Whisky lovers are in high spirits as the city presents plenty of opportunities to appreciate and celebrate the popular spirit
Whisky is officially the object of desire in today’s dining scene. While aficionados like we have always enjoyed the amber-colored spirit in our own time, be it straight or with ice, the wide-spreading popularity of whisky enjoyment is introducing more opportunities to understand whisky just a little bit more. Below, we bring you the hot spots where you can sample some of the best tipples served in this city.
Masters of Malt
Back for the third year is the annual Masters of Malt whisky appreciation festival, this time taking place at the Conrad hotel from February 27 to 28. Expect a line-up of international distilleries, whisky masterclasses and tastings, plus food and cigar pairings.
To purchase tickets, visit www.maltmastershk.com
Hugo's
For the months of March and April, Hugo’s at Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Tsim Sha Tsui is hosting whisky pairing dinners with an impressive array of gourmet dishes prepared by the restaurant’s executive sous chef Marco Mehr. The highlight of the promotion is on April 14, 2016, when chef Mehr will prepare a four-course menu to complement six varieties of Macallan’s single malts including The Macallan M and Edition No. 1, Master of Photography Annie Leibovitz Edition. The Hugo’s and the Macallan M whisky pairing dinner runs on April 14, and the menu is priced at HK$3,628 per person with whisky pairing included.
Hugo’s, Lobby Level, Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, 18 Hanoi Road, Tsim Sha Tsui; +852 3721 7733
Alibi
The recently rebranded Cordis hotel houses Alibi, a modern European restaurant and bar. Starting from now, a different whisky theme will run every month and flight tastings are available; this month is all about American and Canadian whiskies, and guests can enjoy a 15% discount when ordering two American whiskies from a selected list and 20% discount from ordering three varieties. The monthly-themed spirit tasting promotion runs every month until the end of the year.
· March: Japan
· April: India, Taiwan and Ireland
· May: Island, Lowland and Campbeltown
· Jun: Speyside
· July: Highland
· August: Calvados and American whiskies, plus rum
· September: Speyside and Campbeltown
· October: Armagnac and Highland whisky, plus Cognac
· November: Isley whisky and blended Scotch
· December: All 173 whisky labels
Alibi, 5/F The Cordis, 555 Shanghai Street, Mongkok; +852 3552 3028
Grand Hyatt Hong Kong
Organised by auction house Dragon 8, master sommelier Ron Mumford is hosting whisky seminars on February 24 at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong. Two sessions of ‘Dragon Masterclass’ will be tailored for the general public as well as members of the food and beverage sectors. The first session takes place at the Grand Hyatt Salon I and II at 3pm on February 24, and includes a tasting of whiskies from independent bottlers. Tickets are priced at HK$288 per person. The second session takes places later at 6pm on the same day. Tickets are priced at HK$388 per person, including tastings of eight legendary whiskies from great distilleries in England. On February 27, the brand is hosting a fine and rare whisky auction at the Grand Hyatt at noon – head to their website to register.
Tickets are available online here or by phone at +852 2877 8008
InterContinental Grand Stanford
The Tsim Sha Tsui hotel is hosting its inaugural Hong Kong Whisky Festival on February 20, featuring more than 50 whisky brands from around the world. The one-day event will take place at the hotel which hosts tasting sessions and master classes hosted by brand ambassadors, together with leading whisky authority Charles MacLean. Check out more information here – the event may be sold out, but you can always hope for a miracle.