What You Should Know About Absinthe

New age brains don't read articles unless they are in some form of a list, right?

Well then, since I'm at your brain's mercy - here is a listicle on 5 things about Absinthe you might not already know:

1. Drinking absinthe can make you go crazy or kill you.

Image:Faded Industry

No entirely true. Absinthe once upon a time gained a bad rep when it was banned internationally (from misinformation and mass hysteria) after a man allegedly killed his entire family from drinking absinthe. But people always leave out the part about 1) him being an alcoholic 2) how much alcohol he was actually drinking (it was evidently, ALL DAY for a FEW DAYS in a row).

5 Reasons Why You Should Kanpai with Sake Masters at Kampachi Plaza33

It's back! OMG it's back!!! For its 3rd consecutive year - Kampachi's annual KANPAI! with Sake Masters from Japan is BACK!!!

Kanpai promotional poster lifted off from Kampachi.com.my

It's one of the most awesome sake & buffet dinner session you'll ever get to experience in Malaysia, IMHO. I had the utmost pleasure of attending last year's session and loved every second of it - you bet your liver I won't miss this year's for the world.

If you are still in two minds about going, well, here are 5 reasons why you should NOT miss it (largely based on my previous experience, which should be similar to the upcoming one):

Diageo World Class South East Asia Finals 2016: Meet our Malaysian Representatives!

The Diageo World Class Malaysia 2016 took place recently (2-3 May, to be exact) at the KL Journal.

After 2 days & 4 grueling challenges later, 4 local bartenders were chosen to represent Malaysia in the Southeast Asian World Class Finals 2016 - happening right now in Bali.

Meet the 4 Malaysian representatives for the Diageo World Class South East Asia Finals 2016: (L tp R:) Joel John Timmis, Osmund Bernard, Jeffri Sulaiman & Boy Labib

I've googled and googled but couldn't find much info about our heroes. Which is why I've decided to put on my spy glasses, hunt them down, pose them a few questions, then get their background out here so that they have some form of a digital footprint on the interweb.

The Macallan: Edition No.1 Sample & Rare Cask Malaysia Launch

Macallan has been actively moving away from age-statements and are now putting all their focus on wood.

So expect to see new NAS bottlings and even more geekery about their casks.

I'll be featuring 2 of them in this post, as they were all shared with me during my hiatus back in January - but better late than never eh?

Launch: Carlsberg Smooth Draught Beer in Malaysia - first in the world!

That's right! We're the first in 140 Carlsberg markets in the world to have this!

Officially launched end of April, the intention of this new version is to provide the "freshly tapped beer" experience at outlets that typically have no access to draught beer. We're looking at coffee shops, food courts, hawker centres, chinese restaurants & some supermarkets (ie, your home).

(Re)Launch: Johnnie Walker Green Label Datang Lagi!

Johnnie Walker Green Label is back!

Heart were broken, (manly) tears were shed, shelves were emptied and basements were filled up with green boxes (YOU BLOODY HOARDERS) when Diageo decided to discontinue selling the Green Label back in 2012 (except in Taiwan, because you know, where, instead of oxygen, they inhale single malt whiskies) to introduce the Gold Label and Platinum Label.

Hennessy V.S.O.P Privilège Collection 6 Launch

Hennessy VSOP has some dazzling new clothes made by Peter Saville, an English graphic designer, and some of us were invited to check it out.

Hennessy V.S.O.P Privilège Collection 6 by Peter Saville (Image: MHDM)

Jacob's Creek Heritage Wine Collection Dinner @ Saujana Resort

Jacob's Creek Reeves Point Chardonnay + chilling at Saujana Resort = Bliss.

There's a trend that's taking over wine makers by storm - going rogue and breaking all the rules with new grape varieties, wacky names, edgy copy-writing and eye-catching label designs.

Sweet bitch. Fat Bastard. Bulls Blood. Gnarly Head. Fish Eye. Hocus Pocus. Bitch. Frog's Piss. Elephant on a Tightrope. No, I'm not making up rude words - these are ACTUAL wine brand names.

News Flash: Malaysian Wins Heineken Global Bartender 2016 Championship

(29.4.16- edited to include more details + image)

Eddy Jay Jaimin of The Beer Factory Express is very happy. (Image: Heineken)

Eddy Jay Jaimin from The Beer Factory, Setiawalk (Puchong) put Malaysia on the map yesterday by being crowned the Heineken's Global Bartender 2016 Championship winner!

AIX Rosé Wine Media Tasting @ SkyBar, Traders Hotel KL

All the AIX Rosé you can drink.

Provence, France is the birthplace of rosé wines - just like the AIX Rosé, which was officially launched last month.

It's produced by Maison Saint AIX winery that only produces 1 wine - the AIX.

AIX is made from a blend of Grenache (60%), Syrah (20%) and Cinsault (20%) grapes.

Insta Weekly: Whiskies, Spirits & Bars

Hi readers!

Updates will be sporadic for the next 2 months until April. Not only will I be too caught up with my offline commitments, but I will also have to majorly cut down on leisurely drinking (TEMPORARILY ONLY, DON'T PANIC).... unless it's in an event, which I won't say not to, hehe. Meanwhile, feel free to get quite frequent updates from my Instagram (lots of of silly daily shenanigans) and Facebook page. Happy chinese new year, happy chah goh mei and happy valentines in advance!

Old Parr is all the rage.
Evidently an underground popular whisky, my uncle introduced it to me 2 years ago... and then I hear it get mentioned more and more. It's a legit scotch, no doubt - 1 of Diageo's many, many brands. If you can get your hands on it for a good price, it's a very decent house pour.

This Old Parr seems to be the in thing among local businessmen lately. The label is over 100 years old but this expression is just over 25 years old, which is now only gaining popularity in Malaysia. I wonder why so low key. It's an easy-to-drink everyday scotch. I suppose it's perfect for business entertainment and doesn't quite hurt the bank account. What do you make of it? Edit: evidently always been quietly popular. I just didn't know about it #drink #booze #alcohol #whisky #blendedwhisky #scotch #whiskey #oldparr #angeltini

A photo posted by Fireangel (@fireangel80) on Jan 11, 2016 at 6:38pm PST

Insta Weekly: Cocktails drank, Places Visited & Chinese New Year is coming!

Spirit of choice + limes + sugar + ice = easy homemade cocktail
Caipirinha is just the above with cachaca. You can also try it with any other white spirit.

An ice cold Caipirinha for your hot evening, perhaps? Easy to make. Cachaca + 1 lime cut into wedges + sugar + ice. Can use vodka, sake or even Campari in place of cachaca. #drink #booze #alcohol #cocktail #caipirinha #cachaca #homemade #angeltini

A photo posted by Fireangel (@fireangel80) on Jan 5, 2016 at 11:15pm PST

Launch: Tiger White Ale Wheat Beer

Tiger launched this new beer just last November 2015 at Black Box, Publika - 2 years after the launch of Tiger Radler (a shandy variant).

Insta Weekly: Stuff to Try & Places to Check Out.

Give the Hoegaarden ice-cream @ Rekindle ss2 Cafe a go
Sounds a strange but not a bad experience at all.

Hoegaarden ice cream. The moment I saw this I knew I had to have it. It tastes like hoegaarden (wasn't sure what to expect) ! But a creamier, milkier, yeastier, coconutish hoegaardenish ice cream. Not unpleasant, just... odd. Goes so very well with their long back (we tried) though. Maybe can make into affogato of sorts? RM10 (ouch). Here's an idea : why not try making ice cream stout next time! Or kahlua! Or bailey's! Coffee here is excellent and there's a huge variety of cakes. 100% will return to try. #angeltini #fanomz #coffee #cafe #cafehopmy #klcoffeespots #pjcafe #pjcoffeespots #cakes #dessert #pastries #ss2 #petalingjaya #selangor #Malaysia #klcafe #malaysiancafes #icecream #beer #hoegaarden #rekindless2

A photo posted by Fireangel (@fireangel80) on Dec 29, 2015 at 7:41am PST

Insta Weekly: All the Whiskies I've Tried and Probably Can't Buy :(

December's usually quiet, and last week was no exception. Haven't had the inspiration to mix drinks lately. However, I did have all the luck to try Other People's Stash of whiskies. <3

Trying something new this week. Let's see if embedding my Instagram pictures directly onto my blog works for you - please let me know if you can't see any of the images below?

Note to self, BUY THESE:

1. The National Trust for Scotland Glen Garioch Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (43% ABV)

Note to self: you like this whisky! Get it when you see it! Thank goodness for OPS (Other People's Stash). Otherwise I would've never been able to experience half of the stuff I've been able to experience. Thank you x 1000 all of you, you know who you are! #drink #booze #alcohol #singlemaltwhisky #singlemalt #scotch #whisky #glengarioch #highlandwhisky #angeltini

A photo posted by Fireangel (@fireangel80) on Dec 20, 2015 at 11:46pm PST