Good afternoon, reader. It's Thursday, and today we're talking tequila, pens and watches. Here's little more on that:

• Tequila is changing: We discuss single-estate tequila, which has a newfound focus on terroir with agave.
• The world's most luxurious pen: It's the 100th anniversary of Montblanc’s Meisterstück — and they're celebrating in exquisite fashion.
• Two new limited-edition watches: A collab between H. Moser & Cie and Alpine Sports marks a first for the storied watch brand.

What Is Single-Estate Tequila, and Why Does It Matter?

Tequila is changing. Well, sort of. The best tequilas have been made the same way for for generations, but the global perception of tequila is in the process of a seismic shift. With its meteoric rise in sales and consumption, people globally are beginning to see that there’s much more to the spirit than the familiar cheap bottles that are stuffed with vanilla flavoring and caramel coloring (and possibly mixed with subpar sugarcane distillate). When made with a focus on traditional techniques that highlight natural agave flavor, tequila is just as complex and delicious as any fine whisky or Cognac.

As consumers and enthusiasts learn more about additive-free tequila and the traditions behind the spirit’s production, their appreciation for the ancestral processes of distillation and its natural flavors tends to grow. And as their appreciation for pure agave flavor grows, it often ignites a thirst for more.

Yesterday we asked if you were a big soccer fan. About 26% of you stick to watching during the World Cup and the Olympics, 32% of you are die-hard superfans and the rest of you (42%) are sticking to American football. 

Today, I Am a Fountain Pen: 100 Years of the Meisterstück

This year, 2024, thus marks a full century of Meisterstück, the pen that has become synonymous with the very word “pen.” Many will doubtlessly scoff at the importance of a pen-iversary — Gen Z isn’t even taught penmanship in school! and all that — but that would be missing some important points. For one thing, it’s arguable that no other writing instrument has the cachet and importance of a Montblanc, particularly a Meisterstück; they’re still given to people to celebrate important life events, even if — indeed — two thumbs have replaced the nib and inkwell in the process of modern, digital composition.

There’s a certain joy that comes from using a well-made object — from its smooth operation to its considered design to, yes, its aesthetics — that can’t quite be satisfied from a 10-cent, dollar-store purchase.

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H. Moser & Cie and Alpine Sports Release Two Limited Timepieces

H. Moser & Cie has never taken part in the ritual of brand ambassadors, which has become so commonplace over the past several years. It makes sense that the brand, whose focus is producing small-batch watches, would agree to a partnership only if it was an utterly synergistic fit. Thus, in a first for the storied house, H. Moser & Cie has joined forces with Alpine Motorsports to create two limited watch releases. The first collaboration of its kind for the manufacturer since its inception 196 years ago, the partnership forms a unique bond between Alpine Sports and H. Moser. It illustrates the symbiosis between the passion and perfectionism of both brands, with Grand Prix driver Pierre Gasly as the common denominator.

The Andover Shop Helped Shape Everything From Jazz to Literature

History doesn’t occur in a vacuum; why should the history of menswear be any exception? Learning about style can lead to countless points of overlap with other fields. That’s one of the reasons that editor Constantine Valhouli’s new book Miles, Chet, Ralph & Charlie: An oral history of The Andover Shop is so fascinating. If you have an interest in menswear, you’ll find plenty to savor in its pages, both in terms of how it chronicles the evolution of style and how it demonstrates how some of the 20th century’s biggest names found their own signature looks.

InsideHook caught up with Valhouli to learn more about his own history with Andover Shop founder Charlie Davidson, the process of putting the book together and what Davidson’s legacy is today.

10 Spots for Drinking and Dining on a First Date in San Francisco

Scoring a first date in San Francisco is tough enough, but then comes the real test: planning said date. To make the most of a first impression, you need to do more than hit the boba shop around the corner, but not quite as much as splurging on a bank-account-draining tasting menu. To help, we’ve gathered 10 places that strike a perfect balance between low effort and overkill. From an elegant, Venetian-inspired lounge to a food truck park with mini-golf, consider this your starting point for first dates in the city.