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IF IT'S NOT SCOTTISH, IT'S CRAP

It may be that the Brits come to mind first when you think of Gin (the birth of the Gin & Tonic is deeply nestled in the history of the British Empire's use of tonic as an anti-malarial, after all, but that's another story). But as with most things, Scotland has a way of taking a good thing and making it...well, better. How much better? Better enough to win international acclaim five years in a row, including at several competitions in London (get 'em where they live, boys). But if we were in the business of recommending things just because they're already highly acclaimed, we'd be another sort of website. No. So let's start again: Caorunn gin has a lot going for it. For one, it's Scottish (we may have mentioned this). Two, it's on the forefront of our foraging fascination— the unique blend of botanicals that make it such a nice sip are sourced from the Scottish Highland itself. Rowan Berry, Bog Myrtle, Heather, Coul Blush Apple, and Dandelion Leaf are added to the mix of traditional gin botanics to create something that's truly unique— so unique, in fact, that it's served garnished with apple slices to better accent the flavor profile. Oh, and it's produced in the world's only working Copper Berry Chamber, making the technique more akin to something you might find distilling perfume than liquor. If you're listening to this—the foraging for Celtic botanics, the antiquated distillation method—and thinking it probably seems a lot quicker to, you know, not do this, you're right. But when have we ever treasured something that was quick and easy to make? Caorunn gets to the heart of our fascination with small-batch, artisan made goods...and tastes good while doing it. Turns out, sometimes life rewards those who are set in their sentimental ways— just as long as you're not too set in your ways to try some apple slices in your G&T. Trust us, it's worth it. Get it here.

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THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS

Look, we get it: When we say "moonshine", the first thing that comes to mind is your crazy uncle (you know, the one who may or may not be missing some of his more important teeth). But this Moonshine Reserve is nothing like that. Picture instead, Jay-Gatsby-as-rumored-bootlegger vibes, the man himself out on his balcony, staring at the reflection of the moon as he sips some sweet Prohibition liquor. Now you're starting to get a sense of what this ultra-concentrated scent (purportedly "the highest legal concentration of essences") from Eastwest Bottlers is really about. From the first moment of the unboxing experience— a brushed copper tin gives way to a simple sack, only then exposing the leather-wrapped bottle, hand-stitched and marked simply MOONSHINE RESERVE—this cologne toes the line between rugged and refined. The scent itself, which incorporates elements from the expected (notes of aged leather and tobacco) to the less-common (Appalachian gin, cracked pepper, linen) balances outdoorsy elements with sophisticated ones. Make no mistake: This fragrance is masculine enough that it could probably tell you why your car won't start, but it's elevated enough that, hey, no worries, your driver will probably be bringing around the Dusenburg any minute now. And isn't that the best of both worlds? Get it here.

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SOUNDS LIKE QUALITY.

"Quality". That one word is the reason some of us will buy just about anything from a company. But among all the brands cashing in on that word, who really owns it? Is it the guy who uses only the finest materials? Or the guy who shows you each order being made, step by step, just for you? At Salvage Audio, those guys are the same guy. SA's amazing speakers are built by hand from vintage and new components in California-- a process that they're so confident in, SA even publishes videos on Youtube showing how it's done. Of course, the best part is the look. SA's unique pieces deliver sound quality you can trust, with a style that is unmistakably modern yet classic. And since they're all built in the USA, we're pretty sure the "Quality" stamp really applies in this case. Get them here.

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THE MORE THINGS STAY THE SAME

One hundred years is a long time. Only sixty years ago, the first hard drive was invented--and it had the capacity of a small word document. Case in point, a lot can change in one hundred years. But a lot can stay the same, too. Ducker & Son has been handcrafting their enduring, classic shoes since 1898. With generations of experience and clear dedication to their craft, it's no surprise that shopping their Turl Street shop yields a close-knit atmosphere that allows you to learn about what you’re buying from the source, rather then be left in the lurch. Sure, maybe it'd be "easier" to buy your shoes online someplace, but Ducker & Son would tell you that you don't get to legend-status by doing things the easy way. These shoes last a lifetime, and with a little love they could even last longer-- who knows, maybe your son will wear them to the his wedding. Yeah, they’re that good. Learn more here.

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Ah, the holiday party dress code debacle. Second only to determining what kind of booze to bring to a particular bash, deciding what to wear before you click “RSVP” is, well, fraught. Every year, and with every new invite, those same symptoms come up– anxiety, sweaty palms, a desperate, trapped feeling when you remember you ripped the sleeve of your winter blazer at last years’ fete and never had it fixed. Or maybe you’re calm and collected in the face of your ever-fuller calendar but just sort of oh-so-bored by it all. Blazer. Suit. Repeat as necessary. Either way, we get it. The answer to both these conundrums? The element of surprise. Enter: Jack Erwin’s sharp, sleek Chelsea boot. Pair it with a suit for the sort of irreverent twist that’s, frankly, what holiday parties are all about. Or, if the house you’re headed to is more six-pack-of-craft-beer than Scotch, throw them on with some dark denim and a fair isle sweater. Handmade in Spain, they’re sharp enough to cover you for either event, yet distinctive enough to keep things interesting. Plus, at a pricepoint that can’t be beat, you’ll get to feel smug at all those holiday events as you sip your bourbon, neat. Well…more smug than usual, we mean. Get them here.

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COOL HAND

If you're looking at the image above and getting sweaty palms, it may be because a) it's 97 degrees where you're currently living, or b) you're deeply in love with the gorgeous leathery goodness that is FitzGerald & Morrell's bespoke gloves. Why bespoke gloves, you may ask? If you've ever pitifully waggled the limp finger-ends of a pair of gloves as they flopped off the tips of your own fingers...if you've ever futilely tried to press down on the webbed spaces between your fingers...if you've ever stared in quiet fury as the palm of your gloves refused to extend to the full width of your hand, flexing in incomprehension... these are for you. Sure, we all kind of assumed that was just part of the small frustrations of winter gear (and accepted that, all things considered, women have it worse what with the infuriating restriction of thick tights and all), but it doesn't have to be that way. Snag a pair of custom gloves from F&M using their handy (ha?) fit guide and you'll rue all the wasted days of wearing ill-fitting gloves. Oh, and they look pretty top-notch, too. Stop the cycle of glove abuse, guys. And do it now-- they'll be at your doorstep just in time for fall to start ramping up. Get them here.

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COOL HAND

If you're looking at the image above and getting sweaty palms, it may be because a) it's 97 degrees where you're currently living b) you're deeply in love with the gorgeous leathery goodness that is FitzGerald & Morrell's bespoke gloves. Why bespoke gloves, you may ask? If you've ever pitifully waggled the limp finger-ends of a pair of gloves as they flopped off the tips of your own fingers...if you've ever futilely tried to press down on the webbed spaces between your fingers...if you've ever stared in quiet fury as the palm of your gloves refused to extend to the full width of your hand, flexing in incomprehension... these are for you. Sure, we all kind of assumed that was just part of the small frustrations of winter gear (and accepted that, all things considered, women have it worse what with thick tights and all), but it doesn't have to be that way. Snag a pair of custom gloves from F&M using their handy (ha?) fit guide and you'll rue all the wasted days of wearing ill-fitting gloves. Oh, and they look pretty top-notch, too. Stop the cycle of glove abuse, guys. And do it now-- they'll be at your doorstep just in time for fall to start ramping up. Get them here.

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SMOOTH CRIMINAL

"Dressed to kill." "Murdered out." Why is it that some of our best phrases for describing great clothes seem to be flirting with danger? They say the devil himself is notoriously well-dressed-- we can't corroborate that personally, but we're willing to be our souls that that you'll be looking razor-sharp in this deadstock fabric tie from QP Collections. Edgy, a bit arty, and yet subtle enough to get past even the strictest HR department, it's equally at home with light-colored suiting in the summertime, or tucked into a nubby wine-colored cardigan come winter. Because really, is there ever a bad time to look dangerously good? We didn't think so. Get it here.

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NO PITY IN THE WELL-DRESSED CITY

Living in the city can be rough-- you don’t know who your neighbors are (until you do-- eesh, get a hotel, guys), you get elbowed in the clavicle on your way to work, your favorite dive bar just became a fro-yo joint. But it’s one of those love-hate relationships you wouldn’t trade for the world. 

City life is a complicated thing, perfectly illustrated by--you guessed it--this remarkably dashing silk pocket square from Madison Pears. Produced in small runs through collaborations with New York artists (because who else could nail the strange bond between a man and his city so perfectly?), it illustrates a charming daytime city scene on one side, and a slightly more nefarious take on the other (go ahead, turn your laptop upside-down...we’ll wait). And uncommon pocket squares are sort of MP’s MO--from artful botanical abstracts to playful treasure maps, each one is packed with personality...not unlike those aforementioned neighbors of yours. Seriously, TMI. Buy a fella some ear plugs, would you? Get it here.

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GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO-- WAIT...

We'll be honest with you: most things we sing the praises of here at RYE & RIVET aren't exactly quick--whether waiting for your raws to break in, waiting for your bourbon to age, or waiting for your hand-hammered copper bottle opener to acquire the perfect patina, patience is key. But that doesn't mean we're beyond appreciating some instant gratification.

Sure, we geek out about a Sunday-night shoe polishing session as much as the next person, but you've got to admit that it leaves a little something to be desired convenience-wise. Enter: Oliberté's Gorilla Wax. Housed in an unassuming (recycled!) cardboard tube, Gorilla wax waterproofs leather on contact-- but the true beauty of its presentation is that it's made for easy on-the-go touch-ups. No more painstakingly blocking out your weekend for a re-waxing session-- just 1) channel your childhood Push-Pop nostalgia and 2) give your boots a few swipes of the stick. Then, toss it in your bag so it's always handy-- if you've got room for chapstick (and don't even pretend you're above carrying chapstick), you've got room for Gorilla Wax. Plus the sustainably-formulated recipe contains only four ingredients: organic beeswax, bee propolis, shea butter, and sunflower oil-- so it's worry-free from start to finish, even if your dog eats it. Not that we're speaking from experience on that, cough cough. Get it here.

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It's been way too long since we did one of these, hasn't it? As the Magnetic Fields so moodily put it, "the book of love has music in it; in fact that's where music comes from". In that spirit, we decided to revive our monthly playlist to give you something Valentine-y to listen to through February. Whether you're fretting over some far-off object of love or just waiting until February 15th to stock up on half-price chocolates for one, here's what you should be listening to.

For all past playlists, click on over here.

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SPOTLIGHT ON: TAWNY GOODS

Photograph: Anna Linduska

Kickstarter can be overwhelming, but sometimes, sandwiched between earbuds made from buried treasure and hand-tooled tea cozies, a project with genuine style shines through. Tawny Goods is exactly such a project. We caught up with William Schwing, one of the minds behind Tawny-- a collection of sharp, sophisticated handmade footwear built to last--to ask him about his inspirations, ideas, and (of course) favorite drinks.

RYE & RIVET: How did Tawny Goods get started?

WILLIAM SCHWING: Jared and I started Tawny Goods after I spent some time living in Guatemala. We had been college roommates and friends for a couple of years before I left. Just outside of the city I was living in, I found this little town that does leatherwork, and specifically leather boots. Jared and I always had an interest in menswear, and so I started working with the guys in this little town trying to see what shoes they could make. At first, it was just for me and some friends back home, but then the interest grew and we realized the potential. That was more than 3 years ago, and the journey, so to speak, has definitely taken us to some interesting places.

R&R: Describe the ideology behind Tawny Goods in 3 words.

WS: Quality, style, affordability. That's been our mission from the start, and the question, "How can we make a quality pair of shoes, that we want to wear, at a price that's more affordable?" is something we've asked ourselves constantly.

R&R: What sets you apart from other neo-heritage brands? 

WS: Our partners in Leon, Mexico have been in the shoe and boot making business now for four generations. Leon itself was founded by tanneries and cordwainers. The concentrated experience and knowledge that revolves around the making of Tawny Goods is something that is extremely hard to find anywhere else. Also, and this is not to say other brands don't feel the same way, but we have a deep curiosity and excitement for what we do--we ask a ton of questions all the time, just trying to explore our boundaries and whatever else might be beyond them. It is what drives us to make better products.  

R&R: What does "integrity" mean to your brand?

WS: Well, everything really. It means having a personal relationship with the people who make our products, we know their names, we ask about their families, and we work hard to make sure they are happy with the work we're doing together. It means knowing our product. We know where our leathers come from, we know how our shoes are made and with which materials. It also means sharing this information with our customers. Nothing is hidden, partly because our customers deserve to know what they are buying, but also because we're proud of what we've made.

R&R: Who is someone that's really inspiring you at the moment?

WS: I'd have to say that my grandfathers are a big inspiration for Tawny Goods at the moment. They were both entrepreneurs, but as we were starting Tawny Goods they taught us valuable lessons-- particularly that we could build something great while still being human-centric. Business school teaches you about the bottom line, that pure profit is king, and [our grandfathers] taught us that that doesn't have to be true. Although neither are alive to see us launch Tawny Goods, we hope to maintain that same philosophy. 

R&R: Finally, what's your favorite drink?

WS: A Manhattan, no question about it. Of course other classic cocktails are great too. Jared is a fan of the Brooklyn as well, and I like almost anything with Campari, but a Manhattan is definitely our go-to drink.  In the winter I like to swap the Angostura for some Fee Brothers Black Walnut bitters. 

Thanks again to William and Jared for answering our questions. Head on over to Kickstarter to back Tawny Goods ASAP!

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INDIGO FOURTH GIFT CARD GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

We get it, we get it, you're a pretty well put-together guy. You dress good. You drink good. Alright. But how come, for all of your veg-tanned leathers and rare denim wefts, your apartment still looks like it did in college? Bummer, dude. Here to help you become a truly well-rounded individual is Indigo Fourth, a one-stop shop for artisanal menswear, home goods and...just about anything you may be in need of. World-class steak knives? Check. A killer timepiece? Check. Leather-clad wireless bluetooth speakers? Believe it or not...check. And as part of their general well-roundedness, the good folks at Indigo Fourth are offering Rye & Rivet readers a chance to win a $50 gift card. Just follow the directions below to enter (and, bonus tip: the more ways you enter, the more likely you are to win). Four chances to win not enough for you? Skip the waiting period and use code "RYEANDRIVET10" to get 10% off your entire order right now (through January 16th). Go fourth. Or, we mean, get it here.

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OFF-THE-RACK PERSONALITY

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MEET THE GIFT GUIDE Sure, you could think of gifts for the folks in your life yourself, or even check out their gift guides--full of presents for people like "the foodie", "the sports fan", "the homebody"--OR, you could head on over to Rye & Rivet's very own, first annual gift guide for the people you actually know (or even just wish you knew): people like The Melville Fan, The Great Explorer, The Modern Nomad. We'll be updating our guide with enviable gifts over the next two weeks, so you'll have plenty of choices to pick from. Settle in with a cocktail and memorize your credit card number--it's gonna be a wild ride. Check it out here.

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Tradition is a big deal for us any time of year--traditional leather tanning techniques, traditional woodworking methodology, traditional...drinking, etcetera--but around the holidays it's really the name of the game. One of our favorite traditions? Rounding up all the best Black Friday/Small Business Saturday/Cyber Monday deals for you so that you can focus on cooking Thanksgiving dinner and spending time with your family (or, y'know, ordering takeout and trying not to kill your politically-incompatible relatives). Here's this year's best. Updated daily.

ART OF SHAVING: 20% off in-store and online, no code necessary.

ALABAMA CHANIN: 25% off all purchases, starts November 27 at midnight.

BAXTER OF CALIFORNIA: 25% off all orders with code "BLACKANDBLUE", now through December 1.

BILLY REID: Extra 20% off all sale items in-store and online with code "FRIDAY", now through November 29.

CXXVI: 40% off all weekend with code "BLACK14".

DYER & JENKINS: 30% off storewide, no code necessary.

EAST DANE: Spend-to-save sale reaching discounts of 25% sitewide with no brand exclusions, November 25-December 1.

ERNEST ALEXANDER: 25% off on all orders and a free dopp kit on orders over $200 with code "HOLIDAY25".

ERNEST SUPPLIES: 10% off any order with code "CYBERMONDAY", now through December 1.

FRANK & OAK: Up to 50% off select items, no code necessary.

FREEMANS SPORTING CLUB: 25% off orders in-store and online with code "GOBBLE25" plus free domestic shipping, now through December 1.

GOODS OF RECORD: 10% off and free shipping with code "SOMANYGOODS", now through December 1.

HABERDASH: 25% off any single item, in stores and online with code "BLACKFRIDAY", beginning at midnight November 27.

HICKOREE'S: 30% off everything in-store and online with code "BLACKFRIDAY", now through December 1.

HYPEBEAST: 30% off, starts at midnight November 26.

IMOGENE + WILLIE: 20% off all orders with "WTHBF", now through November 30.

INDIGO & COTTON: New markdowns on a wide variety of apparel and accessories, now through November 28.

JOHN RUVIN EYEWEAR: 50% off entire purchase, starts midnight November 27.

JOSHU + VELA: Spend-to-save up to $200 with codes "LIKEIT" ($30 off $300+), "LOVEIT" ($75 off $500+), and "GOTTAHAVEIT" ($200 off $1000+), now through December 2.

THE KNOTTERY: 25% off your order with code "GOBBLE", now through December 1.

LA GARÇONNE: Extra 30% off all sale items online only with code "PREBFD30", ends November 27.

MAN OF THE WORLD: Up to 40% off select items with code "BLACKFRIDAY", now through December 1.

MATERIALS + PROCESS: 20% off sitewide with code "GIVETHANKS14" now through December 1.

NEED SUPPLY: Extra 30% off all sale items with code "EXTRA30", now through November 30.

PROSPECTOR CO: 25% off your purchase with code "BLACK", now through December 1.

PROPER ASSEMBLY: Save $100 on orders $250 or more with code "BLACKFRIDAY" (ends Friday), spend-to-get gift cards of up to $100 all weekend, and 30% off sitewide with code "CYBERMONDAY" on December 1.

OAK: 50% off everything in-stores and online, November 28-December 1.

QP COLLECTIONS: 20% off your purchase with code "HAPPYDAYS", November 28-December 1.

SALT + DAPPER: 50% off all online orders over $50 with code "GOBBLE50", now through December 1.

SHOP GOOD: 30% off online orders with code "THANKFUL30", now through December 1.

SHOP @ RYE & RIVET: Free shipping and full-sized Railcar Fine Goods pomade with any order over $25 with code "ERIC&TROY", now through December 1.

SLEEPY JONES: 20% off all orders over $250 with code "THANKZZZ", now through December 1.

TANNER GOODS: Free gifts with purchases over $50, and free shipping on all U.S. orders. No code necessary.

THIS IS GROUND: Save 25% on orders over $75, and 15% on orders under $75 with codes "BLACK25" and "BLACK15" respectively, plus a free limited-edition holiday cord taco with any order, now through November 28.

WILL LEATHER GOODS: Spend-to-save up to 25%, now through November 30.

WITTMORE: 30% off clothing with code "GOBBLE30" now through December 8.

If you own or represent a brand that's having a sale you think we should include, feel free to drop us a line here.

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THE STUFF THAT DREAMS ARE MADE OF

Aside from being accused of Bogarting the remote from time to time, you don't often elicit comparisons to smooth-as-a-fine-scotch Film Noir detective-y types. Your slow smile is a little too quick. Your fast-talkin' is a little too slow. But that's all about to change. 

Plus: make your purchase before December 1 to get in on East Dane's biggest spend-to-save sale of the year. No brand exclusions. Details here.