Celebrity Life

The Peak's guide to drinking, and drinks you can gift this festive season.

The post What to drink (and gift) this Christmas appeared first on The Peak Magazine.

The Peak's guide to drinking, and drinks you can gift this festive season.

For more stories like this, visit www.thepeakmagazine.com.sg.

Alex Kammerling calls himself “a flavor smith” and “massive perfectionist.” He also possesses the ability to taste in technicolor. After over twenty years in the drinks industry, mostly as a celebrity bartender, he founded “Kamm & Sons” in the garden shed of his north London home. He created a bittersweet herbal “British Aperitif” and a […]

The post Kamm & Sons, a Great British Aperitif appeared first on Upscale Living Magazine.

Alex Kammerling calls himself “a flavor smith” and “massive perfectionist.” He also possesses the ability to taste in technicolor. After over twenty years in the drinks industry, mostly as a celebrity bartender, he founded “Kamm & Sons” in the garden shed of his north London home. He created a bittersweet herbal “British Aperitif” and a […]

The post Kamm & Sons, a Great British Aperitif appeared first on Upscale Living Magazine.

Not too keen on mass-market wine retailers or unreliable e-commerce operators? For a better wine-buying experience, visit our picks of the best and most well-stocked wine shops in Hong Kong.

While there’s no shortage of outstanding wine bars and restaurants with extensive wine lists in Hong Kong, that same level of excellence isn’t so easily found when it comes to the city’s wine retailers. Sure, you’re never far from a supermarket with a sizeable selection or even a big retailer with bottles from all over the world, but shopping at such places feels transactional and a bit joyless. Similarly, an increasing number of online stores offer variety and convenience but little guidance — it’s impersonal and uninspiring.

But then there are a handful of wonderful specialty wine shops where you can chat with passionate staff, expand your knowledge and challenge your palate with unusual and intriguing selections. If you enjoy going to stores where the experience is edifying and enhances your love of vino, consider our selection of the best wine shops in Hong Kong.

La Cabane Wine Cellar

Unwaveringly focused on natural and biodynamic wines, this stairside shop carries around 700 references from both New and Old World producers that tend to be small and artisanal. The knowledgeable staff can extol the virtues of unfiltered, additive-free wines before recommending funky skin contact wines and bottles of Pét Nat. Unfortunately the biweekly tasting events ceased in mid-March and have yet to resume, but buying one of their curated wine boxes is a smart way to sample unfamiliar styles and vineyards from the comfort of home.

La Cabane Wine Cellar, 10 Shing Hing Street, Central, Hong Kong, +852 2517 0816

Burgundy Etc

A temple to one of the world’s great winemaking regions, this sophisticated shop houses a selection of more than a thousand wines and access to an inventory of over 6,000 labels — one of Hong Kong’s biggest Burgundy wine collections if not the biggest. Don’t worry if you’re not an expert on this wine region’s geography, however, because the shelves are organised by appellations, from all-important Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune to Chassagne-Montrachet, Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet and beyond.

Burgundy Etc, Shop 108, 1/F, Central Building, 1-3 Pedder Street, Central, Hong Kong, +852 2812 2009

Premier Cru

Billing itself as a “wine library,” this utterly charming and cosy venue is not only one of the best wine shops in Hong Kong, but also one of the most well-stocked. It carries more than a thousand French labels and is run by the third generation of a wine-loving family. The idea is that, similar to pulling a book from a shelf, you can pick up any bottle of wine here and learn something from owner Martin Perino and his talented team. Come for the reasonably priced wines — the markup here is two times rather than the typical three to five times found in most retail outlets — and stay for the welcoming, non-pretentious vibe, which spills out onto a lovely little terrace in the back.

Premier Cru, 15 High Street, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong, +852 9522 5267

Oz Terroirs

Deepen your knowledge of Australian winemaking at this shop specialising in organic, biodynamic and small-batch wines from Down Under. Linked to a Melbourne-based exporter that mainly sources bottles from the Victoria region and passes its knowledge on to the Hong Kong team, this stairside boutique is the perfect place to learn more about the differences between wine from the Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula, Beechworth and beyond. The selection changes regularly, so you’re bound to find something new each time you go back.

Oz Terroirs, 2 Mee Lun Street, Central, Hong Kong, +852 6147 0460

Penticton

Helmed by Olivia Lee, a trained sommelier with a diploma from Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, this store celebrates innovation and the craft of winemaking while featuring labels that can’t be found anywhere else in Hong Kong. The shelves are stocked with small-batch bottles sourced from top-notch artisanal producers across France, including female winemakers, a relative rarity in the industry. The team here can tell you the story behind any bottle of wine, so ask away or learn more during one of their regular tastings and workshops.

Penticton, The Mills, Shop 121, 45 Pak Tin Par St, Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong, +852 2111 2621

Schmidt Vinothek

Is there a reason you’re not drinking more Riesling? If it’s because you’re only frequenting stores focused on countries like France, Italy and Spain, then it’s time to explore the wonderful wines of Germany, Austria and Switzerland at this shop, which has a sister location in Quarry Bay. These countries are most often associated with white wines, but you’ll find reds, roses and even sparkling wines on the shelves of this well-stocked shop, so be adventurous and your palate will be rewarded.

Schmidt Vinothek, Yuk Sing Building, 1-9 Yuk Sau St, Happy Valley, Hong Kong, +852 2838 2818

L’Imperatrice

With a name that means ‘the empress,’ you might expect this handsome shop to only sell wines priced for royalty. Fortunately that’s not the case, but the well-curated selection is very fine indeed, with a primary focus on up-and-coming producers employing organic or biodynamic techniques, as well as outstanding examples of traditional winemakers. This is a great place to expand your knowledge of under-appreciated French wine regions such as Jura, Savoie and Languedoc-Roussillon, in addition to artisanal grower Champagnes.

L’Imperatrice, 56 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong, +852 5345 3582

Avize Wine Cellar

There’s much more to the world of Champagne than Krug, Dom Pérignon and Veuve Clicquot, as you’ll learn firsthand at this shop specialising in labels from the world’s most famous sparkling wine region. Yes, you can find those big names here (including hard-to-find vintages from past decades), but take advantage of the overwhelming variety to try something new. Whether you’re looking for a bottle that costs less than HK$500 or more than HK$15,000, you’re sure to find a sparkler that suits your taste here.

Avize Wine Cellar, G/F, 17 Moreton Terrace, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, +852 2567 0883

(Main image: Burgundy Etc; Featured image: Roberta Sorge/ Unsplash)

The post Raise a Toast to the Best Specialty Wine Shops in Hong Kong appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Not too keen on mass-market wine retailers or unreliable e-commerce operators? For a better wine-buying experience, visit our picks of the best and most well-stocked wine shops in Hong Kong.

While there’s no shortage of outstanding wine bars and restaurants with extensive wine lists in Hong Kong, that same level of excellence isn’t so easily found when it comes to the city’s wine retailers. Sure, you’re never far from a supermarket with a sizeable selection or even a big retailer with bottles from all over the world, but shopping at such places feels transactional and a bit joyless. Similarly, an increasing number of online stores offer variety and convenience but little guidance — it’s impersonal and uninspiring.

But then there are a handful of wonderful specialty wine shops where you can chat with passionate staff, expand your knowledge and challenge your palate with unusual and intriguing selections. If you enjoy going to stores where the experience is edifying and enhances your love of vino, consider our selection of the best wine shops in Hong Kong.

La Cabane Wine Cellar

Unwaveringly focused on natural and biodynamic wines, this stairside shop carries around 700 references from both New and Old World producers that tend to be small and artisanal. The knowledgeable staff can extol the virtues of unfiltered, additive-free wines before recommending funky skin contact wines and bottles of Pét Nat. Unfortunately the biweekly tasting events ceased in mid-March and have yet to resume, but buying one of their curated wine boxes is a smart way to sample unfamiliar styles and vineyards from the comfort of home.

La Cabane Wine Cellar, 10 Shing Hing Street, Central, Hong Kong, +852 2517 0816

Burgundy Etc

A temple to one of the world’s great winemaking regions, this sophisticated shop houses a selection of more than a thousand wines and access to an inventory of over 6,000 labels — one of Hong Kong’s biggest Burgundy wine collections if not the biggest. Don’t worry if you’re not an expert on this wine region’s geography, however, because the shelves are organised by appellations, from all-important Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune to Chassagne-Montrachet, Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet and beyond.

Burgundy Etc, Shop 108, 1/F, Central Building, 1-3 Pedder Street, Central, Hong Kong, +852 2812 2009

Premier Cru

Billing itself as a “wine library,” this utterly charming and cosy venue is not only one of the best wine shops in Hong Kong, but also one of the most well-stocked. It carries more than a thousand French labels and is run by the third generation of a wine-loving family. The idea is that, similar to pulling a book from a shelf, you can pick up any bottle of wine here and learn something from owner Martin Perino and his talented team. Come for the reasonably priced wines — the markup here is two times rather than the typical three to five times found in most retail outlets — and stay for the welcoming, non-pretentious vibe, which spills out onto a lovely little terrace in the back.

Premier Cru, 15 High Street, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong, +852 9522 5267

Oz Terroirs

Deepen your knowledge of Australian winemaking at this shop specialising in organic, biodynamic and small-batch wines from Down Under. Linked to a Melbourne-based exporter that mainly sources bottles from the Victoria region and passes its knowledge on to the Hong Kong team, this stairside boutique is the perfect place to learn more about the differences between wine from the Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula, Beechworth and beyond. The selection changes regularly, so you’re bound to find something new each time you go back.

Oz Terroirs, 2 Mee Lun Street, Central, Hong Kong, +852 6147 0460

Penticton

Helmed by Olivia Lee, a trained sommelier with a diploma from Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, this store celebrates innovation and the craft of winemaking while featuring labels that can’t be found anywhere else in Hong Kong. The shelves are stocked with small-batch bottles sourced from top-notch artisanal producers across France, including female winemakers, a relative rarity in the industry. The team here can tell you the story behind any bottle of wine, so ask away or learn more during one of their regular tastings and workshops.

Penticton, The Mills, Shop 121, 45 Pak Tin Par St, Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong, +852 2111 2621

Schmidt Vinothek

Is there a reason you’re not drinking more Riesling? If it’s because you’re only frequenting stores focused on countries like France, Italy and Spain, then it’s time to explore the wonderful wines of Germany, Austria and Switzerland at this shop, which has a sister location in Quarry Bay. These countries are most often associated with white wines, but you’ll find reds, roses and even sparkling wines on the shelves of this well-stocked shop, so be adventurous and your palate will be rewarded.

Schmidt Vinothek, Yuk Sing Building, 1-9 Yuk Sau St, Happy Valley, Hong Kong, +852 2838 2818

L’Imperatrice

With a name that means ‘the empress,’ you might expect this handsome shop to only sell wines priced for royalty. Fortunately that’s not the case, but the well-curated selection is very fine indeed, with a primary focus on up-and-coming producers employing organic or biodynamic techniques, as well as outstanding examples of traditional winemakers. This is a great place to expand your knowledge of under-appreciated French wine regions such as Jura, Savoie and Languedoc-Roussillon, in addition to artisanal grower Champagnes.

L’Imperatrice, 56 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong, +852 5345 3582

Avize Wine Cellar

There’s much more to the world of Champagne than Krug, Dom Pérignon and Veuve Clicquot, as you’ll learn firsthand at this shop specialising in labels from the world’s most famous sparkling wine region. Yes, you can find those big names here (including hard-to-find vintages from past decades), but take advantage of the overwhelming variety to try something new. Whether you’re looking for a bottle that costs less than HK$500 or more than HK$15,000, you’re sure to find a sparkler that suits your taste here.

Avize Wine Cellar, G/F, 17 Moreton Terrace, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, +852 2567 0883

(Main image: Burgundy Etc; Featured image: Roberta Sorge/ Unsplash)

The post Raise a Toast to the Best Specialty Wine Shops in Hong Kong appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

The elusive quality that makes us want to drink a glass of wine right away is often encapsulated by critics and connoisseurs in a single word: Wine drinkability. But what does it mean? James Suckling and Zekun Shuai explain.

Many years ago, when talking about drinkability we were probably discussing whether the wine in question was within the suitable drinking window to pull out the cork. Today however, drinkability means much more than simply “suitability for drinking”.

At JamesSuckling.com, drinkability is one of the measures we use for quality, and often it’s one of the basic yet essential indicators for a wine scoring 90 points or above – a threshold for high quality. A 90-point wine is a wine that you want to drink the whole glass right away; 95 points or more, you want to finish the bottle yourself!

A “drinkable cabernet” in a tasting note needs to be interpreted within the context. Is the wine suitable for now? Are we euphemistically suggesting the wine has minimally worthy concentration? Or increasingly, are we saying the wine is an approachable, easy-to-drink bottle that arouses the desire to drink effortlessly? The latter is a way of showing how much the drinker likes the wine in a simple way.

[caption id="attachment_212394" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Wine drinkability means much more than simply “suitability for drinking”. (Image: Kelsey Knight/ Unsplash)[/caption]

Evaluating drinkability comes when we consider the essential function of a wine. If we were to make a comparison with two different piles of apples on a balance, when a taster highlights a wine’s drinkability, today that probably suggests that the pointer is tilting away from the riper, softer and sweeter red apples towards the fresher, crunchier green ones – the kind that make you salivate.

As many critics and journalists advocate for the drinkability of wine, top producers are also scrupulously assessing the sugar-acid balance of the grapes before harvest, as they simultaneously try to maintain ripeness and freshness, while staying away from overripe, jammy fruit or over-extraction in the cellar. Thus, the drinkability of wine is very much associated with descriptors such as “fresh and pure fruit”, “bright acidity”, “bone-dry palate”, “nuance or finesse”, “precision”, “harmony”, “elegance” and a “linear, mineral texture”, and most often is associated with wines that express character and a sense of place.

[caption id="attachment_212386" align="aligncenter" width="821"] Wine drinkability most often is associated with wines that express character and a sense of place.[/caption]

So, a wine’s drinkability today reflects a new and still-evolving trend of wine styles that underline the wisdom of “less could be more”. Whether driven by the trend or driving it, wine journalism is also adjusting, marking an aesthetic return to classicism. It turns the wheel to precision and balance again, even though “balance” itself is now a cliché that’s much too vague and inclusive.

For simple wines, drinkability is almost a given. But for the more complex, ambitious bottles with a substantial concentration of flavours that aim to please and can age, we can say it’s a gift.

Definitely Drinkable

The JamesSuckling.com team selects six sought-after wines that hit the spot in a range of prices and categories.

William Fèvre Chablis Gran Cru Les Clos 2017

[caption id="attachment_212389" align="aligncenter" width="452"] William Fèvre Chablis Gran Cru Les Clos 2017[/caption]

Score: 98
Chablis is probably one of the most underrated yet intellectually challenging and drinkable white wines. The best are known for their full but linear, minerally texture with the nuanced and complex limy, chalky mixture of yellow and green fruit. This William Fèvre Grand Cru Les Clos is a must-buy for quality and great value.

Jean Foillard Morgon Côte du Py 2018

[caption id="attachment_212391" align="aligncenter" width="354"] Jean Foillard Morgon Côte du Py 2018[/caption]

Score: 96
You don’t need to pay a high price for drinkability. Beaujolais has a name for making lighter, cheerful and drinkable wines, and this Jean Foillard Morgon Cote du Py gives “Bojo” a serious, structured dimension at a great-value price point. And, of course, drinkability is at its core.

Schäfer- Fröhlich Riesling Nahe Felseneck GG 2018

[caption id="attachment_212390" align="aligncenter" width="224"] Schäfer- Fröhlich Riesling Nahe Felseneck GG 2018[/caption]

Score: 99
The top GG German Rieslings have impeccable drinkability, with zesty, lightly fragrant but subtle aromas. And there are great-value bottles almost everywhere. This 99-point Schäfer- Fröhlich Riesling is a textbook example of a dry Riesling with succulence, mineral purity and power.

Catena Zapata Adrianna Vineyard Fortuna Terrae Malbec 2012

[caption id="attachment_212388" align="aligncenter" width="263"] Catena Zapata Adrianna Vineyard Fortuna Terrae Malbec 2012[/caption]

Score: 100
A deeply coloured, rich Argentine Malbec from Catena Zapata, many of whose wines have a supple, ethereal character that unwinds evenly on the palate.

Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs 2008

[caption id="attachment_212392" align="aligncenter" width="387"] Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs 2008[/caption]

Score: 99
It’s almost unnecessary to mention the drinkability of a fine bubbly, especially Blanc de Blancs and the fine zero dosage. This nervy and composed Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs 2008 was released recently and is perfect for drinking now, yet could also be cellared for a decade or two.

Gonzalez Byass Jerez Tio Pepe Fino Dos Palmas NV

[caption id="attachment_212387" align="aligncenter" width="333"] Gonzalez Byass Jerez Tio Pepe Fino Dos Palmas NV[/caption]

Score: 95
Still think that fortified sherries are old-fashioned? Try this rich but fabulously creamy, briny and well-aged fino, probably one of the top and best-value sherries made by Gonzalez Byass. The austere yet complex flavours, along with unique floral characters, deconstruct the common perception of drinkability — you don’t need high acidity to deliver that in a wine, or at least not with sherries.

The post What Exactly Does Wine Drinkability Mean? appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Mod Sélection Champagnes — bubbly by hip hop star Drake — have landed in Hong Kong, just in time for the festive season.

The tipples are a collaboration between the musician, liquor entrepreneur Brent Hocking and champagne house Maison Pierre Mignon, and are available in 10 different options ranging from Blanc de Blancs to Rosé Non-Vintage.

In a nod to Drake's penchant for luxury, all are presented in elaborately decorated bottles that are hand-embossed by artisans in Champagne.

[caption id="attachment_212187" align="aligncenter" width="557"] Drake.[/caption]

Mod Sélection Champagnes, which launched last year, have bagged several accolades including the Wine Spectator Food & Wine Festival “Best of the Best” award. The Rosé Vintage 2008 was favoured by famed wine critic James Suckling, who rated it 97 points.

[gallery ids="212186,212185"]

The champagnes can be ordered from this week via Ginsberg+Chan's website or at its brick-and-mortar store at Loke Yew Building in Central. They will also be rolled out at select clubs and restaurants in December.

The post Hip Hop Star Drake’s Mod Sélection Champagnes are Now Available in Hong Kong appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

When it comes to fine single malt Scotch whisky, we’ve come to expect distilleries to release expressions that are 20 or even 30 years old. A 50-year-old whisky, however — well, that’s something which makes us stop and take notice.

Last month, The Glenrothes made waves when it unveiled its oldest single malt whisky ever: A 50-year-old expression that was distilled in November 1968, followed by maturing in sherry and bourbon American oak casks until its bottling in September 2019. This was hardly everyday news for the Speyside distiller: Until now, The Glenrothes’ oldest single malt was a mere 25 years old. What’s more, this limited-release whisky comes in individually numbered crystal decanters, each one housed inside a stunning black-lacquered presentation case.

Not just anyone will be able to get their hands on this remarkable release, though, as only 50 bottles have been made available globally. Lucky buyers will become one of just 50 people globally to join ‘Fifty,’ an ultra-exclusive virtual club whose members will be invited to visit The Glenrothes Estate for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet the distillery team and stay at the property’s spiritual home, Rothes House. Members will also receive an engraved membership card that matches the number of their bottle and grants access to an exclusive web portal where they can register their membership, see product release previews and more.

Whisky aficionados, take note: just one of these treasured bottles is hitting the auction block this month during Bonhams’ Fine & Rare Wine and Whisky sale on Friday, 20 November. The decanter in question, number 38 of 50, is estimated to fetch HK$230,000-300,000 (£23,000-30,000). All proceeds will be donated to a charity organisation based in the Asia-Pacific region.

So what can buyers expect from this incredibly rare whisky? “After half a century maturing in sherry bourbon oak casks, our 50-year-old single malt offers a unique blend of aromas with complexity that only a whisky of this age can deliver,” said Laura Rampling, Master Whisky Maker at The Glenrothes. “It is dark and fragrant, offering sweet and spiced flavours with a refined finish and gentle lingering of woody spices. On the nose, drinkers can expect hints of jasmine and cedar.”

[caption id="attachment_212129" align="alignnone" width="1024"] The Glenrothes Estate.[/caption]

“As our oldest ever release, this 50-year-old is a salute to the loyalty and craft of our distillery team, several of whom have over 40 years’ service,” said Kerr Arthur, Director of The Glenrothes brand. “They truly understand the art of whisky-making The Glenrothes way, and now 50 people will have the privilege of sharing in this milestone release.”

In advance of the auction date, we spoke to Rampling and Arthur to find out more about this exciting release, the historic legacy of The Glenrothes and how innovation will play a role in the future production of single malt Scotch whisky.

What makes The Glenrothes special?

Kerr Arthur: Our entire whisky-making process is underpinned by our Four Corners: water, distillation, wood and maturation. We start with our particularly soft water which is sourced on our distillery estate on Speyside. Our new-make spirit is nurtured in our tall copper stills for much longer than most whiskies and this creates a lighter, fruitier and more delicately flavoured spirit.

Maturation in sherry-seasoned oak casks plays a big part in creating great whisky especially for The Glenrothes as unlike many, our whiskies are always 100 percent natural in colour and that can only be achieved by investing in high-quality casks. It is this unique blend of science and alchemy which helps turn our new-make spirit into a world-class malt. Our whisky maker noses each and every cask individually and hand-selects those that are ready to be bottled.

What does this 50-year-old expression reveal about The Glenrothes’ style of whisky making?

Laura Rampling: We wouldn’t consider this whisky a ‘revelation,’ but rather an embodiment of The Glenrothes’ rounded and rich house style at an elevated level.

When was the decision made to release the 50-year-old and how was that decision reached?

Laura Rampling: The decision to create bespoke, collectible bottles can happen in different ways. Sometimes we have an idea for a new whisky and I go and seek the casks from which we can create a whisky in line with that idea. Other times, while reviewing existing whisky stocks, we discover fantastic special casks which can be utilised and we create something around that.

Alongside day-to-day whisky creation, we routinely nose and taste stock to identify whether we might have some casks which are special or remarkable. We learn to expect the unexpected. It was back in 2018 that we decided to launch a 50-year-old, having identified casks of that age which had exceptional characteristics.

[caption id="attachment_212130" align="aligncenter" width="767"] Laura Rampling, Master Whisky Maker at The Glenrothes.[/caption]

Should we expect to see any similar releases of limited editions from The Glenrothes in the future?

Kerr Arthur: We are constantly reviewing our stocks and planning future releases. There will certainly be more excellent whiskies coming out in the future. Based on the reaction to our 50-year-old so far, we would be very unpopular if we did not release further editions!

The 50 owners of The Glenrothes 50-year-old will be invited to the distillery. What are some of the special experiences they can look forward to there?

Kerr Arthur: Those who buy the 50-year-old will be given the opportunity to see behind the scenes at The Glenrothes. This is a rare and exclusive experience in itself, as the secluded estate — which includes the distillery, cooperage, private farms and Rothes House — is normally closed to visitors. I’m sure there will also be the opportunity to sample some truly special whisky.

Why is this the first time The Glenrothes has released a 50-year-old edition?

Laura Rampling: We wanted to do something that celebrated the loyalty and craft of our distillery team in Rothes and this 50-year-old is a celebration of their skill, passion and commitment. It’s also about being in the right place at the right time – a combination of having great whisky at the right age and customers wishing to buy it.

How do the packaging, membership card, and invite to The Glenrothes estate relate to how The Glenrothes wants to interact with customers?

Kerr Arthur: The 50-year-old packaging was designed to offer a special experience that reflects the significance of opening the distillery doors to a select group of buyers for the first time. We really do value relationships with people who buy our whiskies – it’s part of our community culture.

Inviting buyers of our 50-year-old to our home is a thank you to them and a symbol of The Glenrothes community they will be part of. Our Spirit of Rothes community is where we can talk to buyers more intimately and we want to continue to grow this community with members from across the globe.

[caption id="attachment_212131" align="alignnone" width="1024"] The Glenrothes Estate.[/caption]

How does the 50-year-old add to the whisky-making legacy of The Glenrothes?

Kerr Arthur: It’s our first and will therefore go down in our history as such. It also provides us with the confidence to create similar aged releases for the future which will be part of the legacy of our 50-year-old.

Laura Rampling: Our legacy is rooted in the tradition, skill and expertise of our team and our 50-year-old pays tribute to them. This is a hugely exciting chapter and as Master Whisky Maker I am looking forward to building on the legacy of The Glenrothes, honouring its history while helping create great new whiskies for our customers to enjoy.

What does the future hold for The Glenrothes? How will you embrace tradition vs. innovation?

Kerr Arthur: We have always sought to progress as a distillery and embrace the new if we feel it will enhance the whiskies we create. We will continue to do so but will never walk away from what we feel defines us: natural water sources, unusually slow distillation in tall stills, high-quality sherry-seasoned oak casks, 100 percent naturally coloured whiskies and the craftsmanship of our local community.

Laura Rampling: The Four Corners of our whisky-making process won’t change and we will continue to celebrate this tradition. We do things a bit differently and such a high-quality, traditionally handcrafted spirit will always demand attention.

The post Everything You Need to Know About The Glenrothes’ Oldest Release: A 50-Year-Old Whisky Coming to Charity Auction This Month appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

The World's 50 Best Bars 2020 list was unveiled last night via a virtual ceremony livestreamed from London.

Two Hong Kong bars were included in the prestigious annual ranking, with Mexican-inspired cocktail bar Coa cracking the top 10 to place eighth. This marked an impressive 41-spot rise from its rank of 49 in 2019, and scored Coa the Nikka Highest Climber Award.

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Ancho Highball, a drink for any occasion. . Salted plum • @tequilaocho blanco • @anchoreyes Verde • House guava soda • citric acid . 📸: @prestigehk

A post shared by COA (@coahongkong) on Oct 6, 2020 at 11:08pm PDT

The watering hole is located in Central and known for its extensive repertoire of agave spirits and cocktails. Its latest achievement adds yet another feather to its cap — earlier this year, its founder Jay Khan was named the Altos Bartenders’ Bartender 2020 at the Asia's 50 Best Bars event, where it placed third.

[caption id="attachment_212021" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Jay Khan is the founder and bartender of Coa.[/caption]

The Old Man, another Hong Kong stalwart on both the global and regional lists, came in 15th. The bar is popular for its Ernest Hemingway-inspired cocktails, and operates a Singapore outlet, which ranked 58th on the World's 50 Best Bars' extended list of 51 to 100.

[gallery ids="212023,212024"]

This year's coveted top spot went to The Connaught Bar, a posh hotel bar nestled within The Connaught hotel in Mayfair, London. It's famed for its martinis, which are prepared tableside via a martini trolley stocked with various gins, vodkas and bitters. The bar and the hotel are temporarily closed until 1 December due to London's lockdown restrictions.

Scroll down for the full World's 50 Best Bars 2020 list:

1. Connaught Bar, London

2. Dante, New York (Best Bar in North America)

3. The Clumsies, Athens

4. Atlas, Singapore

5. Tayer/Elementary, London (Highest New Entry)

6. Kwant, London (Best New Opening)

7. Florería Atlántico, Buenos Aires (Best Bar in South America, Alto Bartenders’ Bartender)

8. Coa, Hong Kong (Highest Climber)

9. Jigger & Pony, Singapore

10. The SG Club, Tokyo

11. Maybe Sammy, Sydney

12. Attaboy, New York

13. The NoMad, New York

14. Manhattan, Singapore

15. The Old Man, Hong Kong

16. Katana Kitten, New York

17. Licorería Limantour, Mexico City

18. Native, Singapore

19. Paradiso, Barcelona

20. American Bar, London

21. Carnaval, Lima

22. Salmón Gurú, Madrid

23. Zuma, Dubai (Best Bar in Middle East and Africa)

24. Little Red Door, Paris

25. 1930, Milan

26. Two Schmucks, Barcelona

27. El Copitas, St. Petersburg

28. Cantina OK!, Sydney

29. Lyaness, London

30. Himkok, Oslo

31. Baba au Rum, Athens

32. Panda & Sons, Edinburgh

33. Swift, London

34. Three Sheets, London

35. The Bamboo Bar, Bangkok

36. Tjoget, Stockholm

37. Buck and Breck, Berlin

38. Employees Only, New York

39. Bulletin Place, Sydney

40. Bar Benfiddich, Tokyo

41. Artesian, London

42. Sober Company, Shanghai

43. Indulge Experimental Bistro, Taipei

44. Bar Trigona, Kuala Lumpur

45. Drink Kong, Rome

46. Room by Le Keif, Taipei

47. Alquimico, Cartagena (Sustainable Bar Award)

48. High Five, Tokyo

49. Charles H, South Korea

50. Presidente, Buenos Aires

The post World’s 50 Best Bars 2020: Coa Makes a Meteoric Climb to Become Hong Kong’s Top Bar appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

From bar closures to bans on dining in restaurants at night, 2020 has been a rough year for the food and beverage industry.

Strict restrictions in line with Covid-19 health protocols and social distancing measures have forced many eateries to rethink their business models and pivot to focusing on deliveries and takeaway orders. It was only in mid-September when bars were finally allowed to reopen, and the 6PM curfew on restaurant dining was lifted.

As of October 30, F&B venues are allowed to operate until 2AM, and the number of diners per group has been increased from four to six for restaurants, and from two to four for bars. But the damage has already been done, and these establishments are now scrambling to recoup losses accumulated over the past months.

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To support the battered F&B industry, some 30 restaurants and bars have banded together to launch the inaugural Hong Kong Cocktail Weeks, which takes place from 9 November to 10 December 2020. The event will feature specially crafted bespoke cocktails at its participating venues, with its first week focusing on tipples inspired by Johnnie Walker. Other spirit brands such as Copper Dog, Tanqueray, Hennessy V.S.O.P, Belvedere and Patrón will take the spotlight over the course of the month.

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Guests can purchase tickets priced at HK$ 298 or HK$ 458, which will allow them to redeem three or five cocktails respectively across the different venues. Participating establishments include whisky den Whisky & Words, Spanish eatery Rubia, cafe-bar Doubleshot by Cupping Room, Mexican joint 11 Westside, cocktail bar The Poet, tea-inspired cocktail spot Tell Camellia, and newly opened Japanese restaurant Kakure.

More details about the Hong Kong Cocktail Weeks can be found here.

(Main image: 11 Westside; Featured image: Whisky & Words)

The post Bar Hop and Support the F&B Industry at the Inaugural Hong Kong Cocktail Weeks appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Wind down after work – at home or in the office – at these chill bars offering great food and drinks.

The post 5 Bars in Singapore to chill out at after work appeared first on The Peak Magazine.