Side Swiper

Bank On It

I’m back from sabbatical and ready to dive into something exciting. After investing so much time poring over the classics from twenty years ago it’s time for something new and refreshing. And speaking of investing, you can take this one to the bank. Or rather, from the “bank” – the Hughbank.

Side Swiper Box by Ryan Hughbanks

I’m featuring a brand new puzzle box artist this week named Ryan Hughbanks. Interest in mechanical puzzles (i.e. not jigsaw puzzles) has grown tremendously in the past few years and video personalities have exposed the niche to millions of interested fans recently. The result has been for people like Ryan, a farmer from Nebraska by day, and a hobbyist furniture maker on the side, to find it easy to discover the world of puzzle boxes. He was fascinated, and began to tinker in his workshop, developing a number of exciting prototypes. He has now begun production on his first box, the “Side Swiper”.

So many mysteries

From Ryan: “When I first started designing/building the Side Swiper puzzle box as a fun gift for my niece, it was just going to be a “shoebox” shaped box with two sliders on all four sides.  You would have to start on the front or back and slide them to one side, then continue around the box.  However, that changed drastically!  I don’t have any computer software like a design program, so as I was building I could start to see where I would have room for one thing or another.  I guess you could say I designed it as I was building it. I like adding little compartments here and there to make it fun!”

I think the box is mocking me ...

The Side Swiper Box is a tremendous debut. It’s a substantial piece, which at 10.5 X 7.5 X 6.5 inches is larger than most large puzzle boxes, but comes with so many surprises and is very well constructed. It glows with a riot of colorful wood, including Maple, Walnut, Cherry, Oak, Purpleheart, Alder, Poplar and Padauk, which give it a vibrant and exciting appearance. There are a few distinguishing features, such as the prominent slider bars on the front and back, a set of three identical doors on one side, and a little hinged lock of some sort tucked near a corner on the other. The box invites you to explore it, and little by little lets you in on its secrets. There are seven hidden compartments to find in total, with tools to be discovered and used, a key to find, and a minimum of eighteen “moves” to get you there, although by my count this was closer to thirty. As you progress through the box, you will be rewarded with finding the maker’s mark, information about the limited-edition number, and ultimately, a token to mark your achievement. The puzzles to be solved range from simple to clever. Exploring the Side Swiper Box is a joyful experience and Ryan Hughbanks will be one to watch.

Side Swipe

Researching the toast for this box led me to a regional Hawaiian spirit I had not heard about until now, known as “Swipe”. It originated in the Hawaiian pineapple fields as a cheap and clandestine way to make rum. Workers would select ripe pineapples, cut off the tops, mash up the fruit inside and add sugar, then replace the crowns and let the sun and heat ferment things for a few days. The results were said by locals to “swipe your head off”. The name may have more accurately derived from the other meaning of swipe, “to steal”, as this was a way the local workers would take something back from the wealthy plantation owners who took over the islands. The ironic history of the pineapple is that it originated from South America -Hawaiians still refer to it as the “foreign fruit” – yet 80% of the world’s pineapple now comes from Hawaii.

a pineapple rum Sidecar

The other part of the name at hand here is found in one of the great classics, the Sidecar. I’ve mentioned this one before, along with its dubious original story. The sidecar is classically made with cognac as the base spirit, along with some lemon and orange liqueur. Traditionally the glass is coated with sugar as well, to sweeten each tart sip. For this special version I exchanged the cognac for Plantation’s fabulous pineapple rum – which is far more refined that traditional Swipe I am sure, but hits the right notes and pays tribute. I also followed the template created by Joaquin Simo, who perfected the Sidecar at New York’s Pouring Ribbons. It’s so tasty you ought not set it down and turn to the side, lest someone swipe it from you. Cheers!

Side by side Side Swipers

Side Swipe – a pineapple rum Sidecar

2 oz Plantation pineapple rum

¾ oz Pierre Ferand dry curacao

¾ oz fresh lemon

¼ oz rich demerara syrup

Stir ingredients with ice and strain into a favorite glass. Lemon twist.

For more about Ryan Hughbanks: