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The Glenrothes and Man Wah have collaborated for a shared menu dedicated to heritage. Available through October only. 

In its golden age, Hong Kong was a treasure trove of craft, of things made by hand, of heritage that endures. Today, many are on the brink of obsolescence, with lineages of workmanship whittling down to single remaining guardians of their secrets; one final custodian of entire generations’ worth of knowledge, know-how and expertise. 

Man Wah’s Executive Chef Wong Wing-Keung, for one, will not let the past die. The Glenrothes, for another, agrees in stride.

It’s heritage that inspires Chef Wong. Recipes nearly extinct, forgotten in time, revived just so with sleights of hand all his own; a point of curiosity shared fervently by The Glenrothes, with the spirit of discovery embedded in every cask, every drop of amber-gold whisky.

The Glenrothes and Man Wah's ‘Beyond A Culinary Gem’ menu begins as most familiar storybook tales begin: Once upon a time, with the first course’s given Chinese name leading with nostalgia quite literally (see: the first two characters in 懷舊功夫鴨腳包). This specific dish of classic barbecued duck feet, served glistening alongside pared coins of meat-filled sausage, marks a rare appearance, especially, in an institution as luxurious as Man Wah — but one very much indicative of Chef Wong’s penchant for time-travelled prescriptions.

From Scotland's Speyside to the Cantonese comforts we're deliciously surrounded by here in Hong Kong, a stone's throw away from Guangdong province, it's not simply a meal that's on offer with The Glenrothes and Man Wah's newest partnership. Rather, it's a homage to the very existence of craft held close to hand, close to heart that permeates every sip; every bite.

Rather, still, it's a homage to the existence of select people — like Man Wah's Chef Wong; like The Glenrothes' diligent team of makers, distillers and coopers — who dedicate lifetimes to the preservation and conservation of time-forged traditions; mementoes moulded through the hands of so many before us. It's a menu that celebrates just that.

Below, a teaser of the delicious mouthfuls to come.

First Course: Classic Barbecued Duck Feet with Barbecued Pork

The opening mise-en-scène is set with bites, colours and textures pulled from recipes with heritage; an age-old missive The Glenrothes’ 12-Year-Old, with its banana-vanilla-tinged sweetness, knows by heart.

A steeped and marinated barbecued duck feet is nestled alongside barbecued pork, pork belly, chicken liver and taro, wrapped tight in a thin cloak of duck intestine, then, sliced thin into coin-shaped slivers. Essentially, a sausage. An antiquated one at that.

Third Course: Stir-fried Spotted Grouper Fillet with Morel Mushroom

The stir-fried spotted group fillet course — plated alongside morel mushrooms and brown rice — serves as an identifying landmark; the midway point through this six-course degustation journey. The Glenrothes 25-Year-Old takes on the role of tour-guide; an aromatic thoroughfare weaving past the dish's umami stations before landing on sweet — on notes of salted caramel, mango and coriander seeds.

Fourth Course: Braised Pork Belly with Taro

The fourth course: enter the theatrics. Thick-cut slices of braised pork belly are served against wedges of taro atop candle-lit ceramic; a vessel that keeps the dish bubbling table-side. Another table-side companion, The Glenrothes Whisky Maker’s Cut sabres through the utter decadence of the course with resinous notes of fresh oak, candied orange peel and nutmeg.

Along the way, the second course serves up a double-boiled soup with fish maw, sea conch and black garlic, while the fifth and six courses taper off with brothy tributes: the former, a supreme broth infused with braised turnip and chanterelle; the latter, stewed pear, red bird’s nest and aged tangerine peel. Finally, Chinese petits fours conclude the menu with a sweet, sugary landing.

The Glenrothes’ 'Beyond A Culinary Gem' menu is priced at HK$2,888 per person. Available at Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong’s Man Wah from 1 October to 30 October 2021.

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For The Glenrothes, there's always more to discover, more to learn, more to master.

Looking beyond the most conspicuous for nuances and ventures others will not dare consider is simply a matter of pride; a matter of curiosity being nurtured and nourished; a matter that begets THE HIDDEN MENU, The Glenrothes' newest partnership with The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong’s OZONE.

There’s a saying, as there often is. Something about being lonely at the top; about being amongst rarefied company that’s rarefied to the point of nonexistence. It’s not quite so, however, for The Glenrothes, who finds a compatible bedfellow in The Ritz-Carton's OZONE for a collaboration named with secrecy in tow: THE HIDDEN MENU, a whisky-paired degustation itinerary that aligns the former’s time-forged, age-old whisky alongside ultra-fine gastronomy.

A match made in, well, almost heaven; after all, OZONE continues to hold rank as the highest-altitude bar in the world. 490 metres above sea level will grant you that dignified status.

As with all things worth discovering; worth spending time, effort and attention on, THE HIDDEN MENU is a meticulous labour of love — one curated by Peter Find, Executive Chef of The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong. Presenting: A four-course journey that bookends sipping glasses of The Glenrothes whisky — on the menu, fingers split between the 18-Year-Old, Maker’s Cut, 25-Year-Old and the Single Cask #19961 — with delicious bites of food made to harmonise, chef's kiss-style.

For those itching for a taste, here’s what to expect from THE HIDDEN MENU, courtesy of The Glenrothes and OZONE.

Welcome Cocktail: Glimpse of Amber

THE HIDDEN MENU's curtain draws open with an aperitif. To whet the palate! Bespoke for the menu, Glimpse of Amber extends a sunshine-gold welcome, swirling sweetly into an infusion of caramelised banana puree, vanilla pod-laced banana liqueur and The Glenrothes' 12-Year-Old.

First Course: Vanilla and Cinnamon-infused Charcoal Breadcrumb 40°C Confit Salmon with Smoky Melon

A touch of theatrics follows the opening act, arriving encased within a blanket of smoke that, once uncovered, is left to drift. Tendrils of the dish's smoky aroma temper with The Glenrothes' 18-Year-Old, which lands warm on the tongue with a sweet vanilla, pear and fresh ginger profile.

Second Course: Poached Lobster Tail

The second course takes pause. Here is where conflict — all saccharine against umami; spice against cream — arises, lingers and, finally, settles. The Glenrothes Whisky Maker's Cut spills into a rich, complex sip flavoured with tinges of creamy vanilla, candied orange peel and nutmeg; an aroma profile chosen specifically to complement the second course's sweet-meets-savoury bed of chocolate sauce, spicy fig and poached lobster tail.

Main Course: Sous Vide Iberico Pork Tenderloin

Here, the climax. The star of the show; the meat of the matter; the final, toiling climb before the sweet, sweet resolution. The Glenrothes 25-Year-Old's rather treacly tinges of salted caramel, mango and coriander seeds mingle in stride with the main course's accompanying tropical fruits celeriac purée, flavoured, too, with decadent notes of salted caramel.

Dessert: Black Tea Mousse Panna Cotta

Finally, the rolling credits. An Easter egg; the best saved for last paired alongside dessert is The Glenrothes Single Cask #19961 — distilled in 1997, bottled in 2019, with over two decades spent maturing in an American Oak Sherry cask that produced only a mere 580 bottles. On the palate: dark chocolate and black tea, with a finish as sweet as the dessert it's meant to accompany.

The Glenrothes' THE HIDDEN MENU is priced at HK$1,280 per person. Available at The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong's OZONE from 1 September to 1 October 2021. Make reservations via the QR code above to unlock a 10% off discount code.

The post Discover The Glenrothes’ THE HIDDEN MENU at OZONE, Available Through September Only appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

A collaboration between FRANCK MULLER and The Glenrothes in celebration of the former's new space on Queen's Road Central honours both brands' demonstrated commitment to things that take time.

The thing with time is this. At face value, it’s a slow, idle march to the minutiae of the everyday. It’s the slog; the hard work and routines that bleed and blend into an unending, indiscernible carousel. Then, all at once, years. Decades. An entire lifetime, in a blink of an eye.

Time, as it is experienced, is an unreliable variable. To conquer any measure of it is a feat to be celebrated; a detail luxury watchmakers like FRANCK MULLER have spent years pinpointing to exactitudes. A detail Speyside distilleries like The Glenrothes have spent decades harnessing as an ingredient both sacrosanct and valuable. A detail The Glenrothes continues to progress upon with their ‘Look Beyond’ campaign, forever in search of knowledge that builds on generations of know-how, generations of determination and generations of traversing down paths less taken.

There’s a reason why matter and material that gesture at time passed — also: at time passing — are precious. Things like haute horology. Age-old whisky. Heirloom jewellery. Family traditions. Love. Our lives are transient by design; we’re hardwired to be desperate and keening for tangible evidence of things that last, of things that do not break. Of things that do not die.

Now open alongside the hustle and bustle of Queen’s Road Central is FRANCK MULLER’s brand-new conservatory of time — a 1,600-square-foot concept boutique cast in gold, royal blue and veined wooden parapets. Upon entrance through door handles embellished with an Arabic numeral ‘8’ (swivelled: the symbol for infinity), guests will find themselves immersed amid scaled-way-up horological features, from a tourbillon chandelier inspired by the curvilinear formation of a Giga Tourbillon to the Vanguard collection’s index design magnified and etched onto a marble wall.

To celebrate both the opening of the new concept boutique and the 18^th anniversary of FRANCK MULLER’s Crazy Hours collection (which remains the brand’s most idiosyncratic with numerals that do not count up consecutively; instead, prancing from 8 to 1 to 6 to 11 and so on arbitrarily), The Glenrothes is on hand with sipping glasses, crystal decanters of amber gold and customised 18-Year-Old casks. So, presenting: A masterclass for the few connoisseurs with the time, the dedication and the palate tweaked towards mementoes both time-honoured and special.

This exclusive partnership with The Glenrothes is available to be enjoyed at FRANCK MULLER’s new boutique on Queen’s Road Central, as well as their outposts at The Peninsula Hotel and ELEMENTS Mall.

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Imbibed amidst an immersive patchwork of sounds, scents, and flavours, the latest edition of Krug's much-loved multi-vintage Champagne strikes a chord that is as joyful as it is delicious.

I'll be the first to concede that there's nothing quite like "the intangible quality...of taking in the terroir" but insofar as virtual tastings are concerned -- essentially the status quo for drinks industry pundits in 2021 -- the recent unveiling of Krug's latest Grande Cuvée proved to be oddly visceral and thrilling (in some ways, even touching). Every year since 1843, the eponymous makers of prestige Champagne have released a new assemblage of reserve wines, always consisting of the classic Champenois trio of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Meunier; and always left to age sur lie for 7 years.

Dispensing first with the formalities, the 169th Edition is a "generous expression" of 146 wines made in 11 different years (Krug bottle single vintages relatively infrequently), the oldest of which harkens back to the turn of the millennium. It is, however, the 2013 vintage that -- to butcher a musical analogy -- really sets the bassline: with intensely "luminous and pure" Chardonnays; racy Meunier; and Pinot Noir that extrudes a long, treacle finish. It is in a word, unsurprisingly, 'scrumptious': at its best harmonising alongside sharp aged cheese; aromatic seafood dishes; maybe even a cheeky slice of tarte tatin.

Unsurprisingly, the hallmarks of this Grande Cuvée (namely quality, consistency, and complexity) remain present year in, year out; but it's Krug's highly intuitive method of presentation that helps to immerse drinkers in the art of crafting prestige Champagne. With the jubilant voice of Olivier Krug pouring into their ears -- livestreaming in from the Maison's ancestral holdfast in Reims -- participants in these 'Encounters' were able to hear the story of the 169th Edition in a style that takes you beyond the spoken word. An "audio pairing" composed by Belgian musician Ozark Henry (and fed through to listeners using 8D technology) chronicles, in sonic form, the entire journey of the latest Krug edition: from plot to tasting, and finally harmonious blending together at the hands of Cellar Master Julie Cavil.

As ever, these 'Encounters' ended with a culinary presentation (in Hong Kong, presided over by Island Shangri-La's Uwe Opocensky) inspired by the tasting notes for the current edition -- langoustine and freshly jetted oysters seem to be much-favoured accompaniments this time round -- followed by a round of questions for the Maison's patriarch, Mr. Olivier Krug. On whether he was excited for a resumption of global travel -- to better present this 169th annual bottling -- he expressed optimism. Until then, you could do a lot worse than sipping to a soundtrack.

The 169th Edition of Krug Grande Cuvée is now available at various retail partners throughout Hong Kong, including Watson's, The Fine Wine Experience, CitySuper and Avize Wine Cellar. To learn more, visit Krug online.

The post The Glenrothes Serves up Curated Cocktails, Special Menus and Vintage Watches at The Murray’s Popinjays 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.