modern Gentlemen seek out Savills for high quality cuts, service and products.

It is rare to find an individual who knows their calling in life right after school but Mr. Davies knew the barbering craft was his destiny. It has been 25 years since he began the journey and has established two barbershops with influence beyond Devonshire Street and Chapel Walk. Born in North London and raised in Sheffield, Joth knew he could not sit behind a desk all day long, “I had to do something that would involve the use of my creative side.”

Growing up he was influenced by iconic films like The Godfather, Untouchables, Once Upon A Time In America. According to Joth, “I was always inspired by the clothes, furniture and architecture. It is an eclectic style that combines traditional craft motifs with Machine Age imagery and materials and always seems to stand the test of time and doesn’t look out of place today.” The décor in the barbershops is from the art deco period and gives  a nostalgic but modern feel. Some of the vintage barbering equipment includes barber chairs dating back to the early 1900’s, Campbell 1930’s hot lather machine, 1920’s club chairs and sofas to name a few. The passion for antique barbering was so great that Joth styled a shop around one of the Theo A. Kochs barbers chair!

The two shops have a combined 8 chairs, 9 barbers, 2 apprentices, and are located in Sheffield, which is the 3rd largest district in England. The Devonshire Street shop is “based around shopping areas, known for their small independent tattoo, clothing shops and variety of pubs and bars. One of the largest open areas in central Sheffield. You can find us in the heart of the Devonshire Quarter.” The fourth largest university in the UK is located “on the door step of Devonshire Street.” The Chapel Walk location is only “a narrow walkway away from the central shopping parade (mall) where all the larger retailers are situated, and at the other end is one of Savills patrons the World Famous Crucible and Lyceum Theaters.” Savills also has a contract with the Sheffield Theaters for their services.

The high quality services provided by Savills attracts patrons seeking classic and modern barbering techniques and won them numerous awards (2012 & 2013 The Star & Exposed: Best Barber). According to Joth, “Our ethos is built around traditional values. When a customer sits down in a chair we want them to feel like the only person in the shop. After a consultation we then cut their hair using barbering skills that have been handed down through generations.” Savills is defining the barbering craft in the UK because whether a customers comes in for a haircut, hot towel shave or shape-up, they walk out with the experience of being a Gentleman who is able to get away from the daily grind and take care of their grooming needs by experienced and established barbers.

282 years ago Savile Row began with a passion for distinct architecture and has become known for high quality tailored mens clothing that remains to this day. The shops created by Joth not only focus on barbering, but I believe they are making an impact in men’s grooming style and habits for years to come. Visit their website for images of cuts that transcend time and define modern Gentlemen’s style. While Sheffield is known as the Steel City, these Gentlemen wield steel barbering instruments to create new traditions for modern distinguished Gentlemen.

One thing that impressed me during the interview was that Savills is not only interested in cutting hair but they also provide aftercare for their clients, “There’s no point spending an hour making someone look great if they don’t know how to style their hair when they get home.” The attention to customers defines what high quality grooming services should be and is classic barbering.

Savills Barbershop

www.savillsbarbers.com

www.facebook.com/Savillsbarbers

Mr. M

www.facebook.com/Gentlemens.Ave

LYMLRMBGB!

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Scotchology 101

Gents,

Modern Gentlemen are enjoying and re-discovering Scotch, so we thought it would be fitting to write an introductory course about this great Spirit. According to W.C. Fields, “the best thing for a case of nerves is a case of Scotch”. With that endorsement we set out on a quest to calm the nerves with the knowledgeable Gentlemen from Hi-Times Wine Cellars in Costa Mesa, CA (Forrest Cokely & Tobin Sharp). This will be our first article published in a Q & A format.

– What is Scotch?
Well the simple answer is: Whisky that is made in Scotland.
There are five specific and very different categories:

Blended Scotch WhiskyEasily the best selling of all the varieties, it is a blend of one or more Single Malt Scotch Whiskies with one or more Single Grain Scotch Whiskies that is crafted to a particular flavor profile designated by each brand and carried out by Master Blenders.

Single Malt Scotch Whisky: This is the second most popular style and the one everyone likes to obsess about. Scotch Whisky is produced at a single distillery from the mash, to the fermentation, to the batch distillation in pot stills using only water and malted barley. This seems like a good time to interject that all Scotch whisky must be aged in oak barrels for at least three years before it even can be called Scotch whisky. If there is any age statement on a bottle of Scotch whisky it must reflect the age of the youngest whisky in that product. So if you see a bottle of Glenfiddich 12 you are assured that ‘the youngest’ whisky in that bottle is 12 years old.

Single Grain Scotch WhiskyGrowing in notoriety, Single Grain Scotch Whisky is distilled at a single distillery but may involve other malted or unmalted whole grains and utilize varied still types.

Blended Malt Scotch WhiskyThis is the latest name to describe a blend of two or more Single Malt Scotch Whiskies from different distilleries. It has also been called “vatted malt” or “pure malt.”

Blended Grain Scotch WhiskyThis is fairly hard to find, but it is a blend of two or more Single Grain Scotch Whiskies from different distilleries.

– Does Scotch go by another name (layman terms?)?

Whisky, Blend, Single Malt, (The word whisky (or whiskey) is an anglicisation of the Gaelic word uisce|uisge meaning water. Distilled alcohol was known in Latin as aqua vitae = “water of life”. This was translated to Gaelic as Irish: uisce beatha and Scottish Gaelic: uisge beatha = “lively water” or “water of life”. Early forms of the word in English included uskebeaghe (1581), usquebaugh (1610), usquebath (1621), usquebae (1715).

– How is Whisky different than other types of alcohol?

It is distilled from grains and water to a proof that does not completely strip away the flavor of the original grain and it must be aged in oak.

– What is the process for making Scotch?
This is a fairly intricate question that has a myriad of facets, but I will try to simply outline the process focusing on Single Malt. First step is the barley is tricked into thinking it spring by steeping it in warm water until it begins to sprout. This process creates an enzyme called amylase which converts the difficult to access starches into easily accessed sugars. Then the sprouting is stopped by heating up the barley, a mash of the malted barley is made and yeast is thrown in to begin fermentation. After fermentation the ‘beer’ is distilled, at least twice in a pot still and the ‘heart’ of the distillate is set to age in oak.

– What are traditional drinks made with Scotch?

Well there are a few, but some popular ones are: Rob Roy, Rusty Nail, Scotch & Soda, Blood & Sand, Godfather, Bobby Burns, Whisky Mac, etcetera…

– What is important in choosing Scotch? year? brand? region? etc…

Personal preference should be the only governance in choosing.

My coworker Tobin Sharp, had this to add: “Though it is a good idea to sample a variety of whiskies from the various regions to see what tickles the palate, i.e., Highland Speyside against Islay, Lowlands, Skye, Orkney, etc. We’re also seeing many interesting choices in oak barrels used to age whisky in, from traditional sherry and bourbon to rum and wine casks, which influence the outcome of the whiskies in nose and palate.

– Give me recommendations for: Entry level, intermediate, Moving up the ladder, and I just got married and want to celebrate like money is not an obstacle!

These would vary DRAMATICALLY according to personal preferrence, so I usually do this on a “person-to-person” level.

My coworker Tobin Sharp, also had this to add: “Another place where sampling comes into play… 50ml bottles or whisky tastings are a good option. I tend to recommend Highland Speyside malts as a starting point with more northern distilleries and Islay whiskies for the  intermediate to ‘beyond’ range, with longer-aged whiskies certainly going ‘beyond’ in price, although there are some lesser-known aged whiskies that are quite a good deal when compared to their more ‘popular’ liquid brethren. You have to start somewhere so I don’t shy away from the more well-known brands, whiskies that imbibers will find at most bars around the globe, as a home base.”

– Any notable historical figures champion Scotch?

Too numerous to mention, but here are a few: George Bernard Shaw (pictured left), Humphrey Bogart, Robert Burns, Ernest Hemingway, James Boswell, Sir Winston Churchill, George Burns, Jon Bon Jovi, Johnny Carson, William Faulkner, W.C. Fields, Sir Alexander Fleming, Ava Gardner, Horace Hutchinson, Horace Hutchinson, Joe E. Lewis, Sir Robert Bruce Lockhart, Igor Stravinsky …etc., etc. this could go one and on. Here to wrap it up is a great quote from Igor Stravinsky: “My God, so much I like to drink Scotch that sometimes I think my name is Igor Stra-whiskey.”

– What resources do you offer Scotch drinkers?

Well other than amazing selection and great prices, there are several experts to give the “person-to- person” level of assistance empowering you by your preferrences, your budget and your unique needs.

My coworker Tobin Sharp, also had this to add: “We also offer a monthly newsletter with one to two pages of spirits reviews– Scotch is fairly well represented throughout the year– and it’s written by our man Forrest! These reviews tend to find a home in our regular spirits sections on our website.

www.hitimewine.net
www.facebook.com/pages/Hi-Time-Wine-Cellars/113101598768106
www.facebook.com/forrest.cokely
www.adrinkwithforrest.blogspot.com/

Mr. M

www.facebook.com/Gentlemens.Ave

LYMLRMBGB! 

 

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JS Sloane Giveaway!

We have a great giveaway from our friends at JS Sloane! www.facebook.com/JSSloaneCo

Here is the Gentlemen’s Gift Box provided by JS Sloane! Read the review about their amazing Lightweight Pomade, www.gentlemensavenue.com/js-sloane-lightweight

Prize Contains: 1-Deep Cleansing Shampoo, 1-Heavyweight Brilliantine, 1-Lightweight Pomade, 1-7″ JS Sloane Dresser Comb. Plus, 1-Icons Men’s Style Book by Josh Sims, 1-Antiqued Brown Leather Journal w/ JS Sloane Pen.

How To Enter:

Start: Go to our Facebook, enter for each time it was posted!

www.facebook.com/Gentlemens.Avenue

www.facebook.com/Gentlemens.Ave

To enter the raffle you MUST DO BOTH:

1 )LIKE the post about JS Sloane on our Facebook.

2) SHARE the post about JS Sloane on YOUR Facebook

Multiple entries are accepted

Contest ends: 5/7/13 @ 8:00 PM PST

Winner announced on Facebook: 5/8/13

Mr. M

www.facebook.com/Gentlemens.Ave

LYMLRMBGB!

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