I’ve always been a big fan of single (and available) malt whiskeys. I guess it appeals to the more refined side of me (yes, you have to squint, but it’s there :p). I’ve had Glenfiddich Solera Reserve before and I loved it. Thus, I jumped at the chance when Kim invited me to a Glenfiddich whiskey tasting session.
It’s tantalizingly called Glenfiddich – Taste The Future and I was told that we’ll be sampling several Glenfiddich products, including some that are not available in the market (!). How could I refuse and still sleep at night? The ethanol connoisseur in me (no, you don’t have to squint to see this part) arrived promptly at 3 pm to meet up with Mr. Ong (Kim’s dad).
The tasting session was held at elle six art gallery and it was conducted by Mr Ludoviq Ducrocq. I love names I can’t pronounce – Mr Ludoviq Ducrocq is the Global Ambassador for Glenfiddich and he travels around the world to conduct tastings. I want his job. π
There was a righteous spread of food before the whiskey tasting started. I’m not one to eat before drinking since I like drinking on an empty stomach. Just to torture my body, ya know. π However, I grabbed a plate and nibbled on some food just to be polite. Heh!
The highlight of the evening started with a presentation by Mr Ludoviq Ducrocq. There were 7 glasses in front of each seat. The glasses were on a paper liner detailing the age of the Glenfiddich single malt. Present in the parade was:
Glenfiddich 12 year old
Glenfiddich 15 year old
Glenfiddich 18 year old
Glenfiddich 21 year old
Glenfiddich 30 year old
…and two mystery glasses labeled “New Make Spirit” and “Future Glenfiddich“. Intriguing. I like!
I’m lovin’ it already. π
Mr Ludoviq Ducrocq taught us the proper way to taste single malt. You swirl the liquid around and smell it before sipping it. The whisky is rolled around your tongue while you breathe in to capture the notes of the whisky before swallowing.
We started off with the Glenfiddich 12 year old and progressed throughout the years. Each time before we taste the Glenfiddich, we were shown a video of what happened during the year the aged single malt was made.
I can recognize scenes from 1997 (12 year old), 1994 (15 year old), and 1991 (18 year old). My memory started getting hazy during the 1988 (21 year old) video since I was only 7 then and I can’t relate to the 1979 (30 year old) video at all. I was still a good year away from swimming into my mother in 1979, accounting for the incubation period of 9 months so I don’t remember anything at all.
The Glenfiddich – Taste The Future session also had covered items on the table in front of us. The glasses contain items ranging from honey to figs. You’re supposed to compare the single malt with the items so there was a lot of sniffing and touching going on. Okay, that sounded wrong, but you catch my drift.
Glenfiddich 12 year old has pear and subtle oak notes.
Glenfiddich 15 year old has warm spice, honey and rich fruit notes.
Glenfiddich 18 year old has oak, apple and cinnamon notes.
Glenfiddich 21 year old has vanilla, rich toffee and new leather notes (!).
Glenfiddich 30 year old has sherry, fig and dark chocolate notes.
It’s a bit disturbing to actually be able to taste the notes in the whisky…especially the new leather. :S
Mr Ludoviq Ducrocq told us to close our eyes and think back to what happened when a particular whisky was bottled. It should be noted that a Glenfiddich 15 year old (for example) could be much older than that – it just means that it’s aged for at least 15 years prior to bottling.
I particularly liked the New Make Spirit. Weighing in at a staggering 70% alcohol, it’s Glenfiddich before it goes into the casks for aging. It has a really strong bite – reminds me of this 95% alcohol I had back in Melbourne.
The Future Glenfiddich is intriguing as well. It’s 7 years old and a good 5 years away from bottling. However, you can taste hints of this Glenfiddich-to-be. It’s only going to be sold in 2014 at least so in 2014, when you drink a Glenfiddich 12 year old, I’ll be there to say “Hah! I drank that 5 years ago!” in a smug manner. :p
…if I’m still alive in 2014, of course. π
I liked the Glenfiddich
30 year old the best. It has
character and I can appreciate the aging process it went through. It’s as old as my sister and retails for RM 1,430.
There is also a bottle of Glenfiddich Rare Collection 40 year old on display, which we unfortunately did not get a chance to taste. This bottle retails for an astounding RM 8,455.
I got to hold it though. =D
I hear it’s the next best thing. :p

Deep, i never know how to taste a whisky! Haha. Anyway how to pronounce Mr Ludoviq Ducrocq eh! Haha
nice venue
Dude, Kim is pretty, she’s got the sexiest lips ever appear on Sixthseal .com. Perfect manga like torso to leg proportion and she posses an aura that shines through. I know, I know, but wife said I can still look, appreciate and give the fair share of deserved complement to pretty ladies.
I heard years ago, Martel’s PR went to Sibu and were dumb found that timber Taikuns were slamming expensive aged cognac like cheap tequila shots.
shaoweii: Just call him Mr. Ludo. π
Pretsel Maker: Indeed. I wasn’t sure I could find the place to I met up with Kim at Westin Hotel.
e: Yeah, and she is also engaged. π
Martel? Hmm…I missed that one. I must make myself known to these alcohol corporations to score tasting sessions. π
I like 15 best for price point vs taste, 12 is just rough.
18 isn’t that much nicer, 30 is excellent but bloody expensive.
“It’s as old as my sister”
LOL HB, what a way to describe the whiskey. *cheers*
whoa Kim is hot! Hahah sounds quite wrong coming from a girl but she’s really hot! lol. got same surname with me also π
your hair looks like its badly damage from the bleaching eh.
This reminds me of our conversation about Louis XIII… if you ever get hold of one, pls pls, invite me for a tasting session? π
Omg this is likeee, right behind my house π I miss KL!
hihi, wow! your life is so interesting!
just realised she’s the wife-to-be of our Msian cyclist – Josiah Ng! haha.
huai bin what happened to your hair?! why isit green?1 and why does it look crimped?!
Further evidence you are one lucky dude. Big fan of the singles. You should go to Scotland someday if you’re into that – amazing single malts you can only find there. One more thing: do you only hang out with unbelievably hot girls? I’ve been reading for a few months (and I’ve gone back to read about your, erm, wild days) and it occurs to me (not for the first time) that you are up to your ears in beautiful women, most of whom write intelligent, witty blogs. I know, I know: she’s engaged, you have a girlfriend, whatever… hot is hot. Close proximity to hot is….. heat.
Whisky buffet! Single Malt somemore!!! Lucky you π
And how could I have neglected to mention Ringo? She’s stunningly beautiful. Yours, HB, is a charmed life.
HB, glad some of your bloggers are concearn of your hair. It true too much bleaching can damage hair. Been there myself. Nice food spread. Wonder what did you had to eat? Hope you remember it.
I like swirl it and smell see color of XO Brandy or Black Lable. In Taiwan many business try not to let you order it straight but on the rock to cheat you. I insist straight sure enough water down and not even real B.L. or XO.
ohhhh sounds so tasty π
makes me all thirsty
btw i thought you had no money?
how could you spend something for a tasting session??
HB, last entry you mention you’re moving is it to be near work for time or better price rent? With me near to Irving St which is like Chinatown. Stores and restaurants,banks and ect. I drive to work. Apt got garage and water part of rent. Weekend bike around the city.
wow this sounds like one of those parties for me!! Single malts… yum yum. You lucky #!$%%!# (insert own foul words). Lol…
booze is 4 fags
engaged to you, HB?hehe..
is she a model? she sure looks like one..sexy body=)
anyway, those whisky r sexy too..btw, according to u, which brand has the best whisky?
Argh I wish I got invites like that! Didn’t they give you any goodie bag? Freebies to take home? ;p
Argh I wish I got invites like that! Didn’t they give you any goodie bag? Freebies to take home? ;p
HB: I have replied your…er, personal problem via email. π
Don’t worry about it, the wax won’t just dissolve like that.
Who is your new dear?
Show us π
Interesting!! but then I never really know how to taste it MaN!!
I’ve been reading your blog since i was 18 or 19 and now am 24. I used to go to the same high school you went to in Sibu. From time to time me and my classmates will discuss the activities you wrote on your blog. Some bad and nasty comments were made upon you. I kinda regret that now as I think that there are people out there who wanted to be just like you. Carefree and be able to live your life to the fullest. Hate you or like you, there’s an alter ego in me who wanted to be just like you. Sometimes life isn’t going that well for me and I felt like dying. Sometimes I also think myself as a wacko and don’t wanna talk to anyone else. Then I’ll read your blog. You’re just one optimistic (I guess) person who just wanna be yourself and be true. One day I’ll do whatever I want and never regret myself.
All the best to you.
Loyalty to a fault (The Glenfiddich way….)
An English nobleman and his Irish manservant ran into each other in Hell.
“Lord,” exclaimed the Irishman, “what are you doing here?”
The nobleman sighed. “I’m here because I lied, cheated, and stole to pay the debts run up by that playboy son of mine. But you were always a faithful, loyal servant. Why are you here?”
The Irishman replied, “For fathering a playboy son!”
Lovely post. There will be another session soon, hook up your friends at Damas. See yah. Oh ya, your camera makes a difference for your lovely, clear photos. I like…
I’m sure you’ll be around to drink the leftover liquor in 2014.. How bad can a couple crystal-induced liver holes be? π
Mmmm Glenfiddich is my favorite whiskey all time, because of the smoothness and the exquisite taste. My aim to get the 30 year old in my collection
ShaolinTiger: I like the 12 year old myself, smells fresh. π
fish fish: Haha! I have run out of adjectives to describe the age. π
chefmel: Yup, she’s Ong too. π
Yalor, my hair is damn dry right now…and the bleaching process is making the black color fade off easily everytime I take a shower.
The color changes ever so slightly brighter each day. It’s kinda sandy now.
nalexa: Haha! Sure, if I ever can justify plonking down the cash for that bottle. π
Mellissa: Hmm…I don’t really know where this place is (as usual). π
Come back quick. Winter break. :p
Annie: Interesting? That could be one adjective to describe my life. π
chefmel: Yup, that’s this Kim alright. π
aud: It’s the bleaching process from the Nuffnang Music Bash. π
It’s turned my hair into a mutant with a life of it’s own.
John: Heh! Well, it’s not always fun and games. I’m writing a proposal right now for work – it’s 10 pm on a Sunday night and I’m working coz it’s due tomorrow. So yeah, it kinda all balances out. In the end. π
YilingL: Yeah, drank quite a bit of the 30 year old too. π
Vickie: Well, I like to drink single malt neat, not on the rocks. However, Mr. Ludo did demonstrate that some water added can contribute to the taste.
shadowking: I was invited to the tasting session, thanks to Kim. Didn’t have to fork out anything. π
Michael (Mike): Nope, I’m moving coz the landlord wants to move back to his condo…so I’m searching for a place now.
eiling: Haha! It was fun, I bet you would have loved it! π
pm: Eh, I’m neutral about the issue. π
eric: No lah, of course not. I’m single. :p
Anyway, for single malts I like Glenfiddich and Maccalan.
julian: Haha! I wish! A goodie bagc containing the 40 year old. π
hee: No one. I’m single and available.
hitomi: You don’t really like alcohol either right? It’s a blessing in disguise. π
I’d better off be dead: Hey, I feel you mate. No worries, no hard feelings at all.
The past is best left where it belongs – the past. π
Cheers mate and thanks for reading. π
You can be true to yourself too. I wish you all the best!
DYMM_Tuanku: Hahaha! Nice one. Cracked me up at least. π
Kim Ong: Thanks Kim! I won’t miss the next tasting session. π
Trey: Haha! I sure hope so mate. I’m cutting down either way, my drinking methodology e.g. the way I approach alcohol is fundementally flawed. π
Darren: Me too, but I’m scared I’ll just drink it. π