Clan Gold - Whisky Indulgence With David Findlay
Whisky Indulgence with David Findlay, by invitation. Union Square at The Amara was the good place to hold the event.
It is going to be about Clan Gold. You know this whisky? I think all you whisky lovers should.
Who Is David Findlay?
He started his career in the transport industry before he moved to Scotch Whisky (what a lucky bloke!). Many of us are still left stranded in the MerryTime (pronounced Maritime) business. David Findlay has worked alongside the best Blender in the business, David Stewart who has won many awards than anyone in the Scotch Industry. David Findlay is now the Brand Ambassador for the company and this was his first visit to the Far East. The people that were here that day and had met David Findlay are a fortunate lot. I told David that I like his kilt. Unfortunately, I didn't tucked my shirt in properly and it looked like I had a bottle of whisky in there. Singapore is so cosmopolitan now and with our hot and humid weather, we should be metropolitan and start sporting kilts.
Here is Mr. Adrian Sim of 6drunkmen with David. Apparently, he seemed to admire the kilt too.
This is the reason why we were all there!
Ambassadors at large.
Whisky Master Class Session. I sensed a great thirst as we learned how whisky are being made. We knew mostly only how to gulp, I suspect.
Every table was occupied.
Some of us like our whisky with water, soda or even jasmine green tea at certain clubs or in China. For a good whisky, the worse you can do is on the rocks. Look at this golden liquid! It made "Shiny Happy People". Here's Michael Stipes and R.E.M.
"Shiny happy people laughing. Meet me in the crowd people, people. Throw your love around, love me, love me. Take it into town, happy, happy. Put it in the ground where the flowers grow. Gold and silver shine. Everyone around, love them, love them. Put it in your hands, take it, take it. Put it in your heart where tomorrow shines...." Sounds like the whisky singing.
David continued talking about the intricacies of whisky.
While I cuddled up with Mr. Adrian Oh of 6drunkmen. 6drunkmen is also the Bungy Bar:
In case you didn't know, the Bungy Bar was rated among the ten best sports bar in the world!
They served some very lovely bread with egg, chicken and tuna. Just in the nick of time. The Cantonese would welcome if the tuna sings as one gentleman put it.
Mr. Eric Wong, Mr. David Findlay with Mr. Ivan Lim who wrote for the Newpaper and I believed he published a book "Nightlife" recently about nightlife in Singapore, what's in store and of cheapos and free-loaders, etc. Some of you may be interested to read that book.
Finally, I met the third Adrian of the night - Mr. Adrian Khi (facing camera) who's in charged of NTUC Clubhouses.
Now, till then everything was interesting but it came to a time for the real challenge. They used to do blind test for soft drinks and even for wine. They give you a cheaper, younger wine and tell you it is expensive and aged while presenting you an expensive wine as a cheap one, you can get psycho-ed. I attended the Bose sound system demo where they played music or movies with really great and big quality sound then when it ended, they removed the covers and unveiled 5 pairs of tiny speakers and everyone in the room went "Wow!" Is this what we are going to get?
Quoting from Clan Gold:
Clan Gold 15 Year Old is a sublime blend of the finest grain and malt whiskies from Scotland all aged for a minimum of 15 years where their Master Blender selected a high percentage of single malt whiskies from the Highlands and Speyside regions of Scotland and carefully blended them with the purest grain whisky from the Lowlands. Golden with brilliant clarity this selection of some of the best malt whiskies gives a rich, malty depth with a hint of nutty oakiness on the nose. The Master Blender added layers of complexity into the flavour which produces a mellow touch of spice and vanilla subtly balanced with a gentle hint of woodiness all ending with a smooth, long and soothing finish. An unusual blend for the 21st century, which steadfastly refuses to blast you away with over the top flavour and/or aroma profiles and instead deoends on subtlety and poise despite the obvious richness of flavour. The theme is unapologetically Speyside but with a surprising light-spiced sub-plot. Thre grains, as they should be with any blend, make an impact but only by creating the frame in which the more complex notes can be admired. A truly well balanced Whisky for all occasions and winner of the IWSC Silver 2011. Mmm...I thought it may have described some of us - brilliant, nutty and so on.
Clan Gold 18 Year Old is a truly magnificent blend of the finest grain and malt whiskies from Scotland all aged for a minimum of 18 years where their Master Blender has chosen from the best examples of single malt whiskies from the Highlands and Speyside regions of Scotland and married them carefully with the finest and most elegnat grain whiskies from the Lowlands. This aged spirit produce spectacular golden amber with brilliant clarity. With a complex nose, this blend combines beautifully vanilla and spices together with subtle notes of nuttiness and dried fruits. It delivers a full bodied flavour combined with a silky mouthfeel with rich layers of fruitcake, honey and delicate oak fading slowly into a long, rich and elegant aftertaste. Chewey, clean and truly rejoicing in the complex dovetailing of the malt and chalk, the oak remains refined throughout with the grains polishing the last of the fading malts. The smattering of light muscovado sugars continues until very close to the end when the slightly drier oaks start to control, though now in more intense form, the spices apparent on delivery. A magnificent blended aged whisky "to be enjoyed and savoured neat", over ice or with a little water to allow the full character to be released.
The test of the pudding is in the eating. In Singapore, every drink regardless of brandy, whisky, wine or whatever is "yum seng". Grab it with your hands, down it in a gulp, repeat it and everyone is happy. With such good whisky, one should exercise finesse. Take a sip, let it go down slow and easy passing your oesophagus and take a deep breath. Take a second sip, keep it and let it linger in your mouth and around your tongue for 5 seconds then gently release it. Take another deep breath. It took my breath away! Here's Berlin:
.....lovers know no shame (so do drinkers)...returning to some secret place inside.....................(please don't tell them how you found me).
We took it side by side with a major and popular brand "X" both neat and were completely astounded. The bewilderment spread around the table, it was really smoooooth compared with the other which we thought is smooth. It was almost like ecstasy as people were taken by surprise. You should have been here to witness the faces around. How many Os should there be in smooth?
Well, we continued some more till the party ended. An interesting evening of whisky indulgence I must say with Messrs. David Findlay, Eric Wong, the three Adrians and the other members and guests. So what do we think of Clan Gold, especially the 18 year old? "Wow!" And you are safe to indulge, this is above 17 and guaranteed 18! "Wow! Wow!"
I'll give you a song to go along with that Scotch. Let Carlos Santana and Rob Thomas tell you, cos you are so smooth.....:
To all the whisky drinkers out there, this is the challenge: Seek out the Clan Gold 18YO or 15YO and find out for yourself what we just did. You can thank me later for sharing. Oh, by the way, do not drink and drive for you may spill that golden liquid when you go over a hump. Cheers!
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