Insta Weekly: Sommelier Championship 2015 & French Wines Trade Show, Nikka Event, Glenfiddich's #ValleyOfTheDeer, Omakase + Appreciate, Ardbeg Day

I made another resolution this year - to do something different every month. Better if it's something I've never done before. It could be something as simple as watching a musical, or it could be something as big as picking up a new skill. I figured if I didn't force myself to commit to it,  every day would just be like any other day, and I'd be living my life on autopilot. What a wasted life that would be, innit? I figured, since we're only given one life, I must make the best of it, the best that I can.

What have I done so far? In January, I completed my first ever 6km (more like 7.6 actually) cross country (which goes off-road!) run. I kinda copped out in February by merely going on a jungle hike at a nearby park. But March & April was quite a good one as it was my first trip to Siam Reap AND I participated in a 17km cycling tour there. What did I do for the month of May? Well, it's booze -related so you'll need to read on to find out. :)

1. 24H French Wines Trade Show & Malaysia Best Sommelier Championship 2015

Insta Weekly: Celebrated International Rum Day with a Grog - Kronenbourg 1664 Wednesday - Monkey Shoulder Launched in Malaysia - The Glenlivet Guardians

Oh my. One of the most surreal experiences of the year happened last Friday. It never occurred to me that someday I'll find myself swimming in a pool filled with popcorn in a dress, but it happened. Read on to find on what on earth happened.

1. International Rum Day - 16 August.

Didn't want to make a common rum drink (daiquiri, punch, mojito) to "celebrate" so decided to make something called a Grog with Sailor Jerry spice rum in.

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

East Imperial's 5th Annual Gin Jubilee 2017 has arrived in KL

Celebrating everything G&T, participated by over 100 bars across Singapore, Hong Kong, Phnom Penh, Bangkok, Shanghai and Auckland, the Gin Jubilee will be in KL starting tomorrow.

A post shared by Fireangel (@fireangel80) on Nov 26, 2016 at 9:54am PST

So what’s in store for you, dearest KL-based imbiber?

1. 21 variations of the gin and tonic... from 21 participating bars in KL from 13- 16 September 2017:

Using Kyrö Napue:
Insan Nurull from Pahit
Mattman Joseph from Skullduggery

Using St. George:
Golam Kibria from Jack Rose
Alvin Au Yong from Birch

Using Fords Gin:
Ali Aye from PS150
Desmond Yatigammana from JungleBird

Using Gin Mare:
Alvin George (Loco) from Coley
Kelvin Lee from Bonfire Restaurant & Bar
Erik Fiza from Suzie Wong

Using Bombay Sapphire:
Kay (Khir Johari) from Virgin & Throne
Jovilane Maghanoy from Opium KL

Using Hendrick's:
Roymark Arusab from The Pawn Room
Jiffy Madredijo from Ril's Bangsar

Using Death's Door:
John Buxton from Encore by The Vault
Ebony Hogg from Sticky Wicket

Using West Winds:
Nik Syafiz from Locker & Loft
Anand Pirinyuang from Shelley Yu's

Using Citadelle:
Osmund Bernard from IKKI
Kazi Tanbir from Hyde at 53M

Using Botanist:
Joe Ngui from Omakase + Appreciate
Mitchell Raymond from 61 Monarchy

Say hello to your 21 friendly participating KL bartenders!

2. Win an all-expense paid 3-day trip to Singapore:

To vote for your favourite g&t and stand a chance to win a free holiday :
1. You'll first need a public Instagram account.
2.  Follow @eastimperial on Instagram
3. Post a picture of your favourite bar’s Gin & Tonic
4.Tag @eastimperial.
5. Post up the bar’s name, and use the official hashtag: #GinJubilee2017.
6. Accompany it with a clever caption
7. Make sure you post between 13th to 16th September.

Your vote counts because KL's favourite G&T from the winning bar/bartender will then go on to compete with winners from the other 6 countries for the ultimate title of “Asia’s Best Gin & Tonic” at the jubilee grand finale in Singapore this December.

3. Attend guest shifts and masterclasses by brand representatives from various gin distilleries and international bartenders.

Check out the jam-packed schedule of activities here:  http://ginjubilee.com/calendar

DRINK ALL THE G&T

4. A Big Gin Lane Finale Party with RM25 G&Ts all night!

Date: Saturday, 16 September
Time: 6pm – 12.00am
Venue: Plaza Batai, Damansara Heights

Don’t say I Bojio!

For more: http://ginjubilee.com/

Taste: Taiwanese Pride - Kavalan Single Malt Whisky

That movie reference

If you're old enough (like me) , you might remember this movie called "Armageddon". In that movie, a Russian astronaut exclaimed this rather infamous line:

"Components? American components, Russian components, ALL MADE IN TAIWAN!"

It's true innit? Everything CAN be made in Taiwan. Even Single Malt Whisky.

That's right. Just in case you've been living under a rock these past few years, Taiwan now has its own single malt whisky brand -  Kavalan.

Launch: Nikka Coffey Series in Malaysia

If you're into whisky, I'm pretty sure you're aware about (and contribute to) the hype on the sudden and terrible shortage of Japanese aged whiskies.

Nikka has been in the limelight quite recently for this reason too. Hearts were broken as selected Taketsuru, Yoichi and Miyagikyo expressions were phased out (and prices increased by a gazillion percent). While these are stuff of legend, what really set Nikka apart from the rest of the clutter (for me at least) is not their aged single malts (because everyone and their grandmother makes single malts), but their NAS blended and grains.

If you follow me at all, you'll know that I've professed my love for the Nikka From the Barrel, Taketsuru 12 and Nikka Coffey Grain.

Insta Weekly: 44 Bar The Row - DIY Cocktails: GnT, Manhattan & Jungle Bird - Janice of O+A - Labuan & Kota Kinabalu.

Oops. Last week's insta weekly report's late because I spent the last weekend travelling across Labuan and Kota Kinabalu, which I'll tell you about once you get past my other equally-exciting boozy adventures of the week, hehe.


1. 44 Bar's Found a New Temporary Home @ The Row, Kuala Lumpur

Left: Juicy fruity Tango Mango. Middle: Kick-ass Bottle Aged Cocktails. Right: Potential crowd favourite: Donkey Kick

The 44 Bar that we know and love (previously ex-APW) has popped up at The Row along Jalan Doraisamy. The Row may sound unfamiliar to you - but how about its former name - Asian Heritage Row? That's right, The Row IS a souped up ex-Asian Heritage Row filled with new third wave cafes, quaint eateries and other instagram-genic shops that hipsters would love.

Bar Mizukami, Bangunan Ming Annexe

Welcome back Shawn Chong! We have been waiting over 3 years for him to (re)open his bar and he finally has! Well, it's not as if he hasn't been busy - Shawn has been working with F&B outlets and hotels to create drinks menus under the Mizukami brand these few years.

Insta Weekly : Happy 58 Years old, Malaysia - Keep Your Peels - Arran Whisky Fling - Junior @ #tikitakeover44 - Taps' Better Beer Festival

Long post ahead! So no need for a filler introduction! Just go go go!

1. Jungle Bird for Merdeka #58

I've made the Jungle Bird quite a few times already just to practice. Practice practice practice makes perfect! If you're a true blue Malaysian  then this is one cocktail you should learn to make (and perhaps an Old Fashioned) to impress guests or a date, because if there are only 2 things that we are all unitedly proud of, it's our F(ood) and our B(everage).

Insta Weekly: Diageo Worldclass Malaysia Finals, Tuak from Sarawak, Taps Beer Bar, Vom Fass Whisk(e)y Tasting, Glenlivet 50 Finale, Kitshcy French Wine.

Last week was filled with celebrations!

- celebrated 4 very talented bartenders who were chosen to represent Malaysia in one of the biggest bartending competitions in the planet.

- celebrated the winning bidders who bade a record-breaking RM96k for a bottle of rare 50 year old...whisky (hehe).

- celebrated a pair of good friends' baby's 1 year old birthday, where family and close friends got together to over-indulge in an awesome home-cooked BBQ meal... with some awesome drams of course.

- and celebrated the relocation of this wonderful, wonderful bread shop with some delicious wines.

What I'm trying to say is, there's always a cause for celebration. And those causes are usually the greatest reasons for a good drink... or two.... ;)

1. Diageo Reserve World Class Finals @ The Bee, Publika. 

(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.

Bar Terumi, Taman Paramount

Bar Terumi is a casual cocktail bar located at Taman Paramount, Petaling Jaya.

Hosted by award-winning bartender Shirmy Chan (Omakase + Appreciate, 61 Monarchy) and accompanied by Caden Chua (Coley), expect nothing less than thoughtful and creative signatures with Japanesque concepts as well as classics.

Ki No Bai Arrives to Malaysia

Irasshaimase Ki No Bai! That's right folks. The Kyoto Distillery has brought its first-of-its-kind plum and berry liqueur to Malaysia!

This new expression is the distillery’s interpretation of British Sloe Gin and inspired by the Japanese umeshu, featuring locally sourced ingredients, such as haskap berries from Hokkaido and ume plums from Kyoto.

Launch: Monkey Shoulder Blended Malt Scotch Whisky in Malaysia

Monkey Shoulder has officially arrived in Malaysia, YEAY!

Selamat datang Monkey Shoulder!

....but boo, because I wanted to keep it all to myself :(