Mettle | Issue #14 | 10.24.25
Drink
One Bottle To Know
117° West California Single Malt
The Story: Head distiller Justin McCabe spent 20 years homebrewing and earned a PhD in chemistry before opening 117° West in Vista, California. He's reinterpreting traditional spirits with a technical edge—bourbon, rye, rum, agave, and this single malt made from pale, Munich, and caramel malts. The barley comes from Northern California farms.
The Pour: Golden bronze. 90 proof. Wood, fig, and vanilla on the nose. Honey and caramel on the palate.
The Move: This is California whiskey—smooth, approachable, unhurried in the best way. Drink it neat, over ice, or in a Rusty Nail where it shines.
The Mettle Take: At $75, 117° West isn't trying to be Scotch. It's California doing single malt its own way—and doing it well. Worth the shelf space.
Not the bottle they expect. The one they remember.
Tech
The Download
ChatGPT: Your Secret Weapon for Awkward Parties
You’re at your wife’s holiday party. Everyone’s talking shop in a language you don’t speak—marketing acronyms, hospital jargon, or tech buzzwords. You’re invisible and bored, holding a drink.
Here’s the move:
Fire up ChatGPT and type, “Give me five conversation starters for my wife’s biotech holiday party where I have no idea what anyone’s talking about.”
Swap biotech for whatever room you’re walking into. Boom—instant social armor.
Instant lifeline. No awkward silence, no fake laughter. Just a few well-timed lines to survive the night—and maybe even sound curious while you do it.
The Mettle Take:
Preparation beats panic. Smart tools don’t replace confidence—they reinforce it.
Smarter tech, simpler life.
House Rules
The Monthly Gamble
Betting on Baseball 101
The World Series starts today. You’re in Vegas, the sportsbook is calling, and everyone around you suddenly sounds like an analyst. Here’s what actually matters before you hand over cash.
The Basics:
Moneyline: Pick the winner straight up.
Favorites show negative odds (e.g. -150) — meaning you’d bet $150 to win $100.
Underdogs show positive odds (e.g. +130) — meaning a $100 bet wins $130 if they pull the upset.
Run Line: Baseball’s version of a point spread — almost always 1.5 runs. Bet the favorite (-1.5) to win by 2 or more, or the underdog (+1.5) to lose by 1 or win outright.
Over/Under: Total combined runs. Pitching matchups and park size drive the number.
The Mettle Take:
If you’re going to bet, know the options and do your homework. Walk away when you should.
Betting or Not, Know the Game.
Everyday Edge
Modern Basics
What “Dry Clean Only” Really Means
"Dry Clean" isn't always a hard rule. Sometimes it's a manufacturer covering their ass.
The Label Breakdown: "Dry Clean" is a recommendation. "Dry Clean Only" means don't mess around—the fabric can't handle water.
What Actually Needs Dry Cleaning: Structured pieces like suits and blazers have linings that shrink at different rates. Velvet, silk, wool, and anything with beading or leather trim goes to the pros.
What You Can Probably Wash: Cotton, linen, and durable polyester with just "dry clean" (not "only") usually handle a gentle cycle just fine.
The Reality: Dry cleaning uses liquid solvents instead of water to lift stains without soaking fibers. A $15 cleaning bill beats a $200 replacement.
If the piece matters—whether it's a tailored suit or a gift—just take it to the pros.
Basics aren’t basics when they’re done right.
Stay Sharp,
The Mettle Team
