The Pour
A journal of spirits, stories, and the quiet ritual of the glass. Each pour is a study in patience — from single malts to Japanese blends — revealing how sound, scent, and stillness meet in the moment before the first sip.

Ten bottles that shape the perfect cocktail shelf — versatile, characterful, and alive in the glass.
Not every whisky wants to be in a cocktail. Some are meant to be drunk neat, patient and undisturbed. Others — bold, bright, versatile — come alive when stirred, shaken, or lengthened.
The Pour
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The Shape of Oak — On the Making of Whisky Barrels
Rafi MercerFrom oak forests to fire and iron hoops, whisky barrels shape every dram. Rafi Mercer explores the craft of coopers and the soul of the cask.
The Shape of Oak — On the Making of Whisky Barrels
Rafi MercerFrom oak forests to fire and iron hoops, whisky barrels shape every dram. Rafi Mercer explores the craft of coopers and the soul of the cask.
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The Ten Whiskies That Belong in Your Cocktail C...
Rafi MercerTen whiskies belong in every cocktail cabinet. From rye to Japanese blends, Rafi Mercer explores the bottles that sing best when mixed.
The Ten Whiskies That Belong in Your Cocktail C...
Rafi MercerTen whiskies belong in every cocktail cabinet. From rye to Japanese blends, Rafi Mercer explores the bottles that sing best when mixed.
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Bottles and Decanters — The Shape of Whisky
Rafi MercerBottles carry history, decanters create atmosphere. Rafi Mercer explores how glass shapes whisky — preservation, presentation, and ritual.
Bottles and Decanters — The Shape of Whisky
Rafi MercerBottles carry history, decanters create atmosphere. Rafi Mercer explores how glass shapes whisky — preservation, presentation, and ritual.
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The Weight of the Glass
Rafi MercerThe weight of a whisky glass changes everything — in hand, in sound, in presence. Rafi Mercer reflects on glassware, ritual, and listening bars.
The Weight of the Glass
Rafi MercerThe weight of a whisky glass changes everything — in hand, in sound, in presence. Rafi Mercer reflects on glassware, ritual, and listening bars.
Discover and book listening bars selected by the TRACKS & TALES Guide
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Laziza — Brooklyn’s Falafel & Funk Frequency
Rafi MercerIn Bed-Stuy, Laziza mixes mezze, funk, and vinyl — a Brooklyn bar where Middle Eastern food and hi-fi soul find perfect harmony.
Laziza — Brooklyn’s Falafel & Funk Frequency
Rafi MercerIn Bed-Stuy, Laziza mixes mezze, funk, and vinyl — a Brooklyn bar where Middle Eastern food and hi-fi soul find perfect harmony.
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Viajante87 — London’s Subterranean Agave Journey
Rafi MercerBeneath Notting Hill Gate, Viajante87 is a Latin-inspired cocktail and listening lounge — 300 agave spirits, DJs, and sustainable design woven into one subterranean experience.
Viajante87 — London’s Subterranean Agave Journey
Rafi MercerBeneath Notting Hill Gate, Viajante87 is a Latin-inspired cocktail and listening lounge — 300 agave spirits, DJs, and sustainable design woven into one subterranean experience.
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STEREO — London’s Subterranean Frequency
Rafi MercerBeneath Covent Garden’s piazza, STEREO fuses live music, cocktails, and high-fidelity design — London’s subterranean bar where sound is structure.
STEREO — London’s Subterranean Frequency
Rafi MercerBeneath Covent Garden’s piazza, STEREO fuses live music, cocktails, and high-fidelity design — London’s subterranean bar where sound is structure.
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Lola’s Hi/Lo Lounge — Madison’s Vinyl Hideaway
Rafi MercerIn Madison, Wisconsin, Lola’s Hi/Lo Lounge blends vinyl listening, cocktails, and comfort food — a hi-fi love letter to the low brow.
Lola’s Hi/Lo Lounge — Madison’s Vinyl Hideaway
Rafi MercerIn Madison, Wisconsin, Lola’s Hi/Lo Lounge blends vinyl listening, cocktails, and comfort food — a hi-fi love letter to the low brow.
The Daily Read
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Stockholm — The Sound of Slowing Down
Rafi MercerStockholm is slowing down. Rafi Mercer explores the rise of Tracks & Tales listeners in Sweden’s capital and the city’s growing love for deep, intentional sound.
Stockholm — The Sound of Slowing Down
Rafi MercerStockholm is slowing down. Rafi Mercer explores the rise of Tracks & Tales listeners in Sweden’s capital and the city’s growing love for deep, intentional sound.
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The White Noise of Marrakech
Rafi MercerRafi Mercer listens to the white noise of Marrakech — where sirens and prayer calls coexist, and echoes of KRS-One’s 1989 performance still pulse through memory and meaning.
The White Noise of Marrakech
Rafi MercerRafi Mercer listens to the white noise of Marrakech — where sirens and prayer calls coexist, and echoes of KRS-One’s 1989 performance still pulse through memory and meaning.
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First Impressions of Marrakech
Rafi MercerRafi Mercer arrives in Marrakech and discovers a city alive with rhythm — a place of sound, scent, and understated escapism, where listening becomes a way of returning to life
First Impressions of Marrakech
Rafi MercerRafi Mercer arrives in Marrakech and discovers a city alive with rhythm — a place of sound, scent, and understated escapism, where listening becomes a way of returning to life
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The Sound of Departure
Rafi MercerAt 5:11 am in an airport, Rafi Mercer listens to the rhythm of departure — the hum, the hush, and the anticipation that turns travel into music.
The Sound of Departure
Rafi MercerAt 5:11 am in an airport, Rafi Mercer listens to the rhythm of departure — the hum, the hush, and the anticipation that turns travel into music.
The Listening Shelf
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Air – Air (1971)
Rafi MercerAir (1971) is an exercise in proportion — a record of balance, warmth, and quiet mastery. Rafi Mercer on how subtlety became timeless sound.
Air – Air (1971)
Rafi MercerAir (1971) is an exercise in proportion — a record of balance, warmth, and quiet mastery. Rafi Mercer on how subtlety became timeless sound.
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Producer 01 – LTJ Bukem Presents (1993)
Rafi MercerLTJ Bukem’s Producer 01 (1993) redefined rhythm as reflection — liquid drum & bass built for early mornings, open minds, and quiet rooms. Rafi Mercer on motion, stillness, and the...
Producer 01 – LTJ Bukem Presents (1993)
Rafi MercerLTJ Bukem’s Producer 01 (1993) redefined rhythm as reflection — liquid drum & bass built for early mornings, open minds, and quiet rooms. Rafi Mercer on motion, stillness, and the...
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Promised Land: Volume Two – Various Artists (UK...
Rafi MercerPromised Land: Volume Two (1995) captures the heartbeat of Britain’s early jungle and drum & bass era — raw, communal, and full of hope. Rafi Mercer on rhythm as revolution...
Promised Land: Volume Two – Various Artists (UK...
Rafi MercerPromised Land: Volume Two (1995) captures the heartbeat of Britain’s early jungle and drum & bass era — raw, communal, and full of hope. Rafi Mercer on rhythm as revolution...
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Journey to the Urge Within – Courtney Pine (1986)
Rafi MercerCourtney Pine’s Journey to the Urge Within (1986) redefined British jazz with warmth, clarity, and purpose. Rafi Mercer on sound as language and the quiet confidence of a debut that...
Journey to the Urge Within – Courtney Pine (1986)
Rafi MercerCourtney Pine’s Journey to the Urge Within (1986) redefined British jazz with warmth, clarity, and purpose. Rafi Mercer on sound as language and the quiet confidence of a debut that...