⚡ The American Whiskey You're Sleeping On

Lost Woods and the Rise of American Single Malt

The Story
American Single Malt is one of the fastest-growing categories in spirits right now. Like Scotch, it's 100% malted barley. Unlike Scotch, the regulations are still loose enough to let distillers experiment with local grains, regional climates, and creative cask finishes. Lost Woods Whiskey Company, founded by Tom Schaeppi, is one of the brands leading that charge. They won three consecutive Double Gold medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and their 88-Proof expression took Platinum in 2023. Three bottles worth knowing:

88 Proof ($94)
The flagship. Robust malt with stone fruit, caramel and citrus on the nose. Smooth with toasted cereal on the palate and a lingering finish of smoke and pepper. Drink it neat.

110 Proof ($129)
This one is all about the mouthfeel. There is weight and viscosity to this whiskey with notes of espresso and winter spices. A long finish with spice and cocoa. Good neat, but it really opens up over one large ice cube.

80 Proof ($64)
The newest addition and a great entry point if you're new to American Single Malt. Caramel and vanilla on the nose. Toasted cereal with hints of smoke on the palate. Sip it neat to appreciate the nuances, or try it in a Highball. One of the best you'll ever have.

The Mettle Take
Whether you're new to American Single Malt or already a fan, Lost Woods deserves a spot on your shelf.

Not the drink they expect. The one they remember.

The Dry Rub That Goes on Everything

Stop buying six different seasoning blends. You need one. This rub works on ribs, chicken, steak, pork chops, and anything else you throw on the grill.

The Rub
2 tbsp brown sugar
2 tbsp smoked paprika
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp onion powder
1 tbsp chili powder
1 tbsp black pepper
1 tbsp kosher salt
1 tsp cayenne (adjust to your heat tolerance)
1 tsp cumin

Mix it all in a bowl. Store it in a jar. It keeps for months.

How to Use It.
Pat your meat dry. Coat generously on all sides. For steaks and chops, season 30 minutes before grilling. For ribs and chicken, season the night before and let it sit uncovered in the fridge. That extra time lets the salt penetrate and the surface dry out, which means better bark and crispier skin.

Why One Rub Works.
The brown sugar caramelizes on the grill and builds a crust. The smoked paprika adds depth without overpowering. The cayenne brings heat that builds slowly instead of hitting all at once. Together, they create a flavor profile that complements any protein without competing with it.

The Mettle Take: The best pitmasters don't have 20 rubs. They have one they trust. Make this once and you won't need another.

Because eating well is never just about the food.

How to Bet the World Cup

The World Cup is here. 48 teams. 104 matches. 39 days. If you’ve never bet soccer, here’s what you need to know.

Soccer has three outcomes
Win, lose, or draw. If you bet a team to win and it ends in a draw after 90 minutes, you lose. This catches new bettors every tournament. In knockout rounds, look for “to advance” bets that cover extra time and penalties.

The main bet types
Moneyline, total goals over/under, and futures, meaning who wins the whole thing. Player props let you bet on individual performances: anytime goalscorer, first goalscorer, shots on target, even cards received. The anytime goalscorer market is one of the most popular and beginner-friendly bets in soccer.

The favorites
Spain sits around +450, with France close behind at +500. England is around +700, while Brazil, Portugal, and Argentina are all in the +800 to +900 range. The U.S. remains a longshot at roughly +5000…meaning a $100 bet wins you $5000 if they win it all! The longer the odds, the bigger the payout if they lift the trophy.

The Mettle Take
You already know how to bet sports. Soccer just has one extra outcome to respect. Mettle does not promote gambling. Play responsibly.

If you’re going to gamble, know the landscape before you play.