Issue #25 | 12.03.25
Most gift guides are noise—gimmicks, clutter, and sponsored picks no man actually wants. This one's different. Fewer. Better. Sharper. Every item is tested, vetted, and zero pay-to-play. Elite bottles, serious kitchen gear, daily essentials built to last. Everything meets three standards: Quality. Utility. Taste. Forward this to your significant other—or upgrade your own kit. Let's upgrade the holidays.
The Representative Straight Bourbon Whiskey from Proof & Wood
A barrel-proof beast for under $60 - Small batch and 115 proof. Vanilla, brown butter, tobacco leaf. World's Best Bourbon at the 2023 World Whiskies Awards. Turns any Old Fashioned into a heavyweight. Serious bourbon built for men who know the difference.
Thomas Keller Signature Collection 8-inch Chef’s Knife by Cangshan Cutlery
Forged from Swedish Damasteel® RWL34 powdered steel. Designed by a 3-Michelin-star chef. Rockwell hardness of 61, hand-polished, perfectly balanced. Chef-level performance at $199—half what comparable pro knives cost. Makes you want to cook.
Anchored Spirits American Gin
Balanced juniper, violet, citrus. Light, refined, built for mixing. Not overpowering—just clean, versatile gin that elevates cocktails without fighting the other ingredients. A must-have gin for your bar. $50
Hearth Display 27-Inch Smart Calendar
A 27-inch smart calendar that replaces chaos with clarity. Syncs work, family, travel into one clean command center. Total household coordination. Perfect for families with kids and teens—the busier your schedule, the more essential Hearth Display becomes. Sharp minimalist design that actually looks good on your wall. $699
Larrikin Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon
A limited Single Barrel bourbon with backbone, aged 9 years—veteran-made, high-proof, and layered with oak, citrus, and spice. Complex yet balanced, rewards patience and precision. A rare bottle that’s earned a permanent place in any serious collection. $110
Custom Cornhole Boards from the The Cornhole Cave
Custom cornhole boards from a Wichita husband-and-wife team. Pro-quality craftsmanship, fully customizable designs UV-printed directly into wood for durability and detail. Fishing, hunting, sports, company logos—anything you want. Over 2,200 happy customers. Precision-built boards that elevate every backyard game. ACL-licensed bags available too. $250.
New Riff 8-Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Bottled at 100 proof, unfiltered. Dark cherry, red fruit, mint, cedar, rye spice, sweet cream. Balanced, confident bourbon with depth and freshness. Shows what time and intent can do. Craft bourbon coming of age—and proof that patience pays off. $70
The Facekit by Jackfir
Skincare without shortcuts. Cleanser, shave cream, moisturizer crafted from organic ingredients and sustainable packaging. Aloe, squalane, microalgae deliver performance without clutter or chemicals. Clean scent, simple ritual, no waste. The ultimate face-care kit for men who take grooming seriously. $110
Tequila Rimari
A new tequila rewriting tradition. Rimari ferments highland agave with Japanese sake yeast, creating layered flavor unlike anything else—crisp citrus and floral lift in the Blanco, smooth oak and spice in the Reposado. Innovative craftsmanship worth discovering early. $49 for Blanco, $59 for Reposado.
The CASABREWS CM5418 Espresso Machine
Bring café precision to your home. A 20-BAR Italian pressure system, built-in gauge, and adjustable steam wand deliver professional results without the bulk. The best value on the market at $140. Compact, capable—turns daily coffee into ritual that you look forward to.
2XO Vinyl Blend Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Small batch, high-proof bourbon blended by Master Blender Dixon Dedman. Baked apples, graham cracker, vanilla crème brûlée, long peppery finish. At $100, it outperforms bottles twice the price. Limited Icon Series release worth hunting.
UNDO Pre-Alcohol Gummies
Stocking Stuffer! UNDO Gummies—pre-alcohol support with DHM, Milk Thistle, B12, and electrolytes. Science-backed liver help that reduces next-day fatigue. Four-pack for $20. Wake up clearer, energized, hangover-free. UNDO provided product to Mettle for testing—it works. Use promo code METTLE10 to save 10% on any order.
Never Say Die Rye Whiskey
High-rye Kentucky whiskey (56% rye) aged five years, then barrel-aged across the Atlantic to England. Ocean motion, salt air, and temperature swings refine it further. Pine, mint, toffee, cinnamon, black pepper finish. Bottled at 52.5% ABV. At $85, it punches well above its weight.
Swiss Diamond HD Nonstick Fry Pan
Made in Switzerland with up to 200,000 diamond crystals for unmatched durability and heat conduction. Cast aluminum base heats evenly, handles up to 500°F. Eco-friendly production, Limited Lifetime Warranty. Chef-grade performance at a fraction of professional pan prices. Built to last. Starting at $70.
J. Henry & Sons Patton Road Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Single barrel, cask strength Wisconsin bourbon aged in an uncontrolled barn where wild temperature swings work magic. Sweet corn, caramel, toffee, dark cocoa, cinnamon, coconut. Bold, complex and dangerously drinkable. At $70, it's a steal.
Shitbag Chardonnay from Broken Trust Cellars
The name's hilarious, the wine is legit. From Columbia Valley, WA, this is not an over-oaked butter bomb—it’s well-balanced with structure and acid. Perfect conversation starter for holiday parties. Bring this everywhere. 3 bottles for $85.
Did we miss a killer gift that we should include in our Father’s Day Gift Guide? Email us.
Stay Sharp,
The Mettle Team
