Tag Archives: launch

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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Absolut Andy Warhol

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Absolut threw another cool party at another cool spot recently. This was to introduce the limited edition Absolut Andy Warhol, celebrating creativity and pop art.

The design replicates the original Absolut Warhol artwork, which Andy created for in 1986 in Absolut’s very first artist collaboration campaign.

The spot was Vallette Gallery, a large house among fancy residences in Damansara Heights. It represents a local and international spectrum of artists, reflected in paintings, sculptures, installation art and photography.

Comes with a pool too

Comes with a pool too

Old skool

Old skool

Done by a Malaysian artist

Done by a Malaysian artist

The bottle features mostly a black facade, with blue, pink and yellow details.

According to Absolut’s Director of Storytelling Nodjame Fouad, the original Absolut Warhol painting hangs safe in a museum, but this bottle brings Andy Warhol’s artwork to the world.

Looks pretty cool

Looks pretty cool

There were several Absolut cocktails for guests to enjoy of course. Blue on Blue is a pretty nice cocktail to enjoy, tho i usually avoid blue cocktails. It’s 1.5 parts Absolut, 1 coconut water, 1 cranberry juice (never use a brand called Ocean Spray), 0.5 Blue Curacao, 0.5 syrup.

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Don't drop it Andy! An art piece that was done on-the-spot

Don’t drop it Andy! An art piece that was done on-the-spot

The limited edition Absolut Warhol is available in both the domestic and duty-free market. For those who are travelling, it’s available at The Absolut Brand Store located in Contact Pier Zone F, KLIA.

Funny guy

Funny guy

Brain damage: 8/10

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Cocktail Solutions launched

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Independent cocktail producers Cocktail Solutions launched their RTD (ready-to-drink) products recently at Wanaka The Bungalow @ Damansara Heights.

Up the hill

Up the hill

Basically, these are cocktails that are pre-made and in bottle form, so they can be enjoyed anytime, anywhere. Handy for road-trips, among others.

The drinks are made by Joshua Ivanovic, who’s been with Tate @ Intermark and Circus here in the Valley, as well as Milk & Honey in London. He won the Cocktail World Cup in 2008, so he’s been around.

The idea is to make cocktails convenient and affordable (from RM12+ for a 270ml bottle).

Choose yor juice

Choose yor juice

So after months of experimenting with ingredients, flavours and ingredient, Cocktail Solutions has created six RTD cocktails to start.

They were featured during the launch, and this is what i liked:

Delicious

Delicious

It’s a fruity blast of fresh strawberries, with the right amount of sweetness and a limey finish.

The Lychee Martini (tho not strictly a martini as it’s ABV is 5%) is okay too, sweet-sour, with some lychee coming thru on the finish.

Fixing

Fixing

Other flavours we tried – Margarita, Mai Tai, Mojito and Cosmo. I found them a lil too limey for my anti-sour palate. All ABVs are 5%.

Party in effect

Party in effect

Cocktail Solutions can customize cocktails of your choice, including low-cal ones. You can also have your own label on, eg, for events or parties or celebrations.

At least 12 hour’s notice is required, depending on quantity, as it’s made-to-order. Minimum order is a case (24 bottles). There’s a mistake on the website – no sales to under 21. Actually, it’s supposed to be 18.

These guys deliver. You can get the stuff from their website – cocktailsolutions.com.

Nice. Like Fridays aint fun enough!

Nice. Like Fridays aint fun enough!

Brain damage: 6/10

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New drinks

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Four alcohol brands – Laphroaig, Balvenie, Cointreau & Brugal – released new editions last week, all in travel retail.

The new look Laphroaig GTR range comprises: QA, the new entry level brand which is priced at €55; An Cuan Mor, also newly launched and priced at €95.

The Balvenie Triple Cask range comprises a 12 YO, 16 YO and 25 YO expression, each of which have been matured in three steps using different styles of barrel.

The Balvenie – not so big here yet, but picking

First-fill bourbon are used first, refill bourbon casks are used second, followed by a final period of aging in Jerez sherry casks.

Rémy Cointreau also joins the party with its new line extension, Cointreau Noir, a 40% ABV blend of orange liqueur and Rémy Marin cognac. Sounds tasty.

You could probably mix this into Baileys

Matthew Hodges of Remy Martin says “Cointreau Noir is a sultry dark version of the orange liqueur we know and love – the blend of Cointreau and cognac seems to add depth which we believe will appeal to dark spirits connoisseurs as well as lovers of cocktails.”

Maxxium also unveiled Brugal Papa Andres, a new ultra-premium rum. Named after the company’s founder Don Andres Brugal, Brugal Papa Andres is limited to 500 bottles, exclusive to travel retail and is priced at €900/US$1,200.

Brugal. One letter away from Brutal

The number of new products out there is pretty astounding. Even Johnnie Walker just released a new expression under its Explorers Club range – three to be exact. Spice Road, Gold Route, and Royal Silk Route. Details here.

And on top of that, two months ago, John Walker & Sons released Odyssey, a triple malt.

Phew. You’d need to travel every week just to get your collection!

Some affordable, others strictly for collectors. Available in airports in US, Europe and Asia at different times.

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