Lifestyle
Winery Passport App Gives You A Guide To Local Wines & Wineries
If you read our Wine 101 for Dudes article here on MANjr, you would know wine is not just for the ladies. Plus that article gave you some useful knowledge to help you with your wine selection. To carry that forward a new app just hit the App Store. It is called the Winery Passport It is a mobile travel companion app to help you discover local wineries. It has the ability to let you record the details of your visit and share your newly acquired knowledge to all of your friends and family on Facebook and Twitter.
With the Winery Passport you can search for wineries near your location or find them by state. Then you can see details for each, including directions, phone number, website and a wealth more of information. As you use the app you will be able to “stamp your passport” at each winery to record your tasting visit and track where you’ve been.
You also can store details of your visit in your Certified Passport journal. These details include rating the winery, favorite wines by type, additional notes and even a photo.
Winery Passport features wineries in the following 17 states: Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia and West Virginia. The developers of this app expect to reach 25 states by August as we continue to refine the app and head towards Napa and the rest of Wine Country.
“We wanted to build a product for wine lovers to interact and share feedback regarding which wines excite their palates,” said creator Scott Stanchak. “You just may find those perfect pairings for your next food and wine meal with Winery Passport.”
Winery Passport is also featuring certain wineries at the top of their state search. “There are several opportunities for wineries to stand out in our app,” Stanchak added. “The Authorized listing is a great way to get noticed in a crowded state list, as well as provide some insightful info to potential tasters.”
Another reason that you should download this app is that it is free. It is available worldwide exclusively through the App Store in the Food & Drink category.
Jul 9th
Sherry Oak Finish Spiced Rum is Captain Morgan’s latest creation
The famous Captain Morgan is back at it again. Just in time for summer there is a new limited edition rum from the Captain Morgan line. It is the Sherry Oak Finish Spiced Rum. For those who are fans of this line let me say that you will not be let down.
I tried this limited edition many different ways. I first sipped it on the rocks. As I poured it into my glass there were a bevy of sweet smells that was released out from the bottle. I was able to pick up hints of vanilla, cherry, raisin, toffee and a bit of molasses. Of course the smell of oak was present as well.
Just like the aroma the taste gave off the same vibe. Tastes of oak, vanilla, and cherry were all there in each sip. I also was able to pick up the taste of cocoa and caramel. It was very smooth to drink and it doesn’t need any mixing, but with that being said I still like to make a few concoctions when drinking rum.
I did the traditional Captain and Coke recipe with this version of rum. It was a bit sweeter to me than the original mixture, but still went down really well.
Another recipe that I tested out was the cocktail called Captain’s Invasion. This will be a great summer beverage. It was refreshing and it will be one of my go to drinks while the rum is still available. If you want to make this cocktail check out the directions below.
There is a very cool story behind the Sherry Oak Finish Spiced Rum. Legend has his that in 1671 Captain Henry Morgan and his crew were involved in a battle in the shores of Panama in 1671. Last year there was a discovery of a few remains of that fleet from the 17th century.
There were treasures found in a hull from one of those ships. One of the artifacts collected was a barrel. Inside that barrel is believed to be Captain Morgan’s brand housed sherry. This discovery led to the creation of the limited edition blend.
This rum will be available for a short while and you can pick up a 750ml bottle for $19.99. You can’t miss the bottle. It has a metallic label that commemorates the legend of Captain Morgan’s battle of 1671.
Captain’s Invasion
1 ¼ oz. Captain Morgan Limited Edition Spiced Rum
¼ oz. Grand Marnier Liqueur
¾ oz. Lime juice
2 Dashes of bitters
Directions: Add all ingredients to an ice filled rocks glass. Stir to blend and garnish with a lime wedge.
Jul 4th
Spice Up your BBQ this July 4th with Great Whisky & Rum Infused Recipes
Burgers and hot dogs are barbeque staples. Sometimes it is great to try new variations. So this year when you are celebrating our country’s independence try some of these new recipes.
One that might catch your eye is the “Sweet Swine O’Mine No. 12 Sauce.” The sauce is a combination of George Dickel Tennessee Whisky, mustard, and BBQ sauce. It is the perfect way to complement BBQ favorites, such as burgers and dogs.
If you are looking for a great rib recipe then the Spike Mendelsohn’s Cream Soda Braised Ribs is something you should make.
So enjoy the 4th of July weekend with your family and friends. If you do venture out and try these recipes I hope that they will be a hit at your party!
Sweet Swine O’ Mine No. 12 Sauce
2 cups Prepared or Store-bought BBQ sauce
2 TBS. Yellow mustard
1/4 cup Maple syrup
1/4 cup George Dickel No.12 Whisky
1/4 tsp. Ancho Chile Powder (or other mild-medium chili powder)
Directions: Combine ingredients in a pot at medium heat. Simmer uncovered (don’t boil) for about 15-20 minutes to cook the alcohol out of the whisky, stirring occasionally. Will work as a great glaze and table sauce for all of your BBQ needs.
If you are looking for more heat add 1/2 tsp. of black pepper and 1/4 tsp. of red pepper.
Bulleit Bourbon Burger
Burger Patties and Cheese: 
30 ounces ground chuck (20 percent fat)
2 ½ TBS. Bulleit Bourbon
1 ½ TBS. Worcestershire sauce
1 ¼ tsp. dried oregano
1 ½ tsp. ground cumin
1 ¼ tsp. table salt
30 grinds fresh black pepper
6 ounces Dubliner cheese (Kerrygold brand), thinly sliced and divided into 6 (1 oz.)
Directions: Combine well-chilled ground chuck with Bulleit Bourbon and Worcestershire sauce and mix lightly with a fork to combine. Add oregano, cumin, salt, and pepper and mix lightly with a fork to combine. Combine more thoroughly with hands, being careful not to over mix. Separate meat mixture into 6 even portions and form into patties. Set patties on a board.
Place patties on grill pan and cook for 2 ½ minutes on 1 side. Flip patties and place cheese on top of each. Cook for 1 minute and then tent foil over patties and cook for 1 ½ minutes. Remove patties from grill and place on a clean board. Replace foil tent over patties and let rest for 5 minutes. Turn heat under grill pan down to low and give pan a quick wipe with a damp paper towel (held in tongs).
Whisky BBQ Shrimp
1 lb. shrimp (with tail)
¼ cup of Crown Royal Canadian Whisky
¼ cup BBQ sauce
¼ cup honey
¼ tsp. black pepper
1/8 tsp. garlic pepper
Directions: Combine all ingredients, except for the shrimp, in a bowl. Add shrimp and allow to marinade in the refrigerator for an hour. Add shrimp and mixture into a large saucepan over medium high heat and cook until shrimp is opaque and cooked through.
Cream Soda Braised Ribs, Glazed with a Chipotle Captain Morgan Black Spiced Rum BBQ Sauce 
Ingredients for Chipotle Captain Morgan Black Spiced Rum BBQ Sauce:
8 oz. can chipotle peppers
2 cups BBQ sauce
1 TBS. molasses
2 TBS. Captain Morgan Black Spiced Rum
1 tsp.n vanilla extract
½ cup orange juice
Directions: Blend ingredients together until smooth
Ingredients for the rub for the ribs:
2 racks of St. Louis ribs (about 4 pounds)
2 TBS. of smoked paprika
2 cups of brown sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
2 TBS. of ginger powder
1 tsp. of allspice
4 shots of Captain Morgan Black Spiced Rum
1 can of cream soda
Combine paprika, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger powder, and allspice to create the dry rub.
Directions for rib preparations: Rub dry rub all over ribs and season with salt and pepper. Place in a “hotel pan” or roasting pan. Add enough cream soda to cover. Add 4 shots of Captain Morgan Black Spiced Rum. Cover with foil. Pre-heat oven to 375°F and place pan in the oven, cooking for approximately 2.5 hours, until the ribs are tender and the rib bone is showing. The meat will pull of the rib, but not easily. Finish on the grill on medium heat for about 15 minutes and baste with Chipotle Captain Morgan Black Spiced Rum BBQ sauce.
Jun 29th
Get Your Shoe Game to be Patriotic with Reebok Classic
Celebrate July 4th all summer long with the new Patriot Pack by Reebok Classic.
With six Classic models to choose from including the Pump Twilight Zone, Question Low, Ex-o-fit, Phase One, Workout Mid and Workout Mid Plus, this seasonal pack lets you rock your own red, white and blue style.
The Patriot Pack bursts into stores this Friday, June 28th at key retailers Foot Locker, Finish Line, Champs, Expressions, DTLR, Shoe City, and Reebok.com.
Pricing (from L-R in above image):
Phase 1 – $75
Workout Plus -$70
Workout Mid – $75
Ex-o-Fit Plus Hi – $75
Pump Twilight Zone – $125
Question Low – $125
Jun 25th
Smell like a Comic Book Icon with Stan Lee’s Signature Cologne
There have been colognes made for actors, athletes, and singers. Now there is a brand of cologne that is perfect for the fanboys. Stan Lee, who is a living legend in the comic book world, now has his own signature scent. He was the president and chairman of Marvel Comics. He was the genius behind characters such as Spider-Man, The Fantastic Four, Thor, and many more.
Stan also makes a cameo in all of the latest Marvel Comic movies like “The Avengers” and “Iron Man.” For a guy who has been a comic book writer, editor, publisher, media producer, television host, actor, and voice actor it was about time he got himself a cologne. Lee teamed up with JADS International to create the perfect scent for Stan.
Stan Lee’s Signature Cologne is as sophisticated as “Smilin” Stan Lee himself. The fragrance is as adventurous as Stan’s superheroes, yet it can make you feel a bit villainous. Stan himself wanted it that way for his beloved fans.
“Fans know me best as someone who creates superhero characters and stories for comics, movies, TV and the web, so this is a highly exciting step for me to expand into the cologne world as well,” said Stan Lee, Founder of POW! Entertainment. “Not only do I want fans to look sharp like their favorite superhero and their Generalissimo here, but I thought wouldn’t it be fun to offer them the chance to smell like one to whether they have a date or a rendezvous with an ally.”
It has Stan’s personal touch as it possesses crisp blends of bergamot, ginger, white pepper, basil, and violet layered in with accords of cedar, vetiver and musk. This enticing scent will make you a “True Believer”.
I spoke with JADS International CEO, Andrew Levine about working with Stan to create the cologne. He said, “We’re ‘true believers’ and deeply honored that the one and only Smilin’ Stan Lee teamed-up with JADS to help produce a signature cologne reflective of his talents, creativity and contributions to the awesome world of comics and superheroes.”
Andrew also told me that Stan was the one who approached him during a comic convention when they were showcasing the Avengers cologne line.
“Stan was very impressed with our products and wanted to get a scent of his own. He is a great guy and meant so much to the comic book world. We are happy to work with him every step of the way. The cologne smells great and more importantly Stan was happy with the end results.”
The scent was even put on display at the Philly Comic Con to see what fanboys and fangirls thought of Stan Lee’s cologne.
If you are looking for more comic book scents try the Avengers line. There is the Patriot which is the scent of Captain America. This is a cologne that pays homage to the confident, stand-up-to-bullies, hardworking average Joe in every man.
Next is the Mark VII, the scent of Iron Man, a resolutely sophisticated cologne forged from the sea, the sun, the earth, and a touch of devil-may-care whimsy. Transparent, aromatic, and modern in nature, Mark VII combines mandarin, neroli, nasturtium and jasmine layered with light patchouli to create a contemporary expression of “I don’t play well with others” confidence.
For those with a god complex you can try Worthy, the scent of Thor. This woody citrus cologne is a unique, meaningful combination of bergamot, frozen ginger and wheat grass blended with a hint of fresh natural grapefruit and layered deeply with aromatic cypress.
For those who have an angry side try out SMASH! This is the scent of the Hulk. Very unusual and rare materials have been brought together to create a woody aquatic cologne evoking both a serene sense of timeless freedom and a single-minded, unbridled passion for life.
Jun 24th
The Minimalist Wallet by Capsule
It’s hard to be a nimble and modern man with a George Costanza wallet. That’s why I was so thrilled when I got my hands on a Minimalist Wallet by Kickstarter success story Capsule.
This little beauty has become the centerpiece of my pocket downsizing movement. The high quality leather and practical design hit me right in the sweet spot of form and function. The CashStrap feature holds my money tight while the dual card pockets fit my essential plastic easily. Easily two thumbs up from the MANjr team.
$50-$65 USD
Jun 24th
Transform Your Phone Pics into Wall Art
Have you ever taken a picture on your phone and couldn’t believe how great it turned out? These days some of us take pictures with our phone over a camera. If you ever wanted to immortalize a picture on your phone well there is an app for your iPhone and now your Android device.
Pixuru, a smartphone-to-wall art app, allows users to send photos from their phones to Pixuru’s printing facility, choose the type and size of print, and receive the order within a week.
The app is extremely user-friendly. Simply take a picture or choose one from Instagram or Facebook and the app guides you through the rest of the process, simulating size and style on a wall background. Once users select the size and style of their wall art, they are led to a simple checkout process. The app will remember a user’s information to streamline the process for subsequent orders.
There are four different types of wall art to choose from: canvas, metal, wood and framed. With the canvas, metal, or wood materials, you have the option of splitting one image into a three or four-panel split from one image. Each print is inspected before going out to ensure the professional quality Pixuru guarantees.
Pixuru has a patent-pending printing process and technology that can produce large prints while keeping the integrity of the picture. Pixuru produces professional quality wall art at consumer prices. The smallest print, a 6”x6”, is $20 and a 16”x20” is $55, all with free shipping.
Jun 20th
Last Minute Father’s Day Gift – Samsung Galaxy Note 8 (Review)
All guys love gadgets, especially dads. So if you haven’t sorted out your Father’s Day gift yet, don’t worry. There’s still time. Sure, you could buy some socks or some golf accessories or some other lame excuse for a gift, but don’t you think it’s about time you showed your pops a bit more appreciation on his special day?
Enter the Samsung Galaxy Note 8, the device that looks like a tablet and feels like a smartphone. That’s really the first thing you notice about it. The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is not as heavy or clunky as an iPad and it’s not as tiny as a smartphone. It’s comparable to an iPad Mini, but it offers a few things that the iPad can’t.
The first thing you’ll notice about this little tablet is that it comes with a 5.5 mm S Pen. This little stylus lets you jot down notes, personalize emails, crop and save just about anything and doodle for days. It slides right into the device itself (with a handy little storage slot at the bottom), so you don’t have to worry about losing it. You can also set the S Pen to hover mode and move it around like a mouse on a desktop. If you like a bit of notepad love with your digital tablet, the S Pen is a huge addition.
The multi-window mode is another feature that sets the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 apart from the iPad Mini. In multi-view mode, you can have two apps running simultaneously. Wanna browse the web and take some notes? Not a problem. Shuffle through tunes while you doodle? Keep em both active. This really takes the second screen experience to another level. You can literally be doing two things at once while you watch whatever TV programs are cluttering your DVR. It’s a great mutli-tasking tool for a new, attention-deficit-driven generation. If you’re looking for a tablet with an integrated HDMI output for sharing photos and videos on a TV or computer monitor, we have a roundup of top picks.
Group Play is another sweet feature that lets you integrate your Galaxy Note 8 with other devices. You can listen to music on multiple devices, collaborate on photos, slideshows, documents and more. It works well for quickly marking up docs and sharing PDFs.
And man, this thing weighs less than one pound and it’s got an 8-inch WXGA display. You can lay it on a table and type, write, game, browse the web, etc., but you can also one-hand this bad boy and watch a video with a steady palm grip. It fits in the pocket of your track jacket, but not in the front pocket of your Levi’s. If you don’t want to schlep around a laptop or full-size tablet, but you want to extend your entertainment outside your phone, the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is a solid middle-of-the-road option.
Although photography likely isn’t your main purpose for picking up on of these devices, there’s a 5MP AF + 1.3MP VT camera in the mix if you need it. You also have full HD playback (1080P) and HD recording capabilities as well.
But the thing that your pops will love the most is that the Galaxy Note 8 can also function as a universal remote control! That’s right, man. Your dad can sit on the couch and pretend to be working on business stuff while also overriding your channel selections. What dad wouldn’t be into that?
There are a couple things about the Galaxy Note 8 that’ll take some time to get used to. The keyboard function on this thing is less than ideal for sausage-finger folks. So if your dad’s got a case on the man-hands, he’ll likely need a Bluetooth enabled keyboard to get any real typing done. The sausage finger factor can also get annoying when you accidently thumb the bottom right button. The back button comes in handy, yes, but not when you got an inadvertent finger shift while watching a YouTube clip. The Galaxy Note 8 is also as slippery as a recently mopped floor of a Burger King bathroom, so you’ll need to invest in some sort of case or something, especially if this thing is going to be held with one hand on the regular.
The Androidy-ness of the Galaxy Note 8 is really where it’s at. Apple’s great and all but Google Play is way better than iTunes. Having a MicroSD slot is just awesome. The intuitive nature of the auto-correct suggestions is also super helpful. Again, this isn’t anything new for Android users, but it’s better than the crazy auto-correct settings that come standard on an iPhone/iPad.
Bottom line, I like this little guy and your pops will, too. It’s just big enough to give you the right balance between phone and tablet. The screen is gorgeous, the dimensions are ideal for one-handing and the thing weighs next to nothing. Yes, it will set you back nearly four bills, but so what? Isn’t your dad worth it?
Jun 13th
Great Gift Ideas for Father’s Day
This month we get to celebrate Father’s Day. On Sunday June 16th we get a chance to spend time with our fathers and thank them for everything they have done for us. There are many cool things you can do for dear old dad. Find out what he wants to do and set something up. Whether it is playing a round of golf or taking him fishing try make sure he gets to do things he might not get a chance to do on a regular basis.
Now that I have been a dad for a few years I have realized all the love and dedication it takes to be a father. Another thing that I found out is that you might not live near your parents. This makes it hard for me to spend time with my dad. Still I know what he likes so I usually get him something that I know he can use or want.
One item that is always a hit for fathers is top notch liquor. You can sip a glass with your father and just have a great night of talking with the man who taught you how to drive. There are few brands out there that would make a great gift. Here are three ideas that are way better than getting your old man a tie or mug. They are Crown Royal XR LaSalle, Bulleit 10 Years Old, and George Dickel Barrel Select.
Crown Royal XR LaSalle
I was fortunate to try the XR LaSalle and this whisky was outstanding. This is the second addition to the renowned Crown Royal Extra Rare Whisky Series. The LaSalle is a unique blend that included a small reserve of the final batch of whiskies that was saved from the famous LaSalle Distillery.
As you sip it you taste a blend of dried fruits and honey. The fruit tastes are well balanced with the spicy notes of Canadian rye. The cost of the LaSalle is $129.99 and is worth every penny. You get this for your dad and I am guessing he will be kind enough to share.
Bulleit 10 Years Old
Bulleit 10 is the company’s selected reserve. It is a limited edition from founder, Tom Bulleit. This bourbon has a smooth taste and has tremendous oaky aromas. The small touch of vanilla and dried fruit completes the bourbon as you finish each sip that has a smoky vibe to it. You can get a bottle for $44.99. 
George Dickel Barrel Select
As the name suggests the George Dickel Barrel Select was developed from only hand select barrels. Each year Master Distiller John Lunn hand picks which barrel he will use to create this batch. This is a labor of love for Lunn. I was able to chat with him about his job and he takes a lot of pride in his work. The Select has a fantastic taste of caramel and vanilla. You can pick this up for your father for just $45.99.
So hope this helps you as you look to purchase a gift for your dad. No matter what you do just make sure you take the time to tell your dad how much you appreciate him. Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there!
Jun 10th
Give Dad what he really wants this Father’s Day. BACON!
Just in time for Father’s Day Oscar Mayer is presenting the “Oscar Mayer Original Collection.” Available only online you can pick up these elegant bacon boxes for you or your dad. There are a total of three specialized bacon boxes.
The three gift packs are being sold exclusively on the Oscar Mayer website, Say It With Bacon, which showcases the boxes in a way that pokes fun of jewelry ads, with a script headlines of “When words aren’t enough, say it with bacon”, and “Give the world’s most tasteful gift.”
Here are your choices. Each case has it’s own distinctive quality.
The Commander ($22) The Commander comes with a stainless steel money-clip engraved with the words “Bringin’ it Home” and an image of a bacon strip.
The Matador ($28) This one features two handsome bacon strip cufflinks.
The Woodsman ($25) The Woodsman which includes a rugged 12 function multi-tool with a bacon strip image carved into the handle.
Plus this is not just for Father’s Day. Oscar Mayer thinks you can use these one of kind gifts for birthdays and anniversaries…or even just because.
If you check out the website and see a sold out sign, well don’t fret. The company keeps on replenishing their stock of their commemorative boxes. To stay on top of all things bacon just follow @OscarMayer on Twitter for restocking alerts.
They even put together a hilarious video mocking those over the top jewelry store ads. Have to hand it to Oscar Mayer for this one. It is funny and deals with bacon. What more does a guy need?
Jun 6th
