Posts Written by Vic Arkoff

Instead of going to Iceland to see the Northern Lights only to see nothing, I could’ve just gazed into the iridescent bottle of Crystal Head Aurora, a metalized skull inspired by the Aurora Borealis. The additive-free vodka inside is distilled 5X and filtered 7X, including three passes through layers of Herkimer diamonds.

Symphony 6 is an inventive botanical spirit produced with six fragrant leaves that are otherwise rarely used in distillation: mandarin, lemon, coffee, black currant and fig. Made in California by Copenhagen-based Empirical, the uniquely pink elixir is a bright, floral, citrusy and earthy addition to the sustainable bar arsenal.

Making mixed tapes for paramours may have gone the way of the dodo, but record lovers can still wear their vinyl on their sleeves by sending These Songs Remind Me of You notecards. Shaped like 45 singles, 12 clever all-occasion card designs by illustrator Tuesday Bassen slide into envelopes resembling single sleeves.

Meaning “breast,” pechuga is a mezcal-based spirit that adds or hangs ingredients in the still to impart aroma, texture, and flavor from everything from strawberries to turkey. Rarely found in the US, pechuga is made in Mexico by mezcaleros for celebrations and provides an offering or spiritual connection to the dead.

Does comic collecting get your Spidey senses tingling? Chronicle Books boxed 100 postcards of the greatest Spider-Man comic book covers by such artists as Steve Ditko, John Romita Sr. and Jr., and Todd McFarlane. The whole Marvel-ous gang is here, from Peter Parker to Gwen Stacy, and villains Venom, Green Goblin and Doc Ock.

Purchases of Skullcandy’s Hesh Evo wireless headphones and Jib True 2 wireless earbuds leave a net-zero carbon footprint and benefit Protect Our Winters. Partnerships with TerraPass and EcoChain also raise the accountability bar and Skullcandy’s commitment to improving sustainability with every 2023 product.

Standing 20 stories tall, The Wood Hotel is the world’s tallest hotel mainly made from wood. Located at the birthplace of cross-country skiing, Skellefteå in Swedish Lapland, the 205-room property was built from locally harvested spruce and pine which smells awesome and absorbs more CO2 than it uses.

The full flavor of Grand Old Parr 12-Year-Old Blended Scotch Whisky is smooth as David Beckham’s off-field swagger. Fellow soccer star Sebastian Lletget (currently with Major League Soccer FC Dallas, and formerly the LA Galaxy) is an Old Parr fan so they partnered to create the perfect cocktail for soccer watch parties.

The updated Serial 1 MOSH/CTY eBike has Google Cloud connectivity and a phone USB-C charger for ride data and analytics, Google Maps navigation, location monitoring, and digital locking. Powered by a lithium-ion battery and Harley-Davidson motor, it offers four power modes and a 35-105 mile range after a 4.7-hour charge.

Hi-Tec kicked off the lightweight hiking boot trend with the flexible Sierra Sneaker. The updated Ravus offers waterproof traction and all-day comfort on and off the trail. For extreme weather, the Altitude keeps feet cozy with waterproof leather uppers, micro-fleece moisture-wicking lining, and Michelin rubber outsoles.

Known for their overlanding and van-life gear, Step 22 has great storage solutions for travel. Made for camping or glamping, The Hedgehog toiletry roll hangs anywhere and neatly rolls up. It has seven storage areas, including two removable pouches. When unrolled, the attached carry bag converts into a storage bucket.

So many choices. That’s what Indian Motorcycle is throwing at bikers with its largest ever model year lineup. From Scout to Pursuit to an all-new Challenger Elite, the American maker has a 2023 model for any rider, plus limited editions, a slew of lineup enhancements, and the introduction of the FTR Sport.

Award-winning artist Tuesday Bassen is a creative powerhouse, known for her sassy ‘zines, prints, accessories, and ethically made, size-inclusive clothing. She brings twice the attitude to her Two-Faced Pencils set of 10 pencils with graphite lead on one end and red on the other. The foil-stamped barrels come in five designs.

Vet-owned Black Rifle Coffee Company celebrates Veteran’s Day with a stunt driving film starring sports icon Travis Pastrana and elite rally car and off-road racer “Texas” Dave Carapetyan. “The Final Send” shows ‘em shredding the streets of a small Texas town, Dukes of Hazzard-style in customized Hoonigan vehicles.

The best gins lean in with a strong juniper core. Junipero Gin does this in spades, blending 12 botanicals for an intense herbal and citrus concoction. Master distiller Bruce Joseph sources ingredients from around the world for small gin batches made in a copper pot still and bottled at an unfiltered 98.6 proof.

This fascinating book tells the stories behind the organs, appendages, and other bits attached to (or detached from) famous bodies. What’s the deal with Charles II of Spain’s jaw? What does Anne Boleyn’s heart reveal about the Crusades? Odd skulls, spleens, and breasts give an enlightening and entertaining view of history.

Uncle Nearest crafts an impressive range of whiskeys in the historic tradition of the first Black master distiller, Nearest Green. In 2021, it became the best-selling African American-owned and founded spirit brand in history, and the most-awarded American whiskey or bourbon of 2019, 2020 and 2021, with 500+ awards and accolades.

Candy corn cocktails should not be a thing. Scare away bad spirits this Halloween with a Ghost Margarita made with top-shelf 1800 Tequila and impress 21+ boys and ghouls with smoky flavors and ghostly mixologist magic. It’s our kind of treat, whether it’s 1800 Blanco, Reposado, Anejo, Coconut, or ultra-premium 1800 Cristalino.

Our fave standard issue 8×25 waterproof binoculars by Nocs Provisions now come in an Honor Native Land bundle in limited-edition Dewdrop Blue or Dewdrop Gray. Comes with a Nocs Photo Rig Smartphone Adapter for telephoto snaps and a woven tapestry strap in a pattern designed by Amelia Winger-Bearskin. An REI exclusive.

The busy Hoonigan Racing Team is revving up to debut the world’s first all-electric Gymkhana car. Built from scratch by Audi Sport in a speedy six months, the 28,000 RPM, 800-volt one-of-a-kind Hoonitron is also the first e-car for rally driver Ken Block, who’s got sticker shock from the $10-12 million price tag.

“The flaming heart can’t get his fill / But the flaming heart will try as he will.” M. Ward’s song has inspired seven editions of Flaming Heart whisky, with the label art a nod to classic rock posters. The peaty 2022 release is a power trio of whiskies from Laphroaig, Talisker, and Caol Ila distilleries.

Looks like the Adulting Party Game’s creators get a kick out of Wink’s For Days’ Adulting Merit Badges like we do, ‘cause they’ve turned the idea into a silly charades game. Players randomly pick an adulting task badge and act it out using props, noises, whatever. A fun way to delay actual chores.

All polarized sunglasses are not created equal. Kaenon Essentials’ handcrafted sunnies are clearer, lighter, stronger, and extremely hard to scratch, thanks to their resin-based lenses from a 150-year-old Japanese optics factory. Style standouts include Avalon, Arroyo, and Venice, each in 8+ cool frame and lens color combos.