Issue #36 | 01.09.26
Drink
One Bottle to Know
The Story: Named after Edmund Dexter, an 1800s bourbon blender whose craftsmanship was legendary enough that Charles Dickens and King Edward VII both visited him at his Cincinnati home. This bourbon honors that commitment to quality—no shortcuts, just solid blending.
The Pour: Brown sugar and vanilla up front, backed by baking spice and cherry. Palate drinks soft with subtle sweetness—think cola with real cherries, not artificial syrup. Finish lands medium with pepper spice and bitter cocoa.
The Move: Neat or with a cube. Clean enough to sip straight, flavorful enough to hold up in an Old Fashioned. 100 proof. Pairs well with grilled meat or dark chocolate.
The Mettle Take: 95 points, named one of the "12 Best Bourbons in the World" by Ultimate Spirit Challenge. Stacks up against bottles triple the price in blind tastings. Legitimate depth, zero pretension, $49. This is the bottle you buy two of.
Not the bottle they expect. The one they remember.
Reviewed
Field Tested
Wyse Water: Brain Fuel Without the Caffeine
We found Wyse Water and got curious. The pitch: clarity and focus without caffeine or sugar. "Clinically dosed ketones and nootropics for smooth, sustained energy." Sounds like marketing speak, but the ingredient list backs it up.
What's Inside:
goBHB® (5g) – Ketone salts that give your brain alternative fuel
Cognizin® Citicoline – Premium nootropic that supports memory and focus
Enfinity™ Paraxanthine – What caffeine becomes in your body, minus the jitters
MitoPrime® – Mitochondrial support for cellular energy
Zembrin® – Supports mood, focus, and stress resilience
All trademarked, research-backed ingredients. Zero sugar, lightly carbonated. Not filler garbage.
Taste: Clear like sparkling water, sweet citrus-berry flavor. First sip surprised us—looks like water but tastes like a clean energy drink. If carbonation isn't your thing, they make a 4oz shot with the same dose.
Did It Work? We tested it two afternoons in a row when the post-lunch crash hits. Both days: noticeable energy boost, no crash, no sleep issues at night.
The Mettle Take: Real science, real ingredients, zero junk. At $4.50/can, it's a little pricier than Red Bull, but you're paying for quality over stimulants and artificial ingredients. If you want focus without caffeine chaos, Wyse Water delivers.
Tested. Trusted. Mettle-approved.
Food
Salt & Swagger
300 Calorie, 35G Protein Breakfast Burrito
Meal prep that doesn't suck. These breakfast burritos clock in at ~300 calories with 35g of protein. Make six on Sunday, eat all week.
INGREDIENTS (Makes 6)
10 oz low-fat turkey sausage
6 large eggs + 6 egg whites, whisked
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
6 low-carb burrito-size flour tortillas
4 oz low-fat shredded cheese
1 (15-oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
4 tablespoons salsa (jarred or homemade)
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 400 degrees if you plan eat 1 or more burritos right away.
Brown turkey sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking into pieces. Transfer to a plate, leave a bit of fat in the pan.
Turn heat to medium-low. Pour in whisked eggs, season with salt and pepper. Stir and cook until fluffy.
Warm tortillas (20 seconds in microwave or char over gas flame).
Assemble: Add cheese, black beans, eggs, sausage, and a small spoonful of salsa to each tortilla.
Fold sides in, roll tight. Wrap in foil.
Bake 8-10 minutes until cheese melts.
TO FREEZE: Wrap in foil, store in freezer bag. Bake from frozen at 425°F for 20 minutes, or microwave (no foil) for 2 minutes.
NUTRITION (Per Burrito)
Calories: 300
Protein: 35g
Fat: 12g
Carbs: 29g (net carbs)
Fiber: 20g
The Mettle Take: High protein, moderate calories, minimal effort. Make them Sunday night, grab one on your way out the door all week. Done.
Because eating well is never just about the food.
News
The Feed
This Week’s Sharp Clicks
Lots of Football this weekend - here’s the vegas odds on all the games and here are some analysis and prop bet tips for the weekend.
Have we become savages? 11 “old school” dining etiquette rules that nobody follows anymore.
Stay Sharp,
The Mettle Team
