Author Archives: Deep

About Deep

Alco blogger, ex-lifestyle/F&B writer for The Star

Glenlivet releases Founder’s Reserve

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The Glenlivet launched a permanent expression to the brand’s core range, Founder’s Reserve. The cool party was held at Leonardo’s in Bangsar’s Jln Bangkung.

Come 'ere!

Come ‘ere!     —

The Founder’s Reserve is simply put, a pleasanter or easier variation of the 12. It’s got  sweetness, with a round, balanced flavour, and delicate aromas of citrus fruit.

I’ve always liked the 12, and was disappointed to hear that it’s being discontinued, from most markets. However Malaysia is fortunate as the 12 will go on over here.

Lionel Lau intro-ing the new product

Lionel Lau intro-ing the new product     —

Boasting the classic fruity flavours of The Glenlivet, this expression is the brand’s tribute to its founder George Smith’s original vision to craft the definitive smooth single malt whisky.

It uses distilling methods used in 1824 (when the brand began), in unique, wide lantern-shaped copper stills created by Smith himself almost 200 years ago. Each bottle comes from about 100 different casks. Amazing.

launch-of-the-glenlivet-founders-reserve-15Master Distiller Alan Winchester has complemented the fruitiness of the Founder’s Reserve with the creaminess and sweetness from the addition of First Fill American oak casks. The result is a well-balanced and smooth whisky.

Lionel leading a yam seng..

Lionel leading a yam seng…     —

It’s a NAS (no age statement whisky) meaning it does not state the age of the whiskies that are in the bottle.

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It won a Gold Medal at the International Wine & Spirit Competition 2016, as well as a Gold Medal at The Spirits Masters 2015.

Interestingly, the Founder’s Reserve is priced in parity with the 12, which means you should be able to get it at the same price at selected bars where it’s carried.

Give it a shot.

launch-of-the-glenlivet-founders-reserve-6

Yea, there was haggis too! Was a no-brainer   —

Brain damage: 8.5/10

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Tea cocktails

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A tea distributor, Exclusivitea, had an interesting event recently at 61 Monarchy, featuring drinks that also had tea in them, as well as  Fentimans Botanically Brewed sodas. The tea, Ronnefeldt, is from Germany, with at least a dozen styles and flavours available.

Good stuff

The cocktails were created by Shirmy.

Shirmy doing the tarik

Three cocktails were available, kicking off with Berries Wonderland – Tanqueray 10, Creme de Cacao, Shiso Leaves, simple syrup, lemon juice and Ronnefeldt Sweet Berries soda. A complicated mix of flavours, however a lil on the bitter-ish side for me.

Nicely presented

The Spices Breamble is an exciting drink. It’s made of vodka infused with Ronnefeldt Masala Chai, Creme de Cassis, fresh pineapple juice, lemon juice, evaporated milk and simple syrup.

I loved it. An excellent mix with tinges of fruit, spice and cream coming together amazingly. The masala taste from the tea is just right. Tho i’d prefer a little less sweetness, most would find it fine.

Comes in two parts

 

Dunk milk into glass

The final drink is made of Monkey Shoulder, Cherry Heering, Sweet Vermouth, lemon juice, dry orange peel, Fentiman’s Mandarin & Seville Orange Jigger topped with Ronnefeldt Roiboos Orange foam, called T-Joy. I got a bitch-slap after the previous milky indulgence. This one is a zesty, strong surprise, with a finish of orange and whisky.

Boom

 

Jpeg

I have yet to try the teas on their own, but they seem to be good stuff, and doing a good job by experimenting with alcohols and such. Tea-related cocktails are are quite common, but this is a good effort by Exlcusivetea.

The cocktails cost RM40 each and are available till Dec 4 at 61 Monarchy.

 

Brain damage: 7/10

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Auchentoshan shows up

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Auchentoshan Single Malt Whiskey (ock-en-tosh-en) is one that has a low profile over here, which is unfortunate, coz i enjoy it. However, it carried out what was probably its first event recently, at BSC in Bangsar (WIP).

A bar popped-up

A bar popped-up

This is a single malt that originates from the Lowlands, and is one of only three remaining malt distilleries in the Lowland whisky region of Scotland. The distillery rests at the foot of the Old Kilpatrick hills overlooking the river Clyde, which runs through the heart of Glasgow in the West of Scotland.

The third still

The third still

Auchentoshan is the only Scotch whisky that is triple-distilled. What this does is that it removes more impurities for a cleaner result. It has an effect obviously, making it probably the smoothest, most delicate tasting single malt scotch whisky around.

auc

The most well-known expressions are the 12, the Three Wood and the 18.

At the event, guests had the opportunity to have some fun – making cocktails! There was a pop-up cocktail bar with all the ingredients, tools and recipes needed to make several types of drinks.

 

Taste profiles for cocktails

Taste profiles for cocktails

The one i enjoyed the most involved the Three Wood (which is aged in three types of wood), called What the Kueh!? It also consists of gula melaka, pandan reduction, and bitters, plus a scoop of passion fruit. Delicious.

Auchentoshan’s signature smooth, delicate taste is something you can expect from their products.  It’s range of whiskies are available at several bars including Locker & Loft.

The session they had was a fun, interactive event; now if only they’d be more active with this brand…

 

Brain damage: 7.5/10

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Kickin-back with Tiger White in… Bentong

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I’ve always liked Bentong, as well as the other little towns northeast of the Valley. Famous for durians and that killa ABC / ice-cream shop, Bentong district was where Tiger White found a great little spot by the forest for a weekend getaway, with some glamping arranged for its competition winners.

For me it was a much-wanted break, after spending months setting up Locker & Loft.

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Typo?

Glamping is basically camping for sissies, aka ”glamorous camping”. The resort Caravan Serai has many such tents, with attached bathrooms, and Tiger was kind enough to fit ACs to all tents. How nice. Turned our tent into a party spot.

Not our tent obviously

Not our tent obviously

This is like the fourth ‘surprise’ excursion done for Tiger White consumers, including a trip on a yacht out of Port Klang for other winners. I wasn’t invited for that, probably coz i would have commandeered the yacht and stormed Cenang Beach. Wouldn’t be a day-trip anymore.

The resort is very chilled, cozy and welcoming, with lots of green and an airy cafeteria, which also housed the bar with an unlimited supply of ice-cold Tiger White, which is a Malaysian-created wheat beer (abv 5%). It also contains clove, coriander, and orange peel for a hint of extra flavour.

Day 2; Tiger White winners, their guests, and members of the media strike a pose before leaving Caravan Serai, Bentong

The crew

Besides downing cold ones, the other exciting activity we got tangled in was quad-biking! This was on the evening we checked-in, although trying to create a drink holder on the vehicle was a challenge. I lost my Tiger to the forest. Haha

Paulie losing it. In his sexy shorts

Paulie losing it.  In his sexy shorts

We also got to enjoy some mischief in the forest – paintball. Unlike the urban version, bush paintball is another level altogether. Many variables, and uncertain terrain. I found a great sniping spot, but had to maintain, as insects and shit crawled all over me.

Me and Paulie wanted to enter the river and wade upstream to flank the other team, but we disallowed from doing so. Damn. Would have whooped them and eaten their leader.

Either way, each team won one game apiece, and most participants were too emotionally drained and exhausted to play a finale. Or too thirsty.

Ready

Ready

The night that we arrived, guests were treated to an outdoor movie as well.

Garden party

Garden party

Not sure what all those official photographers were doing there but we hardly received 10 photos of the entire weekend. Haha.

Unlike most alcohol brands that do same ol stuff in the city, Tiger White has been a lot more adventurous and daring. It provided guests with stuff they would normally not do, and for some, probably never would have done. Hats off to the brand for that.

 

Brain damage: 7.5/10

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