Cool Things To Buy Right Now: Must-Have Items for Every Man’s Collection

There’s no doubt, Bruichladdich is one of my favourite Scotch whisky distilleries. With an enduring commitment to growing barley in the unforgiving climate of Islay, Bruichladdich not only supports local agriculture but also creates hundreds of jobs within the community. By paying farmers regardless of seasonal yield, the distillery reflects its “why can’t we do that?” attitude, choosing values over convenience. It’s just one of the ways Bruichladdich stands out from the rest.

The Octomore collection, now in its 15th edition, is a reflection of that ‘why not?’ ethos, using nothing but 100% Islay-grown Concerto barley from Octomore Farm. With a peatiness score of 307.2 parts per million, this is the second most peaty whisky ever produced, I’ve been fortunate enough to try a few of the whiskies from the Octomore line, and let me tell you, this super heavily peated whisky does not disappoint. It’s mind-blowingly good.

Surprised to see premium black pepper in here? Well, you shouldn’t be. It’s called Cool Products after all. The team over at Pep take their spices very seriously and has made it their mission to revive the quality of one of the world’s most popular ingredients.

Grown in the red volcanic soils of Cambodia, Pep is a single-origin pepper company that specialises in “aromatic complexity — herbaceous, earthy and green, rocks and rain, mild sweetness.” In short, this seriously packs a punch. You’ll never go back to your run-of-the-mill peppercorns again.

With Silly Season fast approaching, the need to update that summer wardrobe is becoming increasingly more important. Parties, work drinks and social gatherings are coming thick and fast and you don’t want to be digging out your old clothes from last year.

Peter Jackson has always been a perennial staple for stylish Australian blokes, with simple, affordable tailoring suitable for every occasion. This pair of Santorini Olive Trousers caught my eye while perusing the new spring/summer collection. Crafted from a luxurious linen-cotton blend and finished with a front pleat, these trousers are an ideal choice for your next cocktail party.

If, like me, you’ve always wanted a new projector that replicates that perfect cinema experience at home (but you’ve never been able to find one that can actually work in your space) look no further than the new Hisense PX3.

With its cutting-edge TriChroma LPU™ Digital Laser Engine, delivering stunning colours, brightness, and crystal-clear visuals, the PX3 sets a new standard in home cinema. Hisense has worked with Xbox to guarantee seamless compatibility, low latency, and sharp visuals for the ultimate gaming experience – it’s a first for any projector to earn an Xbox-certified mark.

The NBA is back for another season and for Australian basketball fans, that means taking your game to the next level. The NBA League Pass is your go-to site for all things courtside, where you can catch all the action from one of the biggest leagues in the world. Where else are you going to witness the James family make history as the first father-son duo in the league? Or see Australian stars Josh Giddey, Patty Mills and Jock Landale represent the Boomers stateside?

The NBA League Pass puts every play, every pass and every hoop in the palm of your hand, so you can watch your favourite teams simultaneously, with absolute freedom.

The aforementioned Silly Season is upon us, and that can only mean one thing: it’s time to suit up. Now, I’ll admit I’m guilty of relying on my top two suits, alternating between black and navy for all events, regardless of theme or occasion. But without realising it, I’m keeping things pretty standard – certainly not in the spirit of a season meant for festive style and bold choices.

Hugo Boss has always been my go-to for suits. For ‘off the rack’, they seem to consistently nail the fit, making the sizing as close to custom as you can get without a tailor. This chocolate suit, their latest two-piece in stretch twill, blended with premium virgin wool, is certainly stylish yet comfortable enough for a full evening of celebrating. So if you’re ready to break out of the usual black or navy, this suit is the perfect place to start.

On Running has had a stellar year. With more and more casuals taking to the streets and joining local run clubs, the jogging boom in Australia has reached dizzying new heights. Of course, there will always be the mainstay brands (and we’ve featured quite a few of them). But this year, we’ve been incredibly impressed with the increasing surge in popularity enjoyed by the Roger Federer-backed brand, which is using Swiss engineering to offer alternative runners in the busy market.

Our favourites have to be the Cloudmonster 2s: more cushioning, better propulsion and added energy return for those harder morning runs. This White/Flame colourway is hard to beat as well.

Japanese whisky is known the world over for the harmonious blend of its signature drops – various whiskies aged in different types of casks, such as American and Japanese Mizunara oak barrels, that have become synonymous with this unique part of the world. I was fortunate enough to be invited to an exclusive tasting of Hibiki’s most celebrated whiskies, ranging from the no-age statement Harmony, through to 21 years and 30 years old. But this 40-year-old expression left an indelible impression.

Inspired by the philosophy of creating harmony and capturing the essence of time, the goal for Hibiki’s 40-Year-Old was to craft a whisky that embodies the beauty and refinement that comes with ageing. This limited edition release is an exquisite blend of various malt and grain whiskies, sourced from Suntory’s renowned distilleries—Yamazaki, Hakushu, and Chita.

First introduced in 1984, the Breitling Chronomat holds a special place in the history of Swiss luxury watchmaking, with anniversary editions marking key milestones. This year’s Australia-exclusive release is no exception.

Featuring a sleek arctic matte white dial with contrasting black subdials, the iconic panda design shines in the Chronomat’s 42mm case like never before. This anniversary edition also comes with a rubber signature “Rouleaux” strap – arguably one of the more premium rubber options available in today’s horological market – and is limited to just 140 pieces worldwide, securing its own unique place among Breitling’s most revered creations.

The Paris 2024 Olympics boasted some incredible moments as the nations descended on the French capital in search of gold… and Steph Curry’s MVP-worthy performance to clinch the Basketball for Team USA over the hosts was a standout highlight.

Designed for both experienced athletes and sneakerheads, the all-new Curry 12 ‘Gravity’ allows fans to channel their inner champion, with an out-of-this-world spring to reflect Curry’s gravitational pull on the court. These are the twelfth iteration from the Warriors star, complete with a sleek light grey upper accented by vibrant green and black details, with two new colourways,  “Wardell Mode” and “Shooting Star,” set to be released soon.

Danish soundcraft meets Italian flair in Bang & Olufsen’s latest collection with Ferrari, the Beoplay H95 Ferrari Edition. Tuned for rich, balanced sound, these premium over-ear headphones combine Bang & Olufsen’s signature advanced audio technology with an elegant design and craftsmanship that has become synonymous with the Italian supercar brand.

We’ve had a pair of these on review for the last few weeks and let me tell you, the morning commute never sounded (and looked) so good. But of course, with active noise cancellation, the Beoplays are suitable for any occasion – at the gym, doing the shopping, and even when travelling on a noisy plane. Check out the full Bang & Olufsen X Ferrari collection for the latest in audio technology.