Category Archives: ~ Whisky ~

Glenlivet’s new one

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One of my favourite whiskies is The Glenlivet. It rocks.

The single malt from a glen near the river Livet (the t is not silent) in Scotland has been producing good stuff since 1824, and is the no 1 single malt in the US. It’s light-tasting and agreeable to most palettes, combining well with Asian food too.

It’s now owned by Pernod Ricard, who recently seem to be making up for their lack of Glenlivet events, fortunately. The latest was held at Barn Thai in the new Jaya 33 Tower.

They had pizza. Nice.

That's the one

That’s the one

Glenlivet is whisky from Scotland’s rugged east coast, putting it under the Speyside category, whose whiskies are typically either light, grassy whiskies such as Glenlivet; or at the other end the rich, sweet, sherried ones like Macallan.

I’ve had various Glenlivet versions, but dig the 12 Years. Fruity nose, well-balanced in the mouth with no particular spicy tinge, ‘cept maybe a lil vanilla, and a smooth, medium-short finish.

The Glenlivet range consists of 12 Years, 15 Years, 16 Years Nàdurra, 18 Years, 21 years, and 25 years, with a number of limited edition whiskies, such as…..

.. the Glenlivet Alpha! A totally limited edition Scotch, with only 3,500 bottles for the planet, and 40 for Malaysia.

Special one

A special one

It’s awesome. Complex but smooth, with hints of  fruit. Sweetish, but spicy as well. ABV is 50%. Power.

The black bottle is definitely not whisky-like, and all it says is that its from the Glenlivet Distillery – no cask details, no age statement. (Those keen can get it at $868 from Pei Wen –

peiwen@millennium.net.my / 017 282-4844)

We also enjoyed the 15 and 18. Both score, with the 18 being particularly bold and spicy, if you’re into that; and the 15 quite rich.

The Glenlivet 12’s got my back. I think it’ll always be a close buddy to me!

Yup, we were blindfolded. Got a bunch of blindfolds at home now. Haha

Yup, we were blindfolded for the Alpha tasting. Got a bunch of blindfolds at home now in case of kinky parties. Haha

 

 Brain damage: 8/10

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A classic malt tasting

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Diageo ran a tasting recently of several of their single malt whisky brands, and it was goood.

Single malt whisky is a whisky made from only one type of malted grain and distilled at one particular distillery. Single malts are traditionally made from barley cultivated near the actual distillery. Other regular whiskies are made by blending whiskies made by different distilleries.

Session on

Session by Colin Chia, Regional Manager, Asia Pacific Diageo World Class

We started with Glenkinchie (ABV 40%), a lowland whisky (south Scotland). This is light and pleasant. Easy-drinking whisky. All day. It’s floral and delicate on the nose.

A guide

A guide

The Singleton of Glen Ord (40%) gives a caramel nose. I find it to be well-balanced, with some smokiness, mixed up with some zestiness, like orange peel. Not too hot on the palate, with a lingering, mild bite. It’s a winner among Asians generally.

Oban 14 Years  (43%) is a highland malt from the west coast. It’s balanced, but this is not a regular whisky. It’s complex, and bold. It’s got an easy start, a bit sweetish, and doesnt leave till late.

Interesting stuff

Interesting stuff

On the nose, the Talisker 10 (40%) is straight-up peat, but nutin too crazy. This one’s from the Isle of Skye in the west. To me it’s smoky and sweet, smooth and silky. The bite is minimal. Light and smoky with a hint of fruit. Not iodine-like, unlike many peaty whiskies.

More!

More!

The Lagavulin 16 (43%) has a pleasant, peaty nose. One of the easier whiskies among the Islay peat range, not too hard. There is a kick in the middle, and a little smoke left behind.

Up there

Up there

The final drink was the Caol Ila (43%) (pronounced “Cull Eela”, Gaelic name for the Sound of Islay). The nose is deceptively regularlr peaty stuff. But then when u taste it, u realize it’s a big-dick Islay malt. Tho not as much punch as the Laphroaig, it’s still got that iodine thing goin on.

Ben buzzed

Ben buzzed

It was quite a trip, tasting whiskies from all over Scotland. It’s pretty cool how different regions produce different flavours. If you view whisky flavour maps, you can gauge which whiskies would be your type. Enjoy!

 

Brain damage: 8/10

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The Glenmorangie House, Scotland

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.. is a chilled pad. Was there last year courtesy of Moet Hennessy, but never wrote about it.

Posted about the trip here and here before tho.

 

The rear of the house

The rear of the house

 

The Glenmorangie House is where we hung for a few days. It has its own website too.

The house is elegant and traditional, quite large, with big grounds.

 

My crib in the attic

My crib in the attic

 

A welcome dram awaited. Yea, screw d fruit basket

A welcome dram awaited. Yea, screw d fruit basket

 

The view towards the sea. Waaay to cold to dip

The view towards the sea. Waaay to cold to dip

 

The hall’s got a bar stocked with liquors, liqueurs, and ales. The best part is, it’s open 24 hours, coz it’s help-yourself.

 

Stocked

Set

 

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Braveheart eh? My first drink on arrival

 

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Pre-dinner bites

 

Double-parking

Double-parking

 

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Douglas layaning after-dinner drinks

Douglas layaning after-dinner drinks

We were also very fortunate to be entertained by a father-daughter pair of traditional musicians.

I asked if they could play the soundtrack for Last of The Mohicans, and she made a great attempt.

 

Enroute to the beach

Enroute to the beach

 

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A farming plot next door

 

The beach area

The beach area

 

Lighthouse

Lighthouse

 

Lunch at a castle round d corner

Lunch at a castle round d corner

 

Castle grounds

Castle grounds

Caste window

Castle window

 

Castle guests

Castle guests

 

Paradise never smelt so good

Paradise never smelt so good

 

Indulged in shotguns n clay pigeons

Indulged in shotguns n clay pigeons

 

I partied quite furiously with these 2 clowns, who're based at the house. Gave them my sound system too, coz they were fascinated by it

I partied quite furiously with these two clowns, who’re based at the house. Gave them my sound system too, coz they were so fascinated by it

 

More ale

More ale

 

A hot bath, a cold beer, and cool tunes. Yessiree

A hot bath, a cold beer, and cool tunes. Yessiree

 

More food

More food

 

Food at the house was great

Food at the house was just great

 

It might be quite a distance, but i’d hangout at this pad again in a flash. Fortunately, they accept guests. However, unlike me, you’ll need to pay for it!

 

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Johnnie Walker Circuit Party Cocktails & deluxe tasting

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I recently was fortunate enough to attend a tasting session hosted by Johnnie Walker‘s Global Brand Ambassador, Tom Jones, who’s been in the scene for 20 years.

Tom in action

Tom in action

We began the evening at Twenty One in Bangsar (BSC) with the Gold Label.

I find the Gold to be silky, soft, with a sweet start, and subtle smokiness and spice in the finish. A unique blend. Don’t get to drink it very often though.

Yum yum!

Yum yum!

The good ol’ number one Scotch in the world followed, the Black Label. The Black has a crispier, maltier nose, and on the palate, it’s spicier and rich, with a lil bite in the finish. Definitely more edgy. A classic blend for sure.

We followed with my favourite, the Double Black. This baby is smoky n sweet on the nose. It’s smokier and rolls smoother in the mouth than the rest; not as sweetish as the Gold, not as spicy as the Black, but definitely smokier…. the reason i love it. A pleasant, balanced finish.

The party moved to the bar, where we had a preview of the whisky cocktails that’ll be served at the Johnnie Walker Circuit Lounge party 2013. Not just that, we mixed them ourselves! Nice.

My station

My station

 

JW Brand Ambassador Jeremy Lee lead the charge

JW Brand Ambassador Jeremy Lee leads the charge

The great news is, in this event, guests don’t just to get the premium Black Label to savour, but the Gold and Double Black too! Thus, it’s not called the Black Circuit Lounge anymore; just Johnnie Walker Circuit Lounge.

Three cocktails were done –

Circuit Lounge (Black Label base). A take on the classic Whisky Sour.

Peat Perfect (Double Black base). Citrus notes to complement the smoke.

Fresh Gold (Gold Label base). A celebratory cocktail served in a flute.

L-R:

L-R: Fresh Gold, Peat Perfect (heavily-tested) and Circuit Lounge

I enjoyed the Peat Perfect, as it was balanced and refreshing. (30ml Double Black, 16ml fresh pink grapefruit juice, 19ml honey water, a drop of Angostura Bitters. Shake and strain into a chilled martini glass. Enjoy.)

Thirst being quenched

Thirst being quenched

The party takes place on March 23 at the Skypark at Terminal 2, Subang.

Should be a rocker!

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