Simple Living

Rediscovering the Zenith: A Perfect Match I’ve owned the Zenith for almost five years, and this is the first time I’ve tried it on a black leather strap. I was impressed by how perfect it looked. For years, I’ve worn it on either NATO or brown leather straps, which felt too casual. A Formal Upgrade With the black leather strap and black dial, the watch truly shines. The combination helps the stainless steel case contrast nicely and gives it a more formal profile. Reflecting on My Purchase I experienced buyer’s remorse back in 2015, as the purchase price was the same as a Hamilton Khaki, Seiko SARB, or even a vintage King Seiko. However, I’ve come to accept the Zenith as a fun little watch. I would likely feel an equal amount of remorse if I ever parted with it and sought it back again.

Trying Kirkland Blended Whisky I’ve always wanted to give it a try and finally bought a bottle of Kirkland Blended Whisky. They only had the larger 1.75 L size, and the price is still a bargain. In short, you get what you pay for, and this whisky is best for mixers or my favorite, a Mizuwari. This Japanese-style highball consists of plenty of ice, water, and a bit of whisky, typically with two parts water for every one part whisky. Mixing and Comparisons I find that a lot of bottom-shelf liquor works well as a Mizuwari, and this Kirkland blend surpasses Black Velvet. However, it doesn’t hold a candle to other blended scotches like Johnnie Walker Red Label, Ballantine's, or Chivas Regal. Still, compared to other bottom-shelf liquors, it’s acceptable. For the price, this is a phenomenal deal. I can make about 35 Mizuwari from this bottle, compared to maybe 15 from a bottle of Jameson or Johnnie Walker Red, yielding a savings of at least 2.3 to 1. While you would get bored drinking th...