My hero is always ten years away

That's who I chase

Folks, it’s the weekend, and to that I say: Alright, alright, alright. The iconic Matthew McConaughey has made his mark in the world of film with on-screen feats and of course, that all-time great Oscars acceptance speech , one which really struck a chord with me this week. Of course, that’s chiefly because I had the chance to sit in on a whiskey tasting via Zoom, a wonderful hour spent diving into McConaughey’s whiskey with Wild Turkey, complete with a guide on how to make cocktails with Longbranch Bourbon (naturally, you should know that you can get this whiskey delivered via Drizly to celebrate National Bourbon Heritage Month). It got me thinking about a few things:A) Delicious whiskey for fall and of course, B) McConaughey’s career, his persistence, his ability to reinvent himself and forge a new path forward towards greatness. He’s a man of integrity, of great spirit, of family and faith — and a seriously cool dude, to boot. What a pleasure to hear him speak on his passion, and there’s no better way to get some inspiration for the road ahead than to hear it firsthand.

It was seriously so cool to see him, even on a computer screen from afar, and I’d like to think hearing The Man himself speak helped spur me on to an evening of productive writing (and whiskey sipping). Among those pursuits, I’ve started contributing regularly to Huckberry.com — this week, I wrote all about the best waxed trucker jackets, and the week prior, I wrote all about the best new sneakers to buy at Huckberry. Of course, there’s plenty more in store where that came from. All the while, I’m still covering the latest and greatest for GearMoose.com and naturally, my blog and much more. As it were, I’m really looking forward to the fall, from park strolls in Brooklyn to fresh Oktoberfest beer, rugged menswear and more. It’s all happnening, folks. I hope you feel the same way. To spark your weekend and to help you chase your own hero, check out today’s newsletter below. Thanks for reading!

What To Listen To This Weekend: “Lost In My Mind” By The Head and The Heart

Call this one somewhat of an “oldie-but-goodie” in the modern indie rock and indie folk canon (it released on Seattle’s Sub Pop WAY back in 2011). This song is a special one for me — it brings back many memories of driving through the Michigan countryside in the summer, most often on my way to my journalism internship at the Jackson Citizen Patriot or on my way to mow lawns, believe it or not. It’s a lilting song that calls to mind hard work, memories of days gone by and the future ahead. As it were, this poignant, lovely song is one I don’t listen to enough — I always enjoy the warm embrace of nostalgia when I put it on, and I hope you feel the same way. It’s quite the apt song for an early fall weekend, too. There’s something about the earthy, folksy, down-home music of The Head and The Heart that calls to mind time spent outdoors and around loved ones, right?

A bonfire, a hike, an evening spent sipping some Wild Turkey whiskey … a song like this is going to prove a heck of a soundtrack for each of those pursuits, is it not? As it were, it reminds me of my December 2016 trek down to Baltimore to see this very band, and I’m dreaming of when I can get on the road again to catch a soulful live show. How about you? Let’s chase that feeling right here, right now.

What To Shop This Weekend: Season Three Ansel Hiking Boots

Here’s the deal, my friends. If you read my work at Maxim, you’ll recall that I’ve previously covered the Season Three Ansel Hiking Boots. Stick with me, though, because I’m in the process of getting a pair on my feet to review on my blog in the weeks ahead. In the meantime, what’s not to love about some of the best hiking boots for fall, right? And as a matter of fact, the Season Three Ansel Hiking Boots go well beyond what you’d expect from typical hiking boots. They’re more sleek and streamlined, for one, featuring durable-yet-comfortable Vibram technology and a more tailored silhouette. As the NYC-based brand puts it, these are hiking boots made for the town AND the trail. How cool is that? With a range of suede and leather colorways available (including the NYC-friendly black leather seen above), they could just be your new favorite boots for fall. Don’t take my word for it, though: Try ‘em out yourself.

Shop Season Three

What To Sip This Weekend: Wild Turkey Longbranch Bourbon

You knew this one was coming, right? Do yourself a favor and get some Longbranch Bourbon in your life and in your home bar cart ASAP. After all, if it’s got the McConaughey seal of approval — he worked closely with the lauded distiller on this incredible bourbon —it’s got to be great stuff, right? Whether you sip it neat, in a lemon-based cocktail or a classic Old Fashioned, you can’t go wrong with Longbranch. It’s got all kinds of flavor and character, thanks to the use of mesquite and charcoal in the aging process. How cool is that? It stands apart as one of the best bourbons I’ve tried in some time, and that’s certainly the case when you consider the fact that the Longbranch Texas Mesquite Bourbon is seriously delicious, uniquely crafted and exceptionally well-done all around. That makes it all the more covetable, does it not? Know that you can get some Longbranch via Drizly right now if you just can’t wait to kick back with a fall cocktail — I know that’s how I feel. Cheers to the weekend, my friends.

The Final Pick: Topo Designs Dirt Pants

Alright, my friends. We’ve talked about what to shop and what to sip this weekend, and what to listen to as you do it all. It’s with that spirit in mind that I’m recommending the final pick in my newsletter today, a pair of sustainable outdoor pants that wear extremely well with, for instance, the Season Three Ansel Hiking Boots for pursuits on and off the trail this season. The rugged yet easy-to-wear Topo Designs Dirt Pants are part of the most sustainable offering yet from the Colorado-based brand, made from an organic cotton midweight stretch canvas and featuring a mobile straight fit. In short, that makes them some of the best men’s pants for fall, especially if you fancy a day hike or park stroll, preferably topped off with Longbranch Bourbon in your glass. How’s that for a prime start to fall, ehh?

If you’re feeling that new, fresh burst of fall inspiration at the moment, I don’t blame you. That’s exactly how I felt after a bit of needed inspiration from this week’s Zoom whiskey tasting with Sir Matthew McConaughey, and I couldn’t be more fired up heaidng into fall. On my weekend to-do list, of course? Get outside in my Topo Designs Dirt Pants, lace up my rugged-yet-refined Season Three Ansel Hiking Boots and cue up some soulful, easy listening from The Head and The Heart. You already know what I’ll be sipping to top it all off, too: Longbranch Bourbon, of course. How about you? If you end up picking up any of this excellent whiskey, feel free to leave a comment below or get in touch with me on Twitter. Cheers, folks! Be your own hero.