Luxury whisky Johnnie Walker Blue Label has teamed up with Porsche Design Studio to create a limited edition collection.
Combining these two leading brands has led to something quite special, with aesthetics and function blending perfectly.
First up, the Private Bar is at the very top end of luxe. The made-to-order Johnnie Walker Blue Label Private Bar is crafted from brushed titanium with a luxurious leather interior.
Stunning! I want one!
It features state of the art motion sensors which open through a perfect 180 degrees, revealing three bottles of Johnnie Walker Blue Label, four subtly illuminated crystal glasses and chilled water. (price available on request)
Continuing the themes of modernity, luxury and supreme craftsmanship, the collection also consists of “The Chiller” and “The Cube”.
The Chiller (RRP £240) holds a single bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue Label, encased in sophisticated dark blue leather and brushed titanium, whilst the top removes to function as an ice chiller.
The Cube (£490) comes with an individually numbered bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue Label alongside an ice chiller, stainless steel tongs, and four bespoke Blue Label crystal glasses, ideal for entertaining.
“We have remained committed to both modern and classical design principles through the design process, combining luxurious leather and metals,” explains Roland Heiler, Managing Director of Porsche Design Studio, Austria. “The resulting vision is a mix of traditional and high tech that combine to make the objects exceptional, setting them apart from any other gift packages.”
The Chiller and the Cube will be available at Harrods, Selfridges and Harvey Nichols, and Royal Mile Whiskies from October 2011. The Private Bar is available made to order exclusively from Harrods.
Three years ago, Tata Motors unveiled the world’s cheapest car, the Tato Nano. At £1,300 the Tato Nano was billed as ‘the people’s car’ for India and after the launch, Tata Motors had an enviable waiting list.
Demand has dropped somewhat since. Safety issues (a number of cars have reportedly burst into flames) and consumer pride have been cited as reasons for the slump. It seems status is everything, owning a new car is paramount, owning a Nano is not.
So how about this for status? The Goldplus Nano takes the base level car and turns it into something….well, I don’t know really.
For 3 million quid, you get the £1300 Nano, with extras. The extras are extra special, but I do not think it makes the Nano anymore desirable! You could buy over 2300 standard Tato Nano’s for this, although I’m not sure what you could do with them!
Covered in 80kg of 22 carat gold and 15kg of silver, it will turn heads. It will also probably make those same heads hang in shame.
There has never been a better example of why ‘bling’ is so vulgar. Mutton dressed as lamb, it is never a good thing.
The Goldplus Nano doesn’t stop there though. It is also inlaid with 10,000 semi precious stones and gems.
With Tato’s drop in sales with the base level Nano’s, it’s a relief that the Goldplus Nano is a one off. This unique car is for promotional purposes only and will tour Tata owned jewellery stores across India.
The ‘people’s car’ of India may struggle to attract any buyers, with its £3 million price tag.
Now this is fairly unique, a ladies cigar night! Lussorian sent one of our writers, Rhiona, to investigate….
Its not often you receive an invite to a cigar lesson in these sobering smoking ban days, but then it’s not often you receive an invite to Ten Manchester street, a gorgeous Georgian townhouse hotel and one of Marylebone’s best kept secrets.
Run by a cigar enthusiast, it offers the boutique hotel experience complete with fine dining, cocktail master-classes and cigar lessons. On the 27th September they will be launching their first ‘Ladies Cigar Evening’ so I went down for a sneak preview, keen to crack the code on what’s only ever been available at a boys club.
Hosted by Hunters and Frankau, hotel guests can enjoy a hand-rolled Havana specifically developed with the ‘female cigar connoisseur’ in mind. In their cabinet of tobacco curiosities there are several to choose from including the favourites of Winston Churchill and Fidel Castro - so you know you’re in good company.
Upon selection you can sit out under the stars in their smartly furnished heated terrace with a cocktail of your choice (mine’s a bellini) and relax with friends before dinner. I loved it and now know what Bond was onto behind Money Penny’s back. If you want to move beyond bar snacks the restaurant offers a fusion of French and Spanish cuisine, you can follow in my footsteps and kick off your meal with the chef’s interpretation of traditional Gazpacho, served 3 ways and designed so that you can mix it to your preference.
Of course all the dishes on offer are beautifully presented and cooked to perfection (order the swordfish, it’s incredible) because attention to detail is Ten Manchester.
Take one of the 45 handsomely furnished suites for example: fresh flowers, bowls of fruit, early morning newspapers, ‘remote control drapes’, two flat screen TV’s (for him and her), walk in showers, aveda toiletries and the biggest, softest bed you’ll ever had the good fortune to sleep in. It’s a shame to have to ever leave really.
Those who fancy checking out the hotel might also want to attend one of the monthly cocktail making classes. I’ve been informed that each month will be themed by ingredient and brand, all will begin with a Champagne Reception accompanied by a delicious selection of canapés, include a brief overview of the history of cocktails and each participant will then be presented with a cocktail making certificate! You’ll walk away with a goodie bag and will be able to purchase a cocktail kits to continue mastering your skills at home.
For further information on the hotel, the cigar or cocktail classes and booking please visit tenmanchesterstreethotel.com or call 0207 3175 900.
Leading luxury brand Alfred Dunhill continue to push the boundaries in style and now in technology too.
They have collaborated with revolutionary, augmented reality platform Aurasma to create a new digital experience for your smartphone or tablet.
The stunning and inspirational Autumn Winter 2011 dunhill Voice campaign now comes alive and transforms into moving images and a transactional platform.
Clever stuff!
This augmented reality is a world’s first in the luxury and retail sector. Dunhill yet again ahead of the rest. Pioneering innovative media which brings images to life, every image of the Voice campaign can now be transformed into video.
You can expect lesser brands to follow dunhill’s lead.
How it works:
1. First download Aurasma Lite for free via your Smartphone app store
2. Once installed, open the program and hover it over any of the new dunhill Voice campaign images to bring them alive
3. You’ll also be able to seamlessly link to dunhill retail where you can ‘shop the collection’.
(NB: When downloading the app, if asked if you can see an ‘A’ symbol, then please say YES!)
Watch it now! Download Aurasma Lite and hold it over the dunhill Voice campaign image above to watch Sir Ranulph speak.
The Luxury hotel near Gatwick, Langshott Manor is part of the Alexander Hotels group, which feature 3 of the most distinctive hotels just outside London.
Distinctive? That is being modest. Langshott Manor was everything I had hoped it would be. A historic Elizabethan hotel, set in the most stunning grounds.
With 3 acres of expertly tended private grounds and an ancient moat, the luxury boutique hotel in Surrey is aesthetically spectacular, combining 16th century tradition with 21st century comfort and style. The end product is the best luxury hotel in Surrey that I have stayed in.
Fantastic stuff!
Just minutes from the airport, Langshott should not only be viewed as a convenient place to stay before a flight. It is a complete hideaway that left me relaxed and recharged, and a little sad that I had to leave.
We stayed in one of the junior suites. Due to the history of the building, all the suites are suitably named. Our magnificent suite was the ‘Henry VIII’ suite, complete with an Emperor four poster bed and private balcony overlooking the moat.
I have been lucky enough to stay in some pretty amazing hotel rooms, and the suite at Langshott Manor was up with the very best. I did think my fiancée might need a step ladder to get up on to the huge bed, but she just managed.
The historic building that is Langshott Manor has retained much of its original charm and is hugely complimented by the grounds. We were lucky to stay on a warm summer’s day and had a romantic stroll around the hotel before dinner.
Our dinner was to the same standard as the rest of the hotel. The multi award winning Mulberry restaurant has a fantastic menu, but taking inspiration from out suite name, I went all gamey.
To start, I had the sublime Ham Hock and Rabbit with Pineapple and Tarragon. For mains (oh Lord!) I devoured the Suckling pig, with cuts from the Loin, Shoulder and Belly.
I still think about the Suckling pig!
Complimenting our fine dining experience, we were attended to by Head waiter Travis. Travis made the evening even more enjoyable.
He sums up everything about Langshott Manor – confident, knowlegdable, elegant, welcoming and good looking!
However, to single out one member of staff would be an injustice. Headed up by General Manager Gregory Broad, the staff were all excellent in their service. They genuinely seem happy to offer help (or just a smile) and small things like happy staff tell me everything I need to know.
Langshott Manor is a success through and through. Quite possibly the best luxury hotel in Surrey.
