Editor’s note: #SaturdaySip is a brand new series we’re introducing here on thepeak.com.my. Each month, we gather four to five of our favourite drinks. We will do the taste test, review and tell you all about it. This story will be updated once a week with the latest monthly updates.
According to a reliable source, Saturday is the best day of the week for drinking, while Monday is the worst. But when is the ideal moment to enjoy a drink? We recommend – evenings, when the sun begins to set, and the world slows down. During this time, we’ve finally gotten through most of the day and are ready to unwind.
Here, we have gathered our top picks. From whiskey to cocktails, you’ll find one to suit your tastebuds.
1. Glenfiddich Remarkable Time Reimagined Series
Bridging the past with the present
Glenfiddich is the only distillery that uses the remnant vatting process, and this accumulation of flavours over time adds complexity to the taste. Through the decades, the perfect counterpoint to these whiskies has been maturing quietly and evolving in Speyside, Scotland. Matured over decades and while developing a richness and depth of flavour that is rarely encountered, Glenfiddich redefines the reality of what single malt whisky can be.
Presented in a unique casing of bespoke artwork, the striking outer packaging created for all three whiskies visually deconstructs and proudly brings to life these articulations of time in spectacular form, telling their stories through maverick and disruptive design techniques. Now, these single malts have reached the zenith of their maturity and are finally ready to savour.
30 Year Old
Rich in bronze, it is an exquisitely structured balance of hearty oak marrying with sweet, subtle sherry notes. The taste is a complex combination, giving deep, woody flavours interlaced with delicate floral accents that ends with a warm and honey finish.
Elegant cut-out windows, complex structure, and dynamic lines evoke the moment of whisky’s maturation, preserved for all eternity.
40 Year Old
It is more than an exemplary single malt, where this rare single malt is made through remnant vatting, melding the many liquid layers of its four-decade formulation in dark mahogany. To create an extraordinary expression, a deeply-reek layered of dried fruits, dark chocolate, roasted coffee, and ripe black cherries is overpowering, completed with subtle waves of gentle wood smoke. When tasting, a luxuriously full and silky smooth taste lingered.
The decanter is housed in a stunning sculptural container and jesmonite-made stopper. Its outer packaging design comes with a bold and maverick take on a geological metamorphosis. Besides, the innovative stone material is carved with interwoven grooves that expose the twisting veins flowing through it, reflecting a dramatic evolution.
50 Year Old
This precious liquid is an extremely rare and sought-after collector’s item with only 220 decanters released across the globe. Flowing in antique gold, a tantalizing aroma of geranium fills the air. Its long-lasting rich orange peel and clementine meet complex notes of Madeira cake and muscovado sugar. For taste, a lingering sweetness softens into deep, silky smooth oak tannin and sun-dried vanilla.
London-based computational architect Manuel Jimenez García is the man behind who built the outer casing for this extraordinary whisky. Indeed, it is an artistic representation of the climatic data.
Stay tuned for the next sip!
2. Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz
From milestone occasions to out-of-the-ordinary moments that matter, Penfolds wines make the perfect blend to mark a celebration. For the second sip, we are highlighting one of Australia’s best-known red wines – the 2019 vintage Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz. It’s worth mentioning that- the wine has been proudly gracing tables for more than 60 years.
With its generous mid-plate, Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz was often referred to as – “Baby Grange,” as its components matured in the same barrels that held the previous vintage of Grange. First made in 1960 by the legendary Max Schubert, this was the wine that helped forge Penfolds’ reputation with red wine drinkers by combining the structure of cabernet sauvignon with the richness of Shiraz.
When tasting, some overt single-varietal cabernet and shiraz fruits sit plump, with oak fully absorbed. Before an impressive length with thick concentration and a mandatory Bin 389 sweet core, the wine unites dark chocolate and mocha in the background – thawing the judicious balance of fruit and oak.
The savory bouquet mixes diverse notes and gives off toasty-barrel nuances dashed with fresh acidity coating the mouth. The wine is ideal for pairing with food, and goes well with smoked salmon, Kobe beef, and roasted vegetables. An essential wine to have at home, for that special moment.
Till the next bottle!
3. The Macallan “A Night On Earth In Scotland”
Every moment counts with a glass of whisky. Tonight, let’s cheers to – The Macallan “A Night On Earth In Scotland.” A limited-edition single malt that tells a story of the New Year in Scotland, reflecting on the joy of celebrating special occasions with loved ones. The visuals illustrate the most memorable time of year. The unique, multi-layered gift box showcases Japanese-French illustrator Erica Dorn’s bespoke abstract designs, and the all-red packaging expresses the Hogmanay story.
In addition, the presentation is simply luxurious and festive in colour synonymous with the brand’s history and heritage. Upon opening, a blue night sky hoves into view with the bottle surrounded by rich amber colours, shining like opening a chest of gold.
A Night on Earth in Scotland is created from a selection of The Macallan’s exceptional American and European oak sherry seasoned casks, along with American ex-bourbon barrels. In rich, sweet shortbread-like character, this whisky delivers the perfect Scottish delicacy punctuated by fruity notes of dried orange and spice. For food pairing, slightly sweeter nuts, almonds, and biscuits are some of the best options. During each sip, oak, citrus peels, acidity, pears and honey are flavours that linger.
