Category Archives: ~ Whisky ~

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.

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

Brain damage: 8.5/10

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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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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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