Celebrity Life

Johnnie Walker's latest release from their Blue Label Ghost and Rare series, which first launched in 2017 with Brora and continued with Port Ellen in 2018, marks the third special bottling created by Master Blender Jim Beveridge. In celebration of their 200th anniversary next year in 2020, Johnnie Walker is honouring it with something rare and remarkable -- the Glenury Royal blended Scotch whisky. Crafted with treasured and one-of-a-kind whiskies, the blend comes from a handful of "ghost" distilleries that have long-closed. By exploring these irreplaceable whiskies, Johnnie Walker is able to reveal some incredible new layers of whisky and unique flavours like never before. What's more, only one in every 10,000 casks of whisky produced are considered suitable to be used in their rare blend of unparalleled Scotch whisky.

[caption id="attachment_176882" align="alignnone" width="1613"] The limited edition Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare Glenury Royal whisky; HK$2,988 for an 750ml bottle.[/caption]

At the heart of this new release is the iconic Highland distillery Glenury Royal which shut its doors in 1985. Before it closed, the storied Scottish malt whisky distillery was a flourishing business and one of only three Scottish distilleries to receive a Royal title. It was founded in 1825 by Captain Robert Barclay, a member of British Parliament and a well-known Scottish walker. In fact, he was most remembered for winning a bet in 1809 for walking 1,000 miles in 1,000 hours. He did this to win 1,000 guineas which is about HK$10,575 in modern money. Today, Barclay's rare whisky has continued to mature and it is at this time that Beveridge and the Johnnie Walker team are making use of its unique indulgent character.
Two more exceptionally rare whiskies from ghost distilleries, Cambus and Pittyvaich in Scotland, have also been selected for the blend. In terms of taste profile, they brings about a balance -- combining creamy tones of chewy toffee and butterscotch with the fruity and bright accents of apple and apricot that come through from Glenury Royal. Moreover, another five rare whiskies add further layers of flavour. This comes from Glen Elgin, Inchgower, Glenlossie, Cameronbridge and Glenkinchie, which bring aromas of warm vanilla, floral honey and sweet dried fruit. This weaves through an earthiness of dark chocolate with a slight nuttiness and smoky character, making it one of Johnnie Walker's most indulgent limited edition Blue Label Ghost and Rare whiskies yet.

The ultimate way to enjoy the Johnnie Walker Blue Label, and of course the Blue Label Ghost & Rare Series, is to serve it straight with a glass of chilled water on the side. By sipping the water first, you cleanse the palate before taking on the whisky's complex layers of flavour. In addition, it will allow some water to mix with the whisky and as a result, reveal the strength of Blue Label in a smooth and rich manner.

The post Johnnie Walker Releases New Blue Label Ghost and Rare Glenury Royal Whisky appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Nothing gets a Christmas party going like a cocktail.

So in the spirit of merry-making, we've rounded up some fun festive tipples to try. From Christmas teas to spicy concoctions, hot toddies and even some snowmen in ice, here are our top ten Christmas cocktails to make this holiday a jolly one.

La Petite Maison: Clarified Christmas Milk Punch

This festive cocktail created by La Petite Maison is Christmas à la française. Featuring a brioche-infused rum blended with almond milk, vanilla, rooibos tea cordial, allspice and walnuts, this Clarified Christmas milk punch is a flavoursome drink for a joyous Noël. It also features the cutest miniature snowman frozen in the ice cube, so you'll have to keep drinking to free him.

La Petite Maison, Shop 1, H Queen's, 23-29, 1/F Stanley Street, Central; +852 2887 1113

The St. Regis Bar: Shakespeare Riot

Inspired by a 1849 theatrical rivalry over a Macbeth production, this cocktail is a twist on the classic New York Sour. At The St. Regis Bar, it combines rich spicy flavours with undertones of smoke and earthiness for a rather adult Christmas drink. Gin mare is used as the base, before a port reduction, St Germain, roasted rosemary and fresh lime juice are added to the cocktail. It's then topped with egg white and a bright red tuille, spritzed with Essentia St. Regis lavender in true festive fashion.

The St. Regis Hong Kong, 1 Harbour Drive, Wan Chai; +852 2138 6888

Bedu: Ho-ho-holy Treat

If Christmas citrus is your thing, then I think I've found your cocktail. At Bedu, the Ho-ho-holy treat is just that -- a real treat! It combines zesty citrus with Arak, an anise-flavoured spirit, for a lively cocktail. It also uses blood orange cointreau, and fresh grapefruit juice mixed with red wine for those beautiful sunset hues. It's then garnished with a charming little Christmas caramel and topped with egg white for a snowy white finish.

Bedu, 40 Gough Street, Central; +852 2320 4450

InterContinental Lobby Lounge: Christmas Cocktails

Why stop at one Christmas cocktail when you can have the whole collection. To celebrate the holidays, the Lobby Lounge at the InterContinental has created drinks inspired by the classics to sip on through the season. Start Christmas with something fun and opt for "Victor" the gingerbread man (far left) made with absinthe, milk, egg white and raspberry, or try something a little stronger with the Christmas Delight (second from left), which is served neat, warm or on the rocks and uses a cinnamon-infused Irish whisky as its base. The Ornament (second from right) is just as enchanting, with dark rum, fresh ginger, pineapple juice and port wine at its core. Meanwhile, Sugar Cane Rush (far right) is simple but effective, and uses Cognac, cherry and mint liqueurs for that festive kick.

Lobby Lounge, Lobby Level, InterContinental, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui; +852 2313 2323

La Rambla: Lion's Tail

The winter warming Lion's Tail at La Rambla is one of the most robust cocktails made for Christmas. Using Bourbon and allspice dram, this delicious concoction blends flavours of cinnamon and rich caramel tones with spice, for a classic style cocktail. It's brightened by a squeeze of lemon and topped with egg white, or Aquafaba for those of us that are vegan. Drink this on the outdoor terrace after all your Christmas shopping and I guarantee you'll be feeling festive.

La Rambla, 8 Finance Street, 3071-73 Level 3, ifc mall, Central; +852 2661 1161

Uma Nota: Centelha

It's not Christmas without some sparkle. So we're heading straight to the bar at Uma Nota for a nice glass of Centelha, which literally means sparkle in Portuguese, to celebrate. Here, Prosecco is mixed with pink grapefruit juice, fiery ginger extract, raspberries, fresh passion fruit and star anise for a colourful Christmas with a Brazilian twist. Cheers!

Uma Nota, 38 Peel Street, Central; +852 2889 7576

Terrible Baby: Mezcal Toddy

Some like it hot, and some like it with mezcal. At Terrible Baby, I like my hot toddy with Los javis espadín mezcal, rebel yell bourbon, beetroot and hibiscus tea cordial, and of course, hot water. Served in a cognac glass with festive cloves, cinnamon and lime, this agave-based drink is the belly warming cocktail you need on a cold day. What's more, it has heart-healthy properties thanks to the hibiscus and beetroot, as well as plenty of vitamin c to boost the immune system during winter.

Terrible Baby, 4/F, Eaton Hong Kong, 380 Nathan Road, Jordan; +852 2710 1866

Tell Camellia: Christmas Tea

In my opinion, there must always be mulled wine at Christmas. But if you're tired of the traditional version, you can try Tell Camellia's, which mixes their homemade mulled wine -- made with kaffir lime dry spiced red wine and brandy -- with Christmas tea; featuring the flavours of cinnamon, cardamom, raisin, and dry citrus fruit. And if that isn't spicy enough for you, the bar team have added another element of spice milk-washed pineapple rum, which amplifies Christmas to no end.

Tell Camellia, Lower Ground Floor, H Code, 45 Pottinger Street, Central

Honi Honi: Tropical Christmas Cocktails

For those of us in need of a tropical escape this festive season, Honi Honi Tiki Cocktail Lounge is the place to be. Plus they have some exciting, exotic Christmas cocktails on the drinks list. Not satisfied with just one, there are three festive cocktails to choose from. This includes a soul-soothing Spiced apple cider, Hot buttered rum, and a rich and creamy White Puerto Rican.

Waterfall Bar: Gluehwein

Don't worry, we didn't forget the mulled wine. You'll find the Austrian and German version, Gluehwein, at Grand Hyatt's Waterfall Bar. Typically served at Christmas markets and après ski, this warming cocktail is the spicy answer to your winter blues. Plus you can enjoy it alfresco under the evening sky. Merry Christmas!

Waterfall Bar, 11th Floor, Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, 1 Harbour Road, Wan chai; +852 2588 1234

The post The Drinks List: 10 Festive Cocktails For a Very Merry Christmas appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.