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Fake Japanese Whisky Is Flooding The Market, But There's A Way To Tell The Real Deal
Fake Japanese Whisky Is Flooding The Market, But There's A Way To Tell The Real Deal

Think that prized Japanese whisky bottle sitting on your shelf is the real deal? Think again.There’s evidence that fake expressions of rare Japanese whisky have been on the rise thanks to their high value and strong demand in the market. Asahi Shimbun recently reported that two Japanese men were arrested for selling fake bottles of the prized Hibiki 30-Year-Old by Suntory, the same drinks company which also produces award-winning expressions under the Yamazaki and Hakushu labels.

“You’ve got people in some countries buying coloured ethanol and going blind or dying.”

How The Fleece Is Done

Martin Eber of global whisky publication Time For Whisky explains that the dangers are usually varying but very real.“On the one hand, you’ve got people getting ripped off buying Macallan or Yamazaki 18 and really getting a 12-year-old or a different whisky entirely,” he says.“But on the other hand, you’ve got people in some countries buying coloured ethanol and going blind or dying. Kind of puts it into perspective.”The two Japanese offenders who were caught selling fake Hibiki were reportedly off-loading the bottles for less than half their current market value of US$3,000 – $4,000. The boxes and bottles that came with the counterfeit Hibiki were all real, but it was the actual liquid inside that was fake – a discovery made by a customer who noticed that the contents didn’t consist of 30-year-old Hibiki.For the most part, fake whiskies are utilising real bottles which have been emptied, refilled and then resealed before being resold. What exacerbates this issue is the fact that most buyers won’t ever sample these whiskies due to their price and the prospect of resale.In the best case scenario it’s the exchange of fake whisky where a customer is paying for something they’re not getting. In the worst case, it’s a dangerous transaction which could end up being fatal.

Why It’s Happening

Fake whiskies on the market isn’t a new concept by any means. The difference is that it’s now happening to Japanese whisky, an industry which isn’t as heavily policed and regulated against counterfeits as its counterpart, Scotch whisky.How lax are the laws at the moment? In Japan it’s legal for whisky makers to label their bottle as Japanese-made even if it contains imported whiskies from other countries.And then there’s the more obvious signs, according to Eber.“Sadly I think there are a lot more fakes out there than people realise – as certain whiskies explode in popularity, so too does the issue of fakes.”Thankfully there are a number of ways to tell if a whisky is fake.

Real vs Fake Japanese Whisky

Don’t gamble on your investment until you know your stuff. These are Eber’s expert tips for spotting a fake Japanese whisky.

Pay attention to the label

“If someone is faking the label, you can often tell from the print quality, or the resolution, text, or colour by comparing it with an original. If someone is using a genuine bottle and label (like in the Hibiki case), it becomes a bit trickier.”

Check the seal

“One way to tell if a bottle is genuine is by checking if it has a plastic or foil seal. Does it look uniform or neat? On Hibiki 17s for example, there’s a clear plastic wrap around the glass stopper and neck, with the word “Hibiki” in gold. I’m looking at one now, and the writing is straight and uniform.”“That’s a pretty hard thing to fake and something people often don’t spot, so the fakers often skip over that part – using clear plastic with no words, or with crooked or misaligned writing.”According to savvy Reddit users, there’s also other tell-tale signs to draw from the seal.

  1. Real Hibiki’s seal ripline is a lightning pattern. The fake one is a dotted flat line.
  2. Real Hibiki’s seal ripline does not go all the way to the bottom and most importantly, there is a vertical rip seal at the end. The fake one goes all the way to the end.

Eber’s observation of the gold writing on the seal is also correct in this case. The left image shows a straight ‘HIBIKI’ marking whereas the right shows a curved ‘HIBIKI’ marking.

Compare the colour of the liquid

“Buyers can always compare the colour of the liquid, particularly for clear bottles. Does it look the same colour as a genuine bottle? There may be some slight variation over the years from batch to batch, but it shouldn’t look too different to any other bottles of the exact same whisky on the shelf.”

Check the fill levels

“Another sign is the fill-level. Sometimes fakers get overly enthusiastic and fill a bottle higher than a genuine one might be. Not always, but sometimes.”

Look for “floaty bits”

“When it comes to the topic of vintage whiskies, particularly whiskies distilled 30, 40, 50+ years ago, you can sometimes shake up the bottle and see some ‘floaty bits’, which have crystallised over time. They’re harmless, but can be an indication of the age of the bottle (not the age of the whisky). This shouldn’t be a hard and fast rule though, because not every whisky will do it.”

Follow the age-old saying

“None of these are dead giveaways though, merely a guide. One of the best rules is probably the old adage of ‘if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.”

Educate yourself on vintage whiskies

“For vintage whiskies, particularly the popular and commonly faked bottles like Macallans from the 60s and 70s, your best bet is to get your hands on a copy of Emmanuel Dron’s book Collecting Scotch Whisky. This has the most comprehensive guide to fakes I’ve ever seen, including glass bottle codes to look out for and a host of other things you’d never think of.”RELATED: The Difference Between Cheap & Expensive Whisky, According To An ExpertMartin Eber is the founder of Time For Whisky, an online whisky blog which covers comprehensive news on some of the world’s finest liquid gold

The post Fake Japanese Whisky Is Flooding The Market, But There’s A Way To Tell The Real Deal appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

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Ryan Reynolds Shows You The Hottest Suit Colour To Wear When You're Over Black
Ryan Reynolds Shows You The Hottest Suit Colour To Wear When You're Over Black

Your incessant use of the eggplant emoji is finally good for something other than your hapless sexual innuendo.

We’re talking suit colours and Mr. Ryan Reynolds dared to go where most men have yet to go at the recent New York premiere of wife Blake Lively’s film, ‘A Simple Favor’.

Reynolds was spotted at the Museum of Modern Art rocking a daring black suit alternative in the form of a slick aubergine…or eggplant for those who’d like a more pragmatic name. Just don’t call it purple though.


Under the bright flashing lights of cameras the suit colour absolutely popped as one of the hottest suit colour trends we predicted back in 2017. Reynolds paired the aubergine hue with polished burgundy shoes, a crisp white shirt and a heavy diagonal striped tie in black and pearl further complemented with a gold motif.

What’s unique about the aubergine colour though is its ability to drastically shift tones under different lighting. When outside, the suit is clearly aubergine but indoors the suit takes on a much darker shade, not quite black, but we’d say passable at a black suit party.

Take a look at how Reynolds rocked the suit colour and then see how other guys did it in the gallery.

The post Ryan Reynolds Shows You The Hottest Suit Colour To Wear When You're Over Black appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

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Test Your Fitness Against This Gruelling America’s Cup Training Program
Test Your Fitness Against This Gruelling America’s Cup Training Program

Crossfit, barbell squads, broga…whatever fitness fad you want to call it, fitness training for the America’s Cup can match it – and possibly beat it.

As the world’s most glamorous boat race to captivate audiences on a global scale, Emirates Team New Zealand has long been the frontrunner to beat amongst equally-talented teams from Great Britain, Japan and Sweden.

Outside of the race though the sailors and crew members face a different kind of contest – a gruelling test of their will and their bodies.


Think you can outperform a crew member of the America’s Cup?

Try your fitness against Emirates Team New Zealand’s cycle test below. It’s about endurance as much as it is about strength and flexibility.

Warm Up

15 minutes

  • 5 minutes easy aerobic cycling
  • 4 x 30 seconds increments/30 seconds recovery cycling
  • 2 minutes easy aerobic cycling
  • 4 x 10 second burst increments/20 seconds recovery cycling
  • 2 minutes easy aerobic cycling
  • Prepare test functions into watt bike (can be done on any stationary bike)

Start Test

12 minute test

  • 24 efforts
  • 20 second efforts
  • 10 seconds required to stop pedalling
  • Graded by average power output (Watts) over all efforts

Aims

  • Maintain a low aero position
  • Keep your butt on the seat during the whole test
  • Must stop cycling during recovery 10 seconds.

Cool Down

  • 15 – 20min light aerobic cycling with a good stretch after

RELATED: Special Forces Commandos Train Like This To Get Insane Strength & Stamina

The post Test Your Fitness Against This Gruelling America’s Cup Training Program appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

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Influencers Are Provoking Environmentalists By Posing In Dangerous Locations
Influencers Are Provoking Environmentalists By Posing In Dangerous Locations

Back in the days of Nokia cell phones and Sat Nav GPS, people went camping to disconnect. To explore. To discover. These days it seems like people have one aim: get the perfect Insta shot. You know the kind, feet dangling over a precipitous edge, thermos flask jauntily placed to one side, golden hour of sunlight providing the perfect backdrop of warm light.

Don’t lie: you’ve either taken one, or seen one. Me? I used to scoff at such navel gazing. However, fast forward three years and I’m now one of the most prolific, “I woke up like this” posers out there. Hence my interest in the latest development in the (travel) world of Instagram: the account, “You Did Not Sleep There.”

The official @youdidnotsleepthere instagram account has one mission: to expose the frauds among us. And while pedantic commentators and defensive travel bloggers may claim they actually slept, if briefly, in some of these locations, our money is on most of their shut-eye taking place in a 5 star hotel twenty minutes inland from each edge in question. But don’t take our word for it: check the images out and make up your own mind.


Our first sample takes place at a famous overhang in Norway called Trolltunga, notorious for the hundred of snaps a day that backpackers take there. This means that, contrary to what you might expect, the primary reason not to sleep here isn’t the imminent risk of death, it’s the certain risk of being woken up by hordes of tourists impatient to get a shot.

“There’s no easy way to get to this rock… Yet somehow, we’re all here.”

The second example takes place on a vertiginous rock platform in Utah, by a couple on a truck cabin road trip. Sara Underwood, the tent owner pictured claims, “We love sleeping in the truck cabin, but some camping spots are way too good to pass up.” Commentators said, “They have a crazy camper now so they don’t need these kinds of tent spots,” as well as, “She didn’t even set up the tent,” and, “Faking a heel hook just to get a crotch shot is so good.” But what do you reckon? Do they have a point, or are they just, as one commentator who came to Sara’s defence suggested, “Trolls (who) are just jealous you’re living the life they’re dreaming about?”

Further comments include:

  • “This may be legal and your ass looks great, but this still sends a terrible example. Not everyone who sees this will know you’re on private land. They might assume it’s fine to camp on fragile rock formations in parks and protected areas, and then what? Please see the article I linked in my IG stories to learn a little bit more about LNT in the digital age.”
  • “Omg get the fuck off of your high horse ! There are so many people destroying the environment and you choose to terget a beautiful human sleeping on a rock… You actually make me sick ! Btw if I ever see you driving a car or flying in an aeroplane I will troll you forever!”

The next was taken in Durdle Door, Dorset, a beach on England’s Jurassic Coast, named after an impressive, natural limestone arch. What is less impressive, however, is this candidate’s assumptions regarding his or her followers’ intelligence. First consideration: tide. Second consideration: hefty fines for camping on the beach. Third: waste elimination. If the caves in the cliffs of Beliche, in Portugal’s algarve (where most Jurassic coast #vanlife hashtaggers end up) are anything to go by, the picturesque location is actually not an attractive place to camp due to the abundance of turds and toilet paper at their base of the cliffs.

 

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Our next contestant is as confident as Tony Abbot that global warming is a hoax. Although some believe they really did sleep these, as it’s, “One of the only flat spots on the way to the summit,” others weren’t so convinced, “I think the sunny right wall of the tent proves that it spent more time on a computer’s clipboard than it ever did on this ridge!” We’ll leave it to you.

 

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The next one however, is a little easier to dismiss. One stray roll and you’re screwed, mate.

 

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I call this one “The Influencer”. #youdidnotsleepthere • photo @jeffjohnson_beyondandback

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The next one is perhaps the most believable of the bunch. Surely there’s nothing dangerous about camping on a disused railway, so long as you’re sure it’s disused. But then again… Why!

 

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When your campsite comes with an entourage. #youdidnotsleepthere • photo @_vanisland_

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The following snap-happy campers are either brave souls or frauds. Their love for waterfalls only matched by their confidence in their ability to not roll over while sleeping. Check it out.

 

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These guys either have a similar passion for erosion or a death-wish… Or unwavering confidence in the functionality of their hand-brake.

 

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Back that ass up. #youdidnotsleepthere • photo @msoverland

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The last of this series is the most inventive of the lot, featuring a series of bungee cords, which suspend @garrisonrowland‘s tent above a fairly fast-flowing river. Although it seems far fetched that he slept there, that he actually set this contraption up is quite possible, as he is quite a handy slack line artist.

RELATED: The 7 Most Illegal Places To Travel In The World 

The post Influencers Are Provoking Environmentalists By Posing In Dangerous Locations appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

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The Truth About Why Aussie Tennis Players Are Dickheads
The Truth About Why Aussie Tennis Players Are Dickheads

Australia’s latest batch of professional tennis players make Leyton Hewitt look classy.The popularity levels of Bernard Tomic and Nick Kyrgios have fluctuated from initial hope to outright derision, eventually settling into the disappointed acceptance that most casual onlookers adopt today.In other words, they’re dickheads.Australian-tennis-star-Nick-KyrgiosFull disclaimer: if we were that good at tennis we wouldn’t care what mere mortals thought of our attitude either. However, the lack of maturity shown by our national tennis stars hasn’t just pissed off a few stuffy old tennis traditionalists—it’s also inspired a weird change in the mentality of the average Australian sports fan.Where we were once happy to accept misgivings like Pat Cash’s bandana and the Socceroos’ ongoing hopelessness, it’s fair to say that few athletes in this country’s history have met the same levels of scorn as our two leading tennis players right now.And let’s be very frank, when you put together everything they’ve done individually, done together, or done to each other, they probably deserve every last bit of flaming they can get.

“Tomic famously declared he would be World #1 and win every grand slam.”

Bernard Tomic once said he wanted the mind of Pete Sampras and the heart of Lleyton Hewitt. Instead, Australia has somehow ended up with two low-rent Floyd Mayweather rip-offs that don’t quite have the walk (yet) to back up the talk.But why?To get to the answer, you basically have to boil things down to what they have in common. Both Tomic and Kyrgios are products of the AIS, and both have pretty patchy history with their coaches.Both heaped pressure on themselves from a young age and promised big things in their career – Tomic famously declared he would be World #1 and win every grand slam. With the likes of Laver, Rafter and Hewitt as their predecessors, both are also following in pretty immense footsteps.nickRight now though, Kyrgios and Tomic, while still young, are pretty far short of their goals. Kyrgios and Tomic sit at win percentages of 57% and 60% (Tomic’s is only higher because he hasn’t been playing enough for it to go down) respectively, while only John Millman is the only male Aussie showing any kind of decent form as of late (he recently beat Federer).But at 29, Millman isn’t a young buck. And as our young hopes, Kyrgios and Tomic, are entering their mid-20s, neither of them are showing real signs of improvement on the grand stage.Kyrgios is yet to surpass his 2014 quarter final finish in a grand slam, which had him ranked 13th (he is now sitting at 30th), while Tomic’s grand slam results have been going downhill since 2011, and he is only now returning to tennis after trying his hand at reality TV.To put that in rather stark perspective, in 2001 Lleyton Hewitt had already won Wimbledon, the US Open and 2 Tour Finals by the age of 21. We think that within this, there may be something pretty telling.

“Tennis, like pretty much any other individual sport, has the knack of bringing out the absolute worst individual traits in people that you’d never normally see.”

Whether on the golf course or even standing at the office table tennis table, you tend to see ruthlessly aggressive, self-destructive sides of people that are never normally there.With characters like Kyrgios and Tomic though, you get something far worse. Instead of awakening a sleeping dragon, you’re just provoking one that’s already outside your house and threatening to breathe fire through your front door.The blame may not lay with one single entity, either. Australia certainly can’t be held accountable for putting its hopes on the two best players it has right now.That being said, when you have two elite athletes that have been almost hand-reared to carry an entire-nation’s legacy on their shoulders, what you often get in return is a dangerous level of hubris.tomicFew countries have a similar system to Australia in the way it develops its elite athletes, and in a similar fashion to what you get coming out of England’s footballing academies, the true characters of many young people that go through institutions like the AIS come to light pretty quickly once they go pro.At the same time, humility is often taught in harsh lessons, most of which probably don’t come around that often on the ATP tour. So for now, we may have to resign ourselves to the fact that our brightest tennis stars are pretty monumental dickheads.Of course, the direct consequences of this are very much theirs to bear, but as they offend their merry way around the world, take a moment to remember that the causes may lay a little closer to home than we think.

The post Why Australian Tennis Players Are Dickheads appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

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This Guy Could be The World’s Biggest Asshole On Bumble
This Guy Could be The World’s Biggest Asshole On Bumble

Not as witty as their bio? Not as attractive as their cover photo? Not as tall as you thought? More love handles than advertised? When you go on a date with someone you’ve “connected” with online, you often discover they aren’t quite who you thought they were.However Brandon, the World’s Biggest Asshole On Bumble, doesn’t have that excuse (Bumble only lets you connect with people you’ve crossed paths with in real life). In fact Brandon has been outed as the dating world’s greatest culo because of his own in-date actions.His date, Ryann Miller, shared the epic (now viral) tale of the Bumble date from hell on Twitter, which began with a drink and ended with her being ghosted and left with the $70 bill. But that’s not even the worst part.Anyway, Miller met Brandon on a dating app called Bumble. They organised a date, met up, and ordered drinks. So far so normal. But upon finishing his beer, apparently, Brandon’s behaviour went from bad (“The whole way to the bar he talked about bad dates he had,”) to worse (“When we sat down, he continued to sh-t all over girls my age and our expectations of men,”).

“Anyway, he was completely rude to our waitress because she didn’t walk over to our table fast enough when he finished his first beer… He threw his menu on the floor like a literal baby and then spoke to her in a disgustingly sarcastic and degrading tone.”

Brandon then asked Miller if he was being an ass. She confirmed that he was. Three beers and a steak dinner later, Brandon then went to the bathroom, only to never come back. Five minutes later he texted her, “Thanks for dinner… Hard no welcome to Cali fatty.” Yep, he left her with the $70 dinner bill, and insulted her at the same time. Classy.Miller then took to Twitter:

In the process, Millers’ followers cyber stalked Brandon, and began harassing him and his kids, which was not Millers’ intention. Miller then spoke to Brandon over the phone, who apologised, and presumably ask that she delete her tweets to spare his kids and his business reputation.

Although our money would be on them not going on a second date, at least their no-love story reached some sort of resolution…RELATED: Why You’re Not A Man If You Compete With Your Ex

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Stunning Seoul Hotels That You'll Want To Live In Forever
Stunning Seoul Hotels That You'll Want To Live In Forever

South Korea’s international reputation is linked to its infectious pop music, extensive skin care routines, and big-name brands like Samsung and Hyundai.

Visit Seoul and you’ll see all of the above – but there’s so much more to Asia’s new capital of cool.

The city has a thriving culinary scene, luxurious public baths, and the world’s fastest internet. It’s home to night markets, tea houses, neon-lit karaoke joints, and idyllic urban parks. Traditional architecture intermingles with cutting-edge skyscrapers, a seamless blend of old and new that encapsulates what Seoul is all about.


Seoul is a city forging daringly towards the future while faithfully paying homage to its past. There’s always something to do, see, eat, or drink in this multifaceted metropolis. Should you have the good fortune to experience it, these D’Marge-approved hotels will let you rest your head in style.

Lotte Hotel

Lotte Hotel offers some of South Korea’s most lauded lodgings. Conveniently located in the CBD, the hotel is a short jaunt from popular tourist stops including Gyeongbokgung Palace and the Myeongdong shopping district. But that’s if you can tear yourself away from the property. It’s a taller order than you might think, considering Lotte Hotel contains a spa, fitness centre, swimming pool, hair salon, shops, laundry service, business facilities, more than half a dozen dining and drinking options, and its own golf range.

Grand Hyatt Seoul

A stay at the Grand Hyatt Seoul lives up to its name. It is grand indeed in both size and scope, with over 600 rooms set in the sprawling green oasis of Mount Namsan. Put on your Wimbledon whites and hit one of the hotel’s three tennis courts, then unwind with a traditional Korean massage at the spa. Depending on the season of your visit, you’ll also want to pig out at a poolside barbecue or lace up your blades and attempt a triple Axel on the ice skating rink.

Four Seasons Hotel Seoul

This sophisticated addition to the Seoul accommodations scene opened in 2015. The Four Seasons Hotel exudes calming, grown-up vibes with a minimalist design ethos and floor-to-ceiling windows that flood the space with natural light. It’s a place to escape hectic city life while simultaneously immersing yourself in local culture (courtesy of an extensive collection of contemporary Korean art and pottery). Venture to the lower level and find the hidden door to gain entry to Charles H, a speakeasy serving some of the city’s finest cocktails.

The Shilla

The Shilla landed in Seoul in the 1970s. At a time when there were few high-end hotels in the city, it quickly rose to the top of the crop. Today it retains elite status by embracing the heritage of its homeland. The ondol-style Korean Suite immerses guests in traditional Korean architecture and interior design, while La Yeon restaurant dishes out upscale Korean cuisine that has been awarded three Michelin stars. A notable departure from the local theme is the Guerlain Spa, the Parisian cosmetic house’s first in Asia.

Park Hyatt Seoul


The Hyatt brand has another win on its hands. Park Hyatt Seoul’s 185 guestrooms include one Presidential Suite, two Diplomatic Suites and 35 Park Suites designed in contemporary style with spa-inspired bathrooms. An infinity pool tops the 24-storey glass tower, providing unobstructed views of the Gangnam district below. Downstairs, Cornerstone serves authentic Italian dishes and The Timber House mixes Japanese cuisine, premium beverages, and DJs spinning vinyl.

GLAD Hotel Yeouido

It’s easy to spot GLAD Hotel Yeouido. Its neighbours in Seoul’s business district are glittering and glassy, their modernist facades erupting confidently skyward. Glad Hotel Yeouido, with its modest brick exterior, sticks out – for all the right reasons. The brick motif continues inside, adding wit and warmth to the space. Room amenities cater to the business traveller, including Bluetooth speakers, espresso machines, lightning-fast Wi-Fi and Aesop toiletries. The single malt whisky bar provides a relaxing end to a long day at a conference.

Signiel Seoul

If nothing gets you off like a good view, Signiel Seoul is your must-stay in South Korea. You’ll find the hotel occupying floors 76 through 101 of the Lotte World Tower, currently the world’s sixth tallest skyscraper, overlooking Seoul’s majestic sprawl and mountainous Bukhansan National Park. The hotel is also home to the largest champagne bar in the country, an Evian Spa, and the exceptional food of three Michelin-starred French chef Yannick Alléno.

JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square

Not to be confused with the JW Marriott Seoul, the JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square is a more recent addition to Seoul’s hospitality scene located in the city’s flashy shopping district. The space is well designed in neutral tones with a contemporary aesthetic, plus plenty of marble for that luxury feel. Eco-minded travellers will be pleased to hear it is the first hotel in Seoul to be awarded the LEED Gold certification recognising sustainability achievement.

Novotel Suites Ambassador Seoul Yongsan

Novotel Suites Ambassador Seoul Yongsan is an ideal home base for long-stay guests. Each room is equipped with a washer, dryer, refrigerator and microwave oven. The property offers free Wi-Fi in all rooms, 24-hour room service, daily housekeeping, laundry service, and currency exchange. Facilities include a fitness centre, sauna, spa, and indoor pool, plus a variety of dining and entertainment options in the Sky Kingdom area of the Seoul Dragon City complex.

Vista Walkerhill


Vista Walkerhill was designed with sensory indulgence in mind. The 252-room hotel’s all-glass facade brings space-age energy to its serene surroundings – the slopes of Mount Achasan and the Han River. That same harmonious blend of man and nature is felt throughout, from the 800-year-old olive tree in the lobby, brought in from Sicily by world-renowned “plant hunter” Seijun Nishihata, to a digital art piece projection mapped on the ceiling above. Other highlights include the 4th-floor outdoor botanical garden, a virtual reality play zone, and a library stocked with 3000 international books.

RELATED: Stunning Singapore Hotels That Will Impress The Craziest Rich Asians

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Researchers Discover The Type Of Workout That Could Make You Live Longer
Researchers Discover The Type Of Workout That Could Make You Live Longer

You’ve got your protein shake, you’ve smashed chest day and tomorrow it’s all about the bicep pump.But wait, there’s more. Researchers from the University of Michigan have just discovered that attaining a certain strength level could extend your lifespan.More specifically, Dr. Kate Duchowny who led the research thinks that people who have lower levels of muscle strength are 50 percent more likely to die when compared to those with stronger muscles and a higher baseline measurement of grip strength.

“Maintaining muscle strength throughout life – and especially in later life – is extremely important for longevity and ageing independently,” Dr. Duchowny explained to Michigan News.

The type of strength that Duchowny identifies as the one to work on is grip strength, as this is the type of strength that can be used to predict a person’s general health and longevity – even more so than other familiar health measurements like muscle mass.Slightly more surprising is the ease at which grip strength can be tested in a human. Subjects simply squeeze a dynamometer tool which outputs their strength level in kilograms.RELATED: Muscle Mass Begins To Deteriorate In Your 30s, But There’s A Way Around ItFrom there Dr. Duchowny’s team took the data which comprised of 8,326 men and women aged 65 and over. The figures were then applied to muscle weakness “cut points” which stipulates a hand grip strength of less than 39kg for males and 22kg for females as no good (a nicer way of saying you’ll die sooner).The researchers here believe that the strength test can help doctors recognise obesity and health risks in people before its actual onset, thus helping them live longer than what Joe Black had originally intended.Duchowny calls this “increased longevity and independence for individuals”.So is pumping iron and doing countless pull-ups playing God? We’ll let you decide. We do know that it’s proven though from the retired action men of our era.Exhibit A: Sylvester Stallone at 72

Exhibit B: Dolph Lundgren at 60

 
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Exhibit C: Arnie at 71

Grip Strength Exercises

  • Hand grippers
  • Barbell holds
  • Farmer’s carries
  • Towel rope pull-ups
  • Plate pinches
  • Band hand extensions
  • Rock climbing

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Glenmorangie Are Now Making $8,000 Surfboards From Old Whisky Casks
Glenmorangie Are Now Making $8,000 Surfboards From Old Whisky Casks

The surf might be questionable in Scotland but their whisky certainly isn’t. And what about those old whisky casks that have served their purpose in the distilling process? They get turned into high-end surfboards, of course.

That’s the idea behind the Glenmorangie Distillery’s latest partnership with Grain Surfboards in a project which sees beautifully handcrafted surfboards made from the staves of Glenmorangie’s old whisky barrels – twelve in each board to be exact.

The result is a product which exudes loads of unique character and old school cool thanks to the natural rich tones and patterns that can only be afforded by the organic material. According to Grain, the construction was no walk in the park either. The interior framework which forms the board’s shape replaces the standard marine plywood with the oak staves. The whole thing is then polished off with bookmatched center planks, tailblock and custom made fins to ensure it does what it’s meant to in the water as opposed to just looking nice.


RELATED: The Difference Between A Cheap & Expensive Whisky, As Explained By A whisky Expert

The ambitious project took more than a year to refine and as you’d expect they are limited edition items which require a US$2,000 deposit just to secure one. Once the people at Grain have completed the board and are happy with it, you simply pay off the remaining balance.

Now for the bad news: It’s only available to those in the US and Europe. Although we’re sure that if you’re spending AU$8,000 on a surfboard, paying a buying fee wouldn’t be too much of an issue for you.

Put it this, it’s a small price to pay to emerge from the sea smelling like smooth AF Scotch whisky. Do your damage over at Grain now.

The post Glenmorangie Are Now Making $8,000 Surfboards From Old Whisky Casks appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

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