Hasta La Ideas

Our photographic tale of how Scotch whisky goes from barley to barrel to bottle

One of the great pleasures of creating content for Cool Hunting is searching out interesting stories to tell. Sometimes we’re lucky enough to be given access to the people who make all kinds of wonderful things and the seldom-seen aspects of how they do it. This was the case with our visit last week to The Macallan distillery in the Scottish Highlands and the Clyde Cooperage in Edinburgh.

We felt the best way to tell their story was through the photos we took during our visit, where we met the people who create the whisky and experienced first-hand its journey from grain to bottle.

Be sure to view the slideshow full screen and turn on titles and descriptions for the detailed story.

We’re grateful that The Macallan invited us on this journey (though no obligation of coverage was agreed to and no compensation was received for doing so). We’ve truly developed an entirely new level of respect for the craft of making single malt Scotch whisky.

RSS and iPad readers, please note that the full photo essay is only available on the site. Photography by Josh Rubin

Lightweight leather bags designed for modern hairstylists with style

Designed specifically for hairstylist needs, these leather holsters from Austrian brand Caleas come equipped with padded interior pockets for scissors, razors and combs, and an adjustable band for keeping them all conveniently within reach at your waist.

At less than a pound, the handmade Caleas case allows stylists to tote their tools from salon to photo shoots with ease, efficiency and style. The utility belt also keeps pricey shears completely protected from falling out of a pocket or getting damaged while on the go with specially-designed slots, and side zippers open the bag up for quick cleaning and hair removal.

The hip-huggers come in various styles and colors of leather—including alligator and patent. Both sizes hold two razors, but the large case has room for five pairs of scissors, while just four fit in the smaller pouch. They sell online from €187 to €327.

While there’s no denying the sheer eye-candy appeal of the 21 bikes currently on display at NYC’s Museum of Art and Design, the show goes beyond the glossy frames, contoured leather seats, and clever accessories, delving into the intensive craftsmanship that drives the growing rebirth of the trade. Called “Bespoke: The Handbuilt Bicycle,” the exhibit emphasizes both the level of customization and the painstaking techniques that go into making these one-of-a-kind rides. The bikes featured in the stunning collection all represent design tailored to meet the needs of the rider’s precise specifications and interests, fitted for their exact body measurements, and carefully handcrafted by the world’s most skilled artisans.

The outstanding roster of talent includes Jeff Jones, Dario Pegoretti, J. Peter Weigle, Sacha White (who co-curated the exhibit with entrepreneur and avid collector Michael Maharam), Mike Flanigan and Richard Sachs, with styles spanning road racing, fixed-gear, mountain, commuter, cyclocross (a type of racing bike), and even a pared-down bike built for a randonnée (a friendly, long-distance competition).

While much of the art of frame building remains unchanged, experts constantly—if not obsessively—refine their approach with new processes and tools. Richard Sachs, who has been designing and crafting bikes for three decades, claims that of the thousands of bikes he has built, less than ten come close to perfection. He drafted his signature frame in ’78, only after factoring out construction time and cost as limitations.

In a fascinatingly candid and in-depth interview with Rapha, Sachs jokes that authentic frame-building is like Latin, nobody likes it except scholars. He also tips his hat to Sacha White, one of the only custom bike builders of a younger generation that Sachs believes will be around for good.

A former bike messenger, Portland-based White has become well-known in the bike community for the racing, touring and commuter bicycles he produces under the name Vanilla. Recognized for their flawless construction, innovative concepts and painstakingly filed silver lugs for ultra-smooth connections, Sacha uses his extensive historical knowledge of frame-building to forge a new path for the future of customized bicycles.

As seductive as they are strong, Vanilla’s pitch-perfect color combos dress up exceptionally lightweight steel alloy tubes that boast twice the durability of the those used on the standard racing cycle.

Of White’s bikes in the show, the two he completed this year see the craftsman experimenting with new models, a children’s utility bike and a track-racing bike dubbed Speedvagen, built with the help of Dario Pegoretti. Both incorporate some ingenuity in their design. The roadster-style tricycle’s large wheels and adjustable frame keep it looking proportional through the years, while the Speedvagen Track Machine has a built-in top tube reinforcement and hollow “tubular truss” dropouts—features that lend superior strength thanks to tricky engineering feats.

Also a three-decade-strong master, Pegoretti (pictured above) was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2007, breaking the news with an online apology letter to his customers and friends for the slowdown in production. (He’s now back to around 300 frames a year.) In addition to collaborating with White, Pegoretti worked with fellow bespoke builder Sachs for 16 months to come up with their esteemed PegoRichie tubeset.

See images of the bicycles from Weigle, Flanigan, Jones and others in the gallery below. “Bespoke: The Handbuilt Bicycle” runs through 15 August 2010.

Made with real sweet potatoes in North Carolina, Polka Dot Bake Shop‘s sweet potato cracker makes a healthier alternative to snacks made from their simple carb cousins. Available in four flavors—Original, Cracked Black Pepper, Rosemary and Olive Oil and Chipotle with Smoked Paprika—the crackers pack a flavorful punch that perfectly compliments milder cheeses or chutneys. They sell online from Polka Dot where $28 gets you a box of each flavor.

Mrs. Palmer’s Pantry uses handmade whole wheat pita as a base for their super tasty baked chip with zero trans fats. Ideal with salsa, guacamole and more, the chips come in five flavors for any number of chip and dip flavor combos. Mrs. Palmer’s pita chips sell at local Canadian health food stores.

Gluten-free, dairy-free and comprised of 15 organic vegetables and herbs, Flamous Brands Original and Spicy Falafel Chips pack in protein and fiber while also tastily complimenting hummus. Made in California, the chips are the upshot of a trio of best friends dedicated to creating a healthy chip anyone can enjoy. The falafel chips sell online for about $5 a bag or from health-conscious grocers around the U.S.

Images of Mrs. Palmer’s chips by David Bennison; Falafel chips by Hannah Kaminsky for The Nibble.

For every hand-tailored tie sold, Figs gives a school uniform to a child in East Africa through their Threads for Threads program.

The L.A.-based label offers standard and bow ties in a variety of dapper fabrics, ranging from woolen Ivy League plaids to Italian silk bicycle patterns. They also offer custom ties, allowing for even greater personal expression with a host of styles to choose from.

Figs ties begin at $105 and sell online with a guaranteed of being “100% awesome.”