Not For Metrosexuals or Euro Trash, The Duke Cannon Supply Co. Caters To The Manliest of Men.

I'd never heard about the Duke Cannon Supply Co. until my friend Joel posted one of their "Big Ass Bricks Of Soap" on Facebook. Intrigued and amused by the "Smells like naval supremacy."  line and the great bold package design, I did some research. I was thrilled to find their site peppered with a great sense of humor as well as some very fun, albeit über-Macho, Military-inspired grooming products for men.

The Chicago-based company's products make you smell and feel laden with testosterone , while also helping out military veterans. A portion of the proceeds directly supports Veteran causes. For more details on that, go here.


above: Their manifesto of sorts, as it appears on their home page.

With legit military guidance and an industrial design flavor, the brand offers 5 different Duke Cannon Soaps (there's even a set available with a hatchet), two shampoos and shaving cream. The copy on the packaging is smart and witty and not for pansies or those who expect to be pampered.

I had to include their clever descriptions along with their product images for you.

BIG ASS BRICKS OF SOAP


This soap product is designed to meet the high standards of hard working men who want to get clean & smell good without using feminine shower gels and accessories. This product is modeled after the rough cut, "brick" style of soap used by GIs during the Korean War and is manufactured in the same plant that was the primary supplier of military soap for over 20 years.



Big Ass Brick Of Soap - Black Bar 3-pack

Smells like accomplishment.
This new soap product from Duke cannon Supply Co. is designed to meet the high standards of hard working men. The incredibly masculine scent of bergamot and black pepper evokes the feeling of drinking a fine scotch in a wood-paneled den. Simply put, it is the scent of accomplishment. Like all Duke Cannon soap products, each brick is large (10 oz.) and contains steel cut grains for maximum grip.

Big Ass Brick of Soap - Green Bar 3-pack

Smells like Victory.
The Duke Cannon Supply Co. Big ass brick of soap is designed to meet the high standards of hard working men who want to get clean and smell good without using feminine shower gels and accessories. True to its name, our soap is big (10 oz.) and will last much longer than the chick-sized bars in your local grocery. It also smells awesome (clean, fresh scent) and contains steel cut grains for maximum gripability. If you enjoy activities like drinking american beer or using power tools, then frankly, this is the only soap meant for you.

Big Ass Brick Of Soap - White Bar 3-pack

Smells like productivity
For the early rising man who leads a life of productivity, duke cannon created a soap with a hint of menthol to cool the skin and wake him up so he can get things done. This new superior grade product from duke cannon has a fresh mint smell and contains steel cut grains for maximum grip. Net wt. 10 oz.

Big Ass Brick of Soap - Blue "Naval Supremacy" 3-Pack

Smells like naval supremacy.
Introducing the latest home run from Duke Cannon. While other blue soaps are named "Ocean Force" or "Summer Mist," our blue soap is the only one big enough to be named "Naval Supremacy." With a package sporting the official colors of the U.S. Navy, this superior grade product weighs in at a hefty 10 oz. and has steel cut grains for maximum grip.

Duke Cannon Heavy Duty Hand Soap 3 Pack

Duke Cannon doesn't spend all day typing emails on a laptop. And he damn well sure has never gotten a manicure. His hands build tangible things like v8 engines and two story decks. And hard work makes hands dirty. That's why duke cannon offers a heavy duty hand soap, a rough cut brick formulated with pumice to clean the hands of hard working men. It is modeled after heavy duty soap supplied to GIs during the Vietnam war. Like all duke cannon bricks of soap, this one weighs in at a hefty 10 oz., almost 2x the size of other pumice soaps.

Duke Cannon "El Cuatro" 4 Ct. Variety Pack

We understand it can be difficult to choose among victory, productivity, accomplishment, and naval supremacy. Hell, they all sound good, and they certainly are. Therefore, hedge your bet by purchasing this 4 ct. "El Cuatro" variety pack, featuring one each of our outstanding big ass bricks of soap. You will never get a better smelling package in the mail.

Limited Edition U.S. Military Field Box Gift Pack


Back by popular demand. While clown soaps offer a free loofa, The Duke Cannon Gift Pack offers a Variety Pack of 5 Big Ass Bricks of soap (one of each variety + one heavy duty hand soap), and an authentic Military Field Box used to carry .30 Cal Ammunition. These cans are reusable and watertight and they make for great hunting/camping storage cans or the greatest lunch pail ever. And, as a nominal bonus, we are offering a free Stanley Screwdriver, proudly made in the USA like all Duke cannon products
NOTE: CANS ARE IN USED CONDITION, AND THEREFORE HAVE DENTS AND SCRATCHES.

The American Soap and Hatchet Set


Duke Cannon’s American Soap & Hatchet Set is to be used by workers, explorers, and craftsmen—NOT FOR CLOWNS. Each item has been built for general purpose use or combat, as needed:
• Duke Cannon Hatchet made of razor sharp US steel forged to genuine American hickory
- Color: Stealth
- Specs: 19oz head weight, 18” handle length
- Each Duke Cannon Hatchet is hand crafted, so no two are exactly the same
• Carhartt IFD Cold-Weather Skull Cap. Protects against all elements. Not to be worn by guys named Skyler when the weather reads above 50 degrees. IMPORTED FROM DETROIT.
All Five Big Ass Bricks of Duke Cannon soap:
- Smells Like Victory
- Smells Like Accomplishment
- Smells Like Productivity
- Smells Like Naval Supremacy
- Heavy Duty Hand Soap

HAIR PRODUCTS:

Duke Cannon 2-in-1 Hair Wash - Hard-Working Clean



Duke Cannon has little patience for skinny jeans, veggie burgers, or products of inferior quality. His new Hard-Working Clean 2-in-1 Hair Wash has been engineered with only Superior Grade ingredients:
- Protein for strength
- Vitamin E for antioxidant protection
- Vitamin B5 for conditioning
- No harsh sulfates or parabens
Duke Cannon 2-in-1 Hair Wash is for men of higher taste, not clowns.

Duke Cannon 2-in-1 Hair Wash - Thickening Formula



For "News Anchor Thick" Hair
Duke Cannon has no interest in salads, male capri pants, or products of inferior quality. His new Thickening Formula 2-in-1 Hair Wash has been engineered with Superior Grade ingredients:
- Protein for strength
- Tea Tree Oil and Menthol to wake you up
- Vitamin B5 for conditioning
- No harsh sulfates or parabens
Duke Cannon 2-in-1 Hair Wash is for men of higher taste, not clowns.

SHAVING CREAM

Superior Grade Shaving Cream


If left untouched for three days, Duke Cannon's beard would grow a beard. Therefore, he needs a shaving product that will clean him up without the burn. His barbershop formula shaving cream is engineered with only Superior Grade ingredients:
- Aloe Vera for relief
- Shea Butter for hydration
- Macadamia Nut Oil for the closest possible shave
- Calendula Extract for recovery
Duke Cannon Superior Grade Shaving Cream is for men of higher taste, not clowns.

ASSORTED KITS

Duke Cannon Class VI Supply Kit 1.0


Like a set of tools for the bathroom, the Duke Cannon Class VI Supply Kit contains grooming essentials for the man of higher taste. The clear gift box contains:
- Super Grade 2-in-1 Hair Wash (Hard-Working Clean) (10 oz.)
- Superior Grade Shaving Cream
- Big Ass Brick of Soap (Smells Like Victory)
- Big Ass Brick of Soap (Smells Like Naval Supremacy)
The chances of a man returning that sweater from Express? Pretty high. The chances of returning this collection of home runs from Duke Cannon? Pretty damn low. For excellent giving, consider the Class VI Supply Kit.

Duke Cannon Class VI Supply Kit 2.0


Like a set of tools for the bathroom, the Duke Cannon Class VI Supply Kit contains grooming essentials for the man of higher taste. The clear gift box contains:
- Super Grade 2-in-1 Hair Wash (Thickening Formula) (10 oz.)
- Superior Grade Shaving Cream
- Big Ass Brick of Soap (Smells Like Productivity)
- Big Ass Brick of Soap (Smells Like Accomplishment)
The chances of a man returning that sweater from Express? Pretty high. The chances of returning this collection of home runs from Duke Cannon? Pretty damn low. For excellent giving, consider the Class VI Supply Kit.

CUSTOMER REWARDS


As if buying these fun and unique products weren't enough, they offer customer 'rewards'- very macho types of items. As they hilariously state on their site:
"If you buy lots of Duke Cannon Supply Company products, you get free stuff. Not stupid crap you don't need. Instead, we offer items that are Duke Cannon certified -- actual things he likes and uses. So save your UPCs, and when you have enough, email us at the address below, tell us what you want, and we'll send you some useful stuff."


Shop Duke Cannon Supply Co.

Buy Duke Cannon Soaps here as well

David Yurman Tops Off Patron Anejo With A 24k Gold Embellished Dagger.

For the second time in a series of designer collaborations (the first was this 2012 Guitar Stopper by John Varvatos), Patron Spirits introduces a limited edition bottle stopper for this holiday season. The new collectible bottle accessory is crafted exclusively for Patron Anejo by Evan Yurman, Chief Design Director for David Yurman men's and timepiece collections. Patron's relationship with Yurman emerged from a shared commitment to understated luxury, meticulous craftsmanship and masculine elegance.



Die-cast in solid metal and electroplated in gun metal and 24K gold, the bottle stopper is an exceptional two-toned sword featuring elaborate metal carvings inspired by those depicted on the hand guards of 18th century Japanese Samurai swords; a reflection of Yurman's love for unique and rare objects, artwork and artifacts. Like Patron Anejo, Yurman's bottle stopper is bold, intricate and truly distinct.



"It was a thrill to work with Patron on this unique project," said Yurman. "Throughout time, armor and weapons have represented the highest artistic and technical ability of the artisans who craft them. For me, there is an inseparable parallel between a finely honed weapon and a beautifully crafted piece of jewelry – they are truly one in the same and a natural extension of the work that inspires me." This inspiration is unmistakable in the one-of-a-kind, sophisticated design Yurman created to adorn the iconic bottle of Patron Anejo.



Each bottle of Patron Anejo is handcrafted with recycled glass and produced with unparalleled attention to detail. Patron Anejo is a delicate blend of uniquely aged tequilas, all aged in small white oak barrels for a minimum of 12 months. Similar to winemaking, each vintage of Patron Anejo is carefully blended to produce a smooth and distinctive-tasting tequila.

The bottle stopper, which comes in a special limited edition gift box, will be available at select retailers across the U.S. in November 2013 for a suggested retail price of $59.99.

Patron Spirits

An Air of Superiority. Sports Car, Distillery and Hunting Lodge Aromas In A Can.

No florals or sea breezes in these air fresheners. Archer Air Superiority Air Fresheners are masculine, rich and earthy scents that come in three fragrances.

Chew On This: Upscale Flavored Toothpicks From Daneson Include 200 Year Old Single Malt Scotch.

Lest you think only tacky folk and rednecks chew on toothpicks, let me correct you. Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper, Zac Efron, Robert Pattison, Ashton Kutcher, Jude Law (and son Rafferty), P. Diddy and Chace Crawford are all toothpick chompers.

An Experience To Savor. Create and Name Your Own Personal Whiskey Stock.

Do you have an idea for a great whiskey? Want your own custom whiskey for your bar or restaurant? You and some buddies want your own label for the hunting camp? Want an amazing one-of-a-kind Father's Day, holiday, graduation or wedding gift? Here’s your chance.



The Mississippi River Distilling Company in LeClaire, Iowa will custom make a 30 gallon barrel of whiskey for you. You pick the grain bill, the yeast, the barrel, the age and the proof. You even get to name it. When it’s done, you get all the whiskey in the barrel and the empty barrel to display proudly.


above: Mississippi River Distilling Company Owner Ryan Burchett talks whiskey

Their inaugural “My Whiskey” program is a unique experience that will have your fingerprints on it from beginning to end. Below tells you, in their words, how they help you craft your unique creation.



So how does this all work? First of all, you must understand that we are responsible for following the very stringent federal and state laws regarding the manufacture and sale of distilled spirits. So while some of this may seem a bit convoluted, there is a strict system in place that your spirits will travel through between our distillery and your door.

First step is establishing the recipe. We have four grains at our disposal: corn, wheat, rye and barley. These grains are purchased directly from the local farmers who grew them. When your bottle is complete, we will be able to tell you the names of the farmers who grew every grain that went into your bottle.

THE MASH BILL
We will work with you to establish a mash bill appropriate to the flavor you are trying to achieve. Corn is rich and sweet. Wheat provides a light sweetness and fruity flavor. Rye is peppery and spicy. Barley is mild and takes on a significant portion of its flavor from the yeast.

BOURBON


If you wish to make a bourbon whiskey, you will use predominantly corn. By law it must be at least 50% corn. Typically, bourbon is 70%-80% corn. For a secondary grain, you can choose wheat or rye. Most bourbons use rye for the secondary grain. However, we use wheat in our Cody Road Bourbon which provides a sweeter flavor. The secondary grain usually accounts for 10%-15% of the mash bill. Finally, bourbon typically includes 5%-15% barley. But as long as you have 51% corn, you can call it bourbon and mix out any other combination of grains for the second 49%.

RYE WHISKEY


To be a rye whiskey, the mash bill must be at least 51% rye. Mash bills vary greatly from rye to rye. Some have as little as 55% rye. Others like Cody Road go all the way to 100% rye. We can do anything in between to suit your tastes.

MALT WHISKEY STYLE


Scotch and Irish Whisky is made from malted barley. The roasting or smoking of the barley accounts for much of the flavor in scotch. We do not have malted barley at our disposal from local farmers. So we use an unmalted barley. We do have a malt whiskey yeast that creates a very nice flavor similar to an Irish Whisky. But this would still be a unique American take on it.

MIX AND MATCH
Want to come up with a mash bill that is all yours? Feel free. You can mix and match the grains and yeasts in any way you choose.

YEAST SELECTION


Next we need to select your yeast. The yeast has a significant role to play in the flavor of your whiskey. We can help you choose an appropriate yeast for your project. Here are the three choices.

GRAIN WHISKEY YEAST
This yeast is designed for bourbon and rye whiskey production. It imparts a robust flavor of the grain and will leave rich aromas and flavors from the grains. Expect the spice notes of the grains to be a bit stronger and the sweetness to be somewhat subdued compared to the sweet whiskey yeast.

MALT WHISKEY YEAST
This yeast is designed for a Scotch or Irish Whisky style. Expect the mild barley to be light and smooth with this yeast. Might be an interesting yeast to experiment with non-traditional mash bills.

SWEET WHISKEY YEAST
This is a very vigorous and flavorful yeast. We use this yeast in both Cody Road Rye and Cody Road Bourbon. Expect the sweet and fruity notes from the grain. Delicious for lighter whiskies and shorter aged whiskies.

AGING & PROOF
How you barrel the whiskey and for how long will have a great impact on your final product.



THE BARREL
Your whiskey will be age in a new 30 gallon charred oak barrel. These barrels are roughly half the size of a traditional whiskey barrel. That gives the whiskey more wood to interact with so it will grab the oak flavor faster than a traditional barrel. We suggest a minimum of 9-12 months in one of these barrels. You may want your whiskey to attain a much longer age. We suggest checking on your barrel periodically. While longer aged whiskey is always fun, in a smaller barrel the oak can take over. Whiskey has life cycles in the barrel. At first it may taste bitter and charred. In a few months, the sweetness can blossom. A few months later, the oak tannins start to increase. Also, the longer the whiskey is in the barrel, the more you will lose to the “Angels Share” which is what we call the whiskey that evaporates or soaks into the wood. You can expect to lose 2%-3% of the volume of your alcohol per year to the Angels Share. So before you automatically decide on aging your whiskey for eternity, understand that it might be a better whiskey at a younger age than you think. Our whiskies all age 1 year in these barrels. There are 5 char levels that we can put your barrel in. We have tried different char levels and find that a medium char (char level 3) seem to impart the most balanced oak flavor for these smaller barrels. We recommend going with a char 3 barrel, but will be happy to order a different char from the cooperage should you so choose.

THE PROOF
The proof at which you barrel and bottle your whiskey will dictate how many bottles you have at the end. If you bottle your whiskey at 80 proof, you can expect about 160 bottles. If you raise the proof, that will give you more alcohol in each bottle and will reduce the number of bottles that come out of your barrel. As a rule of thumb, for each 10 proof you increase the bottling, you’ll have about 20 fewer bottles. We recommend barreling your whiskey about 20 proof higher than you plan to bottle it with a maximum barreling proof of about 120 proof.

MAKING THE WHISKEY
Once you have your recipe all nailed down, you will contract the production with us. We will charge $3,000 for the production of your whiskey. This charge is simply for the manufacturing of the whiskey. For legal reasons, the whiskey remains in our possession for the duration of the aging. You will purchase the whiskey from a licensed retailer once it is finished aging and bottled. But during the aging, it is still owned by us and stored on our licensed premises at the distillery.

We will plan to put your whiskey into production within six weeks of your payment. You will receive notice of the mashing and distilling. We will send you pictures and updates of the production via e-mail. Once in aging, we will be able to allow you to periodically taste the whiskey to see if it is ready for bottling. We will need at least 48 hours notice if you want to come check on your barrel so we can pull it out of storage. Remember that the more you check on it, the less you’ll have at the end.

NAMING YOUR WHISKEY


All formulas and labels for spirits sold in America must be approved by the federal government. So while this is your whiskey, it will have to go into a bottle and label that has been pre-approved by the government. We will handle all of that paperwork and filing when the whiskey is produced. This process takes several months. So we will need to know what you want to call your whiskey when we produce it so the label approval can proceed while your whiskey is aging. It will go into a custom labeled bottle that will say, “Mississippi River Distilling Company presents: Joe’s Awesome Whiskey” or whatever you decide to call it. The bottles will have the legal government warning, barcode and batch notes included on each bottle detailing the grain used, the date distilled and who it was commissioned by. They will be hand signed by the distillers.

FINISHING AND RECEIVING YOUR WHISKEY
Once you determine that you would like to pull your whiskey from the barrel and have it bottled, we will schedule a blending and bottling. Your whiskey will all be bottled at the specified proof all at one time. We will not be able to accommodate multiple bottling from the same barrel.

Once the whiskey is bottled, it will be shipped to a licensed distributor who will then deliver it to a licensed retailer. We will set all of this up for your pickup. We prefer to have you pick up the whiskey in the Quad Cities. We do have retailers who would be able to ship your whiskey, but it will be a significant cost to do so.

To pick up your whiskey, you will be charged $3,000. That will be payable to the retailer, not to the distillery. You will receive your empty barrel along with your cases of whiskey. At this point the whiskey is your to do what you choose with.

ANY QUESTIONS? 
Have questions that they haven’t answered here? Drop them a line. They’d be happy to discuss your vision for your very own whiskey. You can call the distillery at 563-484-4342 or e-mail info@mrdistilling.com.

Sincerely,
Ryan & Garrett Burchett Owners & Distillers
Mississippi River Distilling Company



Mississippi River Distilling Company

New Block Watches From Tom Dixon's Eclectic Collection.

Three new 2013 watches have been designed by Tom Dixon as part of his Eclectic Collection. The Eclectic Collection is a collection of everyday home accessories, giftware and design objects formed from honest, resilient and heavyweight materials including copper, marble, cast iron and wood.

The products are informed by British heritage and each piece is designed to be used or played with, to be treasured or to be given. The Block Watches are the newest addition to this collection, are made from the most minimal components and come in three variations.

Block Watch Stainless Steel Mesh:


The square case is stamped from a fat block of pure stainless steel with a Swiss movement. The dial is deep etched with the numerals that point precisely at the time makers, encased in a crystal face to protect. Each watch is laser etched with its own unique number.

Block Watch Rose Gold Mesh:


The square case is stamped from a fat block of pure stainless steel plated with rose gold with a Swiss movement. The dial is deep etched with the numerals that point precisely at the time makers, encased in a crystal face to protect. Each watch is laser etched with its own unique number.

Block Watch Brass Leather:


The square case is stamped from a block of brass with a Swiss movement. The dial is deep etched with the numerals that point precisely at the time makers, encased in a crystal face to protect. Each watch is laser etched with its own unique number. No more no less.



Dimensions of all three Block Watches:


Height Max (cm) 4
Width Max (cm) 4
Depth (cm) 0.6
Unpacked weight (kg) 0.02


Tom Dixon

Graffiti Artists MIRF Create Limited Edition Fragrance Bottle For NY Yankees.

The official fragrance of the NY Yankees has just released their limited edition men’s bottle with exclusive design and artwork done by none other than NYC graffiti legends Mint&Serf aka MIRF.




Mint&Serf's distinctive drippy MIRF, which is featured on both the front and back of the bottle (above) , conveys their enthusiasm for New York, yet also expresses their understanding of the overall brand of the city. "People who know us can tell you that we are both diehard New Yorkers. From Astoria, Queens to Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn to East Tremont Ave in the Bronx to Victoria Blvd in Staten Island, graffiti opened us up to almost every neighborhood in New York City. We live and breathe New York City," said Mint&Serf. "When it comes to the symbol of New York, there is nothing more iconic and recognizable than the New York Yankees; to think that graffiti we created on the streets of New York will be immortalized alongside the New York Yankees logo is an honor.”

MIRF's distinctive drip graffiti found around New York:




Tagged with #MIRF4Yanks, posters have begun appearing around the city:

above: instagram photo by Chicozen


above: instagram photo by Jposorio

The multimedia artists Mint&Serf were born Mikhail Sokovikov and Jason Aaron Wall. Mint&Serf, collaboratively known as MIRF, produces sculptures, graffiti, photography, public and private installations, curatorial work, commercial partnerships, publications and nightlife experiences. While Mint&Serf’s creativity was originally born on walls of their beloved concrete jungle, the duo’s illegal art morphed into conceptual art theory and commissions for some of the world’s most recognizable brands including Nike, Red Bull, Marc Jacobs and ACE Hotel.

The New York Yankees™ fragrance captures a sporty and confident attitude, creating a timeless, masculine scent that contains fresh wood tones, an invigorating blend of sparkling bergamot, coriander and cool blue sage. The fragrance also evolves to reveal a fusion of crisp ivy leaves, orange flower and geranium, enhanced with rich earthy patchouli, smooth sandalwood and suede.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to work with the New York Yankees, Major League Baseball Properties and now with Mint&Serf on this fragrance,” said Thomas Butkiewicz, CEO of Cloudbreak. “Mint&Serf’s artistic creativity and unique knowledge of New York City will bring an unparalleled freshness to the fragrance industry.”

The New York Yankees™ Limited Edition Graffiti EDT is available now online at at  NYYankeesFragrance.com and at Macy’s, Lord & Taylor and Belk.
200ml/6.7oz bottle for $85.

This cutting edge project introduces a new conceptualization for beauty brands; the NY Yankees limited edition men’s fragrance promises to be on every guy’s radar through and beyond Major League Baseball season.