Preferred Magazine Fall 2016

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Luxury lifestyle for men

Ben Mulroney & Devon Soltendieck Etalk’s DYNAMIC DUO

The Legend Turns Black The large-size Breitling’s Navitimer 46 Blacksteel

The Perfect Man Cave

Good friends, Football fans, cigar aficionados

Fashion, Cars & Travel food, money matters, Spirits, Wines and much more

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PYROTEK helps clients deliver lasting memories to their audiences.

LAS VEGAS NEW YORK TORONTO NASHVILLE pyrotekfx.com #pyrotekfx 1.800.660.5391


VOLUME 6 Issue 3 Fall 2016

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Preferred Magazine 146 Thirtieth Street, Suite 203,

PUBLISHED BY Preferred Communications Inc.

Toronto ON, M8W 3C4 Telephone:416-722-3876

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

www.preferredmagazine.ca

Carlo Greco carlo@preferredmagazine.ca

Subscribe to Preferred Magazine www.preferredmagazine.ca/subscription/

MARKETING & GRAPHIC DESIGN AFC Communications Inc.

Printed in Canada

alain@preferredmagazine.ca ASSOCIATE EDITOR Taneil Currie taneil@preferredmagazine.ca SALES & ADVERTISING Tyler Saik V.P. of \Sales tyler@preferredmagazine.ca 647-864-9183 SENIOR WRITERS Orion Armstrong, Monique Simpson, Alex Jackson, Samantha Chibani, Gerald Glavota, Tony Curcio CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Tahnee Lloyd –Smith, Joao Rodrigues and Thomasz Krzyzanowski, Drew Hamblin PHOTOGRAPHERS Lesley Pedraza , Lindsay Anne Delaney, Doug McMillan, Franco Ciriot

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ON THE COVER Ben Mulroney & Devon Soltendieck


PELICAN™ ELITE LUGGAGE C r u sh pr o o f / W a t e r t ight P r o t e c t io n LIFETIME GUARANTEE

All trademarks are registered and/or unregistered trademarks of Pelican Products Inc., its affiliates and/or subsidiaries. See Pelican.com for full warranty details.

MAD E IN

U S A PELICAN.COM

©2016 Pelican Products, Inc. 23215 Early Ave., Torrance CA 90505 TEL 310.326.4700 FAX 310.326.3311


PUBLISHER’S LETTER Summer 2016

Through the mist of fall mornings the air is crisp as the leaves begin to change color. Autumn arrives, illustrating the spectacular beauty of nature and a new season is upon us. Welcome to our 2016 Fall issue. Six years from our inception and our focus on the sophisticated reader while partnering with the finest brands, we will be expanding into the U.S. market. I am thrilled to announce that Preferred Los Angeles will be available this December.

In this issue, our cover story is the dynamic duo hosts of CTV’S Etalk – Ben Mulroney and Devon Soltendieck – who are celebrating their 15th anniversary. Etalk has been the #1 entertainment news program for the past 14 years. We had a wonderful time at the photo shoot, and the entire Etalk production team was awesome to work with. Our team was also interviewed by them and that segment will be aired live in the near future. Once again, our Fall issue is full of intriguing stories. We’ll take you on a scotch-and-rum odyssey and present some mouth-watering cocktail recipes. Then we’ll introduce you to the Bentley Bentayga – the fastest, most powerful, luxurious and exclusive SUV in the world. A first-hand Scottish wine-and-golf adventure awaits you, as does a Sunday soccer-and-sports-car gathering at a unique man cave in Oakville, Ontario. You’ll also meet Walter Ginevri and his unique restaurant that’s bringing traditional Italian food to Cuba. We’ll introduce you to John Marchione, Canada’s cheque writer and cash-flow expert, then escort you through a luxurious new Toronto condo from renowned Freed Developments. Our stock market experts examine the flawed strategy of ‘buy and hold’ and suggest alternatives. Then we’ll introduce you to the joys of private villa life and a company that has over 2,800 options worldwide. And be sure to read about Bannockburn and its Felton Road “Liquid Gold,” which showcases one of New Zealand’s top wineproducing areas and labels. From all of us at Preferred Magazine, we wish all our readers and their families the very best of the Fall season. Thanks also to our advertisers for their loyal support. Enjoy! Best Regards Carlo

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CONTRIBUTORS

Samantha Chibani - Sam thrives on the relations she builds and creates while being the woman behind the Preferred men’s “handle” when managing all social media outlets for the company. Her zest for creating personable connections and sharing them along with upcoming and current adventures proudly within this targeted men’s class comes naturally to her. In addition to her hearty online presence Sam puts to use her creativity to work being a senior writer focusing on feature articles/guests, shows as well as her voice on love and relationships.

Tony Curcio - Tony is an awardwinning, Toronto-born writer who has written for virtually every type of print and electronic media during his 45-year career. He began in 1969 as a writer in the Communications Department of The Toronto Star. After five years, he became head writer. He left the newspaper in 1989 and currently maintains a small freelance writing and design business in downtown Toronto.

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Gerald Glavota - Gerald certainly has a refined palette for fine Whisky and other sprits and willingly shares his abundance of knowledge and resources to all who have the fondness of these timely beverages as he does. In addition to him frequenting whisky affairs, Gerald can also be found attending start/up technology, investment and lifestyle. Find out more on g2whisky.com and on Twitter@ g2whisky.

Orion Armstrong - Orion is first and foremost a true cigar lover, collector and aficionado. As well as being a successful entrepreneur and commercial real estate developer. Arguably one of a handful of aficionado’s, who embrace the art of vintage cigar preservation while actively educating people about the vintage cigar experience. Skillfully tasting cigars for over 26 years, Orion insists on smoking only the highest grades of tobaccos. As an extension of his enthusiasm for vintage cigars, he has always had a passion for quality and a keen eye for cut, shape, form and most of all taste. He is lucky enough to have smoked cigars in some of the best lounges in the world, and counts owners of some of the finest tobacco fields in the world as friends.

Brian J. D’Souza - Brian is a devout follower of extreme sports like boxing, MMA and motorsport. He likes the sensation of taking oneself to the limit: There’s an emotional charge that comes from taking risks. He has written for many publications including ESPN.com, Sportsnet Magazineand CagePotato. com. In 2013, he authored Pound for Pound: The Modern Gladiators of Mixed Martial Arts. He is currently writing a novel and splits his time between teaching yoga and working to promote contemporary dance in Toronto. You can follow him on Twitter @Brian_J_DSouza.

Monique Simpson - Monique never sought out the wine industry; the wine industry found her. A graduate with a Bachelor of Commerce and Law (honours) degree from the University of Auckland, New Zealand, Monique travelled throughout Europe post undergrad for nine months enjoying the experiences and exposure to different cultures, great food, and fine wines. Monique’s passion for food and wine and her personal development while overseas led to a significant career change from law to the wine industry. With her enthusiasm to further her knowledge about the finer points of wine, Monique completed the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Level 4 Diploma. Today, Monique remains actively involved in the wine industry and is commencing her third year in the IWSC (International Wine and Spirit Competition ex London) Associate Judging Program.


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FEATURES AND CONTENTS

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p.32 p.28

Adventure, Golf, Whisky Taste The Cocktails of FALL

INTRODUCING THE Navitimer 46 Blacksteel

p.34

p.48

p.12

Felton Road’s “Liquid Gold”

p.36 Strategies on how to cash bigger cheques

Cover Story- ETALK’S DYNAMIC DUO preferred cigars DIVING INTO A CUBAN CLASSIC

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p.30 Invest: Put Your Money to Work for You

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Luxury Off-road experience


p.70 p.42

p.16

Contemporary SoHo masterpiece steps from downtown Toronto Relax into this passionate 3 act play of passion, perspiration and prestige as we investigate this tantalizing trio

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Experience relaxed luxury in Saint Martin

p.26

p.46

The first man gets the oyster, the second man gets the shell

p.54

p.44

The Not- So Glamorous Life of Indycar By James Hinchcliffe

Preferred Cigar & Scotch Event for the Extraordinary Gentlemen

p.20

A culinary journey that delivers elements of surprise and delight

p.14

THIS IS MILTON: YOURS TO DISCOVER!

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Introducing John Marchione – Canada’s (big) cheque writer! YOU MAY NOT KNOW WHAT AN ENGAGING FINANCIAL SERVICES PROFESSIONAL JOHN MARCHIONE IS ON A PERSONAL LEVEL. BUT HE’S LIKELY THE BEST FRIEND ANY SMALL OR MEDIUM-SIZED BUSINESS – AND ITS KEY SUPPLIERS – WILL EVER HAVE! HERE’S WHY. So you want to grow your business much faster. You also want to take advantage of early-payment discounts from key suppliers. Finally, you want to maintain and even improve your credit rating. If this is you, then John Marchione, CPA CGA is definitely your man. A veteran of the financial services sector, John has vast experience in global funding, business development and sales/financial management, to name just a few. But his real expertise lies in improving a company’s cash flow. Cash flow today is key Just as location, location, location is paramount in the real estate industry, for just about every small and mediumsized business in Canada, it’s all about cash flow, cash flow, cash flow, said Marchione. Headquartered, in Hamilton, Bermuda with an office on Bay Street in the heart of the financial district in downtown Toronto, Marchione is Head of Global Funding and President of the Acquisition Division of Anaplans Funds LLC. The business basically involves purchasing invoices from a company’s key suppliers, and paying them off quickly for a nominal fee. Now while this may sound like a rather basic business strategy, many small and medium-sized firms are not always able to pay their bills on a regular basis or in a timely manner. This is what Marchione refers to “maximizing your cash flow through Supplier Credit Financing. Anaplans believes in small business and understands the demands on cash flow and working capital as you grow your business. We want to make it easier for companies to get funding and grow their business.” he added. But rest assured, the bottom-line benefits of this program are huuuuuge! In the commerce arena, this process is referred to as Supplier Credit Financing- ‘banking preferred product’ designed to compliment existing commercial banking lines of credit. The solution provides funds to credit-approved companies for purchase of products or services from their major suppliers. This unique approach allows a company up to 150 days to pay – instead of the traditional Net 30 days or COD. This frees up much-needed working capital and provides enormous benefits that are not always considered or evident. These include immediate access to cash, improved cash flow, the ability to take advantage of a

supplier’s early-payment discounts, no adverse effects on a user’s existing credit lines (and in many cases an improved credit rating), a lower cost for goods sold – even a lower balance-sheet debt. How Anaplans works “The process is surprisingly easy,” said Marchione. “The customer completes an application form, provides all necessary documentation, and requests a credit limit. Next, we establish a credit-insured limit. When approved, you simply sign the required papers and we write you a cheque. Applying normally takes just a few minutes and we’ll walk you through the entire process. There are no additional fees, costs are transparent and terms are clearly explained. The entire approval process generally takes 3 to 5 days. Credit limits usually range from $150,000 to $2 million,” he added. Anaplans also works with its customers to manage the growth of their businesses while providing ongoing financial consultation as a trusted partner. It provides credit insurance to approve debtors before its clients provide goods or services. The company also offers short-term contracts with low set-up fees to make it easier for smaller businesses to open an account. For more information, please e-mail John Marchione at jpm@anaplans.com, call him at (416) 300-6302 or toll-free at 1-866-270-7992.

“There are no additional fees, costs are transparent and terms are clearly explained. The entire approval process generally takes 3 to 5 days. Credit limits usually range from $150,000 to $2 million.”

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Young, Modern, Growing. Undiscovered. Only 45 minutes from Toronto nestled against the backdrop of the scenic Niagara Escarpment, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, sits a young, affluent, and growing community waiting to be discovered. With a median age of 34 and one of the top 5 most educated populations in the province, its unique demographics and surging development makes it a prime location for innovation and knowledge based business. Connected to each of the 400 series highways, a short drive to international airports, and its unique position along Ontario’s Innovation Corridor are a few of the reasons Canadian Business Magazine ranked the community the #2 Most Lucrative Place for Business in Canada. It’s not all business here though. With 8 premier golf courses close at hand, expansive green spaces, and world class facilities, there are an abundance of recreational activities to meet the demands for work-life balance. The Mattamy National Cycling Centre, one of only two velodromes in North America, and home to Canada’s National Cycling Team, is a modern show piece set against the rich natural wonder of the escarpment. State-of-the-art amenities, a vibrant arts and culture scene and an historic downtown make it a place where hometown charm meets modern living. This is Milton.

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Mattamy National Cycling Centre: Milton, Ontario, Canada preferredmagazine.ca preferredmagazine.ca

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REAL ESTATE

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REAL ESTATE

360° of elegance inside 360° of intrigue outside Exterior: Rendering courtesy of Freed Developments, Architecture by Raw Design Interiors: Rendering courtesy of Freed Dev Interior Design by Burdifilek

Freed Developments is well known for transforming Toronto’s King West neighbourhood from a staid industrial area into a thriving urban centre. And it’s not surprising that Freed’s other unique properties have rejuvenated their respective communities as well. Now, this leading Canadian developer has unveiled its latest achievement – 346 Davenport. With occupancy expected in February of 2019, this building not only reflects traditional uncompromising Freed quality inside and out, but it’s located in an area that presents residents-to-be with a fascinating odyssey in every direction. 346 Davenport. Remember that address. This exclusive collection of 35 contemporary homes just West of Avenue Road in Toronto includes luxurious two-bedroom and three-bedroom suites from 1,000 sq. ft. to 4,400 sq. ft., with prices starting from the $800,000s. Or, if custom is more your style, design your own suite up to 6,700 sq. ft. As with other Freed properties, 346 Davenport is unique – mere steps away from all that downtown Toronto has to offer, yet still a virtual oasis from the occasional urban noise and commotion. It’s the ideal home for those who value an elite and extraordinary lifestyle, while at the same time appreciating serenity and beauty. A unique building inside and out At first glance, you’d think 346 Davenport resembles a European streetscape or a SoHo masterpiece. Sleek panels of floor-to-ceiling glass create an elegant, flowing sightline. Balconies embrace both the interior and exterior in a seamless vista. Concrete meets steel while unique accents of greenery seem to sprout, wistfully joining edifice and boulevard. Once inside 346 Davenport, your entire point of view changes. At each turn, Toronto offers up a stunning 360° vision just beyond the glass. The panoramic scenes from the revealing floor-to-ceiling windows seem to transport the city inside your suite. The downtown skyscrapers, the rich greenery of the nearby parklands, the trendy streets of Yorkville – it’s as if you’re moving through an opulent tapestry of the way life should be. From sleek designer kitchens to spa-like, creature-comfort bathrooms, every detail at 346 Davenport has been meticulously selected to reflect Freed’s philosophy of visual elegance combined with ultimate functionality. So it’s not at

all surprising that some of Canada’s and the world’s best have been involved in its creation. “As with all our properties, we enlisted some of the best architects and designers available,” said Peter Freed, President of Freed Developments, the developer and builder. “It’s a small boutique building, yet it’s quite visually stunning thanks to its unique exterior design by RAW, one of Toronto’s top architectural studios. The interior, suite layouts and finishes by international design consultancy Burdifilek are just as meticulous.” However, it’s also the unique location that makes Freed’s voice bubble with excitement. “I just love the location. There are so many amenities in the neighbourhood – from Yorkville to Forest Hill to the Annex to the University of Toronto – including some great green spaces, walking trails, wonderful restaurants and much, much more.”

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REAL ESTATE

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REAL ESTATE

Residents can look forward to: entertainment spaces with modern, open-concept floorplans; custom designed European kitchens with integrated appliances; floor-to-ceiling windows for spectacular panoramic views; individual, digitally-controlled heating and air conditioning systems; oversized balconies and terraces for spectacular outdoor entertaining; wide-plank hardwood flooring throughout every suite; oversized natural stone tiles in all bathrooms; custom designed European vanities…..the list seems endless. From elegant bathrooms with natural stone countertops and oversized mirrors, to free-standing soaker tubs and polished chrome hardware fixtures, to your front Concierge available 24 hours a day, 346 Davenport exudes comfort, elegance, sophistication and safety at every turn. A location and community like no other As Freed mentioned, you’d be hard pressed to find a more desirable neighbourhood than that surrounding 346 Davenport. No matter where you go, adventure awaits. To the north, famed Casa Loma, known as Toronto’s Camelot, dominates the horizon. To the south, panoramic views of concrete creations, metal and glass spires of a world-class city seem to be at your fingertips. An eastward glance reveals the stately boulevards of Rosedale, arguably the most famous community in Toronto with a colourful history dating back to the 1960s when it was referred to as a “hippie haven.” Today, its eclectic mix of condos, office towers, chic boutiques and five-star

hotels continues to amaze. To the west lies historic South Hill with its shops, cafés and studios – and surprisingly, more parks per square metre than any other neighbourhood in Toronto. The other benefit that makes 346 Davenport alluring is that this vibrant community is a true reflection of its residents. A bit of New York, a touch of Milan – in short, a blend of the best Toronto has to offer. Building not just homes, but lifestyles and communities If history is any judge, a Freed property is inevitably more than just a building – it’s a lifestyle hub that enriches any community. Awardwinning Freed Developments has given rise, so to speak, to some of Toronto’s most acclaimed and coveted residences, while re-defining and enhancing Toronto’s numerous streetscapes. Some of its most notable projects include the Art Shoppe Lofts + Condos, 150/155 Redpath, Sherwood Park Modern Towns, Sixty Colborne, Thompson Residences, Fashion House, Five Hundred Wellington, Six50 King, Seventy5 Portland, 550 Wellington, The Thompson Hotel, 455 Adelaide, 20 Stewart, 66 Portland and the Muskoka Bay Club. You can now add 346 Davenport to that growing and impressive list. For more information, please visit www.346davenport.com/ and www.freeddevelopments.com.

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FOOD

Where Italian and Cuban tastes meet: The remarkable birth of Nero Di Seppia Written by Tony Curcio Photography by Franco Ciriot

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FOOD

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FOOD

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FOOD

Walter Ginevri (aka Don Ciccio) arrived as a tourist to Cuba (the largest island in the Caribbean) for the first time in 1991, attracted by the stories told by his friends from previous visits to the island. “After this first visit I fell in love with Cuba and began to travel there more often,” he recalls. “In those days, there were not many restaurants in Cuba – and virtually none of them Italian. This was a time of revelation because I saw an opportunity to bring the entire history of traditional Italian food to Cuba.” At that time, Ginevri had already carved out a career as a Chef in different parts of the world, working in restaurants located in Italy, China, Japan and South Korea. In the beginning as a chef in Cuba, he had to adapt many recipes to Cuban tastes and peculiarities. So he created unique modifications of traditional Italian recipes using domestic ingredients – that is, ingredients sourced from the immediate and surrounding areas. His undisputed masterpiece is the unique restaurant Nero di Seppia, located at his home in the exclusive neighborhood of Miramar in Havana. The restaurant is a place that successfully condenses more than 35 years of experience in high-end Italian cuisine. This popular meeting place is also committed to sustainable trends in restaurants. This includes the farming of spices and vegetables using only 100% natural fertilizer – and not any type of pesticide. Its extensive menu also includes a section devoted specifically to vegetarian food. Today, Nero Di Seppia (on Street Six between First and Third Street) is an oasis of surprising Italian delicacies – from traditional pastas to extraordinary hand-made pizzas. Housed in a stunning, mansionlike building (that’s the actual restaurant itself) in a spacious courtyard, it’s unlike any restaurant that’s ever existed in Cuba. Moreover, it’s attracted an enviable, high-end clientele of devoted patrons including business professionals, entertainers, even diplomats who who dine there regularly. I recommend this marvelous restaurant and its engaging chef to anyone who’s thinking of visiting Havana. You definitely won’t be disappointed.

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FOOD

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Explore the Fine Wines of Italy.

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“Wines Worth Exploring”

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Exclusive Distributors – 905.997.2542 – Sales: 416.910.7266 – www.vdfwines.com


FOOD

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FOOD

Your < Preferred> oyster… Where they once were considered poor man’s food, the celebrated oyster has surely come a long way. Indeed this little bivalve is riding high in popularity. China is the world leading producer with 3.7 million tons annually. No longer is it reserved for special occasions (although still very trendy for special events) and fall seasons but rather cravings, availability, and even contests. In any case, cold or hot (the famous Rockefeller) oysters are a Pearl of a feast to me R is no longer the case! The new availability to obtain fresh oysters is largely due to the fact that most of them are now farmed on a 12 month basis as opposed a time where the «R» rule was applied. This being that you had to consume oysters from September to December. The reason being that «wild» oysters would reproduce better during this period as these are the months of warmer waters hence safer and fresher oysters. Also the fact that back in the day, refrigerated trucks were not a common thing. Who wants to receive their oysters already opened because it was 38 degrees in the delivery truck. Today of course you can find a large variety of oysters served in countless ways in both restaurants and pubs from east to the west coast. Canada alone has over 50 types. Some East coast varieties stretch from Cape May New Jersey to Malpeque in Prince Edward Island. In any case, it is generally agreed that it takes 24 to 36 months for the oyster to reach a «commercial» size in order to be sold. Needless to say, it is quite a costly and lengthy investment as they can only be bread in salted water. Whether it is basins or sea water parks. The Aphrodisiac Factor? We have all heard the stories or read the tales. While it is largely exaggerated, there is still some truth to it. Traditionally, oysters are considered to be an aphrodisiac in part because they resemble female sex organs. Well, we all know there was much more to it than that…

Contests and Oyster shuckers Opening or “shucking” oysters has become a competitive sport. Oyster-shucking competitions are now staged around the world. Opening oysters requires ability, skill and is not for everyone. . An inexperienced forceful method can result in serious injury. Covering the oyster with a towel to protect the hand holding it is common practice and a safer approach. The shell itself can be razor sharp. Special knives for opening oysters have short and stout blades about 5 cm long. Professional shuckers require fewer than three seconds opening the shell.

After exhaustive research, Italian and American scientists noticed the high level of amino acids and zinc which stimulate the production of testosterone and in turn increase the level of sex hormones. Oysters could be considered Mother Nature’s vitamin box. Containing such minerals as zinc, iron, calcium, selenium, and vitamins A and B12, it’s the perfect picker upper for those tiresome days (or nights). They are also very rich in Protein which makes them invaluable for fatigue and a veritable anti depressant.

The «other» Model T

A few tips about Selection, preparation and storage Like fine wine, oysters have complex flavors that vary among varieties and regions. Oysters must be eaten or cooked alive. If the shell is open, it cannot be eaten safely.

Procedure 1. Using an Oyster knife, make an incision where the opening is situated. 2. Insert the blade, with moderate force at the hinge between the two valves. 3. Twist the blade until there is a slight pop. 4. Slide the blade upward to cut the adductor muscle which holds the shell closed. 5. Deposit on bed of salt making sure you save the juice. 6. Mix cucumber, shallots and cold gin. 7. Carefully deposit in oyster. 8. Garnish with lemon zests.

Oysters can have a fairly long shelf life of up to four weeks. They should be refrigerated out of water with a damp cloth. Choose a heavy oyster, it means it has conserved its water therefore safe and healthy. Never serve on ice as the cold destroys their aroma. Rather on a bed of salt.

• • • • • •

6 Malpeque or Beausoleil oysters. 300gr of course salt 80 gr of cucumber 30 gr of French shallots 100 ml of Tangueray gin. 40 gr Lemon zests

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SCOTCH WHISKY

Glenmorangie, Golf, and Gerald’s Scottish Adventure Written by Gerald Glavota

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SCOTCH WHISKY

The summer of 2016 was very hot in Toronto. So hot that when I looked at my weather app and saw 6-10 degrees Celsius with rain in Scotland, I thought that it would be nice to experience cooler weather. Not sure whether it was necessarily cooler, rather than whisky weather that I was thinking of. My thoughts had drifted to the Scottish Highlands since I was invited to experience Glenmorangie and Golf. My first trip to a Scottish distillery, as you’ll see, did not disappoint. The first day was set at the newly renovated Trump Turnberry which is home to The Ailsa Championship Golf Course – which has been the proud host of the Open four times and was the setting for the famous Watson and Nicklaus ‘Duel in the Sun’ in 1977. There was an island when I looked out called the Ailsa Craig where granite has been mined to produce the majority of curling stones. Another interesting “fact” I was told was that if you can’t see the Ailsa Craig, that means that it’s raining. If, however, you can see it – that means it’s going to rain. A bit of Scottish humour. That evening began with a cocktail reception within the hotel before we embarked on a walk to the grand clubhouse for a whisky tasting, followed by dinner. When I had landed earlier in the late morning in Glasgow, the weather was chilly and there was some rain. I guess the weather app was correct, or was it? The walk to the clubhouse was very pleasant. A few clouds and the weather was warm – but not as humid as Toronto. The tasting consisted of the four whiskies from the Glenmorangie core range:

years in Oloroso and PX Sherry casks from Jerez in Spain. Aroma: Warm spices mix with smooth chocolate-covered raisins, honeycomb and caramel toffee. Taste: Deliciously sweet sherry flavoured sultanas, orange segments, walnuts and butterscotch combine to create complex warm spices. Finish: Long and satisfying finish with spiced orange and chocolate-covered hazelnuts. Quinta Ruban (LCBO $96.35) is matured for 10 years in American white oak casks, before being transferred into specially selected ruby port pipes from the Quintas or wine estates of Portugal for a further two years. Aroma: Dark mint chocolate, tangerines and Seville oranges mingle with sandalwood and walnut before giving way to a spicy finish of pepper and nutmeg. Taste: Mint chocolate and walnuts envelop the palate like velvet, laying the foundations for rose, Turkish delight and sweet Seville oranges. Finish: Long lasting silky aftertaste leaving dark chocolate mints and traces of orange. Nectar D’Or (LCBO $123.15) is matured for 10 years in American white oak casks, before being transferred into hand selected wine barriques from Sauternes (the most famous and ancient sweet wine growing region of France) for a further two years. Aroma: Lime and orange rind, sultanas and dates give a rich, fruity flavour laced with tantalising spices of coconut and nutmeg. Taste: Ginger, nutmeg and toasted almonds bring a deep, warming taste interwoven with a syrupy lemon meringue and honeycomb middle. Finish: Long and lusciously sweet finish with lemon zest, white chocolate, vanilla and traces of ginger and nutmeg. The second day was spent at The 145th Open Championship held at Royal Troon Golf Club, where Glenmorangie is a major sponsor at this premier event. The Glenmorangie suite was decorated in its native colours with a great bookcase displaying a range of its whiskies and whisky-oriented objects. With another warm day, and a full day of watching golf, it called for a Glenmorangie cocktail – the same range of cocktails that had been available at Turnberry were now available The Open. An interesting fact about the Glenmorangie cocktail menu is that it is available at many partner bars around the world. After lunch we all waited for Justin Rose, the new Glenmorangie Golf Ambassador, to come into the suite and hopefully take a picture, which we did, (the Canadian group) after which Justin was kind enough to sign a golf ball for me. This is where you have to be quick on your feet – because as I walked away, I showed it to two ladies I thought I knew and said I got his autograph, showing them the golf ball. Then I one lady said “Gerald, let me introduce you to Justin’s wife.” I was quick on my feet, quickly responding “you must have seen this before.” We had a chuckle and spoke for a while.

The Original Ten Year Old (LCBO $69.95) is matured in first and second fill American white oak casks. It is a great everyday whisky which is described as Aroma: The scent of citrus and ripening peaches is softened by the aroma of vanilla. Taste: First, vanilla is detected on the tongue before it ripples along the palate bringing a burst of flowery fruitiness. Finish: About a minute after tasting, you are left with a clean and salving aftertaste with hints of orange and peach.

The Glenmorangie house would be our residence for the third day, originally a farmhouse from my recollection of the discussions, and the back cottages were stables. It was purchased in 1989 and was not open to non-corporate individuals until 1998. The four-hour drive from Glasgow was full of rain – remember today’s rain is used for tomorrows whisky – and sheep! You’d think that we’d see a lot of cows driving to the cottage. Well, there are even more sheep in the countryside of Scotland (at least in my opinion). I must confess that I did not see them all – and not because I was counting the sheep! I used the time to catch up on some much-needed sleep.

Lasanta (LCBO $90.50) is matured for 10 years in American white oak ex-bourbon casks before being extra-matured for a further two preferredmagazine.ca

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SCOTCH WHISKY

We first stopped at the Tarlogie natural spring, the source of water for the Glenmorangie distillery. The hard water found here is said to be “rich in minerals (magnesium and calcium) contributing to the rounded textured and fruitiness found in our whisky.” The commitment to preserving this water source has lead to the Glenmorangie owning and maintaining the 250 hectares of the surrounding land. The Glenmorangie Distillery was soon to be upon us. Founded in 1843 by William Matheson, it’s situated on the shores of the Dornoch Firth in the ancient Royal Burgh of Tain. It’s also the fourth largest, as well as fastest growing distillery in Scotland. I’ve seen many pictures of the distillery before, but being there is a different experience. The sights, sounds, smells, activity and people…..it brings everything together that can only be experienced by actually being there. The distillery has the largest stills in Scotland at eight metres, with their necks being just at over five metres in height (which is the same height as a full-grown giraffe). They’re column stills that, by their very nature, allow the lighter more delicate flavours to ultimately condense into the spirit that will be used for maturation. However, before the spirit can be made, over 300 tons of malted barely is delivered to the distillery each week. Next, we tour the Mash House, where essentially the starch in the grist is broken down into sugars that dissolve in hot water, forming a liquid known as wort. Now we’re getting in to the Tun Room, which was described as the area of the distillery where the washback is located. So, this is where the wort or liquid coming out of the mash tun is transferred out of the washback – the vessels where, with the addition of yeast, fermentation takes place. This is the point in the tour when we experienced a few things that you can only experience at a distillery. We were able to try some of the “liquid” during this time that is pretty much a “beer” mixture that tasted sweet. The other thing I experienced was the CO2 aroma that comes out of the open circular hatch from a fermenting washback. When you lean in and inadvertently take a breath, well, it wakes you up and almost knocks you on your back. Although, it might make a great sinus remedy! The sight of the Still House in all its glory was magnificent. From the information available to me, the stills are divided into two different types: on the left are the 6 was stills used for first distillation, and on the right the 6 spirit stills used in the second distillation. Once the distillate that will be used is collected, the new make spirit is reduced to a strength of 63.5% before filling the oak casks described in the tasting notes above. Another highlight was being able to taste some of the new make straight off of the line. Even at this early stage, you could taste some of the characteristics of the foundation of Glenmorangie whisky. Remember, 40% of the taste comes from the spirit. One of my earlier articles mentioned this and its closeness to the magic number of the Universe – 42. I may have been writing quite a bit about my trip, but I’ve left out so much. Near the end of the distillery tour we made it to Warehouse 3, which is described as a great example of a traditional style warehouse where the thick stone walls, earthen floors and low slate roofs help to control the temperature and humidity that are essential for the maturation of whisky. The warehouse was rather large with barrels and barrels of whisky maturing, and a couple of barrels from which we had a few little samples – oh so good! I do have to mention that the topic of the barrels used and the process of maturation is quite an interesting and vast topic that I may cover in a future article touching on the importance of wood in maturation. Off to the whisky shop where we first went upstairs for a

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tasting which included a great whisky (in my opinion) the Glenmorangie Signet. A few evenings before, a number of us drank this on the patio at Trump Turnberry. Signet (LCBO $339.95). The description is quite something off the website: A fusion of unique and rare elements, and clouded in secrecy, Signet is the culmination of a lifetime’s experience. A blend of our oldest whisky – distilled over thirty years ago when malting still occurred on site – and spirit matured in a selection of the world’s finest casks, this undoubtedly is the richest whisky in our range. Aroma: A strong Aruba espresso fused with a treacly plum pudding, rich with sherry, and candied orange peel. Taste: A contrast of rich sweetness with an explosive crackle of sizzling spices and bitter mocha. Finish: A fresh, spring-like breeze of mint with a bright citrus lemony-green quality. What a trip! The next day a few of us walked down to the Hilton of Cadboll Stone that was about a mile from The Glenmorangie House. The afternoon had us playing golf at The Royal Dornoch where Glenmorangie is the official whisky. Reflecting back on the trip and tasting the whiskies in Scotland, it was quite an experience. Another ingredient that made the trip unforgettable was the people. Everyone was so nice and we all had a great time during the various stages of the trip. We even had dinner with a winner of a Glenmorangie contest after the Open in Glasgow. He mentioned happily: “I have always wondered who won these contests” and then he smiled and said “I can tell people I’m one of them.” With his father as his companion for a few days of Glenmorangie and Golf, I’m sure he enjoyed it as much as I did. I would like to thank Glenmorangie and everyone I met along the trip and especially Hamish Torrie, Andy MacDonald and Brendan McCarron for their time during the first two days chatting and enjoying some Glenmorangie. And also to Veronique Gonneville for being a wealth of information and for making sure her Canadian group made it to their destinations. Wait, there’s one more whisky! Shortly after returning back to Toronto, there was a small media affair at The Caledonian where we sampled the forthcoming Milsean (and the Dark Cove, written about in the last issue) which the Glenmorangie website describes as Scots Gaelic for ‘sweet things’ and pronounced ‘meel-shawn’ – a single malt whisky full of intense candied fruit flavours and mouth-watering sweetness. It has been created from Glenmorangie matured in ex-bourbon casks and then extra-matured in former wine casks, re-toasted for the purpose. This distinctive cask preparation replicates something of the moreish sweetshop flavours in a single malt whisky. It is the seventh annual release in our multi-awardwinning and always intriguing Private Edition range. And Glenmorangie Milsean, with its remarkable sweetshop allusions, may be the most intriguing of them all. Milsean (LCBO $177.95) Glenmorangie Milsean Aroma: Perfumed, sweet and spicy with hints of sugar cane, ripe fruits, sherbet lemons and fudge. Taste: A sweet, luscious candy-like flavour followed by a mix of tart plummy fruit, candied orange peel, cherries, and angelica. Finish: Long and spicy, but always with a sweetness in the background, with flavours of ginger, brown sugar, sweet tobacco and cake mix. Glenmorangie. Unnecessarily well made. Seems appropriate, doesn’t it?


SCOTCH WHISKY

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COCKTAILS

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COCKTAILS

Cocktails, Scotch or Rum, and a Great Dream Dram Written by Gerald Glavota

Over the last number of years, I’ve been gaining an appreciation of cocktails to a certain extent. For many, many years, the only real cocktail I had consumed was a Manhattan since I don’t think Vodka and Tonic counts. Looking at the Wikipedia website, you can find under cocktail: “When used to refer to any generic alcoholic mixed drink, cocktail may mean any beverage that contains three or more ingredients if at least one of those ingredients is alcohol.” Under Usage and Related terms, Dale DeGroff is referenced for the following: “When a mixed drink contains only a distilled spirit and a mixer, such as soda or fruit juice, it is a highball; many of the International Bartenders Association Official Cocktails are highballs. When a cocktail contains only a distilled spirit and a liqueur, it is a duo and when it adds a mixer, it is a trio. Additional ingredients may be sugar, honey, milk, cream and various herbs. Now the question arises, should you make cocktails with whisky? Some will argue that whisky should be drunk straight up and water used sparingly to open up the bouquet. I’ve struggled with this a bit and quite often ask people involved in the whisk industry about it. No one pressures you; the only thing to do is to try one. Thinking back to my great experience with the Glenmorangie cocktails in Scotland, I asked for some of the cocktail recipes and have included a few below for you to try. Can’t hurt – trust me. Ace Julip Rock Glass; garnish with mint sprig and flamed orange twist; crushed ice 50ml Glenmorangie Original 12 Mint Leaves 15ml gomme 2 dsh Fee Bros. Black walnut bitters Stir, strain into ice filled glass Postage Stamp Sour Coupe Glass; garnish – flamed orange zest; Ice - Up 45ml Glenmorangie Original 10ml elderflower cordial 10 ml orgeat 25 ml lemon juice 1 dsh Angostura Orange bitters Shake, fine-strain into chilled glass

ingredients including cocoa, vanilla, cinnamon and the brand’s signature spice – vetiver. Vetiver is a bunch grass that is native to Haiti and has earthy and woody notes. Strawberry Cocktail 1.5 oz Baron Samedi Spiced Rum 0.5 oz Montenegro 0.75 oz Strawberry Syrup* 1 oz Fresh Lime Juice Add all ingredients to shaker. Shake and fine strain into Collins glass with ice. Garnish with large collection of mint. *For the syrup, bring to boil 1 pint of strawberries, 500g sugar, 0.5L water, turn off and let sit until at room temperature, then refrigerate. Dark and Stormy Slushy 1 part Baron Samedi Spiced Rum 2 parts Jamaican Ginger beer 1 part Lime 1 part Simple Syrup 1 part Water Use a slushy machine for best results. If using a blender, omit most of the water. Dream Dram I’ve been dreaming about 50-year-old Scotch over the last year – Highland Park, Bowmore, Glenfiddich, Balvenie to name a few. As I begin my third year sharing my experiences, we will go for something rare and a real dream. I’m talking about the Mortlach 75-year-old by Gordon & MacPhail. Here there are two icons, the whisky – Mortlach, which is favoured by many whisky drinkers with its characteristic “meatiness”; and the Independent Bottler Gordon & MacPhail. The decanter that the whisky comes is is uniquely number 75 – multi-level cuts representing the years of maturation. Unique to the packaging is the luxury Aniline leather travel bag and a specially commissioned book “Seven Nights with Mortlach” by Charles Maclean and Alexander McCall Smith. This Mortlach is described as follows: with notes of dried apricots and pomegranate, followed by hints of spice and creamy vanilla, the latest release to the luxury Generations range has a smooth and lingering smoky finish which remains long after the dram has been savoured. Only 100 decanters, bottled at cask strength (44.4% ABV), have been released for worldwide sale. The Generations Mortlach 75 Years Old is listed at £20,00. In Canada, you are most likely to find a bottle in Alberta or British Columbia, although if you want to make your dream come true, you can try to order a bottle from the importing agency. Enjoy your drams, regardless of how old they are. Cheers!

Quinta Ruban Old Fashioned Rocks Glass; garnish – orange twist; Ice - Cubed 60 ml Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban 2 dsh Mozart Chocolate Bitters 1 dsh Angostura Bitters 5 ml Vanilla golden syrup Stir in glass Now if you or your friends are looking for something spicier, you can try The Baron Samedi (LCBO $29.95). Accoding to the literature “The Baron Samedi is one of the most notorious Vodou spirits, part of Haitian Vodou culture since the 18th century. The Baron is known to be raucous and unruly and he likes a drink of rum.” It’s described as being a full-flavoured spiced rum that is bottled at 45% alcohol by volume and features Caribbean column still rum and a small amount of Jamaican pot still rum with natural

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WINE

Felton Road’s “Liquid Gold” Written by Monique Simpson

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WINE

Bannockburn - an area once luring gold miners sluicing the steep hillsides in search of gold, today is inhabited by winemakers who have struck a different type of gold - liquid gold - with fans advocating this “special earth” produces some of the world’s top Pinot Noir. The remote vineyards of Bannockburn located in Central Otago (the worlds southernmost grape growing region) are nestled on a thin crescent of north facing slopes and terraces bordered at the rear by the gold mining ruins perched on the steep hillsides and at the fore the southern bank of the glistening blue Kawarau River. Bannockburn’s unique terroir gives rise to highly distinctive and complex wines. Its microclimate characterized by significant shifts between warm days and cooler night temperatures and long, dry autumn gives grapes gracious hang time contributing to the development of a rich array of flavors. Bannockburn’s soils are also distinct with substantial amounts of free draining schist and schist gravels interwoven with differing proportions of clay, silt and sandy loam creating a great amount of variation from parcel to parcel and block to block. This combination is the perfect recipe for Pinot Noir to which this discovery has given rise to a small cluster of boutique producers with an undeniable quest for the production of high quality wines attracting connoisseurs around the world. Felton Road, first planted in 1992, is a true icon in the region quickly earning a reputation on the world stage as one of New Zealand’s top wine producers with small quantities of their wine gracing some of the world’s finest retailers and wine lists. Today, Felton Road remains a small artisan producer of Pinot Noir but as Mike Wolfenden, Assistant Winemaker, explains “Pinot Noir is what Felton Road is most famous for, Riesling makes sense in the region but Chardonnay is what they can really excel at and can do best”.

Bannockburn’s varying terroir blesses Felton Road with the chance to make a number of Pinot Noir expressions – a generalist wine giving drinkers a representation of the area; single vineyard wines that give drinkers a general expression of the site; and small production Block wines which represent the purest and best expression of selected sites. As Mike explains “site expression is everything and is becoming more apparent with vine age allowing identification of that structural component year on year”. To illustrate his point, we have the opportunity to taste several Pinot Noir blocks currently maturing in barrel. First up, a taste from three year old plantings in Macmuir vineyard showcasing sweet, explosive fruit that albeit doesn’t show great architectural structure to carry the wine forward for cellaring for years to come it is pleasurable and easy drinking. Next up, a tasting from vines approximately nine years of age grown right outside the winery delivering a wine with more structure, acidity, spice, game and dark fruit complexity. To finish, a tasting from the fruits of Block 3 located at the front of the winery and also home to some of the wineries oldest vines. The 23 year old vines coupled with the soil character underfoot gives the wine a deeper color, spicier, gamier, darker fruit flavors with more intense floor and forest floor character, depth of structure and longer spicier length. Throughout the tasting Mike explains there is no special treatment for different blocks for example barrel selection, handling and the like: “batches are treated the same and batch fermented separately before any possible blending so the differences all lay in the natural terroir.” So what the catch? It’s not so much a question of affordability but more a question of rarity. The understandable desire to be a “closed door winery” producing wines only from the land they own, Felton Roads mere 11,000 cases thinly spread across 43 countries with Block or single expressions wines limited to mailing list members and international distributors makes the majority of Felton Road’s wines more challenging to obtain. But rest assured when you can get your hands on a glass or a bottle, it’s like striking gold!

When it comes to Felton Road’s winemaking philosophy, Mike explains how the “wines are made respectfully” adopting a winemaking philosophy of minimal intervention using, for example, whole bunch pressing, natural ferments started from wild yeasts, and absence of certain winemaking practices including lees stirring (thus removing some of the richness), filtration and fining.

Felton Road Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2014: Felton Road’s flagship and largest volume wine blended from three Bannockburn vineyards (Cornish Point, Calvert and The Elms) gives a more general expression of the area. On nose, attractive floral, spice, and red fruit (currants and berries). On the palate, the wine is ripe, round and fleshy with generous ripe red fruit and long, spicy finish.

Felton Road Block 2 Chardonnay 2014: This single block wine sourced from east facing Block 2 on the Elm vineyard delivers a revered, spiny Chardonnay expression. Wine is poised and tight with layers of citrus, grapefruit and peach, minerality and yeast and subtle oak influence (brioche, yeast) and a creamy, mineral finish. Refined and restrained with great cellaring potential.

Felton Road Calvert Pinot Noir 2014: Calvert vineyard located in the basin with its extreme diurnal variation and dense Quartz and silt soils gives this single vineyard wine a tighter, more angular expression. Quiet on the nose with shy aromas of red and dark fruit, game, earth. On the palate, the wine has good structure with bright acid and silky tannins with a denser earthier and darker fruit character and a pronounced, long gamey, spicy finish. Elegant and assertive.

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CIGARS

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CIGARS

A Vintage Cigar Experience … Few Can Enjoy Written by Orion Armstrong

Upon reflection, I was thinking about how few people are introduced to smoking cigars in a meaningful way. With the whole gentleman’s moment on the rise, I felt it was important to encourage our readers to engage in the culture of cigar enjoyment. Hopefully, you will find some inspiration from what I share to better understand cigars especially vintages and embrace the experience that can be awarded to those who truly seek it. This summer was a hot and humid one, however, it awarded many opportunities for the cigar lover to enjoy a fine smoke in the great outdoors. In a time when smoking restrictions have never been harsher, there were many cigar-centric events from strokes n smokes held by Habana House to Preferred Magazine’s very own rooftop event at the National Club, a night for the extraordinary gentleman. I found myself enjoying back-to-back cigar events for most of the summer. As the summer was coming to an end, my travels took me to a secluded spot on the lakefront where I enjoyed a spectacular cigar experience; one I will gladly share with you later in this article. One of the benefits of writing reviews is the selection process. Obviously selecting the right cigar is a special part and key to writing with any genuine degree of passion. What Vintage delight will I choose? When will I light it up and where am I going to smoke it? Who am I going to be with? Am I smoking it alone or sharing a cigar with the company of fine friends? I often feel these are important factors in creating a rich cigar experience. With that in mind, I have to make my selection and prepare to indulge in a fine smoke. It is worth noting that it is best to clear your pallet and light your smoke evenly. Some people struggle with the lighting of a cigar, but it is very important to have an evenly lite cigar if you want to fully enjoy the draw. With a little time and practice, this will become second-hand nature to you. The rewards of a well lite quality cigar is a truly proper tasting experience not to mention you will find yourself being more aware of your cigar experience. It often is about slowing down to appreciate the moment and relax in enjoyment.

For this issue of the magazine, I chose to smoke the Romeo y Julieta Reserva Cosecha from 2008 it is a classic Churchill with very limited availability. Only 5,000 boxes were released around the world and this box was stored in perfect condition maturing it to an amazing cigar. The tobacco used in the original construction was already aged for a minimum of 3-5 years. For collectors of cigars, there are certain releases that create excitement. The Reserva Series is among these cigars and definitely, will satisfy the taste of the most demanding cigar lovers. The entire process used in creating these Reserva respects the selection criteria expected of a special released product: from the long, careful process of aging the best tobacco from Vuelta Abajo region of Cuba to the tasting committee comprised of more than 50 experts who have supervised the selected blend. From a vintage standpoint, if your factor the aging in the initial construction period, the cigar I smoked was between eleven to fifteen years in maturity. Some would even refer to it as-as a well-crafted work of art. Simply put, it is an outstanding cigar, the like of which has rarely been seen or smoked. Before I dive into the smoke itself and assign a vintage rating I am reminded to touch on some of the 135 years history surrounding this release. Not to anyone’s surprise, the Romeo y Julieta brand itself was named after William Shakespeare’s tragic lovers. As a Habano, this brand dates back to 1875 but it really rose to international fame during the early years of the 20th Century under the direction of Don ‘Pepin’ Rodríguez, a talented promoter, who was amongst the first to recognize the power of the cigar band. Following Winston Churchill’s visit to Havana in 1946, his name was commemorated on the line’s most famous size – Romeo y Julieta Churchills.

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CIGARS

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CIGARS

Although the history is rich, the real magic is revealed in the smoke itself and I am happy to share my experience with you. I had smoked one of these when it was released and if I am honest with you, I wasn’t as impressed as I was after I awarded it proper time to age. As with almost any quality Cuban, the cigar gets better with a reasonable amount of time. Normally I would suggest a minimum of one year on all cigars, after 3 to 5 years they start to open up. Around 8 to 9 years is a sweet spot for me, but in some cases, they continue to come to life in incredible ways with a few more years. This is certainly the case with this cigar. After lighting it and savoring with my first few draws I found it very smooth with a decent flavor profile, but definitely more on the medium side with creamy hints of cedar and cocoa. This was expected, however knowing that longer vintage cigars like this often transform in flavor as you continue to smoke, I was immediately intrigued to see how this smoke would unfold. It built in a slow but very consist manner and transformed in a silky smooth fashion while ever slowly building in complexity and flavor.

cigar would be an easy Preferred Vintage Rating of 98. The cigar was special in the way it evenly built on every puff and left me with a finale that cannot be forgotten. I truly hope you are able to hunt down a box or a stick or two. I am confident you will be forever grateful for your experience. Until next issue, enjoy your smoking experience, take in the moments in time and embrace the culture of fine cigars! Romeo y Julieta Churchill Reserva Cosecha 2008: Ring Gauge: 47 Length: 7� Preferred Vintage Rating; 98

Before I was half way through the cigar I was becoming impressed. With every puff, my appreciation for this cigar grew and I noticed traces of caramel. The draw was consistent and the taste evolved into an ever-rich medium to full body experience. This burned slowly and became a more complex yet again with hints of roasted nuts. By the time I was two-thirds of the way through the cigar I was in absolute cigar heaven. With each puff I found myself blown away by how much enjoyment and flavor it had. In fact, I found myself savoring the flavor well after I finished my smoke. By the end, I would most definitely classify this as an extraordinary cigar smoking experience and one I would strongly recommend. If you are fortunate enough to find these, buy them without hesitation. In fact, call me and I will join you where ever you are. I think a fair rating for this preferredmagazine.ca

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FINANCE

BUY AND HOLD HOCUS POCUS THE ILLUSION BEHIND THE MARKET’S BEST DAYS Written by Monique Simpson

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FINANCE

“However beautiful the strategy, you should occasionally look at the results.” ~Winston Churchill

As long as memory serves, one of the key drivers behind proponents of the buy and hold investment philosophy was based on the idea that missing some of the best days in the market would have a detrimental impact on your long-term investment results. Advocates of the buy and hold approach often encourage us to stay invested to ensure these glorious days will not be missed. Of course, what they fail to tell us is that in reality, missing some of the worst days in the market can have a far greater impact on your long-term investment returns than missing the best days: It can increase your portfolio returns in a very profound and meaningful way.

back to even. To underscore the significance of this often disregarded concept and the importance of risk management, at the depths of the financial crisis, the S&P 500 was down a sobering -57% and thereby required a cumulative return of over +133%, simply to recover its pre-crisis value. A significant loss by any measure, it took five years for a portfolio to recover its value — assuming an investor would have been able to continue “holding” through that period. Many investors, after withstanding such a loss, exited the market and did not participate in the recovery. Chart 1. Portfolio Losses and Required Returns to Breakeven

Good Days, Bad Days, Sunny Days Table 1 below illustrates the effect on cumulative returns of $100,000 invested in the S&P 500 Index from 1927 through to 2011 under various scenarios, including both missing and capturing the 10 best days over that period. While a timeframe of this length is generally far beyond the average investor’s time horizon, it does manage to capture a range of market scenarios through a number of bear and bull markets, creating a more robust exercise. One scenario that stands out immediately is the dismal return on cash (T-bills) which, over 84 years, would result in a meager cumulative return of 1832% or $1,932,000. A respectful figure in its own right but certainly not retirement money over such a long span of time. Alternatively, a buy and hold approach on the U.S. stock market, which captured all days including the 10 best and 10 worst days over the period, would see a $100,000 investment grow to $7,121,000. Coincidentally, missing the 10 best and 10 worst days garnered similar results with capital growing to $7,501,000 – a marked improvement over simply keeping cash under the mattress. So what happens then if we miss the 10 best days – the “glorious” days we’ve all been warned not to miss? Well, there seems to be a small vein of truth to the workings behind the buy and hold approach, as missing the 10 best days would earn you a pitiful $2,362,000 – not much more than holding T-Bills over the same period of time. Sunny days. This begs the question - should we all then, simply succumb to the virtues of the buy and hold establishment and force ourselves to be content with the rollercoaster ride in portfolio values that can occur at times with this type of approach? Before you make up your mind, have a look at what would happen if you missed the 10 worst days – not the best days we’ve all been warned not to miss, but the worst days. How would that impact the growth of a $100,000 portfolio over this time period? Astonishingly enough, under that scenario, a $100,000 portfolio would grow to a royal sum of $22,614,000! That’s more than triple the growth of a buy and hold strategy over the same timeframe. Powerful stuff.

What’s more, a portfolio that tends to lose less in downturns requires less time to recover when markets rebound, allowing it to compound more effectively over time. This is precisely why missing the 10 worst days in the market in the example above was so powerful and more than tripled the growth above a stagnant buy and hold approach. The key takeaways here are: 1) don’t lose money, or more realistically, keep losses to a minimum; 2) incorporate a robust risk-management framework to your investment portfolio; and 3) a portfolio that can consistently avoid large losses with reasonable upside participation can outperform, with less volatility over a market cycle. If capturing losses can have a much more devastating impact on portfolio returns versus missing gains, and if avoiding major losses could increase growth, wouldn’t it make sense to adopt an investment strategy whose primary focus is on minimizing losses? We think so.

João Rodrigues and Tomasz Krzyzanowski are Portfolio Managers at CIBC Wood Gundy in Toronto where they are responsible for overseeing a suite of proprietary global mandates. They work with qualified individuals, foundations and select institutional investors. For more information visit: rkassociates.ca

CIBC Wood Gundy is a division of CIBC World Markets Inc., a subsidiary of CIBC and a Member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund and Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada. João Rodrigues and Tomasz Krzyzanowski are Portfolio Managers at CIBC Wood Gundy in Toronto The views of João Rodrigues and Tomasz Krzyzanowski do not necessarily reflect those of CIBC World Markets Inc.

Defending Against Large Losses What is abundantly clear then is that capturing large losses can have a much more devastating impact on portfolio returns than missing large gains. Why is that? It really comes down to simple but often overlooked mathematics. As Chart 1 below highlights, as portfolio losses increase, the return needed to get back to even also increases dramatically. For example, a -10% loss requires +11% to get the portfolio back to even, while a -25% loss requires a +33% return to get preferredmagazine.ca

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LEISURE

The Perfect Man Cave Good friends, Football fans, cigar aficionados Written by Tony Curcio

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LEISURE

It’s Sunday, July 10th, 2016 on a beautiful, sunny afternoon – and our group of male soccer fans and cigar aficionados is relaxing in a spacious Oakville, Ontario backyard watching the Euro Cup Final between Portugal and France. It seems to be a tradition of late for the guys to meet up for an important final main event in an outdoor “man cave” if you will. The BBQ is on, the drinks are ice cold, the Scotch is ready and the snacks are beckoning. Oh, and let’s not forget that the cigars are ready to savour. For a couple of hours, it’s time for the usual chattering and laughs. But eventually, every conversation leads to the Rosso Corsa parked in the driveway. Rosso Corsa is the name given to the red colour of a Ferrari. In this particular case, the alluring eyecatcher is the homeowner’s 2013 Ferrari 458 Italia – an absolutely stunning supercar with its low profile, graceful curves and undeniably amazing and powerful engine. The magnificent, two-seat 458 Italia boasts a 4.5-Litre V8 Engine with 562 horsepower at 9,000 rpm redline and 400 pounds per feet of torque. Original from every angle, its front bumper has two unique, aerodynamic winglets that direct air around the car for more down force.

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LEISURE

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LEISURE

Its distinct sound awakens the soul as you realize that you’ve hit 100 km/h in just 3.4 seconds carrying a top speed of 325 km/h. The razor-sharp handling, catwalk styling and amazing performance is the reason why every car enthusiast just cannot stop talking about this amazing Italian machine. The 458 Italia replaced the Ferrari F430 in 2009, and in 2015 the 458 Italia was retired to the Ferrari 488. Suddenly, the Ferrari conversations end abruptly and a thunderous chorus of cheers erupts. Portugal has just scored the game’s only goal for a stunning 1-0 victory over France. In fact, the Portuguese overcame the loss of superstar Cristiano Ronaldo to beat the host nation on Eder’s extra-time goal. What a bright ending to a wonderful afternoon – red Italian sports cars and the company of good friends. preferredmagazine.ca

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Preferred Cigar & Scotch Event for the Extraordinary Gentlemen. This Luxurious Invitation Only Event was hosted in Toronto’s very own National Club on Bay Street. Schmoozing in the company in the company of Gentlemen, and Celebrities with soft Jazz premium Scotch, from Glenmorangie, Pitars Wines, distributed by VDF Wines, complimentary hot towel shaves, Bespoke Tailoring by Rosso Bespoke and more. Our guests enjoyed one of a life’s indulgence without restriction, premium Cuban Cigars on a Grand terrace with a view of downtown Toronto. The proceeds went to our choice of Charity SickNotWeak.

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COVER STORY

ETALK’S DYNAMIC DUO From red carpets to airwaves, getting candid with CTV Etalk’s Ben Mulroney & Devon Soltendieck WRITTEN BY Drew Hamblin ETALK photos courtesy of CTV

Getting Candid with Armand Assante

This year marks the 15th milestone anniversary season for CTV’s homegrown entertainment news program, Etalk. Canada’s #1 entertainment news show for the past 14 years in a row, Etalk offers viewers the latest news in film, television, music and more – covering everything from celebrity gossip to A-list events in Hollywood and around the world including the Academy Awards® and Cannes Film Festival, as well as the Toronto International Film Festival® and Canadian Screen Awards right here at home. Etalk is quarterbacked by veteran journalist Ben Mulroney, Anchor of Etalk – who is also the Co-Host of CTV’s new morning show, Your Morning – and supported by seasoned Senior Reporter Devon Soltendieck. These Montréal boys call Toronto home and together (alongside Co-Anchor Danielle Graham, Sr. Correspondents Lainey Lui and Traci Melchor, Reporters Liz Trinnear and Chloe Wilde, and L.A. Correspondent Jesse Giddings) deliver entertainment news to Canadians weeknights on CTV.

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COVER STORY

Ben has a history degree from Duke University and a law degree from Laval University and clearly was going down that road, until he was asked to comment on a TV news segment concerning the Progressive Conservative Convention at the time.

When ABC executives took notice following two co-hosting appearances with Kelly Ripa on Live with Kelly, Ben was approached to be a contributor for Good Morning America. Needless to say, CTV’s new morning show is in good hands with Mr. Mulroney. Ben is married to Jessica Mulroney, a Canadian fashion stylist, who is also from Montréal and has known Ben since they were kids. Together, they raise their three children (twin boys Brian and John and a daughter Ivy) in Toronto, which they now call their hometown.

Well, he killed it, and TV executives at CTV noticed. Instead of spending long nights researching law, he ended up in front of the camera, where, to be honest, he belongs. Mulroney got his television start on talk tv’s The Chatroom in 2000, and for six seasons, hosted Canadian Idol and has been with Etalk since the show’s launch in 2002. Ben has thrived in the tough Canadian broadcasting industry and recently added to his already accomplished resumé, hosting the new CTV morning show Your Morning. Media executives understand the lure of Mulroney. People like him, he’s a natural in front of the camera, and, let’s be honest, he’s a good looking guy.

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Devon Soltendieck has always been interested in news reporting, helping run his school newspaper, but he was studying Finance when he decided to enter the MuchMusic (now Much) VJ Search competition. When he won, he understood how lucky he was. Having never been to Toronto, he moved to the city, working day and night to make the most of this opportunity and heading home to Montréal every other weekend, taking the overnight VIA train on Friday night to see family and friends. Devon turned his VJ Search victory into a career that is now 12 years strong. A hard worker, Devon spent time at CP24 where he honed his craft as a reporter and anchor, and then went on to host E!’s fast-paced, pop culture testing game show, Pop Quiz. Now with Etalk, his career is soaring, and he is becoming a seasoned globetrotter who has interviewed some of the entertainment industry’s most sought-after celebrities including Robert De Niro, Bradley Cooper, Sandra Bullock, Amy Poehler, Michael Bublé, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Chris Hemsworth, to name a few. Recently married, he is settling down with the purchase of a new home in midtown Toronto. Etalk airs weeknights at 7 p.m. ET/PT on CTV and CTV GO, 7:30 p.m. ET/PT on CTV Two. For more information visit Etalk.ca.

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FASHION

JACKET - FUTURO - $700 SWEATER - JEY COLMAN - $269 PANTS - BEAUCOUP - $289

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SUITE - FUTURO - $690 SWEATER - TAKESHY KUROSAWA - $499

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BLAZER - FUTURO - $495 DRESS SHIRT - GUYA -$295 PANTS - ASFALTO UOMO - $369

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VEST - JEY COLEMAN -$289 DRESS SHIRT - GUYA - $298 PANTS - ASFALTO UOMO - $369

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THE BOMBER JACKET Styling - Tahnee Lloyd-Smith Photography - Lindsay Anne Delaney Hair + Make Up - Dyane Campbell Where To Buy – Tiger of Sweden, 56 Ossington Ave, Toronto

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When we think of the Bomber Jacket the first thing that pops into our mind is obviously Top Gun. Tom Cruise wore that jacket like it was a second skin, and inspired a generation. The Bomber has been making a style comeback now for several seasons, but this FW 16 the military inspired jacket has really outdone itself

We love The Bomber for its signature fitted waist and cuffs and it’s utilitarian zipper, but this season designers have played with pattern and colour. The basic brown leather tons are no more. For those trying to keep it classic, try changing up the colour. Go for a forest green our an ox blood red, or something else deep in tone and die. For the more daring or dapper man, branch out and try something patterned. Trust me a pattern will work. Because the jacket has such a recognizable silhouette a great pattern won’t mess with the jackets masculinity

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FW/16 Sunglasses Round Up Just because the summer is over, doesn’t mean the sun goes down Styling - Tahnee Lloyd-Smith Photography - Lindsay Anne Delaney Hair + Make Up - Dyane Campbell Where To Buy – Pink Eye Optical, 1030 Queen St W, Toronto

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KENZO - $798

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KENZO - $798

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MYKITA - $579

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Let us envelope you in our magnificent haven of serenity. Let us celebrate your well-deserved time-out together. Let us help you unwind in our green tea infused vitality tub. Let us turn a weekend of pampering into a lasting memory.

Experience Travel + Leisure’s Number One Hotel Spa in the World, Spa My Blend by Clarins at The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto. To reserve a luxurious spa treatment, call 416-572-8000 or visit spamyblendtoronto.com.

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PREFERRED ESCAPES Written By: Taneil Currie

The ethereal glow of the first orange hued rays of sunrise kisses the glassy waters of Saint Martin. The frazzled executive sips his first cappuccino and stares out across the ice-white powdery sands brimming with the promise of a day filled with pampered service and fulfilling family fun. As he contemplates the plethora of activity choices, the faint aroma of sizzling hand-cut bacon being prepared by the villa’s personal chef wafts across the expansive deck and cobalt-blue pool – reminding him of the price to be paid before breakfast. He hoists himself from the outsized lounger and strolls into the villa gym – stocked with every imaginable machine to hone his physique and keep his fighting weight in check and on track.

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As he towels himself off in the private leafy outside shower, the family stir and exuberant shrieks and giggles at the excitement of a new day in paradise fill the cavernous villa spaces bursting with stories of clown fish. Oversized warm croissants, creamy scrambled eggs, and platters of fresh exotic fruits nestle beside mouthwatering sausages and crunchy hash browns. Breakfast turns into a debate over the family itinerary. Exchanges are settled and a combination of catamaran cruises and snorkeling preceding a custom-crafted island picnic luncheon appear to be the order of the day. As kids delay proceedings with the endless packing of bags and application of sunscreen, Dad pops into the private office to plow through 23 emails and place a quick crystal-clear VOIP call to his office to offer executive guidance on several issues requiring his attention. The family whisks off to its daily delights as staff swoop in efficiently to replace crisp linens and prepare the barbeque pool-deck party for their evening return. Calypso drums need setting and crystal ice buckets correct placement. Fire pits are stacked with fragrant local indigenous woods and Jacuzzi temperatures checked-and-rechecked in anticipation of the triumphant return of the family –

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bursting with stories of clown fish, scary octopi and dazzling reefs. Private villa life is simple. You work hard. Play hard too. Customize your personal idiosyncrasies from the luxurious to the quirkiest choices – your wish is their command. Short of re-training the Koi in your villa pond to switch swim direction, it is all available via Rental Escapes ultra-secure villas. If privacy, serenity, and discretion are your standard, you’ll love their service ethos. Unobtrusive, polished and delivered with the balanced harmony of a skilled symphony at work. Rental Escapes villas architecture blends their approach in serving up a perfect marriage of pampering of the senses and luxury lifestyle functionality. Top this wedded commitment with flawless service execution and you have a recipe for the perfect vacation overflowing with lifetime memories. The facilities and harmonious resort design stems from everything being hand-picked and individually crafted. No “big resort” cookie cutter fashions seen anywhere – from tropical reef aquariums to illuminated Japanese-style landscaping. Built to satisfy the most discerning eye – with menus to meet the demands of the most discriminating of palates.


TRAVEL

Families return at days end – sun-kissed and ravishing for an endless bounty of culinary delights emerging from the large American-style kitchen and served in the cooling comfort of air-conditioned patios. High-powered corporate and business leaders have come to rely on Rental Escapes for faultlessly arranged concierge villa vacations. After all, no money in the world can buy back precious time lost to one’s family through a lack of attention to detail or disjointed communication between the various players in your vacation experience. From plane-side greeting with fragrant cool towels to last minute hugs with their friendly staff, you’ll feel as though you’ve expanded your personal circle of friends and want to return again and again.

Rentals Escapes have forged some unique packages and recipes for your ultimate satisfaction from hundreds of combined years of vacation experience delivery. Explore Rentals Escapes passion for the client experience and review their signature villa collection with over 2800 options worldwide in building your next family bonding escape or corporate break-away. Sandyline Villa (pictured above) overlooks the Caribbean Sea impressive exteriors are perfect for entertaining with two heated pools, sun deck with loungers and parasols, pool, gazebo/bar, water slide, pool toys, island sundeck, infinity Jacuzzi and shaded seating under the air conditioned covered terrace. Available through www.rentalescapes.com

Many of their guests request specific staff to lead their future stays with them. While unable to always accommodate such requests, they guarantee you will find a host of reasons to embrace the people’s kindly personality and enthusiastic professionalism at every turn. No request is too small for Rentals Escapes team’s coordination of the largest projects spans the gamut of Hollywood’s demands and every rock star’s whim and fancy. If it exists, they provide it – or will assemble the craftsmen to create it and deliver to your specifications.

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C’est La Vie Villa

C’est la Vie is an ultra luxurious and modern villa on the beautiful beach of Plum Bay, Saint Martin.

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Newly built, C’est La Vie is located on the beautiful beach of Plum Bay in the Terres Basses gated community. This luxurious six bedroom villa opens into an expansive deck area featuring a heated pool, Jacuzzi and a pool bar. The many hammocks and lounge chairs will invite you to linger and relax. The stunning living area has central cooling and also opens to the terrace and sea view. In the gourmet american styled kitchen, the chef will prepare the feasts of your choice to be served pool side or in the cool comfort of the dinning area.

area. A further two bedrooms have an indoor access above the living area. The many amenities include USB wall plugs, Japanese styled toilets, NUVO surround system inside and out, televisions in each room, three outdoor showers, VOIP phone, personal mac computer, two fire pits, on beach sofas, security and mosquito repellent systems. C’est La Vie is a unique blend of modern luxury and beachfront beauty. Available through www.rentalescapes.com

The master bedroom offers a gorgeous sea view from the king sized bed. Its en suite bathroom has an indoor and an outdoor shower as well a bathtub. Three additional bedrooms, each with their own en suite bathrooms, surround the terrace and deck preferredmagazine.ca

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Emvie Villa

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Cosmopolitan meets hillside haven with this three bedroom ultra modern villa overlooking Orient Bay, and only a short drive to the beaches and restaurants of Orient Bay and Grand Case. Positioned to have gorgeous views both day and night, and styled with sleek lines, modern artwork, Bose sound system, and illuminating LED lights, Emvie is sure to impress. At the entrance, koi fish in the illuminated Japanese style garden welcome you. The open layout plan of the kitchen and living area effortlessly connect and open up to a patio with an outdoor dining area and infinity pool. Relax by the pool on lounge chairs or in the shade of a very chic Gazebo. At night, the LED lights light up the pool and the gazebo for posh poolside lounging.

All bedrooms are air conditioned and accessible from the inside, with two queen size en suite bedrooms just a few steps up from the living area. The first bedroom has a glassed-in porch overlooking the infinity pool, and the second bedroom, a couple more steps up, has a terrace with a naturally heated hot tub. The very spacious king size, master en suite expands the entire second floor with a large terrace and a Jacuzzi. You do not have to worry about missing a workout either, on the ground floor there is an air conditioned gym fully equipped with a treadmill, stationary bike, weight bench, and free weights. There is secure parking through an electronic gate for your convenience. Available through www.rentalescapes.com preferredmagazine.ca

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The “most” Bentayga

Introducing the fastest, most powerful, most luxurious and most exclusive SUV in the world! Written By Tony Curcio

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Feast your eyes on the pinnacle of an SUV. The Bentayga combines exquisite, unprecedented luxury with sporty off-road performance and everyday ease of use. Virtually unrestricted by climate or terrain, it boasts Intricate detailing and precision in wood, metal and leather that creates a modern, handcrafted interior that exudes elegance and comfort. The Bentayga is Bentley’s fourth model line, characterized as the fastest, most powerful, most luxurious and most exclusive SUV in the world. With an all-new W12 powertrain, it offers the original Bentley driving experience, technology and features. Designed, engineered and handcrafted in Crewe in famed Cheshire, England, the Bentayga’s styling echoes all that is pure Bentley. Sculptural with an elegant, timeless execution, it perfectly balances athleticism with confidence. From the four round LED headlamps and large matrix grille, to the distinctive power line and muscular haunches, the Bentley DNA is apparent throughout. The Bentley Bentayga boasts the world’s finest automotive cabin, with unrivalled levels of precision. The detailing in metal, wood and leather – including meticulous tolerances between elements of trim – is the epitome of modern British automotive luxury. The level of detail and craftsmanship in this amazing SUV can come from one source only – the exceptional skills of Bentley’s creators at The Pyms Lane Factory on the west side of the town of Crewe, which now produces Bentley motor cars exclusively. Crewe is 158 miles north of London.

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WATCH

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WATCH

THE LEGEND TURNS BLACK BREITLING INTRODUCES THE Navitimer 46 Blacksteel Written By Tony Curcio Further accentuating the aeronautical touch, the black. A highly exclusive version of the large-size Navitimer, Breitling’s “Navitimer 46 Blacksteel” is distinguished by its all-black exterior, its two-counter dial, its black oscillating weight and its new strap featuring an aircraft tire-tread pattern. A cult model among pilots and aviation devotees since 1952, the Navitimer chronograph steps things up a notch in a version entirely clothed in black: from its satin-brushed steel case coated with an ultraresistant carbon-based treatment to the famous circular slide rule serving to handle all operations relating to airborne navigation.

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Yet this original, modern and technical exterior is not its only distinctive feature. Instead of the three silvered counters on the classic model, the dial bears two tone-on-tone counters: small seconds at 9 o’clock and a chronograph 30-minute totalizer at 3 o’clock. An authentic instrument panel, created using the “par épargne” technique on a sterling silver base, enhanced by red accents in the shape of small counter pointers and a central sweep-seconds hand. The Manufacture Breitling Caliber 01 high-performance movement, chronometer-certified by the COSC (Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute), comprises a black oscillating weight visible through a transparent caseback.Case and dial are fitted with a sturdy and comfortable all-new rubber strap bearing an aircraft tire-tread pattern and now available on all Navitimer models. The legend lives on.

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ENGINE ON. RADIO OFF. The best music in a WRX STI doesn’t come from its radio. It comes from the 305 horsepower, direct-injection 2.5L SUBARU BOXER® engine, with 290 lb-ft of torque. It comes from the throttle response. And it comes from the quad exhaust. And it might just become your new favourite song. Learn more at subaru.ca/WRX. ® Subaru, WRX STI, and SUBARU BOXER are registered trademarks.


The superlative-charged chronograph. 50 mm case in BreitlightÂŽ. Exclusive Manufacture Breitling Caliber B12 with 24-hour military-style display. Officially chronometer-certified.


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