Shots!

1. 99 problems but beer ain't one

Image source: Thedieline.com

For some reason, this Texan brewery thought it was an awesome idea to release a 99-pack beer. You know what they say? Everything is bigger in Texas. Beer bellies too, I'm guessing.

Check out entertaining pictures of it on Google.

Brewery website: http://anytimeale.com/






2.  Harry Craddock's Birthday - 29 August

Image source: wbur.org

Harry Craddock (1876 - 1963) is one of the most celebrated prohibition bartenders.

Said to have created about 240 cocktails in his lifetime, he was the 3rd bartender of the The American Bar at the Savoy Hotel  - one of the earliest outlets to introduce American-style cocktails to Europe.

Harry is known for creating the White Lady (gin based) and Corpse Reviver (brandy based, hair of the dog) cocktails, and published the The Savoy Cocktail Book, the hotel's first cocktail book, in 1930. Read more about him here and here.


3. Kirin Glamping Event

Image source: Kirin FB page

Kirin Ichiban wants to bring you on a glamorous camping (glamping) trip filled with Japanese entertainment, food and beer on 21 September 2014.

All you have to do is 1)purchase the bottle, can or draught at any outlets between now and 21 September (does not include purchases from groceries ya!) 2) make sure you receive a Glamping scratch card and 3) register online at kirinichiban.com.my/glamping.

I personally want to go, but I haven't been lucky at getting the scratch cards. For some reason, some outlets are not participating in this or will not give you the card if you don't ask. So make sure you ask about the scratch card first before you buy your beer - otherwise you'll be severely disappointed like me.




4. One giant leap for whisky.

Image source: www.ardberg.com

Think you've tried all types of aged whisky that earth has to offer? Well how about a whisky that's been aged OUT of this world? Uh huh. Ardbeg sent their whisky into space to be aged back in 2011 and it's coming back on 12 September this year.

Scientists wanted to know if there were any differences between a space-aged whisky compared to its earth--based version. So there is a vial of un-matured malt that's been in outer space for 3 years, and there's another identical bottle at the distillery here to act as a control sample.

It was also a great excuse to launch (haha) Ardberg Gallileo, in commemoration of this first-of-its-kind mission. Of course it's limited edition.

Ardberg is really excited about it and asks you to check out the background and news of their experiment here: www.ardbeg.com/ardbeg/ardbeg-in-space


5. A few big names for booze

Image source: thespiritsbusiness.com

• Iggy Pop is with Sailor Jerry rum to launch a limited edition clothing collection. Quite a good fit considering Iggy Pop is punk rock and Sailor Jerry's quite out there too. 
• Jeff Bridges, who was the star of the Big Lebowski, who enjoys White Russians cocktails, is working with Kahlua in a short film about (surprise surprise!) the White Russian cocktail. 
• David Beckham's is the face of a new single grain, NAS Scotch called Haig Club (by Diageo) because football and getting drunk go together, or something like that.

Looks like everyone, even big stars, need a little side income. :D

Have a great week ahead!

Click me for previous Shots! 

The IBA Project: Quick Intro, Between the Sheets

For a (lengthy) background of this project: check out  this post from back in 2013 <shy>. If you read or watch movies, this is akin to the Julie & Julia project. Except instead of French food, I'm learning to make cocktails, my name is not Julie and and I'm not following recipes created by Julia, and I have no plans to create a book .... or a movie. So .... wait, actually... it's actually.... NOTHING like the Julie & Julia project, hehe.

TLDR:  I'm on a quest to re-create a bunch of cocktail recipes.

I've been wanting to do this for ages but never really gotten around to doing it because of 1) the amount of research I have to do 2) the effort it takes to experiment with the different variations tfor each cocktail and finding one that I personally liked 3) just getting the ingredients for the whole list of 77 cocktails is a huge obstacle in terms of cost and - Eg: recipe calls for rum? what brand? what age? dark or light? where do I buy it? Can die right?

<cue: this is where you, my kind and generous good Samaritans, come in offering to donate me some bottles for a good cause!>

But enough of excuses. I'm gonna embark on this right now. A journey of a thousand steps begins with a single step. So here is the single step:

Between the Sheets

Shots!

Hmm. I think wrapping up the week on a Friday would be a better idea than starting the week with old news, kan? Bear with me while I tinkle around with this for a bit m.

1. Glass moulded from a famous PERSON'S boob

Image source: Greatideas.people.com

This is not a hoax. While ordinary plebs like you and me celebrate special occasions with a glass of champagne, Kate Moss celebrated her 25th anniversary of being in the fashion industry by imprinting her LEFT boob (see how specific she was?) on a champagne glass. Apparently this is also an ode to the first champagne glass from the late 18th century which was modelled after Marie Antoinette's boob.

I'm not sure whether to feel disgusted, laugh or cry, but I'll leave it to you to feel your range of emotions privately. That awkwardness aside, the glass itself looks pretty elegant.

If you had all the fame and money in the world, I guess nothing really holds you back from wanting to immortalise any part of your body into glassware. What's next? Naomi Campbell launching a shot glass modelled after her nose? Heidi Klum's teethmarks on the rim of a rock glass? This world can never be a dull place to live in. More on our local daily at The Malay Mail Online.


2. Heineken's Cities of the World.

Image Source: theheinekencompany.com

Heineken wants to give you the opportunity to win some prizes and an awesome holiday to New York for you and a friend! To get that chance to win anything, I'm pretty darn sure that a bottle purchase is required somewhere.... and a quick check on their website confirms that yes, it does!

There will be SIX limited edition designed bottles with special codes included into the bottle caps. Make sure to collect your bottle caps and participate between 1 Aug to 15 September. If you enjoy your Heineken, this an added bonus to you! For more info, check out their website at www.heineken.com/openyourcity



3. Guinness' Amplify

Image source: facebook.com/guinnessmalaysia

16 acts. 6 live shows. 1 finale. Guinness wants you to have a taste of our local band music, and their stout (of course) at an awesome promotional price (of course) at these concert venues.

This will happen from 6 September onwards and the gigs will travel from KL to Johor, to Penang and then the finale will be at a yet to be disclosed venue in KL.

Gigs are free but on a first come first served basis. Acts include big local names like Kyoto Protocol, Paperplane Pursuit... etc. So since September is the month of Malaysia Day, be patriotic and show your support to our local bands and (sort of) locally brewed stout by showing up at these concerts. Find out more at www.amplify.com.my




4. Carlsberg's BPL Trophy Tour

Image source: https://www.facebook.com/CarlsbergMY/

Carlsberg used their magical powers to bring the actual BPL trophy for a tour around Malaysia - specifically to KL, Penang and JB.

This tour will happen from 29 August to 31 August 2014. So if you're a die-hard English League football head, you're totally peeing your pants right now and you would wanna check out their FB page at  facebook.com/CarlsbergMY/ for more details on the trophy's tour schedule.









5. Patrick Stewart does the ALS Challenge right.


If you have no idea what this is, you've likely been on the moon in the past month. Or not have the internet for a month. Or had no contact with people.

While the concept is a noble one, the execution leaves me cringing. Here we are, praying that the next round of water rationing won't befall onto us, while people all around the world are pouring buckets of ice cold water on themselves, for charity, apparently.

Well, Patrick Stewart jumps on the bandwagon too, but not like how you think. He shows you how to classily play along while defying the game and still be altruistic all at the same time.

And he managed to pull through all that without wasting a single drop of water. Or ice. He is so the man of the moment.

How is this relevant to booze? Well, <Spoiler Alert> he is seen pouring himself a glass of Chivas, he he.

Have a great fun-filled Merdeka long weekend!
Make merry, safely!

Click me for previous Shots! 

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)