Field Test Report: Macallan/Urwerk Flask2

Jul 14, 2017,17:59 PM
 

Regular Readers will remember a press release in March from Macallan, indicating that they had built a nifty whisky flask together with Urwerk.


HERE IS THE PRESS RELEASE

I bought one.

HERE IS THE UNBOXING 

I've had it for about 100 days now, and I think I can give a fair assessment of its sucess as a whisky-storage & dispensing product, as well as evaluating its aesthetic qualities. 

But first, we must mention that there was a safety notification!

HERE IS THE RECALL NOTICE

With all those links out of the way, we can get onto the test. (He sips, then sighs. Ah)

The flask has two compartments. The secret access method is by rotating the drinking spout. Shown below.



Small print indicates which flask you are about to drink from - for example, Macallan 16 in Tank 1, and Talisker from Tank 2.

The PuristS P15 watch is a perfectly acceptable companion if you do not have an Urwerk. An even better choice would be a World Timer of your favorite brand, as then you can say "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere!", take a gulp, then check your watch to see which of the PuristS is likely to be drinking with you (France, Argentina, Singapore, Japan, Beijing, UAE, etc)




(He sips, then sighs. Ah)

DIMENSIONS & HEFT

The flask is a bit too large for a shirt pocket, and too heavy and sharp angled for a pants pocket. Please refer to the accompanying images which show without flask, then flask in back pocket, front pocket and shirt pocket. It's 92 degrees F outside, so I did not try my stadium jacket or winter parka.



IMHO, the Flask2 is a bit heavy for field use, at 807g. One wonders if the internal tanks in titanium were required to ensure this weighs less than one kilo! 


Note: this test was performed with full tanks (minus a couple three sips, Ah)

See the comparison photos which demonstrate other everyday objects of similar mass - a gin & tonic, a loaf of bread with cheese and salami, and a dozen eggs.



That's approximately the weight of 3 Rolex Daytonas (all gold, on bracelet). Or the weight of my camera, my wallet, and my car keys.  (Do not drink while driving, he says, as he takes a sip at the keyboard. Ah)




OPERATION

The Flask2 is cleverly designed to contain 2 separate whisky reservoirs. Neither the flask itself nor the owner's manual indicate its capacity, so at first the only way to learn was through trial and error [until the safety notice informed us it holds 100 ml or approx 4 ounces minus 1 sip... Ah)

Sometimes filling results in spillage. Through careful research and repeated practice, I have decided the only safe way to fill it is using a calibrated 4oz. beaker. You fill the glass, tap a sip, sigh, then transfer the rest to the flask with a funnel. Honestly, for 2000 whatever currency, they should have provided a titanium funnel. But as no funnel was in the box, I had to employ an existing plastic unit, which detracts a bit from the premium user experience.

NOTE: I recommend doing this on a clean, smooth surface, just in case you overfill or spill.



READABILITY OF LABELS AND FONTS

The labeling is written in a modern-looking San-Serif Font which is etched or carved into the components of the Flask2, OR provided by stuck-on labels of aluminum which are anodized to match the rest of the flask.




At the bottom the rotating flask identifier tool is frankly, a great toy but completely useless. It's unreadable, and the codes have to be interpreted by referring to the key on the landing flap. Minus ten points for this good idea poorly executed. (Sip, ah)

Luminous material is often necessary for night-time operation. I am surprised neither Macallan or Urwerk insisted on luminous labels! Maybe I should fill some of this text with lume?

CLICK TO READ MY LUME POST

USABILITY

It's a little difficult to swap tanks. You have to overcome the force of a spring seemingly strong enough to power the Lange 30-day watch! Then you lift and turn the spout before your nail breaks or finger releases.

Furthermore, the screw-down crown is large but very sharp-edged, so it's easy to over-tighten it then very nearly slice your thumb trying to open it again. This is the Flask2's most serious flaw.


The flask itself is a manageable size, and easily held in one hand while the other does the work. This is not a device for getting a quick, one-handed snort while no one is looking. Taking a sip involves some real work, like pulling a full hunter pocketwatch out of your pocket, flipping the front case lid open, and casually snapping it shut and slipping it back into your vest. (Sip, Ah). But it does save you the trouble of looking for a glass.


SUMMARY

This flask works. It holds whisky. It looks and feels very cool. It's one of the most satisfying and least cost-justifiably items I have bought in a long time, and I love it.




Hmmm. I seem to have consumed all the Macallan. Where does the time go?

Thanks for reading.

Cazalea








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I like it....

 
 By: InHavenPro : July 14th, 2017-18:11
unsurprisingly, just as I said in your initial post. Even though it is large and not quite portable without having it placed in a bag of sorts it is still very well made and attractively designed. Just as you expertly point out in this lovely demonstratio... 

I'd reply "bottoms up!" but 200 ml is too much for me

 
 By: cazalea : July 14th, 2017-18:32
And I have a particularly hard to drink Islay in there now. Thanks Mike

X), Lagavulin or Laphroaig....

 
 By: InHavenPro : July 14th, 2017-18:54
perhaps . Best, Filip

Great flask.

 
 By: john c : July 14th, 2017-18:59
Not a flask owner, I'll be imbibing Highland Park or Chivas Regal at the weekend, strait from bottle to glass, with ice!! Best, John.

Cool post of a cool flask!

 
 By: patrick_y : July 14th, 2017-23:14
Thanks for your review of this awesome flask!