Made For You, December 2017
In a world of fast food and one-size-fits-all sensibilities, how often does something feel made especially for you? The “Made for You” section celebrates those items that are created with such high quality of hand workmanship and degree of customization that they become individual to you. In each issue, our editors will endeavor to bring you special things from anywhere on the globe, choosing them solely on the basis of outstanding quality. Our goal is to give you guidance on the best of everything.
Project Viper—East Coast Defender
As part of its new Ultimate Vehicle Concept, Florida car customizer East Coast Defender now makes fully bespoke, handcrafted SUVs that are “unlimited by a specific bill of materials or budget.” The from-the-ground-up rebuilds of the discontinued Range Rover Defender are, however, limited to 10 cars a year. Project Viper, the first of the series, is powered by a 6.2-liter, 430-hp Chevrolet LS3 V-8 engine and includes uncharacteristic creature comforts like a Kenwood infotainment system, leather seats and puddle lights. Price tag: $285,000. eastcoastdefender.com
Working The Room—Sonus Faber And World Of McIntosh
Do you like your sound system to have the look of the 1970s, but the audio technology of the present day? Consider the Sf16 hi-fi system ($10,000), a collaboration of Sonus faber and the World of McIntosh. Looking like an inverted lunar lander, satellite speakers sprout from the top of this wood and brushed aluminum unit. The futuristic feel is matched with electronics that analyze the atmosphere of the room and regulate sound output. Don’t worry. It plays music from any era. Sonusfaber.com/en-us
Meat And Greet—Snake River Farms
The same choice meats that appear on the menus of such top chefs as Thomas Keller and Hugh Acheson can be the star of your own home cuisine. Snake River Farms of the high plains of eastern Idaho makes its American Wagyu beef and Kurobuta pork available for holiday meals and gifts. The slow-paced feeding method takes more time, but makes for succulent cuts. Available in several package configurations. snakeriverfarms.com
Cask-Strength Strumming—Lowden Guitars
After more than four decades, Northern Ireland luthier George Lowden has integrated his instruments with one of the country’s emblematic products: Bullmills Irish whiskey. Crafted from barrel staves, reclaimed sinker redwood and ancient bog oak, the Bushmills x Lowden F-50 guitar is limited to a series of eight for sale. The cask woods are used for the guitar’s appointments and a custom back inlay. The latter two woods make up the soundboard and back and sides. lowdenguitars.com
Pellet Pizza—Uuni
It may seem custom-made for the wealthy urban metrosexual type who wants to play with fire and campfire cook on his stoop, but the Uuni 3 pizza oven makes great eats for any personality cooking in a compact environment. Uuni started life as a crowd-funded operation and is now on its fourth iteration (including the soon-to-be-released Uuni Pro). Fueled with wood pellets, this portable oven reaches temps in excess of 900° in 10 minutes. uuni.net
Classy Cigar Cases—Puro Prestige
We can never get enough ways to carry our cigars. London’s Puro Prestige has debuted a new case that we adore, the elegant yet functional Hemingway Edition. The case (which is about the size of a very thick book) has pockets for a cutter and lighter, and an artfully designed compartment that holds four cigars. There’s also a clever little metal cigar rest, plus slots for business or credit cards and a discrete pocket on the outside where one could store a port or some papers. The stately case is cloaked in ostrich leather, inside and out, and retails for £275 ($370). puroprestige.com
