Kirin Beer, Kirin 18 years old Single Malt & Chichibu The Peated

Had the enormous luck to have had the opportunity to sample these 3 Japanese beauties. My thoughts as follows (need to profusely apologise for the lack of quality of these photos. taken from a phone with bad lighting and zero photo skills. Bad blogger, bad blogger!):

1. Kirin Ichiban Beer

Image credit: Kirin Malaysia FB Page

This was quietly introduced last year by our friendly neighbourhood brewery, GAB (Guiness Anchor Berhad) and I believe the brand was re-launched this year in April 2014.

Kirin Ichiban, simply translated means Kirin No. 1. This basically means that when the beer is brewed, only the FIRST (hence, No.1!) extraction of the product is bottled - which is usually the least unadulterated. You can read about brewing beer here, should you like to geek out a little bit more.

This is the first time I've had a taste of Kirin. I've had experience with Sapporo and Asahi before (which I both enjoy) but Kirin, while less crisp & refreshing (than the Asahi, for the sake of comparing) is smooth, satisfying, full-bodied and less dry.

This beer is love at first taste. If you've never really had a fondness for lager (specifically this in the style of American Pale Ale Lager) before, you might change your mind with this. 

The biggest drawback for me (be forewarned) is the price of this bottle at the outlet. The pub I visited charged me a really painful RM20++ per 330ml bottle. I'm pretty sure you're able to get at your local hypermarket for much less. 

I believe we only get the bottles and cans for now, and at 5.0% ABV, I believe it is available at your local stores and favourite drinking places. :)

Found out more on kirinichiban.com.my

Shots! (Week of 18 August 2014)

Welcome to the 1st edition of Shots! It's a weekly snapShot of highlights from the past week about booze and everything else that is related to it. Shots - snapshots - also a method of downing a drink? Geddit? :P

Without further ado:

1. Aberlour has reached our shores

Image credit: Pernod Ricard Malaysia

I love it whenever a new whisky is launched in Malaysia. It gives us, the consumers, more options to play with and explore. This particular label is a Speyside, so one could expect it to be a balanced easy-drinking dram. Chances are, if you enjoy the Glenlivet, you're likely to enjoy this... but like I always say, your mileage may vary. :) I haven't personally tried it though, but I hope I will soon! *hint*

Brought in by Pernod Ricard Malaysia, the Aberlour 12,16 and 18 year old expressions should be made available at selected retail outlets soon (if it's not already available) between RM400 to RM900. For more info check out the international Aberlour website.

2. Sailor Jerry spiced rum debut at the MTV Asia World Stage

Previously featured on my insta: Sailor Jerry Mint Julep

You may be too old for over-exciting, huge parties like the World Stage, but you will never be too old for awesome rum which was the featured liquor of the event. Distributed in Malaysia by the folks behind Single & Available, this quirky American label was actually created in honour of a late retired sailor-cum-famous-tattoo-artist named Sailor "Norman Collins" Jerry. Fun fact: Sailor Jerry actually began as a clothing brand until they created the rum which outsold everything else.

This has got to be one of my favourite rums. The serious vanilla toffee scent will remind you of a root beer float, except this is alcoholic at 46% ABV, which makes it even more awesome. Don't take my word for it though, just give it a go. Read about its interesting background at the official Sailor Jerry website.

3. Coincidentally, it was also National Rum Day in the US on 16 Aug

Previously on my insta: mojitos made with fresh mint leaves from my garden!

The origins of this day is hazy. But my guess would be that it was a marketing gimmick coined by some advertising agency to sell more of a certain rum. But hey, I like the idea of making more excuses to drink rum (or anything else, really!).

From having it neat to enjoying it as a delicious cocktail ( a glass of minty, refreshing mojito to quench this Malaysian heat, anyone?) - rum is such a versatile spirit. In belated "honour"of its national day, here are some great rum drinks you can make, or order next time you're in a pub: Click!

4. Kronenbourg 1664's Taste of the French Way of Life

Image Credit: Kronenbourg's FB page

Kronenbourg wants to let you have a Taste of the French Way of Life. What this simply means is this: be prepared for 6 more booze-fuelled and fun-filled parties leading up to a big finale on the 5 December at the end of the year. Wanna be updated on their parties? Hop on over to their FB page:  https://www.facebook.com/KronenbourgMY/

5. Keep your drinks cool for longer with Huggaz

Image credit: Huggaz official website

Wanna keep your can or bottle drink for a little longer? All you need to do is put this contraption over your drink like a sock. While it is not an original idea, it may be the first local brand that I've heard of. So, you know how the saying goes - Belilah barangan buatan Malaysia.

This is actually the brainchild of the infamous and forever "happy" blogger; Deep of ThirstyBlogger. The Star newspaper gave him some love here. Okay I'll be honest, I'm only plugging Huggaz with shameless hopes that I'll get a free Huggaz. Or two. Check out their official website for more info.

And that's a wrap folks! Until next week, keep on flying!
<3


Click me for previous Shots! 

Deconstruction of the Glenfiddich 15 year old Solera Vat

A pretty bottle of Glenfiddich 15 Solera Vat

Glenfiddich and I, we go way back.

Glenfiddich 12 was the first single malt whisky I've ever tasted and it totally turned my world upside down. Back then, the only way I knew how to drink whiskey was to drown it with Coke... you know, to chase away the "cockroach" taste (okay, to qualify this statement - I didn't enjoy drinking 10 years ago. Back then, my business was with Coke [the carbonated drink] and the dance floor #truestory)

It wasn't until I had a taste of that liquid heaven in my mouth. OH MY GOD! I never knew liquor could taste so good. It would change my mind towards whisky forever. It was so smooth, so sweet. So mind boggling. I mean, how could something as strong as 40% ABV taste so good? You see, Glenfiddich 12 was in the rage at some point back then. It was practically the single malt that started it all (in Malaysia, at least).  Glenfiddich 12 gave me a one way roller coaster ticket into this whole new fantastical world of whisky. So I packed my bags, hopped on, and never turned back.

Fast forward to now - when I received an invite to attend a Deconstruction Tasting Event of the Glenfiddich 15 years old - how could I say no? Glenfiddich was my first love I never got over. I've tried so many others but I would never forget my first love...... Then suddenly, after not being in touch for too long, this first love decides to call me up one day out of the blue, asking me for a meet up. Needless to say, I jumped at the opportunity faster than you could blink.

Oh boy. It was a treat.

Back and Bad

Ok so 2013 wasn't so great for this blog. But 2014 will be better. I've promised myself to update this blog at least once a week, and bring back the IBA project to the best of my abilities. 

Spending nearly one year working in the liquor industry made me realise a couple of things

1) I still get excited over new drinks , new bars, new ideas, new tastes.....

2) I still enjoy my drinks - but I'm done drinking just to get high or drunk. I drink to enjoy the flavour..... Getting high is just the side effects. :)

That job also made me slightly sick of drinking those local watered-down beer on tap, those common (probably fake) whiskies and horribly made overpriced cocktails. So. With whatever opportunity given to me, I intend to highlight awesome stuff - cocktails, bars, bartenders, exciting brands, share with you some DIYs... Especially DIYs. Why? Because when you realise how easy to make simple cocktails, and how CHEAP it is to make it tastier and stronger for a fraction of the price you pay for at so-called "happening" bars, you would never want to go to those places again. 

But there are SOME bars that I believe, are still worth visiting, where the bartenders actually care about their craft and the quality of the exciting drinks they make, were the ambience is cosy and just right for chit chat with a friend or two. Those I would love to go again and again, if my bank account allows me. Damn this place for making drinking so expensive.

So Hello 2014. :)

Short note.

Cocktail recipes need to be tweaked to make room for our local overly sour limes. Make room in the recipe for some sugar syrup to balance the sourness.

Another way to counter the sourness without altering the 'original recipe' is to make the syrup 2:1 water.

But for tequila recipes which originally doesn't call for sugar (as per iba) - highly recommended to put some syrup, if you don't want to see crumpled faces.

Iba postponed until further notice. :p

The IBA Project

Image Source: nightlifealert.com

This is one of the main reasons why I've been a little quiet these days - doing some research on this new exciting project I want to embark on and finding a new reason to live. THIS IS IT. THIS IS A NEW REASON TO LIVE THROUGH 2013.

(Just so that we're clear, drama aside, even if I hadn't found this to do, I would still live through 2013, albeit it might be a tad bit duller.)

But I'm really excited about this. So excited that I'm forcing you to get excited with me about it!

Horizontal 18 Year Old SMW Tasting

All the beauties in a row.

From left to right: (italics to emphasize the ones not meant to be part of tasting)
1. Tomatin 18 year old
- Strathisla Single Malt Scotch Whisky (not an 18, but was brought out because it was interesting)
- Macallan 15 year Old, Fine Oak (not exactly drank, more like eaten. it was used to flame steak which was served for dinner, I shit you not)
2. Macallan 1994 / 18 year old sherry
3. Yamazaki Hakushu 18 year old
4. Glenlivet 18 year old
5. Laphroaig 18 year old
- Glenfiddich, 125th anniversary edition (brought out because we were all curious)
6. Glenfiddich 18 year old
- Glenfiddich age of discovery 19 year old Madeira Cask  (brought out because we wanted to compare)
- Glenfiddich, 30 year old (brought out because the host was high and feeling generous)

Jameson Irish Whiskey

Ohai!

What makes a whiskey and a whisky different (apart from the obvious missing vowel, wise guys, haha) is that "whisky" comes from Scotland, and is also known as a Scotch. What makes a Scotch a Scotch is, among other things, that the whisky needs to be aged in Scotland, aged for at least 3 years and bottled at no less than 40% ABV.

Jameson's very proudly, made in Ireland. So it's not a Scotch, neither it is a whisky. It's a whisKEY.

Doesn't make it worse or better. It only makes it different from a Scotch.

It is tripled distilled, which is probably why the aroma isn't as strong as  say,  a single malt whisky (SMW) which is distilled only twice. But it is also the reason why it goes down so smooth, it claims. Though it IS smooth. 

Oh and it is sweet. You can smell the sweetness (which is unlike the strong vanilla sweetness from SMWs) and taste it too, even on the rocks. Has that slightly smoky aftertaste which is not distracting. 

I like it. 

Man, I need to take better pictures of the stuff I drink or throw away that BB for a better phone. :/

More:

Official website

Asahi on a Hot Tuesday Afternoon

Just to re-affirm you that this blog is not managed by a bot, I'm slipping in a picture of me. Ohai!

Nothing beats an ice cold beer on a sweltering day, don't you think?

The handsome devil pictured above is Asahi Super Dry, a favourite lager of mine.

Here's a description of what the beer is from Carlsberg Malaysia's website:

Asahi Super Dry was introduced in Japan on March 17, 1987 as the world's first KARAKUCHI beer, and Japan's first dry beer. Ever since then, it has continued to improve the taste and excitement of beer.

Asahi Super Dry is a premium lager beer and is also Japan's No. 1 beer. It's unique clean, crisp & refreshing "Dry Beer" taste (Karakuchi, in Japanese) has caught on with the rest of the world, with its presence in over 80 countries.

And they weren't kidding about the crispy aftertaste. Light, bubbly, clean, dry, and there's none of that usual bitter, hoppy aftertaste that most beers have... so it goes down super easy!

Asahi Draught in a Tower.. or rather, bubble lol

Carlsberg distributes (through its subsidiary, Luen Heng) and brews Asahi locally. It's available on-premise (bars, outlets, cafe, F&B outlets...) and off-trade retail outlets (Jaya Grocer, Giant, Carrefour...). It is also served on tap at selected Carlsberg outlets since December 2011.

It's a little more expensive than your usual Carlsberg green label or Tiger but is in par with the other "imported" beers.

In a nutshell, it's easy to drink, easy to get, and relatively inexpensive. No reason to not enjoy it at anytime of the day aye? :)

Kampai!

DIY Jelly Shots

Bottom to top: Margarita, Lemon Drop, Strawberry Daiquiri and Apple-Peach Jelly Shots

These friendly, colourful weapons of mass destruction are super easy to make!

It's not (yet) the nicest tasting mixtures, but it's palatable. Most importantly, it is also unassuming and lethal - the best combination ever. I've had friends who after consuming 2, declared that they were quite high, muahaha.

Magners in TDH, TTDI

This is a terribly taken picture of a glass of Magners cider taken from TDH TTDI's bar top yesterday evening (Sunday).

The point of this was just to inform you that for some reason, Blackthorn cider, which TDH was infamous for, has been replaced with Magners.

Slightly curious but no complains though. Magners, actually goes down easier than Blackthorn and doesn't leave that strong metallic tangy aftertaste like its predecessor does.

Personally not a fan of cider to begin with. After one drink and it hits my knees. I actually feel it softening my bones and cartilage, eventhough it's just in my mind. And there's this tingling sensation that runs through my arms too. So cider is something I really rather stay away from, or drink very sparingly.

Cider's crispiness is still good for a hot summer heaty day though. With loads of ice.

On a wet, cold Sunday evening however, I would recommend a good book, in a shaded al fresco pub, by a clean river (say, a Singapore one), with a glass of single malt of whisky that never stops topping up until you're done. But that's just me. YMMV.

All I Want for Christmas

I don't celebrate Christmas, but I celebrate getting presents ANYTIME of the year - Christmas time included. So, without further ado:

1. Ice Shooter Mould

Product Source: Fred & Friends

More novelty than functional because you'll spend hours freezing this up only to have it melt in your hands after a few minutes probably. But how frggin' cool is it to be drinking shots from a shooter glass made out of ice? FIFTY shades of cool! 

And you know what else I can do with this? JELLY SHOTGLASSES that's what. Now tell me your mind isn't already blown. Mine is.

Look At All the SMWs I can't Afford

Had the privilege to try all these beauties at an impromptu, casual, whisky tasting session among very good friends.

From the left:

Glenfiddich 21 Year Old Gran Reserva
Glenfiddich 19 Year Old Age of Discovery Bourbon Cask
Glenfiddich 19 Year Old Age of Discovery Madeira Cask
Glenmorangie Signet
Glengoyne 24 Year Old Single Cask


All 3 Glenfiddich had a lovely, sweet aroma, and it goes down smooth and sweet too. Definitely more flavourful and character than the original Core Collection (the 12,15,18...) which were just plain and oakey. 21 is of course, the strongest smelling and tasting one being 2 years older than its two other younger siblings. Call me a cougar but my penchant was towards its younger brothers. :) It's milder and more fragrant on my very delicate nose & palate.

The Glengoyne was exceptionally fragrant, except because it was much older, the spirit from the whisky felt like it could burn off your nose hair, no joke. It was like sniffing perfume, almost impossible to drink it neat because it was so damn strong. Having a go at it while it's neat is too much for me but it tastes slightly different with ice. Actually it IS great with a piece of ice, and the whisky turns cloudy with it (don't panic, it's normal).

Signet was really odd one. It has a hint of coffee smell and it has a very bitter, coffee aftertaste. It did not go down easy for me. But  it's great if you're a coffee lover/addict - not for me. But it does have a lovely, sturdy, casing which makes it look really atas though.

Sigh, how am I ever to go back to those affordable ones I have no idea. Perhaps I'll stick to water.

Heineken Thirst 2012

It's back!

Date: 8 December 2012, Saturday
Time: 5PM till late
Venue: Sepang International Circuit

Obsessed with Obsession

This is a rather popular wine (among my friends, at least). Very simple reasons why:

1. At RM48 bucks (retail price - it goes even lower during promotional periods) it's quite easy on the wallet

2. When chilled, it's goes down very, very easy. Does not leave that usual bitter taste in your mouth. It's all fruity sweet with a hint of sour tanginess. But would personally recommend that the wine to be VERY chilled before serving. Not very nice when it's not chilled enough.

3. Hardly any tannin  - you know the "dry" feeling you get in your mouth after consuming some wines? This one hardly has any of that.

4... 3 reasons is really enough. :)

Read through some articles on this wine and it seems that it's a hybrid of some muscat - which means it's pretty much akin to dessert wine.

You can get your grubby little hands on them at:

Harrison's Wine

9 Jalan 222,

46100 Petaling Jaya

Operating hours:  

11am-8pm from Mon-Fri

12pm-6pm on Saturday

A little bird told me that there's going to a promotion going on in November - so you might want to wait for that. Apparently it gets sold out really quickly as this wine is bought by the CARTONS for festivities. So don't wait too long!