JustLuxe: Ray Pearson Articles / News

"Travel for Travel's Sake" in the Lexus IS 350 C

Ray Pearson — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 03:00:17 EST

Watching the four-piece retractable top on the 2013 Lexus IS 350 C fold sleekly into the trunk was awesome. Certainly this marvel of engineering is not in the league of the Mars Lander�s Sky Crane, but is nearly so, right here on Earth, and several hundred million dollars less expensive. This chic luxury car was mine to experience for a week, and I had plans to enjoy topless adventures from the get-go....

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Luxury Living at the Cradle and Crown of Golf | St Andrews' Hamilton Grand

Ray Pearson — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 04:00:59 EDT

Our tour to view progress in transforming former Hamilton Hall into the magnificent Hamilton Grand was scheduled for the afternoon. In preparation, with my fix of morning coffee satisfied, I joined June Riches and a small band of explorers on Links Crescent in St. Andrews, Scotland. Riches leads medieval walking excursions around the historic town. �We�ll walk through about 12 centuries in an hour,� was her promise. I needed to gain a sense of time, place, and perspective before learning about Hamilton Grand, located at golf�s cradle and crown....

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Chefs Raising Haute Cuisine to New Levels in Airline Food

Ray Pearson — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 06:42:30 EDT

The quality of airline food, regardless of the class of service in which you are sitting, is a great debate starter. Comments on websites, chat rooms, blogs and other spleen-venting outlets range from the snide and desperate, to �You�re on an airplane. Can your fancy restaurant get you across the country in four hours?� to �The [name of dish] was the best I�ve ever had and I now serve it at home�. The hubbub stems not from the food, but from the airplane environment....

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A Roadtrip Through Southern California in the New Lexus GS 350 F Sports Sedan

Ray Pearson — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 01:33:38 EDT

Knowing the Lexus GS 350 F Sport Sedan I was to put through its paces shared the DNA of the world-renowned Lexus LFA supercar was a bit intimidating. A friend recently had the opportunity to drive the LFA and described it as �a sports car on Viagra.�...

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Peaceful Privacy at The Willows Historic Palm Springs Inn

Ray Pearson — Fri, 11 May 2012 12:25:13 EDT

This serenely luxuriant inn, all but hidden behind lush landscaping, is the epitome of excellence. While evoking the aura and opulence that once attracted the brightest stars of Hollywood�s Golden Age, the inn today offers an even greater amenity to its guests: restful, pampered privacy....

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The Surprisingly Spicy Origin of Paprika

Ray Pearson — Wed, 02 May 2012 01:31:36 EDT

I was recently asked to review five different smoked and non-smoked paprikas made in Washington State. I beg your pardon? There�s more than one paprika? Smoked and non-smoked? Shouldn�t that have been �made in Hungary," instead of Washington?...

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The Journey for the Most Expensive Spice in the World

Ray Pearson — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 04:03:25 EDT

Top Ten lists shed light on fascinating corners of pop culture. I recently came across a list of the world�s most expensive foods, thanks to the folks at Kitchen Geekery....

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Whiskey Barrels Transform into One-of-a-Kind Furnishings

Ray Pearson — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 01:22:41 EDT

In the United States, a barrel crafted from American white oak (Quercus alba) and used to age the spirit that will become Bourbon, Tennessee Whiskey*, sour mash, or any number of craft whiskies can be used only once, as specified by law.s...

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Stickley Furniture in the Arts and Crafts Movement

Ray Pearson — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 01:14:50 EST

A parallel between the mythical phoenix, rising from near extinction, and Stickley, Audi & Company is easy to draw. Remaining true to the design philosophy and quality standards established over a century ago by Gustav Stickley, today�s company is flourishing as one of the leading makers of fine-quality American Arts and Crafts furniture....

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Adventures Begin at a Fork in the Road

Ray Pearson — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 05:03:37 EST

For folks of a certain age, �See the USA in your Chevrolet� and �Get Your Kicks on Route 66� were anthems inspiring us to experience the thrill of zipping along the nation�s highways, seeing new sights, eating new fo...

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Craft at 7000 Feet | Arizona High Spirits Distillery of Flagstaff

Ray Pearson — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 04:02:52 EDT

"This is the spirit of the Southwest Highlands," distillery owner Dana Kanzler proudly proclaims. We are on the downwind side of the smoke chamber, as gentle, aromatic smoke from local mesquite wafts upward to the overhead air vents. Dried mesquite-smoked barley is milled into grist, one of the first steps in the process of distilling Arizona High Spirits Single Malt Whisky here at the distillery in Flagstaff. Kanzler continues, "Our products are hand crafted every step of the way � like a cobbler makes shoes. We employ only three people."...

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Amhuinnsuidhe Castle - Remote Luxury in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland

Ray Pearson — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 03:55:11 EDT

Across the slate gray, meringue-tipped waters of West Loch Tarbert, the island of Taransay glowed in the shimmering light of the setting sun. Today was a study in grays and blues, as we explored local seascapes, inland lochs (lakes), and the bill...

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Welsh Sea Salt Production Spans Millenia

Ray Pearson — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 04:33:27 EDT

Sea salt from Anglesey, Wales is arguably the most pure, flavorful, and brilliantly white, of any on earth. On the coast of this small island of 85,000 inhabitants, in northwest Wales, David and Alison Lea-Wilson�s Anglesey Sea Salt Company harvests the superlative product known around the world as Halen Mon Sea Salt....

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The Strater Hotel: Victorian Luxury in Durango, Colorado

Ray Pearson — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 04:30:50 EDT

In the late 1880s, Durango, Colorado was teetering on the edge of deciding whether to remain a rugged mining town, or become something grander. Henry Strater helped move the decision along when he put his money where his faith and vision were. He built his opulent, four-story hotel in the grand American Victorian architectural style right in the center of town....

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Ravella at Lake Las Vegas: Luxury Hotel & Resort Right Off the Strip

Ray Pearson — Thu, 26 May 2011 12:57:55 EDT

Go to Las Vegas for relaxation? Maybe not on the frenzied Strip, but, there is an alternative. Less than 20 quick miles to the east, the Italian influence infused into Ravella at Lake Las Vegas is stunning, luxurious and above all, riposante, restful....

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Auchentoshan 1998 Vintage Sherry Cask

Ray Pearson — Thu, 19 May 2011 11:51:51 EDT

The cachet of this vintage Auchentoshan (ock-un-tosh-un) lies in the influence of its aging in fino sherry barrels, made of European oak. Fino ("refined" in Spanish) sherry is considered the freshest, driest and lightest of traditional sherries - a far cry from the heavier, more robust oloroso sherry influences found in many other single malts....

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Pebble Beach Food and Wine 4th Annual Event

Ray Pearson — Fri, 13 May 2011 11:27:25 EDT

For an extraordinary three days, thousands of guests were beguiled by the joy of cooking and sampling of extraordinary wines at the Pebble Beach Food and Wine. The Inn at Spanish Bay, The Lodge at Pebble Beach, and the Pebble Beach Equestrian Field played host to 70 celebrity chefs, 250 wineries, two Grand Tastings, and nine cooking demonstrations....

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The Landmark Inn: Gem of Michigan's Upper Peninsula

Ray Pearson — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 01:19:21 EDT

Fragrant balsam forests, a virtual zoo of road-crossing wildlife, and majestic views of Lake Superior had me believing my visit to the western half of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan was going to be all about the natural world. How wrong I was! My stay at Marquette, Michigan's Landmark Inn would give me a whole new perspective....

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The Peabody Hotel: Ducks, a Duke and Decadence

Ray Pearson — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 04:29:50 EST

Few luxury hotels have had a roller coaster history to match The Peabody. Tempered by four closings and as many re-openings during its 142-year history, The Peabody is once again riding high as "The South's Grand Hotel."...

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Highland Park 50: The Transcendent Island Single Malt

Ray Pearson — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 04:13:24 EST

Back in 1960, the world reacted to the U-2 spy plane debacle, Alfred Hitchcock's thriller Psycho, and the election of John Kennedy as President of the United States....

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Old South Opulence and New World Charm Meet at Monmouth Plantation

Ray Pearson — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 01:35:18 EST

In less than 200 miles, the super-charged bustle of the French Quarter transformed dreamily into my mental image of The Old South. Approaching the magnificent Greek revival fa�ade of Monmouth Plantation, I could imagine Melanie and Ashley Wilkes coming over from Twelve Oaks for a party under the elms....

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The Dalmore Rivers Collection Raises Funds for Iconic �Big Four�

Ray Pearson — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 04:58:22 EST

Food & Spirits: Casting a fly on one of Scotland�s �Big Four� salmon rivers is the holy grail of fishing. It's the equivalent of playing 18 holes on the Auld Course at St. Andrews, or sipping a single malt straight from the cask at a Scottish distillery....

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Encore to Host World's First Premier Luxury Whisky Show

Ray Pearson — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 12:39:44 EST

Events: The angels over Scotland must surely be in a dither, waiting for their share of the heaven-bound bounty soon to be unleashed in Las Vegas....

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Bienville House: Boutique Hotel in New Orleans' French Quarter

Ray Pearson — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 03:50:26 EST

Luxury Hotel: I confess: my mental image of New Orleans had a lot to do with numerous visits to Disneyland�s New Orleans Square. The closest I�d ever been to a swamp or bayou was at the start of the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. With 125 miles to go before NOLA, I found myself driving on the Atchafalaya Swamp Freeway, 20-feet above the soggy habitat of alligators, turtles, snakes, birds, and deer....

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Bienville House: Boutique Hotel in New Orleans' French Quarter

Ray Pearson — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 03:50:26 EST