Smoke In A Bottle

Good whisky-making is always a balance between tradition and innovation. With the annual launch of its Octomore series, Bruichladdich Distillery once again returns to its ongoing boundary-pushing experiment at the limits of conventional distilling. For the uninitiated, Octomore (now in its Series 16 iteration) is an Islay single malt; in each year’s release, Bruichladdich tweaks the recipe with experimental peating levels, shorter aging times, and eyebrow-searing ABVs. Octomore 16.1, re leased in early September, is crafted using 100% Scottish Mainland Concerto Barley and is billed as the “reference point” for this year’s Octomore releases. Matured in first-fill bourbon barrels, this whisky pairs a delicate nose with a lingering intense smokiness on the palate. (Emphasis on the smokiness: sky-high phenol levels in all three releases make for some of the smokiest whisky you can find). The journey continues with Octo more 16.2 and 16.3, each of which builds on the initial release. 16.1 $205, 16.2 $245, 16.3 $280, bruichladdich.com

HOLE IN ONE

It’s fall in an odd-numbered year, which for golf fans only means one thing: the Ryder Cup. To celebrate the biennial showdown between American and European golfers, Elijah Craig is toasting the Ryder Cup with its 2025 Limited Edition. This year, the Ryder Cup returns to New York, and as the competition’s offi cial bourbon, Elijah Craig had to roll out all the stops. That means a signature whiskey that pays tribute to the trees of the Empire State, including applewood and sugar maple. In this release, small-batch whiskey is finished with toasted staves of sugar maple and applewood, aged separately to draw out the flavors of each wood, and then brought together in the finished product. As you might expect, look for notes of maple syrup, apple pie, candy apples, and caramel, plus a soft, spiced finish. If you’re looking for fall in a glass, this is it. Each bottle comes packaged in a commemorative Ryder Cup gift box. $70, elijahcraig.com

TRUE VINTAGE

Delays are common in the cigar world, but rarely do we see a cigar maker intentionally shelve a good cigar. But that’s exactly what Ferio Tego has done with the latest releases in its Elegancia and Generoso lines. Drawing inspiration from the practice of winemaking, Ferio Tego has decided to release these lines in vintages, which means that this year’s release is actually a 2024 edition that has been aged for a whopping 22 months, resting since late 2023. The Elegancia carries a full-bodied profile thanks to its Ecuadorian wrapper, Dominican binder, and fillers, and it brings to mind warm notes like cinnamon, macademia, and cream. The Generoso, on the other hand, brings more savory flavors to the table, including porter, coffee, and Wagyu. These blends debuted in 2021 and have continued to surprise and delight in each successive release; this year’s aged vintage promises to be no different. $24 per cigar, $240 per box, feriotego.com

Wheels Up

If you’ve ever been to an airport, you have encountered TUMI luggage. The ubiquitous brand, a more luxe label from Samsonite, is beloved for its simplicity and durability. Now, those qualities are being brought to the TUMI Cigar Case, the company’s first foray into cigar transportation and a hallmark of the brand’s ultra-premium 19 Degrees line. While not officially a “travel humidor,” the case effectively functions as one, including in its clamshell design a cigar holder with five slots, plus storage compartments that house a double guillotine cutter, a match case, and space for humidity packs. Your cigars will travel in the safety of a cedar interior and aluminum exterior, making the TUMI Cigar Case a viable option for even the bumpiest of flights. Luxe details like a leather monogram patch make this the perfect upgrade if you’ve been looking to carry your cigars in style. $550, tumi.com

BURST YOUR BUBL

A pair of New Jersey spirits industry dynamos recently joined forces to shake up modern cocktail culture with an inventive twist on the traditional shot no glassware required. Dubbed BUBL, these edible spheres are filled with real vodka-based cocktails that burst upon first bite. They’re available in three expressions: citrus-forward Lemon Drop, classic Cosmopolitan, and Sex on the Beach. Each jar arrives with a school of BUBLs swimming in their respective liquid; simply scoop one out with a bar spoon to enjoy solo, or flex your mixology skills and use the capsules as cocktail enhancers in champagne spritzes, tequila sunrises, or simply over ice (just be sure to add the BUBLs after you shake and stir to ensure they don’t pop). They’re available in dozens of retailers across the state or via direct order, with expansions on the horizon into Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and more. $28+, bublshots.com