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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St Patrick’s month is here!

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Sumtin to look forward to every March is St Pat’s Festival. The Irish celebration has taken a life of its own over here, coz we celebrate everything! In fact, last year’s party was the biggest St Pat’s party in Asia.

The launch, by GAB, took place at Havana in KL.

Giraffe guy had to remain sober

Giraffe guy had to remain sober

This time, you can look forward to about 70 St Paddy’s parties all over the country, as well as a huge pub crawl this weekend, which is set to be Malaysia’s largest.

About 1,000 outlets nationwide will have Guinness promos goin on. With every purchase of 6 half pints or 4 full pints of Guinness Draught you’ll score a limited edition  St Patrick’s plush pillow.

There are 4 fun designs up for grabs with each design revealed weekly. There’ll also be specials every Thursday.

The party’s on for a whole month!

Toast off

Toast off

200 lucky people will be able to join the pub crawl dis weekend (March 15-17). All details are on Guinness’s FB page here. Crawlers will be entertained by some of Malaysia’s most renowned comedians during the trip.

St. Patrick’s Big Weekend Bash also takes place on the same dates all over the place.

Hit da road, Jack!

Hit da road, Jack!

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Patron Secret Surprise Dinner @ Marini’s on 57

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Yup, dat was d title of a session by Patron in the city recently. I like Marini’s – nice n fancy for a proper dinner with great drinks.

 

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Proceedings began with the one-of-kind ‘Bloody Mary’, a stronger called Marini’s Blooded Junior, as it was created by Junior Joe, formerly of View Bar, now with Marini’s.

 

Marini's bar area

Marini’s bar area

 

With a base of Patron Silver, it’s got Asian-kitchen aromas, as there’s a bbq-powder rim, Maggi seasoning sauce, and some tomato juice. A unique, herbaly drink, with a bitter finish. The celery ice-cubes sure grow on you.

This was served with smoked shrimps.

 

Some of the participants

Some of the participants

 

The second cocktail, Twisted Moments is like a margarita that’s more like a martini – strong, and taste-wise, bitter-sweet. This uses Patron Reposado.

 

Served with bamboo clams

Paired with a dish of bamboo clams marinated in Reposado

 

Berries Basil Smash was definitely my fave of the night – a fruity blow-up. Very pleasant berry aromas, and a superb fruit cocktail experience. Berries go really well with tequila, especially slightly-aged ones. This Patron Anejo drink was served with Venison Tartare. Great stuff.

 

Keep 'em comin!

Keep ’em comin!

 

Killa

Perfectly-balanced

 

Patron also has a vodka! This was used to make the Ultimate Martini. Two words – very strong. (Served with caviar.)

 

Rambutan?

Rambutan?

 

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Ultimat vodka

 

Unfortunately i had to split before the dessert, and missed the Patron XO Cafe!

 

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Flowing

 

The orange version - excellent! Had several shots

The orange version, Patron Citronge – excellent! Had several shots. Orange liqueur, but at 40%

The crew, with Junior second from right

The crew, with Junior second from right

 

Patron is a well-respected, 100% agave tequila. While the Silver is the standard issue, the Anejo and Reposado display more character due to aging in barrels.

The first time i had it, things got messy. Haha

And it comes in cool bottles too!

 

Brain damage: 7.5/10

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Kah premium tequila

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Thanks to my buddy Michael, i had the opportunity to try an ultra premium tequila, called Kah, which comes in amazing, hand-painted bottles!

Kah translates to ‘life’ in Mayan. Being Mexican (obviously), the bottles are inspired by the Mexican celebration, Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos). Sounds fun.

The taste session was at Circus in KL. There were three variants for us to try – Kah Blanco, Reposado and Anejo. Kah is a lowland tequila, unlike brands like Don Julio that are highland, so it tends to be more herbal-y.

Chillin...

Chillin…

The Blanco (ABV 40%) comes in white bottles, inspired by Calaveras (skulls made from sugar) which are given to friends and family, and they’re invited to ‘eat their own death’, to acknowledge that death is nothing but a passing from this life into the next. Cool.

I found the Blanco to be silky-smooth, with ‘greenish’ herbal notes. It starts easy, with a lil bite in the middle, and a long, bitter-sweet finish.

L-R: Anejo, Reposado, Blanco

L-R: Anejo, Reposado, Blanco

Of course, there’s no salt or lime involved when u drink tequilas like these neat.

The Reposado (ABV 55%) obviously has some colour, as it’s aged for 10 months in barrels. At 55%, this is the strongest tequila I’ve had! Ever. It hit me as spicy and citrus-y, and it mosdef don’t feel like a 55. Awesome.

Reposado guy could use a nose job

Reposado guy could use a nose job

Kah Anejo (ABV 40%) is aged in Amercian oak for a massive 2 years, which is long for a tequila. This one gave out a nose of chocolate. It tastes sweetish, with caramel notes. Very pleasant.

Tequila is not a drink to be slammed. Well, it is, but not necessarily. It’s originally to be sipped. The good stuff, for sure, like the 100% agave tequilas. Or mezcal. Yummy.

Anejo, Blanco and Reposado, all smiles

Anejo, Blanco and Reposado, all smiles

Kah is not only a smooth sipping tequila, but one that comes in cool individually-numbered bottles, adorned with exquisite motifs drawn from Latin American history and culture. Every bottle is different.  The bottles would be great for collectors. Right now, u can get it at Circus.

 

Too much tequila leads to.. sexytime

Too much tequila leads to.. sexytime

 

Brain damage: 7/10

 

 

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