Staff Picks: September 29th

Welcome to InsideHook’s Staff Picks, a compendium of what our editors are digging recently.

First, a lesson in heroism. As in: this is what you get for trying to be a hero.

And now, on with our picks:

Mammut Wenaha Rain Jacket
One technical question of great concern to me is staying dry while hiking, and I wasn’t convinced a mid-market piece would do the job … while providing enough breathability and ventilation to keep me cool. After a weekend in the rain, I’m happy to say that this one did. It’s not fancy, but with a binary thing like this, it’s not necessary. Am I dry? Yeah. Am I sweating? No. That’s enough. — Diane Vadino, San Francisco Editor

Little Book “The Easy” Blended Straight Whiskey
Eighth generation Beam family member Freddie Noe’s contribution to the family business may be called Little Book, but its flavor profile — and alcohol content — is quite large. The inaugural release in a possible annual series, Little Book is a potent blend of four-year-old Kentucky straight bourbon, six-year-old malt whiskey, six-year-old high-rye whiskey and 13-year-old corn whiskey. Far from silky but still fairly smooth, Little Book doesn’t finish like a 128-proof whiskey. — Evan Bleier, News Editor

Uuni Uuni 3 Wood-Fired Pizza Oven
Naturally, a tasty pizza needs great ingredients, but it also needs high heat. The Uuni Uuni 3 uses wood-pellets, which burn more efficiently than logs, allowing the oven to hit the 935 degree mark. You’ll have a rustic pie in about a minute. And the pizza peel is included. — Reuben Brody, Los Angeles Editor

Levi’s Vintage Clothing Lot 3556 Check Sack Coat
A faithful reproduction of a workwear staple from the early 20th century. The minor details — check the blazer-style front hem — go a long way in separating this layering piece from the pack. If anyone asks, tell ’em it was a true vintage find. None will be the wiser. — Michael Nolledo, Deputy Editor

This Is Ground Mod Laptop 3
I’d sooner leave for the airport without pants on than I would without this number. (Which, yes, may have happened once … briefly.) It keeps all the essentials in check even when travels go full Gonzo. — Shari Gab, New York Editor

Acid Wolf Mug
I’ve been wanting to get a tattoo from Portland, OR artist Winston the Whale forever — dude might be the most sought after tattooist in America at this point, and it’s easy to see why. So until I luck up and manage to snag one of his diamond-rare appointment slots, I’ll have to content myself with this awesome coffee mug from the fine folks at Stumptown Roasters, featuring his badass drawing of a trippy acid wolf. Transcendental enlightenment free with every sip. — Danny Agnew, Creative Director

Bulleit Kentucky Coffee with Vanilla Brown Sugar Syrup
Speaking of coffee … it’s National Coffee Day (every day is National Coffee Day, but whatever). Go get some free java. Then around, oh, noon, make this recipe — you can get the beans here and the Bulleit here. — Kirk Miller, Managing Editor/Nation Editor

Ingredients
2.5 oz. Revelator Coffee Petunias Blend Cold Brew
1.25 oz. Bulleit Bourbon
Vanilla Brown Sugar Syrup*
Creamer (to taste)

Directions
Combine cold brew and Bulleit in a glass. Add the sugar syrup and creamer to taste.

*Vanilla Brown Sugar Syrup: 1 cup water, 1 cup brown sugar, 1 vanilla bean split in half. Dissolve sugar in boiling water, add bean and simmer for five minutes. Cool and store in fridge.

Finally, here’s a track we’ve all been talking about this week … oh, hey there, Michael Cera: