Celebrity Life

If there’s one industry we must applaud for the quick-thinking, action-driven changes necessary in the face of lockdowns, it’s food and beverage. And with no dine-ins after 6pm, well, yet more pivoting became necessary. We get the scoop around town.

Foxglove

Imagine a lush jazz lounge, exquisite Chinese fare and, best of all, a cocktail menu carefully devised to match the vibe, and the first place that comes to mind is Foxglove. So aptly named after the species of poisonous flora, it’s the place to go should you miss the era of speakeasies. 

Paying homage to the golden age of jazz and aiming to capture the electric energy of the Prohibition era, its new cocktail menu features an exotic, refreshing rum-based concoction with a hit of ginger and citrus known as The Girl From Ipanema. But if you’re looking for something with a harder hit, The Wallerman Punch is a nod to the world’s first cocktail created by pirates, which comprises rum, cherry liqueur, pistachio, blood orange and a pinch of cardamom.

“The restriction has been a big challenge for us, as we’re known for our live music and glamorous cocktail vibe,” says co-founder Shakib Pasha. “However, our recent menu of new dim sum and Cantonese dishes has been very popular among weekday lunch-goers. We’ve also extended happy hour from noon to 6pm. The biggest pivot has been introducing a disco brunch for the first time — DJs, dim sum, and free flow of Foxglove’s famed cocktails.”

2/F, Printing House, 6 Duddell Street, Central; +852 2116 8949

The Daily Tot

The ultimate sanctuary for rum lovers, The Daily Tot serves up one of the most diverse selections in Hong Kong. It recently introduced the No Boundaries Vol 3 cocktail menu, designed by new assistant bar manager Maikal Gurung, previously of Island Shangri-La’s Lobster Bar & Grill, and co-founder Tiana Ludhani. For something that both tastes good and looks delightful on social media, go for What the Duck?, an ambitious blend of homemade coconut chamomile curd, lemonade and rum. 

On the subject of the latest round of restrictions, Ludhani says, “The bar industry has learned to live with Covid. When I say ‘live with’, I mean we’ve grudgingly accepted it. We’ve tried to stay ahead of the game to manoeuvre faster than the government’s flip-flopping of the rules. All of us have been forced to be incredibly creative. 

“At The Daily Tot, we came up with daytime value sets for two or four people, as well as Daily Tot Sundowners (our version of happy hour) with off-menu cocktails and wines. We also focused on safe, socially distanced daytime activities, such as trivia free-flow and cocktail masterclasses. The support from the community has been unmatched because, let’s face it, Hong Kong is a city where stress levels are at an all-time high. People need their cocktails, and we’re here to provide them.”

G/F, Felicity Building, 58 Hollywood Road, Central; +852 2366 6836

Grain Gastropub & Brewlab

It’s the best time of the year for a nice, waterfront stroll with your friends. We love Kennedy Town for the range of gastronomic offers, a highlight being popping into Grain Gastropub & Brewlab at the edge of the district for a cold one. Or a not-so-cold one, if you’re going for a beer that’s a little darker.

The venue has recently introduced an extended weekend roast from 12pm to 5pm with hearty choices that include stout-braised ox cheek, and slow-roasted lamb shoulder glazed with stout molasses. 

Co-founder Chris Woodyard says, “We’re using the time to focus on staff training and getting closer to our community with beer education through our Meet the Brewer programmes. Customers can meet the brewer, of course, and get complimentary pours fresh from the beer tanks. We just want to add more personal touches and interactions until things are back in full swing.”

G/F, New Fortune House, 3-5 New Praya, Kennedy Town; +852 3500 5870

Bacchus

If it’s wine you’re after, newly opened Bacchus on Hollywood Road is a stop you’ll have to pencil in. Serving up Asian-influenced French cuisine, the venue also doubles as a wine destination with more than 800 labels from around the world to choose from. 

Led by renowned wine educator and sommelier Hervé Pennequin – awarded third place in the World’s Best Sommelier rankings, 2004 – Bacchus offers wine-pairing options for every dish on the menu, as well as designing bespoke wine dinners. 

“Even with the new restrictions, we wanted to continue our mission of ‘edutaining’ our guests through showcasing some of the best wines from around the world,” says Pennequin. “Our offers aren’t only at a very decent price, but they introduce more obscure grape varieties that diners may not be familiar with.

“We recently created our Wine Time menu, available on weekdays from 3pm to 6pm, which allows guests to discover and enjoy 18 different wines with unlimited pours. For those who want to line their stomachs so they can drink more, we also have nibbles based on our à la carte selections too.”

3/F, Hollywood Centre, 233 Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan; +852 852 3750 5200

The post Proof of Passion: Restaurants And Bars in The Time of Covid appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

One of the rarest bottlings of this limited-edition Scotch can be yours through Bonhams this January.

A half-century is a milestone worthy of celebration on any occasion; in a world of ephemera, it's a marker of of quality. Of things that endure. Of things created to last. In love, 50 years is the Golden Anniversary; in Scotch, the continuation of a legacy, like for Highland Park, whose new 50 Year Old single malt celebrates the Orkney distillery's 223 years of excellence.

A style with rich, sherried dried fruit and sweet toffee, Highland Park 50 Year Old single malt Scotch Whisky comes in a limited-edition run of 274 bottles, each signed by Master Whisky Maker, Gordon Motion. And for serious Scotch lovers, the first of these bottles is hitting the Bonhams auction block on 21 January 2022, with an estimated worth of HK$210,000 to HK$250,000.

"This 50 Year old whisky is one of our oldest and rarest releases and I’m very proud to have been part of its journey," says Motion. "When I sampled it, it has absorbed the rich sherried flavours of dried fruit and sweet toffee from its final first-fill cask maturation, but still retained all the delicate fragrance and flavours driven by the original refill casks.”

Highland Park's third 50 Year Old single malt

Just the third 50 Year Old bottling in Highland Park history, every step of its creation has been intricately considered and measured to present the utmost delicate and rich flavours that a great whisky can offer. Created using a traditional solera system — a way of maturing sherry — the Scotch delivers richness and maturity of flavours both old and new.

For those unfamiliar with the solera system, the process borrows a small quantity of whisky produced from a previous batch, blending it with the new expression to capture flavours within a flavour — legacies within a legacy. Highland Park’s new 50 Year Old edition marries together a careful selection from nine refill casks from 1968, re-racked into fine first-fill sherry seasoned oak casks. After 12 years of maturation, one limited cask was chosen and blended with a minute portion of the previous 50 Year Old release by the distillery.

"I introduced a small quantity of this cask to some of our 2018 batch of 50 Year Old, to create a further layer of depth and complexity," adds Motion. "As the 2018 50 Year Old contains some of our 2010 batch, this approach allows me to maintain the core DNA of our oldest Highland park whisky through each extremely limited batch release."

The whisky auction market remains robust

Despite the impact of the pandemic, the whisky auction market has remained strong and has even engendered a following among young collectors, according to Daniel Lam, Specialist for Fine Wine & Whiskies at Bonhams.

"[Whisky] has become a mainstream category in almost all international auction houses," says Lam. "For Scotch, Japanese whisky and US bourbon, the market has nourished a group of very young collectors, which is a positive sign for the future of whisky auctions."

For Lam, Highland Park's 50 Year Old single malt Scotch Whisky makes an appealing auction piece for its legacy and presentation, as well as exclusivity of only 274 bottles.

"Each whisky distillery has it own unique premium bottling, and Highland Park, situated as the most northern distillery in Scotland, its style is very distinctive," says Lam. "I personally adore the packaging, the craftsmanship and the golden hand-crafted decanter."

Making green the new black

The upcoming charity auction is in support of Green Power, a renowned green group NGO addressing the diverse environmental issues in local communities such as climate change, waste reduction and biodiversity. All net proceeds from the auction will be donated to the organisation in support of their environmental education and sustainability projects.

"Bonhams plays a part in society, we value corporate social responsibility. Therefore, we would like to support Green Power for their good causes in addressing and mitigating environmental issues especially here in Hong Kong," says Lam, noting the importance of sustainable development for the future of whisky.

"There is a saying, 'green is the new black'; we ought to address the importance of sustainability to whisky distillers for long term development of the whisky industry," adds Lam. "Partnering with Green Power could bring awareness of 'being green' to whisky distillers."

A collector's piece

Not only is the whisky a time capsule of historical flavours, it comes in as l'objet d'art of its own: the heavyweight glass bottle is embossed with a design inspired by the Norse heritage of Orkney island, dating back over 1,200 years, coming packaged in a hand-made wooden box crafted by Scottish Master Craftsman John Galvin.

One of its exclusive 274 bottles is set to go up for auction on 21 January 2022, with an estimated worth of HK$210,000 to HK$250,000.

For more information, visit highlandparkwhisky.com.

The post Headed to Auction: Highland Park’s 50 Year Old Single Malt Captures Time in a Bottle appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Shanyan Fok Koder and Richard Bassett explain how a Hong Kong art entrepreneur joined forces with a former special-forces soldier to launch a health and mental wellbeing app, Mentor360.

"Mental health and mental fitness are universal concerns," says Shanyan Fok Koder. "And regardless of your demographic, social status, your job or your age, it’s something everyone has to deal with."

Shanyan Fok Koder & Richard Bassett on Mental Health App Mentor360

The Mentor360 app dropped on World Mental Health Day in October, the cumulation of the last 20 months of work and conversations (usually across continents over Zoom) between former military man Richard Bassett and worldly art advisor Koder. A month later, I’m sitting with both in a North London café talking over slices of pizza.

Their app, they hope, offers everyone a holistic 360 guide and framework to “finding your formula” for mental and physical wellbeing. It uses a hybrid approach, with a core layer of clinicians and professional Mentors and then celebrity Ambassadors (who’ve publicly shared meaningful life stories) critical for building noise and momentum.

"I’d been in the military for a long time. And there were a couple of incidents in my life that made me want to create something," Bassett, the CEO, explains. "Firstly, it was my father committing suicide. Then my son had a bit of misdirection. And several of my friends in the military had PTSD issues or adjustment disorders."

"The biggest issue is why people wouldn’t come forward and say they’ve got a problem?” he asks.

“Unlike some apps, we’re not trying to get people hooked. Come on to it when you need it”

— Richard Bassett

The answer often lay in culture, lack of education or concerns about privacy that prevent many from seeking help. With that came Bassett’s idea of creating an app that functions as a “non-judgmental toolkit” with content validated by experts – who include coaches, performance psychologists, mental health-specialising nurses and a clinical psychologist.

Basset’s link with Koder came when his best friend, ex-special forces colleague and TV star Jason Fox, sat next to a pregnant Koder at a charity fundraiser for Born (which researches to prevent premature birth) in late 2019. As the pair talked about their passions for mental health and children’s wellbeing, the connection to Bassett’s idea became quickly apparent.

"Foxy told me that I have to meet his friend, Richard, who’s building this app," Koder recalls. "I was always wanting to support things that are very meaningful and close to my heart … and now Jason is actually our key mentor. The partnership between Richard and I was almost like two parts of a jigsaw puzzle come together."

Although some might go to the app for help with stress, trauma or even resources to help with suicidal feelings, Mentor360 is designed specifically as a three-dimensional offering that will also encourage fitness, workouts, performance and meditation or more clinical matters.

"We wanted to maintain the human factor as a constant throughout. So it feels like somebody has given you some advice rather than some process-driven machine learning," Bassett adds.

The co-founders might come from two different worlds, but the unlikely partnership speaks to the ubiquity of the issues at hand. Bassett’s 25-year military career saw him being appointed the first ever Command Sergeant Major within the UK Special Forces military group. "It was at that stage where I was asked if I wanted to run defence,” he says. “At that point, I thought, I’ve kind of had my fill of the military now, it’s time to move on."

Koder meanwhile grew up in Hong Kong and the UK as the daughter of Li Ka-shing’s "right-hand man" Canning Fok, carving out a career in the arts and taking over her family’s impressive collection. As a female art entrepreneur and mother, her challenges would be different.

"When I had the misfortune of losing three babies to miscarriage and dealing with that emotional fallout, it led me to want to support this as a cause," Koder divulges. "If there’d been something like this app available to me, I don’t think I’d have suffered as much as I did emotionally. It’s a topic that’s still very taboo, even in this day and age … and while you eventually find your own community, at the very beginning, you do feel very alone."

Both were clearly driven towards the app through deeply personal experiences. Bassett saw first-hand how soldiers who’d done several tours in Iraq and Afghanistan suffered – his best friend, Fox, had left the forces with PTSD. Perhaps machismo or fear of institutional repercussions meant that the issue was often ignored or hidden in the military – but he hopes that Mentor360’s holistic approach can gently lead people to explore mental fitness alongside physical performance too.

The male-female perspectives of the pair offer a well-rounded, powerful tool. And while the wellness space is already crowded, Mentor360 stands out by being so broad, human-focused and non-prescriptive.

There’s been exciting traction too. Since its launch, the app has been downloaded in more than 176 countries, with the UK, the US and Australia leading. British schools have reached out and it’s one governance board away from being trialled within the National Health Service (NHS), which means added clinical risk management in the app. That has been an important validation, says Bassett, "especially when an institution like that has picked it out from a huge spectrum of apps on the market today."

Covid-19 and lockdowns have helped throw light on mental health, taking the conversation more mainstream. The timeliness has hit home; as Bassett says, “there’s a lot of people now struggling with the transition between Covid and normality”.

Koder tells us that the plan is to serve individuals but also institutions such as the NHS and the military. There’s also the option of “white labelling” it, so the app can be packaged and tailored to certain industries or corporate employees. In the future, might they look more global, with different languages and translations? Absolutely, the pair say, but they’re taking it “slow and steady”. There’s been interest from American corporations and Koder says that she’s keen to push into Asia very soon. Although going truly global might mean translating for languages, cultures and tone, as well as working with diverse psychologists, it remains a future ambition.

Mentor360 may be extra helpful in cultures where mental health is still relatively taboo. As Koder says, "I think, coming from our Asian culture, it speaks volumes to me – so much of our culture is about still performance or hiding a lot of what you’re feeling."

"Unlike some apps,” Bassett adds, "what we’re not trying to do is create a hook or get people hooked. Come on to it when you need it, and if you don’t need it for a while because you’re good, you can just put it away … We’re starting to see those patterns in the trend analysis."

To get a little personal, I ask what works for them individually to keep a healthy mind and body. Bassett’s formula revolves around daily exercise, time with the family, dogs and good sleep – even the occasional glass of wine on the sofa in front of a crackling fireplace. Koder’s happiness hacks centre around motherhood, being content and at peace in her skin, and looking at life with a certain romanticism: "I always love to see the poetry in my day,” she says, "and I think it’s important to just pause throughout the day, check-in and acknowledge that I’ve achieved these things and I should be proud of myself, rather than just rushing on to the next thing."

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There’s a lot to toast to at this time of the year, especially after such a long year of Covid. Finally being able to meet your friends and beloved, you all deserve the best bottle to celebrate with – and the unparalleled LOUIS XIII is the one to go for, whether you are looking for the ultimate drink to spice up your own parties or the ultimate gift for your beloved. Tasting the “Master of Time” LOUIS XIII Cognac is not just about pleasure on the palate; it's a wholesome experience of aesthetics, history and dedication.

The French Way of Living 

Enjoying a bottle of LOUIS XIII is a ritual of art de vivre, a revered choice for the powerful and the influential for every milestone and celebration. It's said that the then-French President Charles de Gaulle celebrated his first Christmas in liberated France with LOUIS XIII cognac. The name itself is a tribute to King Louis XIII of France, who was the first French monarch to recognise cognac as a spirit in its own right. With flavours of woody spice, fig and honey that burst on the palate, some haev even described the cognac as one that reminds them of Christmas cake. Isn't that the best Christmas drink you could put on the table?

Since its creation by Paul-Émile Rémy Martin in 1874, the signature flavour profile of LOUIS XIII has remained unchanged. As a blend, the cognac is made up of 1,200 individual finest eaux-de-vie from Grande Champagne ranging in age from 40 years to over 100 years old, each distilled and selected at different times in history. This is the result of the work of seven consecutive Cellar Masters from the brand, each thinking a century ahead by setting aside the finest eaux-de-vie for their successors to draw on. It is almost an art to continuously age and nurture the individual eaux-de-vie that lie in century-old Limousin oak casks in the cellars. The LOUIS XIII we are savouring today is the work of the current Cellar Master, Baptiste Loiseau, as he continues the legacy. It is a story from the past with a promise for the future. 

The Savoir-faire of LOUIS XIII  

LOUIS XIII is not only a joy to the world, but also to the eye. With style and class, Paul-Émile decided to carry this harmonious communication of flavours and aromas in an ornate decanter, which is based on a flask decorated with fleurs-de-lys unearthed on a battlefield in Jarnac, France in 1569. To this day, the design spirit of the decanter remains the same, if not better. Since 1936, each individually numbered and unique decanter has been hand-crafted by Baccarat or Saint Louis with centuries-old expertise that requires 11 of the world’s best glass-blowers to craft in 17 delicate steps. The distinctive decanter features a 24K gold neck and 10 distinctive spikes on each side. It is a timeless classic that is desired by everyone in this festive season. We can't think of a better way to commemorate the end of 2021 and to embark on a soulful journey in the year to come.

Stay in touch with LOUIS XIII: 
Website: https://www.louisxiii-cognac.com 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LOUISXIII 
Instagram：@LOUISXIIICOGNAC
Youtube：https://www.youtube.com/user/LouisXIIIofficial 

Call to join the LOUIS XIII Society:
Hong Kong +852 37109396
Macau +853 2871 9699

The post Louis XIII Cognac is Great for Christmas and Here’s Why appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

With less than a couple of weeks to go until the most wonderful time of the year, it’s time for the annual Prestige Christmas Giveaway. From December 13th to 24th, we’re offering Prestige Online readers the chance to win amazing prizes each and every day on Instagram, as we count down the 12 days of Christmas.

Whether you’re stuck on your gift list, sick of shopping, or just in need of a treat, here’s just a little something from us to you, to thank you for being our loyal readers.

Christmas Giveaway Day 9: KI NO BI GO Kyoto Dry Gin

Developed by The Kyoto Distillery, KI NO BI GO is a limited edition of KI NO BI, an award-winning Japanese gin. KI NO BI GO retains the classic formula, a recognisable dry style with a distinctive Japanese accent, while using extra botanicals to create the finest winter cocktails.

Handmade in the ancient city of Kyoto, in KI NO BI GO, the original edition’s base element, hinoki (cypress), is replaced by akamatsu (Japanese red pine). Other additions include regional plants like yuzu, ginger and gyokuro (green tea) from Uji.

Taste-wise, sweetness mixed with the peppery notes from sansho (Japanese pepper) and akamatsu create and interesting contrast on palate. At the end, a burst of ginger and lemon with forest-like undertones of akamatsu and juniper, reveals itself.

A Meaningful Edition of KI NO BI

The name GO originates from the Japanese pronunciation of “five”, in celebration of KI NO BI Kyoto Dry Gin’s 5th Anniversary. The packaging's design is elevated by the classic karakami pattern with an embossed “五周年” (5th Anniversary) on the label.

How to Enter

At Prestige, we’re giving away three bottles of KI NO BI GO to three lucky winners. To enter, head to our Instagram page @PrestigeHK and follow the instructions.

Terms & Conditions:

By entering this Prestige giveaway, you will be bound by these terms and conditions and acknowledge that you satisfy all eligibility requirements.

This giveaway is open to Hong Kong residents only and entrants must be over the age of eighteen (18).

Entrants must follow our Instagram page and set their profile to public in order for their entry to be valid.

The giveaway prize is live for five (5) days only.

Entries will be accepted within the five (5) days of posting the feature. Thereafter the giveaway for that prize will close and the winner will be announced.

Winners will be contacted and asked to provide their full name and contact details via Instagram within 48 hours.

Winners will be instructed on how to claim their prize by email.

Winners must respond to redeem the prize within seven (7) days of the prize announcement, otherwise the prize will be forfeited.

Prizes cannot be exchanged for cash, credit and are non-transferrable to third parties.

Prestige reserves the right to cancel, re-draw or otherwise modify this giveaway at any time with immediate effect and without giving prior notice.

Photos are for reference only.

The post Japanese KI NO BI Gin Celebrates 5th Anniversary with Limited Edition Bottle (A Christmas Giveaway) appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

In search of something more luxurious than your standard spirits and drinks? New Asia Pacific distribution company Paragon Trading – led by Chairman and CEO Christopher Liang – has amassed a collection of worldwide brands that stock the most prestigious of products.

From hand-harvested New Zealand Pinot Noirs to the smoothest Irish whiskey and gin, and a Fortune Global 500 company-backed futuristic water... we take a closer look.

Premium Wine from Gladstone Vineyard, New Zealand

According to New Zealand Winegrowers, the global demand for wine from the country has remained strong in markets such as the UK and the US – and when you consider the industry's reputation for distinct, premium, and sustainable wines, it's no surprise it's the island-nation's sixth-largest export, reaching over 100 countries.

The Gladstone Vineyard is located in the central sub-region of the Wairarapa valley, home to the first plantings of Pinot Noir in New Zealand dating as far back as the 1880s. Gladstone Vineyard was first planted in 1986, and today has vineyards along the river terraces of the Ruamahanga River – where the optimal ripening conditions have created the Wairarapa's uniquely rich and concentrated grapes.

Some of the standouts from Gladstone Vineyard include the Sauvignon blanc and Pinot noir, which were both awarded 90 points by Cameron Douglas, New Zealand's first and only Master Sommelier, and given four stars by Michael Cooper's Buyer's Guide. And the Gladstone Vineyard Dakins Road Pinot Noir and Blairpatrick Single Vineyard Pinot Noir 2018 are equally distinguished – with gorgeous textures and aromatic flavour profiles.

Gladstone is committed to environmental responsibility – producing healthy, high-quality grapes using organic principles and reducing its carbon impact through measures such as using 80 per cent recycled lightweight wine bottles, reusing packaging, and buying from local and environmentally-friendly suppliers where possible.

The Legendary Silkie Irish Whiskey and An Dúlamán Irish Maritime Gin, distilled at Sliabh Liag Distillers

The Legendary Silkie Irish Whiskey is true to name – a smooth blended Irish whiskey full of flavour. Inspired by folklore and mythical legend, it's carefully distilled at Sliabh Liag Distillers in the mountainous County Donegal of Ireland.

The original whiskey has a rich and layered flavour profile, opening with fruity (including citrusy orange zest and green apple) notes and follows with honey, butter and floral undertones. Then maltiness and even a touch of ginger. The Dark Silkie is smokier, with hints of apple and salted-caramel sweetness developing to dark chocolate, liquorice and oak. And the core collection is completed with the smokiest Midnight Silkie, with four triple distilled single malts and a triple distilled peated single malt at its heart.

Named after an Irish folk song, An Dúlamán Irish Maritime Gin is the first gin distilled in County Donegal. It pays homage to an older time, with each bottle wax-sealed and given a batch number linked to the lunar phases. In order to capture the "Daíocht na Farraige” (the magic of the sea), Sliabh Liag Distillers use five locally harvested varieties of seaweed, as well as six other botanicals to make An Dúlamán – making it as unique as the Donegal coast.

An Dúlamán has a characteristic complexity and softness, evoking the "dry tang of a sea breeze over [the] wild coastline". The seaweeds include Sweet Kombu, Dulse, Pepper Dulse, Dulaman and superfood Carrageen Moss, which bring an authentic and innovative “umami” twist to the gin category. The flavour profile includes a brisk salt, citrus and spice and, of course, the umami taste.

Plastic-free beWater™ Phenomenal, in partnership with Ball Corporation

Partnering with Fortune Global 500 company Ball Corporation – known for its innovative, sustainable aluminium packaging – beWater™ Phenomenal is putting a mission to eliminate single-use plastic bottles by making water better at the heart of its product.

One million plastic bottles are used and consumed every minute, with 91% of them ending up in the oceans or landfills. Aluminium is infinitely recyclable, making beWater™ Phenomenal a stylish environmentally friendly alternative to the plastic-bottled water that is commonly available today.

beWater™ Phenomenal Pure is a still water produced in Vietnam from municipal water sources, and filtered with ISO-certified advanced reverse osmosis and UV light. Using municipal water reduces the impact on the natural water table, especially in one of the fastest sinking areas in the world. The beWater™ Phenomenal Sparkling Mineral Water is similarly purified before being enhanced with natural minerals for a fresh and clean taste. Environmentally friendly, socially sustainable and convenient.

And as the official water of the Vietnam government, beWater™ Phenomenal is supporting initiatives across Southeast Asia and globally to ban single-use plastic – starting in Vietnam, which will eliminate single-use plastic by 2025.

The post Premium Drinks: Fine Wine, Exceptional Whiskey, Gin & ESG-friendly Water by Paragon Trading Asia appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

There's nothing wrong with sipping on classic beverages such as hot toddies or mulled wine to celebrate the holiday season, but after years of drinking the same cocktails, your tastebuds might be in need of a refresh.

The tasty solution: Concoct a drink infused with fresh wintertime ingredients, such as nutmeg, citrus, sage, and ginger, which brighten traditional spirits and add a complex flavour to them, says Paul Taylor, a co-owner of Your Only Friend, a new cocktail and sandwich bar in Washington, DC. "Seasonal ingredients that add a festive twist make your holiday drinks special," he says.

This season, take a break from tradition and toast your family and friends with Taylor's fun and innovative holiday cocktails.

Gingerbread Cookie

This holiday cocktail assumes the flavour of the eponymous sweat treat thanks to a homemade gingerbread syrup that, yes, is worth the effort.

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons molasses
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 piece ginger (3 inches), peeled and chopped
• 1 1/2 oz. (44 ml) blended scotch
• 3/4 oz. (22 ml) fresh lemon juice
• Ice

Directions

1. Make the gingerbread syrup: Combine honey, molasses, water, and ginger in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, and cook until almost boiling. Remove the pan from the heat, and let the flavours infuse for 2 hours. Then strain the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer to remove the solids. Makes 1 cup.
2. Combine scotch, 3/4 oz. (22 ml) gingerbread syrup, and fresh lemon juice in a shaker with ice.
3. Shake vigorously, and strain into a coupe or a stemmed cocktail glass.

Sparkling Cosmo

Celebrate the reboot of Sex and the City with a modern, holiday twist on this classic cocktail.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup cranberry juice
• 1/2 cup pomegranate juice
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
• 9 large strips zest (from 1 navel orange)
• 1/4 tsp. nutmeg
• 3/4 oz (22 ml) vodka
• Ice
• 3 3/4 oz. (111 ml) sparkling water

Directions

1. Make the cranberry cordial: Combine cranberry juice, pomegranate juice, sugar, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, fresh orange juice, 8 orange zest strips, and nutmeg in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves, then remove the saucepan from the heat. Once the mixture has cooled, strain it through a fine-mesh strainer to remove the solids. Makes 1 cup.
2. Combine vodka, 1 1/4 oz. (37 ml) cranberry cordial, and remaining (1/4 oz. or 7 ml) fresh lemon juice in a shaker with ice, and shake vigorously.
3. Strain into a highball glass over ice, and fill with sparkling water. Remove a large strip of peel from a navel orange, twist over the top of the drink, and drop in glass to garnish.

Winter Citrus Lemonade

Don't leave lemon for summer cocktails. This holiday drink makes creative use of the bright citrus fruit with a DIY salted lemon syrup.

Ingredients

• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 chopped preserved lemon (which is preserved in salt; preferably a Meyer lemon)
• 1 oz. (29.5 ml) gin
• 1/2 oz. (14.7 ml) fresh Meyer lemon juice
• Ice
• 4 oz. (118 ml) sparkling water
• Fresh sage (garnish)

Directions

1. Make the salted lemon syrup: Combine sugar, water, and chopped preserved lemon in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, and cook until almost boiling. Remove pan from the heat, and let the flavours infuse for 2 hours. Once cool, strain the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer to remove the solids. Makes 1 cup.
2. Combine gin, 1 oz. (29.5 ml) salted lemon syrup, and fresh Meyer lemon juice in a shaker. Shake vigorously, then strain into a highball glass.
3. Add ice, and fill with sparkling water. Garnish with sage.

This story first appeared on www.shape.com

(Main and Feature Image Credit: JEN CAUSEY)

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We don't have the frosty air and snowy settings of Europe, but we sure do know how to bring on the festivities and get everyone feeling merry and bright.

Stuck at home this holiday season? There are more ways than one to get into the Christmas mood. Besides picking up gifts for your loved ones and enjoying a beautiful light show, here are all the pop-ups and Christmas markets to help light up your Christmas this 2021.

This Christmas, here are all the Christmas markets and pop-ups you should know about.

Central Market's Christmas with Heart 2021

An 8-metre-tall Santa Claus, a dreamy Christmas forest and reindeers await at the newly-revitalised Central Market, which has opened its first ever Christmas market, Christmas with Heart 2021" from now until January 16th.

The iconic historical architecture serves as the backdrop to 20 meticulously designed Christmas characters, making the Central Market a go-to spot for photos this festive season. The market is rich with Christmas carols, performances and charity activities, but what's exciting is the integration of NFT art – guests are invited to create their very own NFT as souvenirs in two art workshops hosted by Pantone C Workshop, while 1,000 limited edition event-linked NFT Tokens will also be given out to Central Club members, who can redeem one piece valued at 1,500 points on a first come, first served basis.

You won't miss the inflatable Santa Claus perched on the rooftop, but another highlight is the simulated large-scale snow installation at the Oasis, possibly one of the most photogenic spots at the market. Afterwards, spend time browsing the three Christmas markets, offering Christmas gift ideas from urban-design products, to metro wellness and start-up creativity.

Santa will make a stop between December 24th to 27th from 4 to 8 pm, so be sure to be on your best behaviour when you visit at those times.

Central Market, 93 Queen's Road Central, Central

Christmas Pop-up Market at K11 MUSEA

The cultural Silicon Valley in Hong Kong, K11 MUSEA, will arrange a series of pop-ups just for Christmas time. The festive pop-ups will be on the 6th floor and at MUSE EDITION on the ground floor from December 11th to 13th and December 17th to 27th. Packed with gift shopping, gourmet tasting, and even Christmas bauble personalisation, these pop-ups can meet all your Christmas needs.

At the end of the shopping day, a delightful spectacle awaits. The light showcase, Globoscope will be available on the 7th floor’s Bohemian Garden from now until January 3. Globoscope, which debuted in the Fête des Lumières de Lyon in 2014, is shown for the first time in Asia. More importantly, the art director Maxime Houot​ adapted the lighting set to the landscape of Bohemian Garden to create a dreamy space for you to relax at the end of your day.

K11 MUSEA, Victoria Dockside, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui; +852 3892 3890

Winter Wonderland Pop-up at Rosewood Hong Kong

As part of “The Holiday Edit” at Rosewood Hong Kong, the luxury hotel is presenting a cosy wooden chalet pop-up store at its main entrance from now till December 26th.

Filled with festive gifts from Butterly Patisserie, guests can also enjoy roasted chestnuts, mulled wine and hot chocolate in the chalet daily between 6 to 7 pm, until December 19th, and between 6 to 8 pm from December 20th to 26th.

To add an extra touch of magic, guests at the chalet will be able to experience a sprinkling of evening snow between 6 to 9 pm daily, until December 31st. And of course, if you've been good this Christmas, you'll be able to catch Santa on December 24th and 25th, making his rounds between 12 to 1 pm and then again from 4:15 to 5:45 pm.

Rosewood Hong Kong, Victoria Dockside, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong; +852 3891 8888

A Very Big Christmas at Lane Crawford

This Christmas, gift shopping, food market, and charity sales are all in Lane Crawford.

Lane Crawford’s food market will introduce Michelin-star Chef Ryota’s curated traditional Japanese sake, French treats, Italian’s all-time classic Panettone, and more. Unique gifts like healing crystal grid by Ariana Ost, sauna blanket by Higher Dose, and laser kit by LYMA can also be found here.

After shopping, select a floral wrapping paper to dress your present. The money you paid for the wrapping paper will be donated to Po Leung Kuk to help children in need and elderlies with disabilities. Lastly, brands like Jovens, Johnstons of Elgin, and Dreyden will also offer Christmas services such as monogramming or embroidery.

Lane Crawford, Podium 3, ifc mall, 8 Finance Street, Central; +852 2118 2288

Orient Express at ifc mall

ifc mall will present a story-like Orient Express from now until January 2 to celebrate this Christmas. The pop-up is inspired by the original Orient Express, the first transcontinental train in Europe that was developed by Belgian engineer Georges Nagelmackers in the 1880s.

Besides the train, there are other zones to give guests different experiences. Guests could learn about the history of the Orient Express, mail cards at the vintage post office, and immerse themselves in the traditional European street with twinkly lights and baubles.

ifc mall, Podium Level 1, Oval Atrium, 8 Finance Street, Central; +852 2118 2288

Winter Wonderland European-style Christmas

Winter Wonderland will be held at the AsiaWorld-Expo from December 13th to January 2nd, bringing a European Christmas Village to town. A mecca of dining and shopping experiences, the Village will also be filled with photo opportunities and tons of exciting performances.

Glacier Ice House is one of its highlights. Built from hundreds of gigantic ice blocks, people can have a drink in the Arctic Circle world. House of Light is another highlight, an immersive interactive art installation developed by XCEPT that will present a crystalline tree under northern lights in Winter Wonderland. The venue is also great for those with children: MR. MEN LITTLE MISS Xmas Maze and a Christmas theme inflatable play zone can give children memorable moments.

Winter Wonderland, AsiaWorld-Expo Hall 2, Airport Expo Blvd, Chek Lap Kok, Lantau; +852 3606 8888

Citygate Outlets Outdoor Christmas Market

This winter, Citygate Outlets is celebrating the beloved tradition of Christmas Markets with renowned German handicraft brand Wendt & Kühn. The Jolly Christmas Market in Tung Chung is set to open for three consecutive weekends from December 10th, under a 4.3-metre German-style Christmas Pyramid in the outdoor areas on Level 4. Joined by Wendt & Kühn's mischievous angels, the Christmas market will host over 40 unique stalls to offer shoppers an array of gifting ideas, delightful Christmas ornaments, clothes, handicrafts and festive delicacies.

Apart from shopping – don't miss highlights such as Poki Ng's trendy brand Lost Life, jewellery brand ohmydeer designed by Adrian Wong, and Lantau social enterprise Tai O Fei Mao Li, German organic honey Hexapi Honey – you'll also catch music performances from local rising star MC Cheung, as well as newcomers Alfred Wu, Tracy Chow and Ho Pui Ting.

The Jolly Christmas Market is open from December 10th to 12th, December 17th to 19th and December 24th to 27th.

Citygate Outlet, 20 Tat Tung Rd, Tung Chung; +852 2109 2933

Après-Ski Village at the HK Golf and Tennis Academy

Another Christmas event that cannot be missed is the Après-Ski Village if you are a sports lover. Hosted by the Hong Kong Golf and Tennis Academy (HKGTA) the Après-Ski Village will run on its Sai Kung premises until January 2nd. This pop-up event brings a series of sports challenges, a brand new ice rink, and fantastic winter market to its members. In Tai Chung Hau, guests at the Après-Ski Village will be greeted with welcome drinks before they immerse themselves in golf experience sessions with the help from top-tier golf coaches in Hong Kong. What's more, Little Ice Town and Little Christmas Chalet will be serving delicious foods and warm drinks. The finest delicacies and traditional holiday favorites can be discovered at the Global Winter Fair.

Hong Kong Golf and Tennis Academy, Hong Kong Golf and Tennis Academy, 81 Tai Chung Hau, Sai Kung; +852 3187 8900

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As 2019 broke the spell of warm, dry vintages, James Suckling finds plenty of top-notch Pinot noirs on the Oregon wine trail, with chardonnays showing increasing diversity of style and character.

We went big in our tastings of Oregon wines this year, uncorking more than 800 bottles in our largest review of the state so far and finding plenty of evidence to substantiate its reputation for making consistently top-notch pinot noir, with a smaller but potentially even more impressive selection of chardonnay.

Antica Terra Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills Antikythera 2018 again tops our ratings, showing an incredible complexity of aromas with a chalky, stony texture and layered, spicy character, and Antica Terra’s 2018 Ceras and 2018 Botanica also makes it into the top five of all the wines we’ve rated this year from Oregon.

“For me, the ’18s were so exciting,” says Maggie Harrison, the owner and winemaker of Antica Terra. She says 2018 was dry and warm, with consistency and a longer harvest, resulting in “much greater diversity of expression on the table” – as can be seen from her array of wines.

For Oregon winemakers, how to deal with warming temperatures has become a common theme. “Each year, I think we’re getting a little bit better at handling the heat,” says Tom Gerrie, owner and winemaker of Cristom. Cristom Pinot Noir Willamette Valley Eola-Amity Hills Jessie Vineyard 2018 is another wine in our top five of the report.

While it’s tempting to draw a parallel with Burgundy’s regional variations, such as Côte de Beaune vs Côte de Nuits, there are fewer general differences among the 10 Willamette Valley AVAs. But as a varietal sensitive to both terroir and winemaking, pinot noir expresses a unique personality based on a combination of differences in soil, elevation and microclimate, as well as clone, rootstock and vine age.

Gerrie says that from his perspective, the unique personalities of pinot noir derive more from the soil than from the other geographical elements of each individual AVA.

“Our deep volcanic soils are extremely bright and red-fruited, very high-toned, very floral,” he explains, with vines planted in the shallow, rocky soils under more stress, resulting in fruit that “can be dark and brooding, almost blue-fruited”. Fewer producers in Oregon focus on chardonnay, but those that do, such as 00 Wines, are making incredible whites. Its Chardonnay Willamette Valley Eola-Amity Hills Freya Hermann Cuvee 2018, which was among our top five wines, shows impressive texture and structure thanks to a focus on phenolic extraction, alongside an exquisite purity of fruit, with flinty and spicy elements.

"It was really never anyone’s focal point, because, of course, pinot noir has been the big story in Oregon since the very beginning,” Chris Hermann, the co-founder of 00 Wines, says of carving out a niche for chardonnay in the state’s wine scene.

Chardonnay comprised only 17 percent of our tastings, compared with two-thirds pinot noir, but out of our top 30 wines, 11 are chardonnay – more than double the average proportion. They show more diversity in style and character, with all of them expressing a sharp backbone of acidity thanks to the high diurnal temperature range across the state.

We also tasted some fresh whites from pinot gris, once Oregon’s signature white, but these failed to impress at just under 90 points on average. We tasted some zesty rieslings, too, at an average of just under 91 points, but saw more potential and consistency in Oregon’s sparkling wines. With their bright acidity, wines such as Domaine Serene Dundee Hills Evenstad Reserve Brut NV show more freshness, minerality and refinement compared with Californian equivalents.

The region is still young, with producers gradually discovering the land and making more deliberate decisions regarding where best to plant vines, factoring in elevation and soil type. With most vines still in an early stage, there’s room to improve, and we hope that more Oregon producers can eventually unlock the potential for great chardonnay.

The Top 10 Oregon Wine Bottles

JamesSuckling.com ranks 10 top wines from the Pacific Northwest.

ANTICA TERRA PINOT NOIR EOLA-AMITY HILLS ANTIKYTHERA 2018

Score: 99

Wow. Aromas of blackberry, ripe strawberry, spice and smoke follow through to a full body with firm, minerally tannins that have a chalky, stony texture that gives it firmness and complexity. Very long and driven.

DOMAINE DROUHIN PINOT NOIR EOLAAMITY HILLS ROSEROCK ZÉPHIRINE 2019

Score: 97

Redcurrant, sour cherry and smoke on the nose. Layered and balanced, with a long, savoury finish. Very vertical and deep.

00 WINES CHARDONNAY WILLAMETTE VALLEY EOLA-AMITY HILLS FREYA HERMANN CUVÉE 2018

Score: 98

Striking aromas of sliced nectarine and white peach with flinty and spicy elements. Mouthwatering. The palate is impressively rich and pithy with good extract. Drink or hold.

ANTICA TERRA PINOT NOIR WILLAMETTE VALLEY BOTANICA 2018

Score: 98

This pinot proffers detail and textural nuance, as well as aromatic complexity and fresh flavour. Fresh yet ripe with fully resolved tannin maturity and seamless resolve. Drink or hold.

ANTICA TERRA PINOT NOIR WILLAMETTE VALLEY CERAS 2018

Score: 98

The palate is so smooth and so layered with a long arc of deep blue-fruit flavours holding seamlessly long. An exceptional Ceras. So long and seamless. Drink or hold.

00 WINES CHARDONNAY CHEHALEM MOUNTAINS KATHRYN HERMANN CUVÉE 2018

Score: 97

The palate is striking for the concentration and fleshy build, as well as the way it maintains focus and holds the finish. A great chardonnay, every way you look at it. Drink or hold.

DOMAINE SERENE CHARDONNAY DUNDEE HILLS RÉCOLTE GRAND CRU 2017

Score: 97

The pinnacle of chardonnay for this producer, it outguns the rest of the stable for sheer concentration and power. Complex and vibrant all at once.

CRISTOM PINOT NOIR WILLAMETTE VALLEY EOLA-AMITY HILLS JESSIE VINEYARD 2018

Score: 99

This dramatically steep site delivers a wine of real personality and distinctiveness. The star of 2018 at Cristom and, indeed, for Willamette Valley pinot per see.

BERGSTRÖM PINOT NOIR EOLA-AMITY HILLS TEMPERANCE HILL VINEYARD 2019

Score: 97

A very spicy expression of pinot, this has so much to say on the nose. Fascinating pinot.

SOTER PINOT NOIR YAMHILL-CARLTON MINERAL SPRINGS RANCH 2018

Score: 97

This has such ripe redcherry pinot fruit aromas, as well as forest wood and a swathe of deep-set spices. The palate carries such plush red and darkcherry flavours in a long, fresh and energetic mode. Commanding pinot with such impressive poise. Drink or hold.

For more wine reports and ratings, you can visit JamesSuckling.com

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