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Anheuser-Busch has created two limited edition brews ideal for sipping and savouring with family and friends this holiday season: Celebrate by Michelob and Brew Masters' Private Reserve by Budweiser (1). Similar to a fine cognac, Celebrate is a smooth, robust and complex sipping beer carefully hand-crafted in small batches using generous amounts of dark caramel and carapils malts, imported hops and gently milled imported whole vanilla beans, carefully selected for their rich aromatic character. At 10 per cent alcohol by volume, this brew is aged on heavily toasted bourbon oak barrels that contribute to its depth of flavour, aroma and full-bodied dark colour. Ideally served in a large snifter to open up the brew's rich aromas and flavours while directing bourbon-like, caramelized notes toward the nose,
Brew Masters' Private Reserve is an exceptionally rich beer featuring a balanced hop aroma with 8.5 per cent alcohol by volume). Based on the time-honoured Budweiser brewmaster holiday tradition of collecting the richest first part of the brew as it is tapped to the brew kettles to celebrate the season, this is the first time it is being made available to the public. Celebrate is available in single 24 oz bottles or can be purchased with two imported 13·5 oz Ritzenhoff Crystal snifters. Brew Masters' Private Reserve is available in a 46·5 oz magnum bottle with swing-top closure. At grocery and convenience stores nationwide.

Duofold introduces Snowbound (2), an innovative collection of high-tech base layer for men and women. The Snowbound 930 and 931 Seamless Series features seamless stretch fabric with specially designed yarn construction to improve performance. Key features include exceptional wicking and quick-drying moisture management and supple, seamless fabric that won't chafe, bind or roll up. The men's 930 Series includes a long sleeve modern crew and full-leg bottom in sizes M to XL. Suggested retail pricing for the crew and bottom is $45.

The Snowbound 920/921 ColorTech Series is constructed of two-sided, breathable ColorTech fabric for exceptional moisture management and stretch. The innovative fabric delivers superior flexibility and optimum fit. A new moisture wicking waistband provides total moisture control. The men's 920 Series includes a zip mock turtleneck with an innovative windflap construction at the zipper, long sleeve crew and ankle length bottom in sizes S to XL. Suggested retail pricing for the men's zip mock turtleneck is $43 and $40 for the long sleeve crew and bottom. The Snowbound collection is available at select stores.

True Gentlemen is a luxurious collection of shaving products designed specially to bring out the "true gentleman" in today's modern man, with the A Gentlemen's Shave ($125), as the ideal present for any man. A Gentlemen's Shave consists of True Gentlemen pre-shave oil, shaving cream, after-shave balm, pure badger shaving brush and an acrylic shaving brush stand. Make the holidays special this year and give your man a gift that will make him feel good, and allow him to have the true ultimate shaving experience. A Gentlemen's Shave is available at select upscale spas and apothecaries nationwide, www.truegentlemen.com or by calling 1 800-380-3050.

Eddie Bauer celebrates the season with a coterie of new down products that creatively pay homage to the company's heritage of having invented the down quilted jacket over 70 years ago. The new collection includes pieces for children, bedding (pillows and comforters), accessories (diaper, computer and messenger bags and laptop brief cases) and men's outerwear pieces (parkas, vests, leather and shearling jackets). The Eddie Bauer design team had a modern interpretation by filling down into virtually everything: accessory items like gloves, scarves and handbags (3); cases for electronic gadgets like MP3 players; even down dog parkas to help pets stay warm and cozy in the winter months.

The down commuter bag ($148, 4) is an unique commuter bag that helps you keep workday necessities organized in style, surrounded by 550-fill-power premium goose down and finished with Italian leather trim. The down duffel bag ($148), one of this season's best accessories, is filled with soft, warm, 550-fill-power premium goose down and accented with Italian leather trim. It is perfect for stowing life's necessities, featuring a spacious main compartment with interior organizer, interior zip pocket, back panel slip pocket and leather haul handles.

The WeatherEdge superior down parka ($248) is the collection's warmest, and most protective parka. The waterproof, wind-proof and breathable shell are fully seam-sealed and have 650-fill-power Eddie Bauer premium goose down. Made with superior materials and expert construction, this parka offers top-of-the-line protection against winter's worst. Eddie Bauer Down can be found at Eddie Bauer stores, through the catalogue (1 800 426-8020) and at www.eddiebauer.com.

The Delphi RoadyXT ($79·95, 5) is one of the best bets for this year's holiday gift and sets the standard for size, elegance and functionality. The new sleek, compact RoadyXT has a built-in FM transmitter, which will make any FM radio an XM radio by wirelessly transmitting XM satellite radio to any one of 100 FM radio frequencies, with no cassette deck necessary. In addition to displaying the channel name, artist name, and song title on each XM channel, the RoadyXT has a customizable sports ticker that displays the latest scores and schedules for professional and college sports. It also has a customizable stock ticker for keeping track of up to 20 stocks, and the popular TuneSelect feature, which alerts the listener when favourite songs and artists are played on any XM channel. For more information about Delphi consumer electronic products, please visit www.shopdelphi.com. For more information about XM Satellite Radio, please visit www.xmradio.com.

True Gentlemen recently introduced the True Gentlemen Madison Shave Set ($225, 6), a collection of high-quality tools to accompany the already popular creams, oils and after-shaves. The True Gentlemen Madison Shave Set consists of a pure badger shaving bush, Madison razor, and razor and brush stand. The entire collection is available at fine spas and apothecaries nationwide, on www.truegentlemen.com or by calling 1 800 380-3050. The pure badger brush ($55), Madison razor ($100) and Madison razor and brush stand ($70) are also sold separately.

Zelco MP3 Player Speaker TriPod (model 03112/03122, $40, 7) is a pocket-sized set of three speakers that opens like a tripod to hold an iPod, any MP3 player, or portable CD player. Introduced at the New York International Gift Fair in mid- November, it is battery powered (just one AAA, not included), will provide 10 hours of use and can go anywhere your iPod goes! The TriPod is compatible with any audio device with a 3·5 mini-jack output. And it makes a terrific gift for anyone who owns a portable music player. At www.zelco.com.

Heat things up this holiday season with kitchen and household items from the Mr Coffee, Sunbeam and Oster brands. Mr Coffee's ECM20 Steam Espresso and Cappuccino Maker ($39·99) makes one to four cups of espresso, utilizing a variable steam control and frothing aid to steam milk and create your favourite cappuccino or latte, and a three-way select knob that allows for separate brewing and frothing.

Shake things up this holiday with the classic Oster milk shake maker ($49·99, 8), give the gift of time and convenience with Oster Inspire six-slice stainless steel toaster oven ($89·99, above left), one of the most versatile counter-top convection ovens on the market today; and brighten up your holiday parties with the new Oster Blue Chill freezer jar–blender combo ($39·99), designed to keep your frozen drinks and smoothies cold for up to six hours and a sweet way to ring in the New Year.

Start a new kitchen revolution with Sunbeam's Heritage Series Legacy Edition Mixmaster stand mixer ($149·99, right). It has the look of yesterday with high-tech features of today. Available at fine department, kitchen and home stores everywhere.

First produced more than 30 years ago, Zelco's Itty Bitty Booklight (9) was designed by Zelco owner Noël Zeller, when his late-night reading habit conflicted with his wife's Adèle's need for a good night's sleep. While the original has sold more than 30 million units since its introduction and is now a permanent part of New York City's Museum of Modern Art's collection, the new Itty Bitty Slim LED Booklight is poised to be as successful. Featuring dual, super-bright cool white lights that never need replacing, the one-touch mechanism allows easy extension of the adjustable gooseneck arm and the retractable steel clip firmly fastens the booklight to the spine of any hard or soft cover book. The brush aluminum case is as elegantly designed as a fine writing utensil and will fit easily in your shirt pocket or tote bag. Available at www.zelco.com.

Jewellery

Launched in November, the Russell Simmons Fine Men's Jewelry line from Simmons Jewelry Company provides a modern twist to traditional men's jewellery. Designed for urban-minded men who appreciate a varied lifestyle, the line includes a stainless steel turning dice pendant that rotates on it axis ($455), cufflinks in different permutations (Phillips’ head, dragon, bulldog, lion and scorpion [10], $175–$295), and the heavy masculine bracelets with a signature urban identity (New York, Los Angeles, Detroit) made from stainless steel and rubber. A basic chain in the collection will retail for $200; a 0·50 ct diamond steel and rubber bracelet will retail for $1,500 and a bracelet encrusted with six carats of diamonds will go for $10,000. The Russell Simmons Men's Fine Jewelry Collection from Simmons Jewelry Company will be available in November at Gordon's Jewelers nationwide and at Macy's Herald Square in New York City.

Nothing says ‘I will love you forever’ than jewellery, and the pieces in the Pasha de Cartier jewellery collection say a mouthful (11). The rich kaleidoscope of amethyst, citrine, pink tourmaline, diamonds, raspberry rubellite, green tourmaline, green beryl, perdot, sky-blue aquamarine, madeira citrine and palmera citrine stones nestling on a grid foundation of white or yellow gold creates a lattice work of jewelled lace, showering the various bracelets, rings and earrings in a luxurious light. Available at Cartier boutiques.

Tiffany celebrates the great trains of yore with a set of sterling silver featuring an engine, coal car, passenger car and caboose. This one and only train (12) is a masterpiece of Tiffany quality and craftsmanship, and captures the spirit of family holidays. The Tiffany Holiday Train is available at Tiffany & Co. locations worldwide, the Tiffany web site at www.tiffany.com, or by calling 1 800 526-0649.

Daniel K. tuxedo studs ($150,000, 13) echo the cufflink silhouette with Asscher cut diamonds handset in platinum cubes. Totalling 11·68 ct, the set of four shirt studs is available in Miami at Mayor's (7457 North Kendall Drive, Miami, FL 33156) and other fine jewellery emporiums. •

Phillip Johnson is features’ editor of Lucire.

 

Read more in the December 2005 issue of Lucire.    To make sure you don’t miss out, click on the image at right to subscribe or purchase a single copy. (Click 'Yes' if pop-up boxes appear—you're being switched to our secure server and it is completely safe.)

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