Category Archives: ~ Booze news / new products ~

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.

launch-of-the-glenlivet-founders-reserve-7

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.

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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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Chivas Regal Extra introduced, in style

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Chivas sure threw a party.The brand introduced its newest expression, Chivas Extra, at a cool party at a cool spot, the Glasshouse in Seputeh, KL

Chivas Extra is a rich, but easily-enjoyed-anytime Scotch. It’s a very different whisky from Chivas Regal, and it stands on its own from the other expressions.

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It’s a collection of Chivas Brothers’ rare whiskies built on a foundation of malts that have been matured in a higher proportion of sherry casks. This process delivers a good depth of flavour. I liked it. It has a fruity, sweetish, nose and palate.

It was crafted by Chivas Regal Master Blender Colin Scott.

The launch party saw various activities like drinking, as well as a great set by Joey G, and varieties of whisky cocktails, and tasting sessions..

as well as grooming

… as well as grooming

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Lionel doing his thing, at a tasting session

A few of us were luckier than the rest though – the introduction to Chivas Extra took place a few weeks ahead. We were invited to a special event.

Starters

Starters

After a few Chivas cocktails which took place at Marble 8, it was dinner time, and this showed up –

Very nice

 

Yup, quite a stretch

Quite a stretch..

The ride had plush seats, and a bar. Great stuff.

We were taken to a very interesting dining experience, Dining In The Dark.

Classy

Delish stuff

It began with a pre-dinner drinks at the bar, before we, in a single file, held the shoulder of the person in front and were lead into complete darkness.

Going in..

Going in..

It was surreal eating and drinking and getting high in complete darkness. There was so much conversation going on, and i had no idea who i was talking to. Till later. Haha.

Chivas Extra’s ABV is 40%, and it’s available at whisky stores as well as certain F&B outlets.

 

Brain damage: 8.5/10

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Introducing Glenglassaugh

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Glen…what??

Yea, it’s not a familiar whisky to most dramheads in the world, that’s coz the distillery’s been out of commission for awhile. However, Glenglassaugh’s here in Malaysia, where it was launched at Blue Elephant recently, after being brought in by Single Malt Sdn Bhd.

The distillery back in action

The source

Glenglassaugh is actually one of Scotland’s oldest distilleries dating back to 1875, and is situated on the Banffshire coast, founded by a local merchant named James Moir.

The highlanders

The highlanders

After being completely re-built in 1960, the distillery continued to produce whisky until 1986 when it was mothballed. Although it’s located near the sea, it’s a highland-style whisky.

It’s whiskies are bought by distilleries like Scotland’s favourite whisky The Famous Grouse, and Cutty Sark to be used in their delicious blends.

The stills are bored no more

The stills are still no more

The distillery sat silent until a group of investors bought Glenglassaugh distillery and started production again in 2008. So now we have a whole bunch of expressions of the Glenglassaugh range – Revival, Evolution, Torfa and the rare 30 Year Old and 40 Year Old.

The Revival is a x year old dram

The Revival is a reintroduction whisky

So 2012 saw the introduction of ‘Revival’ and ‘Evolution’ – the first single malt Scotch whiskies to be produced at the distillery in over two decades. Both whiskies are NAS (no age statement) ones, meaning it doesn’t say 12 years or 14 years or anything.

However, like all Scotch whiskies, it needs to be aged at least 3 years to be called a Scotch.

The stash

The stash

I find the Revival to be smooth, well-rounded, with sweet sherry notes. It does time in sherry casks as well for six months. The Evolution, which weighs in at 50% ABV, is kinda peppery and robust.

The Torfa is actually a peated highland whisky! It was only introduced last year. Nowhere as smokey as the Islay gang, but you definitely feel it.

Cool bottle

Cool bottle

While many distilleries have become highly automated; at Glenglassaugh, the spirit is still handcrafted by a small, skilled team dedicated to creating the highest quality product.

You can try them out and score yourself one at Single and Available stores:
– Revival, ABV 46% (no age statement) at RM270
– Evolution, ABV 50% (no age statement) at RM309
– Torfa, ABV 50% (no age statement) at RM299
– 30YO, ABV 44.8% at RM2280
– 40YO, ABV 42.5% at RM8500

As you can see, none of them are 40%. However, they are still very smooth, well-created whiskies. Adventurous drinkers should get a bottle or two.

Brain damage: 7/10

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