How about those Japanese footballers, amirite? The lovable sons-of-guns have already pulled out the upset of the year, snatching victory from the Germans in the first round of the contentious 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The monumental effort sent fans in Japan into pandemonium while those watching on in Germany were left with heartache and despair, giving us all a rather fitting sense of schadenfreude. Whatever your take on the global sporting event and its controversial hosts, one thing is for certain, everybody loves an underdog and we’ve some this week. From hidden gems to unknown offerings, we’ve scoured the net for the very best products, series and experiences we could find. here’s Man of Many’s Staff Favourites for this week.
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Harris Farm Premium Bundles – The Entertainer | Image: Harris Farm Markets
Harris Farm Premium Bundles – The Entertainer
Nick Hall – Editor-in-Chief
My friends will attest to the fact that I’ve long been a Harris Farm supporter. Honestly, the bakery, the sushi bar, the fresh fish – this is what grocery shopping is meant to be. I was lucky enough to live near Broadway for the past few years so a trip downstairs to the iconic market-style hall was a near-daily experience but since moving, I’ve hardly had the opportunity to indulge in the decadent flavours of Harris Farm, but that all changed this week. In celebration of the newly opened Harris Farm Markets Lane Cove, the team sent us over an assortment of goodies from each of the new suppliers, showing off just how amazing the food and produce really are.
From Tidbit Foods’ 24-month-aged Prosciutto Di Parma and Salumi’s Free Range Mortadella with Peppe to the Black Jack Vintage Cheddar Cheese and Arlingtons’ Roast Capsicum Pesto, I was briefly in foodie heaven. The good news is that locals in lane Cove can enjoy this year-round, with the massive market destination open and serving up premium food bundles like the one I tested all through Christmas. If you want to host a party without the stress, I cannot recommend this enough. Good god, I need another one. -AUD$100
Favourite Article of the Week: Best Black Friday Deals: A Complete Guide
Panasonic ER-GB86 Beard Trimmer | Image: Panasoni
Panasonic ER-GB86 Beard Trimmer
Scott Purcell – Co-Founder
As someone who started shaving their head during COVID, I’ve discovered the importance of having a reliable, powerful and sharp razor. I can safely say the latest beard trimmer from Panasonic delivers on all fronts. The ER-GB86 is designed for consumers who want to model and shape their beards, or head stubble in my case, with a wide-pitch blade system meaning it takes me less time in the shower. It comes with a high-torque motor with 39 adjustable cutting length settings to get my stubble just right. This thing saves me both time and money at the barber.
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PowerDot 2.0 by Therabody
Richie Hall – Video Producer
The PowerDot 2.0 has been very sought after in the office with everyone keen to try it out. Therabody, the company behind the popular Theragun, combines neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in the PowerDot 2.0 to offer a range of different treatments. The user-friendly app offers customised programs including warm-up, strength, endurance, and recovery. The app guides every step of the process from precise pad placement, to intensity level and session length. No wonder it’s been so popular in the office and a pretty handy gift idea for Christmas.
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Image: Woo Wol Black
Woo Wol Black
Sam Mangioni – Journalist – Entertainment & Culture
From the team behind one of my favourite restaurants, Jung Sung, Woo Wol Black is a new and exclusive Wagyu Omakase restaurant located in the heart of Chippendale. From the private dining interiors to the handcrafted dishes cooked in front of your eyes, their establishment provides the ultimate luxurious experience for your next special occasion. However, I stupidly made the mistake of not fasting 48 hours before tackling its colossal 15-course menu. And after overindulging in its vast range of contemporary Korean cuisine last Thursday, I’ve had to hire a full-time carer this week to transport me to work via wheelbarrow. Yet, while I’m still currently digesting all the meat in my stomach, I can’t wait to do it all again!
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JAG Linen Pants | Image: JAG
JAG Linen Pants
Harry Parsons – Branded Content Manager
I must admit I don’t put as much effort into planning my daily outfits as I should, making for interesting outfit choices and stressful moments. Lately, I have been on a mission to build out the capsule wardrobe, removing the need to think about what goes with what and knowing I’m leaving the house on point. In my humble opinion, linen pants are a must have for any wardrobe, not only are they extremely comfortable but they also serve as an extremely versatile addition to your repertoire. The Linen Pants from JAG are a part of their new SS23 collection and look as good as they feel, made from 100% linen and featuring an elasticated waistband, these bad boys provide effortless style. Simply pair it with your favourite tee and you’ve found a go-to outfit for any occasion. So if there are summer picnics, boat parties and multiple trips to the beach on the horizon, you know what to do.
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Farming Simulator 22 – Platinum Edition
Ben McKimm – Journalist – Automotive & Tech
Maybe I’m just getting older, but the idea of sitting down and cranking out a few hours of gameplay on the new COD or 2K just isn’t something I’m looking forward to as much as I used to. The idea of spending hours accomplishing in-game tasks for lacklustre rewards just seems like a waste of time now more than ever. In a bid to stay connected with some friends I’ve made over the years, we decided to do what any self-respecting bunch of Aussie blokes would do and buy a farm. More specifically, buy a virtual farm, look after some virtual sheep, plant some virtual crops, and drive some heavy machinery.
I’ve always been intrigued by simulator games. They seem like a lot of work at first, but by replacing the fast-paced action of FPS or RNG games, they’ve become their own beast. Farming Simulator sits at the top of the food chain. It’s mind-blowing how much detail they’ve managed to pack into this game (I play on PS5), with licensed machinery, crops, animals, and even logging contracts available. There’s detail in every step, from dropping off goods, using the right header to farm the right crop, seasonality for production and sales, all the way down to looking after the paint on your Tractor. They call it a simulator for a reason! If you’re in the same boat as me and you’re looking for a relaxing game that you can play for a couple of hours a week, pick up a copy below!
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Bhakta Spirits Armagnac 1952 | Image: Bhakta Spirits
Bhakta Spirits Armagnac Single Year Vintage Milestone Collection
Jacob Osborn – Staff Writer
WhistlePig Rye Whiskey founder Raj Bhakta—who sold his stake in the company in 2019—presents his latest endeavour. It turns his attention toward premium brandy, which he acquired from France and then ran through a unique process of preservation, maturation, finishing, and bottling (aka the Bhakta Method). His eponymous spirits label is the result and it specialises in rare Armagnac of exceptional character.
Speaking of rare Armagnac, I scored a taste of the Single Vintage ‘Milestone’ Collection, which culls from 30+ vintages—including the landmark vintages 2002, 1997, 1982, and 1972—and arrived in extremely limited supply earlier this month. The label was kind enough to send me a vintage from 1980, which is a different kind of milestone in that it was the year I was born!
Put simply, you don’t have to love brandy to love this. It comes in big on the nose with rich aromas of grape, tropical fruit, and the kind of burnt custard that you might get from Canadian whiskey. The taste is decadent and flavourful in its abundance of fruit and caramel, trailing into a finish of grape, spice, oak, and sherry. This is terrific sipping and thus an epic preview of things to come from the nascent producer. If you have trouble scoring the rarer stuff, they also have an entry-level blend of Calvados and Armagnac by the name of 27-07, which is aged between 7 and 27 years. Cheers!
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